Best Credit Cards For Emergencies In 2024 (2024)

Up to 10x Reward Rate

Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel throughRead More

Welcome Bonus

60,000 bonus points

Annual Fee

$550

Regular APR

22.49%-29.49% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent(750 - 850)

Designed for big spenders, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers high credit limits, making it worth considering for major financial emergencies.

What We Like

The card offers a minimum credit limit of $10,000, and some online reports show limits of up to $80,000. What’s more, you can instantly add your card to a digital wallet upon approval, so you don’t have to wait to receive the card in the mail.

In addition to its emergency features, the card offers impressive rewards and perks. Card benefits include an annual $300 travel credit, complimentary access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide and an application fee credit toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS.

What We Don’t Like

While the card offers a lot of value — and room for big emergencies — it charges a steep $550 annual fee and doesn’t offer an intro APR. If you opt for the Sapphire Reserve, this card should be more than an emergency card choice. Also, keep in mind that this card may require excellent credit for approval, so it won’t be a fit for everyone.

Who It’s Best For

People with a significant financial emergency who also want a premium travel credit card for long-time use.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is one of the most valuable flexible rewards credit cards thanks to its lucrative bonus categories and easy-to-use travel credit. Cardholders can offset the annual fee and get great value when redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points earned on the card, thanks to partnerships with numerous airlines and hotels and its convenient travel booking portal, Chase Travel℠.

Rates & Fees

Up to 5X Reward Rate

Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5X miles on CapitalRead More

Welcome Bonus

Earn 75,000 bonus miles

Annual Fee

$95

Regular APR

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Credit Score

Excellent, Good(700 - 749)

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card‘s flexible approach to redeeming rewards for past travel purchases makes it a winner for emergency travel needs (rates & fees).

What We Like

The card offers flexible redemption options for travel, including an opportunity to request a statement credit for past travel purchases up to 90 days after the transaction date. If you earn the card’s welcome bonus within the first few months, you could use the miles to get a credit for some or all of your initial emergency travel expenses.

In addition to valuable rewards on everyday purchases, perks include an application fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® and the option to transfer rewards to several airline and hotel loyalty program partners.

What We Don’t Like

If you have an emergency you need to pay for in person, you’re out of luck until you have the card in hand. Also, note that the card charges a modest $95 annual fee.

Who It’s Best For

People needing to make emergency travel plans who want to earn rewards to pay for their expenses retroactively.

The Capital One Venture Rewards card is extremely low maintenance as far as travel reward cards go. It provides consistent value and flexibility when it comes to earning and redeeming points for travel and is an excellent alternative for anyone a bit leery of the high Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card annual fee (rates & fees).

Rates & Fees

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% Variable APR

Credit Score

Excellent, Good(700 - 749)

Whether you have emergency expenses or need to handle high-interest credit card debt urgently, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card gives you nearly two years to pay off your balance at a low introductory rate.

What We Like

The card offers an incredible introductory APR, giving you a 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. A 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable APR applies thereafter. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro APR and a balance transfer fee of 5%, min $5 applies.

You can also add your credit card to a digital wallet through the Wells Fargo mobile app, so if you already have online banking set up, you may be able to use the card before you receive it in the mail.

What We Don’t Like

The Wells Fargo Reflect Card doesn’t offer rewards for your purchases. While you can get statement credits on eligible purchases through the My Wells Fargo Deals program, the card’s long-term value is somewhat limited. The balance transfer fee on this card is also higher than some of its competitors.

Who It’s Best For

People with urgent financial needs who prioritize interest savings over rewards.

The Wells Fargo Reflect includes decent auto and theft protection, but the most compelling card benefit is the generous intro balance transfer offer upon account opening.

No Rewards

This card does not earn rewards.

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

11.50% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

Credit Score

Excellent(750 - 850)

If you want a credit card with a low ongoing APR so you don’t have to worry about applying for a new card in the middle of an emergency, the Lake Michigan Credit Union Prime Platinum Card* should be on your radar.

What We Like

The card offers APRs as low as the prime rate plus 3% — currently, that’s 11.50% and up variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. The card issuer doesn’t disclose a maximum APR, but credit unions generally cap credit card interest rates below the average.

What We Don’t Like

Credit union membership is required to apply. If you’re not already a member of Lake Michigan, you can join but a membership fee is required. To qualify for the card’s lowest rate, you’ll typically need a credit score of 760 or higher. Additionally, the card doesn’t offer rewards of any kind.

Who It’s Best For

People who want an emergency credit card to have on hand for a rainy day, so they don’t have to apply for a new one when a financial storm hits.

Rates & Fees

Up to 2% Reward Rate

First, you earn 1% unlimited cash back on every purchase you make. Then, as you pay for those purchases, youRead More

Welcome Bonus

Earn $200 cash back

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

Credit Score

Excellent, Good, Fair

The Citi Double Cash® Card is the only card on our list available to fair-credit borrowers, but you don’t have to worry about missing out on great features.

What We Like

Citi allows cardholders to request virtual card numbers to use online or add to a digital wallet through the Citi mobile app. This option gives you access to use your account before you receive your card in the mail. You’ll also get a consistently high reward rate on every purchase you make.

If you have high-interest debt you need to urgently take care of, you’ll also enjoy a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the standard variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on creditworthiness. An intro balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3%, whichever is greater, applies to transfers completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, the fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

What We Don’t Like

While the card offers a solid intro APR promotion for balance transfers, the offer doesn’t include new purchases, so it won’t help avoid interest on new emergency expenses. If you opt for a balance transfer, you should avoid new purchases altogether since Citi will immediately charge you interest while you carry a balance.

Who It’s Best For

People with fair credit who want a credit card that offers solid rewards for purchases or a long intro balance transfer offer. It’s not ideal if you hope to do both at the same time.

Not everyone wants to chase bonus categories or shuffle cards in their wallet, which makes the Citi Double Cash the perfect “set it and forget it” credit card. It’s one of the only cards around that not only earns 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they’re paid off, but also offers a path to using that cash back in the form of more valuable travel points down the road when you’re ready to take the next step.

Up to 5X Reward Rate

Earn 5% cash back on purchases made at Walmart.com and the Walmart app, including grocery pickup and delivery; 2% cashRead More

Welcome Bonus

5% cash back for the first 12 months

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

19.48% or 29.99% variable

Credit Score

Good, Excellent(700 - 749)

The Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®* is an excellent choice for people who want to maximize their rewards on everyday essentials at Walmart.

What We Like

The Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®* provides access to a temporary card number you can add to Walmart Pay immediately upon approval. That makes it a good option if you need to make urgent purchases at Walmart stores or on Walmart.com.

What’s more, you’ll get a great rewards rate on all eligible Walmart purchases during the first year, plus solid rewards on online purchases with the retailer after that.

If you don’t qualify for the card, you may be considered for the Walmart Rewards Card*, which can only be used at Walmart stores. However, you’ll still enjoy the same introductory offer and ongoing rewards rates.

What We Don’t Like

The Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®* doesn’t offer an introductory 0% APR, and its APR can be steep for some borrowers. It also won’t give you much value if you use it to buy essentials from other retailers.

Who It’s Best For

Frequent Walmart shoppers who want to make the most of their essential expenses in a financial emergency.

Up to 6.5X Reward Rate

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on up to $20,000 spent in the first year, after that 5% cash backRead More

Welcome Bonus

Up to $300 cash back

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

20.49% - 29.24% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent, Good(700 - 749)

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers a solid introductory APR promotion and valuable cash-back rewards rates on all your purchases.

What We Like

As a Visa credit card, Chase allows you to add the Freedom Unlimited to your digital wallets before you receive your card in the mail, giving you instant access to your credit line. Chase Mastercard credit cards, such as the Chase Freedom Flex®, aren’t eligible for this feature.

As a new cardholder, you’ll also get a 0% introductory APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% – 29.24% applies. An intro transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies in the first 60 days of account opening. After that, a fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer applies. The rewards rates are also solid.

What We Don’t Like

If your top priority is maximizing interest savings, you may want to consider a card with a longer 0% APR promotion.

Who It’s Best For

People who want instant access to a new credit card that offers impressive rewards and interest savings.

The secret advantage of the Chase Freedom Unlimited is that it earns rewards that can be moved to other Chase credit cards instead of being redeemed for cash back. That means when you pair it with one of Chase’s cards that can transfer points to the bank’s airline and hotel partners, you’re effectively earning rewards that are even more valuable than advertised.

Rates & Fees

Up to 5% Reward Rate

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations,Read More

Welcome Bonus

Cashback Match™

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR

Credit Score

Fair/New to Credit

The Discover it® Student Cash Back doesn’t require a credit score to apply and also offers interest savings for a short period, making it a solid lifeline for college students.

What We Like

Discover doesn’t offer instant access to your card number, but you can add your details to a digital wallet through the Discover mobile app before you receive the physical card in the mail.

The card also offers 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 18.24% – 27.24% applies. While that’s short, it can give you some breathing room to pay off your expenses.

What We Don’t Like

With a short intro APR period, you’ll need to find a way to pay off your emergency expenses quickly. Also, keep in mind that the card’s minimum credit limit is $500, so it may not be helpful with bigger financial emergencies.

Who It’s Best For

College students who want some interest savings and a great card for long-term credit-building.

An engaging and fun student credit card, the Discover it® Student Cash Back combines useful benefits for cardholders to learn about building credit history while earning extra cash back each quarter on select categories.