Best Everyday Credit Cards Of September 2024 (2024)

Rates & Fees

Up to 10X Reward Rate

Earn 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com, 3 points per dollar atRead More

Welcome Bonus

70,000 bonus points

Annual Fee

$95

Regular APR

21.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

Credit Score

Excellent, Good

You can earn flexible rewards on the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card in a number of routine purchase categories without a sky-high annual fee, making it a solid everyday card for anyone who wants travel rewards.

Why We Like It

Citi ThankYou® points are underrated, but there are some sweet spots among its transfer partners. And, with six bonus categories earning 3 points per dollar spent, your earnings will add up from routine spending. Another great perk of the card is an annual $100 discount on a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) booked through CitiTravel.com—adding even more savings to your pocket.

What We Don’t Like

Your earnings from the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card come in the form of ThankYou points. While you can move those into cash or statement credits, the best use is transferring them to airlines or hotels.

Citi lacks a domestic airline partner like other credit cards, meaning you might need to learn a little more about transferring your points to make the most of your rewards.

Who It’s Best For

If you can take advantage of the bonus categories in a meaningful way, this card offers the ability to earn big rewards. Between supermarkets, restaurants and travel, most of the purchases you might come across are covered.

Paying to fill up at the pump is never fun, but at least you’ll earn something back for it with the Citi Strata Premier. It’s one of the few cards around that earns significant bonus points on both gas stations and supermarkets, 365 days a year. And it’s also the only card on the market that can access Citi’s full roster of valuable airline and hotel transfer partners.

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

Students can take advantage of top-tier rewards on rotating categories with the Discover it® Student Cash Back, with potential categories including groceries, restaurants, gas and other common expenses.

Why We Like It

Some student credit cards have high fees and no chance to earn meaningful rewards, but this card isn’t one of them. With no annual fee and a strong chance to earn big rewards every quarter, this is a great intro card for students new to credit cards.

What We Don’t Like

It will take some discipline to keep track of bonus categories, activate them, and stay within earning caps. Regardless, this card is one of the best available for students, especially those whose everyday spending falls under the umbrella of its bonus categories.

Who It’s Best For

This card is ideal if you’re a student looking to build your credit but don’t have much credit history established. Since this card comes with bonus categories, you’ll want to learn about the extra steps needed to earn elevated cash back.

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.

Rates & Fees

Up to 10X Reward Rate

Earn 2 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases, 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals and 10Read More

Welcome Bonus

Earn 75,000 bonus miles

Annual Fee

$395

Regular APR

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Credit Score

Excellent(750 - 850)

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Cardcomes with easy to earn flat-rate rewards that are tremendously flexible when it’s time to redeem them, ensuring you get maximum value on all your everyday purchases.

Why We Like It

Cardholders receive a $300 annual credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel as well as a 10,000-mile bonus (worth another $100 toward travel) each year upon renewal. That makes the annual fee (rates & fees) easier to swallow—especially if you also use its perks like airport lounge access.

What We Don’t Like

The annual fee on this card could be a dealbreaker for some, but travel lovers might find it acceptable. Also, the lack of any bonus categories for everyday purchases means there’s no chance to squeeze out extra value.

Who It’s Best For

If you want a simple earning structure that gives you a bump while booking travel through the travel portal, this card could mean big rewards through the course of the year.

If you’re looking for lofty perks without a lofty annual fee (rates & fees), the Venture X fits the bill. While other cards with elite benefits run nearly $700 a year, you’ll only pay a little more than half that for the Venture X. And you’ll still get Capital One and Priority Pass airport lounge access for you and your guests, an annual travel credit and solid earnings on everyday purchases.

Rates & Fees

Up to 2% Reward Rate

Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. PlusRead More

Welcome Bonus

Cashback Match™

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

28.24% Variable APR

Credit Score

New/Rebuilding Credit

Finding a secured card that earns rewards on purchases is rare. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card offers cash back and a first-year Cashback Match™, effectively doubling your rewards. It’s a great option for everyday use if your credit score needs some work.

Why We Like It

Discover reports your payment history to all three bureaus to build your credit score and will consider transitioning responsible cardholders to an unsecured version in the card after as little as seven months.

What We Don’t Like

The bonus rewards on this card are capped, limiting your ability to earn rewards, but it’s still a strong contender for those who need some TLC for their credit score. As a secured credit card, you’ll need to provide a security deposit of at least $200 upfront.

Who It’s Best For

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card gives those who are either new to credit or building their credit a chance to earn rewards along the way. Using this card will help you establish good spending habits while getting a little extra cash back along the way.

No credit history required, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card offers one of the best credit cards for building or rebuilding a healthy credit history, while earning cash back in select everyday categories.

Rates & Fees / Terms Apply

Up to 6% Reward Rate

Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%); Earn 6% cashRead More

Welcome Bonus

Earn $250

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95

Regular APR

19.24%-29.99% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent/Good(700 - 749)

For many Americans, groceries represent one of the most expensive everyday purchases. With the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, those supermarket expenses are handsomely rewarded. Plus, it earns bonus cash back on other common expenses like streaming services and gas. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.

Why We Like It

This may be the perfect card for families, given its assortment of cash-back categories. There is an annual fee, though that’s somewhat offset for anyone who uses the included monthly statement credits toward the Disney Bundle streaming subscription. You’ll also have access to Amex Offers, which provides statement credits and bonus cash on targeted offers to brands you may use every day.

What We Don’t Like

The cap for the U.S. supermarket bonus is $6,000 in spending a year. Depending on how you and your family spend money and where you buy groceries, you might pass this limit early in the year.

Who It’s Best For

If you spend less than $500 a month at supermarkets, and you also spend quite a bit on your family’s streaming entertainment, you’ll find value in this card. As long as you don’t go over the spending threshold, the 6% cash back is an industry-best.

You’ll have a hard time finding a better cash-back rate on groceries and streaming, and the Disney Bundle credit nearly neutralizes the cost of the annual fee.

Rates & Fees

Unlimited 2% Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Welcome Bonus

$200 Cash Rewards

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

Credit Score

Excellent, Good(700 - 749)

There’s nothing flashy about the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, but it does the basics right. Generous flat-rate cash rewards earnings, no annual fee, a welcome bonus and an intro APR make this a promising card for everyday spending.

Why We Like It

The Active Cash card comes with a lot of benefits packed into one small piece of plastic. From unique benefits like cellphone protection and a rental car insurance waiver, to the extra perks provided by the Visa Signature program, this is a solid card for your everyday cash rewards earnings.

What We Don’t Like

For the most part, this is an all-around great card. But beware if you travel abroad. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card charges a foreign transaction fee of 3%, which can add up quickly if you’re booking hotels, tours and meals for an international vacation on your card. Save this one for purchases at home.

Who It’s Best For

If you’re not too concerned about travel rewards or moving your points to airlines or hotels, but instead you live by the “cash is king” mantram this might be the card to choose. A straight-forward and simple earning structure makes this card appealing.

Rates & Fees

Up to 8% Cash Back

Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® andRead More

Welcome Bonus

Earn $200 Cash Bonus

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Credit Score

Excellent, Good(700 - 749)

If dining and entertainment are frequent charges for you, consider adding the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card (rates & fees) to your wallet. You’ll earn cash back at high rates and access other benefits.

Why We Like It

This card is built for those who thrive on going out.

What We Don’t Like

The rewards earned on this card are limited to cash back, whereas with some cards like the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, the same amount of rewards could be turned into travel rewards.

Who It’s Best For

This card would appeal to anyone not interested in travel rewards, but who wants a solid rebate on purchases for dining out and at grocery stores.

Up to 3x Reward Rate

Earn 1x on rent payments with no transaction fee (on up to 100,000 points each calendar year). 2x points onRead More

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

See terms

Credit Score

Good/Excellent(700 - 749)

Rent comes just once a month, yet for many households, it represents a large percentage of their routine expenses. Earn rewards on rent—yes, really—with the Bilt World Elite Mastercard®*, up to 100,000 points in a calendar year.

Why We Like It

Though earning points on rent is the headlining feature of the Bilt card, the earning rates on travel and dining are solid, too. Plus, Bilt Rewards can be transferred to travel partners or redeemed toward a down payment on a home in the future. Other card benefits include cell phone protection and travel insurance when you make qualifying purchases with your card.

What We Don’t Like

If you want to earn points by paying rent, you’re going to have to make sure to use your card a minimum of five times per statement period (rewards & benefits). Double bonus points earned on Rent Day are great, but only come one day a month, meaning that you will have to do some planning to squeeze the most out of the card. Double points are capped at 10,000 bonus points per 1st of the month.

Who It’s Best For

The Bilt card is best for two distinct types of cardholders. The first is renters who also can make additional small purchases throughout the month to unlock points for rent. The second is people that can put the majority of their purchases on their card on the first of every month, maximizing the rewards earning.

It’s almost impossible to earn rewards on what is the biggest monthly expense for many people, which is why anyone who pays rent should have a Bilt Mastercard in their wallet. Not only will you earn points just from paying your rent (up to 100,000 points in a calendar year), you’ll do it without being charged a fee for the transaction, and Bilt points are among the most versatile travel points around. (Pro Tip: Don’t redeem Bilt points to pay rent when you can get much more value for them for travel!).

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)

There’s a reason the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is beloved. Nearly all purchases earn at a simple, flat rate with a few bonus categories thrown in for good measure.

Why We Like It

New cardholders will appreciate both the welcome bonus and the introductory APR: 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. Beyond that, it’s a user-friendly card that can make sense for common expenses. Redeem your rewards for cash back or pair the Chase Freedom Unlimited® with an eligible Chase Ultimate Rewards®-earning card to gain access to travel transfer partners.

What We Don’t Like

Unlike its cousin, the Chase Freedom Flex® card, the Freedom Unlimited only earns a straight 1.5% cash back outside of dining out and drug stores, limiting your ability to earn more points in certain distinct categories.

Who It’s Best For

This card might appeal to anyone who doesn’t mind earning a slightly better than 1% return on day-to-day purchases, but who also has other cards in the Chase ecosystem. This card can be paired with an Ultimate Rewards earning card, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, that earns transferrable currencies. The points you earn from your purchases with this card then become even more powerful, allowing you to transfer them to airlines and hotels.

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.

Up to 2x Reward Rate

Earn 2X points at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year (then 1X); Earn 2X points at American ExpressRead More

Welcome Bonus

Earn 10,000 points

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

18.24% - 29.24% variable

Credit Score

Good/Excellent(700 - 749)

American Express Membership Rewards® are a popular currency, so the ability to earn them on everyday expenses without an annual fee shouldn’t be overlooked. The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card* offers a simple earning structure to keep things easy.

Why We Like It

Admittedly, the earning rates on this card aren’t that high though frequent users can get a 20% points boost by using their card at least 20 times per month. That’s a nice bonus for cardholders who use their card every day, as the product name suggests.

What We Don’t Like

While a major selling point of this card is the 20% bonus in points earned if you hit your 20 transactions, be careful that you don’t miss that number. If you only hit 18 or 19, you won’t earn that potentially big bonus.

Who It’s Best For

This card would be valuable for those who don’t want to pay an annual fee for a card, but still want to have the ability to earn solid rewards. Just make sure to use this card often enough to hit your target of 20 purchases a month.