Best Credit Cards of 2025: Top Picks by Category
Best Overall Credit Card
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- 2% flat cash back on all purchases—double the average card rate
- No annual fee and $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months
- Great intro offer: 0% APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
✈️ Best Travel Rewards Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- High welcome bonus (~60,000 points) and strong travel redemption options
- Moderate annual fee (~$95)
- Ideal for frequent travelers valuing flexibility and premium benefits
💵 Best Cash‑Back Card
Citi Double Cash® Card
- Earns a total of 2% cash back: 1% on purchase + 1% on payment
- No annual fee—simple, consistent rewards
🛢️ Best for Gas & Groceries
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/yr), 3% on gas and transit
- $0 annual fee for the first year, then $95
💳 Best for 0% APR
U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card
- 0% APR for 24 months on purchases and balance transfers
- $0 annual fee and up to 4% cash back on travel booked through its portal
✅ Best for Bad Credit
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
- No annual fee, 1–2% cash back, and rewards are matched at year-end
- Ideal for rebuilding credit with responsible use
👌 Best for Limited/No Credit
Petal 2 Visa® Credit Card
- 1–1.5% cash back, no annual fee, designed for those without strong credit history
🎓 Best Student Card
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Card
- 1–8% cash back on everyday purchases
- $0 annual fee, $50 bonus after first 3 months
🧭 Choosing the Right Card
- Evaluate your spending: travel, groceries, gas, or everyday purchases
- Consider fees vs. benefits: some high-fee cards offer premium rewards
- Intro APR offers: great for financing big purchases or transfers
- Your credit score matters: approval chances vary with card tier
Many users benefit from a multi-card strategy—pairing a flat-rate cash-back card with a bonus-category rewards card or a 0% APR card for flexible finances.
