Best Credit Cards for Good Credit

Jason Steele

Updated May 6, 2022

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Editor’s note: Lantern by SoFi seeks to provide content that is objective, independent and accurate. Writers are separate from our business operation and do not receive direct compensation from advertisers or partners. Read more about our Editorial Guidelines and How We Make Money.

Different credit card issuers may define good credit in different ways, but the credit bureau Experian defines it as a FICO® score between 670 and 739 (740 to 799 is very good, and 800 to 850 is excellent or exceptional). If you have good credit, then you may be in an excellent position, whether you’re looking for a credit card to build credit or a fancy credit card that has lots of bells and whistles. With a good credit score, you have some decent options to choose from, and you can be a bit more selective in picking the features and benefits that are most important to you.When we were choosing the best credit cards for good credit, we looked only at credit cards without an annual fee, since most people in this position wouldn’t want a card with a high annual fee. Then, we looked at the value that the card provides, as well as any promotional financing or other opportunities to save money.

How We Chose the Best Credit Cards for Good Credit

To find the best credit cards for good credit, we first divided the market into the following six categories:

Cash-back cards for good credit
Travel cards for good credit
Cards for promotional financing
Store cards
Small business cards
Credit cards with good benefits

Then, we looked at more than a dozen major credit card issuers and credit unions to find the best cards in each of these categories. We included only cards that anyone can apply for, leaving out products offered by credit unions that not everyone can join.And for each category, we looked at the most relevant factors. For example, the best travel cards should provide travel-related benefits and opportunities to redeem points for travel expenses. Meanwhile, the best store cards should earn more at that store. While credit card terms may change from time to time, the following rankings reflect information that was accurate in October 2021. Recommended: Credit Card Terms Explained

Best Cash-Back Cards for Good Credit

Some cash-back cards are better for bonus categories, while others have solid flat-rate earning structures. Cards with bonus categories provide better cash-back rates, but they may require category activation or have a maximum bonus earning amount. Alternatively, flat-rate cash-back cards are more simple but may not offer as much in rewards to many users. To find the top cash-back credit cards for good credit, we balanced bonus category cards with flat-rate earning cards.

If You Want a Cash-Back Card for Good Credit: Discover it® Chrome Gas and Restaurants

The Discover it Chrome Gas and Restaurants offers cash back on some of the things that many people spend a fair amount of their money on. With this card, cardholders can earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter) and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of the first year, dollar for dollar.This card also offers a 0% introductory APR for 14 months on new purchases and balance transfers. There’s a 3% balance transfer fee until January 10, 2022. After the promotional period ends, the standard APR of 11.99% to 22.99% and balance transfer fee of up to 5% will apply. There’s no annual fee for this card.

Pros:

There’s no annual fee.
The card offers cash rewards.
The introductory APR financing offers lasts for 14 months.

Cons:

The bonus cash-back matching ends after the first year.
There’s a low limit for 2% cash-back earning.
The card offers few benefits.

Best Travel Cards for Good Credit

Many of the top travel cards require excellent credit. However, there are some travel cards that are available for people with good credit. To find the top ones, we looked for cards with transferable rewards and travel-related benefits.

If You Want a Card for Travel: Capital One VentureOne

The VentureOne Rewards from Capital One offers very flexible travel rewards without an annual fee. This card earns an unlimited 1.25 Capital One Miles per dollar on every purchase. New cardholders can also earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500 on new purchases within three months of account opening. Capital One Miles can be redeemed for as statement credits towards travel purchases, such as flights, hotels, or rental cars. Or you can transfer your rewards to one of the 15 airline and hotel loyalty programs, such as British Airways or JetBlue for example.This card also comes with additional travel benefits, including travel accident insurance, auto rental coverage for damage due to collision or theft, and extended warranty protection. This card offers a 0% introductory APR for 15 months, with a variable 15.24%–25.24% APR afterward. There are no foreign transaction fees. This card also has no annual fee.

Pros:

The card offers travel rewards without an annual fee.
There’s a new account bonus.
It provides an introductory 0% APR.

Cons:

The rewards must be used for travel.
There aren’t any bonus categories for earning miles.
No premium benefits are offered, unlike some other travel cards.

Best Cards for Promotional Financing

If you have good credit, you likely don't have a significant amount of credit card debt. However, you may have existing balances that you are working to pay off. If so, a card with promotional financing could be helpful to give you time to pay off your balance. The top cards should offer a long promotional financing period with good terms.

If You Want a Card for Promotional Financing: US Bank Visa Platinum

The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card offers the longest duration for 0% promotional financing from any major card issuer. With this card, new cardholders can get 20 billing cycles of 0% APR financing on both new purchases and balance transfers. Taking advantage of the 20 billing cycles of 0% APR promotional financing offer on this card could help buy you time to pay off any existing balances.After the introductory APR offer ends, the variable APR of between 15.24% and 25.24% will apply, depending on your creditworthiness. If you’re planning on taking advantage of the 0% APR offer for balance transfers, just note that it applies only to balances transferred within 60 days of account opening. There’s also a balance transfer fee of either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater. There’s no annual fee for this card.

Pros:

The card has a long promotional financing offer.
The promotional financing is available for new purchases and balance transfers.
There’s no annual fee.

Cons:

The card provides no rewards or bonuses.
Currently, there’s no welcome offer.
The timeframe for balance transfers for promotional financing is short.

Best Store Cards for Good Credit

If you shop at one store almost exclusively, a store-specific card may be beneficial for you. However, it’s important that a store card earns on other purchases as well.

If You Want a Store Card for Good Credit: Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®

The Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard can be a good choice for people who frequently shop at Walmart and Walmart online. The card earns 5% cash back on Walmart.com, including pickup and delivery, 2% cash back in Walmart stores, 2% cash back at restaurants, 2% cash back on travel, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, earn 5% cash back in Walmart stores for the first 12 months when you pay with Walmart Pay on your phone. There are no foreign transaction fees, and there’s no annual fee with this card.

Pros:

The card offers cash back for frequent Walmart customers.
It’s got no annual fee.
Earning on restaurants and travel is good.

Cons:

There’s no introductory APR.
In-store rewards are limited.
The card offers few benefits.

Best Small Business Cards for Good Credit

Small businesses with good credit have different needs than small businesses with excellent or fair credit. They may be interested in earning cash back, but may also be focused on paying off existing balances. Therefore, we looked for small business cards that offered both promotional financing and cash back opportunities.

If You Want a Small Business Card for Good Credit: Capital One Spark Cash Select

Capital One has a variety of Spark business cards, but the one available for good credit is the Capital One Spark Cash Select. With this card, small businesses can earn an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Plus, there is a 0% introductory APR for 12 months. After that, the 16.24%–24.24% variable APR will apply, based on your creditworthiness. This card doesn’t have an annual fee.

Pros:

Promotional financing is included
There’s no annual fee.
The card offers unlimited, straightforward cash back.

Cons:

There are few benefits.
No new cardholder bonus opportunities are offered.
The card provides no category bonuses.

Best Cards for Benefits for Good Credit

Some people are primarily interested in the benefits that a card can provide them. Benefits could include opportunities to save money or perks that other cards may not offer. To find the top cards for benefits, we looked for cards that offered unique benefits without an annual fee.

If You Want a Card for Benefits: Chase Slate Edge(SM)

The Chase Slate Edge is a no annual fee card that offers a good introductory APR and the opportunity to lower your interest rate over time. New cardholders enjoy a 0% introductory APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers. However, there is a balance transfer fee of 3%. After the introductory period, the variable APR of between 15.24% and 23.99% will apply, depending on your creditworthiness.If you have a high interest rate on your current credit cards, this card may appeal to you. With this card, you can lower your interest rate by 2% each year when you pay on time and spend at least $1,000 on your card by your next account anniversary, until your APR reaches the Prime Rate plus 9.74%. Plus, you can get an automatic review for a higher credit limit when you pay on time, and spend $500 in your first six months after account opening. As mentioned earlier, there is no annual fee for this card.

Pros:

The card offers you the ability to lower your interest rate.
There’s no annual fee.
It also provides an Introductory APR financing offer.

Cons:

No rewards are offered.
There are no bonus opportunities for opening an account.
There's a 3% fee for balance transfers.

The Takeaway

If you have good credit, opening up a new credit card account and managing it responsibly can help further improve your credit. With any credit card, it’s important to pay your bills on time and avoid debt. If you do so, you can help your credit improve to excellent, in which case even more credit cards will be available to you. Even if you don’t have good credit, there may still be credit card options for you. Lantern by SoFi can help. Compare credit building credit card offers from multiple issuers in our network.

Photo credit: iStock/PeopleImagesDisclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website on credit (https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/topics/credit-and-loans)The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.SOLC0921192

About the Author

Jason Steele

Jason Steele has been writing about credit cards and award travel since 2008. One of the nation's leading experts in this field, he has contributed to dozens of personal finance and travel outlets and has been widely quoted in the mainstream media.

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