Best Mastercard Credit Cards of October 2022 - NerdWallet Advertiser disclosure
You re our first priority br Every time
We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free. So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners.BEST OF Best Mastercard Credit Cards of October 2022
NerdWallet Oct 24, 2022 Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money. ALSO SEE: Best credit cards of 2022 Visa Mastercard American Express Discover Bank of America Capital One Chase Citi US Bank Wells Fargo Mastercard credit cards are accepted widely both in the U.S. and internationally. If you’re in the market for a new Mastercard, options abound — and there’s no such thing as a single “best” Mastercard card for everybody. To decide which card is best for you, consider your spending, debt and rewards preferences. ALSO SEE: Best credit cards of 2022 Visa Mastercard American Express Discover Bank of America Capital One Chase Citi US Bank Wells Fargo Mastercard credit cards are accepted widely both in the U.S. and internationally. If you’re in the market for a new Mastercard, options abound — and there’s no such thing as a single “best” Mastercard card for everybody. To decide which card is best for you, consider your spending, debt and rewards preferences.Show summary NerdWallet' s Best Mastercard Credit Cards of October 2022
Citi Double Cash Card: Best for Simple cash backChase Freedom Flex℠: Best for Bonus category cash backCiti Custom Cash℠ Card: Best for Auto-adjusting bonus cash backCiti Premier Card: Best for Travel rewardsBankAmericard credit card: Best for 0% intro APR periodCiti Simplicity Card: Best for Balance transfers + no late feesCapital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for Fair/average creditBank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard credit card: Best for Small businessDeserve EDU Mastercard for Students: Best for College studentsCapital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for Dining and entertainment Best Mastercard Credit Cards From Our Partners
Credit cardNerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.Annual feeIntro APRRegular APRLearn more Citi Double Cash CardApply now on Citibank's application 4.9/5 Best for Simple cash back$00% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months16.99%-26.99% Variable APRApply now on Citibank's application Chase Freedom Flex℠Apply now on Chase's website 5.0/5 Best for Bonus category cash back$00% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers17.99%-26.74% Variable APRApply now on Chase's website Citi Custom Cash℠ CardApply now on Citibank's application 4.7/5 Best for Auto-adjusting bonus cash back$00% intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months16.99%-26.99% Variable APRApply now on Citibank's application Citi Premier CardApply now on Citibank's application 4.9/5 Best for Travel rewards$95N/A18.99%-26.99% Variable APRApply now on Citibank's application BankAmericard credit cardApply now on Bank of America's website, or call (800) 322-7707 5.0/5 Best for 0% intro APR period$00% intro APR on Purchases for 21 billing cycles and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 21 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days14.99%-24.99% Variable APRApply now on Bank of America's website, or call (800) 322-7707 Citi Simplicity CardApply now on Citibank's application 4.5/5 Best for Balance transfers + no late fees$00% Intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers and 12 months on Purchases16.99%-27.74% Variable APRApply now on Citibank's application Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit CardApply now on Capital One's website 4.7/5 Best for Fair/average credit$39N/A28.49% Variable APRApply now on Capital One's website Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard credit cardApply now on Bank of America's website 3.9/5 Best for Small business$00% intro APR on Purchases for 9 billing cycles15.24%-25.24% Variable APRApply now on Bank of America's website Deserve EDU Mastercard for StudentsApply now on Deserve's website 4.5/5 Best for College students$0N/A21.74% VariableApply now on Deserve's website Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit CardApply now on Capital One's website 5.0/5 Best for Dining and entertainment$00% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers17.99%-27.99% Variable APRApply now on Capital One's website Our pick for Simple cash backApply nowon Citibank's application Citi Double Cash Card
4.9NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.Apply nowon Citibank's applicationAnnual fee $0Intro APR 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 monthsRegular APR 16.99%-26.99% Variable APRRecommended Credit Score690850good - excellentSee your approval oddsSee your approval odds A credit score in or above the recommended range means you have a higher chance of approval, but doesn’t guarantee it. Use this link to create an account and connect your credit score with TransUnion to get an estimate of your approval odds based on your credit score and other factors. Read more.Why We Like It Pros & Cons Product Details The Citi Double Cash Card is one of the best rewards cards on the market, partly because it’s so simple: You get straight cash back — there are no points or bonus categories to keep track of. Cardholders can shop as they normally would and get a high rewards rate on every purchase. The Citi Double Cash Card is one of the best rewards cards on the market, partly because it’s so simple: You get straight cash back — there are no points or bonus categories to keep track of. Cardholders can shop as they normally would and get a high rewards rate on every purchase. Pros The card offers a 2% cash-back rate on all purchases: You get 1% back on every dollar you spend and another 1% back when you pay off your purchases, for an annual fee of $0. Cons This offer does not include a 0% intro APR period on purchases, nor does the card have any bonus categories. Higher cash-back percentages can be had on different cards for specific categories. There’s a minimum cash-back redemption of $25.Read full review Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. For a limited time, earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 16.99% - 26.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases. If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5). Our pick for Bonus category cash backApply nowon Chase's website Chase Freedom Flex℠
5.0NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.Apply nowon Chase's websiteAnnual fee $0Intro APR 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfersRegular APR 17.99%-26.74% Variable APRRecommended Credit Score690850good - excellentSee your approval oddsSee your approval odds A credit score in or above the recommended range means you have a higher chance of approval, but doesn’t guarantee it. Use this link to create an account and connect your credit score with TransUnion to get an estimate of your approval odds based on your credit score and other factors. Read more.Why We Like It Pros & Cons Product Details The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers rewards as high as 5% in specific categories (some that change quarterly and some that don't), plus a generous bonus for new cardholders. If you're willing to put in a little work, it's one rich card. The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers rewards as high as 5% in specific categories (some that change quarterly and some that don't), plus a generous bonus for new cardholders. If you're willing to put in a little work, it's one rich card. Pros This card earns 5% cash back in bonus categories that change every three months (on up to $1,500 per quarter in spending, then 1%); 5% on travel booked through Chase; 3% cash back at restaurants and drugstores; and 1% on other purchases. New cardholders can snag this sign-up bonus: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Cons You have to opt in to the bonus categories every quarter, which can be a hassle. The rotating 5% categories might not be a good fit for everyone, and in recent years, they've shifted a bit toward lower-spending areas: Restaurants dropped out of the rotation entirely (although dining is now a permanent 3% category), and gas stations have been included for two quarters a year.Read full review Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open! 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 17.99% - 26.74%. No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex℠ card Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more. Our pick for Auto-adjusting bonus cash backApply nowon Citibank's application Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
4.7NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.Apply nowon Citibank's applicationAnnual fee $0Intro APR 0% intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 monthsRegular APR 16.99%-26.99% Variable APRRecommended Credit Score690850good - excellentSee your approval oddsSee your approval odds A credit score in or above the recommended range means you have a higher chance of approval, but doesn’t guarantee it. Use this link to create an account and connect your credit score with TransUnion to get an estimate of your approval odds based on your credit score and other factors. Read more.Why We Like It Pros & Cons Product Details The $0-annual-fee Citi Custom Cash℠ Card offers something unique in its class: 5% rewards that are automated based on your spending and don't require any "activation" or bonus-calendar tracking. Terms apply. The $0-annual-fee Citi Custom Cash℠ Card offers something unique in its class: 5% rewards that are automated based on your spending and don't require any "activation" or bonus-calendar tracking. Terms apply. Pros The card earns 5% back automatically in your eligible top spending category per billing cycle, on up to $500 spent per cycle. All other purchases earn 1% back. Eligible 5% categories include popular line items like restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations and a host of others. And you get that rate automatically; it's customized to your spending. Cons Note the $500 monthly spending cap for the 5% rewards rate, which means the most you can earn per month in a bonus category would be $25. Also note the low rewards rate outside of your lone bonus category for the month.Read full review Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 16.99% - 26.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories. No Annual Fee Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash℠ Card account per person. Our pick for Travel rewardsApply nowon Citibank's application Citi Premier Card
4.9NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.Apply nowon Citibank's applicationAnnual fee $95Intro APR N/ARegular APR 18.99%-26.99% Variable APRRecommended Credit Score690850good - excellentSee your approval oddsSee your approval odds A credit score in or above the recommended range means you have a higher chance of approval, but doesn’t guarantee it. Use this link to create an account and connect your credit score with TransUnion to get an estimate of your approval odds based on your credit score and other factors. Read more.Why We Like It Pros & Cons Product Details While we’re not crazy about a card at this rewards level having an annual fee, triple points on travel is a nice feature, especially because the category includes gas. While we’re not crazy about a card at this rewards level having an annual fee, triple points on travel is a nice feature, especially because the category includes gas. Pros By paying 3 points per dollar on travel, the Citi Premier Card has an edge on competitors that offer only 2 points per dollar in that category. Citi’s definition of “travel” is broad and includes gas station purchases. Citi ThankYou points are worth 1.25 cents per point when you redeem for airfare booked through Citi. Cons An annual fee of $95 and lackluster point-transfer options to U.S. travel partners are clear downsides.Read full review For a limited time, earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases Annual Hotel Savings Benefit 80,000 Points are redeemable for $800 in gift cards when redeemed at thankyou.com No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases Our pick for 0% intro APR periodApply nowon Bank of America's website, or call (800) 322-7707 BankAmericard credit card
5.0NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.Apply nowon Bank of America's website, or call (800) 322-7707Annual fee $0Intro APR 0% intro APR on Purchases for 21 billing cycles and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 21 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 daysRegular APR 14.99%-24.99% Variable APRRecommended Credit Score690850good - excellentSee your approval oddsSee your approval odds A credit score in or above the recommended range means you have a higher chance of approval, but doesn’t guarantee it. Use this link to create an account and connect your credit score with TransUnion to get an estimate of your approval odds based on your credit score and other factors. Read more.Why We Like It Pros & Cons Product Details The BankAmericard credit card is a great option for people looking for breathing room to whittle down high-interest credit card debt or finance a big purchase. The BankAmericard credit card is a great option for people looking for breathing room to whittle down high-interest credit card debt or finance a big purchase. Pros The card offers a hefty introductory APR that helps you wipe out debt: 0% intro APR on Purchases for 21 billing cycles and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 21 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days, and then the ongoing APR of 14.99%-24.99% Variable APR. The annual fee is $0. Cons The card doesn't earn ongoing rewards.Read full review New longer intro period! 0% Introductory APR for 21 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 14.99% - 24.99% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee (min $10) applies to all balance transfers. No annual fee. No penalty APR. Paying late won't automatically raise your interest rate (APR). Other account pricing and terms apply. Access your FICO Score for free within Online Banking or your Mobile Banking app. Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap. This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now. Our pick for Balance transfers + no late feesApply nowon Citibank's application Citi Simplicity Card
4.5NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.Apply nowon Citibank's applicationAnnual fee $0Intro APR 0% Intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers and 12 months on PurchasesRegular APR 16.99%-27.74% Variable APRRecommended Credit Score690850good - excellentSee your approval oddsSee your approval odds A credit score in or above the recommended range means you have a higher chance of approval, but doesn’t guarantee it. Use this link to create an account and connect your credit score with TransUnion to get an estimate of your approval odds based on your credit score and other factors. Read more.Why We Like It Pros & Cons Product Details The long 0% intro APR period for balance transfers on the Citi Simplicity Card makes this a solid card if you need breathing room to pay off debt. The long 0% intro APR period for balance transfers on the Citi Simplicity Card makes this a solid card if you need breathing room to pay off debt. Pros This card is for someone who needs extra time to pay down debt. It has an annual fee of $0, and it offers an introductory APR of 0% Intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers and 12 months on Purchases, and then the ongoing APR of 16.99%-27.74% Variable APR, not to mention no late fees. Cons The card charges a balance transfer fee of 3% (minimum of $5), but only for four months following your account opening. After that, it bumps up to 5% (minimum of $5). You can’t transfer balances from other Citi accounts, and you won't earn rewards.Read full review No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee... Ever 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 16.99% - 27.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening. There is an introductory balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the amount of the transfer, whichever is greater for balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening. Stay protected with Citi Quick Lock and $0 liability on unauthorized charges. Our pick for Fair/average creditApply nowon Capital One's website Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
4.7NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.Apply nowon Capital One's websiteAnnual fee $39Intro APR N/ARegular APR 28.49% Variable APRRecommended Credit Score630689averageSee your approval oddsSee your approval odds A credit score in or above the recommended range means you have a higher chance of approval, but doesn’t guarantee it. Use this link to create an account and connect your credit score with TransUnion to get an estimate of your approval odds based on your credit score and other factors. Read more.Why We Like It Pros & Cons Product Details The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers those with average credit a chance to earn rewards and gain access to a higher credit line. The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers those with average credit a chance to earn rewards and gain access to a higher credit line. Pros The card offers a solid ongoing rewards rate. You'll earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. (The card also earns 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Terms apply.) Plus, you can be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as six months. Cons The card charges an annual fee of $39. You would need to spend $2,600 per year on the card to make that back (not including any 5% travel categories). And unlike some other cash-back cards, it doesn’t allow you to boost your rewards earnings with bonus categories.Read full review Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account. It's that simple Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set Our pick for Small businessApply nowon Bank of America's website Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard credit card
3.9NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.Apply nowon Bank of America's websiteAnnual fee $0Intro APR 0% intro APR on Purchases for 9 billing cyclesRegular APR 15.24%-25.24% Variable APRRecommended Credit Score720850excellentSee your approval oddsSee your approval odds A credit score in or above the recommended range means you have a higher chance of approval, but doesn’t guarantee it. Use this link to create an account and connect your credit score with TransUnion to get an estimate of your approval odds based on your credit score and other factors. Read more.Why We Like It Pros & Cons Product Details The Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard credit card is just right for business owners who want a travel card with robust ongoing rewards but no fee. The Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard credit card is just right for business owners who want a travel card with robust ongoing rewards but no fee. Pros This card with an annual fee of $0 offers generous rewards of 1.5 points for every dollar spent, and 3 points per dollar spent on eligible travel purchases booked through Bank of America. It also comes with a plum sign-up bonus for a no-fee card: Earn 30,000 online bonus points after you make at least $3,000 in net purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening which can be redeemed for a $300 statement credit towards travel or dining purchases.. It charges no foreign transaction fees. Cons Higher reward rates are available on other no-fee small business cards. Other cards — especially cards with annual fees — also offer larger sign-up bonuses.Read full review Earn 30,000 online bonus points after you make at least $3,000 in net purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening which can be redeemed for a $300 statement credit towards travel or dining purchases. Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases everywhere, every time-no matter how much you spend. Points don't expire. Earn 3 points per every dollar spent on travel purchases (car, hotel, airline) booked through the Bank of America Travel Center. No annual fee and no international transaction fees. 0% Introductory APR on purchases for your first 9 billing cycles. After the intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that's currently 15.24% to 25.24% will apply. Redeem points for a statement credit to offset travel and dining purchases, travel with no blackout dates at the Bank of America Travel Center, cash back or gift cards. Earn up to 75% more points on every purchase, if you have a business checking account with Bank of America and qualify for our highest Preferred Rewards for Business tier. That means you could earn up to an unlimited 2.62 points per $1 spent on all purchases and up to 5.25 points per $1 spent at the Bank of America Travel Center. Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap. This offer may not be available if you leave this page or visit our website. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now. Our pick for College studentsApply nowon Deserve's website Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students
4.5NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.Apply nowon Deserve's websiteAnnual fee $0Intro APR N/ARegular APR 21.74% VariableRecommended Credit Score630850average - excellentSee your approval oddsSee your approval odds A credit score in or above the recommended range means you have a higher chance of approval, but doesn’t guarantee it. Use this link to create an account and connect your credit score with TransUnion to get an estimate of your approval odds based on your credit score and other factors. Read more.Why We Like It Pros & Cons Product Details The Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students is an excellent option for students who can’t qualify for a credit card because they lack a U.S. credit history, a Social Security number or both. The Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students is an excellent option for students who can’t qualify for a credit card because they lack a U.S. credit history, a Social Security number or both. Pros The card is ideal for students who can't get approved for other cards because they lack a credit history. International students who don't have a Social Security number may be able to qualify. That's because the issuer uses its own underwriting process to evaluate applications based on alternative criteria. Cardholders get unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases and a statement credit for a 12-month Amazon Prime Student subscription (up to $69) after spending $500 in the first three billing cycles. Cons Rewards are redeemable only for statement credit, and you’ll have to wait until you have $25 in rewards (equal to $2,500 in spending) before you can redeem. Other cards offer higher rewards rates, if you can qualify for them.Read full review Receive one year of Amazon Prime Student on Deserve after spending $500 in the first three billing cycles with your EDU card (Lifetime Value of $69). Earn 1% Cash Back on all purchases with your Deserve EDU Mastercard. Once approved, you'll automatically start earning cash back on all purchases. Feel secure with cell phone protection up to $600. No deposit required. No annual fees. No international transaction fees on purchases abroad so you can travel with confidence. No Social Security Number required for international students to apply. Refer A Friend Program: Refer anyone to Deserve using your personal referral code. Upon approval, card activation and use, you'll receive $30 and so will your referral. Referral bonuses are unlimited! Manage and track your spending, set automatic payments and securely freeze your card all through one easy to use app. See if you prequalify with no impact to your credit score in minutes. Deserve Mastercards are issued by Celtic Bank, Member FDIC. Enjoy Mastercard Platinum Benefits intended to make your life easier like Mastercard ID Theft Prevention and Master Rental. Our pick for Dining and entertainmentApply nowon Capital One's website Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
5.0NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.Apply nowon Capital One's websiteAnnual fee $0Intro APR 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfersRegular APR 17.99%-27.99% Variable APRRecommended Credit Score690850good - excellentSee your approval oddsSee your approval odds A credit score in or above the recommended range means you have a higher chance of approval, but doesn’t guarantee it. Use this link to create an account and connect your credit score with TransUnion to get an estimate of your approval odds based on your credit score and other factors. Read more.Why We Like It Pros & Cons Product Details For foodies, the $0-annual-fee Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers an irresistible (and hard-to-find) combo: high rates on dining AND at grocery stores. For foodies, the $0-annual-fee Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers an irresistible (and hard-to-find) combo: high rates on dining AND at grocery stores. Pros You'll earn 3% back on dining, grocery stores, eligible streaming services and entertainment, and 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. All other purchases earn 1% back. There's also a generous sign-up bonus, not to mention an intro APR offer. That's a lot of value packed into a card with a $0 annual fee. Cons If your spending is more concentrated in one food category over the other — dining out or cooking at home — you might do better with a card that specializes in one of those areas.Read full review Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), plus 1% on all other purchases Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and tickets at Vivid Seats No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 17.99% - 27.99% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months No foreign transaction fee No annual feeFULL LIST OF EDITORIAL PICKS: BEST MASTERCARD CREDIT CARDS
Click the card name to read our review. Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website. Citi Double Cash Card
Our pick for: Simple cash back Year after year, the Citi Double Cash Card has been a top choice among flat-rate cash-back cards. You earn 2% cash back on every purchase — 1% when you buy something and 1% when you pay it off. There's no 0% intro period for purchases or bonus categories, but the high rewards rate more than makes up for the lack of bells and whistles. Read our review. Chase Freedom Flex℠
Our pick for: Bonus category cash back The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers bonus cash back in quarterly categories that you activate, as well as on travel booked through Chase, at restaurants and at drugstores. Category activation can be a hassle, but if your spending matches the categories — and for a lot of people, it will — you can rack up hundreds of dollars a year. There's a fantastic bonus offer for new cardholders and a 0% intro APR period, too. Read our review. Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Our pick for: Auto-adjusting bonus cash back The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card offers a lot of value for a $0 annual fee: 5% back automatically in your eligible top spending category on up to $500 spent per billing cycle (1% back elsewhere). The list of eligible 5% categories is varied and includes biggies like restaurants, grocery stores and more. And unlike competitors, there's no activation schedule or bonus calendar to keep track of. Read our review. Citi Premier Card
Our pick for: Travel rewards The Citi Premier Card earns bonus points on airfare, hotels, supermarkets, dining and gas stations. There's a solid sign-up bonus as well. Read our review. BankAmericard credit card
Our pick for: 0% intro APR period The BankAmericard credit card isn't flashy, nor does it aim to be. You get one of the longest 0% introductory APR periods available anywhere, providing plenty of time to whittle down debt or finance a large purchase. And that's about it. Read our review. Citi Simplicity Card
Our pick for: Balance transfers + no late fees The Citi Simplicity Card has an excellent 0% intro APR period on balance transfers, and an OK one on purchases. It doesn't charge an annual fee, late fees or penalty APRs either. Its balance transfer fee is on the high side, though. Read our review. Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: Fair/average credit This card for people with fair or "average" credit pays the same cash-back rate as the regular Quicksilver card, which targets people with excellent credit. The key difference is that this version charges an annual fee while the regular one does not. Read our review. Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard credit card
Our pick for: Small business This is the business version of the issuer's excellent no-annual-fee travel card. The Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard credit card pays solid rewards on every purchase and gives you wide flexibility in redeeming your points for any travel purchase, without the restrictions of branded airline and hotel cards. Read our review. Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students
Our pick for: College students The Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students doesn’t require applicants to have a co-signer or security deposit, and international students don't need a Social Security number. That makes it a little easier to get approved — even for students with limited credit histories. Plus, it comes with a solid 1% back on all purchases. Read our review. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: Dining and entertainment Love the night life but dead-set against paying an annual fee? Consider the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. It pays a lower cash-back rate on dining and entertainment than the regular Savor card, but the rewards are nevertheless quite good. The sign-up bonus is smaller than on the annual-fee version, too, but it's still solid. Read our review. Last updated on October 24, 2022 Methodology
NerdWallet's credit cards team selects the best credit cards in each category based on overall consumer value. Factors in our evaluation include fees, promotional and ongoing APRs, and sign-up bonuses; for rewards cards, we consider earning and redemption rates, redemption options and redemption difficulty. A single card is eligible to be chosen as among the "best" in multiple categories. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards. About the author
NerdWallet
Email