Counter advice, no bank jargon

Which card is right for you? Ask at the counter.

Tell us your situation. We show the real yearly cost first, then the perks — and say plainly who should skip a card.

Take a number: what is your situation?

  1. My first card Easy approval, low limit to start
  2. Low Interest Lower rates if you carry a balance
  3. No annual fee Pay nothing just to keep it
  4. Cashback Money back on everyday spending
  5. Miles and travel Lounges, miles, fewer foreign fees
  • Real yearly cost before perks
  • No one can promise approval — we never do
  • Fine print explained in plain words

Recently added

T

Target Circle™ Card

 Mastercard

Who it's for: Ideal for regular Target shoppers who want to maximize their savings and enjoy benefits like free shipping.

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards 5%
  • APR 22.9%

The Target Circle™ Card offers solid savings for frequent Target shoppers, but it may not be the best option for those seeking extensive rewards beyond Target purchases.

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C

Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card

 Visa

Who it's for: Best for students seeking to establish credit with a low-cost option.

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards —
  • APR 19.99%

The Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card offers a solid entry point for students looking to build credit while earning cash back on purchases.

Recommended View card

N

Navy Federal nRewards Secured Credit Card

 Visa

Who it's for: Military members building credit who want rewards

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards —
  • APR 15.65%

Rare secured card that offers rewards. Low APR plus no annual fee makes it one of the best secured cards available.

Recommended View card

C

Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card

 Visa

Who it's for: This card is best suited for individuals looking to build their credit history while earning cash back on everyday purchases.

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards —
  • APR 28.74%

The Chase Freedom Rise® is a solid choice for those new to credit, offering cash back without an annual fee. However, its high APR may be daunting for some users.

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B

Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card

 Visa

Who it's for: Bank of America customers who can take advantage of Preferred Rewards to boost cash back rates

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards 1.5%
  • APR 15.74%

A straightforward cash back card that shines for Bank of America customers. Preferred Rewards members can boost the base 1.5% rate up to 2.62%, making it competitive with or better than most flat-rate cards. The 0% intro APR adds flexibility for large purchases.

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M

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

 Visa

Who it's for: Frequent travelers who stay at Marriott properties and have good credit.

  • Annual fee $95
  • Rewards 17%
  • APR 19.24%

This card is for frequent Marriott guests looking to maximize travel rewards. However, the high APR may not be carry a balance.

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C

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

 Visa

Who it's for: This card is best for travelers looking to maximize rewards on purchases, especially those who frequently book through Capital One Travel.

  • Annual fee $95
  • Rewards —
  • APR 19.99%

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers solid travel rewards with a straightforward earning structure, making it appealing for frequent travelers.

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F

FIT™ Platinum Mastercard®

 Mastercard

Who it's for: Consumers with less-than-perfect credit who prefer an unsecured credit card and value monthly reporting to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

  • Annual fee $99
  • Rewards —
  • APR 35.9%

The FIT Platinum Mastercard may be an option for consumers with less-than-perfect credit who specifically need an unsecured card, but its high APR and multiple fees make lower-cost credit-building cards worth comparing first.

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P

Petal 2 Student Visa Credit Card

 Visa

Who it's for: Students with no credit who want a no-fee card

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards 1.5%
  • APR 18.24%

No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, no late fees on first occurrence. The alternative underwriting helps students without credit history.

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N

Navy Federal Platinum Low Interest Card

 Visa

Who it's for: Military-connected individuals wanting the lowest possible rates

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards —
  • APR 11.24%

Some of the lowest ongoing rates in the industry. Great for anyone who qualifies for Navy Federal membership.

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C

Citi Secured Mastercard

 Mastercard

Who it's for: People wanting to build credit within the Citi ecosystem

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards —
  • APR 23.49%

Solid secured card from a major issuer. No annual fee and a clear path to graduating to an unsecured Citi card.

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G

Grow Credit Mastercard

 Mastercard

Who it's for: People who want to passively build credit using subscriptions they already pay for, without taking on traditional credit card risk.

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards —

Grow Credit takes a unique approach — rather than traditional spending, it pays your existing subscription bills (Netflix, Spotify, etc.) and reports those payments to all three credit bureaus. The free tier covers one subscription, and paid tiers cover more. It's a passive way to build credit without changing your spending habits.

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B

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card

 Visa

Who it's for: People rebuilding credit who want to maximize rewards by tailoring their bonus category to their spending habits.

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards —
  • APR 28.24%

BofA brings its popular Customized Cash Rewards earning structure to the secured card space. You choose your 3% category from options like gas, online shopping, dining, travel, or home improvement. The 2% on groceries is automatic. One of the best rewards structures available on any secured card.

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H

Hilton Honors American Express Card

 Amex

Who it's for: This card is best for those who frequently stay at Hilton properties and want to earn bonus points on everyday purchases.

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards 7%
  • APR 22.49%

The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a solid choice for frequent Hilton guests, offering generous rewards and no annual fee.

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A

American Express® Gold Card

 Amex

Who it's for: This card is ideal for individuals who dine out frequently and shop at U.S. supermarkets, maximizing rewards on everyday spending.

  • Annual fee $250
  • Rewards —
  • APR 21.99%

The American Express® Gold Card is a rewarding choice for foodies and frequent travelers, offering robust points on dining and groceries.

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A

Avant Credit Card

 Mastercard

Who it's for: People with fair credit scores who want an unsecured credit card without tying up money in a security deposit.

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards —
  • APR 28.99%

Avant offers an unsecured card to people with fair credit who may not qualify for mainstream cards. No deposit is required, which is a significant advantage over secured cards. The card reports to all three bureaus, making it a legitimate credit-building tool.

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D

Deserve EDU Student Mastercard

 Mastercard

Who it's for: International students building US credit

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards 1%
  • APR 18.74%

One of the few cards that accepts international students without SSN. Rewards are modest but accessibility is the draw.

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C

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

 Mastercard

Who it's for: Individuals with poor credit scores (300 and above) looking to establish or rebuild credit.

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards —
  • APR 29.99%

This card for those needing to improve their credit score without facing an annual fee. However, the high APR of 29.99% makes it costly for carrying a balance.

Recommended View card