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

C

Citi Double Cash® Card

 Mastercard

Who it's for: Ideal for consumers who prefer a simple cash back structure without worrying about rotating categories or annual fees.

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards 2%
  • APR 18.49%

The Citi Double Cash® Card offers a straightforward cash back structure that rewards consistent spending, making it a solid choice for those looking to maximize their rewards without the hassle of category tracking.

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W

Walmart Rewards Card

 visa

Who it's for: Walmart.com shoppers who frequently use online ordering or pickup/delivery

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards —
  • APR 24.4%

Solid for Walmart online shoppers getting 5% back, but the in-store rate of 2% is average.

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S

Surge Student Mastercard

 Mastercard

Who it's for: Students with bad credit denied by other issuers

  • Annual fee $75
  • Rewards —
  • APR 29.99%

Last-resort student card with high fees. Only consider if denied everywhere else.

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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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D

Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

 Amex

Who it's for: Best for those who frequently fly Delta and dine out often, as the rewards structure favors these spending categories.

  • Annual fee $150
  • Rewards —
  • APR 21.49%

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card offers solid rewards for Delta travelers, but the annual fee may not be justifiable for occasional flyers.

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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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O

OpenSky® Secured Visa®

 Visa

Who it's for: Consumers building or rebuilding credit who are comfortable funding a refundable security deposit and want to apply without a credit check.

  • Annual fee $35
  • Rewards —
  • APR 23.89%

The OpenSky Secured Visa may make sense for consumers building or rebuilding credit who want to avoid a credit check during the application process and can provide the required security deposit. Its $35 annual fee and other transaction costs make comparison with no-annual-fee secured cards worthwhile.

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U

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

 Visa

Who it's for: This card is ideal for individuals who can maximize rewards in specific spending categories and want no annual fee.

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards —
  • APR 19.49%

The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card offers flexible cash back options but may not be the best fit for those who spend less in the selected categories.

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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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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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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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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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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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P

PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card

 Visa

Who it's for: This card is best for individuals looking for straightforward cash back rewards without annual fees, especially military personnel.

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards —
  • APR 17.99%

The PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card offers solid cash back rewards with no annual fee, making it an attractive option for everyday spending.

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C

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

 Visa

Who it's for: This card is best for frequent travelers looking to maximize rewards on travel-related purchases and enjoy premium travel perks.

  • Annual fee $395
  • Rewards 10%
  • APR 19.49%

The Capital One Venture X offers attractive travel rewards for frequent travelers, but its high annual fee may limit its appeal to casual users.

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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.

Recommended View card