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

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

 Visa

Who it's for: Frequent travelers and foodies with good to excellent credit who spend significantly on travel and dining.

  • Annual fee $95
  • Rewards —
  • APR 22.49%

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who value high rewards rates, especially on travel and dining. However, the high APR can be a drawback for those who carry a balance.

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T

Tomo Student Credit Card

 Mastercard

Who it's for: Students with no credit wanting guaranteed approval

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards —

Uses bank transaction data instead of credit scores. Must pay full balance — functions like a charge card.

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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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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

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

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

 Amex

Who it's for: Ideal for those who spend heavily on groceries and streaming services, particularly families looking to maximize cash back rewards.

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

The Blue Cash Preferred Card offers robust cash back rates, especially for grocery and streaming purchases, making it a great choice for families and frequent spenders.

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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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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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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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D

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

 Discover

Who it's for: This card is best for individuals looking to establish or improve their credit score while earning cash back on daily expenses.

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

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a solid choice for those looking to build or rebuild their credit while earning cash back on everyday purchases.

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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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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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A

Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®

 Mastercard

Who it's for: Consumers who want simple 1% cash back on purchases and value an unsecured Mastercard with monthly reporting to all three major credit bureaus.

  • Annual fee 0-75
  • Rewards —
  • APR 35.99%

The Avant Cashback Rewards Mastercard may make sense for consumers who want simple cash back and an unsecured card, especially if they receive a lower-fee offer. The 35.99% purchase APR makes it important to avoid carrying balances when possible and to review the exact annual fee before accepting the card.

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P

Petal 1 No Annual Fee Visa Credit Card

 Visa

Who it's for: Students and young adults with absolutely no credit history who want their first credit card without needing a cosigner or security deposit.

  • Annual fee No annual fee
  • Rewards —
  • APR 24.74%

Petal 1 is one of the few cards specifically built for people with zero credit history. Instead of relying solely on credit scores, it analyzes your banking data to determine eligibility. Ideal for students who have a bank account but no credit file yet.

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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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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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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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