6 Cards A Credit Card Expert Recommends To Friends (2024)

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Updated: Jun 28, 2024, 9:00am

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If someone simply wants to earn a great reward rate on all of their spending, I recommend the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. The card offers 2% cash rewards on purchases with no strings attached, and there’s a $0 annual fee.

You’ll also earn a decent $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. That’s far from the best welcome bonus I’ve seen, but with such a low spending requirement, you likely don’t even need to keep track of your progress.

Finally, with persistently high inflation, many of my friends are struggling to get by, making large purchases seemingly out of reach. For that, the Active Cash Card’s intro APR offer is an excellent feature: 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR applies. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% (min. $5) then a fee of up to 5% (min. $5) applies.

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Rates & Fees

4.0

Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.

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On Wells Fargo's Website

Unlimited 2% Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Welcome Bonus

$200 Cash Rewards

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

Credit Score

Excellent, Good(700 - 749)

Editorial Review

The Wells Fargo Active Cash offers an unlimited 2% cash rewards rate on purchases and charges no annual fee. This puts it in competition with the best flat-rate cash back cards on the market.

See Also

The best ways to earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles - The Points GuyBest Credit Cards For Paying Off Debt Of June 2024Top Payment Solutions to Help Grow Your Small BusinessThe Platinum Metal Card | American Express Nederland

Pros & Cons

• Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
• $0 annual fee
• Cellphone protection benefit

• There’s a balance transfer fee
• There’s a foreign transaction fee

Card Details

• Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
• 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
• $0 annual fee.
• No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.

Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

While inflation has put a lot of pressure on household budgets, food and energy costs—including gasoline and fuel—tend to be more volatile than other expenses. Most of my friends have children, so groceries constitute a significant pain point in their budgets.

For that, I recommend the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (Terms apply, see rates & fees) for its rich rewards rates. You’ll earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit on Amazon.com at checkout.

The main catch is that the U.S. supermarket category doesn’t include popular retailers like Walmart and Target or wholesale clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club. Additionally, the rewards rate is capped at $6,000 in annual spending. But even if you spend more than that, you’d earn $360 in rewards by maxing out the spending cap.

While the card charges a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95, the bonus rewards on eligible grocery spending are enough to cover that nearly fourfold.

And that’s not even mentioning the card’s other features, including a decent welcome bonus and a 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers requested within the first 60 days of account opening, followed by a variable APR of 19.24%-29.99% variable. A balance transfer fee of $5 or 3%, whichever is greater, applies. The card also offers up to $84 in monthly statement credits each year when you use your card to pay for an eligible Disney Bundle subscription (enrollment required).

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Rates & Fees/ Terms Apply

4.1

Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.

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On American Express's Website

Up to 6% Reward Rate

Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%); Earn 6% cashRead More

Welcome Bonus

Earn $250

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95

Regular APR

19.24%-29.99% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent/Good(700 - 749)

Editorial Review

Big spenders at US supermarkets and road warriors who frequently spend at US gas stations or transit like taxis, rideshares or transit can rack up impressive cash back rewards.

Pros & Cons

• High cash-back rewards in several categories of spending
• No enrollment is required, cash back is automatic
• Comes with several travel benefits and protections

• Charges an annual fee
• 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets is capped at $6,000 in annual spending (then 1%)

Card Details

• Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
• Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% – 29.99%.
• 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
• 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
• 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
• 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
• Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit on Amazon.com at checkout.
• $84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
• Terms Apply.

Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

I’ve been an avid Amazon shopper ever since I used the retailer to buy used textbooks in college. Now, I and my fellow introverted friends tend to prefer Amazon for our household shopping because it means we don’t have to leave our couch.

For anyone who regularly shops on Amazon and has a Prime membership, the Prime Visa is a no-brainer. The card offers unlimited 5% back on purchases at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel℠ purchases with an eligible Prime membership, unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and unlimited 1% back on other purchases.

I don’t use the card for anything but Amazon purchases, but the sheer variety you can buy means I’m earning more rewards on purchases than if I were to buy from other retailers.

The card’s promotional financing option is also an excellent feature because it’s available on eligible purchases of $50 or more, regardless of how long you’ve had the card. Depending on your purchase amount, you could make equal payments with no interest for up to 12 months.

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5.0

Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.

Apply Now

On Amazon's Website

Up to 5X Reward Rate

Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible PrimeRead More

Welcome Bonus

Get a $200 Amazon Gift Card

Annual Fee

$0

See Also

0% credit card intro rate offers: The pros, cons and what lenders are banking on

Regular APR

20.49% - 29.24% Variable

Credit Score

Good, Excellent(700 - 749)

Editorial Review

For existing Prime members who frequently shop at Amazon and Whole Foods, the 5% rewards rate is stellar. To further sweeten the deal, thePrime Visa card offers a2% rewards category plus Visa Signature benefits.

Pros & Cons

• 5% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases
• No spending required for the welcome bonus
• No foreign transaction fees
• Travel and shopping protections

• Requires an Amazon Prime membership
• No introductory APR
• Low cash back for purchases outside of bonus categories

Card Details

• Get a $200 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
• Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
• Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership
• Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
• Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
• No annual credit card fee
• No more waiting. Redeem daily rewards at Amazon.com as soon as the next day
• Member FDIC

Get a $200 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

While most of my friends prioritize simplicity with their credit card rewards, some are more like me and want to make sure they’re getting the most out of all of their purchases.

One card that can help you do that better than most is the Chase Freedom Flex®. The card offers 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in categories that rotate quarterly (requires activation), 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on dining and drugstores and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Some common bonus categories include dining, groceries, gas and purchases with select retailers, such as Amazon and Walmart.

The card also offers a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, as well as a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24% applies. Balance transfer fee of up to 5% (min. $5) of the amount of each transfer applies.

That said, because the Freedom Flex’s bonus categories rotate every few months and spending is capped, you’re likely to earn a measly 1% back on the majority of your purchases. As a result, I recommend pairing this card with another rewards card that offers a high flat rewards rate (such as the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card).

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On Chase Bank USA, NA's Website

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5.0

Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.

Apply Now

On Chase Bank USA, NA's Website

Up to 5% Reward Rate

Earn 5% cash back in categories that rotate quarterly on up to $1,500 when enrolled, 5% on travel purchased throughRead More

Welcome Bonus

$200 bonus

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

20.49%-29.24% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent, Good(700 - 749)

Editorial Review

This card has the brawn to handle just about all of your credit card spending needs without an over-inflated price tag. The card has an annual fee of $0, yet comes with a pumped-up earnings structure that covers a wide swath of expenses including travel, drugstores and dining plus rotating quarterly bonus categories in areas many households are likely to find appealing.

Pros & Cons

• No annual fee
• Rotating quarterly categories earn 5% rewards when activated, up to a combined quarterly $1,500 maximum
• Travel rewards rate rivals some of the best premium travel cards
• Generous rewards rate in several other categories

• Travel bookings must be made through Chase Travel℠ to earn 5% cash back

Card Details

• 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 backon travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program thatlets 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 20.49%-29.24%.
• 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.
• Member FDIC

Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening!

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

I’ve squeezed a lot of value out of premium travel credit cards over the years, but many of their features require time and effort to maximize, not to mention steep annual fees. Most of my friends outside of the points and miles communities I’m in aren’t interested.

So, if anyone asks me for a recommendation for their first travel credit card, I usually default to the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (rates & fees). The card offers 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar spent on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25 and an unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on other purchases.

Additionally, the card offers arguably the most straightforward––and also my favorite––way to redeem rewards for travel. Simply make a travel purchase with your card, then request a full or partial statement credit using your miles within 90 days of the transaction date.

If you want more flexibility, you can also use your miles––or even mix miles and cash––to book travel through Capital One Travel, or you can transfer your rewards to one of the card issuer’s many airline and hotel loyalty program partners.

I also love the card’s application fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Even if you rarely travel, saving even a little time at the airport can greatly reduce travel stress.

While the card charges a $95 annual fee (rates & fees), the massive welcome bonus offsets that for several years: you’ll earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.

The Capital One Venture card is great for people who want to earn rewards to help pay for an occasional trip. However, for friends who tend to travel often, I suggest the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, at least to start.

The card offers a solid welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Those points are worth typically one cent each for things like cash back and gift cards, but you’ll get even more in value if you use them to book travel through Chase Travel℠.

Alternatively, you can take advantage of the card’s many airline and hotel transfer partners, which include more domestic airlines than some similar travel rewards programs.

The card also offers solid rewards on several spending categories, including travel, dining, online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs) and streaming services. The card charges a $95 annual fee, but you can get a good chunk back in the form of a $50 annual statement credit on hotel stays booked through Chase Travel.

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5.0

Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.

Apply Now

On Chase Bank USA, NA's Website

Up to 5x Reward Rate

Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on allRead More

Welcome Bonus

60,000 bonus points

Annual Fee

$95

Regular APR

21.49%-28.49% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent, Good(700 - 749)

Editorial Review

Offering a rare mix of high rewards rates and redemption flexibility, this card is a dream for frequent spenders on travel & dining – while charging a modest annual fee.

Pros & Cons

• Earn high rewards on several areas of spending
• Transfer points to travel partners at 1:1 rate
• Many travel and shopping protections

• Annual fee
• No intro APR offer
• Best travel earning rates are only for bookings through the Chase Travel portal

Card Details

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

For friends who travel several times a year, I may dare to suggest premium travel cards like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (rates & fees) , the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or even The Platinum Card® from American Express (Terms apply, see rates & fees). But if you’re considering one, calculate whether you can offset the annual fee in perks alone to ensure they’re a good fit.

I’ve spent thousands of hours researching, writing about and using credit cards, but that doesn’t mean my recommendations are the best for everyone. As such, it’s important to shop around and compare several options.

In some cases, it may even make sense to use multiple credit cards to take advantage of their different benefits. I generally use five or six cards at a time.

As you evaluate top rewards credit cards, carefully consider your spending habits, creditworthiness and general preferences to determine which ones are the best fit for you.

To view rates and fees for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page.