Best Credit Card for Good Credit in 2026

Other Options to Consider

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

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How to Choose a Credit Card for Good Credit

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With a good credit score, choosing a credit card becomes less about securing an approval and more about making a strategic decision that aligns with your lifestyle and financial goals.

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Avoid the temptation of choosing a card based solely on a large welcome offer, as high annual fees or irrelevant reward categories can diminish its value over time. It's also crucial not to overlook the card's APR, especially if you might carry a balance, as interest charges can quickly cancel out any points or cash back you accumulate.

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Key Factors

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• Rewards Program: Look for a card that offers rewards—whether cash back, points, or miles—in categories where you spend the most, such as dining, travel, or groceries, to maximize your earnings.
• Annual Fee: Evaluate whether the card's annual fee is justified by its benefits; many excellent cards for good credit have no annual fee, while premium cards should offer value that exceeds their cost.
• Welcome Offers: Consider the introductory bonus and its spending requirements, but weigh it against the card's long-term value to ensure it's not the only reason you're applying.
• Annual Percentage Rate (APR): Pay close attention to the card's APR, particularly if you anticipate carrying a balance, and look for introductory 0% APR offers on purchases or balance transfers to save on interest.
• Cardholder Perks: Don't overlook additional benefits like travel credits, airport lounge access, purchase protection, or travel insurance, as these perks can provide significant value beyond the rewards program.

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What to Watch Out For

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One major pitfall is applying for too many cards at once, as the resulting hard inquiries can temporarily ding your credit score. It's also easy to get drawn in by a premium card with a high annual fee for benefits you won't actually use, so be realistic about your lifestyle to ensure the card's value proposition truly works for you.

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Decision Flow

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Navigating the options can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down by your primary goal makes the choice clearer. Here’s a simple decision flow to guide you:

• If you value simplicity and consistent rewards... look for a flat-rate cash back card. These cards offer a straightforward percentage back on every purchase without you having to track spending categories. A card like the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is a classic example, offering a consistent return on all your spending.
• If your spending is concentrated in specific areas like groceries or dining... a bonus category card will likely yield higher returns. For instance, a card such as the American Express® Blue Cash Preferred® Card offers elevated cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%). Be sure to check the card’s current Welcome Offer and review its Rates & Fees. Remember that for Amex benefits, Terms Apply.
• If you’re a frequent traveler looking to earn flexible points... a travel rewards card is your best bet. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card allow you to accumulate points that can be transferred to various airline and hotel partners or redeemed for travel through the card's portal. The key is to find a program whose partners you will actually use.
• If you want premium travel benefits and credits... and you’re comfortable with a high annual fee, a premium card could be worth it. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, for example, comes with perks like airport lounge access and an annual travel credit, but it also has a $795 annual fee. For this card, points are not earned on travel until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases, as that spending goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit.
• If you need to finance a large purchase or consolidate debt... prioritize a card with a 0% intro APR offer on purchases or balance transfers. This can save you a significant amount in interest charges, but always be aware of when the introductory period ends and what the standard variable APR will be. Also, note if a balance transfer fee applies.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

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Maximize Your Return with Good Credit

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Having good credit is the first step, but strategic spending is how you truly unlock the full potential of your credit card rewards. Here are a few tips to help you maximize every dollar you spend:

• Stack your strategies: Combine credit card rewards with online shopping portals or store loyalty programs to earn rewards multiple times on a single purchase.
• Know your bonus categories: Use the right card for the right purchase, such as a card that earns extra points on dining when you go out to eat, to accelerate your earnings.
• Redeem for high value: Understand that not all redemption options are equal; transferring points to airline or hotel partners often yields a much higher value per point than cashing them out.
• Focus on welcome offers: When you get a new card, prioritize meeting the minimum spending requirement to earn the large introductory bonus, which is often the fastest way to accumulate a large number of points.
• Activate quarterly bonuses: Don't forget to opt-in to rotating bonus categories offered by some cards, as you won't earn the extra rewards if you haven't activated the offer for the quarter.

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Supercharge your Rewards with Kudos

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This free app automatically selects your best card at checkout, helping you earn up to $750 more in rewards each year. Get started for free.

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Other Things to Consider

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Beyond the headline features, think about how a card fits into your specific spending habits. For instance, if you're a loyal customer of a particular brand, a store-specific card might offer more valuable rewards or discounts than a general-purpose one. Regardless of the card you choose, disciplined financial management is paramount; always aim to pay your balance in full each month to avoid accumulating high-interest debt. It's also wise to manage these balances in conjunction with other obligations, like Buy Now, Pay Later plans, to maintain a clear picture of your total debt. Ultimately, a credit card is just one tool in your financial toolkit, and it should be balanced with your cash flow to ensure you're not spending beyond your means.

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Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What credit score is considered "good"?

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Generally, a FICO score between 670 and 739 is considered good. This range positions you favorably for a wide variety of credit cards with competitive rewards and benefits.

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Will applying for a new credit card hurt my good credit score?

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Applying for a new card typically results in a hard inquiry, which can temporarily lower your score by a few points. However, this effect is usually minor and short-lived for someone with a strong credit profile.

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What kinds of benefits can I expect with a good credit score?

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With a good credit score, you can often qualify for cards offering valuable perks like generous welcome offers, premium travel rewards, and introductory 0% APR periods. These benefits are typically reserved for applicants who have demonstrated responsible credit use.

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