Cards

Rates, fees, 0% offers and rewards for the credit cards people actually carry, with how to pay and contact each issuer. Free to use, no sign-up needed. We are not paid by any card issuer.

5 cards

How we rate cards

Every card is scored the same way against other cards in its category, from 1 to 5 stars in half steps. We use four measures, weighted by what matters most for that kind of card:

  • 0% intro period: longer is better; 21 months scores full marks. Near-0% offers (under 2%, as some credit unions offer) count too.
  • Regular APR: the lowest advertised rate; 14% scores full marks, 30% scores zero. Charge cards with no APR score in the middle; store cards whose APR we couldn’t confirm score zero, since store card rates are almost always 30% or more.
  • Annual fee: $0 scores full marks; for travel cards, fees are judged against $1,000.
  • Rewards: the rate on everyday spending (2% is full marks) and the best bonus category (6% is full marks). Points and miles are counted at typical values: about 1¢ for most bank points and airline miles, 0.5–0.7¢ for Hilton, IHG and Marriott points, and about 1.5¢ for Hyatt points. Store discounts count only at that store.

For balance transfer cards, the intro period counts most. For cash back, travel and business cards, rewards count most. For credit-building cards, low fees count most. Cards closed to new applicants aren’t rated. The rating is a quick comparison, not advice: the best card for you depends on your balance, credit and spending.