Having an excellent credit score opens doors to a world of financial opportunities, and choosing the right credit card is paramount to maximizing those benefits. This guide explores the best credit card options for individuals with excellent credit, helping you make informed decisions to reap the rewards of your responsible credit management.
| Card Name | Key Features | Why It's Great for Excellent Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Earn 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Target and Walmart), 2x points on all other travel purchases. Offers travel and purchase protection benefits, and a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit. | Excellent travel rewards card with a reasonable annual fee. The high earning potential on travel and dining, combined with valuable travel protections, makes it a strong choice for those who frequently travel and dine out. The sign-up bonus is also very attractive. |
| American Express® Gold Card | Earn 4x Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1x), 4x points at restaurants worldwide, 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. Comes with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually and up to $120 in dining credits. | A premium rewards card with a focus on dining and groceries. The high rewards rates in these categories, along with the valuable credits, can offset the annual fee for those who spend significantly in these areas. The flexible Membership Rewards program provides various redemption options. |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | Earn unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, every day. Offers a $300 annual travel credit, 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary, and access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges. Provides travel accident insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and rental car collision damage waiver. | A premium travel rewards card with a generous rewards program and valuable perks. The $300 annual travel credit and 10,000-mile anniversary bonus can easily offset the annual fee. The lounge access and travel protections make it a great option for frequent travelers. |
| Citi Double Cash® Card | Earn 2% cash back on all purchases – 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay. No annual fee. | A simple and straightforward cash back card with a high earning potential. The 2% cash back on all purchases makes it a great choice for everyday spending, and the lack of an annual fee makes it a very accessible option. It's a solid choice for those who prefer cash back over travel rewards. |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | 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 transit, and 1% cash back on other purchases. Comes with purchase protection and extended warranty benefits. | A strong cash back card for families with significant spending on groceries, gas, and streaming services. The high cash back rates in these categories can result in substantial savings. The annual fee is relatively low, and the purchase protection and extended warranty benefits add value. |
| Discover it® Cash Back | Earn 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter (up to a quarterly maximum), and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! No annual fee. | A great starter rewards card with a unique rotating categories structure. The 5% cash back on rotating categories can be very rewarding if you plan your spending accordingly. The first-year cash back match is a valuable bonus, and the lack of an annual fee makes it a low-risk option. |
| U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card | Earn 4x points on dining, takeout, and food delivery, 2x points at grocery stores, streaming services, and gas stations, and 1x point on all other eligible purchases. Offers a $15 annual streaming service credit. | A strong card for dining enthusiasts with a reasonable annual fee. The 4x points on dining, takeout, and food delivery is a significant benefit, and the streaming service credit adds value. The rewards are easy to redeem for cash back or travel. |
| American Express® Blue Business Cash™ Card | Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% cash back. No annual fee. | An excellent cash back card for small business owners with a high earning potential and no annual fee. The 2% cash back on all purchases (up to the limit) makes it a very rewarding card for business expenses. |
| Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card | Earn 3x points on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services, and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines (on up to $150,000 in combined purchases annually). Offers cell phone protection and travel and purchase protection benefits. | A premium business rewards card with a focus on travel and essential business expenses. The 3x points on various categories can result in significant rewards for business owners. The cell phone protection and travel protections are valuable perks. |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | Earn 6x Marriott Bonvoy points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3x points at U.S. restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2x points on all other eligible purchases. Comes with a free night award each year, up to $300 in statement credits per year at restaurants worldwide, and complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status. | A premium hotel rewards card for Marriott loyalists. The high earning potential at Marriott properties, along with the free night award and statement credits, can easily offset the annual fee for frequent Marriott guests. The Platinum Elite status provides valuable perks like room upgrades and lounge access. |
Detailed Explanations
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card is a popular choice for travelers looking for a balance between rewards and annual fees. It earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed for travel, cash back, or gift cards. The points can also be transferred to Chase's airline and hotel partners, potentially increasing their value. The card also offers travel and purchase protection benefits, providing peace of mind while traveling.
American Express® Gold Card: This card is designed for foodies and grocery shoppers. It offers high rewards rates at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide. The card also comes with valuable credits, such as Uber Cash and dining credits, which can help offset the annual fee. The flexible Membership Rewards program provides various redemption options, making it a versatile choice.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: This is a premium travel rewards card that offers a generous rewards program and valuable perks. It earns unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, which can be redeemed for travel or cash back. The card also offers a $300 annual travel credit, 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary, and access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges. These perks can easily offset the annual fee for frequent travelers.
Citi Double Cash® Card: This card is a simple and straightforward cash back card with a high earning potential. It earns 2% cash back on all purchases – 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay. The lack of an annual fee makes it a very accessible option for those who prefer cash back over travel rewards. It's a solid choice for everyday spending.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: This card is a strong cash back card for families with significant spending on groceries, gas, and streaming services. It offers high cash back rates in these categories, which can result in substantial savings. The annual fee is relatively low, and the purchase protection and extended warranty benefits add value.
Discover it® Cash Back: This card is a great starter rewards card with a unique rotating categories structure. It earns 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter (up to a quarterly maximum), and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! The lack of an annual fee makes it a low-risk option.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card: This card is a strong card for dining enthusiasts with a reasonable annual fee. The 4x points on dining, takeout, and food delivery is a significant benefit, and the streaming service credit adds value. The rewards are easy to redeem for cash back or travel.
American Express® Blue Business Cash™ Card: This card is an excellent cash back card for small business owners with a high earning potential and no annual fee. The 2% cash back on all purchases (up to the limit) makes it a very rewarding card for business expenses.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: This is a premium business rewards card with a focus on travel and essential business expenses. The 3x points on various categories can result in significant rewards for business owners. The cell phone protection and travel protections are valuable perks.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: This is a premium hotel rewards card for Marriott loyalists. The high earning potential at Marriott properties, along with the free night award and statement credits, can easily offset the annual fee for frequent Marriott guests. The Platinum Elite status provides valuable perks like room upgrades and lounge access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score is considered excellent? Generally, a credit score of 750 or higher is considered excellent.
How can I maintain an excellent credit score? Pay your bills on time, keep your credit utilization low, and avoid opening too many new accounts at once.
What are the benefits of having an excellent credit score? Benefits include access to the best credit cards with lower interest rates, higher credit limits, and better rewards programs, as well as improved chances of loan approval and more favorable terms.
Does applying for multiple credit cards hurt my credit score? Applying for multiple credit cards within a short period can lower your credit score, as it may indicate financial instability. Space out your applications to minimize the impact.
What is credit utilization? Credit utilization is the amount of credit you're using compared to your total available credit. It's recommended to keep your credit utilization below 30%.
What is an annual fee? An annual fee is a yearly charge some credit cards assess for the privilege of using the card and its benefits.
What is a sign-up bonus? A sign-up bonus is a reward offered by a credit card issuer to new cardholders who meet specific spending requirements within a set timeframe after opening the account.
What are travel rewards? Travel rewards are points or miles earned through credit card spending that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel-related expenses.
What is cash back? Cash back is a reward program where you earn a percentage of your spending back as cash, either as a statement credit, direct deposit, or check.
How do I choose the best credit card for me? Consider your spending habits, rewards preferences, and financial goals to find a card that aligns with your needs and offers the most value.
Conclusion
Choosing the best credit card with an excellent credit score is a personal decision based on your individual spending habits and financial goals. Carefully evaluate the rewards programs, fees, and benefits of each card to find the one that best suits your needs and helps you maximize the rewards of your responsible credit management.