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They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch, but if you carry the right plastic, you might get one at no cost. You might also get free flights, free hotels, free cash back, price protection and interest-free loans. Our credit card search page allows you to see every kind of card with all types of rewards.
But here’s a shortcut to cards that we think are the best right now in three categories — travel rewards cards, cash-back cards and cards that offer long introductory 0% interest for balance transfers.
Best cards for balance transfers
In spite of your best efforts — or because of an emergency purchase — maybe you find yourself with a truckload of credit card debt. If so, and you can’t immediately pay off your balance, it can cost you a lot in interest payments. That’s when you should seriously consider transferring the debt to a new card that has a generous introductory period with 0% interest. Here are our two top picks:
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards
Balance transfer offer: By transferring your high-interest debt to the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards card, you can take 15 months — interest-free — to pay down that debt. There is a one-time fee of 3% on the amount of balance transferred. But with interest rates on credit cards typically running anywhere from 15% to 27%, this is a move that will likely make a lot of sense, and it could save you hundreds of dollars. Just be sure to pay off that transferred balance before your 15-month grace period runs out, and the interest rate goes up.
More highlights:
- Get unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
- $150 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within your first three months
- 0% interest on purchases for the first 15 months
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fee
Click here to get details and to compare this card with other offers.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Balance transfer offer: With this card, you get an introductory period of 15 months at 0%. If 15 months is a realistic timeline for you to pay off the transferred balance, then jump on this card for all its other perks — including an awesome cash-back program.
More highlights:
- Get all purchases at 0% interest for 15 months as well. (At this moment, that translates to June 2021.)
- Get 1.5% cash back, unlimited, on all purchases.
- No annual fee
Note: This card charges a fee of 3% of the value, with a minimum of $5, on balance transfers during the first 60 days of opening the account.
Click here for more details and to compare this card with other offers.
Best travel rewards cards
Ready to get out of town, flee to the sunshine or start planning for your big summer vacation? Make sure you are taking advantage of a travel rewards card to get free flights, upgrades, hotel rooms and more. Here are two we love.
Capital One Venture Rewards
Travel rewards: The Capital One Venture Rewards card offers a bigger-than-usual introductory gift: 50,000 bonus points (worth $500 in travel) after you spend $3,000 within the first three months of having the card. Then get a whopping 2X miles for every dollar spent. If you travel, charge a lot and pay off your balance every month, this card is a great way to go.
More highlights:
- Get up to a $100 fee credit for application to TSAPre√ or Global Entry program.
- Redeem rewards on any airline or hotel — no blackout dates.
- Pay no foreign transaction fees
- No annual fee for the first year, $95 after that
Click here to get details and to compare this card with other offers.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Travel rewards: This card gives you 60,000 bonus points if you use it for $4,000 worth of purchases in the first three months. That’s worth $750 in travel when you redeem points through Chase Ultimate Rewards. You’ll also get 2 bonus points for every $1 spent on travel and dining worldwide, plus 1 point per $1 spent on other purchases.
More highlights:
- Booking through Chase Ultimate Rewards means no blackout dates or travel restrictions. If there’s a seat available on a flight, you can book it with your points.
- Bonus points can also be redeemed on a 1-to-1 basis with other leading loyalty rewards programs.
- No foreign transaction fees
Note: This card has a $95 annual fee.
Click here to get details and to compare this card with other offers.
Best cash-back card
Credit cards get a bad rap — often associated with overspending — but for people who use them regularly, and always pay off the balance, plastic can help save money on every purchase, whether it’s a carton of milk or the refrigerator to keep it cold. Cash-back cards are fantastic even for frugal people. Here’s one of the best on the market today.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards
Cash-back deal: We recommended this card if you need to transfer a credit card balance. Here’s another great reason to carry the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards card: Most cash-back cards give you 1% back on purchases; This card gives you 1.5% cash back. That’s 50% more free money. It also gives you a $150 cash bonus, and you only have to spend $500 within the first three months to get it.
More highlights:
- Pay 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months.
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
Click here to get details and to compare this card with other offers.
Most of the cards featured here require a good to excellent credit score. If that’s not you, no worries! Explore the many alternatives on our credit card search page.
Whatever you need in a credit card — balance transfer, low interest rate, travel rewards points, you name it — you can find it in our credit card search tool. Click here to explore.
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