With so many choices, choosing the right credit card can be tricky. It often depends on how much you can afford, your creditworthiness, and why you want one – for example, to spread the cost of a purchase, build up your credit, or cover unexpected expenses?
Here, we will help you understand the meaning of credit cards, the important credit card types, and the best credit cards of 2022.
What Is a Credit Card?
A credit card is a type of card that charges a line of credit instead of cash deposits made by the account holder. When someone uses a credit card to make a purchase, that person’s account builds up a balance that needs to be paid.
Although not paying the credit card on time can result in interest and late payment fees, credit cards can also help users maintain a positive credit history to build up.
A credit card is a measure of a person’s ability to pay their debts on time, described in a credit history compiled by a credit reporting agency and expressed as a three-digit number called a credit score. The more purchases you can make with credit, the more lenders and banks trust it more.
Loans are often given in the form of a line of credit, a set amount that is used up each month through purchases and replenished with appropriate payments. A credit card is the most common method of accessing a line of credit.
Credit cards are usually issued by a bank or financial services company and allow account holders to make purchases on credit without having to deposit cash at the point of sale.
Instead, the fees accumulate as a balance that must be paid in a monthly billing cycle which gives the buyer more time to raise the money. The amount of credit card credit, commonly known as a credit limit, is determined by the creditworthiness and income of the cardholder.
Importance of Credit cards
- Opportunity to build credit
- Earn rewards such as cashback or mile points
- Protection against credit card fraud
- Free credit score information
- No foreign transaction fees
- Increased purchasing power
- Not linked to checking or savings account
- Putting a hold on a rental car or hotel room
Types of credit cards
With large varying options to select from, selecting the proper credit score card can be tricky. It frequently relies on how much you can afford, your deposit score, and why you need to get one – e.g. is it to unfold the price of a purchase, construct your savings history, or take care of a surprising expense?
Here, we’ll assist you to apprehend the different kinds of savings cards
Reward cards
This form of card rewards you for your use of it. You may also get your miles, cashback, or save discounts. It regularly comes with an annual price and excessive hobby rates, so it’s vital to make sure the importance outweighs the costs. You may additionally want a desirable deposit rating to get approved.
Cashback credit cards
Cashback credit cards make it effortless for you to earn money more or get credit rewards on your spending, even though how rewards are doled out varies from card to card. Some preferences in this area of interest provide a flat fee of rewards whilst others provide bonus factors like eating or travel. Some even offer bonus rewards as nicely as a flat fee of rewards on all non-bonus purchases.
Travel credit cards
Travel credit cards provide you the chance to earn rewards that are geared particularly towards travel. Some tour credit cards additionally let you earn factors inside a particular program, such as frequent flyer software or an inn loyalty program.
Prepaid Credit Cards
While many credit cards can transfer funds, a prepaid credit card offers a low introductory price for credit transfers over some time. Transferring funds to an existing prepaid card is a good option.
Student Credit Cards
Student credit cards are those designed specifically for college students with the understanding that these young adults often have little or no credit history. Student credit cards can come with additional perks like rewards or a low-interest rate on credit transfers, but these aren’t the key features for students looking for their first credit card. As a rule, students must be enrolled at a recognized four-year university. Get approved for a student credit card
Unsecured credit cards
Unsecured credit cards are the most common type of credit card. Unlike secured credit cards, unsecured credit cards do not require you to deposit cash as collateral. These cards are good for most consumers and, if used responsibly, can help build credit. Reward and cashback cards are common examples of unsecured cards.
Secured Credit Card
If your credit score needs improving or you don’t have a credit history, a secured credit card can be a great option for you. With secured credit cards, you usually have to pay a deposit to secure your line of credit. Your credit limit is usually the same as the amount of your deposit (if required). For example, if you deposit $ 500, you can get a line of credit of $ 500 on this card. But, if you decide to close your secured card but have outstanding funds, you may not get your deposit back.
Gas Credit Card
If you have a long commute to work or work as a hired driver through Uber or Lyft, a Gas credit card can be a great option. This type of reward credit card generally offers good to great rewards for gas purchases. Some gasoline reward cards may limit the number of rewards you can earn or offer more rewards in certain months. This type of credit card is generally good for those who drive a lot and can take advantage of the rewards.
20 best credit cards of 2022
No credit card is the best option for every family, purchase, or budget. This is because we have selected the best credit cards to be most useful to a wide variety of people. This list includes personal credit cards as well as business credit cards.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card:
Annual Fee is $ 95. They give 100,000 Bonus Points after spending $ 4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after opening your account. You can also enjoy benefits such as a $ 50 annual Ultimate Rewards hotel credit, 5X points for travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3X points for meals, and 2X points for all other travel purchases, and much more.
You also get 25% more value when you redeem Ultimate Rewards on flights, hotels, rental cars, and cruises through Chase. For example, 100,000 points are worth $ 1,250 for travel. With Pay Yourself Back, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for credits for existing purchases in selected and changing categories.
2. Wells Fargo Active Cash Card:
Ideal for Cashback, High Flat Rate, and Incentives. You get to earn a $200 cash bonus after spending $ 1,000 in the first 3 months on purchases and unlimited rewards of € 2 on purchases.
You also enjoy a range of premium benefits at a selection of the world’s most fascinating and prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge and up to $ 600 in protection for your mobile phone (subject to a $ 25 deductible) against insured damage or theft when you pay Your monthly cell phone bill with your Wells Fargo Active Cash Card.
3. American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card:
You can earn 20% on Amazon. com purchases with the card within the first 6 months of card membership up to a refund of $200 plus you get $ 150 back if you’ve spent $ 3,000 on card purchases within the first 6 months of card membership.
You will receive a cash refund in the form of settlement credits. Low initial annual interest rate: 0% for 12 months for purchases from account opening, then variable interest rate, 13.99% to 23.99%. Cashback is received in the form of premium dollars that can be redeemed as a bank statement credit.
4. Discover it® Cash Back:
With its generous premium rate in bonus categories along with the unique combination of cashback, The Discover it® Cash Back card offers a lot of value to members.
Anyone considering an account transfer will surely appreciate the introductory offer of 0% APR, valid for the first 14 months of account membership (then 11.99% to 22.99% variable APR thereafter).
There is no annual fee for this card. Cashback rewards can be redeemed at any time and used for account credits, direct deposits, gift cards, donations, and purchases from selected merchants.
It might take a little strategy to maximize your premium income, but the Discover it® Cash Back card’s high rate of rewards and the ability to receive all of your cash back at the end of your first year can be incredibly lucrative. Overall, it’s a pretty great package, especially considering that this card doesn’t charge an annual fee.
5. Citi Custom Cash Card:
With this new addition Citi’s line of products can help you maximize your money back more easily. Receive $5 back each billing cycle on purchases in your highest eligible spend category, up to the first $500 spent plus 1 refund check on all other purchases.
Your income automatically adjusts to your spending habits with each billing period. The card also has an introductory APR of 0% for 15 months on purchases and credit transfers (then variable from 13.99% to 23.99%). Think well before you decide to transfer funds – the card will charge a 5% (or $ 5, whichever is greater) fee to transfer the funds.
Receive an automatic cash refund for your most suitable expense category with each billing cycle. Eligible bonus categories include popular options such as restaurants, gas stations, and grocery stores. With a generous cashback rate in its top spends category on every billing cycle, the Citi Custom Cash℠ card is a great option for anyone looking for the simplicity of a cashback reward card.
6. American Express Gold Card:
Sure, this card has a $ 250 annual fee, but food lovers could get that fee (and a little more) back by redeeming their annual credit and enjoying the industry-leading return on grocery spending (4X points at Uber Eats restaurants and shopping), and 4X points in US supermarkets up to USD 25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points).
In addition, a generous welcome offer is on the table for the first year (60,000 points Membership Rewards if you spend USD 4,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months).
There are several partner airlines that points can be transferred to, including Delta. There are no fees for the card for international transactions. Despite the high annual fee, the rewards and benefits of this beautiful product make it unique.
7. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card:
The sign-up bonus, no annual fee, and a 0% introductory APR offer can add a lot of value. You get to enjoy Sign Up Bonus, Meal Rewards, Entertainment Rewards, No Annual Fee, and Excellent Introductory APR for Purchases
8. BankAmericard® Credit Card:
EXCELLENT FOR: 0% INTRO APR DEAL WITH REGISTRATION BONUS. You get a $100 Credit on Bank Statement Online bonus after purchases of $ 1,000 or more in the first 90 days of account opening. You enjoy an extended 0% introductory APR offer for qualifying purchases and balance transfers. Only a few cards in such a long promotional period for both, plus a sign-up bonus, Free FICO® Score, and Annual Percentage Without Penalty.
9. Citi Simplicity Card:
With a long introductory offer of 0% APR, no late fees, no annual fee, and no penalty fee, this card is an unprecedented option. Annual interest without penalty. GREAT FOR: 0% INTRO APR OFFER WITH NO LATE PAYMENT FEES
10. Discover a secured card:
This card is a great place to start building your credit history. It offers benefits rarely found with secured cards, including cash back, no annual fee, and Discover’s innovative sign-up bonus. You enjoy Cashback Rewards, a Great Sign Up Bonus Offer, No Annual Fee, and Can Upgrade to Card With No Guarantee.
11. U.S. bank visa platinum card:
With an introductory APR offering of 20 billing cycles for both credit transfers and purchases, this is one of the best low-interest credit cards we’ve come across. You get to enjoy 0% Introductory APR Long Offer, No Annual Fee, Cell Phone Protection, and Free Credit Monitoring.
12. Citi Premier Card:
The Citi Premier Card is one of the best travel rewards cards for beginners because of its generous number of bonus spending categories. You collect triple points not only on air travel and hotels but also in restaurants, supermarkets, and petrol stations, which offer many opportunities to earn from your daily purchases. The best part is your points are flexible and can be transferred to a variety of frequent flyer programs in any airline alliance. or more (excluding taxes and fees).
13. Capital One Venture Rewards credit cards:
When it comes to simplicity and solid rewards, the Capital One Venture Rewards credit card is a solid option for most travelers. You earn double miles with every purchase with no bonus categories to remember, which makes it an ideal card for those who are busy.
14. Amex Business Gold Card:
The Amex Business Gold card is a solid option for high spending small businesses with the flexibility to earn 4x points in the two categories where you spend the most. The card is ideal for businesses that value simplicity above all else. You’ll receive 4 Membership Rewards points each month in the 2 main spending categories (on the first USD 150,000 for combined purchases per calendar year). You can pay for eligible flights booked with Amex Travel, with points and get 25% back
15. Capital One Quicksilver cash rewards:
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards credit card is a decent option for those in need of a basic cash back card. However, other options offer more flexibility in redeeming your rewards. You enjoy Unlimited 1.5 refunds on all purchases, No annual fee and the Cashback does not expire
16. American Express Business Platinum Card:
This is a great card for frequent travelers who want to add a touch of luxury to their business trips. While the card comes with a high annual fee, you also get a ton of valuable benefits in return. This includes generous annual travel credits, unmatched access to lounges including Amex Centurion Lounges, and more.
17. United℠ Explorer Card:
You get to earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $ 3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after opening your account.
Plus 10,000 bonus miles after spending $ 6,000 in the first 6 months, $ 0 annual introductory fee for the first year, then $ 95, 2 miles for every $ 1 spent on meals, hotel stays, and Up to $ 100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Fee Credit. You also enjoy priority boarding privileges and can visit the United Club with 2 unique options Annual Passes for Your Anniversary
18. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card:
You can earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $ 2,000 on purchases with your new card in the first 3 months and double miles on Delta purchases, at restaurants around the world including takeaways and delivery services, and in supermarkets in the United States.
Also, you get to earn 1X miles on all other eligible purchases, $ 100 Delta Flight Credit after spending $ 10,000 on purchases on your card in a calendar year, and also, an introductory annual fee of $ 0 for the first year after $ 99.
19. Chase Freedom Flex℠ card:
This is one card that allows you to earn € 5 on eligible purchases in changing categories, and 5% on rides purchased through Chase. , 3% in restaurants and pharmacies and 1% for all other purchases. As long as you don’t mind signing up and following Chase’s discount plan, you can get great results in categories like wholesale clubs and gas stations.
Unlike Discover’s revolving cashback card, Discover it® Cash Back, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers an ongoing bonus on purchases in restaurants and pharmacies. This wide range of earning opportunities makes Chase Freedom Flex℠ the queen of rotating category cards.
20. Citi Double Cash Card:
You get to earn 2% on every purchase with an unlimited cashback of € 1 on shopping, plus an extra 1% when you pay for those purchases. To make money, pay at least the minimum amount due on time. 0% introductory APR for balance transfers for 18 months.
Thereafter, the variable effective annual interest rate is 13.99% to 23.99%, depending on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers do not result in cash refunds. When you transfer funds, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay the full amount (including credit transfers) before the due date of each month.
There is a transfer fee of $ 5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. The standard APR for the Citi Flex Plan is 13.99% – 23.99 based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are available at Citi’s discretion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, getting a credit card is a good idea for most people – using it responsibly can help you build a strong credit score that will benefit you later in life by making it easier to qualify for a mortgage, one Get a car loan, and maybe even find a job. And if you have a rewards card, a credit card can even save you money. For some people, however, a credit card is more harmful than helpful. When you are prone to debt, you are out of control. over your expenses and problems with money management in general, it may be better to forego a credit card.
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