Best Credit Cards of 2023


Savvy consumers understand that it is important to reevaluate your credit card options regularly to make sure you are maximizing your benefits and minimizing interest payments. Whether you are in the market for a cash back, low APR, balance transfer or travel option our critics have you covered. We have highlighted all the important details you will need to make sure you find the right card for your needs. If you have good to excellent credit then any of these credit cards from our partners would be a fantastic option.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

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on Wells Fargo’s secure site
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent/Good
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Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

This stellar card offers easy to understand, flat rate, cash rewards with an above-average rate of 2% on purchases. Your cash rewards earning potential is unlimited and not constrained by categories or caps like many other cards. There is also a sign-up bonus worth $200 in cash rewards that can be earned by spending at least $500 in purchases in the first three months after you are approved. This card also offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR. Another unique perk offered is cell phone protection. If you use your card to pay your cellular telephone bill you can get up to $600 of protection on your cell phone against covered damage or theft (subject to $25 deductible). You would think all of these amazing perks would come at a cost, but that’s not the case as there is a $0 annual fee.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

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on Wells Fargo’s secure site
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent/Good
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Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

This card is an excellent option for those looking for a $0 annual fee rewards card. For a limited time, new card members will earn a massive 30,000-point welcome bonus after spending $1,500 in the first three months. This impressive bonus has a $300 cash redemption value! As for ongoing rewards, you will earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. There are no caps to worry about and no rewards calendars to keep track of. Plus you will also earn 1X on all of your other purchases. In addition to the cash redemption option, you can also redeem your rewards for travel, gift cards, and more. There is also a generous intro APR on purchases and many other premium benefits.

Discover it® Balance Transfer

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on Discover’s secure site
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent/Good
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Discover it® Balance Transfer

The Discover it® Balance Transfer card is a very well-rounded option as it offers a 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 17.24% – 28.24% Variable APR as well as fantastic cash back rewards. You will earn 5% back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations (up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter you activate, then you earn 1%) and 1% back on all of your other purchases. The unlimited cash back match bonus is what really sets this card apart. All of the cash back you’ve earned in your first year is matched. There are no minimums or hoops to jump through to earn this bonus. It is easy and can be very lucrative if you use your card regularly and take advantage of the 5% categories. All of these amazing perks and a $0 annual fee.

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

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on Wells Fargo’s secure site
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent/Good
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Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

This card from Wells Fargo is a CardCritics favorite in both the Low APR and Balance Transfer categories. It offers a 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% Variable APR. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and there is a balance transfer fee (5%; min: $5). If you are accruing interest charges each month on another card (or cards) the transfer fee is likely worth the expense especially if you plan to pay the balance off before the 0% intro period is over. You can also get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with this card.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

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on Bank of America’s secure site
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent/Good
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Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

If you prefer a $0 annual fee card that will help you earn points towards travel and dining purchases then this card is likely your top option. With the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card you will earn a straightforward, unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. You can also earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. These bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases. Unlike most travel cards this option also offers a generous intro APR. It offers 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends a 18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR will apply.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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on Capital One’s secure site
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent, Good
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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

There are a ton of options in the market today for travel rewards cards, but the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one you should seriously consider. You will earn rewards quickly with unlimited 2x miles per dollar on all purchases and 5x miles per dollar when you book your car rentals and hotel stays through Capital One Travel. The Venture Rewards Card currently has a generous welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months, which will give you at least $750 in travel value. The $95 annual fee grants you access to premium travel benefits like lounge access, Hertz Five Star status, a credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck and pay no foreign transaction fees. While you’ll get the most out of your miles by redeeming them for travel, there are several other options to cash in your rewards making it an extremely flexible program and one of the best travel rewards programs out there with over 15 direct transfer partners. A 19.99% – 29.99% (Variable) APR will apply to purchases and balance transfers.

If you have not applied for a new card recently then you are likely missing out on premium perks. With incredible welcome offers, long intro APR periods and lucrative ongoing rewards to choose from, it is easy to see why it is a great time to apply for a new card.


Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
*CardCritics references a FICO® 8 score, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when evaluating your application.