I’ve been checking out different credit cards and I’m kind of stuck. Some offer big rewards, others have a long 0% APR period, and then there are some with no fees at all. What’s the best choice for someone who just wants a good all-round card? Any advice?
It depends on what you want. If you’re looking for cashback, I’d go with the Chase Freedom Unlimited. You get up to 5% cashback and no annual fee. The 0% APR for the first 15 months is helpful too if you plan to make big purchases soon.
@Denim
I second that. The cashback categories are pretty generous, especially for travel and dining. Plus, the lack of annual fee is a big win for me.
Jameson said:
@Denim
I second that. The cashback categories are pretty generous, especially for travel and dining. Plus, the lack of annual fee is a big win for me.
What’s APR? I see it everywhere but still get confused.
@Barbara
APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate. It’s basically the interest you’ll pay if you don’t pay off your credit card balance in full each month. The lower the APR, the less interest you’ll be charged on your unpaid balance.
If you travel a lot, the Capital One Venture Rewards card is solid. You get 2x miles on all purchases and a 75,000 miles sign-up bonus if you meet the spending requirement. I’ve used mine for flights and hotel stays.
@Yani
Same here. I travel a lot for work, and those miles really add up quickly. Plus, redeeming the miles is pretty straightforward compared to some other cards.
@Yani
Are there any fees with that card? I’m always cautious when it comes to annual fees.
Kimberly said:
@Yani
Are there any fees with that card? I’m always cautious when it comes to annual fees.
Yeah, there’s a $95 annual fee, but the rewards and miles make up for it, especially if you travel often. The sign-up bonus alone can easily offset that fee for a year or two.
For something simple with no annual fee, I’d recommend the Wells Fargo Active Cash card. It’s straightforward—you get 2% cashback on all purchases, and there’s no need to worry about categories or fees.
@Channing
That sounds great. I’ve been looking for a card that doesn’t have complicated rewards structures. Does it also have a 0% APR offer?
Lexi said:
@Channing
That sounds great. I’ve been looking for a card that doesn’t have complicated rewards structures. Does it also have a 0% APR offer?
Yeah, it comes with a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers. So if you have a big purchase coming up, it’s a good way to avoid interest for a while.
I’ve been using the Citi Double Cash card for a while now. It’s great if you want a simple cashback structure—1% when you make the purchase and another 1% when you pay it off. No annual fee either, which is a bonus.
@Finnick
That sounds good. Is there any catch with the cashback or limits on what you can earn?
Afton said:
@Finnick
That sounds good. Is there any catch with the cashback or limits on what you can earn?
No catch. It’s just 2% cashback on everything, no categories or caps. It’s pretty simple compared to other cards.
If you’ve got a family, the Blue Cash Preferred from American Express is worth checking out. You get up to 6% cashback on groceries and streaming services. There’s a $95 annual fee after the first year, but the cashback from grocery shopping alone makes it worth it.
@Dane
6% on groceries is impressive. I’m curious—how much would you need to spend to offset that annual fee?
Derry said:
@Dane
6% on groceries is impressive. I’m curious—how much would you need to spend to offset that annual fee?
If you spend about $160 a month on groceries, you’ll break even on the annual fee after a year. Everything after that is just extra cashback in your pocket.