Kat Tretina
July 17, 2019
If you’re looking for a new credit card to put in your wallet, you’re making a smart move. Finding the right credit card can help you earn valuable cash back and rewards, as well as connect you with useful travel and shopping benefits.
Don’t know where to start? We went through the current credit cards on the market to identify our five favorite credit cards for 2019, based on their availability, rewards, and annual fees, and benefits.
Whether you’re looking for a first credit card or want to earn travel rewards, we have options that will work for you.
5. First PREMIER® Bank MasterCard® Credit Card
If you have poor credit, your options for credit cards are limited. That problem might cause you to stick with
secured credit cards, which require a security deposit before you can use them to build your credit.
Thankfully, the First PREMIER Bank MasterCard is a real credit card, not a secured card, that you can actually qualify for with poor credit. That means you have a credit line you can tap into, without having to put money down.
The card is barebones; there’s no rewards or signup bonuses. But, for someone looking to improve their credit who wants to step up from a secured card, it can be a smart option. However, keep in mind that there is a processing fee and annual fee, and the APR can be high. To avoid paying interest charges, make sure you pay off your balance in full each month.
4. Discover it® Miles
It’s possible to get a great rewards card without paying an annual fee. The Discover it Miles card is a great example. With it you can earn 1.5 miles for every $1 you spend. Plus, Discover will match all of the miles you earn your first year automatically.
There’s no annual fee or blackout dates, and your miles never expire. Discover also allows you to check your FICO credit score for free.
3. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
If you’re looking for travel rewards and a strong signup bonus, check out the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
You’ll earn 100,000 bonus miles when you spend $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months from account opening, or still earn 50,000 miles if you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Plus transfer your miles to over 12 leading travel loyalty programs.
In addition, you get access to a nice suite of perks, such as receiving up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✔® statement credit, travel accident insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, and 24-hour travel assistance.
There is a $95 annual fee.
2. Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
For those who want to earn cash back rather than travel miles, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards card might be a smart choice. Offering 1.5% cash back on all purchases, every day.
The card also has some nice benefits like monitoring your credit profile with the CreditWise® app, free for everyone. It charges no foreign transaction fees, making it a great option for those who travel outside the United States.
1. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
It’s easy to understand why the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card tops our list; with no annual fee, you can earn an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make. There’s no minimum you need to meet to redeem for cash back and Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open.
Plus, earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That's extra cash in your wallet!
Unlike some of the other cards on the list, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® cards offers an introductory APR offer for new purchases. With the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card, you’ll get 15 months (from accounting opening) at 0% intro APR with a go-to rate of 14.99% - 23.74% Variable, helping you pay off debt or finance a large purchase.
You also get significant benefits, like Credit JourneySM, which gives you unlimited access to your credit score and more, Zero Liability Protection, Purchase Protection, and Extended Warranty.
Choosing a credit card
The new year is the perfect time to search for a new credit card and update your cards. By shopping around, you can find credit cards that meet your needs. Whether you’re a travel aficionado or simply want to earn cash back on your routine purchases, these five cards can help you achieve your goals.
Editorial Disclaimer: Information in these articles is brought to you by CreditSoup. Banks, issuers, and credit card companies mentioned in the articles do not endorse or guarantee, and are not responsible for, the contents of the articles. The information is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted; however, all credit card information is presented without warranty. Please check the issuer’s website for the most current information.