Best credit cards for good credit of September 2024

Having good credit typically means you’ll have an easier time qualifying for credit cards and loans than if you had fair, bad or no credit. Card issuers, banks, mortgage brokers and even leasing companies use credit scores and information from your credit report to determine your eligibility and approval for products. If your credit history shows that you consistently pay your bills on time and use your available credit responsibly, lenders may consider you more likely to pay what you owe.

Along with better terms for financial products like loans and mortgages, good credit gives you a better chance of approval for some of the best cards available. These cards often have the best rewards programs, perks, benefits and terms. People with good credit also have a better chance of qualifying for cards that offer valuable perks like lounge access, extra statement credits, warranties and protections and flexible redemption options.

How to get good credit

You can reach a good credit score by keeping low credit utilization, having a mix of credit and installment loans, using credit cards responsibly and having an established credit history.

The amount of time it takes to get a good credit score depends on factors like your credit habits, the consistency of those habits and any past financial mishaps. The better you are at paying on time and not borrowing more than you can pay will impact how quickly your credit score goes up.

Good credit can help you make the most of your everyday purchases because you’ll have plenty of credit card options to pick from. “When you apply for a credit card, the issuing lender reviews your credit report and score to determine your eligibility and whether you qualify for a particular card,” says Rod Griffin, senior director of consumer education and advocacy at Experian. “The better your credit score, the more credit card options you could have.”

But good credit isn’t just about having more options — it’s about having options with some of the best benefits. Here are some of the perks that come with good credit:

• Earn rewards: The right rewards or cash back card can help you pocket more money when it comes time to redeem your hard-earned rewards. A card like the Discover it® Cash Back would be a great place to start because it rewards various purchases throughout the year.
• Maximize travel value: You can qualify for a handful of cash back and rewards cards with boosted rates for travel that offer solid value and help you shoulder the burden of travel expenses. The Capital One Venture Rewards credit card could be a great card for getting started with travel rewards.
• Access food and grocery perks: If food costs take up a large chunk of your budget, credit cards for good credit have some of the best rewards rates for these purchases. The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards credit card offers boosted rewards in several key spending categories.
• Cut costs: Plenty of homemaking essentials include groceries, gas for family road trips and streaming services for movie nights and your average show binge. The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express can help you earn a chunk of change from all your essential spending.

“To make it work for you, you should use your credit card to pay routine expenses and bills and pay the card off every month,” says Griffin, highlighting the importance of routine spending and payment consistency. “Payment history is the biggest factor that affects your credit score and paying your credit card on time and in full every month will help you build a steady and strong credit history.”

Everyone’s experience with credit and money differs, but some experiences resonate with most people. As most people who’ve moved from a fair to a good credit score can tell you, one of the main benefits of having a good credit score is qualifying for better loan terms and better credit cards. With good credit, you can feel confident in your approval odds for far more lending products than you would with fair or bad credit.

If you’ve ever been in a position where you were unsure about card or loan approval, then you’re familiar with the stress and anxiety that it provokes. Online communities, like r/CRedit*, are a venue for users to discuss their experiences with credit cards, credit scores and other financial products. In one thread in this subreddit users share their experience with having credit scores over 700, which would be considered “good credit.”

I have a 780 [credit score] and am in the market to buy a car. The difference between last time and this time is night and day. Last time, I had poor credit and I was stressing about getting any loan and I very much needed a new car as what I had was unreliable. 

I remember sitting in the dealership with my wife and I asked her not to post anything to socials because I didn’t want to have to explain if we had to reverse it. 

This time I’m not stressed about it at all and I just know I won’t have any problems getting the loan when the car comes in. It’s honestly kind of wild how much stress disappears with higher credit scores for big purchases.

— Reddit user

This comment shows how things can turn around when you achieve good credit or better. It also highlights the stigma associated with poor credit and the embarrassment of not getting approved for loans. Although no one should feel shame for their financial situation, it can be as distressing as it is inconvenient.

What Bankrate experts say about good credit

A good credit score is worth being proud of because it shows you’ve worked hard to pay your bills on time, avoid maxing out your cards and otherwise use credit responsibly — but the work doesn’t end here. Even Bankrate experts make patience a priority when it comes to maintaining a good credit score. According to Courtney Mihocik, senior editor at Bankrate, patience was and continues to be a contributing factor on her credit journey.

One thing that really helped me on my journey toward good credit was patience. Not only did I have to be patient while working towards good credit, but now that I have good credit, I remain patient between applying for the cards I want. I try to limit my new card applications to one per year to maintain the average age of my accounts. I also wait between card applications to make sure I really want and will use a new credit card. Otherwise, it can take up meaningless space in my wallet and on my reports.

— Courtney Mihocik, Senior Editor

*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Be sure to check the issuer's website/terms and conditions for all up to date content. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.

Choosing a credit card for good credit will depend on many factors, including your financial needs.

“You should be aiming to use a credit card that has a low interest rate, though this will be less important if you plan on paying your balance in full every month, and low-to-no fees,” notes Griffin.

If you plan to pay in full every month, your interest rate won’t be much of a factor. Paying in full not only helps you reduce debt and interest payments, but it gives you the flexibility to explore the other benefits of good credit. “You may opt for a cash back credit card or one that gives you miles or travel points,” says Griffin. “Always remember that credit is a financial tool. When used well, it should give you financial advantages.”

Here are some general tips to keep top of mind when choosing your new credit card for good credit:

• Know your spending categories: Use a card that fits into your established purchase categories. Crunch the numbers to see which rewards program earns the most rewards based on how you spend (and whether the card has an annual fee).
• Focus on features: If you want a rewards card, decide if you want to earn cash back, points or miles. If you want to save money on interest from a balance you transfer, you might consider a low-interest or balance transfer card. Choose a credit card that fits your needs and don’t settle for one with flashy features if you can’t take advantage of them.
• Research each card’s benefits: Top perks include bonuses, points, miles or cash back and intro APR offers. Use these as you build toward an excellent score so you can qualify for cards with better perks.
• Assess rates, fees and your budget: Plenty of credit cards with no annual fee are available for people who don’t need all the bells and whistles that premium cards offer. Other typical rates and fees to watch out for include the annual percentage rate (APR), foreign transaction fee, late payment fee and balance transfer fee. 

Getting approved for a card for good credit

Keep your expectations realistic and within the realm of your financial situation. Just because you have good credit doesn’t mean a card that requires good credit is a good fit for you. Issuers consider your income, expenses and revolving debt when evaluating your application, and they might determine that — despite your good credit score — you’re a risky borrower.

To help make sure you get approved for a good credit card, keep your current card balances as low as possible, pay off installment loans if possible and make sure there are no inconsistencies on your credit report. Correcting mistakes, like updating your income and personal information, could be just the boost you need to have a better shot at card approval. 

Still unsure if a credit card for good credit is right for you? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool to get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.

When evaluating the best credit cards for good credit, we take into account several factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether they offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards to scoring a large sign-up bonus to saving on interest. 

We analyzed over 250 of the most popular credit cards and selected standouts that are available with good credit. We scored each card based on the factors most relevant to its primary category, including its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, intro APR period, ongoing APR, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup. 

Here are some of the key factors that we considered: