Best Credit Card Perks for Fighting Inflation

by Jeannyn Gomez
Best Credit Card Perks for Fighting Inflation

Last updated on March 18th, 2024

Inflation may have a hand in our wallets but there are some things a credit card can do to ease the blow. Using a credit card for purchases has its many benefits and can aid your budget during these times of inflation (and even after). Check out the best credit card perks for fighting inflation here.

Inflation is the cause of sky-high prices, and our dollars are not stretching as far as they used to. To offset some of the financial challenges that come with inflation, we say, bring on the credit card perks! A credit card may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about ways to deal with inflation. But in the meantime, have a look at the best credit card perks for fighting inflation.

0% Intro APR Offers

During inflation, having a credit card with a 0% intro APR offer can make all the difference when you have plans on making a more significant purchase. Typically, the duration period of a 0% intro APR offer can range anywhere between six months to 18 months. By making a necessary big purchase with a credit card you can spread out your payments. Add a 0% intro APR to the mix and your worries, about accruing interest on top of the already large sum, will disappear.

However, 0% intro APRs are not only for credit card purchases. They also commonly apply to credit card balance transfers. The Citi Simplicity® Card, for example, offers a 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers. Current inflation interest rates are soaring. Transferring your existing debt to a credit card with a lengthy 0% intro APR on balance transfers can save you money in the long run while you pay down debt.

Statement Credits

Statement credits are often tied to introductory offers. Sometimes statement credits only apply to the first year of being a cardholder, and other times it’s an ongoing annual statement. Probably best recognized through travel credit cards offering statement credits for hotel stays, global entry, and more. However, such travel credit cards usually have an annual fee.

If an annual fee is already within your budget during inflation, best select a card that offers back a statement credit for a service you already use. Or consider a card like the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card. It receives 15 Elite Night Credits annually – all for no annual fee.

Credit Card-Linked Offers

Many credit card issuers and payment networks have a marketplace for credit card-linked offers. Think of it as an online store where you can find credit card deals from various merchants. If shopping during inflation is all about saving a buck or two, then credit card offers can give you access to deals, coupons, and extra cash.

Start fighting inflation with access to credit card deals and offers. Browse the BestCards membership platform where you can find hundreds of deals and promotions. Find money-saving offers for dining, shopping, entertainment, and travel.

Buy now, pay later

Inflation puts prices on the rise, and credit card Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options can aid in spreading out your purchases into installment payments. Card issuers like Chase and American Express have BNPL payment options for their cardholders when they shop online. BNPL payment options separate purchases into installment loans (with a fixed interest rate or fee) and commonly get paid every two weeks.

Both BNPL services for American Express and Chase apply to purchases of $100 or more. Pay It Plan It® is the Amex BNPL service and works simply by selecting a qualifying purchase through the app, then choosing a plant option for monthly payments. Once finalized, the monthly payment gets automatically included in the minimum payment due each month on your credit card. Chase offers the My Chase Plan and works similarly.

Cash Back & Rewards

The more obvious credit card perk for fighting inflation is of course earning back rewards when you shop with a credit card. It’s simple. You make a purchase, you earn rewards. The most popular cards are cash back credit cards, which can typically earn as much as 5% cash back on purchases. Usually, cardholders can benefit from flexible redeeming options, for example using the rewards towards a statement balance or making purchases.

It’s best to have a strategy when standing up against inflation with a rewards credit card. Consider signing up for a credit card that earns you the most rewards for a category you likely spend the most money on, like gas and groceries. For example, the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card earns 5% back per $1 spent on your highest spending category each billing period. There’s also the PenFed Platinum Rewards VISA Signature® Card which earns 5X points per $1 spent on gas, 3X points on groceries, and 1X points on everything else – all for no annual fee.

Related Article: Fight Inflation with Cash Back Credit Cards

Featured image by cyano66/Getty Images

Barclays, Carnival Extend Credit Card Partnership

by Cory Santos
barclays carnival cruises credit card

Last updated on March 7th, 2023

Barclays and Carnival have renewed their partnership, including an extension to its credit card program. The continuing collaboration allows guests to save on additional statement credits and earn points for further discounts onboard Carnival’s lines, including Holland America and Princess Cruises.

Barclays and Carnival Cruises Extend Partnership

The Barclays and Carnival Corporation partnership began 18 years ago in 2004. Since then, Barclaycard has been the official issuer of Carnival’s co-branded U.S. credit cards. This partnership includes the following rewards credit cards:

The suite of credit card products offers an array of rewards and benefits to Cardmembers for Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, and Princess Cruise Lines. Barclays and Carnival will continue collaborating on innovative and commercially successful solutions that reward customers for their loyalty, whether booking vacations, shopping in a retail store, or online.

“Great Products and Experiences”

“We are honored to extend our co-branded credit card agreement with Carnival, a world leader in travel and a strategic partner of ours for the past 18 years,” said Bob Highland, Head of U.S. Cards and Partnerships, Barclays, in a press release. “We remain focused on helping Carnival continue to expand its business by delighting its valued customers with great products and experiences that drive loyalty and engagement for its renowned brands.”

About Barclays

Barclays U.S. Consumer Bank is a leading co-branded credit card issuer and financial services partner in the United States that creates highly customized programs to drive customer loyalty and engagement for some of the country’s most successful travel, entertainment, retail, and affinity institutions. The bank offers co-branded, small business, and private label credit cards, installment loans, online savings accounts, and CDs. 

Related Article: The Best Travel Card Statement Credits of 2022

Featured image by Dannysee/PixaBay

Mastercard Makes Its Way Into NFT World

by Jeannyn Gomez
Mastercard Makes Its Way Into NFT World

Last updated on August 22nd, 2022

Last week Mastercard announced it is bringing its payments network to Web3 and NFTs. To make NFT purchases “easier and safer,” Mastercard sees the big move as a means for NFT creators to grow their customer base to a higher potential and to make NFT purchases accessible to more people.

Mastercard Makes Its Way Into NFT World

Mastercard is working with several names in the web3 industry to enable NFT commerce through its payments network. Ultimately the goal is to make it so people can purchase NFTs using their Mastercard cards. Mastercard wants to allow cardholders to make NFT purchases through the marketplace of the companies they have partnered with in the web3 industry, including crypto services. Mastercard is currently working with the following web3 industry innovators:

These companies in the NFT space provide services ranging from NFT/crypto marketplaces and web3 games to minting platforms and the Metaverse. These companies offer services that work on blockchain technology like gas-free minting, NFT trading, and more.

Simple NFT Purchasing

Having hands in web3 company partnerships opens the doors for NFT creators to access a larger audience. Opening the Mastercard payments network to the world of NFTs means granting access to 2.9 billion Mastercard cards worldwide. Essentially, cardholders will have the option to make an NFT purchase without needing to buy crypto first.

In 2021, the growing NFT space generated over $25 billion in sales. The NFT sales categories within the NFT marketplaces range from art and video games to collectibles and, again, the metaverse platform.

Mastercard Web3 Endeavors

Recently, in May 2022, Mastercard dove into web3 by bringing its payment network to Coinbase’s new NFT marketplace. Coinbase is a secure online platform for buying, selling, transferring, and storing cryptocurrency.

On the voyage to expand its payments network into the world of NFTs and crypto, Mastercard will also equip the transactions with cybersecurity capabilities. In 2021 Mastercard acquired CipherTrace to improve its crypto capabilities. CipherTrace is a cryptocurrency intelligence company with insight into more than 900 cryptocurrencies. Cybersecurity tools will help boost the protection and safety of user data when people use their Mastercard card to make a purchase.

What is Web3?

Web3 is the new version of the world wide web, based on blockchain technology which includes such concepts as decentralization in the form of token-based economics. In the same vein, NFTs (short for non-fungible tokens) are digital assets recorded in the blockchain and can be transferred by the owner. NFTs can be sold and traded (mostly with crypto) and typically represents objects like art, music, and videos.

Related Article: Gemini Crypto Rewards Card Available Now In The US

Featured image by Dragos Ciubano/Canva

Keys to Saving at the Baseball Stadium this Season

by Cory Santos
Keys-to-saving-at-the-baseball-stadium-this-season

Last updated on August 24th, 2023

Summertime means a return to the ballpark and catching the rays supporting your favorite team. But with inflation soaring, how can you save money at the baseball park this year? Here are some helpful tips to save you time, money, and stress – along with a selection of the best credit card offers to help you save at baseball – or any sport.

This post may contain links from partner offers, and we may receive compensation when you click on links to these offers. Please see our advertiser and editorial disclosures above for more information. Citi is an advertising partner.

At a Glance

Tips for Saving Money at the Baseball Park this Year

A trip to the ballpark can strike out your savings if you don’t go with a game plan in mind. A family of four can easily spend over $100 before the opening pitch on tickets and snacks alone. With just a little foresight, you can still make plays using your credit card that will put cash back in your pocket. Check out these keys to saving at the baseball stadium this season:

How to Save on Transportation

Gas, tolls, and parking fees are taxing expenses to contend with before you even enter the stadium. The hassle of gameday parking alone is enough to deter people from going to the game at all, but you can mitigate some of that cost by paying for your space using a travel rewards credit card.

Depending on the card you use to buy your tickets, you may even be able to save money thanks to discounted parking passes available at checkout. Alternatively, you can rack up rewards points by paying for a ride to the baseball game on your credit card. Even if you see a surge in pricing when you summon your vehicle, the headache you’ll save by not having to park six blocks away from the park and hoofing it will be worth it.

Save on Tickets

The bane of baseball fans on a budget, tickets to a game can vary wildly in price thanks to a whole host of factors. Going to a game at the start of the season, particularly on opening day, is far more expensive than a mid-week home game during the dog days of summer.

One way to curb some of the costs when you buy tickets is to invest in a bundle package with the others going along with you, which will spread the cost around among your friends who are eager to go. To maximize your cash back point-earning potential when you go this route, volunteer to buy all the tickets using your credit card- then immediately pay it off to keep your credit utilization ratio down.

When buying tickets online, there are resale sites that can score you great seats at huge discounts. Teams are looking to fill those seats any way they can, even if it means considerably slashing prices. For even steeper savings, consider the wildcard approach of buying tickets at the stadium window minutes after the game has started.

Unless you’re at a minor league game, don’t let the idea of sitting in the cheap seats bother you. Their value is evident in their name alone, but on top of that, you’ll also have a better chance to catch a home run when a power-hitter slugs one into your section. A few innings into the game, you’ll likely find a few empty seats closer to the action as well, so don’t fret.

How to Save on Food & Refreshments

Aside from tickets, the snacks you buy at the ballpark are notoriously subject to price inflation. Food and drinks there can quickly rival the cost seen of most popular restaurants, except that you don’t risk being hit by a foul ball and dropping your $20 order of mini-nachos or ice cream in a novelty team helmet. 

The most frugal move you can make as a hungry baseball fan on your way to the game is to eat before you get there. Taking your family out to lunch before the game and charging it all on your cash back rewards card for the points is far more palatable, as is buying supplies to throw down with fans in the stadium lot for a pregame tailgate party. Either way, it’s likely cheaper than anything you’ll be able to get in the stands.

Save on Souvenirs

Whether supporting San Francisco, St. Louis, Miami, or any team in between, stadium souvenirs can get ridiculously expensive in a hurry. For the price of buying a single t-shirt at the stadium, you can buy two or even three officially licensed shirts online days before the game and have them delivered in time for the event. A $15 novelty bat may seem like a steal when sold next to autographed memorabilia, but seeing as your kids or your pets will ruin that toy by the next morning, its value is already gone.

The local mega-discount big-box superstore when you bought your tailgate snacks is also a good place to find team merch on the cheap. As with tickets, food, and transport, don’t forget to put it on your card. The points earned on every ballcap adds up and may give you enough points for some free swag by then end of the season.

Seeing the show in person is a memorable experience that should not be passed upon this summer. By taking the time to shop smart before the game and saving at baseball, you’ll be able to swing it.

What are the Best Credit Cards for Saving at the Ball Park?

Looking for more ways to save at the baseball game this year? Credit cards offer an excellent avenue for additional savings, thanks to lucrative rewards, welcome offers, and other perks.

Here are some of the best baseball credit cards to supercharge your sporting savings this summer:

Official Credit Cards from MLB Teams

There are a few credit cards officially licensed through MLB teams. Both Commerce Bank and Comerica offer cards featuring the hometown team – namely the Kansas City Royals Mastercard and the Detroit Tigers Visa® Real Rewards Card, respectively.

While not currently available, Capital One is the official credit card partner of Major League Baseball and plans to issue MLB credit cards. Formerly, Bank of America issued the Major League Baseball credit card.

Miami Marlins Credit Card from Cardless

miami marlins credit card 224x141
Show Your Marlins Pride with Every Purchase
  • Earn 5% cash back at retail and concessions at loanDepot park
  • Earn 5X points on Marlins tickets, plus 3X on dining, food delivery, gas, and drugstores
☆ 24/7 personalized assistance
☆ Digital card experience
☆ No annual fee
Read Review

Terms & Conditions

Cardless offers some of the most intriguing co-branded credit cards with some of the biggest names in world sports. These credit card offers include names like Manchester United and Liverpool FC of the English Premier League, the New Orleans Pelicans, Boston Celtics, and Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA, and one Major League Baseball credit card.

That card, the Miami Marlins Credit Card, allows Marlins fans to earn 5% cash back at retail and concessions at loanDepot park (formerly Marlins Park) and earn 5X points per dollar spent on Marlins tickets. Cardholders also earn 3X points on dining, food delivery, gas, and drugstores, with points redeemable towards memorable experiences, items, gift cards, or statement credits.

New accounts also receive 10,000 Home Run Rewards points after making $1,000 in purchases within the first three months of opening their account. Cardless reward points have an approximate value of one cent per point, making this offer a $100 sign-up bonus.

Cash Back Credit Cards

Cash back rewards offer the ideal platform for saving big at the ballpark this summer. These credit card rewards offer multiple redemption options, broad bonus categories, and the ability to earn rewards almost anywhere you pay – at the stadium, the park, or even on the sofa.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

savor 224x141
Earn Up to 4% Unlimited Cash Back
  • Earn unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
☆ 24/7 personalized assistance
☆ Postmates statement credits
☆ $95 annual fee
Read Review

Terms & Conditions

Capital One also issues the Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card. Capital One has done a superb job of creating a credit card for entertainment; in other words, fun things. With the Savor® Rewards Card, cardholders will earn an unlimited 4% cash back on dining and entertainment and a less exciting – but still practical – 2% at grocery stores.

The broadly defined “entertainment” category includes most memory-making outings, such as sporting events, movie theaters, and live concerts. This broad category makes this card equally useful for families or young cardholders who frequently look for activities to participate in with their friends.

The Savor Card does carry a $95 annual fee, but the person who spends about $200 a month on outings or dining (or a total spend of $2,475 a year) will quickly recoup the card’s cost. Aside from the card’s generous bonus categories, Capital One’s cash back redemption portal is second-to-none and one of the most user-friendly rewards programs in the industry.

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

citi custom cash 224x141
Earn 5% Back On Your Top Spending Category
  • Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter
  • Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $750 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening
☆ 5% cash back categories include gas, streaming, groceries, travel, & more!
☆ 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
☆ No annual fee
Visit Card Site

Read Review

Terms & Conditions

The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is another option for those seeking versatile rewards – but not an annual fee. The Custom Cash earns up to 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, and 1% cash back after that.

Those 5% back categories are broad and contain pretty much anything you might hope to enjoy savings on. Here is the full list of categories:

Dining Fitness clubs Grocery stores
Drugstores Gas stations Home improvement stores
Travel & transit (select) Live entertainment Streaming service (select)

Rewards with Citi proprietary credit cards are earned as ThankYou Points – and the Custom Cash is no different. Cardholders earn their rewards as points redeemable for various awards, including statement credits, gift cards, pay with points with Amazon, Best Buy, Expedia, PayPal, or 1-800-FLOWERS, or can be transferred to 17 airline and hotel partners.

Consider an Unlimited Cash Back Card

Unlimited rewards cash back credit cards are a subset of cash back rewards – and prioritize a higher base rate instead of bonus categories. Unlimited rewards credit cards are another great option for this year to save big at the ballpark.

Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer

doublecash 224x141
Earn 2% Cash Back on All Purchases
  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases
  • To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time
☆ Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months
☆ No reward caps or categories
☆ No annual fee
Visit Card Site

Read Review

Terms & Conditions

The Citi® Double Cash Card is one example of a card that earns unlimited 2% cash back on all eligible purchases. With the Double Cash, cardholders earn 2% back, which breaks down as unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. This earning rate is the same as the Wells Fargo Active Cash and the TD Bank Double Up (which also earns rewards in the 1% than 1% method as the Citi credit card).

Chase Freedom Unlimited

freedom unlimited
Earn unlimited Cash Back on Purchases
  • 5% on up to $1,500 on combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter
  • 0% intro APR for 15 months
☆ 5% Back on Chase Travel
☆ 3% Back on Dining & Drugstores
☆ No Annual Fee
Read Review

Terms & Conditions

The Chase Freedom Unlimited Is another unlimited cash back option. The Freedom Unlimited earns an unlimited 1.5% cash back as base rewards – with select purchases earning even more rewards.

For example, the card, like the Freedom Flex, earns 5% back on travel purchases made through the Ultimate Rewards portal, including vacation and car rentals. The card also earns 3% back on bonus categories of dining and restaurant purchases, including take-out orders and deliveries through eligible delivery services like Grub Hub and UberEATS.

Browse more of the “Best of” from BestCards

The Best Cash Back Credit Cards for 2020
The Best Cash Back Credit Cards

There are plenty of cash back rewards credit cards out there. We’ve narrowed them down and found the very best cash back credit cards for you

Featured image by Sung Shin /Unsplash

New Metal Card Reveal for U.S. Eagle FCU

by Jeannyn Gomez
New Metal Card Reveal for U.S. Eagle FCU

The U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union has released a new Metal Card for U.S. Eagle members. The U.S. Eagle METAL™ Cashback Credit Card doesn’t only exist to impress with its heavy metal feel, but it also earns up to 2% cash back on purchases, 1% cash back on balance transfers, and is equipped with all the perks of a traditional credit card – all for no annual fee.

U.S. Eagle METAL™ Card Reveal

The announcement of the new metal card is a first for the U.S. Eagle Credit Union. The metal-based card is made with tungsten alloy molded into a pressed, metal foil, sleek design. The card is not all looks. It also has a feel. Along with its metal build, the U.S. Eagle METAL™ Cashback Credit Card has some weight too.

What Makes METAL Different?

The U.S. Eagle METAL™ Cashback Credit Card shares many qualities a regular cash back credit card would have. For example, the card includes security features like zero liability and mobile wallet capabilities. The real difference is noticeable in how the credit card earns cashback rewards.

With the U.S. Eagle METAL™ Cashback Credit Card, cardholders will earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on all purchases. In addition, customers will also earn 0.5% cash back when they make a minimum payment for their purchases. Add it all up, and card users will earn a total of 2% cash back on purchases, plus the rewards never expire.

Additionally, balance transfers earn 1% cash back in the first 90 days of opening an account (a not-so-common credit card benefit). And no balance transfer fee in the first 90 days. Cardholder cash back rewards are then automatically deposited into a memberships savings account for hassle-free redemption.

The Goal: Simple Cash Back

“We’ve listened to our members, and we pay attention to what they want,” said Marsha Majors, President, and CEO of U.S. Eagle, “Our goal was to make the cashback simple and not ask members to jump through hoops to earn it. We wanted to give them a card they would be as proud to use as we are of their membership and having them carry our card. METAL visually shows that you value the strength of your credit union and that we support the purchases our members want to make.” Source.

Furthermore, the U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union offers five other credit cards, including a secured credit card, a credit-builder credit card, and a business credit card. Applications are not limited to existing banking members. New qualifying members can also apply.

About U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union

U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union was founded in 1935 and is one of the oldest credit unions in New Mexico. They pride themselves on servicing the people of their communities with technology-backed banking products. The credit union, of course, is a member-owned nonprofit organization, providing low rates, free financial advice, and more.

Related Article: The Best Cash Back Credit Cards

Milestone Mastercard Vs Mission Lane Visa: Read This Before Applying

by Cory Santos
milestone-mastercard-vs-mission-lane-visa-read-this-before-applying

Last updated on August 24th, 2023

Choosing a credit card for near-prime credit can be challenging. Hundreds of card offers are available, but not every card is suitable for every consumer. The Milestone® Mastercard® and Mission Lane Visa® are two popular credit builder options, thanks to their ease of access, generous credit limits, and ability to help raise your credit score with financially reasonable usage. 

Before you apply for your next credit card, check out this helpful guide that breaks down both cards, their strengths, weaknesses, and the finer points that can help you make an informed decision. 

Milestone Mastercard or Mission Lane Visa: Which Is Right for You?

Mission Lane Visa® and Milestone Mastercard enjoy popularity among credit-building Americans – but which is best? Here is a discussion and comparison of the two cards over key credit categories:

Pre-Qualification Before Applying

Applying for a credit card requires a credit check. Often, these credit inquiries are known as “hard inquiries,” meaning the bank pulls your full credit report before approving (or denying) your credit card application. If you apply for a credit card and are declined, your credit score will likely take a minor hit.

One way to avoid a negative impact on your credit score before getting a new credit card is by pre-qualifying before you apply. Though they may sound similar, pre-qualification and pre-approval are not the same things.  

A pre-approval means that a lender has analyzed your credit profile based on existing credit information it holds, offering a product you will likely be approved for. On the other hand, pre-qualification means the lender has reviewed financial information from a credit profile and believes you may be a good fit for the credit card product. Pre-qualifications are also known as “soft inquiries,” as they have no impact on your credit score.

Do the Milestone and Mission Lane Credit Cards Offer Pre-Qualification?

The Mission Lane Card and the Milestone Card offer a quick pre-qualification for potential applicants. This feature makes both cards versatile offers for anyone looking to boost their credit score but afraid they may not qualify due to late payments, bankruptcies, or other negative financial events.

How to Apply

Here is all the information you’ll need to apply for both credit cards:

What Information Do You Need to Apply for the Milestone Mastercard?

  • Full name
  • Address
  • Email address
  • Contact phone number
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security Number
  • Monthly income
  • Monthly expenses

What Information Do You Need to Apply for the Mission Lane Visa?

  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security Number
  • Address
  • Housing
  • Monthly rent/mortgage payment
  • Employment status
  • Annual income
  • Current banking information (account types)
  • Email address
  • Contact phone number

Credit Score Needed

Both cards are designed for those building or repairing credit. This reality means that the typical FICO credit score for an applicant for the Milestone and Mission Lane is around 600 to 640. Both credit cards are available for applicants with credit scores ranging from 300 to 850.

Annual Fees

Annual fees with credit repair cards vary significantly. Cardholders can expect a higher annual fee the lower their starting FICO or VantageScore credit score. As a general rule, expect to pay a yearly fee of up to $100 for a credit card of this type, with some charging significantly higher fees and no annual fees.

The Milestone Gold Mastercard features a variable annual fee of between $35 and $99. Again, these yearly fees will vary depending on your offer. Like Milestone, Mission Lane also features a variable annual fee. Unlike Milestone, however, some Mission Lane Visa Card applicants may qualify for a card with no annual fee. Other applicants may receive an annual fee rising as high as $75 per year.

Starting Credit Limits

The Milestone Mastercard has a $300 credit limit. Because Milestone charges the annual fee immediately, the starting credit limit will vary between $201 and $265. Once the annual fee is paid, the credit limit will return to $300.

The Mission Lane Visa has a $300 credit limit to start. This actual credit available may vary depending on the annual fee, however. Like the Milestone Card, Mission Lane charges the annual fee upon card activation, meaning the starting credit limit runs between $225 and $300. Once that fee is paid, the limit will return to $300.

Credit Limit Increases

The Mission Lane Visa may offer cardholders a credit limit increase; make your payments on time. Mission Lane may provide a credit limit increase. Many subprime credit cards offer the chance at potential credit limit increases after 6-12 months. On the other hand, Mission Lane offers credit limit increases wherever possible – regardless of the time frame.

The Milestone Mastercard does not currently provide credit limit increases. According to the card’s own FAQ page, “there is not a credit limit increase program at this time.”

Rewards

Neither Mission Lane nor Milestone offers cash back rewards or points on select purchases. Neither 0% intro APR periods nor sign-up bonuses are associated with the cards.

Payment Network

The Mission Lane credit card operates on the Visa payment network. Visa is the world’s largest payment network. Over 335 million credit cards, debit cards, and prepaid cards are in circulation bearing the Visa brand name – more than 100 million more than Mastercard.

The Mission Lane Visa offers cardholders Visa Platinum protections and benefits. Visa Platinum or Traditional cardholders can enjoy the following protections:

Zero Fraud Liability Cardholder Inquiry Services Emergency Card Replacement
Roadside Dispatch and Auto Collision Damage Waiver Lost/Stolen Card Reporting ID Navigator from Norton

The Milestone Card operates on the Mastercard payment network. While the Mastercard payment network is smaller than the Visa network, Mastercard products are accepted in more countries than Visa. Where the Visa logo can be seen in 200 countries, Mastercard is currently accepted in 212 countries worldwide. 

Here is what Milestone Mastercard cardholders can expect from Mastercard:

Zero Liability Protection Mastercard Global Services ID Theft Protection

Recap

Here is a quick recap of all the features of both cards:

Card Milestone® Mastercard® Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card
Prequalify? Yes Yes
Credit limit increases? N/A Yes
Zero Fraud Liability? Yes Yes
Unsecured credit? Yes Yes

Featured image by Gam-Ol /PixaBay

Chase Extends Pay Yourself Back Through December

by Cory Santos
Chase Extends Pay Yourself Back Through December

Last updated on July 15th, 2022

The Chase Pay Yourself Back feature allows Chase’s cardholders to use points to offset select purchases. The program, introduced during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, is now being extended through the rest of  2022. Here are all the details on Chase extending the Pay Yourself Back program.

Chase Pay Yourself Back Program Extended Through the End of 2022

Chase has announced the new Pay Yourself Back® categories for eligible Ultimate Rewards credit cards. When redeemed for statement credits in applicable categories, the new categories offer up to 50% more value on Ultimate Rewards points. Previous Pay Yourself Back categories have included dining, groceries, home improvement purchases, charitable donations, and more.

The extended and new Pay Yourself Back categories include:

Chase Ink Business Cards

Chase Ink Business Preferred and Ink Plus cardmembers enjoy 25% more on eligible business expenses in eligible categories. These 25% more value categories include charities, shipping, internet, cable, and phone service providers. Pay Yourself Back previously offers Ink cardmembers 25% more value when redeeming points on business expenses related to internet, cable and phone services and select charitable contributions.

Chase Ink Business Cash, and Ink Unlimited cardmembers enjoy 10% more value with Ultimate Rewards points on internet, cable and phone services, as well as 25% more on select charitable contributions.

Chase Sapphire Personal Cards

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers enjoy 50% more when redeeming points for statement credits after using the card at Airbnb, dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services), and select charitable organizations. Additionally, Sapphire Reserve cardmembers can use Pay Yourself Back for their annual fee. The new Pay Yourself Back categories expire on Dec 31, 2022. 

Sapphire Preferred cardmembers enjoy 25% more value with Airbnb and on charitable donations. 

Freedom Personal Cards

The Chase Pay Yourself Back program also extends to Chase Freedom credit cards. Chase Freedom (no longer accepting new applicants), Freedom Unlimited, and Freedom Flex cardmembers get 25% more value for points when redeeming for donations to a dozen select charitable organizations. These bonus categories run through Dec. 31,  2022.

Charities eligible for additional value (for all eligible Chase Ultimate Regards cards) include: 

  • Feeding America
  • World Central Kitchen
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Equal Justice Initiative
  • International Rescue Committee, Inc. (IRC)
  • Leadership Conference Education Fund
  • NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
  • National Urban League
  • Thurgood Marshall College Fund
  • United Negro College Fund
  • International Medical Corps
  • American Red Cross
  • United Way
  • UNICEF USA

Related Article: The Best Credit Cards for Streaming Services

Featured image by Pexels/PixaBay

The Best Secured Credit Cards

by Cory Santos
best secured credit cards bad credit no credit 2021

Last updated on April 3rd, 2024

Secured credit cards offer one of the best ways to build a positive credit history. Because secured cards require a security deposit to open, they are easier to receive than unsecured credit cards for people with bad credit. Before applying for a new card, make sure you study your options to ensure you get the best credit card for your unique needs. Here are some of the best secured credit cards for improving bad credit – or no credit history.

Best Credit Card with No Credit Check

One of the biggest challenges consumers face when applying for a credit card is the credit check. While secured credit cards require a cash deposit to open, they aren’t always a guaranteed approval – which can deter many people from applying. Fortunately, there are several excellent secured cards that don’t require a credit check.

opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Apply Now Terms & Conditions
Poor-No Credit Required
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Poor / No Credit Required
Visa Processing Network
$35 Annual Fee

opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

  • 23.89% (variable) Regular Purchase APR
  • 23.89% (variable) Cash Advance APR

At a Glance

The opensky® Secured Visa® is a secured credit card that offers requires a low minimum deposit and features no credit checks for approval. The card, issued by Capital Bank, provides an easy route to better credit by offering credit limits as low as $200, a moderate fixed-rate APR, and a reasonable $35 annual fee.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • Earn up to 10% cash back on everyday purchases
  • No credit check required – 89% approval rate with zero credit risk to apply!
  • Boost your credit score fast—2 out of 3 opensky® cardholders see an average increase of 47 points after 6 months
  • Track your progress with free access to your FICO® score in our mobile app
  • Build your credit history with reporting to all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
  • Seamless payments—add your card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay
  • Start with just $200—secure your credit line with a refundable deposit
  • Fast and easy application—apply in minutes with our mobile-first experience
  • Flexible payment options—pick a due date that works for you
  • More time to fund—spread your security deposit over 60 days with layaway
  • Join 1.6 million+ cardholders who have used opensky® to build better credit!
  • Regular Purchase APR: 23.89% (variable)
  • Cash Advance APR: 23.89% (variable)
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $6 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.
  • Annual Fee: $35
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
  • Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $25
  • Minimum Deposit Required: $200
  • You’re struggling to get accepted for other secured credit cards
  • You don’t have a credit history
  • You have bad credit and want to improve your credit score
  • You have a large deposit and want a quick pick-me-up for their credit score
  • You want access to a useful knowledge base of credit information and resources
opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

Terms & Conditions
Apply Now Terms & Conditions

The OpenSky Visa is one of the best secured credit cards on the market – and it is easy to see why. One reason why is because OpenSky requires no credit check. The card’s application process is straightforward and takes just a few minutes. Decisions are equally quick, making the entire process fast and painless.

The OpenSky credit education hub offers a range of articles on building credit, making it a useful partner in building up credit knowledge. These topics include how to receive a free copy of your credit score, how credit scores are calculated, tips on boosting credit, and other advice related to the OpenSky card.

Other reasons to consider the OpenSky Visa include the relatively low minimum deposit required and regular reporting to the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Other Secured Cards with No Credit Check


First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard®
First Progress Platinum Elite Mastercard®
Self Visa® Secured Credit Card
$39 annual fee $29 annual fee $25 annual fee
No Credit History or Minimum Credit Score Required for Approval No Credit History or Minimum Credit Score Required for Approval Get the savings plan that helps build credit today
No credit check is required! No credit check is required! Start with a Credit Builder Account that reports monthly payments to all 3 major credit bureaus
Full-Feature Platinum Mastercard® Secured Credit Card. Full-Feature Platinum Mastercard® Secured Credit Card. No credit score is needed to get started
Good for Car Rental, Hotels, and Anywhere Credit Cards Are Accepted! Good for Car Rental, Hotels, and Anywhere Credit Cards Are Accepted! Your money is secured and protected in a bank account

Low APR Secured Cards

One of the great features of secured credit cards is that they typically feature a lower purchase APR than credit cards for fair (or average) credit.  According BestCards statistics, the average APR for  Sa secured card is currently around 18%, while the average rate for a credit card for average credit is around 26%. The reason for secured credit cards offering lower rates is because the security despot requirement makes the cardholder less of a risk to lenders than the holder of an unsecured credit card.

Despite the decent rates many secured cards offer, maybe you are looking for an easy credit card with a low APR? Don’t worry – there are several excellent credit card options that offer the easy application of a secured card and the low interest rates that make carrying a balance a breeze!

First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Applied Bank Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Card
A discharged bankruptcy still in your credit bureau file will not cause you to be declined Absolutely No Credit Check or Minimum Credit Score Required
Quick and Complete Online Application; No credit inquiry required! Automatic Reporting to All Three National Credit Bureaus
Monthly Reporting to all 3 Major Credit Bureaus Activate Today with a $200 Minimum Deposit – Maximum $1,000
Earn 1% cash back rewards *

Despite the decent rates many secured cards offer, maybe you are looking for an easy credit card with a low APR? Don’t worry – there are several excellent credit card options that offer the easy application of a secured card and the low interest rates that make carrying a balance a breeze!

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Featured photo by Nicole De Khors / Burst

CloudTrucks Launches Credit Card For Truckers

by Jeannyn Gomez
CloudTrucks Launches Credit Card For Truckers

CloudTrucks has launched a new business credit card that caters to truck owner-operators and small fleets. The CT Card is a no-interest Visa credit card with no fees, no business credit needed, and unlimited cards for the entire team fleet. It helps fund trucking entrepreneurs who may not qualify for traditional credit cards to grow their businesses.

CloudTrucks Launches a Business Credit Card For Truckers

CloudTrucks has a new business credit card for owner-operators and small fleets. CT Credit is a no-fee credit card providing solutions for entrepreneurs in the trucking business.

A Credit Card Designed to Empower Trucking Businesses

CT Credit, from CloudTrucks, is a no-fee and no-interest Visa credit card for truck drivers. The card provides a solution for trucking entrepreneurs to manage day-to-day expenses. Additionally, cardholders can build business credit with every purchase. With the CT Card, customers also have the potential to earn cash back rewards when they use their card with discount partners, such as Road Ranger, Pilot Flying J, and Love’s Maintenance.

Furthermore, customers will have access to unlimited cards for their team of drivers. The unlimited-cards feature, paired with the no-fees element, grants peace of mind to trucking entrepreneurs so they can focus more on the business of trucking with less time spent on managing finances. The no-fees feature applies to the following:

  • Setup fees
  • Transaction fees
  • Account fees
  • Late charge fees
  • Interest fees

When customers apply, CT Credit will not run a hard credit check. Instead, they will make credit resources more accessible for trucking businesses to begin building healthy business credit.

Other Features

The new CloudTrucks credit card is a Visa card and can be used anywhere Visa is accepted. Their site claims to be more than just a fuel card. Truckers can use the CT Card not only for gas but also for food, lodging, and more. With the CT Card, owner-operators and small fleets will have access to control their finances. Team managers can also track credit balances and monitor spending limits for each cardholder in their fleet. Balance settlement is automatic and occurs twice a month with multiple notifications leading up to the payment dates.

“Committed to Empowering Trucking Entrepreneurs”

“We regularly hear from drivers how easy it is to get stuck in a cycle of paying for business expenses out of pocket – especially now that prices for essentials are rising,” said Tobenna Arodiogbu, co-founder and CEO, CloudTrucks. “We built CT Credit with the goal of delivering a simple solution that gives drivers more control of their cash flow and we remain committed to empowering trucking entrepreneurs with the tools they need to grow their businesses.”

About CloudTrucks

CloudTrucks is a platform built to help truck owner-operators manage their trucking businesses with ease. It uses software and data science to reduce operating costs for truckers. The CloudTrucks platform also seeks to improve revenue and cash flow costs for trucking entrepreneurs. The company was founded in 2019, and its services include solutions for virtual carrier authority, instant pay and schedule optimization, streamlining administrative bottlenecks, and more.

Related Article: PayPal and WebBank Launch Business Credit Card

Pay with Points at Amazon with the Bilt Mastercard

by Cory Santos
pay-with-points-at-amazon-with-the-bilt-mastercard

Last updated on April 5th, 2023

The Bilt Mastercard, the first credit card that lets you earn rewards on your rent, has a new redemption option for cardholders. Cardholders can now use their Bilt Rewards points to Pay with Points at Amazon.com. Here is what you need to know about the Bilt Mastercard’s new redemption options:

Bilt Mastercard Adds Amazon as Rewards Partner

Bilt Mastercard users can now use their points to pay with Amazon. Bilt Cardholders can now use rewards to Pay with Points for purchases at Amazon.com at a rate of $0.07 per point.

Bilt Cardholders also receive 250 points for linking their rewards account with Amazon. They’ll earn another 250 points the first time they use Bilt points to cover all or part of an Amazon purchase.

The new redemption option provides a new, streamlined way for cardholders to use their rewards earned from paying rent – the Bilt Mastercard’s calling card. To date, the Bilt Mastercard is the only credit card that offers rewards on rent purchases

The credit card from Wells Fargo earns 1X points per dollar spent on rent payments, up to 50,000 points per year. Other bonus categories with the card include:

  • Earn 3X points on dining
  • Earn 2X points on travel

The Bilt Mastercard features no annual fee.

Redeem Rewards for Amazon, Rent, Down Payments, & More

The Bilt Mastercard offers unique redemption options for cardholders. Beyond paying with points on Amazon, the Bilt Rewards program allows members to redeem points for fitness classes (starting at 1,000 points), for purchases from the Bilt Collection, a hand-curated catalog of art, decor, and apparel, or for travel with 1:1 points transfers with leading hotel and airline names, like AAdvantage, World of Hyatt, Air Canada Aeroplan, and more.

Perhaps the most intriguing way to redeem points from Bilt is for rent and down payments. Members can use Bilt points to cover their next month’s rent payment with a Bilt-operated property, or they can save points and put them towards a down payment.

Other Bilt Mastercard Features

Other features of the Bilt Mastercard credit card from Wells Fargo include:

  • Cell phone insurance (up to $800 a year in coverage per claim when using the Bilt Mastercard to pay your cell phone bill). This feature is limited to up to two claims per year.
  • Bilt concierge access
  • Up to $120 in DoorDash credits per year
  • Up to $60 in Lyft credits per year (after making three rides per month)
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Mastercard World Elite benefits and protections

Related Article: The Best Credit Cards for Amazon Prime Day 2022

Featured image by kirstyfields/ Pixabay

Enjoy a Free Year of Grubhub+ with Amazon Prime

by Cory Santos
Amazon offering free year of grubhub+

Grubhub and Amazon are teaming up to give Prime Members a free year of GrubHub+. The new, limited-time offer is open to all eligible Prime members. Here are the full details of Amazon’s new GrubHub+ promotion:

Enjoy 12 Months of Grubhub+ on Amazon

Amazon Prime members can enjoy a free one-year Grubhub+ membership with their Prime membership. Typically a $9.99 monthly charge, Grubhub+ is a monthly membership offering unlimited $0 delivery fees on orders of $12+ (before tax, tip, and other applicable fees) at eligible restaurants, access to exclusive member perks—like free food and order discounts—and donation matching.

How to Enroll

To take part in the new Grubhub+ membership promotion, eligible Prime members must follow the following steps:

  1. Click this link
  2. Click on “Activate free Grubhub+”
  3. Sign in or create an account at the Grubhub+ screen
  4. Agree to the terms and conditions to connect your Prime and Grubhub accounts
  5. Agree to share your Prime membership status with Grubhub
  6. Start enjoying all the benefits of your free Grubhub+ membership

Prime members must remember to cancel their trial after the free year ends, or their payment method will be charged $9.99 on the 13th month. Members can cancel at any time by contacting Grubhub customer support or visiting the “Grubhub+ membership” section in the Grubhub account settings. Existing Grubhub Campus, Corporate, and certain existing partnership members are not eligible for the free Grubhub+ promotion.

About Grubhub

Grubhub is a Chicago-based online and mobile prepared food ordering and delivery platform. The platform is the parent company of the UK-based delivery app JustEat. Grubhub has struggled for market share versus rivals like Uber Eats and Doordash, so the free membership promotion is an excellent chance for those new to delivery services to enjoy $0 orders at no additional cost.

Related Article: The Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Featured image by Grubhub/Amazon

The Best Credit Cards for Streaming Services

by Cory Santos
best credit cards for streaming services 2021

Last updated on April 3rd, 2024

 Streaming services  became a welcome distraction – and essential part of life – during the coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns, so why give them up now that life is returning back to “normal.” These services – from Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, to HBO Max and Peacock – help us get away from the realities of the world and make life at home more enjoyable. Are you looking to save money or earn more rewards when paying for your streaming service subscriptions? Here are our top credit cards for paying streaming service bills every month.

This post may contain links from partner offers, and we may receive compensation when you click on links to these offers. Please see our advertiser and editorial disclosures above for more information. Citi is an advertising partner.

At a Glance


Citi Custom Cash℠
Citi® Double Cash
Blue Cash Preferred®
U.S. Bank Cash+®

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions
Excellent-Good
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Excellent / Good
Mastercard Processing Network
$0 Annual Fee

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

  • 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable) Regular Purchase APR
  • 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable) Balance Transfer APR
  • 29.99% (Variable) Cash Advance APR
  • 0% for 15 months on Purchases Intro Purchase APR

At a Glance

The Citi Custom Cash? Card is a generous cash back credit card that offers up to 5% back on eligible purchases. The card, from Citi, does not charge an annual fee and rewards 5% back on the top spending category each month, with options including transit, travel, gas, groceries, dining, and more.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.99% – 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash℠ Card account per person.
  • Intro Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months on Purchases
  • Regular Purchase APR: 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
  • Intro Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 15 months on Balance Transfers
  • Balance Transfer APR: 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
  • Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
  • Cash Advance APR: 29.99% (Variable)
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: 5% of each cash advance; $10 minimum
  • Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% (Variable)
  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
  • Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
  • You want to earn 5% back but do’t want quarterly categories
  • You plan on spending $1,500 within the first 90 days
  • You have a large purchase in mind that you want to pay down over time
  • You plan on transferring an existing balance within the first four months
  • You don’t want to pay an annual fee
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

Terms & Conditions
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions

The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is Citibank’s latest cash back credit card. The card earns 5% back on your highest spending category each billing period, placing it on par with the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards, Wells Fargo Active Cash, or the Chase Freedom Flex.

The 5% back category with the Custom Cash includes the following and is limited to the first $500 spent every billing period: dining, drugstores, fitness clubs, gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, live entertainment, select travel, select streaming services, and select transit.

Here is the list of eligible streaming services according to Citi:

Amazon Music Fubo TV MLB.tv Prime Video
Apple Music HBO Max NBA League Pass Showtime
Apple TV+ YouTube (Music/TV) Netflix Sling TV
Audible Hulu NHL.tv SiriusXM
DirecTV Stream iHeartRadio Pandora Spotify
Disney+ Kindle Unlimited Paramount+ Sticher
ESPN+ Luminary Peacock TIDAL

Other noteworthy features of the Custom Cash credit card from Citi include 15 months of 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, a $200 cash back welcome bonus (after making $750 in purchases within the first three months of opening an account), and  – of course – no annual fee.

That 15-month introductory APR period is also one of the longest for a cash back credit card – and applies to both balance transfers and purchases. With Custom Cash, you can make a large purchase and pay down an existing credit card balance – all for no annual fee.

Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer

Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions
Excellent-Good
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Excellent / Good
Mastercard Processing Network
$0 Annual Fee

Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer

  • 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable) Regular Purchase APR
  • 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable) Balance Transfer APR
  • 29.99% (Variable) Cash Advance APR

At a Glance

The Citi® Double Cash Card is one of the most versatile cash back credit cards on the market today, thanks to impressive, flat-rate cash back, lucrative introductory 0% APR offers, and more. Cardholders earn 2% back on every eligible purchase: 1% back at the time of sale and an additional 1% back when they pay their statement balance. Cash back is redeemable for statement credits, direct deposits, checks, or converted as ThankYou® points.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
  • To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.99% – 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
  • If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
  • There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
  • Regular Purchase APR: 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
  • Intro Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 18 months on Balance Transfers
  • Balance Transfer APR: 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
  • Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
  • Cash Advance APR: 29.99% (Variable)
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: 5% of each cash advance; $10 minimum
  • Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% (Variable)
  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
  • Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
  • You prefer earning cash back at a flat rate rather than in rotating categories
  • You’re looking to either consolidate existing balances or pay down a large purchase with no interest charges for an extended period of time
  • You like to have the flexibility of converting cash back into lucrative rewards points
  • You’re considering a credit card without an annual fee
Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer

Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer

Terms & Conditions
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions

The Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer card does not offer a special rewards category for streaming services. Instead, Citi provides 2% cash back on all eligible purchases. The card earns a flat-rate 1% cash back on all eligible purchases – and another 1% back when the account holder pays off that balance.

Eligible purchases include pretty much everything you can imagine and exclude account services and other administrative fees (think balance transfers, cash advances, money orders, wire transfers, returns, etc.).

The lack of an annual fee, the 2% back on streaming service subscriptions (or any other purchases, for that matter), and the 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for the first 18 months make the Citi Double Cash Card the perfect everyday card that just happens to reward your streaming habits.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Visit Card Site Rates & Fees
Excellent-Good
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Excellent / Good
American Express Processing Network
$0 for the first year. Then $95 Annual Fee

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

  • 19.24% to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
  • 19.24% to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
  • 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
  • 0% for 12 months from account opening date Intro Purchase APR

At a Glance

Through the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, you can earn sizable cash back rewards on purchases in common categories, including 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in annual purchases (then 1%), 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores, and 1% on all other purchases. You can also earn $300 back in the form of a statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases using your new card in the first six months of the account being open.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • Earn a $300 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
  • Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
  • Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% – 29.99%. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
  • 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
  • 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
  • 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
  • Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit
  • Get up to $120 in statement credits annually when you pay for an Equinox+ membership at equinoxplus.com with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. That’s $10 in statement credits each month. Enrollment required.
  • Thinking about getting The Disney Bundle which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $12.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription with your Blue Cash Preferred Card. Enrollment required.
  • Terms Apply.
  • Intro Purchase APR: 0% for 12 months from account opening date
  • Regular Purchase APR: 19.24% to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness the Prime Rate
  • Intro Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 12 months from account opening date
  • Balance Transfer APR: 19.24% to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness the Prime Rate
  • Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
  • Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
  • Penalty APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
  • Annual Fee: $0 for the first year. Then $95
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.7% of the transaction amount in U.S. dollars
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
  • Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
  • You budget for family spending and want a credit card that earns significant cash back
  • You’ll spend a lot of money on groceries to take advantage 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in annual purchases (then 1% after that)
  • You’re excited at the prospect of earning 6% cash back with select streaming services
  • You want to capitalize on your commute with 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations (and select U.S. department stores)
  • You’ll take advantage of 3% cash back on transit (taxis/rideshare, parking and tolls, trains, buses and more), and 1% on all other purchases
  • You’re likely to make $3,000 in purchases within the first six months of the account opening to qualify for a one-time $300 statement credit
  • You cook at home often and commute to work and school regularly, or make use of public transit regularly
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Rates & Fees
Visit Card Site Rates & Fees

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card features an annual fee, but for binge-watchers who want excellent value every day, it’s an easy charge to justify. The card earns a huge 6% back on eligible streaming subscriptions. That list includes over 30 services from the radio, TV, music, and more.

Here is a full breakdown of American Express eligible streaming services:

Amazon Music Fubo TV Luminary Paramount+ Spotify
Apple TV/ Music HBO Max MLB.tv Peacock Sticher
Audible Standalone HBO NBA League Pass Prime Video Tidal
DirecTV Stream Hulu Netflix Showtime YouTube Premium
Disney+ iHeartRadio NHL.tv Sling TV YouTube Music
ESPN+ Kindle Unlimited Pandora SiriusXM YouTube TV

Beyond 6% back on streaming services, the Blue Cash Preferred offers a lot more value for its $95 annual fee. These perks include 6% cash back on the first $6,000 in spending on U.S. groceries each year, 3% back on gas and transit (tolls, taxis, rideshare services, etc.), and 1% back on all other eligible purchases.

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions
Excellent
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Excellent
Visa Processing Network
None Annual Fee

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

  • 19.74% to 29.74% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
  • 19.74% to 29.74% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
  • 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
  • 0% for 15 months from account opening Intro Purchase APR

At a Glance

The U.S. Bank Cash + Visa Signature Card is an excellent cash back credit card that gives holders the power to decide how they earn their cash back. The card earns 5% back on two select categories you choose, 2% back on one “everyday” category a user selects, and 1% back on all other purchases.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • New! $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening
  • 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose
  • 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Travel Center
  • 2% cash back on one everyday category, like Gas Stations/EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants
  • 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
  • No Annual Fee
  • Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100+ into equal monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPay™ Plan
  • Terms and conditions apply
  • Intro Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months from account opening
  • Regular Purchase APR: 19.74% to 29.74% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
  • Intro Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 15 months on transfers made within 60 days from account opening date
  • Balance Transfer APR: 19.74% to 29.74% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
  • Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
  • Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 2% of the transaction amount in U.S. dollars
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
  • Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
  • You want the ability to choose your enhanced cash back categories
  • You like the freedom of switching categories each quarter
  • You don’t want to pay an annual fee
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

Terms & Conditions
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions

The U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card is an excellent cash back credit card for those who want the power to decide where they earn their rewards. The card is similar to the Citi Custom Cash in that it offers cardholders up to 5% back on the first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases in the following categories:

TV, internet, and streaming services Cell phone providers Electronics stores
Fast food Home utilities Furniture stores
Department stores Clothing stores Movie theaters
Ground transportation Fitness centers Sporting goods stores

And here are U.S. Bank’s eligible streaming services:

Disney+ Vudu Google Play Music
FandangoNOW YouTube Premium Pandora
Hulu Amazon Music SiriusXM
Netflix Apple Music Slacker Radio
Sling TV YouTube Music Spotify

As mentioned, that 5% back is limited to the first $2,000 in spending each quarter, which is very generous. Cardholders also have the same option with their 2% “everyday” category, selecting one of the following three categories each quarter:

  • Grocery stores
  • Gas stations
  • Restaurants

Upgrade Visa® Card with Bitcoin Rewards

Upgrade Visa® Card with Bitcoin Rewards
Currently Unavailable Terms & Conditions
Good-Excellent
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Good / Excellent
Visa Processing Network
None Annual Fee

Upgrade Visa® Card with Bitcoin Rewards

  • 14.99%-29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
  • 14.99% to 29.99% Balance Transfer APR

At a Glance

The Upgrade Visa® Card with Bitcoin Rewards offers no fees, low rates, cash back in bitcoin, and credit lines up to $20,000 in one exceptional package. The card provides the flexibility and predictability to pay down card balances and get debt-free quickly – with the added benefit of crypto rewards on every purchase.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking Plus account and making 3 debit card transactions*
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% back in bitcoin rewards after you make payments on your purchases
  • The simple way to earn bitcoin: make purchases on your card, make payments, earn bitcoin
  • No annual fees
  • Get pre-approved in seconds with no impact to your credit score
  • Pay with your phone or device by using Apple Pay® or Google Pay™
  • Mobile app to access your account anytime, anywhere
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud liability
  • *To qualify for the welcome bonus, you must open and fund a new Rewards Checking account and make 3 qualifying debit card transactions from your Rewards Checking account within 60 days of the date the Upgrade Card account is opened. To qualify, debit card transactions must have settled and exclude ATM transactions. Please refer to the applicable Upgrade Visa® Debit Card Agreement and Disclosures for more information. Your Upgrade Card and Rewards Checking account must be open and in good standing to receive a bonus. If you have previously opened a Rewards Checking account or do not open one as part of this application process, you are not eligible for this welcome bonus offer. Welcome bonus offers cannot be combined, substituted, or applied retroactively. The bonus will be applied to your Rewards Checking account as a one-time payout credit within 60 days after the 3rd qualifying card purchase.
  • Regular Purchase APR: 14.99%-29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
  • Balance Transfer APR: 14.99% to 29.99%
  • Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Up to 5%
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: Up to 3%
  • You struggle to pay off credit card balances
  • You want a structured repayment plan
  • You can reliably pay off your statement balances to earn bitcoin rewards for purchases
  • You don’t want to pay an annual fee
Upgrade Visa® Card with Bitcoin Rewards

Upgrade Visa® Card with Bitcoin Rewards

Terms & Conditions
Currently Unavailable Terms & Conditions

The Upgrade Bitcoin Rewards is a tough-to-beat credit card for fans of crypto rewards and low interest rates. The interest rates are the same as with other Upgrade Cards, making it among the best in the business. The ability to pay down debt – and earn BTC with every purchase – is another perk that makes the card something that provides everyday value.

While the Bitcoin version of the Upgrade Card doesn’t offer superior cash back versus cards like the Freedom Flex or Citi Custom Cash, it does offer those rewards as BTC – something very few credit cards can provide.

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Featured photo by Matthew Henry / Burst

Advertiser Disclosure

BestCards is an independent, Florida-based credit card comparison platform. Many of the card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which BestCards receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). BestCards does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace.