Chase Sapphire Lounge Opens in Hong Kong

by Jeannyn Gomez
Chase Sapphire Lounge Opens in Hong Kong

Last updated on May 19th, 2023

Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders and Priority Pass members are in for a treat. The first Chase Sapphire Lounge opened end of October at the Hong Kong airport. And the new lounge is one of the many benefits Chase cardholders can experience on their travels.

The First Chase Airport Lounge Opens

Last year Chase announced their plans to open branded airport lounges, and now, the first one is finally in business. The Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club opened at the Hong Kong International Airport  Terminal 1 on October 25, 2022. The recently opened Chase Sapphire Lounge is the first of its kind. However, Chase has confirmed its plans for nine branded lounges in total. Most of which will launch next year in 2023, and only seven have confirmed locations:

  • Hong Kong — Terminal 1 (open October 25, 2022)
  • New York-LaGuardia — Terminal B
  • Boston — Terminal B to C connector
  • San Diego (SAN) — Terminal 2 West
  • Phoenix (PHX) — Terminal 4 South 1
  • Las Vegas (LAS) — Terminal 1 C Gates
  • Washington Dulles — Terminal A

The Chase Sapphire Lounge amenities include craft cocktails, seasonal dining, and comfortable spaces for resting and working. The lounges promise authentic, regionally inspired food and drinks, art, entertainment, and wellness. The Hong Kong Chase Sapphire Lounge is a perfect example demonstrating its upscale amenities, such as the following:

Chase Sapphire Lounge Amenities
Locally curated menus and art Spaces for relaxing and working Fresh and seasonal dining options Signature cocktails, local beer, and a curated wine list
Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi An in-lounge digital experience for food and beverage orders, as well as access to media and entertainment Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menu options and complimentary refreshments (soft drinks and alcoholic drinks) Admission via a quick, contactless scan

The Hong Kong lounge location is 11,948 square feet and accessible through Terminal 1 in the West Hall of International Departures. However, if you’re departing from the East Hall, you can access the lounge by shuttle or a 10-to-15-minute walk. The lounge hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, with a promise for longer hours on a future date.

Who Gets Access To The Chase Sapphire Lounges?

Access to the Chase Sapphire Lounges is not limited to Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders, although it is an exciting new benefit in addition to Priority Pass™ Select access. Priority Pass members will also have access to Chase Sapphire Lounges. Priority Pass membership is offered, by other well-known travel credit cards, such as the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express. In addition to the Chase Sapphire Lounge access, the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card has other benefits and features. Cardholders also get access to Priority Pass™ Select, a $300 annual travel credit, various travel insurances, and more – all for a $550 annual fee.

Related Article: What are Your Credit Card Points Worth?

Featured image by Izusek/Getty Images Signature

Bilt Rewards Status Match with United

by Cory Santos
Bilt Rewards Status Match with United

Last updated on August 18th, 2023

The Bilt Mastercard from Wells Fargo has a new offer for cardholders. Bilt Rewards is offering free United status for four months starting November 1st. Here are all the details of the Bilt status match:

Bilt Mastercard Adds United MileagePlus Status Challenge

The Bilt Mastercard has turned heads thanks to its impressive rewards on rent. The card is a unique rewards credit card from Wells Fargo that lets users earn 1X on monthly rent payments, 3X on travel, 2X on dining, and offers impressive perks, including Lyft and DoorDash statement credits – all for no annual fee.

Now Bilt has a new offer for eligible cardholders. Bilt is offering free United MileagePlus status for 120 days starting November 1st. Members keep that status through January 2024 by completing the challenge.

These status match and challenge offers are available to eligible Bilt Mastercard holders in the Bilt Rewards app.

A status match is when a new airline gives you immediate reciprocal status based on your elite status level with your current airline. A status challenge is when additional requirements need to be completed before you receive the new status. Bilt cardholders will need to meet spending or flight criteria to retain their new United tier status through January 2024

Bilt Mastercard cardholders without status with Bilt will receive Silver status, with Bilt Gold members receiving Gold.

  • Silver status: Earn 1000 Premier Qualifying Points and take 4 qualifying United flights
  • Gold status: Earn 2000 Premier Qualifying Points and take 6 qualifying United flights

How to Gain Bilt Status

Bilt Rewards is the loyalty program of the Bilt Mastercard credit card. Cardholders earn status through rewards points, with higher tiers enjoying greater value when redeeming points.

Here are the Bilt Rewards tiers:

  • Blue Tier: Base tier, with cardholders enjoying 1:1 point transfers with partners, access to the Bilt collection, and more.
  • Silver Tier: Reached after earning 25,000 points. Cardholders enjoy 10% Bonus points on points from new leases and renewals and interest earned on points.
  • Gold Tier: Reached after earning 50,000 points. Cardholders enjoy 25% Bonus points on points from new leases and renewals, homeownership concierge, and interest earned on points.
  • Platinum Tier: Reached after earning 100,000 points. Cardholders enjoy 50% Bonus points on points from new leases and renewals, homeownership concierge, and interest earned on points. The platinum tier also receives a complimentary gift from the Bilt collection.

Check out our Bilt Mastercard review for more information on the rent credit card from Wells Fargo.

Related Article: The Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards

Featured image by Ralf1403/Pixabay

Chase Sapphire Joins Michael B. Jordan for New Ad Campaign

by Cory Santos
Chase Sapphire Joins Michael B. Jordan for New Ad Campaign

Last updated on November 15th, 2022

Chase Sapphire and actor Michael B. Jordan have joined forces for a new ad campaign highlighting the benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card – including experiences, adventures, and exclusive perks.

Chase Sapphire Launches New Ad Campaign with Michael B. Jordan

Chase Sapphire and actor/producer, Michael B. Jordan, have joined forces for a new advertising campaign. The campaign, which debuted late last week during Game 1 of the World Series, details the many ways in which Chase Sapphire can help unlock a world of wonder.

Michael has teamed up with Chase Sapphire as a co-storyteller, sharing how the Chase Sapphire Reserve helps unlock the wonders of traveling the world, the ultimate foodie experiences, and unique adventures. You can watch the new 30-second spot here.

Look closely—you will spot other notable faces, including acclaimed artist Anderson .Paak, brilliant chefs Sophia Roe and Melissa King, and master wellness & self-care educator Devi Brown. 

Chase’s new campaign showcases the powerful currency of the Sapphire Reserve’s Ultimate Rewards points, card benefits, and perks by bringing to life how this notable value translates into meaningful and memorable life experiences.  

New Sapphire Reserve cardmembers can currently earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from opening an account. That’s an impressive $1,200 in travel when redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal – providing the chance to experience how Sapphire can upgrade life’s everyday moments into something extraordinary.  

Chase Sapphire Seaport Food Lab

Chase Sapphire recently announced details of another endeavor, its Seaport Food Lab. The Seaport Food Lab – the Seaport’s leading experience for New York’s finest tastemakers – celebrates its newest concept by bringing the internet’s favorite food stars for a series of intimate dinners this November.

From November 2 to 19, the immersive culinary experience will welcome slow food advocate and recipe developer Pierce Abernathy, bon appétit’s former Senior Food Editor and Test Kitchen host Christina Chaey, and chef DeVonn Francis.

This year’s Seaport Food Lab event offers a chance to delight in each of the culinary creators’ vision of the perfect meal in an intimate setting, with unique guest interactions in real life and surprise elements with each residency. Each resident chef will debut an exclusive multi-course food and beverage menu illustrating their talents and cultural flavors, centered on the simple philosophy of good food and good people.

Related Article: Chase Ink $900 Welcome Bonus Offer

Featured image by Chase

The Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards

by Cory Santos
the-best-no-annual-fee-credit-cards

Last updated on April 3rd, 2024

Do you really need to pay an annual fee to get some of the best credit card rewards available? Absolutely not! Here are some of the best no annual fee credit card options to choose from – including balance transfer and rewards cards:

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℠ Card
Citi® Double Cash Card
Chase Freedom Flex
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Discover it® Cash Back

A no annual fee credit card is a card that charges no fee for membership. No annual fee credit cards can provide significant value, despite the lack of a yearly membership fee. While premium credit cards (those that charge an annual fee) often offer the most lucrative rewards and additional perks, many no annual fee rewards cards provide comparable rewards at a much lower price point.

Why Opt for a No Annual Fee Credit Card?

Credit cards with annual fees are ideal for regular travelers, big spenders, and those consumers looking for an accelerated rewards rate on eligible purchases. Some of the very best travel credit cards feature annual fees, with some rising into the hundreds of dollars (see the Platinum Card from American Express and its $695 annual fee for a leading example). What you might not know, however, is that you can still get an excellent rewards credit card without the annual fee.

Best No Annual Fee Rewards Credit Cards

Many banks and credit unions offer a selection of no annual fee rewards credit cards. These cards range from co-branded offerings with hotel chains and major airlines and proprietary rewards and cash back credit cards.

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

Five-percent cash back cards are among the best no annual fee credit cards. These cards provide up to 5% cash back on select purchases, often in rotating categories. The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is one of the best of these cash back credit cards, thanks to its up to 5% back on eligible purchases in cardmember’s the top spending category each month. Here is the full slate of 5% back categories with the Custom Cash:

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

The 5% back categories are limited to the first $500 spent on eligible purchases in the top eligible spend category each billing cycle, with 1% back on all purchases. That spending cap is on par with other 5% cash back credit cards, namely the Discover It, which cuts 5% rewards after the first $1,500 in spending per quarter.

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 does not offer special rewards categories like the Custom Cash Card. Instead, Citi provides an unlimited 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.

The lack of an annual fee, the 2% back, and the 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for the first 18 months make the Citi Double Cash Card the perfect everyday credit card for anyone who hates

Like the Custom Cash, the Double Cash from Citi earns rewards as ThankYou Points. Cardmembers can opt for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, or other award options or use their points to book dream travel through Citi ThankYou® Rewards.

Chase Freedom Flex

Chase Freedom Flex
Learn more about the Chase Freedom Flex 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
None Annual Fee

Chase Freedom Flex

  • 19.74% to 28.49% variable Regular Purchase APR
  • 19.74% to 28.49% variable Balance Transfer APR
  • 29.49% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
  • 0% for 15 months from account opening date Intro Purchase APR

At a Glance

The Chase Freedom Flex is a hybrid cash back credit card that offers something for everyone. The card earns 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases, plus up to 5% back on rotating categories each quarter after activation – all for no annual fee.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn 5% on up to $1,500 on combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate
  • Earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • Earn 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
  • Earn 3% on drugstore purchases
  • Earn 1% on all other purchases
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.24%-27.99%
  • No annual fee – You wo’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex℠ card
  • Intro Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months from account opening date
  • Regular Purchase APR: 19.74% to 28.49% variable
  • Intro Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 15 months from account opening date
  • Balance Transfer APR: 19.74% to 28.49% variable
  • Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
  • Cash Advance APR: 29.49% 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: Up to 29.99%
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of the transaction amount in U.S. dollars
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
  • Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
  • You want a versatile cash back credit card that earns rewards across various categories
  • You don’t mind the lower cash back rates for dining and drugstore purchases over previous Chase cards
  • You prefer to book travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • You don’t want to pay an annual fee for premium Mastercard features
Chase Freedom Flex

Chase Freedom Flex

Terms & Conditions
Learn more about the Chase Freedom Flex Terms & Conditions

The Chase Freedom Flex earns 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter after activation, 5% back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 5% cash back on eligible gas station purchases on up to $6,000 spent in the first year. The card’s rotating categories are always popular, with 2022 already providing some versatility for card members.

Here is Chase’s Cash Back Calendar for 2023:

Date 5% Cash Back Category
Q1 January – March 2024 Grocery stores (excluding Walmart), self-care and spa services, plus fitness and gym memberships
Q2 April – June 2024 Restaurants, hotels, and Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases
Q3 July – September 2024 Gas, EV charging, select live entertainment, and movie theatres
Q4 October – December 2024 PayPal, McDonald’s, pet shops and veterinary services, plus select charities

Chase also offers 15 months of 0% intro APR with the Freedom Flex like the Citi Custom Cash. And, like the Custom Cash, that promotional period applies to both purchases and balance transfers.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Learn more about the Chase Freedom Unlimited® 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
Visa Processing Network
None Annual Fee

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

  • 18.24% to 27.74% Variable Regular Purchase APR
  • 18.24% to 27.74% Variable Balance Transfer APR
  • 28.49% Variable Cash Advance APR
  • 0% for 15 months from account opening date Intro Purchase APR

At a Glance

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® credit card is a reliable option for customers looking to pair an attractive cash back rewards program with generous introductory interest rates. Cardholders can redeem for cash, travel, and more.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
  • Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can use points to redeem for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the United States!
  • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% – 27.74%.
  • No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC
  • Intro Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months from account opening date
  • Regular Purchase APR: 18.24% to 27.74% Variable
  • Intro Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 15 months from account opening date
  • Balance Transfer APR: 18.24% to 27.74% Variable
  • Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
  • Cash Advance APR: 28.49% Variable
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
  • Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of the transaction amount in U.S. dollars
  • You are looking for a low-rate credit card to perform a balance transfer
  • You prefer straightforward rewards earnings rather than quarterly categories requiring activation
  • You’ll make at least $500 in purchases in the first 90 days
  • You do’t want to pay an annual fee
Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Terms & Conditions
Learn more about the Chase Freedom Unlimited® Terms & Conditions

The Chase Freedom family also includes the Freedom Unlimited, the bank’s unlimited cash rewards credit card. The Freedom Unlimited earns an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, except for extra enhanced categories that mirror cards like the Freedom Flex, Citi Custom Cash, or even U.S. Bank’s Cash+ Visa.

Like the Freedom Flex, Freedom Unlimited cardholders enjoy 15 months of no interest on BTs and purchases, plus up to 5% cash back in select categories. While the 5% back is limited to Chase travel (via Ultimate Rewards), the 3% back categories include restaurants and drugstores, making this card’s value truly unlimited.

Discover it® Cash Back

Discover it® Cash Back
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
Discover Processing Network
None Annual Fee

Discover it® Cash Back

  • 17.24% to 28.24% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
  • 17.24% to 28.24% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
  • 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
  • 0% for 18 months from account opening Intro Purchase APR

At a Glance

The Discover It Cash Back Card is a cash back credit card that offers enhanced earning potential in a selection of rotating categories. Cardholders earn 5% back on purchases in categories that rotate each quarter, and 1% on all other purchases. The card also features 0% intro APR for the first 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, Discover’s 100% U.S.-based customer service, Discover’s bonus cash back match, and no annual fee or foreign transaction fees.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • 5% cash back in rotating categories each quarter, up to the quarterly maximum, when you activate
  • Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically
  • Discover matches all of the cash back earned by the cardholder at the end of the first year automatically; there is no limit to how much cash back is matched
  • Cash back rewards never expire, earn unlimited cash back
  • Use rewards at Amazon checkout
  • No annual fee
  • Intro Purchase APR: 0% for 18 months from account opening
  • Regular Purchase APR: 17.24% to 28.24% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate
  • Intro Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 18 months from date of first transfer
  • Balance Transfer APR: 17.24% to 28.24% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate
  • Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: 3% of the amount of each transfer posted at the promotional rate. After that, 5% of the amount of each transfer
  • Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: None the first time you pay late. After that, up to $41
  • Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
  • You want to earn 5% back on select category purchases each quarter, including restaurants, gas stations, select rideshares, and online shopping
  • You don’t want to pay an annual fee or foreign transaction fees
  • You want 100% U.S.-based customer service
  • You don’t mind rotating categories changing every three months
Discover it® Cash Back

Discover it® Cash Back

Terms & Conditions
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions

Ther Discover It Cash Back is one of the most popular credit cards on the market – and it’s easy to see why. After year one, cardholders enjoy Discover’s Cashback Match. That match means cardholders get an automatic cash back match after year one: earn $250 in cash back rewards and watch that total automatically double to $500.

Equally impressive, however, is the 14 months of 0% intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers. Beyond special offers, the Discover It Cash Back is a versatile cash back rewards card that earns 5% back on a rotating selection of categories.

Other Options to Consider

Want some more no annual fee rewards credit card options to consider? Here are some other popular offers:

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

Wells Fargo Active Cash

paypal cash back mastercard

PayPal Cashback Mastercard

discover miles

Discover it® Miles

Best No Annual Fee Low APR Credit Cards

No annual fee credit cards offer far more than just exceptional rewards. As you’ve already seen, many no annual fee cards also provide 0% intro APR on either purchases, balance transfers, or both.

A credit card with no annual fee usually means a lower APR. While not a hard and fast rule, low rate credit cards are generally no annual fee, meaning you should never look to pay an annual fee if all you want is an exceptionally low-interest rate – or lengthy balance transfer offer.

Citi Simplicity® Card

citi simplicity card
0% Intro APR on Purchases and BTs
  • 0% APR for 12 months on purchases
  • 0% APR for 21 months on balance transfers
☆ Choose Your Payment Date
☆ Contactless Payment - Tap and Pay
☆ No Annual Fee

Read Review

Terms & Conditions

The Citi Simplicity® Card is one of the bank’s most popular credit cards, thanks to its exceptionally low APR, lengthy intro APR periods, and lack of an annual fee. The Simplicity offers two introductory interest rate periods – one for balance transfers and one for purchases.

First, new accounts enjoy 12 months of no interest on purchases. Second, they’ll enjoy a whopping 21 months of 0% interest on balance transfers – the longest introductory period available.

Beyond the exceptional intro APR period, the Simplicity provides one of Citibank’s lowest APRs. While the rate will vary depending on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate, the purchase and transfer APR with the Simplicity is significantly below the national average APR for a credit card, making it one of the ideal debt-tackling tools with no annual fee.

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

citi diamond preferred new 224x141
0% Intro APR on Purchases and BTs
  • 0% APR for 12 months on purchases
  • 0% APR for 21 months on balance transfers
☆ Choose Your Payment Date
☆ Contactless Payment - Tap and Pay
☆ No Annual Fee
Visit Card Site

Read Review

Terms & Conditions

The Simplicity and the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card are two very similar credit cards. Both cards feature the same 0% intro APR periods on balance transfers and purchases, feature no annual fee, and provide the same Mastercard protections and benefits. New Diamond Preferred cardmembers will enjoy 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and 21 months on BTs – one of the longest introductory interest rate periods on balance transfers available today.

Like the Simplicity, the Diamond Preferred offers one of Citi’s lowest APRs. In fact, the card provides the lowest APR from Citi – a full percentage point lower than the interest rate with Simplicity. Not bad for no annual fee.

Wells Fargo Reflect Card

Wells Fargo Reflect Card
Enjoy Wells Fargo's Lowest Intro APR for Up to 21 Months
  • 0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
  • ntro APR extension of up to 3 months with on-time minimum payments during the introductory and extension periods
☆ Cell Phone Protection
☆ Roadside Dispatch
☆ No Annual Fee

Read Review

Terms & Conditions

The  Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card offers an above-average 18-month 0% APR intro offer on balance transfers and purchases. However, those 18 months can turn into 21 months.

By simply making the minimum monthly payment every month during the 18-month intro period, you’ll get a 3-month extension with no interest charges (during which you’ll still need to make the minimum monthly payment on your statement). Almost two years without interest charges, plus no annual fee, make this a sweet deal for those looking to save money.

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

Best Road Trip Credit Cards of 2022
The Best Road Trip Credit Cards

Summer is approaching, which is usually the perfect excuse for a road trip. Check our top picks for the best road trip credit cards of 2022.

Featured image by Alexas_Fotos/Pixabay

More Bank of America Rewards for One Day Only

by Jeannyn Gomez
More Bank of America Rewards for One Day Only

Last updated on February 8th, 2024

Bank of America cardholders, get ready to stack your rewards on Saturday, November 5th, 2022. The date is dubbed More Rewards Day by Bank of America. With this promotion, any Bank of America credit card, including co-branded cards, will earn extra rewards. This goes for both credit cards that earn rewards and those that don’t.

Save the Date: More Rewards Day by Bank of America

Bank of America’s More Rewards Day is coming up soon. Saturday, November 5th, 2022, Bank of America will celebrate More Rewards Day by giving credit card holders extra rewards. The promotion promises more cash back, more points, and more miles for one day only. Best of all, you don’t need a rewards credit card to qualify for this promotion. Non-rewards credit cards will also earn extra rewards as statement credits.

As mentioned previously, the More Rewards Day promotion works for Bank of America proprietary credit cards and Bank of America co-branded credit cards. Such co-branded credit cards include cards like the Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card or the Allegiant World Mastercard® and more. The list of eligible cards is on the Bank of America site. Proprietary Bank of America rewards credit cards are also qualified for promotion, such as the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card, and more. 

Bank of America’s More Rewards Day website states, “all Bank of America Consumer and Small Business credit cards that are open with active charging privileges are eligible to earn promotional rewards on 11/5/2022.” Meaning any Bank of America consumer or small-business card should be eligible.

How To Earn More Rewards

The good news is cardholders don’t have to take any action for the one-day promotion to take effect. The promotion will apply to any transaction made on November 5th, 2022, from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Eastern time. On More Rewards Day, eligible credit cards will earn an additional 2% in rewards on their purchases.

For example, the Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card earns 3X miles per dollar spent on Alaska Airlines purchases. However, a transaction made on More Rewards Day will earn an additional 2X miles, which places your Alaska Airline purchase at 5X miles per dollar spent instead of 3X miles. Note that those enrolled in Preferred Rewards will earn the Preferred Rewards bonus, but the incremental bonus for this promotion will not apply.

Cash Back Credit Cards Points Rewards Credit Cards Miles Rewards Credit Cards Non-Rewards and All Other Rewards Credit Cards
Earn an additional 2% cash back on purchases made on 11/5/22. Earn an additional 2 points for every $1 spent on purchases on 11/5/22. Earn an additional 2 Miles for every $1 spent on purchases on 11/5/22. Earn 2% cash back in the form of a statement credit on purchases made on 11/5/22.

Related Article: Best Credit Card Perks for Fighting Inflation

Featured image by Masson/Canva

Citi Adds Shop with Points with Walmart

by Cory Santos
Citi Adds Shop with Points with Walmart

Citi has added Walmart to its Shop with Points feature for Citi ThankYou cardmembers. The latest addition to Citi ThankYou Shop with Points gives s cardmembers over 4,700 more U.S. locations to purchase with ThankYou Points.

Use Citi ThankYou Points to Shop with Points at 4,700+ Locations

While most of our current plans involve Halloween, more and more Americans are beginning to prepare for the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. According to recent Walmart research, 56% of customers start their holiday shopping research and planning in October. More than 80% of customers who plan to shop at Walmart this holiday season are doing so because of Walmart’s low prices.

Now, eligible  U.S. Citi cardmembers can use Shop with Points directly at the point of sale in over 4,700 Walmart locations across the nation. With Walmart, ThankYou points can be redeemed for groceries, toys, electronics, and more.

For consumers who have a card that earns ThankYou Points, Shop with Points is easy and seamlessly incorporated into the check-out experience – it only takes a few steps:

  • Shop in-store at a U.S. Walmart store and initiate the check-out process
  • Pay with an eligible Citi credit card for a purchase totaling more than $10.01
  • If the payment terminal screen prompts an offer to redeem ThankYou points, select “yes” to use points to pay for $10 of that purchase. Once selected, $10 will instantly be deducted from the total payment amount
  • Receive a receipt that indicates that a reward was redeemed

About Citi Shop with Points

Walmart is the newest partner to be added to Citi’s Shop with Points program. The low-price leader joins the ThankYou Shop with Points program, which currently includes brands such as 1-800 Flowers, Shell, Best Buy, CVS, PayPal, and bp/Amoco. Over the past few years, Citi has significantly expanded the redemption options for ThankYou Points to provide even more flexibility for card members.

Citi ThankYou is the rewards program for Citibank credit cards. Users earn points when using their Citi credit cards to make a payment anywhere Citibank credit cards are accepted worldwide. Cards that earn ThankYou points include Citi Premier®, Citi Rewards+®, and Citi Prestige®, plus two cash back cards, the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card and Citi® Double Cash Card.

Related Article: The Best Gas Rewards Credit Cards of 2022

Featured image by jimarojfm/PixaBasy

Chase Announces Extension of Disney Visa Partnership

by Cory Santos
chase-announces-extension-of-disney-visa-partnership

Last updated on August 15th, 2023

Chase, Disney, and Visa have announced an extension to the Chase Disney Visa program. The trio announced the multi-year extension late last week and will see Chase continue to offer Disney Cardmembers exclusive benefits and perks that enhance their relationship with the Disney brand.

 Chase, Disney Sign Multi-Year Extension to Partnership

For nearly two decades, Chase, the Walt Disney Company, and Visa have worked together to offer Disney Cardmembers exclusive benefits, rewards, experiences, and perks that enhance their relationship with the Disney brand. That relationship is set to continue, thanks to a new multi-year extension.

Chase Disney Visa Features

The Disney-Chase partnership includes three banking products: two co-branded credit cards, the Disney® Premier Visa® and Disney® Visa®,  and a debit card, the Disney® Visa® Debit Card.

Disney Visa Card, Disney Premier Visa Card, and Disney Visa Debit Card perks include:

  • Save 10% on select purchases at shopDisney.com.
  • Pose for special photos at private Cardmember locations at Walt Disney World® Resort and the Disneyland® Resort.
  • 10% off select merchandise purchases of $50 or more at select locations at Walt Disney World® Resort and the Disneyland® Resort.
  • 10% off select dining locations most days at Walt Disney World® Resort and the Disneyland® Resort.
  • 15% off the non-discounted price of select guided tours at Walt Disney World® Resort and the Disneyland® Resort.
  • 10% off the non-discounted price of select recreation experiences at Walt Disney World® Resort.

 Additionally, Disney Premier Visa Cardmembers earn 5% in Disney Rewards Dollars on purchases made directly at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or ESPNPlus.com, 2% on card purchases at grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and most Disney locations, and 1% on all other card purchases. Disney Visa Cardmembers earn 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars on all card purchases with no earn limits.

Special, Limited-Edition Card Design

In anticipation of the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company in 2023, the companies also announced that a new, limited-edition card design for the Disney Premier Visa Card will be released in January 2023. The new offering will be the first Disney co-brand card made of metal and available to new and existing Disney Premier Visa Cardmembers only during the Disney 100 Years of Wonder celebration.

 “Deliver Value and Help Create Lasting Memories”

“We’re thrilled to extend our relationship with Chase and enable our guests to connect deeply with our brand,” said Tiffany Rende, senior vice president of Marketing Partnerships, Alliances & Card Services at The Walt Disney Company. “We are looking forward to bringing our iconic Disney stories and characters to life in new and innovative ways for Cardmembers.”

“The extension of our co-brand card program with Disney and Visa illustrates our collective commitment to providing Disney Cardmembers with rewards and experiences that deliver value and help create lasting memories,” said Ed Olebe, President of Chase Co-Brand Cards. “We’re excited to continue working across Disney’s incredible portfolio of brands to bring a little bit of magic to Cardmembers’ lives.”

Related Article: Best Halloween Credit Cards for 2022

Featured image by Pexels/pixaBay

How to Lower Your Credit Utilization

by Cory Santos
how-to-lower-your-credit-utilization

Last updated on January 24th, 2024

How much credit you use plays a significant role in your credit score. High credit use (also known as credit utilization) is a red flag for banks that you may have trouble with your finances and paying bills on time. These warning signs can then lead to rejection on your next loan applications (even for things like mortgages, auto loans, and more). Here is how to lower your credit utilization and boost your credit score.

How to Lower Your Credit Utilization and Raise Your Credit Score

Credit utilization is one of the biggest impactors on your credit score. Your credit utilization – or the amount of available credit you actually use – accounts for 30% of a person’s FICO Score and 23% of what makes up a VantageScore (using the VantageScore 3.0 scoring model). Simply put, credit utilization is essential – and keeping your credit use low is critical to maintaining (or building) a good credit score.

Reduce Your Credit Use by Paying Down Balances

The simplest way to lower your credit utilization is to pay down your existing credit card balances. Paying down credit card balances has the double impact of reducing your credit use and saving you money in interest charges.

Lowering your credit use and paying down balances isn’t as straightforward as it sounds, however. Credit card issuers report balances to credit bureaus at different times. Some banks report once the statement period ends, for example, while others report the balances of all accounts at the same time, regardless of the statement closing date.

There are two approaches to try and ensure your payments are being fairly reported to the three major credit bureaus:

  • Check with your card issuer to see when they report to the credit reporting agencies.
  • Pay down your balance early by making multiple payments every month.

BestCards offers a helpful credit card utilization tool to help you better create a repayment strategy and tackle your debt. 

Increase Your Credit Limits

Another straightforward way to lower credit utilization is by increasing your credit limits. Raising credit limits lowers credit use instantly – especially when used in conjunction with reducing spending. Increasing your credit limit can be as easy as calling your bank and requesting a higher credit line.  However, keep in mind that banks won’t always grant credit limit increases – and any increase will depend on your payment history, the length of your relationship with the bank, and your credit score.

Having bad credit doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get a credit limit increase. Some credit builder credit cards offer a straightforward approach to gaining additional credit, with two notable options from Merrick Bank.

Merrick currently offers the Double Your Line™ Visa, which comes in an unsecured and secured form. The unsecured Merrick Bank Double Your Line™ Platinum Visa® allows cardholders to instantly double their credit limit after making seven on-time payments after opening an account. This feature means cardholders can potentially watch their credit line go from $1,350 to $2,700 in a little over half a year.

The secured version of the card, the Merrick Bank Double Your Line™ Secured Visa® is similar in that cardholders can increase their credit limit, but unique in that it also helps them take the giant step from secured credit card to unsecured card. After making seven on-time payments, cardholders enjoy doubling the credit limit – without the need for an additional security deposit.

Don’t Close Old Accounts

Avoid closing old credit card accounts you no longer use. You might think clearing the clutter of unused credit cards might help – but the reality is the opposite.

Closing old credit card accounts lowers your credit score in two ways. First, removing old accounts from your credit report will lower the average age of your credit history. This credit factor is much less important than payment history or credit use but plays a role in what comprises your credit score. Second, closing unused credit accounts lowers your credit use by eliminating existing open credit lines.

Related Article: What Are the Easiest Credit Cards for Bad Credit to Get?

Featured image by Samantha Hurley/Burst

Apple Card Soon To Introduce High-Yield Savings

by Jeannyn Gomez
Apple Card Soon To Introduce High-Yield Savings

Apple Card users will soon be able to open a new high-yield savings account from Goldman Sachs. What does this mean for cardholders? The answer is that cardholders will have the option to grow their earned Daily Cash rewards. Users can spend, send, and save their earned Daily Cash straight from their iPhone wallets.

Apple Card Announces High-Yield Savings

With the new high-yield savings account, Apple Card users have yet another added benefit. The Apple Card already offers users a variety of benefits, such as the potential to earn up to 3% Daily Cash back on their purchases. Cardholders can earn cash back in many ways, including shopping at Apple or with select merchants, using an iPhone or Apple Watch to pay with Apple Card, and more.

In addition to the reward-earning power behind the Apple Card, in the coming months, users will have the option to open high-yield savings account from Goldman Sachs. The savings account features no fees, no minimum deposits, and no minimum balance requirements. Which makes the new savings account as painless as possible for Apple Card users. Not to mention the account is easily managed directly from the users’ Apple wallets on their iPhones.

“Savings enables Apple Card users to grow their Daily Cash rewards over time, while also saving for the future,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. “Savings delivers even more value to users’ favorite Apple Card benefit — Daily Cash — while offering another easy-to-use tool designed to help users lead healthier financial lives.” Press Release.

Apple-Card-Savings-hero
Apple Card Savings
Apple Card Savings Dashboard
Apple Card Daily Cash Savings
Images by Apple

How Apple High-Yield Savings Account Works

Apple Card users get to set up their high-yield savings account via their Apple Card in wallet. Once the account is set up, cardholders can choose to get their Daily Cash deposited directly into their new savings account. However, the user can choose to send their Daily Cash elsewhere. Aside from depositing their rewards into the high-yield savings account, users can continue to have their rewards deposited to their Apple Cash Card in wallet. Users can also conveniently change the destination of their rewards at any time.

The Apple Card high-yield savings account is not limited to funds from earned Daily Cash rewards. The flexible savings account allows users to deposit funds from external bank accounts or their Apple Cash balance. Users will manage the savings account from their savings dashboard in Wallet, so they can effortlessly view the account balance and interest accrued over time.

Related Article: Does Apple Card Have a Subprime Problem?

Featured image by Alexander’s Images/Canva

Earn 6% Back w/ 24 Brands w/ US Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Visa Signature

by Cory Santos
Earn 6% Back w/ 24 Brands w/ US Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Visa Signature

U.S. Bank is launching a new cash back credit card. The upcoming U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card seeks to win the wallet space of store card fans by offering up to 6% back with 24 retailers.

About the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card

The upcoming U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card will prioritize rewards with merchants instead of relying on bonus categories like gas, travel, or dining. Cardholders will earn an impressive up to 6% cash back on combined eligible purchases each quarter with two retailers you choose (up to $1,500 per quarter), 3% cash back on eligible purchases each quarter in your choice of one everyday category, like wholesale clubs, gas and E.V. charging stations, or bills and home utilities (up to $1,500 per quarter), and 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

The 6% cash back category is unique, and it provides an impressive number of retailers to earn maximum rewards. Here are the expected 6% cash back retailers:

Ace Hardware Home Depot QVC
Amazon.com IKEA Restoration Hardware
Anthropologie Kohl’s Target
Apple Lowe’s Walmart
Bed, Bath, & Beyond Lululemon Wayfair.com
Best Buy Macy’s Williams Sonoma
Chewy.com Menards Pottery Barn
Crate & Barrel Nordstrom Disney

The 6% cash back with the Shopper Cash Rewards is designed to drive applicants away from store cards and into a relationship with U.S. Bank itself and the issuer of many closed-loop credit cards. The cash back rate on eligible merchant purchases is one percentage point higher than most store rewards programs, as illustrated below:

Shopper Cash Rewards Store Card
Amazon 6% 5%
Apple 6% 5%
Walmart 6% 2% in stores
5% online
Target 6% 5%

The card will also feature Visa Signature benefits and protections, such as $0 Fraud Liability, Visa Signature Concierge access, and travel interruption and cancellation insurance. The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® will feature a $95 annual fee.

Anyone interested in the upcoming U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® credit card can join the official waitlist here.

About U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank is the fifth-largest bank in the United States, with over $500 billion in assets. The bank provides banking services for businesses and consumers. These services include investments, mortgages, trusts, and payment services. The bank also offers credit cards for businesses and consumers, including dozens of co-branded cards with names like Kroger, Korean Air, and Radisson.

Related Article: Petal 1 Visa Vs Deserve EDU Mastercard: Read This Before Applying

Featured image by DigestContent /PixaBay

Petal 1 Visa Vs Deserve EDU Mastercard: Read This Before Applying

by Cory Santos
Petal-1-Visa-Vs-Deserve-EDU-Mastercard-Read-This-Before-Applying.

Last updated on November 15th, 2022

Building credit can be challenging – especially if you are entirely new to credit cards. If you’re looking for some options, the Deserve EDU Mastercard and the Petal 1 Visa credit card are two popular credit-building candidates. But which card is right for you?

Petal 1 Credit Card or Deserve EDU Mastercard: Which Is Right for You?

Both the Deserve EDU and Petal 1 enjoy popularity among credit-building consumers – but which is best? Here is the breakdown of the two cards over key credit categories:

Pre-Qualification Before Applying

Applying for a credit card often requires a credit check. These credit checks (or credit inquiries) normally look at your entire credit history and are known as “hard inquiries”. This means the bank pulls your full credit report before making a decision on 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.

Both the Petal 1 Visa and the Deserve EDU Mastercard provide quick, online prequalification forms before applying.

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 a Petal 1 Card?

  • Name
  • Address
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • SSN
  • Employment or educational status
  • Annual income
  • Housing status
  • Monthly housing payment

What Information Do You Need to Apply for the Deserve EDU Card?

  • Name
  • Address
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • SSN (for identification/verification purposes)
  • External bank account information

Deserve uses a non-traditional cardholder screening to help make its credit card products more readily available to a wider proportion of eligible applicants. The Deserve application process includes linking your bank account to the application to provide additional factors to help improve approval success odds.

Credit Score Needed

Because both cards are designed for those new to credit, the typical FICO credit score for an applicant for the Petal 1 and Deserve EDU is around 580 to 640. Both credit cards are available for applicants with credit scores ranging from 300 to 850, thanks to their non-traditional application scoring.

Do the Cards Build Credit?

Both cards can be great tools for building credit when combined with financially responsible habits. Despite that, how the two credit cards build credit differs.

The Deserve EDU, for instance, is an unsecured credit card mainly aimed at students. As a student credit card, the Deserve EDU offers students (both international and domestic) the chance to build credit in the traditional sense. Cardholders can make purchases and pay them off as they normally would with any credit card without a security deposit.

Similarly, Petal 1 is an exceptional credit card for building credit. Petal reports to the three major credit reporting agencies (TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian). Additionally, Petal offers the chance at a credit limit increase in as few as six months from opening an account. With Petal’s Leap program, cardholders can earn a credit line increase in six months by making qualifying on-time payments and keeping their credit score within a personalized range.

Starting Credit Limits

Petal generates insights into the applicant’s creditworthiness through their unique “Cash Score.” This process analyzes credit history, banking, and other aspects of an applicant’s background to gauge their creditworthiness. Petal states that this provides access to higher credit limits and broader acceptance. Credit limits with the card range from $300 to $5,000 based on creditworthiness, with the latter being an impressive credit line for someone seeking to build up their credit score.

Deserve EDU also offers higher-than-average credit limits for new accounts. Depending on your creditworthiness, these credit limit ranges may be smaller – or larger. The average starting credit limit with Deserve EDU is around $1,000.

Card Fees

Here is a quick breakdown of some of the key fees with both cards:

Annual Fees

Neither credit card charges an annual fee:

  • Deserve EDU – No annual fee
  • Petal 1 Card – No annual fee

Rewards

Deserve EDU

The Deserve EDU credit card doesn’t offer exceptional rewards but it can earn basic cash back on every purchase. Cardholders can earn 1% cash back on all eligible purchases. Those rewards aren’t outstanding, but they are a great addition to the overall package.

Rewards with Deserve are redeemable as statement credits in intervals of $25. Essentially, statement credits allow you to pay down your card’s balance with cash back.

After meeting a minimum spending goal within the first three billing cycles, the complimentary Amazon Prime Student membership is equally enjoyable. Amazon Prime offers free shipping, streaming videos and music, and more for members. Students can enjoy real value with this bonus – a $59 annual cost they would otherwise have to pay. To put it simply, spend $500 in the first three months, and the Prime membership is yours.

Petal 1

The Petal 1 Card earns cash back via special merchant offers. Merchant offers are automatically loaded to one’s Petal account. When making a purchase with an eligible merchant, cardholders can earn cash back based on the purchase – this normally varies between 2% and 10% in cash back.

Petal cash back rewards are redeemable through the card’s Cash Back Wallet as a statement credit up to the amount of the current balance. Cash back rewards over $20 are also redeemable via direct deposit into a linked bank account.

Other Card Features

Here is a list of other key features of both credit cards:

Petal 1

Petal 1 provides an exceptional selection of features for no annual fee. These perks and protections include premium Visa features like:

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

Deserve EDU

The Deserve EDU also provides excellent features, including:

Zero Liability Protection Mastercard Global Services ID Theft Protection

Recap

Here is a quick summary of all the features from both cards:


Petal 1® Visa Credit Card
Deserve® EDU
Earn between 2% and 10% cash back when shopping with select merchants Earn 1% Cash Back on all purchases with your Deserve EDU Mastercard. Once approved, you’ll automatically start earning cash back on all purchases
No annual fee No annual fee

Related Article: The Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Featured image by Gam-Ol  / PixaBay

Chase Sapphire Posts Latest Seaport Food Lab Event

by Cory Santos
chase-sapphire-announces-latest-seaport-food-lab-event

Last updated on December 16th, 2022

The Howard Hughes Corporation has unveiled the latest edition of the Seaport Food Lab presented by Chase Sapphire. The Seaport Food Lab – the Seaport’s leading experience for New York’s finest tastemakers – celebrates its newest concept by bringing the internet’s favorite food stars for a series of intimate dinners this November.

 Season 5 of Seaport Food Lab Details

From November 2 to 19, the immersive culinary experience will welcome slow food advocate and recipe developer Pierce Abernathy, bon appétit’s former Senior Food Editor and Test Kitchen host Christina Chaey, and chef DeVonn Francis. The two founded the creative studio Yardy in 2017 for a four-night residency each, focusing on exploring themes of culture and community.

This year’s Seaport Food Lab event is a chance to delight in each of the culinary creators’ vision of the perfect meal in an intimate setting, with unique guest interactions in real life and surprise elements with each residency. Each resident chef will debut an exclusive multi-course food and beverage menu illustrating their talents and cultural flavors, centered on the simple philosophy of good food and good people. This year’s chefs include:

  • Pierce Abernathy (November 2 to 5): Cook, recipe developer, content creator, and model Pierce Abernathy shares a vignette into his cooking style through seasonal plant-forward recipes. Pierce strives to make diners to play an active role in their food systems and feel more connected to the earth by teaching techniques in food waste, foraging, and cultivating relationships with local farms. Largely self-taught, Pierce’s path into the culinary arts was carved by a combination of his own curiosity, a seasonal approach to food, and his Armenian heritage.
  • Christina Chaey (November 6 to 9): Former Senior Food Editor at bon appetit, Christina Chaey has made a name for herself with her mouthwatering recipes and viral video remakes. Christina developed a deep love for sustainably farmed local and seasonal produce as a line cook at the former Untitled at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Christina enjoys riding around NYC on her bike and visiting the city’s green markets for the best local produce in her free time.
  • DeVonn Francis (November 16 to 19): DeVonn Francis is the chef and Founding Director of Yardy World. This culinary studio specializes in creating immersive food experiences and reimagining Caribbean cuisine. Known for his sharp sense of style both on and off the plate, DeVonn has created menus and produced events for some of the industry’s biggest brands, including Gucci, Converse, and Burberry.

About Seaport Food Lab and Chase Sapphire

The Seaport Food Lab Season 5 will welcome 50 guests per evening, with each residency lasting four nights. Priced at $200 per ticket inclusive of the tip. Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers have exclusive access to the Food Lab preview dinners occurring every Wednesday of each residency via the Chase Dining website. Tickets will be available to Chase Sapphire cardmembers and the public starting October 5. Seaport Food Lab Season 5 is located at 19 Fulton Street and will be open Wednesday through Saturday from November 2 to November 19 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.

Since 2017, Seaport Food Lab has been a platform for today’s leading gastronomic personalities, providing an outlet to showcase their talents in New York’s premier culinary destination. Seaport Food Lab Season 5 adds to the Seaport’s growing roster of dining experiences, including the newly opened Tin Building, providing more sought-after options for the community.

Chase is a founding partner of Seaport Food Lab, offering Chase Sapphire cardmembers access to unique and exclusive experiences. The Seaport Food Lab will allow guests to engage with an all-star roster of internet chefs and enjoy tastes from their one-of-a-kind creations.

“Unique Menus from Social Feeds”

“We are thrilled to unveil Seaport Food Lab Season 5, building upon the previous success with an array of diverse culinary talent,” said Jennifer Abt, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships at The Howard Hughes Corporation. “This season, we are able to showcase some of the most popular behind-the-camera talents through this unparalleled experience only found at the Seaport.”

“Chase Sapphire gives cardmembers the opportunity to experience ordinary moments, like enjoying dinner, in new and exciting ways,” said Marleta Ross, General Manager of Chase Sapphire. “We are delighted to be part of Seaport Food Lab for its fifth season, as these chefs bring their unique menus from social feeds to the table for the first time.”

Related Article: Chase Freedom Announces New 5% Back Grocery Offer

Featured image by Seaport Food Lab

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.