Advertiser Disclosure
Best Credit Cards for September 2026
From our Partners
By: BeFrugal Editorial Staff
Updated 09/1/2026
Advertiser Disclosure
Whether you are shopping for a family, looking to rack up travel points or have little to no credit card history, with the help of BeFrugal you can find the perfect credit card for your needs. We've put together the best credit cards for 2026 from our partners, comparing each by rewards offered, interest rates, fees, bonus categories and more.
Best for Tiered Cash Back: Chase Freedom Unlimited
Credit Level: Excellent/Good
Our Review:
With a generous intro offer, high standard Cash Back rate of 1.5% and increased rates of Cash Back on select categories, the
Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card makes a great choice for just about everyone. New cardholders earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back. Enjoy 6.5% Cash Back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 4.5% Cash Back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. There is no annual fee and no minimum to redeem your Cash Back via Chase's Ultimate Rewards.
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Details:
| Rewards Rate: |
1.5% |
| Bonus Category Rates: |
3-5% on select categories |
| Special Offer: |
Additional 1.5% Cash Back on up to $20,000 spend in first year |
| Annual Fee: |
$0 |
Best for Flat Rate Cash Back: Citi® Double Cash Card
Credit Level: Excellent/Good
Our Review:
With the
Citi® Double Cash Card, card members earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. This is the ideal card for consumers who want no-hassle cash back rewards on all credit card purchases. To earn cash back, card members will need to pay at least the minimum due on time each month. There is no annual fee with this card.
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Details:
| Rewards Rate: |
2% |
| Bonus Category Rates: |
N/A |
| Special Offer: |
N/A |
| Annual Fee: |
$0 |
Best for Rotating Category Cash Back: Chase Freedom Flex
Credit Level: Excellent/Good
Our Review:
For those willing to put in a little work to stay on top of the quarterly Cash Back bonus categories, the
Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card is a great choice. Each quarter, new categories are available that pay 5% cash back (on up to $1,500 spend per quarter). All year round, cardholders can enjoy 5% Cash Back on travel purchased through Chase plus 3% on dining at restaurants and drugstores. New cardholders also can earn a generous bonus of $200 with $500 in spend in the first 3 months. There is no annual fee and no minimum to redeem your Cash Back via Chase's Ultimate Rewards.
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Details:
| Rewards Rate: |
1% |
| Bonus Category Rates: |
3-5% on select categories |
| Special Offer: |
$200 bonus on $500 spend in first 3 months |
| Annual Fee: |
$0 |
Best for Grocery Shopping: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Credit Level: Excellent/Good
Our Review:
Frequent grocery shoppers can take advantage of 6% Cash Back (up to $6,000 in purchases) at U.S. supermarkets with the
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. Cardholders also earn 6% Cash Back on select U.S. subscription services and 3% Cash Back at gas stations and on ground transit (incl. taxis, rideshare, parking, trains, buses and more). New cardholders earn a $250 statement credit with $3,000 spend in the first 6 months. Cardholders can also take advantage of $0 plan fees with Buy Now, Pay Later on plans created within 12 months of account opening. The yearly fee is $95 but is waived in the first year.
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Details:
| Rewards Rate: |
1% |
| Bonus Category Rates: |
3-6% on select categories |
| Special Offer: |
$250 statement credit on $3,000 in purchases in first 6 months |
| Annual Fee: |
$95 ($0 for first year) |
Best for Dining & Entertainment: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Credit Level: Excellent/Good
Our Review:
Anyone who spends money dining out, on entertainment or on grocery shopping will love the
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. Card members earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®). Additional bonus categories include 10% cash back at Uber & Uber Eats, 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment, and unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. All other purchases will earn 1% cash back. In addition, new cardholders also can earn a generous bonus of $200 with $1000 in spend in the first 3 months. There is no annual fee and no foreign transaction charges.
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Details:
| Rewards Rate: |
1% |
| Bonus Category Rates: |
3-10% on select categories |
| Special Offer: |
$200 bonus on $1000 spend in first 3 months |
| Annual Fee: |
$0 |
Best for Everyday Cash Back: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Credit Level: Excellent/Good
Our Review:
Those looking for a no fee American Express card for everyday purchases can find it in the
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. Bonus categories include 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1%), 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) and 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%). New cardholders earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases within the first 6 months. Get $7 back each month after using your Blue Cash Every Card to spend $12.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription to The Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Enrollment required. American Express benefits for cardholders include car rental loss & damage insurance, purchase protection, dispute resolution and exclusive access to ticket presales.
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Details:
| Rewards Rate: |
1% |
| Bonus Category Rates: |
1-3% on select categories |
| Special Offer: |
$200 statement credit on $2,000 spend in first 6 months |
| Annual Fee: |
$0 |
Best for Custom Cash Back: Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Credit Level: Excellent/Good
Our Review:
Those looking for high cash back rewards automatically tailored to their shopping habits, look no further than the
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card. What sets this card apart is that card members will automatically earn 5% cash back on their top eligible spending category – on up to $500 in spend each billing cycle. No rotating categories, no opting in and no changing categories every quarter, the cash back rewards are fully automated and bonus categories determined by each members spending activity. New members can also earn a bonus of $200 cash back with $1,500 in spend over the first 6 months (fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back). There is no annual fee charged for this card.
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Details:
| Rewards Rate: |
1% |
| Bonus Category Rates: |
5% on select categories |
| Special Offer: |
$200 bonus on $1,500 spend in first 6 months |
| Annual Fee: |
$0 |
Best for Travel Rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Credit Level: Excellent/Good
Our Review:
Featuring a best-in-class bonus offer, generous rewards on travel, and no foreign transaction fees, the
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers. Cardholders can earn a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3X points on dining, and 2X points on all other travel purchases. Points can be transferred and used directly at airline and hotel loyalty programs but when redeemed through Chase's Ultimate Rewards portal will be worth an additional 25%. Best of all, new cardholders will earn 60,000 bonus point after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. The bonus points used through Chase's Ultimate rewards portal have a value up to $750. The annual fee for the card is $95.
Learn More ➝
Details:
| Rewards Rate: |
1X points per $1 spend |
| Bonus Category Rates: |
2X-5X points on select purchases |
| Special Offer: |
60,000 bonus points on $4,000 spend in first 3 months |
| Annual Fee: |
$95 |
Best for Flexible Travel Rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Credit Level: Excellent/Good
Our Review:
Frequent travelers who value high rewards and flexibility will be well served with the
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Cardholders earn 2 miles per dollar on all purchases, redeemable for airfare and hotel stays. Miles are transferable to 15+ travel loyalty programs. Unlike some other travel loyalty cards, the rewards never expire and there are no blackout dates. Members can also earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. To top it off, new cardholders can earn a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel. There is a $95 annual fee but most shoppers can make that up quickly in rewards.
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Details:
| Rewards Rate: |
Unlimited 2 miles per dollar |
| Bonus Category Rates: |
Up to 5 miles per dollar on select purchases |
| Special Offer: |
75,000 bonus miles on $4,000 spend in the first 3 months |
| Annual Fee: |
$95 |
Best for Small Businesses: Ink Business Cash Credit Card
Credit Level: Excellent/Good
Our Review:
For small business owners who regularly buy office supplies, pay utilities and have travel expenses, we recommend the
Ink Business Cash Credit Card. Earn 5% cash back (up to $25,000 combined annual spend) at office supplies stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. In addition, 2% cash back is earned on at gas stations and restaurants each accounts anniversary year with unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. There's also a stellar bonus of $750 after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months. There is no annual fee and employee cards are available at no additional cost.
Learn More ➝
Details:
| Rewards Rate: |
1% |
| Bonus Category Rates: |
2-5% on select categories |
| Special Offer: |
$750 bonus on $6,000 spend in first 3 months |
| Annual Fee: |
$0 |
Best for Small Business Cash Back: American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Credit Level: Excellent/Good
Our Review:
Small businesses looking for a high cash back rate no matter where they spend need look no further than the
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card. Businesses earn 2% cash back on all purchases up to $50,000 in spend per calendar year and 1% on anything over $50,000. New cardholders earn a $250 statement credit after making $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. Unlike many other business reward cards, there is no annual fee.
Learn More ➝
Details:
| Rewards Rate: |
2% up to $50,000; 1% after spending $50,000 |
| Bonus Category Rates: |
N/A |
| Special Offer: |
$250 statement credit on $3,000 spend in first 3 months |
| Annual Fee: |
$0 |
Best for Students: Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Card
Credit Level: Limited/No Credit
Our Review:
Students with limited or no credit can earn cash back on all of their purchases plus a $50 new card member bonus with the
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Card. Card members earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®). Additional bonus categories include 10% cash back at Uber & Uber Eats, 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment, and unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. All other purchases will earn 1% cash back. New cardholders earn a bonus of $50 with $100 in spend in the first 3 months. Cardholders can enjoy piece of mind with $0 fraud liability. There is no annual fee and no foreign transaction charges with this card.
Learn More ➝
Details:
| Rewards Rate: |
1% |
| Bonus Category Rates: |
3-10% on select categories |
| Special Offer: |
$50 bonus on $100 spend in first 3 months |
| Annual Fee: |
$0 |
Best for Limited or Poor Credit: Capital One Platinum Secured
Credit Level: Limited/Bad
Our Review:
No annual fee and a low security deposit requirement make the
Capital One Platinum Secured a good alternative to a prepaid card for those looking to improve their poor credit history. Cardholders can get a credit line of $200 by providing access to an authorized bank account and a security deposit of $49, $99, or $200. The card will report to all three major credit bureaus and cardholders get free credit monitoring via the CreditWise app. Unlike some other secured credit cards, this card comes with perks usually reserved for cards requiring a higher credit score including $0 fraud liability, price protection, roadside assistance, and more.
Learn More ➝
Details:
| Rewards Rate: |
N/A |
| Bonus Category Rates: |
N/A |
| Special Offer: |
N/A |
| Annual Fee: |
$0 |
Advertiser Disclosure:
BeFrugal has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. BeFrugal and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are BeFrugal's alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
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