Advertiser Disclosure
Best Credit Cards for 2021
From our Partners
By: BeFrugal Editorial Staff
Updated 1/21/2021
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 2021 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 bonus, high standard Cash Back rate and up to 5% Cash Back on select categories, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card makes a great choice for just about everyone. New cardholders earn a $200 bonus with $500 spend in the first 3 months. Cardholders earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining at restaurants and drugstores, and a healthy 1.5% 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: |
$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 can also earn a $300 bonus statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months. The yearly fee is $95, but is waived for the first year.
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Details:
Rewards Rate: |
1% |
Bonus Category Rates: |
3-6% on select categories |
Special Offer: |
$300 statement credit with $3000 in spend in the first 6 months |
Annual Fee: |
$95 ($0 for first year) |
Best for Rotating Category Cash Back: Chase Freedom FlexSM
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 FlexSM 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: |
$200 bonus on $500 spend in first 3 months |
Special Offer: |
3-5% on select categories |
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) and 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations. New cardholders can earn $200 back after spending $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. Cardholders also get the unique benefit of 2% cash back at select department stores. 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: |
2-3% on select categories |
Special Offer: |
$200 back after $1000 in purchases within the first 3 months |
Annual Fee: |
$0 |
Best for Flat Rate Cash Back: Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card
Credit Level: Excellent/Good
Our Review:
If you're looking for simple, easy, no-fuss card, the Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases so there's no need to worry about categories, quarterly opt-ins or maximum spend amounts. New cardholders get a generous $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months. Unlike some other cards, there is no minimum to withdraw cash back and the cash back earnings never expire. There is no annual fee and no foreign transaction charges.
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Details:
Rewards Rate: |
1.5% |
Bonus Category Rates: |
N/A |
Special Offer: |
$200 bonus on $500 spend in first 3 months |
Annual Fee: |
$0 |
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 $7,500 in the first 3 months. There is no annual fee and employee cards are available at no additional cost.
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Details:
Rewards Rate: |
1% |
Bonus Category Rates: |
2-5% on select categories |
Special Offer: |
$750 bonus on $7,500 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. Also earn up to $300 to boost your business – $100 in statement credits at each of: Dell Technologies, DocuSign and FedEx with eligible purchases within the first 3 months. Unlike many other business reward cards, there is no annual fee.
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Details:
Rewards Rate: |
2% up to $50,000; 1% after spending $50,000 |
Bonus Category Rates: |
N/A |
Special Offer: |
$300 in statement credits at select merchants in the first 3 months |
Annual Fee: |
$0 |
Best for 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 2X miles on all purchases, redeemable for airfare and hotel stays at 10+ leading travel loyalty programs. Unlike some other travel loyalty cards, the rewards never expire and there are no blackout dates. To top it off, new cardholders can earn a one-time bonus of 60,000 miles with $3,000 spent on purchases within 3 months from account opening. There is a $95 annual fee but most shoppers can make that up quickly in rewards.
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Details:
Rewards Rate: |
Unlimited 2X miles |
Bonus Category Rates: |
N/A |
Special Offer: |
60,000 bonus miles on $3,000 spend in the first 3 months |
Annual Fee: |
$95 |
Best for Southwest Airline Rewards: Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card®
Credit Level: Excellent/Good
Our Review:
With the lowest annual fee for Southwest Airline cards and a generous bonus, the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card makes an excellent choice for frequent Southwest flyers. Cardholders will earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases and Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partner purchases with 1 point earned per $1 spent on other purchases. A bonus of 40,000 points is earned after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months plus cardholders receive a bonus 3,000 miles on the anniversary of their account each year. Those looking to learn the valuable Southwest Companion Pass will also find this card very helpful as all accrued points (incl. bonuses) can be used to complete the requirement to earn the pass.
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Details:
Rewards Rate: |
1 point per $1 spend |
Bonus Category Rates: |
2 points per $1 spend on select purchases |
Special Offer: |
40,000 miles on $1,000 spend in first 3 months |
Annual Fee: |
$69 |
Best for Delta Airlines Rewards: SkyMiles® Gold Credit Card from American Express
Credit Level: Excellent/Good
Our Review:
Frequent Delta flyers can take advantage of double miles on select everyday purchases, an above average welcome bonus, and Delta-specific perks with the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Credit Card from American Express. Cardholders earn double miles on Delta purchases plus double miles on purchases at grocery stores and restaurants worldwide (incl. takeout & delivery). All other purchases will earn 1 mile per $1 spent. New cardholders earn 35,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. The $99 annual fee is waived in the first year and there is never a foreign transaction fee. Delta perks include one free checked bag per flight and the ability to earn a $100 Delta Flight Credit after $10,000 in calendar-year spend.
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Details:
Rewards Rate: |
1X mile per $1 spend |
Bonus Category Rates: |
2X miles per $1 spend on select purchases |
Special Offer: |
35,000 bonus miles on $1,000 spend in first 3 months |
Annual Fee: |
$99 ($0 for first year) |
Best for Hotel Rewards: Hilton Honors Credit Card from American Express
Credit Level: Excellent/Good
Our Review:
No annual fee, flexible redemption options and generous reward rates make the Hilton Honors Credit Card from American Express a top choice for those looking for hotel rewards. Cardholders earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar spent at a Hilton Hotel or Resort and 5X for each dollar spent at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations. All other purchases earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus points per $1 spent. New cardholders who spend $1,000 in the first 3 months earn 80,000 bonus points and any cardholder that spends $20,000 in a calendar year will get upgraded to Hilton Honors Gold status. Points can be redeemed for hotel bookings, airfare, car rentals, cruises, dining and more. There is no annual fee and no foreign transaction charges.
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Details:
Rewards Rate: |
3X points |
Bonus Category Rates: |
5x-7X points on select purchases |
Special Offer: |
80,000 points on $1,000 spend in first 3 months |
Annual Fee: |
$0 |
Best for Balance Transfers: US Bank Altitude Go
Credit Level: Excellent/Good
Our Review:
Those looking to do a balance transfer should consider the US Bank Altitude Go Credit Card. This no fee card offers a 0% APR for the first 12 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made within the first 60 days. New cardholders can also earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. Foodies can rejoice at earning 4X points on dining out, take & delivery plus 2X points at grocery stores. Purchases at gas stations and select streaming services earn 2X points as well, while all other purchases will earn 1X point per $1 spend. There is no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees and earned points do not expire.
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Details:
Rewards Rate: |
1X points per $1 spend |
Bonus Category Rates: |
2X-4X points on select categories |
Special Offer: |
25,000 bonus points on $1,000 spend in first 90 days |
Annual Fee: |
$0 |
Best for Students: Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One®
Credit Level: Average/Fair/Limited
Our Review:
The Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One® is a great entry-level card for students and young people looking to build their credit history. All purchases earn 1% cash back, boosted to 1.25% when on-time payments are made each month. Cardmembers will automatically be considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months. There are no annual fees or foreign transaction charges with this card, however, it is advised to pay the balance in full to avoid paying higher than average interest rates. Additional perks include $0 fraud liability, choosing the monthly due date, free credit monitoring via the CreditWise app, and more. You do not need to be a student to apply for this card.
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Details:
Rewards Rate: |
1X points per $1 spend |
Bonus Category Rates: |
25% bonus points when you pay on time |
Special Offer: |
N/A |
Annual Fee: |
$0 |
Best for Limited or Poor Credit: Capital One® Secured MasterCard®
Credit Level: Limited/Bad
Our Review:
No annual fee and a low security deposit requirement make the Capital One® Secured MasterCard® 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 |