Cards approachable for a 670 to 739 FICO score. Strong rewards without the highest credit profile. Many of these are first or second cards for people who graduated from a student or secured card and want to step up to real rewards.
Still the strongest food-spend card in the market. The $325 fee nets down fast if the monthly credits fit your habits, and the 2026 refresh added real hotel earning.
The simplest good card in the market. 2% on everything with no fee. The 3% foreign transaction fee makes it a poor pick abroad.
The best no-fee card for households that eat out and stream a lot. The grocery bonus is a meaningful upgrade over flat 2% cards.
The grocery card to beat for families that hit the $6,000 cap. At $360 in supermarket cash back alone, the math works for almost any household with a full kitchen.
The grocery card to beat for families that hit the $6,000 cap. At $360 in supermarket cash back alone, the math works for almost any household with a full kitchen.
A no-fee cash-back card that punches well above its weight, especially when paired with a Sapphire to unlock transfer partners.
The Active Cash alternative for households that already hold a Citi Premier. Pairing the Double Cash with a Premier turns your 2% into transferable ThankYou Points.
The set-it-and-forget-it answer for category cash back. The 5% picks itself based on where you actually spent.
A fine starter card. The 1.5% rate trails the 2% flat cards, but no foreign transaction fee makes it the better no-fee pick for travel abroad.
The best no-fee category card for BofA banking customers. Preferred Rewards turns 3% into 5.25% on the category you spend the most on.
The 2025 refresh raised the fee to $229 and killed the $75 travel credit, but bag fees on Southwest made the checked-bag benefit real money. Worth it for regular Southwest flyers, not for anyone else.
The default card for anyone who flies United a few times a year. The checked-bag benefit alone covers the fee for most, and the April 2026 bump to 3x on United purchases sweetened it.
The two-free-bags change in 2026 made this an easy call for Delta households. Earning rates are modest, so pair it with a stronger everyday card.
Worth holding for the anniversary night alone if you stay at Marriott once a year. Everyday earning is weak because Bonvoy points run cheap.
A debt-payoff card, not a rewards card. The 21-month transfer window is the entire point.
