Best Mastercard Credit Cards of 2024

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is an excellent Mastercard with rewards, offering a winning mix of spending categories sure to match many consumers’ spending habits. Cardholders earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter. Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.

Cardholders should be fine earning the card’s generous sign-up bonus, thanks to its low spending threshold. Its lengthy 0% intro APR offer also makes it a great option if you want to finance a large purchase or pay off existing credit card debt without interest. You’ll get a 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months and a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months — after that, a 20.49% - 29.24% variable APR applies.

On the downside, however, it does carry a 3% foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside of the U.S.

The Citi Premier^® Card earns our top pick for travel rewards, thanks to its respectable sign-up bonus offer. The card also features a $100 hotel credit off select hotel stays booked through thankyou.com, and that alone is enough to offset the card’s $95 annual fee.

It earns high rewards on a wide variety of categories, including gas, air travel, hotels and restaurants. It also offers flexible redemption options, including the ability to transfer points to more than 10 airline, hotel and retail partners.

The Citi Premier^® Card does notably lack any kind of travel protections, like trip interruption/cancellation and car rental insurance. Still, it’s an excellent choice for international travel with no foreign transaction fees.

The Citi Double Cash^® Card offers a solid rewards rate on every purchase for a $0 annual fee.

Plus, it’s a great option if you need to pay off high-interest credit card debt with a balance transfer. The card offers an intro APR of 0% intro APR for 18 months on Balance Transfers, then a 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) APR applies.

The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card lets you build credit and earn cash back, with a $0 annual fee. Geared toward consumers with Limited/Poor credit, this secured card reports payments to the three major credit bureaus and offers opportunities for credit line increases. You may even be able to upgrade to an unsecured card and have your deposit refunded with responsible use.

Like many secured cards, Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card features a high APR and requires a refundable security deposit. But it also has no annual fee or foreign transaction fees, so it may be a more affordable option in the long run. Plus, you can see if you qualify for the card before applying without negatively affecting your credit score.

The Bank of America^® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard^® credit card offers simple, flat-rate cash back on all your spending, letting you focus on your small business.

With a modest 0% intro APR offer, this no-annual-fee card is a top choice for businesses that want to finance large business purchases without interest. You’ll get a 0% Introductory APR on purchases for the first 9 billing cycles; after that, a 18.49% - 28.49% Variable APR will apply.

And if you’re already a Bank of America customer, this card is an even better deal — Preferred Rewards for Business members with a qualifying business checking account can earn up to 75% more cash back.

With a $595 annual fee, the Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^® probably isn’t a fit for everyone. But for frequent American Airlines travelers, the card offers premium airline perks that make it well worth its annual fee. Its showcase perk is Admirals Club® membership, the airline’s airport lounge network — annual memberships cost at least $850 per person, much higher than the card’s annual fee.

You’ll also enjoy priority treatment at the airport and a free first checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights for yourself and up to eight companions. The card is a perfect travel companion, with no foreign transaction fees and discounted in-flight purchases for those who enjoy a beverage or meal while flying. Plus, cardholders also receive a credit of up to $100 every four years for your application fees for Global Entry or TSA Precheck, perfect for expedited security lines at the airport.

The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card doesn’t necessarily come with benefits geared specifically toward college students, but it does offer a fantastic cash rewards program. You’ll earn elevated cash back rates in categories that align with college life, including dining, groceries, streaming and entertainment.

It’s a great starter card for students with limited credit history: With no annual fee, it’s a low-cost way to build your credit profile, provided you pay your balance on time each month. It also includes no foreign transaction fees, so it’s a good option for your semester abroad.

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a must-have for foodies who love cash back rewards, as well as a good option when traveling abroad. It includes no foreign transaction fees and bonus cash back rates on travel-friendly spending categories like dining, entertainment, streaming services and groceries.

And yet, the cash back card’s travel benefits even extend beyond its fee structure and rewards rates. Card features include several travel protections as safeguards and support when you’re away from home.

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card isn’t the flashiest card — it comes with no rewards program or sign-up bonus offer. Still, it’s an excellent tool for building or rebuilding your credit profile. Plus, unlike many cards for limited/fair credit, it doesn’t charge a ton of fees. In fact, there’s no annual fee or foreign transaction fees.

Further, Capital One automatically reviews accounts for higher credit limits as early as six months. Accounts come with complimentary credit score monitoring to keep tabs on your credit as you make payments.

The BankAmericard^® credit card is known for one thing — its exceptionally long intro APR offer. The BankAmericard^® credit card offers a 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, followed by a 16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR. Plus, it also offers an equally long 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (followed by the same 16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR on balance transfers). That’s among the longest introductory periods on the market.

However, the card offers no rewards and few other perks. It’s only ideal for those who want to finance purchases or pay off existing credit card balances without paying expensive interest charges.