Credit Cards

Best Credit Cards for 2021

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Written by Dan Miller
Published Feb 4, 2021 - [Updated Jun 13, 2022]
5 min read
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For many people, a new year brings New Year’s resolutions. If goal setting is on your mind, you may be looking for ways to improve your financial health. One way that you can help add to your financial bottom line is through the judicious use of credit cards and credit card rewards. In this article, we’ll look at some of the best credit cards for 2021.

Before you apply for a new credit card

Credit card rewards CAN be a lucrative addition to a healthy financial picture, but if not used wisely can really drag your net worth down. Before you look to open a credit card for rewards or points, make sure you have the financial ability and discipline to pay your credit card statement off in full, each and every month. If you don’t, then credit card interest and late fees will easily outstrip any rewards you might earn.

There are three main reasons you might apply for a new credit card:

Rewards like airline miles or cash back that you get from every dollar you spend on the card. These are usually in the range of 1-2% back.
Perks from having the card — you might get free food delivery subscriptions.
Signup bonus when you apply — many credit cards offer an initial welcome offer when you are approved for the card. This might be along the lines of 50,000 points or miles after spending $2,000 in the first three months of having the card.

Signup bonus offers change frequently — the ones mentioned here were accurate at the time of publishing but for the most up-to-date offers, check out our credit cards section.

For more information, check out our guide on how to maximize credit card rewards without hurting your credit. With that said, here are some of the best credit cards for 2021.

Capital One Venture

The Capital One Venture card earns double miles on all purchases and currently comes with a welcome offer of 60,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of having the card. Your Venture miles can be used to offset just about any type of travel, at a rate of 1 cent per mile. That makes the signup bonus alone worth at least $600 towards travel. The Venture card has a $95 annual fee.

Bank of America Cash Rewards

The Bank of America Cash Rewards card has no annual fee, and currently offers a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in the first three months of having the card. The Bank of America Cash Rewards card has a tiered rewards rate, where you get 3% cash back in the category of your choice each quarter. You also get 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

**Chase Sapphire Preferred (*)**

The Chase Sapphire Preferred comes with a $95 annual fee and is a great rewards credit card because it earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Currently, you can get 60,000 bonus Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months you have the card. You’ll also earn 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 2x points on all other travel purchases, and 3x points on dining at restaurants including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out. Your Ultimate Rewards points can be used as a statement credit at a value of 1 cent per point or used towards travel with a 25% bonus. You can often get even more value from your Ultimate Rewards points by transferring them to Chase’s hotel and airline partners.

Blue Cash Preferred® **Card from American Express (*)**

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has a $0 introductory annual fee for one year, then $95. It earns 6% back on your first $6,000 in purchases at U.S. supermarkets (then 1%). That makes it one of our best cards for groceries. Also earn 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. You can currently get a $300 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first six months of having the card. Terms Apply. Rates and Fees.

Discover it Cash Back

The Discover it Cash Back card offers the opportunity to sign up to earn rotating quarterly 5% bonus categories. Each quarter there is a different category where you can earn 5% cash back. These categories can include grocery stores, gas stations, dining and more. During the quarter, you’ll get 5% cash back on the first $1500 in purchases of the quarter. You’ll get 1% cashback on all other purchases. The Discover It card doesn’t have a traditional signup bonus — instead, Discover matches the cash back you get at the end of your first year, with no maximum. This can be a huge bonus for heavy spenders.

The Bottom Line

Responsible usage of credit cards can add hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year in rewards and benefits. But before you sign up for and/or use a credit card, make sure you have the discipline to pay your statement off in full, each and every month. You’ll also want to make sure you are using a budgeting tool like Mint and not spending extra money on things you don’t really need just to get a 2% reward.

These responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

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Dan Miller is a freelance writer and founder of PointsWithACrew.com, a site that helps families to travel for free / cheap. His home base is in Cincinnati, but he tries to travel the world as much as possible with his wife and 6 kids. More from Dan Miller