Name & Rating:	APR:	Features:	Annual Fee:	Credit Needed:	Bottom Line:
The TrueEarnings Card from Costco and American Express Apply Now Read Review	15.24% (0% for first 6 months)	3% for gas & restaurants; 2% for travel; 1% for everything else including Costco; $25 credit after first purchase	None (with paid Costco membership)	Good	3% cash back for gas & restaurants, 2% travel, 1% everything else; great for Costco members & others
Miles by Discover Card Apply Now Read Review	11.99%-19.99% (0% for first 6 months)	Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on your first $3,000 in annual travel and restaraunt purchases and 1 mile per dollar spent thereafter; 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases	None	Excellent	Best overall travel rewards card; Earn up to 12,000 bonus miles in first year
American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card Apply Now Read Review	N/A	Earn one point per dollar spent, plus bonus points for airfare, gas, and groceries; redeem points for travel, shopping and entertainment rewards	None for the first year; $175 per year thereafter	Excellent	High annual fee but includes unique Gold card benefits
Chase Sapphire Apply Now Read Review	12.24%	Earn one point per dollar spent, plus additional points on eligible airfare purchases and other online purchases made through Chase	None	Excellent	Unlimited reward points; 10,000 bonus points after first purchase
Name & Rating:	APR:	Features:	Annual Fee:	Credit Needed:	Bottom Line:
Blue from American Express Apply Now Read Review	15.24%-19.24% (0% for first 6 months)	Earn one point per dollar spent, plus additional points on travel and other online purchases made through American Express	None	Excellent	Great reward program with no annual fee
Chase Freedom Credit Card Apply Now Read Review	12.99%-22.99% (0% for the first 6 months)	Earn 1% cash back on all purchases; earn 5% cash back in rotating spending categories; earn up to 20% cash back when you shop online through Chase	None	Good	Unlimited cash back with bonus opportunities
Discover More Card Apply Now Read Review	11.99%-19.99% (0% for first 6 months)	5% cash back on purchases within select categories; 1% on all others after $3k annually	None	Excellent	0% APR for 12 months on balance transfers; up to 5% cash back
Blue Cash from American Express Apply Now Read Review	17.24%-21.24% (0% for first 6 months)	Up to 5% cash back at gas stations, supermarkets, and drug stores and 1% cash back on all other purchases	None	Excellent	Up to 5% cash back on everyday spending, unlimited cash back
Name & Rating:	APR:	Features:	Annual Fee:	Credit Needed:	Bottom Line:
Blue Sky from American Express Apply Now Read Review	17.24%-21.24% (0% for first 6 months)	Earn one point per dollar spent	None	Excellent	Unlimited travel rewards
Discover Motiva Card Apply Now Read Review	11.99%-19.99% (3.99% for first 6 months)	.25% to 1% on all purchases; Cash bonus when you pay your bill on time for six months in a row	None	Excellent	Cash back plus bonus for paying bill on time
Discover Student Card Apply Now Read Review	14.99%	Earn up to 5% cash back on qualifying purchases	None	Good	Good cash back card if you make frequent purchases in specific categories
Slate with Blueprint Apply Now Read Review	13.24%-22.24% (0% for first 12 months)	Tools to track spending and payments	None	Good	Good for those who want help managing their finances
Name & Rating:	APR:	Features:	Annual Fee:	Credit Needed:	Bottom Line:

The TrueEarnings Card from Costco and American Express Review: Credit CardGo to Site | Back to Chart

The TrueEarnings Card from Costco and American Express is exclusively available to Costco members and richly rewards cardholders with up to 3% cash back on purchases with no minimum spending amount to reach that level and no earnings limit. There is no annual fee with your paid Costco membership. If you are not currently a Costco member, you can sign up and apply for your TrueEarnings Card at the same time, and your TrueEarnings Card will also serve as your Costco membership card. A standard Costco membership is $50.00 per year. You'll earn 3% cash back on gasoline purchases, 3% cash back at restaurants, 2% cash back on travel purchases and 1% cash back on all other purchases including at Costco. Unlike some other cards, there is no spending tier you must hit to start earning these generous cash back percentages. One key point here is that just about every other cash back card pays a lower cash back rate than they list for purchases at 'warehouse stores.' With the TrueEarnings Card, you will really get your 1% cash back for those Costco purchases. Your cash rebate will be issued annually as a coupon, which can be redeemed for cash or merchandise at any U.S. Costco warehouse. There is no limit on how much cash back you can earn. You'll also receive a $25.00 statement credit after making your first purchase with your TrueEarnings Card. There is a 0% introductory purchase APR for the first six months and a 15.24% purchase APR thereafter. The APR for balance transfers is also 15.24%, with no introductory period and no fee.

With no annual fee, a generous gas and cash back rewards program and a bonus $25.00 statement credit, the TrueEarnings Card is an excellent option for anyone who already has a Costco membership. In fact, the benefits of this card are so good that it would even make sense for certain people to purchase the Costco membership for the sole purpose of getting the card.

Miles by Discover Card Review: Credit CardGo to Site | Back to Chart

Miles by Discover Card allows cardholders to earn two miles per dollar spent on the first $3,000 in travel and restaurant purchases each year, and one mile per dollar spent on these types of purchases thereafter, as well as one mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. Cardholders also earn 1,000 bonus miles each month that the card is used for the first twelve months. There is no limit to the number of miles that can be accumulated, and miles do not expire.

Miles can be redeemed for a credit to your account reimbursing you for any travel purchase, with no restrictions. Every 5,000 miles earns a $50.00 travel credit. Miles can also be redeemed for gift cards or cash. 5,000 miles can be traded for a $25.00 account credit or, if you prefer, the $25.00 can be deposited directly into your bank account.

The annual interest rate for Miles by Discover Card is 0% for the first six months, and anywhere from 11.99% to 19.99% thereafter. The balance transfer APR is 0% for the first twelve months, and the same as the purchase APR thereafter. There is a 3% transfer fee for balance transfers requested with your Miles by Discover Card application, and a 5% transfer fee thereafter. There is no annual fee.

Miles by Discover Card is an excellent choice for anyone who would like to earn travel rewards. It will be most rewarding to consumers who are unlikely to spend considerably more than $3,000 on travel and restaurant purchases each year and who will use their credit card at least once each month. Even cardholders who only use the card occasionally or who do not travel frequently should still see benefits from this card, since miles are earned for all purchases and never expire. As far as travel rewards programs go, Miles by Discover card is quite flexible and rewarding.

American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card Review: Credit CardGo to Site | Back to Chart

The American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card offers cardholders a fantastic points rewards program. For an annual fee of $175.00, cardholders earn three points per dollar spent on airfare, two points per dollar spent on gas and groceries, and one point per dollar spent on all other purchases. Points are not awarded for balance transfers, cash advances or various fees and charges from American Express. You can also earn an extra 15,000 bonus points when you spend $30,000 in a calendar year. These points have no limit or expiration date. They can be redeemed for travel, entertainment, dining, or merchandise. The American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card grants cardholders a wide variety of additional benefits and services, including early access to preferred seating at sought-after events with the Gold Card Events program.

You must pay off your American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card balance in full every month. If you do not, the late fee varies depending on the state, from zero to $35.00 or 2.99% of the delinquent balance.

If you have good credit, are able to pay off your balance in full each month, and don't mind paying an annual fee in exchange for top of the line rewards and benefits, the American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card is perfect for you.

Chase Sapphire Review: Credit CardGo to Site | Back to Chart

Chase Sapphire rewards cardholders with one point per dollar spent on purchases. These points can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, entertainment, dining, or cash. Redemption opportunities start at 2,500 points for a $25.00 statement credit. There is no limit to how many points you can earn, and points never expire. You can also earn double points for airfare purchases made using Chase's travel booking tool, and up to ten bonus points per dollar when you shop online at Chase's Ultimate Rewards Mall. Plus, first time Chase cardholders with new accounts receive 10,000 bonus points after the first purchase.

The APR for all Chase Sapphire cardholders is 12.24%, and there is no annual fee. Chase Sapphire now comes with Blueprint, which makes it easy to manage and track your spending history and payment progress. These tools can help you Chase Sapphire is a great option for anyone with a strong credit history who wants to earn a wide variety of rewards and may also take advantage of the useful and unique features included with Blueprint.

Blue from American Express Review: Credit CardGo to Site | Back to Chart

Blue from American Express is designed for those who have already established a strong credit history and are looking for a card with a great reward program and no annual fee. Depending on your perceived creditworthiness, your APR could be as low as 15.24% or as high as 19.24%, with an introductory APR of 0% for the first six months. The standard purchase APR will apply to all balance transfers, with no introductory APR and no balance transfer fee.

Cardholders receive one rewards point for each dollar spent on purchases, plus two points per dollar spent when booking travel online through American Express, and three points per dollar spent when shopping online through American Express's bonus points mall website. No points are earned for balance transfers, cash advances or various fees and charges from American Express. Points can be redeemed for rewards including travel, merchandise, dining and entertainment. Rewards begin at 1,000 points. Points can also be combined with various frequent flyer accounts. There is no limit to how many points you can earn, and points do not expire.

These terms are quite good if you are able to qualify for the 15.24% interest rate and the six month introductory period. If your credit history only qualifies you for the 19.24% APR and no introductory program, you are likely to find preferable rates with a different card offer. Also, if a low introductory balance transfer APR is a priority for you, you should consider one of the many cards that offer 0% introductory rates for balance transfers. But for consumers with very good credit, Blue from American Express is a great credit card option, offering a 0% introductory APR, reasonable ongoing interest rate, and a very rewarding points program.

Chase Freedom Credit Card Review: Credit CardGo to Site | Back to Chart

The Chase Freedom Credit Card rewards cardholders with 1% cash back on all purchases. Cardholders also receive 5% cash back within set spending categories, which rotate on a quarterly basis. And if you shop online at Chase's Ultimate Rewards Mall, you can earn up to 10% or, at select merchants, even 20% cash back. There is no limit to how much cash back you can earn, and rebates do not expire. These rebates can be redeemed for cash, as well as travel, gift cards, or statement credits.

The introductory APR for all cardholders is 0% for six months on purchases. After the introductory period has ended, the APR will be 12.99% for applicants with excellent credit, 17.99% for applicants with very good credit, or 22.99% for all other cardholders. The APR for balance transfers is 0% for the first twelve months. After the introductory period has ended, the balance transfer APR will be the same as the purchase APR, between 12.99% and 22.99%. There is a 5% balance transfer fee, and no annual fee.

The Chase Freedom Card is a good choice for anyone who wants to earn unlimited cash back on all purchases. The APR is significantly better for those with strong credit, but even those applicants with the highest APR will enjoy a six month introductory period for purchases, a twelve month introductory period for balance transfers, and unlimited cash rewards, plus additional bonus opportunities.

Discover More Card Review: Credit CardGo to Site | Back to Chart

The Discover More Card offers a twelve month, 0% intro APR for balance transfers made in the first three months of getting your card to all approved cardholders regardless of which ongoing APR you qualify for. It also has a generous although fairly complicated cash-back rewards program, making it a very strong choice for those looking to transfer a balance. The introductory APR for purchases is 0% for the first six months, and the ongoing APR ranges from 11.99% to 19.99%. The balance transfer APR is 0% for the first year, after which it will be the same as the purchase APR. There is also a 5% fee for balance transfers.

Cardholders earn 5% cash back on up to $800 in purchases within select categories including travel, home improvement stores, department stores, gas stations, restaurants, pet stores and many more. The individual categories that you can earn 5% on rotate every 3 months. For example, from October-December 2008 they are grocery stores, restaurants and movies and from January to March 2009 they are airlines, hotels, car rentals and cruises. Cardholders also earn .25% cash back on all other purchases until they spend $1,500 annually with the card, and then earn .5% cash back until spending exceeds $3,000 annually. Once cardholders reach the $3,000 threshold, they begin earning 1% cash back for all other purchases the rest of the year. Total cash back is unlimited, and cash is redeemable in $20.00 increments.

The balance transfer introductory period and interest rate are very competitive and the cash back rewards program is quite good. For consumers who have excellent credit and would like to transfer a high interest balance to a 0% account for 12 months and still have the opportunity to earn significant cash rewards, the Discover More Card is a fantastic option.

Blue Cash from American Express Review: Credit CardGo to Site | Back to Chart

Blue Cash from American Express is a good choice for consumers who want to earn cash back on gas, groceries, and nearly any other purchase. The introductory interest rate is 0% for six months, with an ongoing APR as low as 17.24% for cardholders with a strong credit history. Applicants who do not qualify for the 17.24% APR may be offered an interest rate of up to 21.24%. The standard purchase APR will apply to all balance transfers, with no introductory APR and no balance transfer fee. Blue Cash from American Express does not charge an annual fee.

Initially, Blue Cash cardholders earn 1% cash back at gas stations, supermarkets and drug stores and .5% cash back on all other purchases made with their Blue Cash card. Once cardholders have spent more than $6,500, they begin earning 5% cash back at gas stations, supermarkets and drug stores and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. Cash back is unlimited.

If you tend to be more frugal with your credit card purchases, Blue Cash from American Express rewards program may not be the best for you. This cash back program will be most rewarding to cardholders who are likely to spend $6,500 within their first few months using their card. Those with good credit who would like a 0% introductory APR, a reasonable ongoing APR, and an excellent cash back program with no annual fee will surely be pleased with Blue Cash from American Express.

Blue Sky from American Express Review: Credit CardGo to Site | Back to Chart

Blue Sky from American Express is a good choice for consumers who are also interested in earning travel rewards. The introductory interest rate is 0% for the first six months, with an ongoing APR as low as 17.24% for cardholders with a strong credit history. Applicants who do not qualify for the 17.24% APR may be offered an interest rate of up to 21.24%. The standard purchase APR will apply to all balance transfers, with no introductory APR and no balance transfer fee.

Cardholders earn one point per dollar spent, not including balance transfers, cash advances or various fees and charges from American Express. These points can be redeemed for discounts in the form of a statement credit on eligible travel purchases, including any flight on any airline, any cruise, any rental car and any travel package. There are no blackout dates or restrictions. There is no limit to how many points you can earn, and points do not expire. Points are redeemed in 7,500 increments, which translate to credits of up to $100.00. This means that with the Blue Sky rewards program, cardholders receive roughly $100.00 in travel rebates for every $7,500.00 spent.

Those with excellent credit who would like a credit card with a 0% introductory APR, a reasonable ongoing APR, and an easy and flexible travel rewards program with no annual fee should definitely consider applying for Blue Sky from American Express.

Discover Motiva Card Review: Credit CardGo to Site | Back to Chart

Discover Motiva gives cardholders a Pay-On-Time bonus when the minimum payment due is paid by the due date for six months in a row. This bonus is equal to the periodic finance charges shown on the upcoming statement. Cardholders also earn .25% cash back on all purchases until they have spent $1,500 with their Discover Motiva card, then .5% cash back until spending $3,000. After reaching the $3,000 threshold, cardholders earn 1% back on all purchases.

The interest rate for purchases is 3.99% for the first six months and anywhere from 11.99% to 19.99% thereafter, depending on the strength of your credit history. The balance transfer APR is 3.99% for the first twelve months, with a 3% transfer fee. After the introductory period has ended, balance transfers are subject to the standard purchase APR, with a 5% fee. There is no annual fee for the Discover Motiva card.

These terms are a bit more complicated than those of most credit cards. Since there are no limits on how much cash back you can earn, the rewards program could be quite strong, assuming that you are likely to spend $3,000 within a relatively brief length of time. The Pay-On-Time bonus could also be a nice feature, depending on whether you carry a balance or need extra incentive to pay your bill on time. If you are likely to reach the $3,000 threshold, do carry a balance, and would like an incentive to pay your bill on time, the Discover Motiva card may be just the card you're looking for.

Discover Student Card Review: Credit CardGo to Site | Back to Chart

The Discover Student Card is designed for college students who want to begin establishing their credit history while earning cash rewards. Cardholders earn 5% cash back on purchases that fit into certain predetermined categories, including travel, home improvement, department stores, gas, restaurants and pet stores. Cardholders also earn between .25% and 1% cash back on all other purchases, plus 5% to 20% cash back through Discover's exclusive online shopping website. There is no limit to how much cash you can earn, but you must spend $3,000 with your Discover Student Card each year before you will begin earning a full 1% cash back on purchases that do not fit into Discover's preset categories. Rebates are redeemable in $20 increments, which can be issued through an electronic direct deposit to your bank account or a check. Rebates can also increase in value if they are redeemed for gift cards.

The annual percentage rate for purchases is 14.99%, and balance transfers are not permitted. There is no annual fee.

While the Discover Student Card offers reasonably good terms for students looking for a first credit card, the preset list of categories makes it difficult to predict how rewarding the cash back program might be. If most of your purchases do fall into Discover's established categories, this card will be extremely rewarding for you. If they do not, and you are unlikely to spend over $3,000 with your Discover Student Card within the first few months of each year, then this cash back program would actually be quite poor for your financial situation.

Slate with Blueprint Review: Credit CardGo to Site | Back to Chart

Chase Slate with Blueprint is designed to help cardholders manage their finances. This card includes several features that give cardholders more control, simplicity, and predictability. With Chase Slate, you can set aside regular expenses, such as groceries, gasoline, and medicine, to pay in full each month. This ensures that you will never pay interest on these basic necessities. For larger purchases, you can create a custom payment plan to ensure that you pay off the purchase on your terms. You decide how much you want to pay each month or how fast you want to pay off the entire purchase, and Chase will do the math for you and track your progress on every statement. You can also create a custom payment plan for your entire balance. Chase Slate comes with tracking tools that give you a snapshot of your purchases by category, in real time.

For applicants with very good credit, there is a 0% introductory APR for the first twelve months. After the introductory period has ended, the APR will be either 13.24%, 17.24%, or 22.24%, depending on your credit history. The APR for balance transfers is 0% for the first six or twelve months, depending on your credit. After the introductory period has ended, the balance transfer APR will be the same as the standard purchase APR. There is also a 3% transfer fee. There is no annual fee.

If you would like to track your spending habits and payment progress, and are looking for a card that offers more control and flexibility over your finances, Chase Slate with Blueprint is a good option for you.