Best Credit Cards of January 2022

Are you looking for the perfect credit card? This is the right place! The team at R1 has done a lot of the research for you, compiling our top picks of the best credit cards available on the market today.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Bottom line: This credit card has one of the highest cash back rates for essentials, plus an excellent welcome bonus and no annual fee. Surely it can’t be out of your wallet.

Credit Rating requirement: Good/Excellent

Rewards: 5% cash back ($1,500 spending cap for bonus categories each quarter you activate), 1% back on all else

Annual fee: $0

Intro apr: 

• Purchases: 0%, 15 months
• Balance Transfers: N/A
• ONGOING APR: 14.99% – 23.74% Variable

Welcome Bonus: $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening

Great for: Cash back versatility with a big bonus

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Bottom line: This is one of the best credit cards. Excellent rewards categories and no annual fee make this card a perfect choice for the frequent shopper or commuter.

Credit Rating requirement: Good/Excellent

Rewards: 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%). 2% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and at select U.S. department stores. 1% Cash Back on other purchases.

Annual fee: $0

Intro apr:

• Purchases: 0% on purchases for 15 months
• Balance Transfers: N/A
• ONGOING APR: 13.99%-23.99% Variable

Welcome Bonus: 0% back on Amazon.com purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card membership, up to $150 back. $100 back after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of card membership. You will receive cash back in the form of statement credits.

Great for: unlimited cashback and welcome bonus

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Bottom line: It has one of the best cash back programs on the market, plus an excellent welcome bonus and long 0% intro APR offer.

Credit Rating requirement: Good/Excellent

Rewards: 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.

Annual fee: $0

Intro apr:

• Purchases: 0% for 6 months
• Balance Transfers: 10.99% for 6 months
• ONGOING APR: 12.99% – 21.99% Variable

Welcome Bonus: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.

Great for: cash back and welcome bonus

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Bottom line: With this card you can choose and change your bonus rewards category, including gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvements and furnishing. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases and a welcome bonus. Is one of the best credit cards, right?

Credit Rating requirement: Good/Excellent

Rewards: 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases

Annual fee: $0

Intro apr:

• Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
• Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any BTs made in the first 60 days. A 3% fee (min. $10) applies.
• ONGOING APR: 13.99% – 23.99% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

Welcome Bonus: $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening

Great for: long 0% intro APR and unlimited cashback