The best credit cards for excellent credit in 2024
Published 2:51 PM EDT, Fri June 28, 2024
From offering the most competitive interest rates to doling out supercharged points, credit cards can handsomely reward those sporting excellent credit scores.
All of the excellent credit cards on our list meet an exacting set of criteria to help you narrow your choices and find the card that aligns with your spending and lifestyle.
We receive compensation from our partners for Featured Offer placements, which impacts how and where their offer is displayed.
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards? Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO? credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Our team of experts reviewed nearly 100 credit cards geared toward customers with excellent credit scores, including cards that earn transferable points, airline cards and hotel cards. We looked at factors including welcome bonuses, ongoing rewards and fees. Using a data-based approach, we narrowed down the list to the nine best credit cards for excellent credit that scored highly based on our weightings. Read our full methodology below.
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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for excellent credit
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Citi Strata Premier? Card: *Best bonus categories
The information for the Citi Strata Premier? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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American Express? Gold Card: Best for foodies
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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best premium card
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Chase Sapphire Reserve?: Best premium card for flexible travel rewards
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Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card: Best mid-tier travel rewards card
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The Platinum Card? from American Express: Best for luxury travel perks
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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless? Credit Card: *Best hotel card
The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless? Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Citi Strata Premier? Card
*The information for the Citi Strata Premier? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
American Express? Gold Card
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Chase Sapphire Reserve?
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
The Platinum Card? from American Express
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless? Credit Card
*The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless? Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Our picks at a glance
| Annual fee | Welcome bonus | Best for | Standout perk | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
| $95
| 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
| Excellent credit
| 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel with no annual cap
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Citi Strata Premier? Card
*
The information for the Citi Strata Premier? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
| $95
| 70,000 bonus ThankYou? Points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening
| Bonus categories
| 3x points at restaurants, EV charging stations and gas stations, and on air travel and most hotel spending
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American Express? Gold Card
| $325
| 60,000 Membership Rewards? points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases worldwide (up to $100 back) within the first six months of card membership (offer ends 11/6/24)
| Foodies
| 4x points at restaurants
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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
| $395
| 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening
| Premium perks
| $300 annual travel credit on bookings through Capital One Travel
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Chase Sapphire Reserve?
| $550
| 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
| Flexible travel rewards on a premium card
| Up to $300 annual travel credit
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Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card
| $95
| 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
| Mid-tier travel rewards
| 25% more points value when you redeem for eligible travel
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The Platinum Card? from American Express
| $695
| 80,000 Membership Rewards? points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of account opening
| Luxury travel perks
| Up to $200 annual hotel credit plus up to $200 annual airline fee credit
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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless? Credit Card
*
The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless? Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
| $95
| three free night awards after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening
| Hotels
| Earn 6x points at Marriott
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Aeroplan? Credit Card
| $95
| 70,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
| Airlines
| Preferred pricing when booking flights with Aeroplan points
|
Benefits of credit cards for excellent credit
- Competitive ongoing annual percentage rates (APRs). While you should strive to pay your balance in full each month, the best credit cards for excellent credit scores can offer relatively lower APRs for those who need to carry a balance.
- Lengthy introductory APRs. Those with excellent credit scores may earn 0% introductory APRs with the longest terms available.
- Valuable welcome bonuses. The best credit cards for high credit scores can offer the opportunity for new card holders to earn market-leading points and mileage bonuses.
- Top-notch card holder perks. From airport lounge access and travel insurance to streaming and lifestyle brand discounts, significant extras may be on the table for those with excellent credit.
- Potentially higher credit limits. Those with excellent credit scores could earn higher credit limits since they’re perceived as lower-risk borrowers by card issuers.
Why is your credit score important?
Your credit score helps determine whether you’ll be approved for loans and lines of credit and what interest rate you’ll be charged, if approved. It can even affect job and lease applications.
Because your credit score is relevant to so much of your financial life, you should understand the factors that determine it and how to improve it.
You don’t need to have a perfect credit score to unlock approval and solid rates, but a good or excellent score is a worthwhile goal.
What counts as excellent credit?
There is no universal definition for excellent credit, and different card issuers might have their own ranges for scores they consider excellent. FICO considers scores between 800 and 850 to be exceptional, while a score between 781 and 850 earns top marks under the VantageScore 3.0 model.
Since credit scores are meant to represent your credit risk to a lender or credit card issuer, an excellent score means you’re considered a low-risk borrower. That’s because you have an on-time payment history and low credit utilization. Consumers with longer credit histories, a diverse credit mix (i.e. multiple types of credit accounts, such as a mortgage and credit cards) and who don’t regularly open new credit accounts also tend to see higher scores.
How to build an excellent credit score
While an excellent credit score isn’t something you can achieve in a flash, it’s certainly something you can work toward. Establishing sound financial behaviors over time can help you gradually work your way toward an excellent score.
- Be selective. Only apply for the credit you truly need. When you apply for a credit card, it sets off a hard credit inquiry that can have a minor effect on your score.
- Maintain a spotless payment history. The longer your history of on-time payments, the more likely your score is to climb.
- Keep revolving balances low. Low balances on your revolving lines of credit such as credit cards signal that you use credit responsibly. You should aim to use at most 30% of your total credit limit across all lines of credit.
- Keep older revolving accounts open. It can be worthwhile to cancel a credit card, but the age of your accounts does play a role in your score, and a longer track record of responsible credit management can be helpful.
- Regularly check your credit reports. Check up on your credit at regular intervals to identify any errors or signs of identity theft.
How to choose a credit card with excellent credit
Before applying for a credit card, you’ll want to think about which cards align with your spending habits and lifestyle. The best credit cards for people with excellent credit will always be the ones that reward them in the ways they find most meaningful.
For instance, say you’re an avid traveler who enjoys more than a touch of luxury. In this case, you’ll likely find travel rewards cards that offer global lounge access and high miles-earning rates more attractive. On the other hand, say you’re a spender who’s all about the best discounts. Cards offering generous cash-back payouts could be your ideal match. And if you have your eye on a major purchase, you might ultimately choose a card with the longest introductory APR on purchases.
The choice is yours, and your excellent credit affords you plenty of options.
Applying for a credit card with excellent credit
Credit card applications may be available online, by phone or in person at a bank branch. Some credit card issuers, such as Capital One and Discover, also let you get a sense of your odds before you apply with online preapproval.
Methodology
Our money and data analytics teams evaluated over 90 rewards credit cards available to consumers with excellent credit. From there, we narrowed down our list of the best credit cards for excellent credit by giving them a star rating out of five, based on the following factors and our editorial judgment:
Rewards value (30%)
Many credit cards for excellent credit earn rewards, but not all credit card points and miles are worth the same amount. We used spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and estimates of rewards values from The Points Guy to determine which cards dole out the best rewards value.
Welcome bonus value (30%)
Many rewards cards offer bonus cash back, points or miles to consumers who spend a certain amount in their first months with the card. We calculated how much those bonuses are worth using points valuations from The Points Guy, and boosted cards that offer more value.
Pricing and fees (20%)
Cards with no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee and competitive variable APRs received a boost compared to cards with higher fees and rates.
Benefits (15%)
Cards that offer benefits such as cell phone protection, purchase protection, extended warranty and a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers received a boost.
Annual credits and bonuses (5%)
Credit cards that come with credits and bonuses for spending in categories including groceries, dining, entertainment and gas received a boost.
What didn’t make the cut
We believe that you deserve the best possible balance of costs and rewards when choosing a credit card. As a result, some notable cards didn’t make our list.
- Other co-branded hotel credit cards: Some other hotel cards scored well, but didn’t beat out the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card. For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant? American Express? Card offers strong perks and good rewards rates, but has a high $650 annual fee (terms apply, see rates and fees). Hilton loyalists can get a lot of value out of the perks and rewards that come with the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express * The information for the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , but the annual fee is a steep $550.
- American Express? Green Card * The information for the American Express? Green Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : This card has solid 3x rewards on top spending categories, but card holders can get more from the Amex Gold, albeit for a higher annual fee (terms apply, see rates and fees).
- Wells Fargo Autograph Journey? Card * The information for the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : This $95-annual-fee card comes with strong rewards earning rates and a $50 credit each year to cover eligible airline spending. However, the card’s transfer partners are lacking compared to Capital One and Chase’s offerings.
All information about Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express and American Express? Green Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Achieving an excellent credit rating takes time. Those with excellent credit scores have demonstrated a long history of on-time payments and responsible debt management across credit products. If you have your eye on earning an excellent credit rating, your best bet is to take steps including paying your bills on time, using a small percentage of your credit limit and keeping your existing accounts open when possible to demonstrate a long-term history of superior account management.
For those with top-notch credit scores, the best credit card for excellent credit will depend on spending habits and lifestyles. For instance, those with a vagabond spirit might value a travel credit card that lets them earn miles at an accelerated pace. Foodies might prefer a credit card that rewards them for dining out. Someone who wants a variety of rewards redemption options might find a flexible points-based rewards card the best option. Whatever features you value most, you’ll find a card that fits.
To view rates and fees for Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant? American Express? Card, please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Hilton Honors American Express Surpass? Card, please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for American Express? Gold Card, please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for The Platinum Card? from American Express, please visit this page.
All information about American Express? Green Card, Citi Strata Premier? Card, Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless? Credit Card and Wells Fargo Autograph Journey? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines, hotel chain, or other commercial entity and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of such entities.
This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended and should not be understood to constitute financial, investment, insurance or legal advice. All individuals are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified financial professional before making any financial, insurance or investment decisions.
Note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed or may no longer be available.
