Credit Cards For Excellent Credit

All information about the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

Compare the best credit cards for excellent credit for 2023

Applicants with excellent credit are eligible for top credit card offers from issuers like Capital One, Chase, and American Express.

Editor’s picks: Credit cards for excellent credit details

Best flexible cash back categories for excellent credit: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

• Best features: Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, plus an automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases, then 1%) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.You can earn $200 online cash rewards after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days of card membership. And if you’re a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25% to 75% more cash back on every purchase.
• Biggest drawbacks: While the rewards are great, the quarterly $2,500 combined spend cap on 2% and 3% categories may not be the best fit for big spenders
• Alternatives: Anyone eager to maximize their credit card rewards will first want to check for cards that offer higher rewards in the categories that matter most to them. For example, the Chase Freedom Flex offers 5 percent cash back in rotating bonus categories that you activate each quarter (up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter, then 1% cash back).
• Bottom line: Anyone looking for a no-annual-fee flexible rewards card will find plenty to like about the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card. If you’re an existing Bank of America or eligible Merrill account holder, you may qualify to boost your reward earnings through the Preferred Rewards program.

Read our Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best simple rewards for excellent credit: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

• Best features: A straightforward card with a simple rewards structure, the Quicksilver from Capital One frees you up from having to keep track of rotating categories. Instead, use this card to get 1.5% cash back on every purchase. We also love that the required spend on the sign-up bonus is rock-bottom: Earn $200 after spending just $500 in the first three months.
• Biggest drawbacks: The disadvantage to a flat-rate cash back card is that you can’t maneuver your spending to maximize rewards on key categories like you can with the Discover it Cash Back and more specialized reward structures.
• Alternatives: The Citi® Double Cash Card does offer a higher cash back rate of up to 2 percent cash back on all purchases: that’s 1% cash back when you spend and another 1% when you pay your bill.
• Bottom line: The Quicksilver is an unfussy card for anyone hoping to earn consistent, unlimited cash rewards while avoiding foreign transaction fees. However, for someone hoping to maximize earnings, plenty of other cards offer a higher rewards rate.

Read our Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best unlimited cash back card for excellent credit: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

• Best features: With several lucrative rewards categories, it’s pretty impressive that this card has no annual fee. Add to that, the sign-up bonus is generous and easy enough to attain: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year), worth up to $300 cash back. New cardholders will also enjoy the 15-month 0% introductory APR for purchases and balance transfers (it’s 19.24% to 27.99% variable after that).
• Biggest drawbacks: A 3% foreign transaction fee could potentially put off travelers.
• Alternatives: If you prefer a flat rate card over categories, the Citi Double Cash Card offers a lucrative 1% cash back when you spend and another 1% cash back when you pay for that purchase.
• Bottom line: With a great rewards rate on general purchases and multiple opportunities to earn boosted cash back, the Chase Freedom Unlimited is bound to be valuable to nearly every type of consumer. Travelers, however, may want a card with a lower foreign transaction fee.

Read our Chase Freedom Unlimited® review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best rewards at U.S. supermarkets for excellent credit: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

• Best features: This card offers an impressive 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions and 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1%). There’s also unlimited 3% cash back on U.S. gas station and transit purchases and 1% on everything else.
• Biggest drawbacks: It’s tough to find something not to love about this card, but the ongoing $95 annual fee ($0 intro annual fee for the first year) may be a tough sell for some.
• Alternatives: This isn’t the card for you if you spend more on dining and entertainment, in which case the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card may be a better fit.
• Bottom line: If the Blue Cash Preferred’s tiered categories are ones that you find yourself often using, this is a card that can earn you significant rewards at the pump and help you save on groceries.

Read our Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best complementary cash back card for excellent credit: Discover it® Cash Back

• Best features: Online shoppers, gym-goers, foodies, road warriors and more can earn a versatile 5% cash back in quarterly rotating categories (on up to $1,500 in purchases quarterly after required activation, then 1%). The routinely-changing high-end cash back rates make this card a great choice to pair with a more straightforward rewards program. Newcomers should take full advantage of the Cashback Match™, a promotion where your first-year earnings are matched by Discover. That means you can turn the $300 from your maxed out quarterly categories into $600 at the end of your first year!
• Biggest drawbacks: If you don’t treasure the idea of strategically timing purchases with rotating categories, this card is not the best option. Instead, look at a card with a flat-rate rewards offer, such as the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card, which can earn cash back online year-round.
• Alternatives: If you spend a lot on gas or groceries, you might be better served by a credit card like the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express that lets you earn high rewards (up to a certain limit) in those categories throughout the year.
• Bottom line: If you want to maximize your rewards, the Discover it Cash Back is a good choice. With opportunities to earn a high cash back rate in rotating categories, a 15-month 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers (16.24% to 27.24% variable APR thereafter) and no annual fee, this is a well-rounded top-rate card. It can be an everyday option for attentive cardholders or a great card to pair for someone wanting to supplement their current rewards.

Read our Discover it® Cash Back review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best low interest for excellent credit: Citi® Double Cash Card

• Best features: Some credit cards with excellent rewards rates seem to compensate by having sky-high interest rates. This isn’t the case with the Citi Double Cash. In addition to an interest rate of 18.49% to 28.49% variable, cardholders enjoy what is effectively 2% cash back – 1% as you buy and 1% as you pay off your purchases.
• Biggest drawbacks: There is no introductory APR for purchases, so if you’d like some time to pay off an upcoming purchase without accruing any interest, you should go a different route.
• Alternatives: If you enjoy unlimited 2% cash rewards and are looking for an introductory APR for purchases, take a look at the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card.
• Bottom line: Anyone who would prefer cash back to travel rewards will appreciate this straight-forward rewards card. Plus, the intro APR offer is ideal for anyone thinking about a balance transfer.

Read our Citi® Double Cash Card review.

Best dining and entertainment card for excellent credit:  Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

• Best features: For no annual fee, SavorOne’s unlimited 3% on dining and entertainment can earn you a hearty helping of cash back at a surprising variety of places. Additionally, the 3% cash back on popular streaming services and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®) and 1% on everything else complement SavorOne’s 15-month 0% intro purchase APR (19.24% to 29.24% variable APR after that) for some versatile purchasing power.
• Biggest drawbacks: Its bigger sibling, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, earns a slightly better 4% on dining and entertainment and offers a higher sign-up bonus of $300 (after a $3,000 spend in the first three months) at the cost of a $95 annual fee. Additionally, a 3% fee applies on all amounts transferred within the first 15 months.
• Alternatives: If you don’t want to think about your rewards, or your idea of entertainment doesn’t fall under this card’s categories, a flat-rate cash back card like the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards card may be a better choice.
• Bottom line: If you’re looking for a card with excellent rewards for dining and entertainment, this is one of the best choices among no annual fee cards.

Read our Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card review.

Best U.S. supermarket rewards with no annual fee card for excellent credit: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

• Best features: Cardholders earn 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 in purchases annually, then 1%), 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases annually, then 1%), 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 in purchases annually, then 1%) and 1% cash back on other purchases. Rewards don’t expire as long as the account remains active.
• Biggest drawbacks: Your 3% earning at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases is limited to $6,000 per year for each category, then drops to 1%.
• Alternatives: Those looking for a little more flexibility in cash back categories may prefer the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card which allows you to earn 3% cash back (on up to $2,500 per quarter in combined spend in the 3% and 2% categories) in categories you select.
• Bottom line: Family shoppers spending on groceries will appreciate the 3% rewards at U.S. supermarkets for up to $6,000 per year (then 1%) and those constantly on the road might want to take advantage of the cash back available when filling up your tank. With multiple ways to earn while making typical purchases, this card is a great regular-use option.

Read our Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express review.

Best premium rewards card for excellent credit: American Express® Gold Card

• Best features: Cardholders earn 4X points at restaurants, 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X) and 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com. It’s also packed with additional benefits, like an annual dining credit of up to $120 (up to $10 in monthly statement credits at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and participating Shake Shack locations, enrollment required).
• Biggest drawbacks: You will need to use the card often to outweigh the cost of the $250 annual fee. If you don’t spend a significant amount on flights, dining or at U.S. supermarkets, there are plenty of cards with low or no annual fee that can give you rewards on similar categories. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers 2X points on general travel and 3x points on dining purchases for an annual fee of only $95.
• Alternatives: If you balk at paying high annual fees and aren’t certain you will take advantage of the high rewards rates and spending credits, you may prefer a card that offers high rewards in certain categories and comes with a more affordable fee (or no annual fee), such as the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card.
• Bottom line: If you spend big at restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and flights, you’ll likely reap the rewards to make the Amex Gold worth it.

Read our American Express® Gold Card review.

Best balance transfer card for excellent credit: Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

• Best features: New cardholders who need to pay off debt will have 21 months of 0% introductory APR on balance transfers completed within the first four months (17.49% to 28.24% variable APR thereafter). This is one of the longer balance transfer offers on the market. There is also an introductory APR offer for purchases (0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases, then 17.49% to 28.24% variable).
• Biggest drawbacks: There is a fee for balance transfers, which is something to keep in mind, especially if you’re transferring a large balance. You also won’t earn rewards with this card, so it’s really only a good option for those who want to do a balance transfer or split up a purchase over several months.
• Alternatives: If earning rewards is a must, the Citi Double Cash Card offers up to 2% cash back on every purchase (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay), plus has a long intro APR period on balance transfers (if made in the first four months).
• Bottom line: If you’re planning a balance transfer, the Citi Diamond Preferred can help out with its lengthy introductory period.

Read our Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card review.

Best small purchases card for excellent credit: Citi Rewards+® Card

• Best features: Citi’s unique round-up feature is what makes this card special. The rewards for all purchases get rounded up to the nearest ten. For example, if you bought a snack at the supermarket for $6, you would earn 2X points, so 12. Then the 12 points would be rounded up to 20. With this setup, it’s easy to see how rewards on small purchases can stack up quickly.
• Biggest drawbacks: There are only two categories that earn 2X points (gas stations and supermarkets).
• Alternatives: Anyone who wants to maximize their rewards earning potential may find more value in a card like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card, which earns you 3% cash back on a category of choice (gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores or home improvements and furnishings), 2% cash back on grocery store and wholesale club purchases (capped at $2,500 in combined spending per quarter in the 2% and 3% categories), and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Bottom line: Considering there’s no annual fee, this is a solid choice for someone who values simplicity and wants to earn points on everyday purchases.

Read our Citi Rewards+® Card review.

Best travel rewards card for excellent credit: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

• Best features: The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card offers both boosted rewards for travel and a flat rate for other purchases. Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for each dollar spent on all other purchases. Cardmembers receive a statement credit of up to $100 every 4 years on TSA PreCheck/Global Entry, as well as up to $100 in airline incidental statement credits annually. Also, points are unlimited and don’t expire.
• Biggest drawbacks: The annual fee of $95 isn’t waived, and there’s no intro APR on purchases or balance transfers, so it may not be the best choice for the cardholder looking for something other than stellar travel options.
• Alternatives: The Citi Premier® Card offers more points on dining, air travel and hotels (assuming you’re not a Preferred Rewards member with Bank of America), plus 3 points per dollar at supermarkets and gas stations.
• Bottom line: If you don’t mind paying a moderate annual fee, this card offers a number of ways to earn and redeem, including the sign-up bonus of 50,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.

Who should skip? Read our Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card review.

What is an excellent credit score?

The answer to this question varies from lender to lender. Each lender decides what an “excellent” credit score range is and what constitutes a risk. Lenders depend on credit scoring agencies to assign scores to potential customers. The scores from FICO and VantageScore are the most frequently used, and each has its own ranges and threshold for excellent credit. A FICO score of 800 to 850 is considered exceptional and a VantageScore of 781 to 850 is considered excellent.

If you’re sitting in the good credit range and not sure whether there’s a reason to improve your score, think again. At first glance, there may not seem to be much difference between good and excellent credit, but a deeper look will reveal that an excellent score will qualify you for better interest rates and credit cards.

On top of peace of mind, excellent credit can save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars by landing you a lower interest rate and better terms, particularly with car loans and mortgages. That’s because lenders deem you to be more credit-worthy when your score is outstanding. In the case of credit cards, a better score will help get you a lower rate on the range of the card’s variable APR.

Also, your options can open up and you can access premium cards with top-notch rewards. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve only accepts excellent credit. This is a high-end card with a pricey annual fee, but it is also packed with superior rewards and benefits.

Credit card perks with excellent credit

• Rewards: While even credit cards for bad credit can offer rewards, the rewards steadily improve as your credit improves and you qualify for better cards. Sign-up bonuses are higher and ongoing rewards can earn you hundreds of dollars a year if you use them correctly.
• Benefits: Benefits for the cardholder with excellent credit can include airport lounge access, annual credits for travel, reduction in travel fees and even shopping at exclusive retailers. There can also be numerous shopping and travel benefits such as extended warranties and car rental insurance.
• Types of cards: With good or excellent credit, your options open up considerably to include cards with 0% APR, loyalty cards like airline and hotel cards, business cards, even luxury cards with exceptional benefits.
• Interest rates: There are a few things you should do once you achieve excellent credit, including doing a loan check to see if you can get better rates, including calling your card issuers.
• Higher available credit: Also, a better credit score can get you higher credit limits, which not only give you access to more money, but also can improve your score further by lowering your credit utilization ratio.

The advantages to having excellent credit are numerous, from superior rewards and welcome bonuses, to convenient benefits that can save you time and hassle. There are also some advantages that may not have occurred to you, such as being able to get a credit limit increase.

Tips to maintain excellent credit

Whether you’re looking to maintain your excellent credit or improve your credit score, keep the following in mind:

• Freeze your credit reports. It’s now free – and advisable – to freeze your three credit reports to help prevent identity theft and misuse of your personal identification.
• Make multiple payments in a month. Since you won’t know when card issuers report to the credit bureaus, it’s a good idea to pay at least two times a month, even if you pay in full each month. That increases the likelihood that your balance will be low, possibly lowering your utilization ratio whenever the credit scoring models pull your information.
• Apply for loans in a short amount of time. FICO scoring models only count up to three loan inquiries as one when they are made in a short period of time, as little as 14 days and as much as 45 days. This includes mortgages, student loans and auto loans but not credit cards.
• Consolidate balances. Credit expert John Ulzheimer notes that when you carry small balances, it’s best to consolidate them “because you’re penalized for having too many accounts with a balance. It’s better to have fewer accounts with a balance than more accounts. So to the extent you can use fewer cards for the same purchases, the better you’ll be.”
• Plan out loans. Strategize several months out before taking out an auto loan or a mortgage so that you don’t have large balances on your cards and you don’t take out new cards.
• Follow the 20/10 Rule. This rule of thumb advises that you not let your card debt exceed more than 20% of your total yearly income after taxes and that you not have more than 10% of your monthly take-home pay in credit card payments.
• Notify your bank of a move. Make sure you notify your card issuers and other lenders of address or email changes so that you get your statement in a timely manner.
• Stay in touch with creditors. If you are late on a payment or can’t pay, reach out to your creditor and see what alternative payment plans they might offer. Sometimes just calling and negotiating can lead to better terms.

How we picked the best excellent credit cards

Methodology: We analyzed 1,526 of the top credit cards on the market to narrow down a selection of the best choices. Core criteria we considered in our analysis include:

• Base rewards program: How well is your spending rewarded? We identified cards at the top of their class when it comes to competitive rewards. These earnings span across a variety of categories (cash back, travel, gas, dining, entertainment, etc.).
• Introductory offers: Many cards provide enticing rewards for opening an account, such as a welcome offer of 0% APR on your purchases and/or balance transfers for a period of time, or a lucrative sign-up bonus after eclipsing a certain spending requirement in the first few months. Some of the best cards offer both. We looked to find the best welcome offers and sign-up bonuses available.
• Extra benefits: Does the card include any luxury benefits often seen with elite cards? Perks like airport lounge access, sizable statement credits, baggage insurance and more are featured with some top options.
• Annual fee: Does the card have an annual fee? A few of the top rewards cards carry hefty annual fees, but the rewards programs and other offerings can make up for these tenfold.
• Redemption options: How much are points worth? Is the redemption process easy? Are there worthwhile redemption options? Some structures can be difficult and lacking in value, so we seek out the top choices when it comes to capitalizing on your spending.

More information on credit cards for excellent credit

For more information on credit cards for excellent credit and their capabilities, continue reading content from our credit card experts:

• Luxury credit card reviews
• The most exclusive credit cards: Are they worth it?
• Bank of America expands travel rewards

About the Author

Joey Robinson

Joey Robinson is a credit cards writer for CreditCards.com and has worked at a “Big Four” (Ernst & Young) accounting firm before exploring the world of credit cards. After learning proper professional and financial practices through federal audits, he moved on to his second job, where he was introduced to CreditCards.com/Bankrate as a data analyst. As time passed, his interests drifted away from data analysis and into the communication of credit card essentials. Over the past two years, he’s shared his expertise and has brought understanding to complex topics as a writer and editor for sites like CreditCards.com, Bankrate.com and NextAdvisor. His advice on avoiding common credit card fees, top balance transfer tactics and more financial tips have been featured on MSN Money and other various news publications.

About the Editor

Tracy Stewart

Tracy Stewart is a personal finance writer specializing in credit card loyalty programs, travel benefits, and consumer protections. He previously covered travel rewards credit cards, budget travel, and aviation news at SmarterTravel Media. His money-saving tips have appeared in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Consumer Reports, MarketWatch, Vice, People, the Zoe Report and elsewhere.

About the Reviewer

Jason Steele

Jason Steele is a professional journalist and credit card expert who has been contributing to online publications since 2008. He was one of the original contributors to The Points Guy, and his work has been appearing there since 2011. He has also contributed to over 100 of the leading personal finance and travel outlets. He’s frequently interviewed and quoted by mainstream outlets on the subjects of credit cards and travel. Jason is passionate about travel rewards credit cards, which he uses to earn rewards that he can redeem for him and his family to travel around the world. Jason is also the founder and producer of CardCon, a conference for credit and credit card journalists that’s held annually.