My Top 3 Best Credit Cards I Use & Recommend
To take advantage of points, bonuses and rewards.
If you’re not using credit cards in 2023, you’re missing out on so many potential benefits & rewards! When used responsibly, credit cards can be an amazing tool for money management and building your wealth. They offer an array of benefits, including cash back, spending bonuses, and unique rewards, making them a popular choice for purchases among consumers. However, with so many credit card options available, it’s definitely overwhelming to choose the right one. In this blog post, I’m going to tell you the pros and cons of all the credit cards I personally have & use, so you can make an informed decision when applying for your next line of credit!
Let’s first review the Capital One Venture Card, Chase Freedom Credit Card, and the Amex Amazon Business Card.
Capital One Venture Card
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Final Opinion: My current favorite! Amazing for traveling and getting miles with purchases, huge bonuses, but has an annual fee.
Cons:
$95 annual fee after the first year
No bonus categories for earning extra miles
Higher APR than some other cards
Pros:
Earn unlimited 2x miles on every purchase
No foreign transaction fees
$100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
Easy to redeem miles for travel expenses
Overall, the Capital One Venture Card is an excellent choice for those who are looking for a rewards credit card with a generous sign-up bonus and flexible redemption options. With a competitive rewards rate on all purchases, this card is an excellent option for frequent travelers who want to earn points that can be redeemed for travel-related expenses. Additionally, the Venture Card offers no foreign transaction fees, making it an ideal option for international travel.
Chase Freedom Unlimited Card
Rating: 4.3/5 stars
Final Opinion: My second favorite card to use. Love the 0% interest for 15 months, and you’re able to quickly earn high cash back rewards.
Cons:
Rotating bonus categories may not always align with your spending habits
Cashback rewards are limited to $1,500 per quarter
Foreign transaction fee of 3%
Pros:
No annual fee
Earn 5% cashback on rotating bonus categories
Earn 1% cashback on all other purchases
Introductory 0% APR for 15 months
The Chase Freedom Credit Card is an excellent option for those who want to earn cash back rewards on everyday purchases. With rotating bonus categories and a generous sign-up bonus, this card can help you earn significant rewards quickly. However, the rotating categories can be challenging to keep track of, and the cash back rate on non-bonus category purchases is relatively low.
Amex Amazon Business Card
Rating: 4/5 stars
Final Opinion: If you’re a business owner & you’re purchasing supplies on Amazon, could be a good card to consider. Usually offers a $125 Amazon gift card to use after signing up!
Cons:
Cashback rewards are limited to Amazon purchases and select categories
No sign-up bonus
Higher APR than some other cards
Pros:
No annual fee
Earn 3% cashback on Amazon purchases
Earn 2% cashback on restaurants, gas stations, and wireless phone services
Introductory 0% APR for the first 6 months
The Amex Amazon Business Card is an ideal option for business owners who frequently shop on Amazon. With a generous rewards rate on Amazon purchases and the ability to earn rewards on other business-related expenses, this card can help you earn significant rewards quickly. However, the rewards are only redeemable as statement credits or towards future Amazon purchases, which may limit your redemption options.
In Conclusion…
Choosing the right credit card can be a daunting task, but by considering the pros and cons of each card, you can make an informed decision. In conclusion, I’d say the Capital One Venture Card and Chase Freedom Credit Card are both great options for earning rewards, and the Amex Amazon Business Card is ideal for Amazon purchases, but not as versatile as the other two cards.
Are you still a beginner with Credit Cards?
I’ve also tried and reviewed the Bank of America Travel Card & Capital One Quicksilver Card for you. These are two cards that I used at the beginning of my credit journey, here’s my thoughts on those.
Bank of America Travel Card
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Final Opinion: Great for beginner travelers! I’d recommend this for people going on a trip and wanting to get the bonus & rewards from it.
Cons:
Limited redemption options for points
Points are not as valuable as other rewards programs
Higher APR than some other cards
Pros:
No annual fee
Earn 1.5 points for every dollar spent
25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
No foreign transaction fees
Overall, the Bank of America Travel Card is a good choice for frequent travelers who want to earn rewards on travel-related expenses. With no foreign transaction fees and a competitive rewards rate on travel and dining purchases, this card is an excellent option for those who frequently spend on these categories. However, the rewards rate on non-travel and dining purchases is relatively low, and the redemption options can be limited.
Capital One Quicksilver One Card
Rating: 4/5 stars
Final Opinion: Perfect card for starting out with credit. Interest-free use for the first year!
Cons:
No bonus categories for earning extra cashback
Cashback rewards are not as high as some other cards
Higher APR than some other cards
Pros:
No annual fee
Earn unlimited 1.5% cashback on all purchases
Introductory 0% APR for the first 15 months
No foreign transaction fees
The Capital One Quicksilver Card is a straightforward cash back credit card that offers a competitive rewards rate on all purchases. With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, this card is an excellent option for those who want to earn cash back rewards without worrying about bonus categories or redemption options. However, the rewards rate is relatively low compared to other cash back credit cards, and there is no sign-up bonus.
Ultimately, the decision depends on your personal financial situation and needs. It's crucial to choose a credit card that aligns with your unique needs and spending habits, so you can make the most out of the rewards and benefits it offers. Consider what you want to get out of a credit card, and then choose the one that best fits your needs. And always remember to use your credit cards responsibly to avoid debt and interest charges.
