The 12 Best Credit Cards for Young Adults a Professionals [2025]

Young adults and professionals fall into one of the largest target markets for credit card issuers and banks.

Thanks to a renewed emphasis on lifestyle, luxury, travel, and dining, banks have introduced strong credit cards perfect for millennials and Gen Z.

Since thousands of different credit cards are out there, we’re offering you a head start with the best credit card choices that might apply to you.

You can narrow it down to your favorite choice and avoid analysis paralysis! But before we do that, let’s walk you through our top selections.

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Best Credit Cards for Young Adults & Professionals

• Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card – Best Overall Value Card
• American Express^® Gold Card – Best for Earning Points & Statement Credits
• The Platinum Card^® from American Express – Best for Travel Perks & Lounge Access
• Chase Sapphire Reserve^® – Best for Domestic Travel
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – Best Premium Capital One Card
• Citi Strata Premier℠ Card – Best Mid-Tier Card for Earning Points
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card – Best Mid-Tier Capital One Card
• American Express^® Business Gold Card – Best Amex Business Card for Earning Points
• Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card – Best Chase Business Card
• Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card – Best Business Card for Office Supply Stores and Utilities
• Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card – Best Chase Business Card for Everyday Spend
• The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express – Best Business Card for Premium Perks

Card Summary

What To Look for in a Credit Card for Young Adults and Professionals

Young adults and professionals often put a solid chunk of their spending on food (including groceries and dining/food delivery), travel, streaming services, and entertainment.

And admittedly, there isn’t a credit card that rewards every single one of those categories, but you can get pretty darn close.

So the best credit cards for young adults and professionals ought to offer massive rewards on those above-mentioned purchases, a great credit card bonus offer, and boast travel and lifestyle benefits that set them apart from the rest of the crowd.

Let’s take a look at our best choices!

Best Personal Cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (Best Overall Value Card)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,500

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.99% - 28.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel^SM, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
• Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel^SM
• 10% anniversary points boost – each account anniversary you’ll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% - 28.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is our top choice; this excellent credit card is the best beginner rewards credit card.

It generally offers a superb welcome bonus offer, and to make things better, you will earn some of the most solid rewards out there:

• 5x points on all travel booked through the Chase Travel portal and Lyft purchases (including bikes and scooters) through September 30, 2027
• 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
• 2x points on all other travel purchases
• 1x points on all other purchases

In addition, enjoy a 10% anniversary rewards bonus every year on all your purchases! With this card, you’ll receive a complimentary 1-year DoorDash DashPass subscription if activated by December 31, 2027.

Plus, you’ll receive an annual credit of up to $50 towards hotel stays booked via the Chase Travel portal.

One of the most valuable characteristics of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is its impeccable travel insurance — primary car rental coverage, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, trip delay insurance, baggage delay coverage, lost luggage coverage, travel accident insurance, and so much more are included with your card!

Lastly, the card is rounded out with purchase protection, extended warranty, and no foreign transaction fees.

Amex Gold Card (Best Credit Cards for Rewards)

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Gold Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express^® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 100,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $2,200

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Apply and find out if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer as high as 100,000 points with the Amex Gold card. Welcome offers may vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

The Amex Gold card has been solidified as one of our favorite cards out there, and it’s certainly one of our top picks for young adults and professionals.

In addition to a phenomenal welcome offer, the Amex Gold card boasts some incredible bonus categories:

• 4x points at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year (1x thereafter)
• 4x points at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year (1x thereafter)
• 3x points on flights purchased directly with the airline or at AmexTravel.com
• 1x points on all other purchases

Young professionals and adults spent a large chunk of their money on restaurants, groceries, and travel, which makes this card an awesome choice. And by earning 4x points, you’re getting a return on spend of 8.8% with a valuation of 2.2 cents per point!

You’ll also get:

• Up to $120 in Uber Cashfor rides or eats orders in the U.S. (distributed as $10 per month)
• Up to $120 dining credit at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, & Five Guys (distributed as $10 per month)
• Up to $100 Resy credit redeemable at any U.S. Resy restaurant and other eligible Resy purchases (distributed as $50 semi-annually)
• Up to $84 Dunkin’ credit redeemable at U.S. Dunkin’ locations (distributed as $7 per month)

Note that enrollment is required for some benefits, so make sure you’re enrolled to get the most out of your card’s benefits.

As if these perks weren’t enough, you’ll also get access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection, offering you up to $100 in property credit and a room upgrade (subject to availability) on qualifying stays of at least 2 nights at eligible properties.

Lastly, the Amex Gold card will give you access to Amex Offers (enrollment required) and no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees).

Amex Platinum Card (Best for Travel Perks & Lounge Access)

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel^® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel^®.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club^® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
• A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card^® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for your CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card^®.
• Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Apply and find out if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of as high as 175,000 points with the Amex Platinum. Welcome offers may vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

The Amex Platinum card is the top card in the world for luxury travel perks, but it’s also perhaps the most well-known card in the world, too.

And for many young adults, it’s the perfect card option for optimizing lifestyle and travel benefits.

First, you’ll earn a great welcome bonus upon meeting the spending criteria. Plus, you’ll earn 5x Membership Rewards points on flights purchased directly with the airline or via AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per calendar year), plus 5x points on prepaid hotels booked via AmexTravel.com. You’ll earn 1x points on all other purchases. So depending on whether you’re earning 5x or 1x points, you could get a return on spend of 11% or 2.2%!

The Amex Platinum card is laden with other travel benefits, such as:

• Access to Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection
• Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, 10 visits to Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta same-day) with the ability to unlock unlimited visits through spend, Escape Lounges — The Centurion Lounge Partner, Plaza Premium Lounge, select Virgin Clubhouses, select Lufthansa Lounges, and Priority Pass lounges (upon enrollment)
• Complimentary hotel and rental car status (upon enrollment)
• Access to the Amex International Airline Program for airfare deals
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit

Not only that, but the travel and lifestyle perks you get are pretty awesome, too, with $1,000+ in statement credits (upon enrollment), including up to $200 airline fee credit, up to $200 prepaid hotel credit, up to $199 CLEAR Plus credit, up to $200 in Uber Cash, and up to $240 in digital entertainment credits.

Cardholders also receive access to Amex Offers (upon enrollment), no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees), and no preset spending limit.*

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card (Best for Domestic Travel)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.

100,000 points + $500 Chase Travel credit

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$2,000

Annual Fee

$795

APR

20.24% - 28.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like worldwide airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus, it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to cover you at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the more than $2,000 in annual credits, which can offset the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 8x points on all Chase Travel purchases
• 5x points on Lyft rides
• 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly

Cons

• $795 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
• Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge^® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^® every 4 years
• Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
• Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music - all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 - a value of $250 annually
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24% - 28.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card has a lot going for it. It’s essentially the ultra-premium version of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card above.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card allows you to earn:

• 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel
• 4x points on flights booked direct
• 4x points on hotels booked direct
• 3x points on dining worldwide
• 1x points on all other purchases

You’ll also get up to $300 in travel credits every cardmember anniversary year. Here are a few of its other perks:

• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership (activation required)
• Complimentary 1-year DoorDash DashPass subscription (activate by December 31, 2027)

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card also includes the best travel insurance available on a credit card, including primary car rental insurance, trip interruption and cancellation insurance, trip delay, lost luggage, baggage delay, roadside assistance, emergency evacuation and transportation, emergency medical and dental, travel accident, and travel and emergency assistance coverage.

Capital One Venture X Card (Best Premium Capital One Card)

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Apply Now(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$395

APR

Purchases: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-840)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $395 annual fee (rates & fees)
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

The Capital One Venture X card is Capital One’s ultra-premium credit card best suited for those looking to maximize their travel experiences and rewards.

There’s a substantial welcome offer to help catapult your rewards. Also, you can expect to earn up to 10x Capital One miles on purchases:

• 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles on other purchases

Every year, you’ll enjoy an anniversary bonus of 10,000 Capital One miles and a $300 credit for Capital One Travel.

Beyond that, this card uniquely offers access to Capital One Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle status, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit.

This impressive credit card has a suite of travel insurance policies, cell phone protection, no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees), and authorized users for no additional annual fees (rates & fees). Lastly, you’ll enjoy purchase protection and extended warranty.

Hot Tip:

Authorized Capital One Venture X card users get incredible perks, like Hertz President’s Circle status, cell phone insurance, and no foreign transaction fees.

Citi Strata Premier Card (Best Mid-Tier Card for Earning Points)

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com

60,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$960

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.24% - 28.24% Variable APR

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is a great all-around travel rewards card that allows you to earn big rewards on a variety of purchases like air travel, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and more, along with flexible redemption options, all for a modest annual fee.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
• 3x points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
• $100 annual hotel benefit

Cons

• $95 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
• Earn 10X points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• Earn 3X points per $1 on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations.
• Earn 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
• $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card.
• No foreign transaction fees on purchases.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The Citi Strata Premier card is one of the best out there for diverse spending categories and excellent all-around rewards.

Currently, the Citi Strata Premier card offers a fantastic welcome offer, plus this long list of bonus categories:

• 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel
• 1x points on all other purchases

Being able to earn 3x points on all of these categories is unique to this credit card only — that’s not all, though, because here are the other perks:

• Up to $100 in annual hotel savings when you book a single hotel stay of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, through thankyou.com or 800-THANKYOU (once per calendar year)
• Access to Citi Entertainment and Citi Concierge
• Purchase protection, extended warranty

You’ll notice that this card has no travel insurance coverage, so you’d generally only want to keep this card for its vast rewards structure.

Capital One Venture Card (Best Credit Card for Online Shopping)

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Apply Now(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$95

APR

Purchases: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• Up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• Limited elite benefits

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

The Capital One Venture card is a terrific mid-tier card just a step below the Capital One Venture X card. Currently, it also has a large welcome offer. This card earns up to 5x Capital One miles per $1 spent:

• 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles on other purchases

You’re also allowed a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit. Use the extended warranty and access to Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment.

You won’t be on the hook for foreign transaction fees or additional annual fees for authorized users (rates & fees).

Best Credit Card for Young Adults With No Credit

If you’re in the market for your first credit card and haven’t started building your credit score yet, you might find it difficult to be approved for some of our favorite card selections. That said, everyone has to start somewhere, and the sooner you start improving your credit score, the sooner you’ll be able to take advantage of some of the best credit cards.

Given that, you’ll want to start with one of the best first credit cards and be sure to pay your card on time and in full each month, as doing so can help your credit score rise quickly.

Best Credit Cards for Young Adults With Fair Credit

If you’ve had a credit card before, but your score is less than desirable, there are still options for the best credit cards for bad credit. Many of these card options are secured cards. While they require an upfront refundable security deposit, they can help you rebuild your credit history without being charged a high annual fee or excessive servicing fees.

Best Business Cards

If you’re a young adult or professional running your own business or have a side hustle, you’ll want to ensure you’re using the best business cards. Here are our favorites!

Amex Business Gold Card (Best Amex Business Card for Earning Points)

ELEVATED OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Business Gold Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

American Express^® Business Gold Card

Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).

Welcome Offer

Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

100,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $2,200

Annual Fee

$375

APR

18.49% - 29.24% Variable,0% on purchases for 6 months from date of account opening

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Business Gold Card is excellent at racking up rewards for your business spend.

The card earns a whopping 4x points per $1 in the 2 categories (from a list of 6) that your business spends the most money on each month. With no need to opt-in or preselect your categories, so you can focus on what matters most — running your business.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per dollar spent on your 2 highest purchase categories each month up to $150,000 each calendar year in purchases; categories include:
  • Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
  • U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
  • Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
  • U.S. purchases at gas stations
  • U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
  • Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, plus TV and radio)
• 3x points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card
• Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection

Cons

• $375 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access or elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
• 0% Intro APR ¤ for 6 months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time, then a 18.49% to 29.24% variable APR.*
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.*
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.*
• Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.*
• Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.*
• The Business Gold Card comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and White Gold. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
• *Terms Apply

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.49% - 29.24% Variable,0% on purchases for 6 months from date of account opening
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 200k points with the Amex Business Gold card. The current public offer is 100,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The Amex Business Gold card is similar to the Amex Gold card in that you enjoy some incredible rewards categories without diving deep into those luxury travel perks that the ultra-premium cards offer.

The welcome bonus is a great way to give yourself a head start on your point stash.

This card earns 4x Membership Rewards points on the top 2 categories in which your business spends the most every month (up to $150,000 in combined purchases every calendar year):

• Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
•  U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
• Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
• U.S. purchases at gas stations
• U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
• Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)

That means you can earn up to 600,000 Membership Rewards points every calendar year from the 4x points structure before dropping to the standard 1x points structure.

Earning 4x points equals a return on spending of 8.8%, which is incredible. You won’t need to select any bonus categories, as Amex does it automatically.

This card offers no preset spending limit,* and no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees).

Ink Business Preferred Card (Best Chase Business Card)

Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.

Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.

Welcome Offer

Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

90,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,800

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.24% - 26.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card is a powerhouse for earning lots of points from your business purchases, especially for business owners that spend regularly on ads.

Plus the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners where you can achieve outsized value.

Business owners will also love the protections the card provides like excellent cell phone insurance, rental car insurance, purchase protection, and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
• Cell phone protection
• Purchase protection

Cons

• No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more – your points don’t expire as long as your account is open
• Points are worth more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel^SM
• Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24% - 26.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: $0

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Our runner-up credit card is the famous Ink Business Preferred card, offering a solid welcome bonus and some of the best bonus categories for earning Ultimate Rewards points.

Also, you will earn 3x Ultimate Rewards points on the following business categories, up to $150,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year:

• Ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
• Internet, cable, and phone services
• Shipping expenses
• Travel

You’ll earn 1x Ultimate Rewards points on all other purchases, making your return on spending equal to 6% or 2% if earning 3x and 1x points, respectively. Lastly, through September 30, 2027, you will earn 5x Ultimate Rewards points or 5% cash back on Lyft purchases.

Plus, you’ll get top-notch cell phone insurance benefits, purchase protection, and extended warranty.

Remember the card’s noteworthy travel coverages, including primary rental car coverage when renting for business and trip cancellation and interruption insurance. You also won’t pay any foreign transaction or employee card fees.

Ink Business Cash Card (Best Business Card for Office Supply Stores and Utilities)

Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card offers great rewards and no annual fee. Any new business owner that needs to get going will enjoy this card.

Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card

This card offers great rewards and no annual fee. Any new business owner that needs to get going will enjoy this card.

Welcome Offer

Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.

Up to $750

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $750

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 17.49% - 25.49% variable thereafter.

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Ink Business Cash^® Credit Card has a lot going for it that makes it a compelling choice for small business owners. The card features a very lucrative 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year.

When you factor in that the card has no annual fee, and 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.49% - 25.49% thereafter, you could be adding big value back into your business for no cost out of pocket.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year
• Earn 2% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% back on all other purchases
• Travel insurance and purchase protection

Cons

• Spending caps in bonus categories
• Low points earning outside of bonus categories

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
• Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
• Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• No Annual Fee
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards^®.
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 17.49% - 25.49% variable thereafter.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Ink Business Cash card boasts a fantastic welcome bonus offer plus some unique reward structures.

You’ll earn up to 5% cash-back at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services (on the first $25,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary year), as well as 2% cash-back at gas stations and restaurants (on the first $25,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary year, separate from the 5% cash-back categories). Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases after achieving the two $25,000 bonus ceilings.

You can get 5x points or 5% cash back on Lyft purchases through September 30, 2027. Plus, a 3-month complimentary Instacart+ membership and $20 monthly Instacart credit to use with your eligible card as long as you have an active Instacart+ membership (benefits end December 31, 2027).

You can also take advantage of the 0% introductory APR. Regular APR, as indicated in the table above, applies after the introductory period.

And although these rewards aren’t Ultimate Rewards points, if you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred card, Ink Business Preferred card, or Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can convert your 5%, 2%, and 1% cash-back to 5x, 2x, and 1x Ultimate Rewards points, netting you a return on spend of 10%, 4%, or 2%, respectively.

This credit card will give you primary rental car coverage, travel insurance, and purchase protection.

Ink Business Unlimited Card (Best Chase Business Card for Everyday Spend)

Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.

Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card

The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

$750

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$750

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.49% - 23.49% thereafter

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

As a business owner, you likely keep pretty busy and probably prefer a credit card that just keeps things simple.

If so, the Ink Business Unlimited^® Credit Card might be just the card for you. From zero annual fee to a flat cash-back rate, the card is a no-frills option that you don’t have to think twice about.

Don’t forget too, 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.49% - 23.49% thereafter

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 1.5% cash-back on all purchases
• No annual fee
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.49% - 23.49% thereafter

Cons

• 3% foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
• No Annual Fee
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards^®.
• Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.49% - 23.49% thereafter
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Rewards Center

• Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Ink Business Unlimited card is another amazing business credit card from Chase.

It has a great welcome bonus and a straightforward rewards structure. You’ll get a flat 1.5% cash-back on all your business purchases without any caps or limits to earning, plus 5x points or 5% cash-back on Lyft purchases through September 30, 2027.

It also comes with a 3-month complimentary Instacart+ membership and a $20 monthly Instacart credit — you receive the credit as long as you have an active Instacart+ membership and must use your eligible card to redeem it (benefits end December 31, 2027).

As with the Ink Business Cash card, if you also have a Chase Sapphire Preferred card, Ink Business Preferred card, or Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can convert your cash-back to Ultimate Rewards points to get a return on spending of 3% on your purchases!

Plus, this card offers a 0% introductory APR perk (after the introductory period, the regular APR shown in the table above applies), primary rental car insurance when renting for a business, purchase protection, extended warranty, and no-fee employee cards.

Amex Business Platinum Card (Best Business Card for Premium Perks)

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome Offer

Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

150,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,300

Annual Fee

$695

APR

18.49% - 29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights, prepaid hotels, and short-term rentals and prepaid flight and hotel packages booked through Amex Travel
• Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection (as of 10/2024).
• Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million per calendar year)

Cons

• High annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 10/2024.
• Unlock over $2,000 in statement credits with business and travel benefits annually* on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply. Learn more. *After meeting qualifying spend thresholds
• New! Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
• New! Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
• Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
• Make the Business Platinum Card^® work even harder for you. Hilton For Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Benefit enrollment required.
• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com
• 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on purchases at US construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• 1X points on other eligible purchases
• Use the Business Platinum Card^® and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
• $695 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.49% - 29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 250,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum card. The current public offer is 150,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The Amex Business Platinum card rounds out our best business cards for young adults and professionals. If you want a card loaded to the max with perks, the Amex Business Platinum card must be in your wallet.

Earn 5x Membership Rewards points on flights, prepaid hotels, and short-term rentals and prepaid flight and hotel packages booked at AmexTravel.com. Importantly, you’ll also earn 1.5x on eligible purchases in key business categories and on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else (up to $2 million in purchases per calendar year).

But the real kicker is the luxury perks, including access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, the best lounge access of any card in the world.

Plus, you’ll get all kinds of other travel perks, like complimentary hotel and rental car elite status (upon enrollment), access to Fine Hotels + Resorts, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, up to $200 airline fee credit (upon enrollment), a 35% rebate on select flights using Pay With Points (~1.52 cents per point in redemption value, up to 1,000,000 points back per calendar year), and more.

You’ll also get up to $209 CLEAR Plus credit, up to $1,150 in statement credits for U.S. purchases with Dell (up to $150 in credits annually and an additional $1,000 when you spend $5,000 or more on U.S. Dell purchases), up to $360 in Indeed credits, up to $200 Hilton statement credit, $250 in Adobe credits (when you spend $600 or more) and up to $120 in wireless credits. Enrollment required for some benefits.

The other ancillary perks surrounding this card include no preset spending limit,* no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees), purchase protection, extended warranty, cell phone insurance, and travel insurance protections.

Do Young Adults Need Credit Cards?

You technically do not need a credit card, as paying for all your expenses with your debit card is possible. However, we believe using a credit card responsibly can be a huge asset.

For starters, using a credit card responsibly can lead to a high credit score, which can land you better financing on expensive purchases like a car or a home. Depending on the loan terms, landing a better interest rate, thanks to your credit score, can save you thousands of dollars in interest payments over the life of your loan.

In addition to building and maintaining a solid credit score, you’ll also earn rewards that offer extra value on purchases you plan to make anyway. Depending on your card, these rewards can be redeemed for cash-back, flights, hotel stays, and more. If you opt for a debit card for your everyday purchases, you leave money on the table each time you swipe your card.

Lastly, credit cards offer far better consumer protections than debit cards do. You don’t want a card connected to your entire bank balance falling into the wrong hands. And credit cards can also offer purchase protection if an item you buy breaks, return protection for items past their return window, trip delay insurance, rental car insurance, and so much more.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Credit Cards for Young Adults?

Pros:

• Rewards: Earn cash-back or travel rewards for every purchase you make, which can amount to considerable savings from month to month and year to year.
• Build Credit: By using your card responsibly, you’ll be rewarded with a high credit score, saving you large sums of money on the big purchases in your life.
• Consumer Protections: If someone makes a fraudulent purchase on your credit card, you are only liable for a maximum of $50, but often you don’t need to pay anything. When this happens to your debit card, your entire bank balance can be frozen for weeks while your bank sorts out the issue. Credit cards can offer great travel and purchase protections that help keep you covered when things go wrong.
• Perks: Some credit cards offer perks like airport lounge access, elite hotel status, statement credits, merchant discounts, and more.

Cons:

• Can Damage Your Credit: While credit cards can be great for building your credit, the opposite is true if you don’t use them responsibly.
• Interest Fees: If you do not pay your statement balance in full each month, you can get hit with large interest fees. These make your purchases more expensive and completely negate the value of any rewards you’ve earned. Of course, the easy way around this is always to pay off your balance when your statement posts each month.

What Is the Easiest Credit Card To Get With No Credit?

This can depend on a variety of factors. Still, generally speaking, your best options would be a student credit card (if you are a student), a secured or starter credit card for the institution you already bank with, or even being added as an authorized user by your parent or guardian.

How Long Does Building Credit Take?

If you’ve never had a credit card before, it can take about 6 months to establish your credit history and about a year before your score is likely to be high enough to start taking advantage of better credit card options.

Of course, this assumes you pay your bill on time and in full each month. If it feels like we are belaboring this point, it is because these 2 factors alone, your payment history and credit utilization, make up 65% of your overall FICO credit score.

Credit Card Tips for Beginners

Here are a few tips to get you started on your credit journey.

1. Set Up Autopay: This will help ensure you always pay your balance on time each month.
2. Don’t Overspend: You must stick to your monthly budget to prevent yourself from getting behind on your financial goals or getting into credit card debt.
3. Keep Your Credit Utilization Low: Ideally, you’ll want to keep your credit utilization below 30% of your total credit limit, as consistently charging more than that can adversely impact your score. If you have a low credit limit, one way to stay on top of this is to submit a payment every 2 weeks to prevent your balance from getting too high.
4. Earn Rewards and Perks: If possible, holding a card that earns rewards and perks can be a huge benefit to you by earning points toward travel or cash-back, card protection, and more.
5. Keep Your Card Open: If you no longer use a certain card, you might be tempted to cancel it, but this could be a mistake. If the card doesn’t charge an annual fee, then there is no harm in keeping it open. It is better for your credit score to keep it open, as this helps add to your overall age of accounts.

Final Thoughts

Many top credit cards from American Express, Chase, Capital One, and Citi are a great fit for young adults and professionals, particularly if you spend heavily on dining, streaming, and entertainment.

Using a credit card can enhance your financial journey if the rewards and benefits align with your spending habits — and you learn to use it responsibly. As you choose a credit card, consider your spending patterns, preferences, and what each card brings to the table.

*No Preset Spending Limit means your spending limit is flexible. Unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa^® or Mastercard^® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.

For the cell phone protection benefit of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the extended warranty benefit of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the purchase protection benefit of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.