Whether you’re seeking top-tier travel rewards, everyday cashback, or flexible balance transfers, 2025 has no shortage of excellent credit card options. From industry leaders like Chase, Citi, Discover, and American Express, we’ve compiled a list of the best credit cards of the year, each offering unique benefits, competitive APRs, and welcome bonuses. Here’s a breakdown of the top cards to consider based on your needs:
⭐ Best Travel Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Rating: 5.0 – Forbes Advisor
Reward Rates:
- 5x points on travel booked via Chase Travel℠
- 3x points on dining, select streaming, and online groceries
- 2x points on all other travel purchases
Welcome Bonus: 75,000 bonus points
Annual Fee: $95
Regular APR: 19.99%–28.24% (Variable)
Recommended Credit Score: Good to Excellent (670–739)
Apply now
Our Take: Exceptional travel value and strong point earning for dining make this a standout option.
💰 Best Cash-Back Card
Chase Freedom Flex®
Rating: 5.0 – Forbes Advisor
Reward Rates:
- 5% cash back in rotating categories (up to $1,500 per quarter, once activated)
- 5% on travel through Chase
- 3% on dining and drugstores
- 1% on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus: $200 cash back
Annual Fee: $0
Regular APR: 18.99%–28.49% (Variable)
Credit Score Range: Good to Excellent (670–739)
Our Take: Great choice for maximizing cashback in rotating bonus categories.
👶 Best Beginner & Balance Transfer Card
Citi Double Cash® Card
Rating: 5.0 – Forbes Advisor
Reward Rates:
- 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay)
Welcome Bonus: $200 cash back
Annual Fee: $0
Regular APR: 18.24%–28.24% (Variable)
Credit Score Range: Fair to Excellent (580–739)
Apply Now
Our Take: Simple, flexible, and ideal for beginners or those seeking flat-rate cashback.
Read also: Trump Gold Card Visa Program Promises Wealthy Foreigners a Fast Track to U.S. Residency
🎓 Best Student Credit Card
Discover it® Student Cash Back
Rating: 5.0 – Forbes Advisor
Reward Rates:
- 5% cash back on rotating categories (activation required)
- 1% on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus: Cashback Match™ (Discover matches all cash back earned in your first year)
Annual Fee: $0
APR: 17.24%–26.24% (Variable)
Credit Score: Fair / New to Credit
Our Take: Excellent for students looking to build credit while earning rewards.
🍽️ Best Card for Dining
American Express® Gold Card
Rating: 5.0 – Forbes Advisor
Reward Rates:
- 4x Membership Rewards® points at restaurants (up to $50,000/year), then 1x
- 3x on flights
- 1x on other purchases
Welcome Bonus: Up to 100,000 points (based on offer)
Annual Fee: $325
Regular APR: See Pay Over Time APR
Credit Score: Good to Excellent
Our Take: A top-tier option for foodies who dine out frequently.
⛽ Best Card for Gas & Groceries
Citi Strata Premier® Card
Rating: 5.0 – Forbes Advisor
Reward Rates:
- 10x on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com
- 3x on gas, air travel, and restaurants
- 1x on everything else
Welcome Bonus: 60,000 bonus points
Annual Fee: $95
APR: 20.24%–28.24% (Variable)
Credit Score: Excellent, Good (670–739)
Our Take: Ideal for frequent travelers and everyday spending on essentials.
🛒 Best Store Credit Card
Prime Visa
Rating: 5.0 – Forbes Advisor
Reward Rates:
- 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel (with eligible Prime membership)
- 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and local transit
- 1% back on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus: $200 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval
Annual Fee: $0
Regular APR: 19.49%–28.24% (Variable)
Credit Score: Good to Excellent (670–739)
Our Take: Best for regular Amazon and Whole Foods shoppers.
⏳ Best Intro APR Card
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Rating: 5.0 – Forbes Advisor
Reward Rates:
- 5% back on prepaid travel via Rewards Travel Center
- 5% on two categories of your choice
- 2% back on one everyday category (like groceries or gas)
- 1% on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus: $200 bonus
Annual Fee: $0
Regular APR: 18.49%–28.74% (Variable)
Credit Score: Good to Excellent (670–739)
Our Take: Great for flexible cash back and introductory APR offers.
⚠️ Best Card for Bad Credit
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
Rating: 5.0 – Forbes Advisor
Reward Rates:
- 1.5% unlimited cash back on every purchase
- Helps build credit responsibly
Welcome Bonus: None
Annual Fee: $0
Regular APR: 29.74% (Variable)
Credit Score: Limited, Poor
Our Take: One of the best secured credit cards for rebuilding or starting your credit profile.
✈️ Best Airline Credit Card
The New United Quest℠ Card
Rating: 5.0 – Forbes Advisor
Reward Rates:
- 3x miles on United® purchases
- 2x miles on dining, streaming, and travel
- 1x on other purchases
Welcome Bonus: 100,000 bonus miles
Annual Fee: $350
Regular APR: 20.49%–28.99% (Variable)
Credit Score: Good to Excellent (670–739)
Our Take: Premium airline perks and high-value mile earnings make it a solid pick for United flyers.
Top Credit Card Offers Available Right Now
If you’re in the market for a new credit card, knowing which ones currently offer the most valuable welcome bonuses can help you maximize rewards. This week’s top picks highlight the best credit card offers across various categories.
While a generous sign-up bonus is a great incentive, be sure to consider each card’s annual fee, ongoing benefits, and reward structure before applying. Taking the full picture into account will help you find the best credit card to match your financial goals and everyday spending habits.
| Card Category | Card Name | Annual Fee | Welcome Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall Card Welcome Bonus | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | $795 | Earn 100,000 bonus points plus a $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after spending $5,000 within 3 months of account opening. |
| Best Overall Card Welcome Bonus Runner-up | The Platinum Card® from American Express | $695 (Terms Apply) | Personalized offer up to 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months (offers vary). |
| Best Airline Card Welcome Bonus | Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card* | $249 | Earn 60,000 miles after $4,500 spent in 90 days + 40,000 more miles after $25,000 spent in the first year. |
| Best Hotel Card Welcome Bonus | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card* | $95 | Earn 5 Free Night Awards (each valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months. |
| Best Flexible Rewards Card Welcome Bonus | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | $795 | Earn 100,000 bonus points and a $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after spending $5,000 in 3 months. |
| Best Cash Back Card Welcome Bonus | Discover it® Cash Back | $0 | Discover will match all the cash back earned at the end of the first year. No limit, no minimum spend. |
| Best Intro APR Card Welcome Bonus | Discover it® Miles | $0 | Unlimited mile match at the end of your first year. All miles earned will be doubled. |
| Best Balance Transfer Card Welcome Bonus | Discover it® Miles | $0 | Unlimited match of all miles earned at the end of the first year. No minimum or maximum reward limit. |
| Best Student Card Welcome Bonus | Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards (Student) | $0 | Earn $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening. |
| Best Business Card Welcome Bonus | Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ | $795 | Earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $30,000 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. |
How We Selected the Best Credit Card Welcome Offers
Our picks for the best credit card offers as of the week of June 23, 2025, are based on the overall value of each welcome bonus. We used Forbes Advisor’s proprietary valuations for airline miles and hotel points to assess the true worth of each offer. Before applying, we encourage readers to evaluate their personal spending habits and financial goals to ensure the right card fit.
🧠 How We Chose These Cards
Forbes Advisor evaluates over 400 credit cards using a comprehensive rating system based on:
- Annual fees
- Reward structures
- Welcome bonuses
- APRs and introductory offers
- Cardholder benefits, protections, and perks
Cards are compared within their category and ranked according to the most relevant features for each user type.
