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Graduating college is no easy feat and for many, getting a diploma is a symbol of new beginnings. Whether you’re hitting the road for the trip of a lifetime, moving back in with your family, or heading out on your own, there’s a credit card for you.
No matter what your next step is, the right card can earn you valuable cash back or points when you spend on food delivery, Uber rides, gas, or even rent. Some cards even come with terrific benefits and travel perks that can save you hundreds toward your next vacation.
Plus, if had a student or starter card in college you’ll have a leg up, because you’ll already have some credit history. But even the cards for folks with limited credit can be more than worthwhile when placed in the right hands.
Insider’s Featured Cash Back Credit Cards
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.
Unlimited Cashback Match – Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
$200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Here are the 11 best credit cards for recent college graduates.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Compare the best credit cards for college grads
Intro offer
Unlimited Cashback Match – Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.
Intro offer
Unlimited Cashback Match – Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.
Details
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.
Intro offer
Unlimited Cashback Match – Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
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Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
14.99% – 25.99% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Editor’s Rating
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
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Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Rewards
Earn 3X point on dining. Earn 2X point on travel (when booked directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company). Earn 1X points on rent payments (up to $50,000 each year). Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
Rewards
Earn 3X point on dining. Earn 2X point on travel (when booked directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company). Earn 1X points on rent payments (up to $50,000 each year). Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
Details
Rewards
Earn 3X point on dining. Earn 2X point on travel (when booked directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company). Earn 1X points on rent payments (up to $50,000 each year). Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
19.99%, 22.99%, or 27.99% Variable
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Intro offer
$200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Rewards
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Intro offer
$200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Rewards
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Details
Rewards
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Intro offer
$200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
17.99% – 26.74% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Intro offer
1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back)
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Intro offer
1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back)
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Details
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Intro offer
1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back)
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
17.99% – 26.74% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
Details
Rewards
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
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Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
18.99% – 25.99% Variable
Editor’s Rating
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
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Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card
Earn up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments. Earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away. Earn 2% – 10% cash back at select merchants.
Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card
Earn up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments. Earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away. Earn 2% – 10% cash back at select merchants.
Details
Rewards
Earn up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments. Earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away. Earn 2% – 10% cash back at select merchants.
The Petal 2 Visa Credit Card is issued by WebBank.
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Recommended Credit
No credit and limited credit to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
15.99% – 29.99% Variable
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
Intro offer
$150 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval
Rewards
Earn 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases with an eligible Prime membership. Earn 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores. Earn 1% back on all other purchases. Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of Amazon products and categories.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
Intro offer
$150 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval
Rewards
Earn 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases with an eligible Prime membership. Earn 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores. Earn 1% back on all other purchases. Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of Amazon products and categories.
Details
Rewards
Earn 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases with an eligible Prime membership. Earn 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores. Earn 1% back on all other purchases. Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of Amazon products and categories.
Intro offer
$150 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
17.24% – 25.24% Variable
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Intro offer
$100 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first 6 months of card membership and up to $150 back by earning 20% back as a statement credit on purchases when you shop with PayPal in the first 6 months
Rewards
Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, online retail purchases, and at U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 in each category per year in purchases, then 1% cash back). Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Intro offer
$100 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first 6 months of card membership and up to $150 back by earning 20% back as a statement credit on purchases when you shop with PayPal in the first 6 months
Rewards
Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, online retail purchases, and at U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 in each category per year in purchases, then 1% cash back). Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
On American Express’s website
Details
Rewards
Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, online retail purchases, and at U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 in each category per year in purchases, then 1% cash back). Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Intro offer
$100 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first 6 months of card membership and up to $150 back by earning 20% back as a statement credit on purchases when you shop with PayPal in the first 6 months
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
17.74% – 28.74% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Rewards
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
Rewards
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
Details
Rewards
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
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Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
17.74% – 27.74% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
Editor’s Rating
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
Show more
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after you spend $1,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening
Rewards
Earn 3% back in a category of your choosing among gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings, 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% back on other purchases; bonus rewards in 3% and 2% categories are capped on the first $2,500 spent each quarter, after which you’ll earn 1%
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after you spend $1,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening
Rewards
Earn 3% back in a category of your choosing among gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings, 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% back on other purchases; bonus rewards in 3% and 2% categories are capped on the first $2,500 spent each quarter, after which you’ll earn 1%
On Bank of America’s website
Details
Rewards
Earn 3% back in a category of your choosing among gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings, 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% back on other purchases; bonus rewards in 3% and 2% categories are capped on the first $2,500 spent each quarter, after which you’ll earn 1%
Intro offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after you spend $1,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
16.99% – 26.99% variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR on purchases for the first 18 months and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024. Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024. Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Details
Rewards
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024. Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Intro offer
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
17.99% – 27.99% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months)
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Best credit cards for recent college graduates reviews
The Discover it® Student Cash Back is one of our favorites for students. If you had the student version in college and are ready to move on after graduation, you can request an upgrade to the almost identical Discover it® Cash Back for a $0 annual fee.
The Discover it® Student Cash Back is ideal for folks with at least a good credit score who want to earn high cash back in rotating spending categories. Cardholders can activate their 5% cash-back earning category for up to $1,500 in combined spending each quarter, then 1% (from October 1 to December 31, 2022, you can earn 5% cash back at Amazon.com and on digital wallets on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%).
Like most no-annual-fee cards, the Discover it® Student Cash Back doesn’t offer much in terms of benefits. But it does come with a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (then a 14.99% – 25.99% Variable APR). That can come in handy if you have larger purchases coming up or debt from previous cards to pay off.
Review: Discover it Cash Back review
The Bilt Mastercard® is the first (and only) credit card to earn rewards on rent payments for no additional fees. So if you’re officially leaving the nest and heading out on your own (or with a few roommates), it could be the perfect card for you.
A great thing about the Bilt card is how flexible the redemption options are, including being able to redeem points through the Bilt Travel portal or transfer them to airline and hotel partners. You can also use Bilt points for Amazon purchases, fitness classes, merchandise, rent, or even toward a down payment on a mortgage (the value of your Bilt points will vary based on how you redeem them).
With the Bilt Mastercard® you’ll earn:
The card doesn’t offer a welcome bonus, which is a bummer, but it does offer a solid selection of useful benefits like cell phone protection, purchase security, merchant discounts, and a handful of decent travel protection features.
If you’re not a renter, you should consider a different rewards credit card.
Review: Bilt Mastercard review
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is one of the best no-annual-fee credit cards on the market with excellent reward rates in various everyday spending categories. And if you frequently spend on Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, or Gopuff, the Chase Freedom Flex card is currently offering exclusive cardholder perks that can save you a bunch of cash on these services.
Although it’s marketed as a cash-back card, it actually earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. With the Chase Freedom Flex you’ll earn:
New Chase Freedom Flex℠ can earn a welcome bonus offer of $200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
The card comes with a solid set of benefits, including select World Elite Mastercard benefits that don’t often come with no-annual-fee cards. It also gets cardholders cell phone protection, car rental insurance, purchase protection, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and more.
You’ll also get bonus points on Lyft purchases (through March 2025), Instacart benefits (until July 31, 2024), complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership, and $10 per month in Gopuff credits (ends December 31, 2023).
Review: Chase Freedom Flex review
If you like the Chase Freedom Flex, but would rather avoid juggling spending categories, you should consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. Like the Flex, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a high-earning rewards card for a $0 annual fee. It earns:
With the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, new cardholders can earn 1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back). That means with the bonus, you’ll actually earn 6.5% back on travel purchases, 4.5% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 3% back on all other eligible purchases.
It offers many of the same benefits as the Chase Freedom Flex℠, except it’s not a World Elite Mastercard — it’s a Visa — so it’s missing a couple of perks, like cell phone protection. You can read more about the differences in our comparison of the Chase Freedom Flex and Unlimited.
Review: Chase Freedom Unlimited review
If you want to travel after graduation but can’t afford a high annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great beginner travel card. For only a $95 annual fee, you can earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points in various travel and dining categories, including:
New Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth around $1,080 in travel, based on Insider’s valuation of Chase points.
Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and car rentals through the Chase Travel Portal, but the most valuable way to use your points is by transferring them to Chase’s airline and hotel partners.
With that, another factor that makes this card so great is the excellent benefits you’ll get along with it. The Chase Sapphire Preferred now offers up to $50 in annual statement credits toward hotel purchases made through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal, as well as a 10% anniversary point bonus, primary car rental insurance, trip delay insurance, and other top travel protections.
Plus, cardholders also receive a complimentary DashPass membership (through December 31, 2024), Instacart benefits (through July 31, 2024), and Gopuff credits (through December 31, 2023).
Review: Chase Sapphire Preferred review
If you’re new to the world of credit or have a limited credit history, you should consider the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card. Although the Petal doesn’t come with any of the fancy bells or whistles that some of the other cards on this list offer, that’s not its purpose. This card is designed for folks who need to improve their credit scores through responsible use.
That said, you won’t earn a welcome bonus and the reward rates aren’t the highest. Cardholders earn:
Petal rewards can be redeemed through the Petal app or online as statement credits in any amount up to your current balance or you can request an ACH transfer or check (minimum $20) when you call the number on the back of your card.
Otherwise, the best feature of the Petal is the Petal Leap program, which allows cardholders to increase their credit limit through goals. But keep in mind that completing the goals doesn’t guarantee an increase.
Review: Petal 2 Visa Card review
If you’re a big Amazon.com or Whole Foods shopper, the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
is a terrific card for earning rewards. Plus, if you’re already paying for a Prime membership (usually $139 per year), there’s no annual fee.
Whether you’re decorating your first apartment, preparing for the holiday season, or partaking in a little retail therapy, the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card is worth considering.
The cards earn points on a variety of everyday spending categories, including:
The easiest way to use your rewards is on Amazon purchases at checkout, but you can also redeem them as statement credits, a direct deposit, gift cards, or travel.
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card is currently offering a bonus of a $150 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval.
The card gets you strong benefits like interest-free monthly payments, car rental insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, purchase protection, Visa Signature concierge, and more.
Review: Amazon Prime Rewards Card review
If you frequently shop online but don’t want to be limited to just Amazon.com, the recently improved, no-annual-fee Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is an excellent choice for everyday shopping purchases, including online retail. It earns:
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is now offering new cardholders a $100 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first 6 months of card membership and up to $150 back by earning 20% back as a statement credit on purchases when you shop with PayPal in the first 6 months.
However, there aren’t many redemption options available. You can mainly only redeem for statement credits, but you won’t be able to apply those credits to the minimum balance on your card.
On the other hand, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express does get you a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening (then a 17.74% – 28.74% Variable APR). That’s handy if you have large purchases you want to pay for over time without incurring high interest charges.
Review: Amex Blue Cash Everyday review
If you don’t like keeping track of bonus categories or spending caps, you should check out the Citi® Double Cash Card. It earns a simple 2% back (1 point per dollar when you purchase and 1 point per dollar when you pay your bill) on all purchases, and has a $0 annual fee.
The Citi® Double Cash Card is also great for folks looking to consolidate debt by transferring a balance from another credit card to avoid accruing interest as it offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (then a 17.74% – 27.74% Variable APR). But it doesn’t currently offer a welcome bonus.
This card earns valuable Citi ThankYou points, which you can redeem for travel through the Citi portal, cash back, gift cards, and more. However, you can get even more value from your rewards if you later open the Citi Premier® Card, because you can then combine your points and transfer them to all of Citi’s airline and hotel partners for award travel.
Review: Citi Double Cash review
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
is a great card for graduates looking for more control over how they earn rewards, for no annual fee, with a customizable 3% earning category. Plus, if you’re able to plan ahead, you could customize your rate to match your highest spending category every month.
With the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card, you’ll earn:
But keep in mind that in order to earn the maximum number of rewards each quarter, you’ll need to remember to manually shift your 3% rewards earning category to match your current expenses.
With the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card you can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after you spend $1,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening. The card also offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 18 months and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account (then a 16.99% – 26.99% variable APR).
Review: BofA Customized Cash Rewards review
The no-annual-fee Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is an appealing card for almost anyone since it offers great reward rates on popular spending categories, including:
Plus, there’s an excellent welcome offer: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
If you spend a lot on Uber and Uber Eats, the SavorOne Cash Rewards Card is an excellent card since it currently offers cardholders a complimentary Uber One membership, which gets you benefits like unlimited $0 delivery fees and member-exclusive promotions.
Review: Capital One SavorOne review
Credit cards for college graduates frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Often, your student credit card will automatically reclassify as the non-student version of that card and will continue to work. If you have the Discover it® Student Cash Back, for example, you’ll be able to switch to the Discover it® Cash Back after you’ve graduated.
But depending on which card you own and the card’s issuer, the process may vary, and it’s best to look into the terms of your specific credit card.
Generally, the longer your card is open the better it is for your credit score. Coincidentally, that usually means your score will take a hit if close your card (especially if there’s a quick turnaround). If that’s the case, you’d be better off keeping your current card and trying to upgrade it (if possible) to a non-student version or higher earning card.
The easiest way to build up your credit score is through responsible financial habits. The key is to pay your credit card balance in full on time each month, every month. So if you’re routinely using your card and paying your full balance, your credit score should go up.
If you’re new to credit, you can check out Insider’s guide to building credit with credit cards to help you improve your credit history faster.
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Insider’s experts choose the best products and services to help make smart decisions with your money (here’s how). In some cases, we receive a commission from our our partners, however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
Graduating college is no easy feat and for many, getting a diploma is a symbol of new beginnings. Whether you’re hitting the road for the trip of a lifetime, moving back in with your family, or heading out on your own, there’s a credit card for you.
No matter what your next step is, the right card can earn you valuable cash back or points when you spend on food delivery, Uber rides, gas, or even rent. Some cards even come with terrific benefits and travel perks that can save you hundreds toward your next vacation.
Plus, if had a student or starter card in college you’ll have a leg up, because you’ll already have some credit history. But even the cards for folks with limited credit can be more than worthwhile when placed in the right hands.
Insider’s Featured Cash Back Credit Cards
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.
Unlimited Cashback Match – Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
$200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Here are the 11 best credit cards for recent college graduates.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Compare the best credit cards for college grads
Intro offer
Unlimited Cashback Match – Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.
Intro offer
Unlimited Cashback Match – Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.
Details
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.
Intro offer
Unlimited Cashback Match – Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
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Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
14.99% – 25.99% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Editor’s Rating
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
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Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Rewards
Earn 3X point on dining. Earn 2X point on travel (when booked directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company). Earn 1X points on rent payments (up to $50,000 each year). Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
Rewards
Earn 3X point on dining. Earn 2X point on travel (when booked directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company). Earn 1X points on rent payments (up to $50,000 each year). Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
Details
Rewards
Earn 3X point on dining. Earn 2X point on travel (when booked directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company). Earn 1X points on rent payments (up to $50,000 each year). Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
19.99%, 22.99%, or 27.99% Variable
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Intro offer
$200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Rewards
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Intro offer
$200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Rewards
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Details
Rewards
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Intro offer
$200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
17.99% – 26.74% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Intro offer
1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back)
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Intro offer
1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back)
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Details
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Intro offer
1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back)
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
17.99% – 26.74% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
Details
Rewards
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
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Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
18.99% – 25.99% Variable
Editor’s Rating
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
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Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card
Earn up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments. Earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away. Earn 2% – 10% cash back at select merchants.
Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card
Earn up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments. Earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away. Earn 2% – 10% cash back at select merchants.
Details
Rewards
Earn up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments. Earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away. Earn 2% – 10% cash back at select merchants.
The Petal 2 Visa Credit Card is issued by WebBank.
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Recommended Credit
No credit and limited credit to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
15.99% – 29.99% Variable
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
Intro offer
$150 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval
Rewards
Earn 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases with an eligible Prime membership. Earn 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores. Earn 1% back on all other purchases. Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of Amazon products and categories.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
Intro offer
$150 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval
Rewards
Earn 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases with an eligible Prime membership. Earn 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores. Earn 1% back on all other purchases. Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of Amazon products and categories.
Details
Rewards
Earn 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases with an eligible Prime membership. Earn 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores. Earn 1% back on all other purchases. Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of Amazon products and categories.
Intro offer
$150 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
17.24% – 25.24% Variable
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Intro offer
$100 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first 6 months of card membership and up to $150 back by earning 20% back as a statement credit on purchases when you shop with PayPal in the first 6 months
Rewards
Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, online retail purchases, and at U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 in each category per year in purchases, then 1% cash back). Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Intro offer
$100 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first 6 months of card membership and up to $150 back by earning 20% back as a statement credit on purchases when you shop with PayPal in the first 6 months
Rewards
Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, online retail purchases, and at U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 in each category per year in purchases, then 1% cash back). Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
On American Express’s website
Details
Rewards
Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, online retail purchases, and at U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 in each category per year in purchases, then 1% cash back). Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Intro offer
$100 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first 6 months of card membership and up to $150 back by earning 20% back as a statement credit on purchases when you shop with PayPal in the first 6 months
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
17.74% – 28.74% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Rewards
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
Rewards
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
Details
Rewards
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
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Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
17.74% – 27.74% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
Editor’s Rating
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
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Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after you spend $1,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening
Rewards
Earn 3% back in a category of your choosing among gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings, 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% back on other purchases; bonus rewards in 3% and 2% categories are capped on the first $2,500 spent each quarter, after which you’ll earn 1%
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after you spend $1,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening
Rewards
Earn 3% back in a category of your choosing among gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings, 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% back on other purchases; bonus rewards in 3% and 2% categories are capped on the first $2,500 spent each quarter, after which you’ll earn 1%
On Bank of America’s website
Details
Rewards
Earn 3% back in a category of your choosing among gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings, 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% back on other purchases; bonus rewards in 3% and 2% categories are capped on the first $2,500 spent each quarter, after which you’ll earn 1%
Intro offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after you spend $1,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
16.99% – 26.99% variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR on purchases for the first 18 months and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024. Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Intro offer
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024. Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Details
Rewards
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024. Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Intro offer
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
17.99% – 27.99% Variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months)
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Best credit cards for recent college graduates reviews
The Discover it® Student Cash Back is one of our favorites for students. If you had the student version in college and are ready to move on after graduation, you can request an upgrade to the almost identical Discover it® Cash Back for a $0 annual fee.
The Discover it® Student Cash Back is ideal for folks with at least a good credit score who want to earn high cash back in rotating spending categories. Cardholders can activate their 5% cash-back earning category for up to $1,500 in combined spending each quarter, then 1% (from October 1 to December 31, 2022, you can earn 5% cash back at Amazon.com and on digital wallets on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%).
Like most no-annual-fee cards, the Discover it® Student Cash Back doesn’t offer much in terms of benefits. But it does come with a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (then a 14.99% – 25.99% Variable APR). That can come in handy if you have larger purchases coming up or debt from previous cards to pay off.
Review: Discover it Cash Back review
The Bilt Mastercard® is the first (and only) credit card to earn rewards on rent payments for no additional fees. So if you’re officially leaving the nest and heading out on your own (or with a few roommates), it could be the perfect card for you.
A great thing about the Bilt card is how flexible the redemption options are, including being able to redeem points through the Bilt Travel portal or transfer them to airline and hotel partners. You can also use Bilt points for Amazon purchases, fitness classes, merchandise, rent, or even toward a down payment on a mortgage (the value of your Bilt points will vary based on how you redeem them).
With the Bilt Mastercard® you’ll earn:
The card doesn’t offer a welcome bonus, which is a bummer, but it does offer a solid selection of useful benefits like cell phone protection, purchase security, merchant discounts, and a handful of decent travel protection features.
If you’re not a renter, you should consider a different rewards credit card.
Review: Bilt Mastercard review
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is one of the best no-annual-fee credit cards on the market with excellent reward rates in various everyday spending categories. And if you frequently spend on Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, or Gopuff, the Chase Freedom Flex card is currently offering exclusive cardholder perks that can save you a bunch of cash on these services.
Although it’s marketed as a cash-back card, it actually earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. With the Chase Freedom Flex you’ll earn:
New Chase Freedom Flex℠ can earn a welcome bonus offer of $200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
The card comes with a solid set of benefits, including select World Elite Mastercard benefits that don’t often come with no-annual-fee cards. It also gets cardholders cell phone protection, car rental insurance, purchase protection, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and more.
You’ll also get bonus points on Lyft purchases (through March 2025), Instacart benefits (until July 31, 2024), complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership, and $10 per month in Gopuff credits (ends December 31, 2023).
Review: Chase Freedom Flex review
If you like the Chase Freedom Flex, but would rather avoid juggling spending categories, you should consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. Like the Flex, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a high-earning rewards card for a $0 annual fee. It earns:
With the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, new cardholders can earn 1.5% cash back in addition to regular earning on everything you buy up to $20,000 spent in the first year (worth up to $300 cash back). That means with the bonus, you’ll actually earn 6.5% back on travel purchases, 4.5% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 3% back on all other eligible purchases.
It offers many of the same benefits as the Chase Freedom Flex℠, except it’s not a World Elite Mastercard — it’s a Visa — so it’s missing a couple of perks, like cell phone protection. You can read more about the differences in our comparison of the Chase Freedom Flex and Unlimited.
Review: Chase Freedom Unlimited review
If you want to travel after graduation but can’t afford a high annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great beginner travel card. For only a $95 annual fee, you can earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points in various travel and dining categories, including:
New Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth around $1,080 in travel, based on Insider’s valuation of Chase points.
Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and car rentals through the Chase Travel Portal, but the most valuable way to use your points is by transferring them to Chase’s airline and hotel partners.
With that, another factor that makes this card so great is the excellent benefits you’ll get along with it. The Chase Sapphire Preferred now offers up to $50 in annual statement credits toward hotel purchases made through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal, as well as a 10% anniversary point bonus, primary car rental insurance, trip delay insurance, and other top travel protections.
Plus, cardholders also receive a complimentary DashPass membership (through December 31, 2024), Instacart benefits (through July 31, 2024), and Gopuff credits (through December 31, 2023).
Review: Chase Sapphire Preferred review
If you’re new to the world of credit or have a limited credit history, you should consider the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card. Although the Petal doesn’t come with any of the fancy bells or whistles that some of the other cards on this list offer, that’s not its purpose. This card is designed for folks who need to improve their credit scores through responsible use.
That said, you won’t earn a welcome bonus and the reward rates aren’t the highest. Cardholders earn:
Petal rewards can be redeemed through the Petal app or online as statement credits in any amount up to your current balance or you can request an ACH transfer or check (minimum $20) when you call the number on the back of your card.
Otherwise, the best feature of the Petal is the Petal Leap program, which allows cardholders to increase their credit limit through goals. But keep in mind that completing the goals doesn’t guarantee an increase.
Review: Petal 2 Visa Card review
If you’re a big Amazon.com or Whole Foods shopper, the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
is a terrific card for earning rewards. Plus, if you’re already paying for a Prime membership (usually $139 per year), there’s no annual fee.
Whether you’re decorating your first apartment, preparing for the holiday season, or partaking in a little retail therapy, the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card is worth considering.
The cards earn points on a variety of everyday spending categories, including:
The easiest way to use your rewards is on Amazon purchases at checkout, but you can also redeem them as statement credits, a direct deposit, gift cards, or travel.
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card is currently offering a bonus of a $150 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval.
The card gets you strong benefits like interest-free monthly payments, car rental insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, purchase protection, Visa Signature concierge, and more.
Review: Amazon Prime Rewards Card review
If you frequently shop online but don’t want to be limited to just Amazon.com, the recently improved, no-annual-fee Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is an excellent choice for everyday shopping purchases, including online retail. It earns:
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is now offering new cardholders a $100 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first 6 months of card membership and up to $150 back by earning 20% back as a statement credit on purchases when you shop with PayPal in the first 6 months.
However, there aren’t many redemption options available. You can mainly only redeem for statement credits, but you won’t be able to apply those credits to the minimum balance on your card.
On the other hand, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express does get you a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening (then a 17.74% – 28.74% Variable APR). That’s handy if you have large purchases you want to pay for over time without incurring high interest charges.
Review: Amex Blue Cash Everyday review
If you don’t like keeping track of bonus categories or spending caps, you should check out the Citi® Double Cash Card. It earns a simple 2% back (1 point per dollar when you purchase and 1 point per dollar when you pay your bill) on all purchases, and has a $0 annual fee.
The Citi® Double Cash Card is also great for folks looking to consolidate debt by transferring a balance from another credit card to avoid accruing interest as it offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (then a 17.74% – 27.74% Variable APR). But it doesn’t currently offer a welcome bonus.
This card earns valuable Citi ThankYou points, which you can redeem for travel through the Citi portal, cash back, gift cards, and more. However, you can get even more value from your rewards if you later open the Citi Premier® Card, because you can then combine your points and transfer them to all of Citi’s airline and hotel partners for award travel.
Review: Citi Double Cash review
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
is a great card for graduates looking for more control over how they earn rewards, for no annual fee, with a customizable 3% earning category. Plus, if you’re able to plan ahead, you could customize your rate to match your highest spending category every month.
With the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card, you’ll earn:
But keep in mind that in order to earn the maximum number of rewards each quarter, you’ll need to remember to manually shift your 3% rewards earning category to match your current expenses.
With the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card you can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after you spend $1,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening. The card also offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 18 months and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account (then a 16.99% – 26.99% variable APR).
Review: BofA Customized Cash Rewards review
The no-annual-fee Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is an appealing card for almost anyone since it offers great reward rates on popular spending categories, including:
Plus, there’s an excellent welcome offer: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
If you spend a lot on Uber and Uber Eats, the SavorOne Cash Rewards Card is an excellent card since it currently offers cardholders a complimentary Uber One membership, which gets you benefits like unlimited $0 delivery fees and member-exclusive promotions.
Review: Capital One SavorOne review
Credit cards for college graduates frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Often, your student credit card will automatically reclassify as the non-student version of that card and will continue to work. If you have the Discover it® Student Cash Back, for example, you’ll be able to switch to the Discover it® Cash Back after you’ve graduated.
But depending on which card you own and the card’s issuer, the process may vary, and it’s best to look into the terms of your specific credit card.
Generally, the longer your card is open the better it is for your credit score. Coincidentally, that usually means your score will take a hit if close your card (especially if there’s a quick turnaround). If that’s the case, you’d be better off keeping your current card and trying to upgrade it (if possible) to a non-student version or higher earning card.
The easiest way to build up your credit score is through responsible financial habits. The key is to pay your credit card balance in full on time each month, every month. So if you’re routinely using your card and paying your full balance, your credit score should go up.
If you’re new to credit, you can check out Insider’s guide to building credit with credit cards to help you improve your credit history faster.
