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Advertiser Disclosure
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Best credit cards right now: September 2026
We put 5 popular US credit cards head to head, , from flat cash back to 21 months at 0% and a no-credit-check option. All numbers come from the issuers. Pick the goal that fits you and check the full terms before applying.
Best for no-fuss 2% back
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Regular APR*18.74% to 28.74%Variable. Source: Wells Fargo, 09/23/2026
Intro APR0% for 12 months
Annual fee$0
Credit limitSet at approval
RewardsUnlimited 2% cash rewards
Welcome bonus$100 after $500 in 3 months
Best forGood to excellent credit (estimate)
Highlights
- Credit limit: Set at approval. Rewards: Unlimited 2% cash rewards.
- Intro APR: 0% for 12 months
- Annual fee: $0
- Regular APR 18.74% to 28.74% — Variable. Source: Wells Fargo, 09/23/2026
Requirements
- US resident with a valid SSN or ITIN
- Proof of income
- Credit approval required
- Open the full review
CardJolt's take
The easy button of cash back: 2% on purchases with nothing to activate. You give up a long 0% period (just 12 months) and pay 3% on foreign purchases.
no-fuss 2% back
Best for foodies
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Regular APR*18.24% to 27.74%Variable. Source: Chase, 09/23/2026
Intro APR0% for 15 months
Annual fee$0
Credit limitSet at approval
Rewards1.5% to 5% cash back
Welcome bonus$200 after $500 in 3 months
Best forGood to excellent credit (estimate)
Highlights
- Credit limit: Set at approval. Rewards: 1.5% to 5% cash back.
- Intro APR: 0% for 15 months
- Annual fee: $0
- Regular APR 18.24% to 27.74% — Variable. Source: Chase, 09/23/2026
Requirements
- US resident with a valid SSN
- Proof of income
- Credit approval required
- Open the full review
CardJolt's take
Built for people who dine out: 3% at restaurants and drugstores, 1.5% on everything else and a $200 bonus. For spending outside those categories, a 2% flat card pays more.
restaurants and drugstores
Best first-year payoff
Discover it® Cash Back
Regular APR*17.49% to 26.49%Variable. Source: Discover, 09/23/2026
Intro APR0% for 15 months
Annual fee$0
Credit limitSet at approval
Rewards5% rotating categories, 1% on the rest
Welcome bonusCashback Match in year one
Best forGood to excellent credit (estimate)
Highlights
- Credit limit: Set at approval. Rewards: 5% rotating categories, 1% on the rest.
- Intro APR: 0% for 15 months
- Annual fee: $0
- Regular APR 17.49% to 26.49% — Variable. Source: Discover, 09/23/2026
Requirements
- US resident with a valid SSN
- Proof of income
- Credit approval required
- Open the full review
CardJolt's take
Activate the rotating 5% categories each quarter and Discover doubles everything you earn in year one. It also has the lowest starting regular APR of the five.
the biggest first-year payoff
Best for paying down debt
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Regular APR*17.74% to 28.49%Variable. Source: Wells Fargo, 09/23/2026
Intro APR0% for 21 months
Annual fee$0
Credit limitSet at approval
RewardsNo rewards program
Welcome bonusNone
Best forGood to excellent credit (estimate)
Highlights
- Credit limit: Set at approval. Rewards: No rewards program.
- Intro APR: 0% for 21 months
- Annual fee: $0
- Regular APR 17.74% to 28.49% — Variable. Source: Wells Fargo, 09/23/2026
Requirements
- US resident with a valid SSN or ITIN
- Proof of income
- Credit approval required
- Open the full review
CardJolt's take
21 months at 0% on purchases and on balances moved in the first 120 days, the longest we found. There are no rewards, so treat it as a payoff tool.
paying down debt at 0%
Best for credit newcomers
Chime Card™ (secured)
Regular APR*No interestSecured card. Source: Chime, 09/23/2026
Intro APRNot applicable
Annual fee$0
Credit limitYou set it with the money you add
RewardsUp to 5% on a chosen category
Welcome bonusNone
Best forNo credit check; Chime Checking Account required
Highlights
- Credit limit: You set it with the money you add. Rewards: Up to 5% on a chosen category.
- Intro APR: Not applicable
- Annual fee: $0
- Regular APR No interest — Secured card. Source: Chime, 09/23/2026
Requirements
- Open a Chime Checking Account
- No credit check to apply
- No minimum security deposit
- Open the full review
CardJolt's take
No credit check, no interest and no annual fee, with payments reported to all 3 bureaus. The best cash back rate needs large monthly direct deposits.