The 10 Types of Credit Cards

There are thousands of different credit cards U.S. consumers have to choose from, and there’s no one best card or even type of card out there.

Depending on your credit score, how you spend your money, and your personal preferences, one may be better than all the others.

But if you don’t spend a lot of time thinking about credit cards, choosing the right type can be overwhelming. To help, we’ve put together a list of the 10 types of credit cards and how to choose the right one for you.

The 10 types of credit cards

Every credit card is different, but they all tend to fall into 10 categories. We’ll cover each in turn and include some pros and cons to consider. This guide is meant to provide you with information to help you determine the credit card types that are the best fit for you and your individual needs.

1. Cash-back credit cards

Cash-back credit cards offer cash rewards on most — if not all — of your purchases. Additionally, some of these cards also offer a cash sign-up bonus that you can earn after spending a set amount during your first few months with the card.

Depending on the card, you can typically redeem your cash rewards as a statement credit, direct deposit, paper check, or for gift cards.

There are three main types of rewards structures for cash-back credit cards:

• Flat-rate rewards: These cards offer a flat rewards rate on all of your purchases. This straightforward rewards structure is easy to understand but doesn’t give you the opportunity to maximize rewards on certain purchases.
• Tiered rewards: These cards offer bonus rewards on certain spending categories. For example, you may earn extra rewards on groceries, gas, or at restaurants. They’re great if you spend a lot in one or two areas, but the base rewards rate on non-bonus purchases is typically low.
• Rotating rewards: A handful of cash-back credit cards offer bonus rewards in certain spending categories that change every few months. For example, you might receive bonus rewards at restaurants one quarter and at Amazon.com the next. These cards are good for people who spend a lot across the board, but their base rewards rates are also low.

Cash-back credit cards typically don’t charge an annual fee, but some do. At the same time, they don’t offer large sign-up bonuses that you can get with travel credit cards. People like cash-back cards because they provide flexible redemption options, but they often don’t offer a lot of extra frills.

Examples:

• Citi® Double Cash Card
• HSBC Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

2. Travel credit cards

Travel rewards credit cards offer cardholders points or miles on every purchase, and many offer large sign-up bonuses worth hundreds of dollars.

There are four main types of travel credit cards:

• General travel rewards: These cards offer rewards you can use to book just about any type of travel. They’re flexible, but they typically don’t offer a lot of perks.
• Hotel rewards: Hotel credit cards offer points with a specific hotel brand only. While that can limit your redemption options, they also typically offer extra benefits like a free night’s stay every year and elite status with the brand.
• Airline rewards: You can earn points or miles with your favorite airline with airline credit cards. They also offer extra perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and in-flight discounts.
• Premium travel: Premium travel credit cards charge high fees but also offer stellar benefits, such as free access to airport lounges, travel credits, and more.

Travel credit cards typically charge annual fees, but some of them don’t. They also provide cardholders with a lot of benefits and ways to get free travel. But they’re more limiting on how you can redeem your rewards.

Examples:

• Barclaycard Arrival® Plus World Elite Mastercard®
• Chase Sapphire Preferred®

3. Low-interest credit cards

Some credit cards charge low interest rates on every purchase you make. While the average interest rate for a credit card is around 15%, these cards often charge in the single digits.

Unfortunately, major credit card issuers don’t typically offer low-interest credit cards. But your local credit union or bank may offer them.

These credit cards are great for people who carry a balance from month to month or want a low-interest card to use for emergencies. But they typically don’t offer rewards or any other major perks.

Example:

• Barclaycard Ring Mastercard

4. Zero percent APR credit cards

To entice consumers to apply for a credit card, some card issuers offer an introductory 0% APR on new purchases for a set period. Depending on the card, this period can be as short as three months or as long as 18 months.

These cards are great if you have a large purchase coming up and you want the option to pay it down interest-free. Some 0% APR credit cards even offer rewards and a sign-up bonus, making the card a lot more valuable.

However, you may not get the same level of rewards and benefits as a card with no 0% APR deal.

Examples:

• Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Discover it®

5. Balance transfer credit cards

In the same vein as the 0% APR credit cards, there are some credit cards that offer an introductory 0% APR deal on new balance transfers.

Some credit cards offer this deal for as long as 21 months, giving you plenty of time to pay down a high-interest balance entirely interest-free.

Most balance transfer credit cards charge a balance transfer fee, though, which is typically 3% or 5% of the transfer amount. Also, many of these cards don’t offer rewards or any other major benefits, making them less valuable after the promotion ends.

Examples:

• Barclaycard Ring Mastercard
• Chase Slate®

6. Secured credit cards

If you have no credit or you’ve made some credit missteps in the past, a secured credit card can help you build your credit history. These cards function similarly to regular credit cards with just one exception: they require an upfront security deposit.

That deposit, which is typically equal to your desired credit limit, will stay with the card issuer in case you default on the account.

You can typically get it back when you close the account, but some cards give it back sooner, effectively transitioning you to an unsecured card without requiring you to open a new account.

Secured credit cards often charge annual fees and high APRs, but some don’t. While the idea of a security deposit isn’t ideal, your options may be limited, especially if you have bad credit.

Examples:

• Discover it® Secured Card
• Capital One® Secured Mastercard®

7. Student credit cards

If you’re brand new to credit and you’re a college student, an alternative to a secured credit card is a student credit card.

These cards are only available to students — you typically need to provide information about your school when you apply — and they typically offer some basic rewards and benefits.

However, they can be a great way for a college student who has limited options to build credit for the first time.

Examples:

• Discover it® for Students
• Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One®

8. Store credit cards

Most of the top retailers have a store credit card that’s tailored to loyal customers. These cards are usually easy to get, even if you have bad or no credit. And while they typically don’t charge annual fees, they do charge high APRs.

What’s more, you may be limited on where you can use them. With some, you can only use the card when shopping at that specific retailer. With others, you can use the card virtually anywhere.

Store credit cards typically offer rewards, discounts, and other promotions for that given retailer. They’re great for people who shop at one retailer frequently but may tempt you to overspend if you’re not careful.

Examples:

• Amazon Rewards Visa Signature
• Kohl’s Charge Card

9. Charge cards

Charge cards require that you pay your balance in full each month. They don’t charge an APR but do charge a steep fee if you miss your payment. There are only a handful of charge cards on the market and they tend to assess high annual fees.

Some, however, offer great rewards, making them a good option for someone who has no problem paying their balance in full each month.

Examples:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Business Platinum® Card from American Express OPEN

10. Small business credit cards

If you’re a small business owner, you can choose to use any credit card you want for your operating expenses. But small business credit cards tend to offer rewards and benefits specifically tailored to the needs of business owners.

For example, some cards offer bonus rewards at office supply stores or on advertising or shipping. Others provide cardholders with expense management tools to help with their account and taxes.

Business credit cards tend to offer higher credit limits than consumer credit cards, but they also tend to charge less favorable APRs and fees.

Examples:

• Ink Business CashSM Credit Card
• Capital One® Spark® for Business

How do I choose the right credit card for me?

With so many different types of credit cards out there, it’s not always easy to pick the right one. To make things easier, there are three primary things to consider when considering which card to choose.

1. Your credit score

If you have bad or no credit, you’re limited on which cards you can choose from. Rewards credit cards and cards that offer a 0% APR promotion of some kind typically require a good or excellent credit score.

However, there are cards designed for people who are working to build their credit that you can use until you can qualify for a better card.

2. Your spending habits

Take a look at your budget and consider how much you spend in different areas. If you spend a lot on groceries, consider getting a card that offers bonus rewards on grocery purchases. The same goes if you spend a lot on gas, eating out, or any other everyday purchase.

If you don’t spend a lot in any one area, consider a card that offers a flat rewards rate on all purchases. You can even get a flat-rate card for most of your purchases and a tiered-rewards card for bonus spending.

3. Your personal preferences

No one can tell you whether travel or cash-back rewards are better for you, and a store credit card could be a better fit for you than a secured card. As you look at different credit cards, think about what you want in a credit card and which one would best fit your needs.

The bottom line

There are many credit cards out there, but the right one for your friends and family members may not be the right one for you. Take the time to consider each of the credit card types to find the right fit for you.

It may not sound important now, but getting the right card could add a lot more value to your spending over time.