Reviewed by Peggy Bennett7 Best Credit Card Features to Look at Before Applying
Reviewed by Peggy Bennett
Quick Answer
- Top card features to consider include rewards, intro bonuses, annual statement credits and minimal fees.
- Figure out your credit card priorities, then use a card comparison tool to find one with the benefits you want most.
Credit cards can offer a wide range of benefits, and figuring out which card is best for you often starts by comparing cards' features. Whether you need a card for an upcoming purchase, want one for emergencies or are looking for your new go-to rewards card for everyday spending, here are seven of the top features you could look for in a new card.
1. Rewards
Many credit cards offer rewards, which can add significant value to purchases you make. The best rewards credit cards offer plenty of opportunity to earn and redeem rewards. You'll want to think about which type of rewards program best fits how you'll use the card. Generally, you can earn rewards in one of three ways:
- Flat-rate rewards cards give you the same rewards rate no matter where you shop.
- Tiered rewards cards have bonus categories. You'll often earn 1% to 1.5% as a baseline rewards rate, plus bonus rewards on purchases in select categories (such as gas, dining or travel).
- Changing rewards rates cards also have a base rate and bonus rewards, but the bonus rewards categories change. The issuer may change the categories quarterly, or you may be able to pick your card's bonus categories.
In addition to the rewards-earning rates, you'll want to compare cash back rewards cards with cards that offer rewards program points, airline miles or hotel points. Cash back can be the simplest to use, but depending on the program, rewards points or miles may offer higher-value redemption options—and may be of higher value to you if you want to use your new card to help pay for travel.
Best credit cards of 2026
Compare cards from our partners with intro bonuses, cash back or points offers, and annual fees as low as $0.
Offers from our partners
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Intro APR:0% for 21 months on Balance Transfers and 12 months on Purchases
Ongoing APR:16.74% - 27.49% (Variable)
Rewards:
N/A
Annual Fee:$0
American Express® Gold Card
Intro bonus:
As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 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.
Ongoing APR:See Pay Over Time APR
Rewards:
1x - 5x (Points per dollar)
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 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™. Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines. Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Annual Fee:$325
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:
1% (cash back)
Cash back will be awarded as points redeemable for a statement credit
Annual Fee:$75*
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:
2% (cash back)
Cash back will be awarded as points redeemable for a statement credit
Annual Fee:$39*
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Intro bonus:
Earn 2 Delta Comfort Flight Certificates + 50K Miles
Earn two domestic Delta Comfort Flight Certificates + 50,000 Bonus Miles after $10,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. A 21+ day advance purchase required. Taxes and fees up to $80 per person apply. Terms and other restrictions apply. Offer ends 11/04/2026.
Ongoing APR:19.74%-28.74% Variable
Rewards:
1x - 3x (Miles per dollar)
Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
Annual Fee:$650
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Intro bonus:
10,000 Miles
Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
Ongoing APR:19.74%-28.74% Variable
Rewards:
1x - 2x (Miles per dollar)
Earn 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2X Miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, and 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
Annual Fee:$0
Credit One Bank® Platinum X5 Visa Signature® Metal Card
Ongoing APR:29.74% Variable
Rewards:
1% - 5% (cash back)
Earn 5% cash back rewards on the first $5,000 of eligible gas, grocery, internet, cable, satellite TV, and mobile phone service purchases each year, and then 1% thereafter. Plus 1% cash back rewards on all other purchases, terms apply.
Annual Fee:$95
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
Ongoing APR:19.74% - 27.74% Variable
Rewards:
1.5x - 2x (Points per dollar)
2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases, 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases
Annual Fee:$95
See all our best credit cards for 2026.
2. Intro Bonuses
Some rewards cards may offer significant introductory bonuses. It can be wise to review the minimum spend requirement for different intro offers. Also, look at the fine print to ensure you'll qualify for the intro bonuses.
3. Annual Statement Credit Offers
Some credit cards offer annual statement credits to cardholders. These cards tend to have annual fees, which may make them seem expensive. But consider the overall value after accounting for annual statement credits and other card benefits.
Statement credits are often for specific categories of purchases or purchases at certain merchants.
4. Intro 0% APR Periods
Intro 0% annual percentage rate (APR) offers may apply to purchases, balance transfers or both. These offers can give new cardholders the opportunity to make big purchases or transfer debts to the card, and then pay off the balance over time without accruing interest.
Once the promotional period ends, any remaining balance will accrue interest at the card's standard APR rate. Consider how long of a promotional period you'll need to pay off the balance, and the card's other benefits.
5. No Annual Fee
An annual fee is one of the few credit card fees you can't avoid based on how you use the card. There are a lot of great credit cards without annual fees, including cards that offer rewards, welcome bonuses and intro 0% APR offers.
However, you might not want to rule out a card simply because it has an annual fee. If you can afford the upfront expense, the cardholder benefits and card's rewards program may more than offset the cost.
6. No Foreign Transaction Fees
You may want a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees on international purchases if you frequently travel outside the U.S. or make purchases in a foreign currency. Many travel credit cards don't charge foreign transaction fees. There are also some card issuers that don't have foreign transaction fees on any of their credit cards.
7. Cardholder Benefits
Credit cards may also come with a variety of benefits that aren't related to rewards, interest rates or fees. These can include:
- Travel-related benefits, such as travel insurance, lost baggage coverage, trip cancellation insurance and collision damage waivers on rental cars.
- Purchase protections, such as extended warranties and return protection.
- Cellphone protection that covers lost and damaged phones.
- Free access to airport lounges.
- Loyalty status in an airline or hotel loyalty program.
- Vouchers for free hotel stays or free companion tickets on flights.
Review the requirements for receiving the benefit to make sure you don't accidentally miss out. For example, you may need to use the card to pay your cellphone bill to receive cellphone protection, or activate your membership in a third-party program, such as Priority Pass, to get access to free airport lounges.
There are also sometimes differences in the same type of benefit depending on the card. If you think you may use these benefits, look over the terms closely to know when you'll be covered.
Compare Cards and Card Offers
There are a lot of potential features to compare when choosing a new credit card. But you can look for best-of lists and use tools like Experian's credit card comparison platform to narrow in on the top choices. With these tools, you can quickly filter and compare cards from Experian partners—perhaps narrowing the choices to cards that don't have an annual fee or ones that offer intro bonuses. You'll also see the suggested credit requirement and, if you sign in, you can get matched with personalized offers based on your credit profile.
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About the author
Louis DeNicola
Louis DeNicola is freelance personal finance and credit writer who works with Fortune 500 financial services firms, FinTech startups, and non-profits to teach people about money and credit. His clients include BlueVine, Discover, LendingTree, Money Management International, U.S News and Wirecutter.
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