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 Double Cash® Card
Intro APR:0% for 18 months on Balance Transfers
Ongoing APR:18.49% - 28.74% (Variable)
Rewards:
2% (cash back)
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
Annual Fee:$0
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Intro bonus:
As High As $200 Cash Back. Find Out Your Offer.
You may be eligible for as high as $200 cash back after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.
Intro APR:0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months
Ongoing APR:19.74%-28.74% Variable
Rewards:
1% - 3% (cash back)
Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on eligible purchases for each category on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
Annual Fee:$0
Avant® Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:29.99%*
Rewards:
N/A
Annual Fee:$0*
Citi Strata Premier® Card
Intro bonus:
60,000 Points
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
Ongoing APR:19.74% - 27.74% (Variable)
Rewards:
1x - 10x (Points per dollar)
Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com. Earn 3 Points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations. Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Annual Fee:$95
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Ongoing APR:18.99% - 26.99% (Variable)
Rewards:
1% - 5% (cash back)
Earn 5% cash back rewards on gas at Costco and earn 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging purchases for the first $7,000 combined spend per year, and then 1% thereafter. 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases and eligible travel, including Costco Travel. 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com. 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual Fee:$0
First Progress Select Secured Mastercard® Cash Back Rewards
Ongoing APR:17.49% Variable
Rewards:
1% - 10% (cash back)
Earn up to 10% Cash Back on everyday purchases at participating dining, grocery, retail, and other eligible merchants, plus 1% Cash Back on payments made to your First Progress Card.^^
Annual Fee:$39
Ollo Everyday Rewards
Ongoing APR:23.99%-29.99% Variable
Rewards:
1% - 3% (cash back)
Unlimited 3% cash back on all gas stations and EV charging stations, grocery store and drugstore purchases. Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual Fee:$0
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Intro bonus:
$200
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Intro APR:0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 27.49% Variable
Rewards:
1% - 6% (cash back)
Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice. You’ll automatically earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category. Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.
Annual Fee:$0
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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