A credit cards give you the freedom to make purchases conveniently and securely without the hassle of cash or immediate payments.
They also provide built-in security protections against fraud and unauthorized transactions.
Plus+ you can earn rewards like cashback, hotel points, and airline miles on every dollar you spend.
In addition to providing safe and convenient payments, credit cards are also a great budgeting tool.
Credit Cards Are The Perfect Budgeting Tool
Yes, you read that right. When used responsibly, credit cards are our preferred budgeting tool.
Why are credit cards better than cash?
When it comes to budgeting, cash sucks. You’re always having to write down or remember what you bought, save receipts, and manually add up everything at the end of each week or month.
Nobody wants to do that.
Credit cards simplify this process by enabling you to easily track exactly how much you’re spending and where you’re spending it.
For more info on budgeting, check out our Budgeting Guide.
Different Types of Credit Cards and Rewards Programs
There are literally thousands of different credit cards out there. All with different purposes, perks, requirements, and fees.
Here’s a look at a several types of personal credit cards.
Travel Cards
Travel credit cards offer a range of perks tailored to satisfy the wanderlust in you. With these cards, you can earn travel rewards, accumulate air miles, and enjoy access to airport lounges.
They typically waive foreign transaction fees, making spending abroad more convenient.
Additionally, they often provide travel insurance coverage for added peace of mind.
From hotel upgrades to concierge services, travel credit cards can enhance your travel experiences.
Our favorite Travel Cards.
Airline Cards
Airline credit cards offer exciting perks for frequent flyers and aviation enthusiasts. You earn airline miles with every purchase and on every flight.
You’ll enjoy benefits like priority boarding, access to airport lounges, and waived baggage fees.
These cards usually provide additional airline-specific perks, such as discounted airfare and companion vouchers.
Our favorite Airline Cards.
Hotel Cards
Hotel credit cards provide a range of perks for travelers and hotel aficionados.
Card holders enjoy benefits such as complimentary hotel stays, room upgrades, and early check-ins.
You’ll earn reward points for each stay and gain access to exclusive hotel loyalty programs.
Our favorite Hotel Cards.
Excellent Credit
Credit cards requiring an excellent credit score offer exclusive benefits and privileges. Cardholders enjoy enhanced rewards, higher credit limits, and access to VIP programs.
These cards recognize and reward your strong financial track record by providing the most exceptional perks.
Our favorite cards requiring Excellent Credit.
Good Credit
Credit cards requiring a good credit score offer attractive benefits and rewards, like cashback, competitive interest rates, and flexible credit limits.
Many of them also offer insider discounts and purchase protections or extended warranties on specific products.
Our favorite cards requiring Good Credit.
Want to improve your credit score? We recommend checking out our Credit Score Guide.
Poor Credit
Credit cards offered to those with a poor credit score can provide a chance to rebuild financial stability and prove credit worthiness.
If you have a poor credit score we recommend reading our page on Poor Credit and our Get Out of Debt Guide.
Our Favorite Credit Card
Everything about this card makes it our favorite: a generous sign-up bonus, easy to redeem miles, and fantastic customer support. We always recommend this card to everyone we can.