The Best Credit Cards for 2023: Why these Repeat Winners Still Are No. 1

It all depends. One person’s spending habits, personality, and lifestyle may be very different from another’s. Some people prefer to have multiple credit cards in their wallets, while others only need one.

Although we cannot give you an answer on the best credit card, we do know that certain cards are always included in our Best-Of Awards annual list. These cards, like Meryl Streep’s Oscar ballot, are favorites to win almost every single year.

These are the eight credit cards which continue to win NerdWallet’s Best of Awards.

Annual fee: $0.

Sign up bonus: Receive $200 cash rewards after you spend $1,000 on your first three months.

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  Unlimited 2% Cash Back on All Purchases
  

The Wells Fargo Active Cash (r) Card was only introduced to the credit card market in 2021. It quickly became a favorite among those who want cash back and don’t have to work hard to get it. The cardholders can earn unlimited 2% back on all purchases. There are no spending caps or bonus categories to activate. This card only increases its overall value by offering a sign-up bonus that is tied to a reasonable amount of spending.

Annual fee: $0.

Sign up bonus: Receive $200 after you spend $500 in the first three months of your account opening.

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  Receive 5% cashback on quarterly bonus categories up to $1,500 combined spending each quarter (Activation required. )
  

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  Get 3% off your order of takeout or delivery.
  

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  Get 3% off your purchase at a drugstore
  

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  All cardholders will receive 5% back on eligible Lyft services until March 31, 2025.
  

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  1% off all other purchases
  

Chase Freedom Flex(sm), which combines a 5% rewards rate and a rotating calendar that includes high-spend categories for many consumers, continues to be the best bonus cash-back credit card. Chase introduces new 5% bonus categories every quarter. These have historically included gas, Amazon.com streaming services, grocery stores, and streaming services. You can get a reward rate that is uncommon among $0-annual fee cards by using the Chase Freedom Flex(sm), making sure you only use it for purchases that are in line with the bonus categories. The Chase Freedom Flex(sm), which earns an extra 3% on spending categories such as dining, drugstores, and other popular categories, is a bonus card that stands out from other rotating category bonuses cards.

Annual fee: $0.

Sign up bonus: INTRO OFFER – Unlimited Cashback Match – only at Discover Discover will match any cash you earn in the first year. There is no minimum spend or maximum reward. Only a dollar-for–dollar match.

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  Get 2% cashback at gas stations or restaurants for purchases up to $1,000 each quarter.
  

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  Get 1% off all your other purchases
  

You may not have many credit options if you have poor credit or minimal credit. However, the Discover it(r), Secured Credit Card will give you more than you bargain for. It’s available to people with bad credit and offers rewards as well as a sign up bonus. The $200 security deposit is offset by cash back earned with the Discover it(r), Secured Credit Card. After six consecutive on-time payments, six months of good credit status and six months of security deposit refund, Discover will automatically refund the security deposit.

Annual fee: The first year’s annual fee is $0, the second year it’s $95.

Receive a $250 statement credit when you spend $3,000 on your Card in the first six months. Terms apply.

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  Get 6% cashback at U.S. supermarkets on purchases up to $6,000 per year (then 1%).
  

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  Get 6% Cash Back on Select U.S. Streaming Subscriptions
  

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  Get 3% cash back on U.S. gasoline stations and transit (including taxis and rideshares), as well as tolls and tolls for trains and buses.
  

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  Get 1% Cash Back on All Other Purchases
  

American Express Blue Cash Preferred(r), Card offers superior 6% cash back on groceries for purchases up to $6,000 per year. You’ll get $360 back if you spend this amount, and most households will be able to reach that amount. This is more than enough to cover the annual fee. These terms and conditions apply.

Annual fee: $0.

Sign up bonus: Get 20,000 bonus points if you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 90-days of opening an account.

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  4 points for every $1 spent on dining (including takeout)
  

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  2 points for every $1 spent in grocery stores, gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, and eligible streaming services
  

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  1 point for every $1 spent on eligible purchases
  

U.S. U.S. You can also order takeout or delivery via meal-delivery service. The annual fee for the program is $0 and all benefits are included in the home. U.S. Bank Points are worth 1 cent each and can be used to redeem for cash back, travel gift cards, or merchandise.

Annual Fee: $0 Intro for the first year, $99 thereafter.

You will receive 40,000 bonus miles if you spend $2,000 on your Card within the first six months. These terms and conditions apply.

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  2 miles for every $1 spent at Delta restaurants (plus delivery and takeout in the U.S.), and at U.S. grocery stores.
  

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  1 mile for every $1 spent on eligible purchases
  

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  Terms and Conditions apply.
  

There are many other airline cards that offer luxury perks. However, you will have to pay an annual fee that can run into the hundreds. For $99 after the first year, the annual fee for Delta SkyMiles(r), Gold American Express Card is $0. After that, the $99 annual fee will be waived. You’ll receive priority boarding, 20% off on in-flight purchases, and one checked bag free for you and your up to eight companions who are traveling together on the same reservation. You can earn 40,000 bonus miles by purchasing $2,000 on your card within the first six months. These terms and conditions apply.

Annual fee $95.

Sign up bonus: You will earn 30,000 Bonus Points if you spend $3,000 in the first three months of your account opening. You can also earn up to 30,000 Bonus Points by earning 2 bonus points per $1 you spend in the first 6 month after account opening. This applies to purchases that usually earn 1 Bonus point on purchases up to $15,000

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  Earn 4 bonus points for every $1 you spend on your Hyatt hotel card, which includes participating restaurants and spas.
  

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  2 points for every $1 spent at restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops, on airline tickets, fitness club, and gym memberships, and local transit and commuting including rideshare.
  

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  1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases
  

Many hotel credit cards offer a free night of stay every year that you have the card. The World of Hyatt Credit Card gives you the chance to score many. Every year, cardholders receive a complimentary night at a Category 1 or 2 Hyatt resort or hotel on their anniversary. You can get more free nights out of the card’s sign up bonus depending on when and where you travel. Earn 30,000 Bonus points after spending $3,000 in your first three months. You can also earn up to 30,000 Bonus Points by earning 2 bonus points per $1 you spend in the first 6 month after account opening for purchases that are normally worth 1 Bonus Point on purchases up to $15,000

Hyatt hotel stays or experiences booked with the World of Hyatt Credit Card earn you 9 points for every $1 spent Hyatt’s award redemption chart is attractive, so you will often pay less for an award than other brands. You can also earn Discoverist status in World of Hyatt loyalty program. This card comes with its own set of perks including room upgrades.

Annual fee: $0.

Receive a $250 statement credit upon making $3,000 in purchases with your Card within the first three months. These terms and conditions apply.

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  Get 2% cashback on eligible purchases up to $50,000 per year.
  

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  After qualifying purchases, 1% back
  

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  These terms and conditions apply.
  

With the American Express Blue Business Cash(tm), it’s easy to get cashback on eligible purchases. The card earns a solid 2% return on eligible purchases above $50,000 annually; thereafter, it earns 1%. Cash back is converted automatically to a statement credit, so you don’t have to remember how to cash them out. This is one less thing for solopreneurs or business owners who have many of them. These terms and conditions apply.