Best Credit Cards: Fall 2011

Looking for the best credit cards, but just want it spelled out for you?  We’re here to make sense of all the offers, promotions and the best credit card rewards programs so you know you’ve found the best card available. 

We’ve pulled together our absolute top credit card picks here for you.  Since credit cards aren’t ‘one-size-fits-all’, we’ve grouped them conveniently into groups to make sure you select the best credit card that fits your lifestyle. 

 

Best Rewards Cards:  For Those Who Pay Off Their Balance Each Month:

1. Best Signup Bonus: 

Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card (Offer Expires Nov 28, 2011)

• 50,000 Rapid Rewards Points after your first purchase.  That’s worth over $800 in free flights
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• 6,000 Rapid Rewards Points every year which almost negates the $99 annual fee
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• One of the most flexible airline miles rewards programs.  Points don’t expire, flights can be changed without charge, bags fly free etc.

 

 

2. The Most Valuable Rewards Points:

Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express 

• Points are worth about 2.2 cents, far above a typical 1 cent for other programs
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• Signing bonus of 25,000 Starwood Points are worth about $550 of free nights at Starwood Hotels
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• No annual fee the first year and $65 thereafter

 

 

3. Best Rewards Card for Everyday Purchases:

Blue Cash Everyday from American Express 

• No annual fee… Ever.
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• 3% cash back on Groceries
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• 2% cash back on gas purchases and department stores.
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• 1% cash back on everything else
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• 0% intro APR for the first 12 months

 

4. Best Rewards Card For Making Purchases on Amazon and Entertainment

Citi Forward Card

• Perfect for Amazon addicts and socialites
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• 5% rewards on dining, music, movies, and bookstore purchases
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• Anything on Amazon counts as a bookstore purchase
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• No annual fee… Ever
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• 6,000 reward points as a signup bonus

 

 

Best Low Interest Credit Cards:  Best Cards When You Carry a Balance

1. Best Balance Transfer Credit Card

Citi Platinum Select Card

• Long balance transfer intro period – 21 months of 0% interest.
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• Intro period also applies to purchases
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• Ongoing interest rate as low as 11. 99%
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• No annual fee… Ever

 

 

2. Best Card for Avoiding Fees

Citi Simplicity Card 

• Long intro period – 21 months of 0% interest on balance transfers and purchases
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• No late fees
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• No fees for going over your credit limit
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• No penalty APR
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• No annual fee

  

 

Best College Student Credit Cards:

Best Student Card with Low Interest and Cash Back:

Citi Dividend Platinum Select for College Students

• One of the lowest interest rates at   13.99 for qualifying students
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• Introductory rewards period: Get 5% back on gas, groceries and more – sounds like a road trip!
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• No cosigner or minimum income required
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• No annual fee

 

 

Best Small Business Credit Cards

1. Best Card to Finance Business Expenses

SimplyCash^® Business Card from American Express OPEN

• Longest business card intro period – 0% on purchases for 12 months
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• 3% cash back on gas
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• A whopping 5% back on office supplies and wireless phone bills
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• AmEx’s famous customer service without an annual fee

 

 

2. Best Business Rewards Card

Chase Ink Cash Business Credit Card

• $250 cash back bonus for signing up
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• 5% back on office supplies, and telecom/cable utilities
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• 2% back on gas and dining
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• 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 6 months
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• No annual fee

 

 

Best Credit Card for Bad Credit

Orchard Bank Credit Card

• Low annual fee of only $59
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• Low interest rate as low as 7.90%
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• No application fee
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• Low starting deposit of $200