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If you have a credit score in the high 600s or low 700s, your credit rating is considered "good" — but not necessarily great. Having good credit typically means you can qualify for a credit card and for various loan products, but you may not receive the very best rates and terms, and you may not qualify for all the best rewards credit cards.
The Best Credit Cards for Good Credit in 2023
Chase Freedom Flex℠ - Product Name Only : Best credit card for rotating bonus categoriesCiti® Double Cash Card - Product Name Only : Best flat-rate cash-back credit cardInk Business Cash® Credit Card - Product Name Only : Best small-business credit cardCapital One SavorOne Cash Rewards for Good Credit - Product Name Only : Best credit card for grocery storesU.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card - Product Name Only : Best credit card for gas stationsCiti Custom Cash℠ Card - Product Name Only : Best choose-your-own spending category credit card
Here are the cards you should have in the interim while building your good credit into excellent credit.
Compare the Best Credit Cards for Good Credit
Credit Cards for Good Credit Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good credit score?
FICO defines a good credit score as between 670 and 739. However, you may find different definitions based on the credit issuer to which you're applying. For example, Capital One defines good credit as the following:
Capital One
What credit card is good for a 600 credit score?
If you're rebuilding your credit, it's best not to focus on rewards credit cards until you've solved the issues leading to a score that hovers around 600.
Even if you simply don't have enough credit history to warrant a score approaching 700, consider a secured credit card or a student credit card.
How can you improve your credit score from good to excellent?
There are a number of factors that determine your credit score. Those with excellent credit will consistently have a low credit utilization ratio (a good rule of thumb is to be using 3% of your total available credit), a diverse and lengthy credit history, and never make a late payment.
If any of these things don't sound like you, take the time to work on them. Pay off your balances so you're not using a big chunk of your available credit, abstain from opening and closing credit lines frequently, and always pay on time, even if it's the minimum payment.
How do you check your credit score?
Checking your credit score is always a good idea before opening a credit card. That way you'll have a better understanding of your chances for approval. You can get a general idea as to what your score is by utilizing a free credit report service like Credit Karma or Credit Sesame — though these scores are often higher than your actual FICO score.
How long does it take to increase your credit score?
The amount of time it'll take for you to build up your credit score from good to excellent will depend on your current credit standing. If you've recently missed payments, maxed out your card, or had other financial setbacks it may take longer to build up your credit. Building credit takes time and diligence so remember to be patient.
That said, there are some simple adjustments, like reporting your rent and utility payments to a data reporting service and increasing your credit limit, that can give you a boost. Doing one or both of these things can help, but the most reliable way of increasing credit is by paying off debt regularly and on time.
Should I pay off my credit card in full or leave a small balance?
The most effective way to increase your credit score, and be a responsible credit card owner, is by paying your balance in full each billing cycle. Otherwise, your credit score may take a hit, and you'll accrue interest on your balance.
Best Credit Card for Rotating Bonus Categories
Why the Chase Freedom Flex is worth it: The
Welcome bonus: Earn
The
Here's what you'll get:
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter (then 1%) in rotating bonus categories when you activate
- 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases
- 1% cash back on everything else
Rotating bonus categories often include common purchases like supermarkets, gas stations, and even Amazon purchases. You should have no trouble maximizing these categories each quarter to earn $300 back each year.
While the
If you hold any of these cards, you can transfer the rewards you earn on the
Collecting points with this card is a great way to build your stash of travel rewards even before you have a proper travel rewards credit card.
Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card Review
Best Flat-Rate Cash-Back Credit Card
Why the Citi Double Cash is worth it: The
The
Thanks to its
You can redeem Citi ThankYou points from the
Best Small-Business Credit Card
Why the Ink Business Cash is worth it: The no-annual-fee
Welcome bonus: The card earns
The
Here's what this no-annual-fee card earns for spending:
- 5% cash back at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services*
- 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants*
- 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
*On up to $25,000 in combined purchases each year, then 1% cash back.
This card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, not cash.
But similar to the
One excellent and very useful perk that's rare to see among no-annual-fee credit cards is primary car rental insurance (when renting for business purposes). When you waive the in-house rental agency's CDW, you'll be covered for damage or theft to the car, and you don't even have to tell your personal insurance provider about it.
Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card Review
Best Credit Card for Grocery Stores
Why the SavorOne Cash Rewards for Good Credit is worth it: The
Welcome bonus: N/A
The no-annual-fee
- 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases through November 14, 2024
- 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and tickets at Vivid Seats (through January 31, 2023)
- 5% cash back on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services
- 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target)
- 1% back on all other purchases
You can redeem your cash back as either a check or a statement credit, and there's no minimum redemption amount. But just like the cards before it, you can turn this cash back into significantly more valuable Capital One miles if you have one of the following cards:
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card Capital One Spark Miles for Business Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business
So while you're biding your time and fostering your credit score, you can earn points for your travels (if that's of interest to you).
With that, Savor and SavorOne cardholders also get a complimentary Uber One membership (through November 14, 2024).
Capital One SavorOne Rewards for Good Credit Card Review
Best Credit Card for Gas Stations
Why the US Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card is worth it: The
Welcome bonus: Earn
The
- 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center
- 4x points on travel and at gas stations (including EV charging stations)
- 2x points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, dining, and streaming services
- 1x point on all other eligible purchases
These points are worth 1 cent each, meaning you'll effectively earn 4% back at gas stations. In addition, cardholders receive solid perks, including annual streaming credits, Priority Pass airport lounge access with four free visits per year, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay insurance, and SmartDelay coverage that offers airport lounge access when your flight is delayed.
US Bank Altitude Connect Card Review
Best Choose-Your-Own Spending Category Card
Why the Citi Custom Cash is worth it: The no-annual-fee
Welcome bonus: Earn
The
Eligible spending categories include:
- Restaurants
- Gas stations
- Grocery stores
- Select travel
- Select transit
- Select streaming services
- Drugstores
- Home improvement stores
- Fitness clubs
- Live entertainment
Whichever category you spend the most in, the
The
This card's rewards operate the same as the
This is another strong earner for a