Get the Best Credit Cards of February 2021

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When’s the last time you evaluated the benefits on your credit card?

As both borrowers and lenders have adapted to the realities of the coronavirus pandemic, the best card benefits on the market have changed. People’s situations have changed, too.

Now, after nearly a year of dealing with COVID-19, it’s a good time to make sure you’re getting the best mileage out of your spending. That’s true whether you’re fine-tuning a budget or starting to think of a normal vacation somewhere down the road.

Take a look at what we consider the best offers on the market right now, and see if it’s time for an upgrade.

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Why we like it: With no annual fee to worry about, the Chase Freedom Unlimited card is a top-tier choice for grocery or general cash-back rewards, offering at least 1.5{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} cash back on every purchase and more in certain categories. You also earn a $200 cash-back bonus after you spend $500 within the first three months.

What to know:

• 5{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} cash back on travel purchased through Chase.
• 3{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} cash back on dining at restaurants and on drugstore purchases.
• 1.5{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} cash back on every other purchase.
• No expiration on cash-back rewards.
• 0{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} introductory APR on purchases for 15 months.
• No annual fee.

Note: This card has a 3{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} foreign transaction fee, so plan accordingly for international travel.

Citi Premier Card

Why we like it: You’ll earn 60,000 bonus points with the Citi Premier card after spending $4,000 on purchases in your first three months of card membership, redeemable for travel or for $600 in gift cards.

What to know:

• 60,000 bonus ThankYou Points after making $4,000 in purchases within three months of signing up.
• 3 points per $1 for spending at restaurants and supermarkets.
• 3 points per $1 for spending at gas stations, hotels, and on air travel.
• 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
• $100 off a hotel stay of $500 or more, once per year, when booked through Citi’s rewards website.
• $95 annual fee.

Note: This card has no foreign transaction fees.

Chase Freedom Flex

Why we like it: The Chase Freedom Flex card offers strong cash-back rewards in several categories and turbo-charges your rewards in seasonal bonus categories. You get a 0{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} introductory APR offer on purchases for 15 months, plus earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months with the card. It’s a solid card on its own, but also pairs well with the rewards of Chase Freedom Unlimited.

What to know:

• 5{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, including hotels, flights, car rentals and cruises
• 5{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} cash back on grocery store purchases, up to $12,000 in the first year, as a welcome bonus
• 5{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} cash back on seasonal bonus categories, up to $1,500 each quarter
• 5{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} cash back on Lyft rides (through March 2022)
• 3{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} cash back on dining at restaurants (including takeout and delivery)
• 3{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} cash back on drugstore purchases
• 1{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} cash back on all other purchases
• No annual fee

U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card

Why we like it: This card offers an incredibly generous introductory APR for both new purchases and balance transfers — 0{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} for 20 billing cycles.

What to know:

• 0{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} intro APR for 20 billing cycles on balance transfers
• 0{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} intro APR for 20 billing cycles on new purchases
• Up to $600 in cellphone insurance (with a $25 deductible) if you pay your phone bill with the card
• Flexible payment date
• No annual fee

Note: This card has a balance transfer fee of 3{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} or $5, whichever is greater.

Blue Cash Everyday from American Express

Why we like it: The Blue Cash Everyday card lives up to its name as a great value all the time — but especially for new cardholders. In the first six months, you can earn 20{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} back on purchases at Amazon.com, getting up to $200 back, plus separately earn $100 back after spending $1,000.

What to know:

• 3{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} cash back on up to $6,000 at U.S. supermarkets per year, and 1{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} cash back after that amount
• 2{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} cash back at select U.S. department stores
• 2{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} cash back at U.S. gas stations
• 1{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} cash back on other purchases
• 0{d54a1665abf9e9c0a672e4d38f9dfbddcef0b06673b320158dd31c640423e2e5} introductory APR on purchases for 15 months
• No annual fee

Note: Cash back is redeemed as statement credits.

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