8 best credit cards for excellent credit

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Having an excellent credit score — typically above 780 — means you’re at the top of your game when it comes to creditworthiness.

Lenders view someone with an excellent credit score as a low-risk borrower. This makes it easier for you to access loans with favorable interest rates.

It also means you may qualify for the best credit cards on the market today. These include cards with attractive rewards, generous cash back, and elite travel perks.

If you have stellar credit and are looking for a top-tier credit card to match, here are the five best credit cards for excellent credit.

The typical range for excellent credit is generally 800 or above on the FICO credit scoring scale, which ranges from 300 to 850. VantageScore, the other scoring model, places anyone above 780 as having excellent credit.

The best credit cards for excellent credit all require a solid score to get approved. These cards come with attractive rewards, favorable terms, and added perks.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• American Express® Gold Card
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
• Citi® Double Cash Card

• Earn 5X points on directly booked airfare, flights, and prepaid hotels (up to $500,000 per calendar year) and 2X on prepaid car rentals via American Express Travel. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.
• Receive a generous amount of Membership Rewards points as a welcome bonus when you meet the spending requirements within the specified timeframe.
• Enjoy access to airport lounges worldwide, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Select lounges, and Delta Sky Club lounges.
• Receive special perks like room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and late checkout when you book through the Fine Hotels + Resorts program.
• Get exclusive access to sought-after dining experiences and reservations through the Global Dining Collection.

The Amex Platinum is a premier card for those who appreciate luxury travel. This card offers exclusive access to airport lounges, helping you relax and unwind before your flight. Plus, access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program enhances your stay with exceptional amenities.

You’ll also get up to $1,000 in bonus credits and access to travel insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty coverage on eligible items.

How to redeem rewards: You can redeem points for travel, merchandise, gift cards, or statement credits, giving you flexibility in how you use your rewards.

What to watch out for: While the Platinum Card offers a wide range of benefits, it comes with a high annual fee of $695. See rates and fees. Before applying, evaluate whether the benefits and rewards outweigh the cost.

• Earn a large amount of Ultimate Rewards® points as a welcome bonus when you spend a certain amount within the specified timeframe.
• Enjoy access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide through the Priority Pass Select program.
• Receive a $300 annual travel credit to use for various travel expenses.
• Earn bonus points on dining purchases, making it an excellent card for food enthusiasts.
• Receive a statement credit to cover the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

The Sapphire Reserve card is an ideal choice for frequent travelers and those who enjoy dining out. You can access airport lounges worldwide, making your travel experiences more comfortable. The annual credits help offset travel expenses, and the dining rewards boost your points accumulation for every meal.

With this card, you’ll also get trip cancellation insurance, primary rental car insurance, baggage delay insurance, and more.

How to redeem rewards: Transfer points to travel partners, book travel directly through Chase’s portal, or redeem for cash back.

What to look out for: The Sapphire Reserve card has a high annual fee of $550. Review the benefits to ensure they align with your travel habits and spending.

• Earn generous bonus miles as a welcome offer when you meet the spending limits within a specific amount of time.
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and unlimited 5X miles on flights purchased through Capital One Travel, as well as 2X miles on all other purchases.
• Receive a statement credit to cover the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
• Enjoy access to a dedicated concierge service that can assist with travel bookings, reservations, and more.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a good option for frequent travelers who don’t want to shell out for a high annual fee. With its generous earning rates on travel, you can accumulate miles quickly. Plus, the annual fee is only $395, lower than other elite cards. The card’s travel benefits, such as baggage insurance and travel insurance, can ensure a smooth travel experience.

How to redeem rewards: You can redeem miles for travel, statement credits, gift cards, or even transfer them to select airline and hotel partners.

What to look out for: This card earns miles, which may not be as flexible as earning points. You also won’t get bonus rewards for redeeming through Capital One Travel.

• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, making it a great card for everyday spending.
• Take advantage of a welcome bonus and earn cash rewards once you meet a spending limit within the first few months of opening the card.
• This card features a solid introductory APR from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
• Enjoy the benefits of this card without having to pay an annual fee.

The Active Cash Card is a good option if you want a simple cash rewards program. You’ll earn a flat 2% cash rewards on everything you buy without worrying about spending categories or rotating bonuses. The card’s welcome bonus provides an added boost to your cash rewards. The introductory APR period can also be helpful if you plan to make a large purchase or transfer a balance.

How to redeem rewards: Redeem cash rewards as a statement credit, deposit it into a Wells Fargo account, or request a paper check.

What to watch out for: This card has higher-than-average APR once the introductory period ends. Rewards also aren’t ideal for frequent travelers since you can’t transfer points to airline or hotel partners.

• Earn a solid bonus miles once you spend a certain amount within the first few months of opening the card.
• Earn 5X miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
• Receive a statement credit to cover the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
• Enjoy the flexibility of transferring your miles to over a dozen airline and hotel loyalty programs.

The Capital One Venture Rewards card is a solid rewards card with a lower annual fee than the other elite cards on this list. Because you’ll earn at least 2X miles on all your purchases, you can quickly accumulate rewards and use them to fund your trips. This card also offers travel insurance and other protections, offering peace of mind while traveling.

The other key benefit is the ability to transfer miles to many airline and hotel partners, helping you maximize your rewards.

How to redeem rewards: Redeem miles for cash back, statement credits, gift cards, or travel through Capital One Travel. You can transfer miles to Capital One airline and hotel partners like Accor Live Limitless, Air France (Flying Blue), Choice Privileges, Emirates, and Wyndham Rewards.

What to watch out for: This card charges a $95 annual fee and a high APR if you carry debt from one month to the next.

• Earn 4X points at U.S. restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and Uber Eats. You’ll also earn 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1X). Earn 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or via American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases.
• Receive an annual statement credit on dining, rideshares, and hotels.
• Earn a generous amount of points as a welcome bonus when you meet the spending requirements within the specified timeframe.

While you won’t earn as many travel rewards as the Amex Platinum, the Gold card is a good option for earning on dining and travel. It also comes with a lower annual fee of $250. See rates and fees. You can also access annual bonus credits worth hundreds of dollars and a robust welcome bonus. Plus, this card has travel insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty coverage on eligible items.

How to redeem rewards: Redeem points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, and travel through AmexTravel.com. You can also transfer points to a range of Amex airline and hotel partners, including Air France (Flying Blue), Delta SkyMiles, Hilton Honors, and Marriott Bonvoy, among others.

What to watch out for: Watch out for this card’s $250 annual fee and the high APR you’ll pay if you carry a balance. See rates and fees.

• Earn 5X points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on Lyft rides (through March 2025). Earn 3X points on dining (including eligible delivery), select streaming, and online grocery purchases (excluding wholesale clubs). Earn 2X points on all other travel and 1X on all other purchases.
• Enjoy the flexibility of transferring your points to various airline and hotel loyalty programs.
• Benefit from trip cancellation/interruption insurance, rental car insurance, and baggage delay insurance.
• Earn substantial bonus points as a welcome offer when you meet the spending requirements within the specified timeframe.

The Sapphire Preferred card is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a versatile travel rewards card for a lower annual fee. This card’s key features are its generous travel rewards earning rate and valuable transfer partners. The card’s travel insurance and protections provide added security during your trips.

You’ll also get flexibility in redeeming your rewards via Chase Ultimate Rewards. In some cases, you can redeem your points for up to 25% more when booking through Ultimate Rewards.

How to redeem rewards: Cardholders can redeem points for cash back, statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise. Rewards are worth 25% more when booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards points. You can transfer points 1:1 to airline and hotel partners like British Airways, Marriott Bonvoy, Southwest Rapid Rewards, United MileagePlus, and World of Hyatt.

What to watch out for: Keep this card’s $95 annual fee in mind, as well as the high variable APR that applies if you carry a balance.

• Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit purchases, and 1% on all other purchases.
• Benefit from a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for a certain period of time, helping you save on interest charges.
• Earn a generous amount of cash back as a welcome offer when you spend a certain amount within the first few months of opening the card.
• Access exclusive discounts, offers, and presale tickets for various shopping and entertainment events.

The Blue Cash Preferred is great for those who want to earn cash back on everyday spending. With this card, you can earn significant rewards on groceries, streaming services, and gas. Plus, the card’s introductory APR period can help manage expenses or consolidate balances.

This card has an introductory annual fee of $0 in the first year and costs $95 annually afterward. See rates and fees.

How to redeem rewards: You can redeem cash back as a statement credit, deposit it into your bank account, or use it for eligible purchases.

What to watch out for: Make sure to calculate whether the cash back you earn outweighs the annual fee. Additionally, note that the elevated cash back at U.S. supermarkets is limited to a certain amount per year before it reverts to a lower rate.

• Earn unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases – 1% when you buy and an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
• Enjoy the benefits of this card with no annual fee.
• Benefit from an introductory 0% APR on balance transfers for a certain period, allowing you to save on interest charges.
• Exclusive access to presale tickets, VIP experiences, and other various events.

Like the Wells Fargo Active Cash, the Citi Double Cash Card also offers a straightforward cash back rewards program. You’ll earn 2% cash back on everything you buy without any spending categories to track. You’ll get 1% back at the time of purchase and 1% back when you pay for those purchases.

The card’s no annual fee feature makes it a cost-effective choice for maximizing your cash back earnings. Plus, the introductory APR on balance transfers can be helpful if you’re looking to consolidate and pay off existing card balances.

How to redeem rewards: You can apply your cash back as a statement credit to offset your balance, receive a check, or deposit it into a linked bank account.

What to watch out for: There are no bonus categories for earning additional rewards. There’s also a high APR once the introductory period is over.

Having good credit or excellent credit makes life easier in so many ways — especially when it comes to your finances. After all, having a solid credit score opens the door to better loans with the best rates and terms. You’ll also get access to the best credit cards with valuable rewards programs that can give you something back for each dollar you spend.

Remember that you’ll have to use your card responsibly to keep your credit score in tip-top shape. This means paying your credit card bill early or on time each month and keeping your credit utilization ratio as low as possible.

[Disclaimer]: *Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visitamericanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.