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Top credit cards for September 2026
Five US credit cards compared side by side, : cash back, long 0% intro periods and options for building credit. Rates and fees come straight from each issuer. Find your goal below and always read the full terms before you apply.
Top pick for simple 2% rewards
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Regular APR*18.74% to 28.74%Variable. Source: Wells Fargo, 09/23/2026
Intro APR0% for 12 months
Annual fee$0
Credit limitSet at approval
RewardsUnlimited 2% cash rewards
Welcome bonus$100 after $500 in 3 months
Best forGood to excellent credit (estimate)
Key details
- Credit limit: Set at approval. Rewards: Unlimited 2% cash rewards.
- Intro APR: 0% for 12 months
- Annual fee: $0
- Regular APR 18.74% to 28.74% — Variable. Source: Wells Fargo, 09/23/2026
What you need
- US resident with a valid SSN or ITIN
- Proof of income
- Credit approval required
- Read the full review
Our verdict
If you want one card that pays well everywhere without any tracking, this is it: a flat 2% on purchases. Its 0% window is shorter than most rivals, and it charges a 3% foreign transaction fee.
easy 2% on everything
Top pick for restaurants and pharmacies
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Regular APR*18.24% to 27.74%Variable. Source: Chase, 09/23/2026
Intro APR0% for 15 months
Annual fee$0
Credit limitSet at approval
Rewards1.5% to 5% cash back
Welcome bonus$200 after $500 in 3 months
Best forGood to excellent credit (estimate)
Key details
- Credit limit: Set at approval. Rewards: 1.5% to 5% cash back.
- Intro APR: 0% for 15 months
- Annual fee: $0
- Regular APR 18.24% to 27.74% — Variable. Source: Chase, 09/23/2026
What you need
- US resident with a valid SSN
- Proof of income
- Credit approval required
- Read the full review
Our verdict
Great for people who eat out a lot: 3% on dining and drugstores, 1.5% on the rest and a $200 bonus, the largest here. On everyday spending outside those categories, a 2% flat card earns more.
dining out and a big welcome bonus
Top pick for first-year value
Discover it® Cash Back
Regular APR*17.49% to 26.49%Variable. Source: Discover, 09/23/2026
Intro APR0% for 15 months
Annual fee$0
Credit limitSet at approval
Rewards5% rotating categories, 1% on the rest
Welcome bonusCashback Match in year one
Best forGood to excellent credit (estimate)
Key details
- Credit limit: Set at approval. Rewards: 5% rotating categories, 1% on the rest.
- Intro APR: 0% for 15 months
- Annual fee: $0
- Regular APR 17.49% to 26.49% — Variable. Source: Discover, 09/23/2026
What you need
- US resident with a valid SSN
- Proof of income
- Credit approval required
- Read the full review
Our verdict
Hard to beat in year one if you remember to activate each quarter's 5% categories, because Discover doubles all the cash back you earn. It also starts at the lowest regular APR in our list.
doubling cash back in year one
Top pick for the longest 0% period
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Regular APR*17.74% to 28.49%Variable. Source: Wells Fargo, 09/23/2026
Intro APR0% for 21 months
Annual fee$0
Credit limitSet at approval
RewardsNo rewards program
Welcome bonusNone
Best forGood to excellent credit (estimate)
Key details
- Credit limit: Set at approval. Rewards: No rewards program.
- Intro APR: 0% for 21 months
- Annual fee: $0
- Regular APR 17.74% to 28.49% — Variable. Source: Wells Fargo, 09/23/2026
What you need
- US resident with a valid SSN or ITIN
- Proof of income
- Credit approval required
- Read the full review
Our verdict
Nearly two years without interest on purchases and on balances moved in the first 120 days, the longest window we found. With no rewards at all, it's a debt payoff tool more than an everyday card.
nearly 2 years at 0% interest
Top pick for starting from zero
Chime Card™ (secured)
Regular APR*No interestSecured card. Source: Chime, 09/23/2026
Intro APRNot applicable
Annual fee$0
Credit limitYou set it with the money you add
RewardsUp to 5% on a chosen category
Welcome bonusNone
Best forNo credit check; Chime Checking Account required
Key details
- Credit limit: You set it with the money you add. Rewards: Up to 5% on a chosen category.
- Intro APR: Not applicable
- Annual fee: $0
- Regular APR No interest — Secured card. Source: Chime, 09/23/2026
What you need
- Open a Chime Checking Account
- No credit check to apply
- No minimum security deposit
- Read the full review
Our verdict
A low-risk way to start or repair credit: no credit check, no interest, no annual fee, and on-time payments reported to all 3 bureaus. The top 5% cash back rate only kicks in with large monthly direct deposits.