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Best Credit Cards For Excellent Credit Score 2024

An excellent credit score grants you access to some of the best rewards cards. These eight offer premium perks.

Written by
Luke Daugherty
Last Update on Jan 10, 2024

Having excellent credit pays off in many ways, not the least of which is that you gain access to some of the best rewards credit cards on the market. Not only can you rack up major reward miles or cash back, but you can also get access to premium hotel perks and airport lounges worldwide. 

Whether you’re a high spender or a frequent traveler, it’s worth having a few credit cards for excellent credit in your wallet. The only question is, where to start? We’ve narrowed it down to eight of the best options.

Comparing the 8 Best Credit Cards for Excellent Credit

CardBest forAnnual feeAPRRewards rateRewards bonus
Capital One Venture X Rewards Overall$39521.74%–28.74%, variable2X to 10X miles by category75,000 miles
Chase Sapphire Reserve®Flexible rewards$55021.74%–28.74%, variable1X to 10X points by category60,000 points
American Express® Gold CardDining rewards$250AmEx Pay Over Time1X to 4X points by category60,000 points
Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus CardHotel rewards$7520.49%, 24.74% or 29.74%, variable1X to 6X points by category45,000 points
Chase Freedom Flex℠No annual fee$019.74%–28.49%, variable1% to 5% by category$200
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards0% intro APR$017.99%–27.99%, variable1% to 3% by category$200
British Airways Visa Signature® CardAirline rewards$9520.99%–27.99%, variable1X to 3X Avios by category75,000 Avios
The Platinum Card® from American ExpressLounge access$695AmEx Pay Over Time APR1X to 5X points by category80,000 points
Best Overall Card for Excellent Credit

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Earn up to 10X miles, plus $300 annually, by booking travel through Capital One Rewards
10,000 bonus miles per year
Sign-up bonus: 75,000 miles
Credit Rating
Excellent (750+)
Annual fee
$395
Rewards Rate
2X to 10X miles, depending on category
APR
21.74%–28.74%, variable
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If you use it right, Capital One’s top-tier travel card will earn you premium rewards for an entry-level price. Easily cover your annual fee with the annual $300 bonus and 10,000 extra miles, as long as you use Capital One Travel to book your hotels, flights or rental cars.

Pros

  • Low annual fee for a premium rewards card
  • Huge annual bonuses
  • 2X miles base rewards on all purchases outside bonus categories

Cons

  • Capital One Travel and lounge networks have some limitations
  • No hotel status perks
  • Must work to earn some benefits and outweigh the annual fee
Additional Details
  • 75,000 bonus miles ($750 in travel) when you spend $4,000 in the first three months, plus 10,000 miles annually at your account anniversary
  • Earn $300 in statement credits each year for booking through Capital One Travel
  • 10X miles on hotels and rent cars, plus 5X on flights, booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2X miles on all other purchases
  • Unlimited access to over 1,300 lounges around the world
  • Up to $100 credit for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry
Best for Flexible Rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Earn up to 10X points on travel for booking through Chase Ultimate Rewards
$300 annual statement credit for travel purchases
Sign-up bonus: 60,000 points
Credit Rating
Excellent (750+)
Annual fee
$550
Rewards Rate
1X to 10X points, depending on category
APR
21.74%–28.74%, variable
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Chase’s top-tier travel card offers some of the best rewards for borrowers with excellent credit, and it’s easy to offset the high annual fee if you book your travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. You’ll earn $300 in statement credits back every year for spending on travel, and you can max out your point value by redeeming points for travel expenses through Chase.

Pros

  • Flexible $300 annual travel credit
  • Boost your point value by 50% when redeeming for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • Transfer points to quality airline and hotel partners

Cons

  • High annual fee
  • High purchase APR
  • Must use Chase Ultimate Rewards to book travel for the highest value
Additional Details
  • 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in the first three months
  • $300 statement credit automatically happens on your anniversary if you’ve spent at least that much on travel
  • 10X points on hotels and rental cars, plus 5X points on flights, booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards (when you book immediately after spending the first $300 on travel annually)
  • 3X points on other travel and dining, 1X points on all other purchases
  • Transfer points to hotel and airline partners at a one-to-one value
  • Chase automatically includes Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Lost Luggage Insurance for travel purchases made with the card
  • Access more than 1,3000 airport lounges around the world
  • Up to $100 credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS application
Best for Dining Rewards

American Express® Gold Card

Earn 4X points on restaurants, along with U.S. takeout and delivery and up to $25,000 in spending at U.S. supermarkets
Earn bonus rewards for spending at select dining partners
Sign-up bonus: 60,000 points
Credit Rating
Good to Excellent (700+)
Annual fee
$250
Rewards Rate
1X to 4X points, depending on category
APR
AmEx Pay Over Time
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American Express cards are known for their status — and the associated annual fees. But the Gold Card offers plenty of rewards to offset its modest fees, especially if you’re a frequent diner.

Pros

  • High rewards for foodies and supermarket spenders
  • Extra rewards for spending at vendors like Uber, The Cheesecake Factory, Grubhub and more
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • AmEx options for carrying a balance are limited
  • High APR for Pay Over Time feature when you do carry a balance
  • No lounge benefits
Additional Details
  • In addition to 4X Membership Rewards points noted above, earn 3X points on flights you book with airlines or through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
  • 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases in the first six months
  • $10 per month in Uber Cash when you add the Gold Card to your Uber account
  • Up to $10 per month in statement credits for spending at The Cheesecake Factory, Grubhub, Wine.com, Milk Bar, Goldbelly, and select Shake Shack locations
  • Earn up to $100 in Experience Credits when you book at least two nights of The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel
  • Up to five authorized users with no additional fee
Best Hotel Card for Excellent Credit

Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card

6X points at Wyndham Hotels and gas stations
Complimentary Wyndham Platinum membership
Sign-up bonus: 45,000 points (up to six free nights)
Credit Rating
Good to Excellent (700+)
Annual fee
$75
Rewards Rate
1X to 6X points, depending on category
APR
20.49%, 24.74% or 29.74%, variable
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If you favor Wyndham properties, this card is a must. With the possibility to earn up to six free nights off the bat and ongoing 6X points for Wyndham stays, you can rack up points for travel spending quickly.

Pros

  • Earn big rewards at Wyndham properties
  • Easy to earn the sign-up bonus
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • Less value outside of spending and redeeming points at Wyndham properties
  • High potential APR
  • Grocery bonus excludes Target and Walmart purchases
Additional Details
  • Wyndham Platinum membership includes early check-in and rental car upgrades
  • 45,000 bonus points (up to six free nights) when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days
  • Aside from 6X points noted above, earn 4X points at restaurants and grocery stores (excluding Target and Walmart) and 1X points on all other purchases
  • 7,500 bonus points every year on your account anniversary
Best Card With No Annual Fee

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Earn substantial bonus rewards in rotating quarterly categories
No annual fee and 0% intro
APR Sign-up bonus: $200
Credit Rating
Good to Excellent (700+)
Annual fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1% to 5%, depending on rotating categories
APR
19.74%–28.49%, variable
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Chase Freedom Flex℠ may be a dark horse contender for the highest reward-earning potential. If you play the quarterly categories right and book travel through Chase, you’ll rack up points quickly — with no annual fee to drag you down.

Pros

  • High reward potential on travel and bonus categories
  • No annual fee
  • Easy to earn sign-up bonus

Cons

  • Bonus rewards take some work — you must sign up and track spending each quarter
  • 5% cash back for travel only available through Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • Low rewards rate on general, everyday spending
Additional Details
  • $200 bonus when you spend $500 in the first three months
  • 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in rotating categories each quarter
  • 5% cash back on travel bookings made through Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • 3% cash back on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases
  • 0% APR for first 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (transfer fee applies)
Best for 0% Intro APR

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit

0% APR on qualifying purchases and transfers for 18 months
Big rewards for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members
Sign-up bonus: $200
Credit Rating
Good to Excellent (700+)
Annual fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1% to 3%, depending on category
APR
17.99%–27.99%, variable
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Bank of America’s flexible everyday card is in close competition with the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and may even have the edge for some spenders. It’s already a great option with its 18-month 0% intro APR and the freedom to choose your bonus category, but its 25% to 75% cash-back boost really puts it over the edge for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members.

Pros

  • Tough to beat extra 25%–75% for Bank of America Preferred Rewards
  • Freedom to change your 3% bonus category each month
  • No annual fee

Cons

  • Must track bonus rewards category spending
  • High fees for balance transfers and foreign transactions
  • Caps on bonus rewards
Additional Details
  • $200 online cash rewards when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days
  • 3% cash back in category of your choice, plus 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on up to $2,500 in spending combined for both categories)
  • Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
Best Airline Card for Excellent Credit

British Airways Visa Signature® Card

Earn bonus rewards for flying some of Europe’s biggest airlines
Earn an extra ticket for a companion each year
Sign-up bonus: 75,000 Avios
Credit Rating
Good to Excellent (700+)
Annual fee
$95
Rewards Rate
1X to 3X Avios, depending on category
APR
20.99%–27.99%, variable
Show More Details

If you prefer to travel via British Airways, this rewards card from Chase is worth a look. You’ll earn 3X Avios (the British Airways Rewards currency) for every flight on British Airways or its partners, and there’s a big sign-up bonus waiting for you.

Pros

  • Significant sign-up bonus
  • Big bonus rewards on flights with British Airways partners
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • Most rewards value is limited to select airlines
  • Annual fee
  • No checked baggage credits or lounge access
Additional Details
  • 75,000 Avios when you spend $5,000 in the first three months
  • 3X Avios on bookings through British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL
  • 2X Avios for hotel bookings you make directly with any hotel
  • 1X Avios on all other purchases
  • 10% discount on British Airways flights starting in the U.S. (must use website provided in your welcome materials)
  • Earn one companion travel ticket for every year that you spend $30,000 in purchases on your card
Best for Lounge Access

The Platinum Card® from American Express

High-status card with luxury travel benefits
Generous sign-up bonus
Sign-up bonus: 80,000 points
Credit Rating
Good to Excellent (700+)
Annual fee
$695
Rewards Rate
1X to 5X points, depending on category
APR
AmEx Pay Over Time APR
Show More Details

This card is meant for travelers who want to make the most of its luxury hotel and lounge access perks, along with high reward potential for booking through American Express. If you pay attention to the many bonus categories, you’ll quickly out-earn the annual fee.

Pros

  • Big travel benefits when you use American Express Travel
  • Comprehensive airport lounge access around the globe
  • Luxury benefits and elite status available with Hilton and Marriott

Cons

  • Extremely high annual fee
  • Complicated rewards structure
  • Poor rewards rate outside of travel spending
Additional Details
  • 80,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you spend $6,000 in the first six months
  • 5X points on flights you book with the airlines or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 per year)
  • 5X points on prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel
  • $200 statement credit for prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection booked through American Express Travel
  • Substantial credits of $200 or more for using your card for hotels, streaming services, Walmart membership, Uber rides, Sax Fifth Avenue, and more
  • Statement credits for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or CLEAR® Plus
  • $300 credit when you purchase a SoulCycle bike and subscribe to Equinox+

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I Have Multiple Credit Cards And Still Have Excellent Credit?

Absolutely! In fact, you’ll usually need at least two or three credit cards to build your credit toward a score of 750-plus. Your credit score is determined based on several factors, including your overall mix of accounts, total credit limit and the percentage of your revolving credit limit that you use each month (your utilization ratio). Having more credit cards increases your total limit and helps you keep your utilization ratio down if you use them responsibly.

What Makes Excellent Credit Different From Good Credit?

In many cases, the difference between good credit and excellent credit simply comes down to time. It takes a while to build a credit history, open a variety of accounts and demonstrate responsible use so that your score can increase over time. Borrowers with excellent credit can access the best interest rates and loan terms, but good-credit borrowers can still get good offers, too. To work toward excellent credit, keep credit cards open, focus on keeping your credit card usage below 30% of your limit, always make payments on time, and gradually add new types of credit.

How Fast Can I Get Excellent Credit?

If you don’t have any credit history, it will take time to build toward a good or excellent score. It generally takes at least six months to establish a FICO score, and it may take much longer to diversify your credit portfolio and demonstrate responsible borrowing behavior. If you have poor credit, it may take more patience to improve your score, as some negative marks stay on your credit report for seven to 10 years.

Luke Daugherty is a freelance writer, editor, and former operations manager. He covers personal finance, operations, marketing, and sustainable business, as well as many of his personal passions. His work, bylined and ghostwritten, has appeared in The Balance, CNET, CIO Magazine, Entrepreneur, and more.