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Credit cards.

Building credit from scratch, then getting the most out of cards without paying interest.

Offers checked Oct 5, 2026

New to credit? Start with the first guide. None of this pushes you toward a card: the best first card is a free one you keep for years.

Start here

Your first credit card

How to start building credit with no history, without fees or cards that are hard to get.

5 minRead
Basics

How credit scores work

The five things a FICO score looks at, and which ones you control right away.

4 minRead
Basics

Habits that build credit

Autopay, statement dates, utilization and the other small habits that do most of the work.

4 minRead
Basics

Check, freeze and protect your credit

Free weekly credit reports, free credit freezes, and what to do if something looks wrong.

3 minRead
Next step

When to move on to rewards cards

A simple checklist before your second card, and why cash back usually comes before travel points.

4 minRead
Points

Getting more from your points

How transferable points work, when to transfer, and the 2026 changes that cut some of the best value.

6 minRead

Swipe for all 6 guides →

Design

Card benefits tracker

Lists every statement credit on my cards, how much is left, and when it resets.

Small monthly credits are easy to forget. Missing a $10 credit every month is $120 a year.

Try the prototype

Cards and offers

Cards and offers from each issuer's own page, last full check October 5, 2026. Offers change often, so confirm on the issuer's site before applying. No affiliate links.

Starter cards. No annual fee, made for little or no credit history. Check your own bank or credit union first.

PersonalNo annual feeChecked Oct 20
Capital One Platinum Secured card

Capital One Platinum Secured

  • · No rewards. It's a credit builder.
Key benefits
  • · Refundable deposit of $49, $99 or $200 for a $200 starting limit
  • · Add more deposit for a limit up to $1,000
  • · With on time payments you can move to the regular Platinum card and get the deposit back
  • · No foreign transaction fees
  • · Purchase APR 29.24% variable, so always pay in full
PersonalNo annual feeChecked Oct 20
Discover it Secured card

Discover it Secured

  • · 5% back at different places each quarter you activate, up to a quarterly limit
  • · 1% back on everything else
  • · All cash back matched at the end of the first year
Key benefits
  • · Refundable deposit from $49 for a limit of at least $200
  • · Reports to all three credit bureaus
  • · With a good track record you get the deposit back and move to the regular Discover it card
PersonalNo annual feeChecked Oct 20
Chase Freedom Rise card

Chase Freedom Rise

Bonus: $25 for turning on autopay in the first 3 months and keeping it on for 90 days

  • · 1.5% cash back on everything
Key benefits
  • · Made for people new to credit and students
  • · Reviewed for a credit line increase in as soon as 6 months
  • · Purchase APR 18.49% to 29.99% variable

What changed lately

Transfer partners added, removed or cut since January 2026, newest first. The full year is in this post. Checked October 20.

  1. Jan 1, 2027comingBiltcutHyatt transfers drop from 1:1 to 4:3 for all members (announced).
  2. Oct 20, 2026BiltaddedJetBlue TrueBlue added at 1:1.
  3. Oct 1, 2026ChasecutHyatt is now 4:3 from Sapphire Preferred and Ink Business Preferred for existing cardholders too. Sapphire Reserve stays 1:1.
  4. Sep 20, 2026CitiaddedJapan Airlines Mileage Bank added.
Show 8 older
  1. Aug 11, 2026U.S. BankotherAltitude Reserve can now transfer to airlines and Accor. The card is closed to new applicants.
  2. Jul 28, 2026AmexaddedLeading Hotels of the World (Leaders Club) added at 4:1.
  3. Jun 30, 2026AmexremovedEtihad Guest removed.
  4. May 17, 2026CiticutPoints Sharing between people ended. You can still combine points across your own cards.
  5. Apr 28, 2026Wells FargoaddedCathay Pacific added at 1:1.
  6. Apr 19, 2026CiticutChoice cut from 1:2 to 1:1.5 and I Prefer from 1:4 to 1:2.
  7. Apr 7, 2026Capital OneotherBought Brex. No changes to Brex Rewards announced yet.
  8. Jan 13, 2026Capital OnecutEmirates cut from 1:1 to 4:3.

Transfer bonuses

Extra points when you move bank points to an airline or hotel. Only transfer once you've found the award you want, since transfers can't be undone. Checked October 5.

Calculators

Is this a good redemption?

Paying with
1.87¢
per Chase point · 60,000 points
Beats 1¢ fixed

Points Boost can reach 1.5¢ (Sapphire Preferred) or 2¢ (Sapphire Reserve) on select Chase Travel bookings.

60,000 points at fixed rates

  • Chase Ultimate Rewards
    Cash out: $600 (1¢)Portal: $600 (1¢)
  • Amex Membership Rewards
    Cash out: $360 (0.6¢)Portal: $600 (1¢)
  • Capital One Miles
    Cash out: $300 (0.5¢)Portal: $600 (1¢)
  • Citi ThankYou Points
    Cash out: $600 (1¢)Portal: $600 (1¢)
  • Wells Fargo Rewards
    Cash out: $600 (1¢)Portal: $600 (1¢)
  • This deal: $1,120 (1.87¢)

Standard rates as of 2026-10-05. Some cards and promos pay more. Assumes the same transfer ratio for each program.

(cash price minus taxes and fees) ÷ (award cost ÷ transfer ratio) × 100 = cents per bank point.

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