Best Credit Cards for 2012

Are you in the market for a new credit card? We at CreditCards.org invite you to research our independent rankings of 2012's best credit cards to choose the best offer for you. We continually update our database as issuers change rates, features, and even approval standards for each offer. The following are the year’s best offers as ranked by the CreditCards.org staff:

Popular Categories: 0% Balance Transfer | Cash Back | Student Cards | Fair Credit | Bad Credit

Capital One® VentureSM Rewards Credit Card

3004
  • 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
  • Money® Magazine's "Most Rewarding Card if you crave free airline flights" - Money Magazine, May 2011
  • Earn 10,000 bonus miles when you spend $1,000 within the first 3 months, equal to $100 in travel
  • Redeem your miles for any travel expense
  • No limit on the miles you can earn and miles don't expire
  • Fly free on any airline, any time with no blackout dates
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $59 after that
Intro - PurchasesIntro - Balance TransferRegular APRCredit Needed
N/A**N/A**13.90-20.90% (Variable)** Excellent Credit
Capital One® VentureOneSM Rewards Credit Card

3044
  • 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day and no annual fee
  • One-time bonus of 10,000 miles once you spend $1,000 dollars in the first 3 months, equal to $100 on travel.
  • Redeem miles for airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals and more
  • No limit on the miles you can earn and miles don't expire
  • Fly on any airline, any time with no blackout dates
  • 0% intro APR on purchases until June 2013
  • No foreign transaction fees
Intro - PurchasesIntro - Balance TransferRegular APRCredit Needed
0.00%* - Until 06/2013 **N/A**11.90-19.90% (Variable)** Excellent Credit
Discover® More® Card

3159
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 10.99% - 20.99%*
  • 5% Cashback Bonus® in categories that change like gas, restaurants, department stores and more. Limitations apply*
  • Up to 20% Cashback Bonus at popular retailers when you shop online through Discover.com
  • Discover is ranked #1 in customer loyalty--16 years in a row! (2012 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index report)
  • 24/7 access to a U.S.-based Account Manager within 60 seconds
  • $0 Fraud Liability plus automatic mobile and email fraud alert options
  • Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee
  • *Click apply to view rates, fees, rewards, limitations and other important information
Intro - PurchasesIntro - Balance TransferRegular APRCredit Needed
0.00%* - 15 Months **0.00%* - 15 Months **10.99-20.99% (Variable)** Good Credit
The Platinum Card® from American Express

1895
  • 25,000 Membership Rewards® points when you spend $2,000 during your first three months of Card membership
  • Global Travel Benefits: Access over 600 lounges worldwide with Priority Pass™ Select, no foreign transaction fees, skip U.S. customs lines with Global Entry.
  • Enroll and select an airline to receive up to $200 annually in statement credits for incidental fees such as checked bags, in-flight refreshments, and change fees.*
  • Receive a companion ticket for discounted travel when you purchase a qualifying First- or Business-Class international ticket. Additional charges/taxes apply.
  • 24/7 Platinum Card® Concierge service for assistance with reservations, travel, gifts, and more
  • Fine Hotels & Resorts Program: exclusive upgrades and amenities at over 700 boutique, resort, and luxury hotels worldwide
  • Use Membership Rewards Pay with Points for part or all of your travel and get 20% of those points back every time.
Intro - PurchasesIntro - Balance TransferRegular APRCredit Needed
N/A**N/A**N/A** Excellent Credit
American Express® Premier Rewards Gold Card

1914
  • Membership Rewards® bonus: 25K points, redeemable for select gift cards valued at $250, when you spend $2,000 in your first three months of Card membership
  • Membership Rewards® points multiply fast! Earn 3X points on airfare, 2X points on gas and groceries, 1X points on everything else
  • Exclusive access to Gold Card Destinations and events - Enjoy special travel packages and amenities at hotels worldwide, as well as select concerts, shows, sporting events, and more.
  • Introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $175
  • Get a decision in as little as 60 seconds.
Intro - PurchasesIntro - Balance TransferRegular APRCredit Needed
N/A**N/A**N/A** Excellent Credit
Miles by Discover® Card

1865
  • Earn 10,000 Bonus Miles with every $2,000 in purchases within the first 6 months - up to 20,000 Bonus Miles
  • 1 Mile on every $1 you spend - Plus flexible redemption options like travel credits, merchandise, gift cards or cash
  • 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 10.99% - 15.99%*
  • No restrictions on travel--fly on any airline, book any hotel or car, with no blackout dates
  • Travel benefits include secondary collision damage insurance when you rent a car with your Miles by Discover card
  • Discover is ranked #1 in customer loyalty--16 years in a row! (2012 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index report)
  • Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee
  • *Click apply to view rates, fees, rewards, limitations and other important information
Intro - PurchasesIntro - Balance TransferRegular APRCredit Needed
N/A**0.00%* - 12 Months **10.99-15.99% (Variable)** Good Credit
Blue Sky from American Express®

1872
  • 7,500 bonus points when you spend $1,000 within 3 months - redeemable for a $100 statement credit.
  • No annual fee.
  • Travel rewards with no blackout dates or travel restrictions. Redeem with any airline, any car rental, any hotel - anytime.
  • Pay your bill all at once, or over time. It's up to you.
  • Blue Savings Program®: big deals on big brands, all the time.
  • Get a decision in as little as 60 seconds.
Intro - PurchasesIntro - Balance TransferRegular APRCredit Needed
0.00%* - 12 Months **N/A**17.24-22.24% (Variable)** Excellent Credit