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The best new credit cards deliver valuable rewards, introductory bonuses and promotional rates, and unique features that let cardholders get more value out of their spending on everything from groceries to getaways. They offer consumers numerous ways to increase value and boost their spending power via travel perks, rewards multipliers and balance transfer offers.
Money reviewed new travel, cash back and business credit cards issued over the last 12 months. We focused on new or updated rewards programs and unique benefits, while we also noted drawbacks such as fees.
Whether you’re looking for another way to earn rewards or want to fund a big purchase or business venture, these are the best new credit cards to consider.
Our Top Picks for Best New Credit Cards of 2026
All rates and data are current as of Feb. 24, 2026.
Best New Credit Cards Reviews
Why we chose it: The Citizens Summit World Mastercard offers customers 3% unlimited cash back on dining and groceries without having to pay an annual fee.
Additionally, the card features a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles, with an APR from 17.49% to 27.49% thereafter. Citizens Summit World Mastercard has balance transfer fees of $10 or 5% (whichever is greater) and a foreign transaction fee of either $1.50 or 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each transaction (whichever is greater).
The card’s perks are a selling point, including Mastercard ID Theft Protection, zero liability protection and complimentary membership to HealthLock, a health care technology platform designed to help consumers manage, audit and reduce their medical bills while protecting their data privacy.
Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.
Why we chose it: The Atmos Rewards Visa Business Card, issued by Bank of America, is the best new card for business travelers because it offers business-friendly benefits and an annual $99 companion fare on Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines after spending $6,000 on the card each year.
New cardholders can get a sign-up bonus of 70,000 points and that $99 companion fare after spending $4,000 within the first 90 days. Rewards earning multipliers include triple points for eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases, double points per $1 spent on gas, EV charging, shipping, local transit and rideshares, and one point per $1 on all other purchases. The card has an annual fee of $70 per company plus $25 per card, a variable APR range of 19.49% to 27.49% and no foreign transaction fee. Balance transfers incur a 4% fee.
Members can earn a 10% rewards bonus on all points earned on card purchases if their company has an eligible Bank of America small business account. Business travelers who fly Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines will get the most mileage out of this card, but rewards can also be redeemed through any oneworld Alliance member airline or Global Partner (traveling to over 1,000 global destinations). Additional perks include free checked bags, preferred boarding, in-flight discounts and $100 off an Alaska Airlines lounge membership.
Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.
Why we chose it: The Citi Strata Elite Card is a premium credit card with high-end perks like airline lounge access and accelerated rewards for spending on travel, dining and attractions.
The card’s APR is a variable range of 20.49% to 28.49%, and the balance transfer fee is the greater of $5 or 5%. The card has an annual fee of $595, but there is no foreign transaction fee. In return, Citi says cardholders get perks worth nearly $1,500. Highlights include up to $300 towards hotel stays, Priority Pass airport lounge membership, four American Airlines lounge passes and a $120 credit towards the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck (every four years).
The Strata Elite has a sign-up bonus of 75,000 points that new cardholders can earn after spending $6,000 in the first three months. Points multipliers can be as high as 12x for spending on hotels, rental cars and attractions via Citi’s online travel portal; 6x for flights booked through the platform, 3x for restaurant spending and 1.5 points per $1 spent everywhere else.
Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.
Why we chose it: This premium card from Citizens Bank is the best new card for perks thanks to a combination of rewards multipliers and credits for travel, transportation and entertainment spending.
The Citizens Summit Reserve World Elite Mastercard has an APR range of 19.49% to 28.49% (variable). Balance transfer fees are the greater of $10 or 5%, with no foreign transaction fees. The card’s annual fee of $295 is lower than some competitors in the premium-card sphere, and Citizens Bank customers can get a complete or partial waiver: Citizens Quest checking account holders can get $200 off the fee, those with Private Bank or Private Client banking status can get the entire fee waived.
This card offers unlimited 3% rewards points on dining, groceries and entertainment, including on live events as well as popular streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify; cardholders also earn unlimited 1.5% points on other spending. Travel perks include a $120 credit every four years towards the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, Priority Pass airport lounge access, a $10 monthly credit towards travel spending, as well as Instacart and Lyft credits and discounts.
Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.
Why we chose it: The PNC Spend Wise Visa Credit Card is the best new card without an annual fee because it has an introductory 18-month 0% APR period and unique features to help cardholders save money.
This card offers an introductory 0% APR for 18 months on purchases and balances transferred within the first 90 days. During this period, a promotional balance transfer fee of 4% applies, rising to 5% after that. (Each balance transfer has a $5 minimum.) After the promo period, cardholders pay a variable APR between 19.49% and 27.49%. PNC gives customers the chance to qualify for a lower APR after spending $3,000 and paying on time for 12 billing cycles. There is a 3% foreign transaction fee.
Other money-saving benefits the card offers include a purchase protection program that reimburses the difference (up to $1,000) if a purchased item drops in price within 60 days, reimbursement (up to $10,000) if an item is stolen within 90 days of buying it, cell phone protection (up to $800) for a damaged or stolen device as well as a $25 annual credit towards popular streaming platforms. The card has a 3% foreign transaction fee.
Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.
Why we chose it: The business version of Chase’s popular Sapphire Reserve is the best new credit card for business in spite of a $795 annual fee because it offers a generous sign-up bonus and robust rewards.
The Sapphire Reserve for Business offers generous initial and ongoing rewards to offset its annual fee. New cardholders can earn 150,000 bonus points after making $20,000 in purchases within the first three months. The card has a variable APR range of 17.74% to 25.74% and no foreign transaction fee. Rewards include 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel, 5x on Lyft rides through September 2027, 3x points on social media and search engine advertising and 1x points on all other purchases.
Chase says the card’s current travel and business benefits are valued at $3,000 annually. Some of the travel benefits include a $300 travel credit, access to Priority Pass and Chase airport lounges and $120 credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application (every four years). Business benefits include credits for DoorDash, Lyft, Google Workspace and ZipRecuiter. There is no foreign transaction fee.
Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.
How We Chose the Best New Credit Cards of 2026
We rate the best new credit cards that have debuted in the last 12 months. Money evaluated these cards according to innovative features, competitive offers on bonuses or other offers, new feedback and fees.
- New or Innovative Features: Unique rewards structures, modern digital integrations (e.g., crypto rewards, app-first designs).
- Sign-Up Bonus and Offers: Standout sign-up bonuses, low introductory APRs or other promotional incentives.
- Fees: Annual fees and costs to try the card are weighed against value.
- Other Perks: Any notable card benefits or perks.
Read our full methodology here.
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