Credit Cards: Best of the Best

If you are like me you get a handful of credit card offers in the mail daily with zero percent interest, low fees, cash back and other rewards. I don't typically mind this constant onslaught of offers most of the time, except they tend to send terrible deals. I'll pick out a few credit cards that I think are the best out there based on what type of user you are. I have put the in categories there based on how you use credit cards might use credit cards. (as usual I receive nothing for recommending any of these, I found them by searching bankrate.com, google.com, and creditcards.com the information was accurate as of 2/24/2007).

If you want the lowest interest rate because you carry a balance:
Brand: First National Bank (Visa)
APR: 9.99%
Intro APR: 1.5%, for 15 mo
Fee: None
Credit: "Good Credit"
Reward: 5% cash back on gas purchases for first 3 months, 3% cash back on gas after the intro period, 1% on all other purchases.

If you want cash back:
Brand: Citi Dividend Platinum Select Card (Mastercard)
APR: 13.74%
Intro APR: 13.74%
Fee: None
Credit: "Excellent"
Reward: 2% cash back on purchases at supermarkets, drug stores, gas stations, convenience stores, utilities, 1% everywhere else.

OR

Brand: Chase Freedom (Visa)
APR: 14.24%
Intro APR: 0% (12 mo.)
Fee: None
Credit: "Good Credit"
Reward: 3% cash back on purchases at grocery stores, gas stations, fast food, 1% everywhere else.


If you want miles:
Brand: Capital One No Hassle Miles (Visa)
APR: 13.9%
Intro APR: 13.9%
Fee: None
Credit: "Excellent"
Reward: 1.25 miles per dollar spent, redeemable on any airline, no blackouts, can fly holidays


If you have a mortgage:
Brand: Citi Home Rebate Platinum Select
APR: 12.24%
Intro APR: 12.24%
Fee: None
Credit: "Very Good"
Reward: Once a year the company will apply the rewards you receive against your mortgage. You receive 6% cash back on internet connection fees, telecom services, cable, satellite, pay tv & radio, utilities (12 mo), you receive 1% cash back on all other purchases.


If you are a trader:
Brand: ShareBuilder Platinum Rewards
APR: 14.24%
Intro APR: 0% (12 mo)
Fee: None
Credit: "Good"
Reward: 1% cash back directly into your ShareBuilder account which allows you to buy fractional shares of stock or commission free trades.

OR

Brand: E*Trade Rewards Platinum Visa
APR: 12.15%
Intro APR: 12.15%
Fee: None
Credit: "Excellent"
Reward: 1% cash back directly into your E*Trade account to invest or use for free trades.