The Top 11 Personal Credit Cards for Entreprenistas

Credit cards are one of the most powerful financial tools entrepreneurs can leverage, and our community of Entreprenistas often turns to us for guidance on which ones truly deliver. That’s why we surveyed our members to uncover the cards they trust and rely on most so you can make informed choices backed by real Entreprenista insights. 

Read on to find 11 handpicked options! Whether you want an entry-level card with no annual fee, a mid-tier card with more perks, or a premium card with all the bells and whistles, you’re sure to find a fit below. The secret to selecting the perfect card is to start by looking at where you spend the most and identifying the perks that matter most to you. From there, pick the card that offers the most in return for your spending habits and lifestyle.

Best No-Annual-Fee Personal Credit Cards for Entreprenistas

First up are the personal credit cards that offer rewards and benefits without an annual fee. These can be a good place to start if you want to take advantage of credit card perks but aren’t ready to commit to paying a membership fee each year. 

1. Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card

A good all-around card with competitive rewards for travel, dining, and drugstore purchases. 

Rewards:

• 5% cashback on travel purchased through Chase Travel
• 3% cashback on dining and drugstore purchases
• 1.5% cashback on all other purchases

Notable benefits:

• Payment plans: Break up credit card purchases into payments, with a fixed monthly fee. 
• Extended warranty: Extends the U.S. manufacturer’s warranties by one year.
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Get reimbursed for up to $1,500 per covered traveler and $6,000 per trip for non-refundable passenger fares if your trip is canceled or cut short for a covered reason. 
• Auto rental protection: Provides secondary auto insurance coverage on rental cars.‍
• Credit monitoring: Credit Journey helps you monitor and build your personal credit with Experian.

‍Why Entreprenistas will love it:

The Chase Freedom Unlimited Card offers competitive rewards on travel and everyday purchases. The biggest rewards (5% cashback) come when you book travel through the Chase Travel portal, but you’ll also earn 3% when you make purchases at restaurants and drugstores. 

Other noteworthy perks include a $200 welcome bonus with a low spend requirement of $500 in the first three months. Additionally, there’s a 15-month 0% intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers, before the regular APR of 18.49% to 27.99% goes into effect. 

You’ll also find a decent lineup of card benefits, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance (which doesn’t usually come on cards with no annual fee). Entreprenista member & Founder of AIW Business Solutions, Amy Irwin, says the Chase Freedom is her favorite personal credit card. She’s had it forever and loves it!

2. Citi Double Cash® Card

A great option if you’re looking to perform a sizable balance transfer and want to save on interest as you pay it off. 

Rewards:

• 5% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked with Citi Travel
• 2% cash back on all other purchases (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay)

Notable benefits:

• Citi Entertainment: Gain special access to purchase tickets to events.

Why Entreprenistas will love it: 

The standout feature of the Citi Double Cash Card is an 18-month, 0% APR introductory promotion on balance transfers, which is the longest interest-free promotional period on this list. Once it ends, the regular APR of 17.74% to 27.74% will go into effect. If you have credit card debt, transferring it to this card may help you save on interest while you pay down the balance.

You will have to pay a balance transfer fee of 5%, though (at least $5), so be sure to run the numbers and make sure you’ll save overall. Aside from that, you can earn a decent welcome offer of $200 (if you spend $1,500 in the first six months), 5% cash back on travel booked through Citi Travel, and 2% cash back on all other eligible purchases.

3. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Credit Card

A no-annual-fee card with simple 2% cash back rewards on all purchases, plus phone insurance and 24/7 roadside assistance. 

Rewards: 

• 2% cash back on all purchases

Notable benefits:

• Cell phone coverage: Get up to $600 if your cell phone is damaged or stolen, after a $25 deductible. 
• Auto rental protection: Get reimbursed for covered damage or theft involving a rental car. 
• Roadside assistance: 24/7 tow coverage.
• Credit monitoring: Gain access to FICO score tracking and personalized credit insights. 

Why Entreprenistas will love it: 

The Wells Fargo Active Cash Credit Card is for the Entreprenista who wants to earn a competitive rewards rate on all her purchases without worrying about categories. While there aren’t any higher-tier rewards, you’ll earn a straightforward 2% cash back whenever you use the card. 

Plus, there’s $200 in cash rewards available if you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months. Further, you’ll get a 12-month 0% APR promotion on both balance transfers and purchases. After the promo period, the regular APR of 18.74% to 28.74% will go into effect. The card also has a few unique benefits, including cell phone insurance and 24/7 tow coverage. 

This could be a good fit if you get another card that offers higher rewards in a specific category, but only offers 1.5% or less back on all other purchases.

4. Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

A no-annual-fee card good for earning cashback on everyday purchases, including from U.S. supermarkets and gas stations. [Rates and Fees]

Rewards:

• 3% cash back on up to $6,000 per year at U.S. supermarkets, then 1%
• 3% cash back on up to $6,000 per year on U.S. online retail purchases, then 1%
• 3% cash back on up to $6,000 per year at U.S. gas stations, then 1%
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

*Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

Notable benefits:

• Streaming credit: Get a statement credit for up to $7 per month to cover a subscription to Disney Plus, Hulu, or ESPN.
• Car rental loss and damage insurance*: Get reimbursed for covered damage or theft to a rental car.

Why Entreprenistas will love it: 

The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express offers the highest welcome offer of any no-annual-fee card on this list. You can earn $250 after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first six months. Beyond that, the card helps you earn higher-tier rewards at U.S. supermarkets, online retail stores, and gas stations. 

You can earn up to $540 in cash back per year at the 3% rewards rate, $180 per category, before the rate drops to 1% for the remainder of the year. Plus, you’ll get other perks like a $7 per month streaming credit and rental car insurance.

*Calculations made by the publisher.

Best Mid-Tier Personal Credit Cards for Entreprenistas

Next up are the top picks for mid-tier personal credit cards. Each of these cards comes with additional perks in exchange for an annual fee of $200 or less. 

5. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

A good middle-of-the-road option for Entreprenistas who travel often, eat out regularly, and order groceries online from a qualifying store (not Target, Walmart, or wholesale clubs). 

Rewards:

• 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel
• 3x points on select streaming services, dining, and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
• 1x points on all other purchases
• Each year, you earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year

Notable benefits:

• Hotel credit: Get a $50 hotel credit each year.
• Point transfer: You can transfer your points to leading frequent travel programs at a 1:1 value. 
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Get reimbursed for non-refundable passenger fares if your trip is canceled or cut short for a covered reason, up to set limits.  
• Baggage delay insurance: Get up to $100 per day for up to five days when baggage is delayed over six hours. 
• Trip delay reimbursement: If your flight gets delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, your incidental expenses are covered up to $500 per traveler. 
• Auto rental protection: Get primary auto insurance coverage on rental cars up to $60,000.
• Payment plans: Break up credit card purchases into payments, with a fixed monthly fee rather than interest. 
• Credit monitoring: Credit Journey helps you monitor and build your personal credit with Experian.

Why Entreprenistas will love it: 

An upgrade from the Chase Freedom Unlimited, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card steps up the rewards and benefits in exchange for a $95 annual fee. You’ll still get 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel and 3x points on dining. Additionally, you’ll get 3x points when ordering groceries online from qualifying stores (notably unlimited), 3x points on streaming service purchases, and 2x points on all travel purchases. 

The welcome offer is also much larger at 75,000 points, and you get an annual bonus equal to 10% of your purchases for the year. Plus, there are a few extra benefits, such as a $50 annual hotel credit, baggage delay insurance, and trip delay reimbursement. 

Toni Toomey, an Entreprenista member and Founder of Honeysuckle Nursing Company, says the Chase Sapphire is one of her favorite personal cards, “Points transfer to most airlines, so you can really maximize redemption,” she says.

6. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

A good fit for frequent travelers who are Capital One loyalists and want to rack up miles to cover future trips. 

‍Rewards:

• 2x miles on all other purchases
• 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

Notable benefits:

• Credits: Get $50 off a Lifestyle Collection hotel booking and up to a $120 credit every four years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
• Hertz Five Star Status: Get free car rental upgrades, more car options, and the ability to skip the lines.
• Travel accident insurance: Get automatic insurance for covered losses.
• Auto rental protection: Coverage on rental cars against damage due to collision or theft. 

Why Entreprenistas will love it: 

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a competitive rewards rate (5x miles) for booking hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars through Capital One Travel, plus 2x miles for all other purchases. You can redeem the miles for airline tickets, entertainment tickets, gift cards, or other online purchases. It also comes with additional travel perks like Hertz Five Star Status, a competitive welcome offer, credits, travel accident insurance, and rental car insurance.

7. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Earn more rewards on everyday purchases, including purchases from U.S. supermarkets and gas stations. [Rates and Fees]

Rewards:

• 6% cash back on up to $6,000 in purchases per year at U.S. supermarkets, then 1% back
• 6% cash back on U.S. streaming subscriptions
• 3% back on transit
• 3% cash back on transit and at U.S. gas stations
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

*Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

Notable benefits:

• Auto rental protection*: Get reimbursed for covered damage or theft involving a rental car.
• Streaming credit: Get a statement credit for up to $10 per month to cover a subscription to Disney+, Hulu, or ESPN.

Why Entreprenistas will love it: 

An upgrade from the Blue Cash Everyday Card, the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express also shines for covering everyday purchases. However, with this card, purchases at U.S. supermarkets and gas stations are rewarded at higher rates. Plus, you get cash back on transit and U.S. streaming service purchases. 

While the 6% reward rate at U.S. supermarkets is capped at $6,000 per year (then you get 1% cash back), the other reward tiers are unlimited, notably the 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations. You can earn a $250 welcome offer after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first six months. Further, there’s a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year (then $95 per year), and a 12-month 0% APR introductory offer on both purchases and balance transfers (then a variable APR of 19.74% to 28.74% applies).

Best Premium-Tier Personal Credit Cards for Entreprenistas

Now, for the crème de la crème of credit cards. Here is a selection of top premium-tier credit cards. While these cards come with higher annual fees, they also pack in the benefits.

8. American Express® Gold Card*

Calling Entreprenistas looking to save on food costs! Earn competitive rewards when dining out worldwide and shopping at U.S. grocery stores. ‍

*Disclaimer: The Gold Card® from American Express allows you to carry a balance for certain charges, but not all. [Rates and Fees]

Rewards:

• 4x points on up to $50,000 in purchases per year at restaurants worldwide, then 1x points
• 4x points on up to $25,000 in purchases per year from U.S. supermarkets, then 1x points
• 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com
• 2x points on prepaid hotels and other purchases booked through AmexTravel.com
• 1x points on all other eligible purchases

Notable benefits:

• Baggage insurance*: If your baggage is lost, stolen, or damaged, get up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and $500 for checked baggage.
• Auto rental protection*: Get reimbursed for covered damage or theft when renting a car.
• Credits: Get up to $500 in annual value from Resy Credit, Dunkin’ Credit, and other companies. 

Why Entreprenistas will love it: 

The American Express® Gold Card, with an annual fee of $325, is designed to be your companion when dining out worldwide and shopping at U.S. supermarkets. Oh, and booking travel, too. You’ll earn 4x points on up to $50,000 in purchases from restaurants worldwide (then 1x points) and up $25,000 in purchases from U.S. supermarkets (then 1x points), which are notably high limits for food-related rewards. This card is ideal for Entreprenistas who love dining out in style but also take charge of their household grocery shopping.

Additionally, the card offers over $500 in annual value, baggage and rental car insurance, and a noteworthy welcome offer. Depending on your eligibility, you may see a welcome offer as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to find out your offer amount.

Overall, this can be a great fit for those whose spending will far surpass the above-mentioned $6,000 caps on grocery shopping and who eat out often. 

9. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Get robust travel rewards and benefits, including airport lounge access, all for a competitive annual fee. 

Rewards:

• 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles on all other purchases
• Earn 10,000 bonus miles on your anniversary each year.

Notable benefits:

• Airport lounges: Gain access to Capital One Lounge and Landing locations, and 1,300+ Priority Pass Lounges. 
• Credits: Get a $300 annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, a $100 experience credit, and other premium benefits every time you book accommodations from the Premier Collection, and a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years. 
• Hertz President’s Circle Status: Get free car rental upgrades, more car options, and the ability to skip the lines 
• Auto rental protection: Coverage on rental cars against damage due to collision or theft is available. 
• Cell phone protection: Get reimbursed up to $800 if your cell phone is stolen or damaged. 

Why Entreprenistas will love it: 

While the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers travel rewards and benefits that compete with the more expensive cards below, it has a much lower annual fee of just $395. You’ll gain access to over 1,000+ airport lounges, premium status with Hertz, and a lineup of statement credits. 

Plus, if you book through Capital One Travel, you can earn 10x miles on hotels and rental cars (the highest rewards rate on this list), and 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals. There’s also the anniversary bonus, which gives you 10,000 bonus miles each year just for keeping the card. However, this card does fall behind the more expensive cards below when it comes to the welcome offer and trip/travel protections.

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10. Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card

A premium card that grants comprehensive travel benefits and unlimited high-tier rewards for travel and worldwide dining purchases. 

Rewards:

• 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel
• 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
• 3x points on dining worldwide
• 1x points on all other purchases

Notable benefits:

• Airport lounges: Gain access to 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club, and more. 
• Annual value: Get over $2,700 in annual value through lifestyle and travel benefits.
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance: Get coverage up to set limits if your trip is canceled or cut short for a covered reason. 
• Baggage insurance: Get up to $100 per day for up to five days when baggage is delayed over six hours, and up to $3,000 per covered traveler for lost or damaged luggage. 
• Trip delay reimbursement: If your flight gets delayed more than six hours or requires an overnight stay, incidental expenses are covered up to $500 per covered traveler. 
• Auto rental protection: Provides primary auto insurance coverage on rental cars.
• Travel accident insurance: Comes with $1,000,000 in accidental death or dismemberment coverage. 
• Emergency evacuation coverage: Covers up to $100,000 in emergency evacuation costs when you need to be evacuated and are more than 100 miles from home.
• Emergency medical and dental: Covers up to $2,500 in costs, after a $50 deductible, if you need emergency attention more than 100 miles from home. 

Why Entreprenistas will love it: 

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card has a high annual fee, $795 per year. However, it also offers competitive rewards, bonuses, and benefits. You can earn up to 8x points on travel you book through Chase Travel, so you could cover the annual fee if you book at least $10,000 in travel through Chase Travel per year.* This card is perfect for the Entreprenista jet-setter who’s often abroad and needs a card that works almost everywhere.

You’ll also earn 4x points on travel booked directly and 3x points on dining worldwide with this card. Other perks include access to 1,000+ airport lounges, a 125,000-point welcome offer if you spend $6,000 in the first three months, and comprehensive travel benefits that can grant serious peace of mind (e.g., emergency evacuation coverage, emergency medical and dental, etc.). 

*Calculations made by the publisher.

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11. American Express Platinum® Card*

Lastly, a card with over $3,500 in annual value, comprehensive travel benefits, and the highest potential welcome offer on this list. [Rates and Fees] 

*Disclaimer: The Platinum Card® from American Express allows you to carry a balance for certain charges, but not all.

Rewards:

• 5x points on up to $500,000 in purchases of flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel per year, then 1x points
• 5x points on prepaid hotel bookings on AmexTravel.com, then 1x points
• 1x points on all other purchases

Notable benefits:

• Annual value: Get up to $3,500 in annual value in the form of credits for flights, hotels, Trusted Traveler Programs, shopping, entertainment, and more.
• Airport lounge access: Access Centurion and partner airport lounges.  
• Rental car and hotel privileges: Enjoy premium status for select car rental and hotel programs.
• Auto rental protection*: Get reimbursed for covered damage or theft involving a rental car.
• Trip delay insurance*: If your flight gets delayed more than six hours or requires an overnight stay, your incidental expenses are covered up to set limits. ‍
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance*: Coverage for non-refundable passenger fares if your trip is canceled or cut short for a covered reason, up to set limits.

Why Entreprenistas will love it: 

The Platinum Card® from American Express will cost you $895 per year, but the annual fee can be quickly offset by the card’s benefits. You’ll find over $3,500 in annual value that includes statement credits on everything from hotel bookings and airline fees to purchases at Resy restaurants, Lululemon, and Saks Fifth Avenue. 

Additionally, you’ll be granted airport lounge access, premium status with select car rental and hotel programs, and trip insurance (for delays, interruptions, or cancellations). Beyond all the built-in benefits, you’ll earn 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels. Depending on your eligibility, you may see a welcome offer as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to find out your offer amount.

This is my personal card of choice. As someone who’s always traveling and on the move, the lounge access has been incredible. Airports feel a lot less stressful when you have a quiet spot to work or relax. Every year, I check to make sure I’m getting my money’s worth, and without fail, it always delivers. This year, I used the concierge feature a lot. I used it to book all of my restaurant reservations for my trip to Venice and Paris. This feature alone is worth it for the card.

Entreprenistas: Which Personal Credit Card Is Right For You? 

With so many options, it can be hard to decide on the best personal credit card for your situation. A good place to start is to look at your budget and lifestyle. What do you spend the majority of your money on? From there, look for a card that offers the best rewards for your top spending categories. You may find that stacking multiple cards can help you earn more overall. For example, one card may offer higher returns at U.S. gas stations while another offers more back at U.S. supermarkets. 

Additionally, consider the different tiers of cards available. Many people start with a card that has no annual fee, but it can make sense to invest in mid- or premium-tier cards that offer valuable benefits you’ll actually use, such as airport lounge access and travel insurance. The key is to weigh all the benefits against the costs to see if it makes sense overall for your spending habits and lifestyle. 

No matter which personal credit card you choose, you can get the most from it by paying off the balance in full each month. That way, you’ll avoid costly interest charges that can eat into your rewards. However, if you do need to finance a purchase, look for a card with a 0% introductory APR promotion that will give you time to pay off the balance without interest. 

‍Hopefully, this has helped you find the right credit card for your personal needs. I’d love to hear which one you pick! Send me a note at courtney@entreprenista.com and let me know.

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*American Express Insurance Disclaimer: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Offer details are accurate as of the publication date, but may change at any time.