Top Credit Card Issuers in the US
- Chase: Known for versatile travel and rewards cards, including the Sapphire and Ink Business series.
- American Express: Offers premium perks via cards like Amex Platinum, Blue Cash Preferred®, and various co-branded airline cards.
- Capital One: Flat-rate travel rewards like Venture® and accessible secured and cashback cards.
- Discover: No annual fee, rotating 5% categories, free FICO® score access, and beginner-friendly tools.
- Navy Federal Credit Union: Ideal for military families with low APRs, credit-builder cards, and personalized service.
Major Bank Credit Cards
Banks like Chase, Citi, and BofA offer cards with sign-up bonuses, reward categories, and 0% intro APRs. These cards require fair-to-excellent credit and offer optimal value when balances are paid monthly.
TAP Miles&Go American Express Card
The TAP Miles&Go American Express Card rewards travelers with 3 miles per $1 spent on TAP Air Portugal purchases, 2 miles on hotels, car rentals, and rideshares, and 1 mile on all other spending. New cardholders can typically earn 40,000–60,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500–$3,000 in the first 90 days. Travel perks include 2 TAP Premium Lounge passes per year in Lisbon, 2 free checked bags annually, unlimited priority boarding for you and your travel companions, and up to 10,000 status miles yearly, earned at a rate of 1 status mile for every 5 card miles.
Fintech or Online‑Only Credit Card Issuers
Fintech firms like Petal, Chime, and Grow offer alternative-approval credit tools with no fees, app-based management, and bureau reporting—typically easier to qualify for but with fewer travel-centric rewards.
Secured Credit Cards for Building Credit
Secured cards like Discover it® Secured, Capital One Platinum Secured, and OpenSky® Secured Visa® require refundable deposits, report to credit bureaus, and may offer cash-back rewards or upgrade paths—ideal for those building or rebuilding credit.
Retail Store Credit Cards
Retail-branded cards (e.g., Amazon, Target) offer store-specific perks but limited acceptance, high APRs, and little travel value compared to general-purpose travel cards like the TAP Miles&Go Amex.
How Credit Cards Impact Your Finances and Credit Score in the US
Using a card like TAP Miles&Go Amex wisely can strengthen your credit and travel experience:
- Keep credit utilization under 30% to support your FICO score.
- On-time payments boost your score and avoid high APRs.
- Its annual fee can be offset by travel perks like lounge access and checked bags—but there’s no 0% intro APR, so carry a balance only if paying in full next cycle.
- The card generates Status Miles, aiding TAP elite or Star Alliance Silver status qualification.
- Hard inquiries from applications can temporarily lower your score—apply selectively.
- Always read the cardholder agreement, use your perks smartly, and pay in full monthly to maximize value.
