Top Credit Card Issuers in the US
- Chase: Offers versatile Ultimate Rewards® cards like Sapphire Preferred®, Freedom Unlimited®, and co-branded cards with travel perks.
- American Express (Amex): Known for premium travel and cash-back cards, along with prepaid products like Blue Cash Preferred® and Serve.
- Capital One: Home to flat-rate cash-back cards (e.g. Quicksilver®) and credit-building options like Capital One Platinum Secured.
- Discover: Beginner-friendly with rotating 5% cash-back categories, no annual fee, free FICO® scores, and U.S.-based support.
- Navy Federal Credit Union: Tailored for military families with low APRs, fair terms, and strong customer service.
Major Bank Credit Cards
Major banks such as Chase, Citi, and Bank of America offer cards with sign-up bonuses, category-based rewards, and 0% intro APR deals. These cards typically require good to excellent credit and deliver maximum value when balances are paid in full.
U.S. Bank Altitude Go Secured Visa Card
The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Secured Visa Card blends credit-building tools with solid rewards-earning potential, making it a standout choice for those establishing or rebuilding credit. You can earn up to 4X points on dining, takeout, and delivery, 2X points on groceries, gas/EV charging, and streaming services, and 1X on all other purchases—plus get a $15 annual streaming credit after 11 consecutive months of streaming purchases. With no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and a refundable $300–$5,000 deposit that sets your credit limit, this card reports to all three major bureaus and may even graduate to unsecured status with responsible use.
Fintech or Online-Only Credit Card Issuers
Issuers like Petal, Chime, and Upgrade use alternative underwriting (income or banking data) for approval and offer unsecured cards with no annual fees, predictable digital interfaces, and monthly reporting—ideal for credit-building without traditional score reliance.
Secured Credit Cards for Building Credit
Other strong secured options include Discover it® Secured and Capital One Platinum Secured. These cards typically require a refundable deposit, carry $0 annual fees, and often feature path-to-unsecured upgrades or modest rewards.
Retail Store Credit Cards
Card options tied to specific retailers (like Amazon Store Card or Target RedCard) provide limited-use rewards or financing but often come with high APRs and minimal consumer protections. General-purpose cards offer broader acceptance and better long-term value.
How Credit Cards Impact Your Finances and Credit Score in the US
Effectively managing a credit card like the Altitude Go Secured influences your financial health:
- Maintaining credit utilization under 30% strengthens your FICO score.
- On-time payments are key; missing them leads to compound interest, negative payment history, and higher debt.
- Secured cards contribute to your debt-to-income ratio (DTI)—important for qualifying for future loans like a mortgage.
- While this card doesn’t offer an intro APR, some secured cards do and can help with strategic financing.
- Built-in perks like purchase protection and streaming credits enhance value.
- Applying for multiple cards may trigger multiple hard inquiries, temporarily lowering your score.
- Always read your cardholder agreement, avoid revolving balances, and aim to pay in full every month.
