Best Credit Cards for Excellent Credit of 2024

What is excellent credit?

According to FICO^®, a credit score of 800+ qualifies as excellent or exceptional. However, scores within the higher end of “very good” (740+) are often considered to be within this range. When you apply for a credit card, the issuer will look up your FICO^® score to determine if you are eligible. If you apply for a credit card intended for excellent credit consumers, you must have a credit score to match, as a score in this range demonstrates to lenders that you’re a low-risk borrower.

What can you do with an excellent credit score?

With an excellent credit score, you can:

• Get approved for premium credit cards: High-end cards offering thousands of dollars in rewards annually are generally only open to consumers with either “very good” or “excellent” credit scores.
• Get higher credit limits: Card companies generally increase your credit limit if you have a pristine credit score.
• Get good interest rates: Aside from just getting credit cards, borrowing money is generally more accessible with an excellent credit score. In addition to being approved for loans or lines of credit, borrowers with excellent credit typically get lower interest rates.
• Get better car and homeowner insurance rates: Many companies will use credit scores to determine liability rankings.

What causes excellent credit?

Positive payment history is one of the strongest drivers of excellent credit. That means you’re paying all your bills on time and in full. Low credit utilization, long credit history going back several years and continually getting fresh credit sources all contribute to strong credit scores.

How to get an excellent credit score

Here are some of the ways you can increase your credit score to achieve excellent credit:

• Build a positive payment history: Roughly 35% of a credit score is based on payment history. Build yours up by making payments on time every month.
• Open a new credit card: Refreshing your credit by opening new accounts can boost your credit score. Just make sure you’re not getting penalized by excessive credit inquiries in a short period when shopping for new cards.
• Increase your credit limits: You can instantly reduce your credit utilization ratio by asking your credit card company to increase your credit limit. You can also apply for a new card with a higher limit.
• Track your credit score: Keep an eye out for any negative items that show up on your score. If you believe they were added in error, dispute them or ask the creditor(s) to remove them.

How to maintain an excellent credit score

Achieving an excellent credit score is one thing. Maintaining an excellent score is another. Here are some of the things you can do to ensure your score doesn’t dip: 

• Keep all of your current cards open: While you might be tempted to do some housekeeping with old credit cards you don’t use, keeping them open contributes to credit longevity, keeping your high score afloat!
• Don’t add authorized users: While a loved one may be asking to piggyback on your excellent credit score to boost their credit, agreeing puts your hard-earned high credit score at risk.
• Don’t change your spending habits: Once you get approved for a credit card, avoid the temptation to spend more just to reach spending thresholds for bonuses or perks. This could put you in a position of carrying hefty balances from month to month, ultimately harming your credit score.

Who should get a credit card for excellent credit?

If your score is between 800 and 850, go ahead and bask in the glory by owning a premium credit card designed for those with excellent credit. However, these cards shouldn’t necessarily just be picked for clout. 

Make sure the card you’re choosing actually has the benefits that work for you. You should also be confident that the “math” works on whatever you pay for the annual fee versus the perks you’ll get back based on your real-world habits.

Benefits of credit cards for excellent credit

As credit cards for excellent credit are typically more luxury cards, they often include superior benefits not generally seen with traditional credit cards. 

These include:

• Strong rewards: Most premium credit cards offer between 1X and 5X rewards for various shopping categories. While some go as high as 2X back for everyday purchases, all at least offer 1X back on everything you buy.
• Elite perks: From free lounge access to credits for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, excellent credit cards offer jet-setting perks.
• Low introductory APRs: Because cards for excellent credit screen out risky borrowers, they can offer some of the lowest credit card interest rates around.
• Transfer partners: The financial firms behind the credit cards for high credit can cultivate arrangements with transfer partners around the world. That’s why these cards typically let you transfer at strong ratios with major airlines and hotel loyalty programs.
• Everyday consumer perks: From extended product warranties to trip cancellation insurance, many of the “fine print” perks built into the reward structures of these cards add up to thousands of dollars in protection each year. Many also include at least some level of rental car insurance.

How to choose a credit card when you have excellent credit

Picking the right credit card can be challenging, especially when credit cards with excellent credit requirements offer numerous premier perks. We’ve broken down some factors to consider when choosing a credit card.

Annual fee

Annual fees for high credit score credit cards range from $0 to just under $700. While high-fee credit cards generally offer access to more exclusive perks, you have to balance your actual lifestyle with what’s being offered for the cost. 

If flying is part of your life, going for cards with airport lounge access at hundreds of airports across the globe but with a higher annual fee looks like a steal. However, that same card would be a drain for someone locked in place by a busy work year. 

If you are just dipping your toes into the world of premium cards, you may be more comfortable sticking with a low fee or no-annual-fee card to test-drive the concept.

APR

Annual percentage rate (APR) is the interest rate with any additional lender fees added on. This rate will apply to your balance whenever it’s not paid in full at the end of the month. Be sure to compare APRs even if you plan to avoid carrying a balance. Opt for a 0% APR card if you anticipate carrying a balance.

Rewards

Rewards are where credit cards become personal. The best rewards cards are the ones that will align with your spending habits. While focusing on cash back and points when assessing the best cards for excellent credit is natural, seeing 10X or 5X back shouldn’t get your heart racing without some context. 

Higher miles and cash back on travel typically require booking either directly with airlines and hotels or through the credit card’s proprietary travel portal. A card with fewer miles on travel but generous rewards on groceries and dining could be more impressive when all is said and done.

Benefits

While largely considered afterthoughts, the consumer benefits accompanying many credit cards for excellent credit add to peace of mind. Most offer travel cancellation insurance, trip delay insurance and car rental insurance. 

Statement credits can also be used for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. Some even offer price protection and extended warranties to let you confidently make purchases. The fraud detection on these cards is also typically pretty elite and responsive.

Is a credit card for excellent credit worth it?

For most people who qualify, credit cards for excellent credit pay off handsomely. However, some consumers may resent the high annual fee if their spending doesn’t align with reward categories. If you can exceed the annual fee through your travel habits or point-matched everyday spending, you’re very likely to earn cash back from your card, which makes ownership worthwhile.