Nowadays, there are many credit card options to choose from with specialized perks for nearly any situation. Among them, there are a few that you can get to pay for your move. Moreover, these credit cards offer compelling terms that make them attractive to many people.
Below is our list of the seven best U.S. bank credit cards. Each option offers something a little different so that there’s always something for those with various needs. Read on to find out more.
Best U.S. Bank Credit Cards
1. Amex Blue Cash Preferred
While American Express credit cards are harder to get due to higher credit score demands, those that qualify get to enjoy numerous rewards. Most of them are geared towards travelers and hotel stayers, but there’s one that you may find interesting. The honor belongs to the American Express Blue Cash Preferred card.
Within the first six months of owning an American Express Blue Cash Preferred card, you can earn a $350 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases. This reward will pay for 10% of your spending, which is an excellent decision if you spend money on movers.
Even if you don’t wish to hire movers, this card is advantageous for commuters. Gas and transit purchases help you earn 3% cashback. The fuel costs of moving can be expensive, but the card helps alleviate some financial burdens.
When you finish moving, the card is also incredible for buying groceries. The cashback rate for groceries is 6%, an excellent feature for larger families with many mouths to feed.
There’s also a 6% cashback rate for streaming service subscriptions. So you can spend $50 a month on Hulu, Netflix, and more for a year and earn another $36 besides grocery cashback.
The Blue Cash Preferred card’s regular APR varies from 13.99% to 23.99% at most. However, there’s a 0% intro APR benefit for the first year.
There’s also no annual fee for the first year. However, after that, you’ll have to pay a yearly fee of $95 from the second year onwards.
If your credit score is good or excellent, this credit card may be the one to pay for your move. It’s also perfect for transportation and grocery shopping.
2. Indigo Platinum Mastercard
The Indigo Platinum Mastercard is a unique choice among the cards on our list. It’s designed for people who have bad credit, giving them a chance to build credit.
One advantage of the Indigo Platinum Mastercard is that it reports to all three major credit bureaus: TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. Since all three get your payment history, having more bureaus check on you often can help you build credit faster.
There’s also a variable annual fee depending on your credit score, ranging from $0 to $99.
Before committing to the Indigo Platinum Mastercard, it’s possible to pre-qualify and check the likelihood of your approval. Doing so won’t affect your credit score. Even so, pre-qualification doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get approved.
The card has a current interest rate of 23.9% APR, a typical rate for those with poor credit scores. It’s best not to use more than 30% of your current available credit to avoid expensive fees to help you build a healthy credit score.
The various tiers of the Indigo Platinum Mastercard have no rewards or low introductory APR. However, all of them have no security deposit required.
If your credit score is on the low side, this card may be an option.
3. Experian Boost
Experian Boost isn’t an actual credit card but a free service that anyone can use to build a strong credit score. You’ll need an existing credit card, however.
Experian Boost works by connecting your bank account to the service so it can read extra on-time payments. These additional payment history records will help increase your credit score over time. The only condition is that you pay everything off on time.
You can also choose the positive payment histories you want to add to your Experian credit report. If there’s something you’d rather not have on the report, you can remove it.
On average, users find Experian Boost increases their FICO Score by 13 points.
Signing up for Experian Boost is relatively straightforward. Simply head to the official website and create an account. Once that account is active, the website will prompt you to connect the bank account you use to pay bills.
Remember that Experian can only access read-only data from banks and can’t touch any funds you have. Experian Boost will scan your transactions for any on-time payments such as cell phone bills and more. It needs at least a six-month window and three months of expenses.
These bills can qualify to help improve your credit score:
- Gas bills
- Electric bills
- Phone and internet bills
- Streaming services
While all of these may not seem relevant for a move, remember that you’re still paying for your current house bills. You can also use Experian Boost for all of these payments in the future. During the moving process, gas and electric costs may rise. However, you can turn this expense into a positive by improving your FICO Score simultaneously.
Overall, Experian Boost is perfect for people with poor credit, short or sparse credit histories, and those who pay utility bills on time.
4. Discover It Cash Back
The Discover it Cash Back credit card is designed to help cardholders earn rewards on all sorts of daily expenses. It also features several advantages that you’ll find helpful for moving.
The regular APR ranges from 11.9% to 22.99% and varies between cardholders. However, for the first 14 months, there’s no APR for purchases or balance transfers. As a result, the Discover it Cash Back is a somewhat viable pick compared to many other cards.
You don’t need an excellent credit score to get approved, as a 670 FICO Score is the minimum.
Each quarter of the year, you can earn $1,500 in each category, with the highest cashback rate at 5%. Once you activate the quarterly bonus, you can start taking advantage of it. If not, you’ll only earn 1% cash back for purchases.
Thanks to the Cashback Match program, you earn double during the first year. So, for example, if you make $300 during your first year, the program will grant you another $300. After that, it’s 1% for purchases using the card.
This reward is incredibly worthwhile, especially for those who wish to move. A new home will require food, electricity, and more. The Discover it Cash Back card can help you get back some of the money you spend on those essentials.
When you want to redeem your rewards, you can choose to get cash or a statement credit to your current bank balance. There are also charity and gift card options.
As a bonus, there are no annual fees to pay when using this card, and there are no foreign transaction fees when you use it outside the country.
The first time you’re late with a payment for this card, you won’t incur a fee. However, the next one may result in a $40 late fee.
For your daily needs and especially gas, this card is a steal.
5. OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card
If you aren’t well-versed in credit cards, the OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card is a great way to delve into the waters. This card is straightforward to acquire, though there aren’t any rewards you can earn while spending.
You might notice that the OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card doesn’t require applicants to have a bank account. For some, this is a great advantage.
OpenSky also won’t ask for a credit check when you apply for this card. So if you know you can pay on time, using the Secured Visa Credit Card will help you build up your credit score slowly.
Like the Indigo Platinum Mastercard, the OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card’s transactions go to all three major credit bureaus. As long as you pay your bills by the deadline each month, you’ll build or rebuild your credit score. Conversely, you’ll need to monitor your spending, as negative credit information will also be reported.
When you first apply, you’ll be asked to set a deposit amount, which is refundable. You can deposit between $200 and $3,000, and it will become your credit limit too. However, the company must approve it first.
There’s a $35 annual fee, which is reasonable for most people looking for a new credit card.
Here are some conditions for eligibility:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- A valid SSN or ITIN
- U.S. citizenship or P.R. status
- Haven’t applied for a Capital Bank credit card more than four times in the past 60 days
- No more than two current Capital Bank credit cards
- Good standing with Capital Bank or previously had a relationship with it
If you’re worried about your credit score, this card will be a good fit for your moving needs.
6. Avianca Vuela LifeMiles Credit Card
Some credit cards like the Avianca Vuela Credit Card allow holders to earn air mileage as they spend money. Frequent fliers who appreciate any opportunity to save on airfare will favor this feature.
First, this credit card lets you earn LifeMiles just from using the card. For example, Avianca purchases award three LifeMiles per dollar, while you get two LifeMiles for spending a dollar on gas. All other purchases will let you earn one LifeMile per dollar.
During your first year, you can earn up to 40,000 LifeMiles, equating to about $560. So if you’re planning to fly soon for a vacation after moving, this card can help save some money.
There’s a $149 annual fee, which may be expensive for some. Nevertheless, you’ll find that the LifeMiles effectively compensate for such a high cost.
With this credit card, you can earn many rewards, but the basic ones include a free checked bag on Avianca flights. This bonus will only work for flights between the U.S. and Central America. However, frequent travelers between both areas will find it helpful.
Thankfully, even if you’ve never flown with Avianca before, you can still apply for this credit card. You just have to sign up and become an Avianca LifeMiles member. The process is entirely free and can be done online.
One restriction is that only one card can be yours at any given time.
7. USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum Credit Card
No one enjoys high-interest rates when paying back debts, which is why the USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum Credit Card was born. It has the lowest APR on our list, starting from 6.90% and going all the way to 23.90%. Those with decent credit scores can work towards the lower rates with enough diligence.
Say goodbye to annual fees and foreign transaction fees, as this card charges none at all. If you’re a fan of traveling overseas, this credit card may be a good pick.
While there aren’t any rewards, these benefits are impressive for a credit card with low-interest rates.
To ensure you have the best APR, you should always pay your bills on time. The stronger your credit score, the lower your APR.
USAA features incredible 24/7 customer service, and they’re happy to help if you have a problem with the card. However, you’ll need to be from a military family to apply for this credit card. Even so, those who qualify for it speak highly of the card.
Save for the Move
It’s always in your best interest to find the best credit card for your situation. Our best U.S. bank credit card list is designed to cater to a broad audience. As a result, you’ll likely find something that fits your situation.