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As a senior, your lifestyle and spending habits have probably gone through some changes. Maybe you're eating at home more, working on home improvement projects, or taking advantage of retirement by traveling the world. No matter how your life has changed, getting one of the best credit cards for seniors can help you stay on track financially.
By using a credit card regularly, you'll be able to maintain and even improve your credit score. You could also save money by earning credit card rewards, such as cash back on your purchases. There are all kinds of quality credit cards for seniors, and our experts have reviewed them to bring you the top options.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Great for: Save on groceries
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 months
Regular APR
19.24%-29.99% Variable
Rewards 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations. 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more). 1% Cash Back on 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.
1%-6% Cash Back
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Welcome Offer Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$250
This card offers market-leading cash back at U.S. supermarkets. The welcome bonus and intro APR offer sweeten the deal. Terms apply. If you spend a lot on groceries (excluding wholesale clubs and superstores like Costco and Walmart), this card is worth considering. Read Full Review
Great for: Unlimited cash rewards
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 15 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Regular APR
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
Rewards Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
2% cash rewards
Annual Fee N/A
$0
Welcome Offer Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
$200 cash rewards
This card’s unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases is the highest we’ve seen for a flat-rate rewards card with no annual fee. It also has an incredibly easy-to-earn $200 welcome bonus and a generous intro APR offer. We simply haven’t come across this combination of top perks in one card before. Read Full Review
Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®
Great for: Walmart shoppers
Good (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
19.48% or 29.99% (Variable)
Rewards 5% back on purchases online at Walmart, including Grocery Pickup and Deliver, 2% back on purchases in Walmart stores, 2% back on restaurants and travel purchases, 1% back on other eligible purchases
1% - 5% back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer 5% back on in-store purchases for the first 12 months
5% back
A compelling offer for Walmart fans, but not a fit for anyone seeking a one-card wallet with versatile rewards.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Great for: Straightforward travel rewards
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers.
Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Rewards Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
1.5 points per dollar
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
25,000 points
This is a good starter travel card thanks to its simplicity and no annual fee. It offers a strong welcome bonus worth $250, unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases, and no foreign transaction fee. Simply redeem points as a statement credit for travel or dining purchases. The generous 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases offer might come in handy if you want to pay-off an expensive trip over time without interest. It’s a particularly good fit for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members, who can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase (depending on your tier). Read Full Review
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Great for: Premium travel benefits
On Capital One's Secure Website.
On Capital One's Secure Website.
Excellent (740-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Rewards Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
2X-10X miles
Annual Fee
$395
Welcome Offer 75000 Miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
75,000 Miles
Our favorite premium travel card. Yes, there’s a premium annual fee here, but you get what you might expect from a luxury card, like up to 10X miles on spending through Capital One Travel, a $300 travel credit, experience credits, and a huge welcome bonus. Read Full Review
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
Great for: Save on dining
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles on purchases billing cycles, and after that 18.24% - 29.24% (Variable).
Purchases: 0%, 12 billing cycles on purchases
Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 billing cycles
Regular APR
18.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Rewards 4X points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery. 2X points on streaming services. Plus, a $15 credit for annual streaming purchases like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify®, Apple Music, Disney+, HBO Max and more! 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, gas stations, and EV charging stations. 1X point on all other eligible purchases.
1x - 4x points
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening
20,000 bonus points
A great pick that offers lucrative rewards (up to 4x points), a big bonus, and a competitive 0% intro APR offer, all with no annual fee.
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Great for: Costco shoppers
Excellent (740-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
20.49% (Variable)
Rewards 4% back on gas and EV charging ($7,000 annual spending cap), 3% back on restaurants and travel, 2% back on Costco purchases, 1% back on other purchases
1% - 4% back
Annual Fee
$0 for Costco members
Welcome Offer
N/A
Hard to beat for Costco shoppers with the lucrative rewards program and no annual fee for members. The cash back rates on gas and EV charging are among the highest you'll find. Read Full Review
AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard®
Great for: Cash back for drugstore and medical purchases
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular APR
21.99%, 25.99%, or 29.99%, variable
Rewards Earn 3% Cash Back on Gas and Drug Store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart), 2% Cash Back on Medical expenses, 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
1% - 3% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer $100 cash back for spending $500 in the first 90 days
$100
The standout feature is 2% back on medical expenses, which narrows down the audience who'd be interested in this card. For that type of person, the card is worth considering.
Great for: Long 0% intro APR offer
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 21 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Regular APR
18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% Variable APR
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee N/A
$0
This no-frills card is a solid choice if your priority is to avoid credit card interest for as long as possible. It offers an incredible 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. The balance transfer fee (5%, min: $5) is higher than some cards — but if you want an equally long intro APR on purchases, then this card is hard to beat. Read Full Review
With so many credit cards available, it can be hard to know which one you should choose. A good first step is to pin down what you want a new credit card for. This can help you decide on a specific type of card. You can also narrow down your options based on the features and services each card offers.
Here are the most common reasons to open a credit card and which types of credit card you should check out for each one.
For savings on monthly bills, a cash back credit card is an excellent choice that will earn cash rewards on your purchases.
It's a little like getting a discount on purchases just because you're using your credit card. Each cash back card earns a certain rate on purchases, such as 2% back. As you accumulate cash rewards, you can redeem them as a statement credit on your credit card bill or as a deposit to your bank account.
Some cash back cards have bonus categories where they reward you more with a higher rate, such as 6% on groceries and 3% on gas, compared to 1% on regular purchases. Others earn the same rate on all types of purchases. Both can work well, it just depends on your spending habits.
COMPARE PICKS: Best Cash Back Credit Cards
If you're planning to add some stamps to your passport, a travel rewards credit card can help cover your airfare, hotels, car rentals, and other travel costs.
Travel credit cards earn points or miles (the terminology depends on the card) that you can redeem towards a travel purchase. Many of them also offer extra perks, such as free checked luggage, a big welcome bonus for new cardholders, and no foreign transaction fee.
There's a wide variety of travel cards, from no annual fee cards with more basic features to premium credit cards with lots of benefits.
COMPARE PICKS: Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards
Ready to travel abroad? Check out The Ascent's list of the best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees.
You can spend less on interest and get your credit card debt paid off more quickly with a balance transfer credit card.
These cards offer a 0% intro APR on balance transfers. That means you can transfer a balance from another credit card with a high APR (interest rate) to a balance transfer card with a 0% APR for an introductory period. The introductory period can last for 12 months or more.
Balance transfer credit cards usually charge a small balance transfer fee, often 3%. If you have debt that will take you six months or longer to pay off, the fee is likely worth it, because you'll save much more on interest.
COMPARE PICKS: Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards
When you have a low credit score, a secured credit card is a good way to rebuild it.
What makes secured credit cards different is that they require a refundable security deposit from the cardholder upon account opening. The deposit is usually equal to the starting credit limit for the secured card.
Since the card issuer has that security deposit, it can be more flexible about the applicants it approves. Even if your credit score is in the "bad credit" range, you could still get approved for a secured card and start to rebuild your credit.
COMPARE PICKS: Best Secured Credit Cards
Yes, you can open a new credit card if you're retired. You need income to get a credit card, but it doesn't need to come from a job. You can also qualify for a card through Social Security benefits, retirement fund distributions, or any other type of income you can access.
READ MORE: Can I Get a Credit Card if I'm Unemployed?
There's also no maximum age limit for opening a credit card. In fact, credit card companies aren't allowed to deny applications based on age. It's prohibited by the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
It's worth noting that credit card issuers consider your income, as well as your debts and the amount of credit you have, when evaluating your application. If your income has decreased, that can affect whether you qualify for a credit card. And if you already have a large amount of credit from other credit cards, it could be harder to get approved for a new card.
READ MORE: How Your Income Affects Credit Card Applications
The fastest way to apply for a credit card is online. Most credit card issuers also let you apply over the phone and by mail. If the card issuer has physical branches, then you can likely apply for a card at those as well.
If you want to apply online, here's a quick guide:
Most card issuers offer instant approval credit cards where you can receive a decision on account opening in less than a minute. However, this doesn't mean you always get a decision so quickly. The card issuer may need more time to review your application. If so, you'll receive its decision by mail, and possibly also by email.
LEARN MORE: How to Apply for a Credit Card Online
Card | Rating | Great For |
---|---|---|
2024 Award Winner
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Save on groceries |
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Unlimited cash rewards |
|
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Walmart shoppers |
|
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Straightforward travel rewards |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Premium travel benefits |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Save on dining |
|
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Costco shoppers |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Cash back for drugstore and medical purchases |
|
2024 Award Winner
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Long 0% intro APR offer |
At The Motley Fool Ascent, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and 0% intro APR offers to evaluate our ratings.
Our highest-rated credit cards have:
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best card recommendations. Learn more about how The Ascent rates credit cards.
No, there's no maximum age to apply for a credit card. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits credit discrimination based on age. Credit card companies can't reject an application because of the age of the applicant.
Yes, you can get a credit card on retirement income. When you apply for a credit card, you can include any type of income you have, including Social Security and retirement fund distributions.
The amount of retirement income you have will be one factor the card issuer uses to evaluate your creditworthiness. If you're on a limited income, that can affect whether your application is approved, although there will likely still be credit cards available for you.
To choose the best credit card when you're retired, look for one that fits your lifestyle and your typical spending habits. For example, if grocery shopping is your biggest monthly expense, pick a credit card that earns a high cash back rate on groceries. If you're planning to travel often now that you have more time on your hands, apply for a travel card to pay for your trips with travel rewards.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Mastercard and Visa. The Motley Fool recommends Amex.