Green Light
Proceed through a Green Light without hesitation, would get any card identified with a green light without giving it a second thought. All these are elite Credit Cards

Yellow Light
Proceed through a Yellow Light with hesitation but still run a yellow 9/10 times, would get any card identified with a yellow light but think twice or take a step back before applying

Red Light
Proceed through a Red Light with a good reason (wife’s about to give birth) would only get a card identified with a red light for a GOOD reason (going on a cruise or need to build your credit)

CHASE FREEDOM UNLIMITED

Pros:

-$200 intro bonus after spending $500 in purchase on your card within 3 months of opening (40% return)
-No annual fee
-0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
-Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty

Cons:

-Cash back disappears when you close the account
-Boring 1.5% cash back on everything
-3% Foreign Transaction Fee

CHASE FREEDOM

Pros:

-$200 intro bonus after spending $500 in purchase on your card within 3 months of opening (40% return)
-No annual fee
-0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
-Different 5% cash back category each quarter. This past quarter’s was gas stations I would imagine we still have grocery stores, restaurants, and travel in the coming quarters
-Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty

Cons:

-Cash back disappears when you close the account
-Need to activate 5% cash back (this takes maybe 30 seconds but still an extra step)
-1% cash back on everything outside of the bonus categories
-3% Foreign Transaction Fee

BLUE CASH PREFERRED CARD

Pros:

-Earn $300 cash back after spending $1,000 in purchases on your card within 3 months
-Earn 6% cash back on up to $6,000 in purchase per year at grocery stores
-Earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
-Earn 3% cash back on transit (taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more)
-Earn 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
-Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance and Return Protection

Cons:

-$95 annual fee not waived for the first year
-Earn 1% cash back for every $1 spent on all other purchases
-Cash back disappears if you close the account
-Must keep the account open for 12 months or Amex can take back your intro bonus
-2.7% Foreign Transaction Fees

SAVORONE REWARDS

Pros:

-Earn a one-time $150 cash bonus after spending $500 in purchases on your card within 3 months of opening
-Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining and entertainment purchasese
-Earn 2% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Target and Walmart)
-0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
-No annual fee
-No foreign transaction fees
-Extended Warranty and Travel Accident Insurance

Cons:

-Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
-Cash back disappears if you close the account
-3% balance transfer fee

QUICKSILVER REWARDS

Pros:

-Earn a one-time $150 cash bonus after spending $500 in purchases on your card within 3 months of opening
-0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
-No annual fee
-No foreign transaction fees
-Extended Warranty and Travel Accident Insurance

Cons:

-Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases
-Cash back disappears if you close the account
-3% balance transfer fee

BLUE BUSINESS CASH CARD

Pros:

-Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your card within 6 months of opening the account and earn an extra $250 statement credit after you spend an additional $10,000 in purchases on your cars within the first year
-Earn 2% cash back on all purchases up to $50,000
-0% intro APR on new purchases and balance transfers for 12 months
-No annual fee
-Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty

Cons:

-Earn 1% cash back for every $1 spent on all other purchases
-Cash back disappears if you close the account
-Must keep the account open for 12 months or Amex can take back your intro bonus
-2.7% Foreign Transaction Fees

US BANK CASH BACK+

Pros:

-Earn a $150 bonus after applying online and spending $500 in purchases on your card within 90 days of opening
-No annual fee
-Earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined purchases each quarter on two spending categories that you choose
-Earn 2% cash back on one everyday spending category of your choice
-Get cash back as a statement credit, direct deposit into one of your US Bank accounts, or a rewards card
-0% intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers

Cons:

-Earn 1% cash back on everything else outside of your chosen categories
-If you make a balance transfer, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including the balance transfer) off
-Balance transfers must be posted within 60 days of opening the account
-3% Foreign Transaction Fee

DISCOVER IT CASH BACK

Pros:

-No annual fee
-No foreign transaction fees
-Earn 5% cash back on a different category each quarter up to $1,500 in purchases
-At the end of the first year of cardmembership discover will give you an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match on all the cash back you’ve earned
-0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 14 months

Cons:

-If you cancel the card you loose your cash back
-1% cash back on all other purchases outside the quarterly spend category (really 2% the first year)
-Balance transfers made within 3 months of account opening will be charged a 3% fee and 0% APR any balance transfer after will be a 5% fee and a variable APR from 11.99%-22.99%
-If you max out the 5% cash back category each category you’ll receive ($300 x 2) $600 cash back for the first year on $6,000 of spend. Only a 10% return on your intro card spend

WELLS FARGO CASH WISE VISA

Pros:

-Earn $150 in cash rewards bonus when you spend $500 in purchases on your card within 3 months of opening
-No annual fee
-0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
-Cell Phone Protection and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

Cons:

-Earn 1.5% cash back for every $1 spent on your card
-If you cancel your card you loose your cash back
-Cannot apply if you’ve opened a Wells Fargo credit card in the past 6 months
-May not be eligible for the intro APR or bonus rewards if you’ve opened a Wells Fargo Credit Card within the last 15 months
-3% foreign transaction fee

NHL DISCOVER IT

Pros:

-No annual fee
-No foreign transaction fees
-Earn 5% cash back on a different category each quarter up to $1,500 in purchases
-At the end of the first year of cardmembership discover will give you an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match on all the cash back you’ve earned
-0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 14 months

Cons:

-If you cancel the card you loose your cash back
-1% cash back on all other purchases outside the quarterly spend category (really 2% the first year)
-Balance transfers made within 3 months of account opening will be charged a 3% fee and 0% APR any balance transfer after will be a 5% fee and a variable APR from 11.99%-22.99%
-If you max out the 5% cash back category each category you’ll receive ($300 x 2) $600 cash back for the first year on $6,000 of spend. Only a 10% return on your intro card spend

SAVOR REWARDS

Pros:

-Earn a one-time $300 cash back bonus after making $3,000 in purchases on your card within 3 months of opening
-Earn unlimited 4% cash back on dining and entertainment purchases
-Earn 2% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Target and Walmart)
-Annual fee is waived for the first year
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-Extended Warranty and Travel Accident Insurance

Cons:

-$95 annual fee after the first year of card membership
-Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
-No anniversary bonus in exchange for your annual fee
-If you cancel your card you loose your unused cash back
-Need to spend $9,000 on dining and entertainment purchases annually for the Savor to be worth it over the SavorOne

CASH MAGNET CARD

Pros:

-Earn $200 in cash back after spending $1,000 in purchases on your card within 3 months of opening
-Earn 1.5% cash back for every $1 spent on your card
-No annual fee
-Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance
-0% intro APR on new purchase and balance transfers for 15 months

Cons:

-Better return on intro spend with the Chase Freedom cards
-If you cancel your card you loose your unused cash back
-2.7% Foreign Transaction Fee
-3% balance transfer fee

BANK OF AMERICA CASH REWARDS

Pros:

-Earn $200 in cash back after spending $1,000 in purchases on your card within 90 days of opening
-Earn 3% cash back in one category of your choice. Choose between gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings up to $2,500 in purchases per quarter
-2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
-No annual fee
-0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases made on the card and any balance transfers within 60 days of opening the card

Cons:

-Earn 1% cash back for every $1 spent on everything else
-3% Foreign Transaction fees
-No travel insurance, purchase protection or any of those other great benefits
-If you cancel the card you loose your cash back

BLUE CASH BACK EVERYDAY

Pros:

-Earn $200 in cash back after spending $1,000 in purchases on your card within 3 months of opening
-Earn 3% cash back on purchases at supermarkets up $6,000 per year
-Earn 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores
-No annual fee
-Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance
-0% intro APR on new purchase and balance transfers for 15 months

Cons:

-Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
-Better return on intro spend with the Chase Freedom cards
-If you cancel your card you loose your unused cash back
-Must keep the account open for 12 months or Amex can take back your intro bonus
-2.7% Foreign Transaction Fee
-3% balance transfer fee

SUSAN G. KOMEN CASH REWARDS

Pros:

-Earn $200 in cash back after spending $1,000 in purchases on your card within 90 days of opening
-Earn 3% cash back in one category of your choice. Choose between gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings up to $2,500 in purchases per quarter
-2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
-No annual fee
-0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases made on the card and any balance transfers within 60 days of opening the card

Cons:

-Earn 1% cash back for every $1 spent on everything else
-3% Foreign Transaction fees
-No travel insurance, purchase protection or any of those other great benefits
-If you cancel the card you loose your cash back

WORLD WILDLIFE FUND CASH REWARDS

Pros:

-Earn $200 in cash back after spending $1,000 in purchases on your card within 90 days of opening
-Earn 3% cash back in one category of your choice. Choose between gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings up to $2,500 in purchases per quarter
-2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
-No annual fee
-0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases made on the card and any balance transfers within 60 days of opening the card

Cons:

-Earn 1% cash back for every $1 spent on everything else
-3% Foreign Transaction fees
-No travel insurance, purchase protection or any of those other great benefits
-If you cancel the card you loose your cash back

U.S. PRIDE CASH REWARDS

Pros:

-Earn $200 in cash back after spending $1,000 in purchases on your card within 90 days of opening
-Earn 3% cash back in one category of your choice. Choose between gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings up to $2,500 in purchases per quarter
-2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
-No annual fee
-0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases made on the card and any balance transfers within 60 days of opening the card

Cons:

-Earn 1% cash back for every $1 spent on everything else
-3% Foreign Transaction fees
-No travel insurance, purchase protection or any of those other great benefits
-If you cancel the card you loose your cash back

MLB WORLD MASTERCARD CASH REWARDS

Pros:

-Earn $200 in cash back after spending $1,000 in purchases on your card within 90 days of opening
-Earn 3% cash back in one category of your choice. Choose between gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings up to $2,500 in purchases per quarter
-2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
-No annual fee
-0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases made on the card and any balance transfers within 60 days of opening the card
-Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance and Purchase Protection

Cons:

-Earn 1% cash back for every $1 spent on everything else
-3% Foreign Transaction fees
-No travel insurance, purchase protection or any of those other great benefits
-If you cancel the card you loose your cash back

BANK OF AMERICA CASH REWARDS FOR STUDENTS

Pros:

-Earn $200 in cash back after spending $1,000 in purchases on your card within 90 days of opening
-Earn 3% cash back in one category of your choice. Choose between gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings up to $2,500 in purchases per quarter
-2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
-No annual fee
-0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases made on the card and any balance transfers within 60 days of opening the card
-Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance and Purchase Protection

Cons:

-Earn 1% cash back for every $1 spent on everything else
-3% Foreign Transaction fees
-No travel insurance, purchase protection or any of those other great benefits
-If you cancel the card you loose your cash back

INK BUSINESS CASH

Pros:

-Earn $500 bonus cash back after spending $3,000 in purchases on the card within 3 months of opening
-5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
-2% cash back on first $25,000 spent at gas stations on restaurants
-0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
-No annual fee
-Auto Rental Collision Waiver, Travel and Emergency Assistance Services, Roadside Dispatch, Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty Protection

Cons:

-1% cash back on every other purchase
-3% Foreign Transaction Fee
-No travel insurance
-Cash back disappears if you close your account

DISCOVER IT BUSINESS CREDIT CARD

Pros:

-No annual fee
-No foreign transaction fees
-At the end of the first year of cardmembership discover will give you an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match on all the cash back you’ve earned
-3% cash back for every $1 spent in the first year
-0% intro APR on purchases for 14 months

Cons:

-If you cancel the card you loose your cash back
-1% cash back on all other purchases outside the quarterly spend category (really 2% the first year)
-1.5% cash back for every $1 spent after the first year
-No intro bonus miles, just get your cash back doubled at the end of the year

INK BUSINESS UNLIMITED

Pros:

-Earn $500 bonus cash back after spending $3,000 in purchases on the card within 3 months of opening
-0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
-No annual fee
-Auto Rental Collision Waiver, Travel and Emergency Assistance Services, Roadside Dispatch, Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty Protection

Cons:

-1.5% cash back on every purchase
-3% Foreign Transaction Fee
-No travel insurance
-Cash back disappears if you close your account

SPARK CASH BUSINESS

Pros:

-Earn a one-time $500 bonus when you spend $4,500 in purchase on your card within 3 months of opening
-Earn unlimited 2% cash back for every $1 spent on your card
-Annual fee is waived for the first year
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-Auto Rental Damage Waiver, Purchase Security and Extended Protection

Cons:

-$95 annual fee after the first year of card membership
-No anniversary bonus in exchange for your annual fee
-If you cancel your card you loose your unused cash back

SPARK CASH SELECT

Pros:

-Earn a one-time $200 bonus when you spend $3,000 in purchase on your card within 3 months of opening
-0% intro APR on purchases made on your card for 9 months after opening
-No annual fee
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-Auto Rental Damage Waiver
-Cash Select OVER Cash Business if you’re business is in the beginning phases and could utilize a 0% intro APR

Cons:

-Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases made with your card
-6.6% return on your spend for this intro bonus versus 11.11% on the Spark Cash
-If you cancel your card you loose your unused cash back

WELLS FARGO CASH BACK COLLEGE

Pros:

-Earn 3% cash back for every $1 spent on gas, grocery, and drugstore purchases up to $2,500 in purchases in the first 6 months
-No annual fee
-0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 6 months
-Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Roadside Dispatch, Travel and Emergency Assistance Services, Cell Phone Protection

Cons:

-No intro bonus
-1% cash back on everything else
-Cannot apply if you’ve opened a Wells Fargo credit card in the past 6 months
-May not be eligible for the intro APR or bonus rewards if you’ve opened a Wells Fargo Credit Card within the last 15 months
-3% foreign transaction fee

CITI DOUBLE CASH CARD

Pros:

-Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, 1% when you make the purchase and 1% when you pay off the purchase
-0% APR for 18 months on balance transfers
-No annual fee
-Redeem cash back for a statement credit, direct deposit, check, or points
-Could be a good alternative if you are looking for a short term or payday loan, just don’t make any purchases on your card after the balance transfer

Cons:

-No intro bonus for spending money
-If you make a balance transfer interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including the balance transfer) off
-Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of opening the account
-If you cancel your card you lose your cash back
-3% Foreign Transaction Fee
-3% balance transfer fee

DISCOVER IT CHROME GAS AND RESTAURANT

Pros:

-No annual fee
-No foreign transaction fees
-At the end of the first year of cardmembership Discover will give you an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match on all the miles you’ve earned
-Redeem miles for a statement credit on travel or get cash
-0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 14 months

Cons:

-If you cancel the card you loose your miles
-2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (if you max this out every year you get $80, x2 year one, in cash back, if you max out the same spend category on the cash back card you earn $75 in a quarter)
-1% cash back on all other purchases
-Balance transfers must be made within 3 months of account opening

DISCOVER IT STUDENT CASH BACK

Pros:

-No annual fee
-No foreign transaction fees
-Earn 5% cash back on a different category each quarter up to $1,500 in purchases
-At the end of the first year of cardmembership Discover will give you an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match on all the miles you’ve earned
-Good Grade Reward – get a $20 statement credit each school year your GPA is a 3.0 or higher
-0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months

Cons:

-If you cancel the card you loose your cash back
-1% cash back on all other purchases outside the quarterly spend category (really 2% the first year
-If you max out the 5% cash back category each category you’ll receive ($300 x 2) $600 cash back for the first year on $6,000 of spend. Only a 10% return on your card spend

DISCOVER IT CHROME FOR STUDENTS

Pros:

-No annual fee
-No foreign transaction fees
-Earn 5% cash back on a different category each quarter up to $1,500 in purchases
-At the end of the first year of cardmembership Discover will give you an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match on all the miles you’ve earned
-Good Grade Reward – get a $20 statement credit each school year your GPA is a 3.0 or higher
-0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months

Cons:

-If you cancel the card you loose your cash back
-2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (if you max this out every year you get $80 in cash back, if you max out the same spend category on the cash back card you earn $75 in a quarter)
-1% cash back on all other purchases

QUICKSILVER ONE

Pros:

-Access to a higher credit limit after making your first 5 monthly payments on time
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Travel Accident Insurance, Extended Warranty

Cons:

-$39 annual fee that is not waived the first year
-No intro bonus
-Earn 1.5% cash back for every $1 spent (Need to spend $2,600 annually to make the annual fee pay for itself)
-High APR so need to make sure your statement balance is paid each month
-Only for individuals trying to build credit and can’t get approval for any other cards, but could never advise anyone to pay this annual fee
-Go with the Capital One Platinum

JOURNEY STUDENT CREDIT CARD

Pros:

-Access to a higher credit limit after making your first 5 monthly payments on time
-If you pay your bill on time boost your cash back to a total of 1.25% for every $1 spent
-No annual fee
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Travel Accident Insurance, Extended Warranty

Cons:

-No intro bonus
-Earn 1% cash back for every $1 spent
-High APR so need to make sure your statement balance is paid each month
-Apply for other cards first, use this card as a Last Resort

THE PLUM BUSINESS CARD

Pros:

-Earn a $200 statement credit for each $10,000 you spend up to $30,000 in purchases on your card within the first 3 months of opening
-Earn 1.5% cash back if you pay off your purchases within 10 days
-Up to 60 days to pay off purchases with 0% interest
-Annual fee is waived for the first year of membership
-No Foreign Transaction Fee
-Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance

Cons:

-Only get cash back if you pay off purchases within 10 days
-High spend to get back 2% for the intro bonus
-$250 annual fee for at best 1.5% cash back
-No anniversary bonus for the annual fee

SPARK CLASSIC

Pros:

-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-Auto Rental Collision Waiver

Cons:

-No intro bonus
-Earn 1% cash back for every $1 spent on everything
-Loose your cash back if you cancel your card