What Qualifies as Good Credit?
A good credit score falls between 670 and 749 on the FICO scale. You're past the "fair" range but haven't quite reached "excellent" territory. The good news is that good credit opens the door to solid credit cards with competitive rewards and reasonable terms.
You won't qualify for the most elite cards reserved for 750+ scores, but the cards available to you are a significant step up from what's offered to people with fair or bad credit.
Best Cards for Good Credit
Chase Freedom Unlimited
This card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases, 5% on travel through Chase, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases. There's no annual fee, and the sign-up bonus is competitive. It's a versatile everyday card that works well as your primary spending card.
Capital One SavorOne
If dining and entertainment are your biggest spending categories, the SavorOne earns 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming, and grocery stores. No annual fee makes it a great value.
Discover it Cash Back
This card earns 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 per quarter) and 1% on everything else. Discover also matches all the cash back you earn in your first year, effectively doubling your rewards.
Citi Custom Cash
The Citi Custom Cash automatically earns 5% cash back on your top spending category each billing cycle (up to $500). It adapts to your spending habits without requiring you to track categories or activate bonuses.
Wells Fargo Active Cash
A straightforward 2% cash back on everything with no annual fee. If you prefer simplicity over category optimization, this is one of the best flat-rate options available to good credit holders.
Good Credit vs. Excellent Credit: What You're Missing
With good credit, you qualify for solid rewards cards but may miss out on some premium perks. Cards reserved for excellent credit often offer higher sign-up bonuses (sometimes $500+), lower APRs, premium travel benefits like airport lounge access, higher credit limits, and concierge and luxury perks.
The gap between good and excellent credit isn't huge in terms of card quality, but the premium perks can make a meaningful difference if you're a frequent traveler or big spender. Check out credit cards for excellent credit to see what's available at the next level.
Tips to Move From Good to Excellent Credit
Lower your utilization. Keeping your credit utilization below 10% (instead of just under 30%) can push your score higher. If your limit is $5,000, try to keep your balance under $500.
Age your accounts. The average age of your credit accounts matters. Avoid closing old cards, and be patient as your accounts age. Time is one of the best credit-building tools.
Diversify your credit mix. Having different types of credit (credit cards, an auto loan, a credit builder loan) shows lenders you can manage various financial products responsibly.
Dispute any errors. Check your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. Even small errors in your payment history or account balances can hold your score back. Disputing errors is free and can result in quick score improvements.
Be patient and consistent. The jump from good to excellent credit often happens naturally over time with consistent on-time payments and low utilization. Most people reach excellent credit within one to two years of focused effort.
Choosing the Right Card
The best card for you depends on how you spend money. If most of your spending is on dining and groceries, a category-based card like the Capital One SavorOne or Citi Custom Cash maximizes your rewards. If your spending is spread evenly across categories, a flat-rate card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash or Chase Freedom Unlimited is simpler and still rewarding.
Consider pairing two cards: a category card for your highest spending areas and a flat-rate card for everything else. This combo approach maximizes your overall rewards without much extra effort.
Ava Credit Builder Card
Ava Credit Builder Card
Ava gives you access to a suite of credit-building products including Credit Builder Card, Credit Builder Loan, and Rent Reporting. 74% of members seeing an increase in score in the first week.
Fee
$8/mo (annual) or $10/mo (monthly)
APR
0%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
None
Benefit
Ava reports account activity weekly to all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
The Bottom Line
Good credit gives you access to strong rewards cards with competitive terms. Use these cards responsibly, and you'll naturally progress toward excellent credit over time. If you're still working toward good credit, the credit builder card can help you build the foundation you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score do you need for the best credit cards for good credit?
Most cards designed for good credit require a FICO score of 670 or higher. Cards like Chase Freedom Unlimited and Capital One SavorOne are commonly approved for scores in the 670-740 range. While approval isn't guaranteed, a score in the mid-to-high 600s puts you in a solid position.
Is a 700 credit score good enough for a rewards credit card?
Yes. A 700 FICO score qualifies you for most cards in the "good credit" tier, including no-annual-fee cash back cards and travel rewards cards. You may not get the highest credit limits or lowest APRs initially, but responsible use for six to twelve months typically leads to limit increases.
How long does it take to go from good to excellent credit?
Most people take one to two years to move from good (670-749) to excellent (750+) credit. The fastest path is keeping credit utilization below 10%, making every payment on time, not opening multiple new accounts, and letting your existing accounts age. Small, consistent habits have the biggest impact over time.
