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Best Credit Cards for Excellent Credit for You

5 min read

Published March 14, 2025

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

An excellent credit score may make qualifying for many rewards credit cards easier.
What qualifies as an excellent score depends on the scoring model. A FICO Score over 800 and a VantageScore over 781 are considered excellent.
Benefits of an excellent score include improved chances of better personal loan terms, rental approval, higher credit limits, and lower interest rates.

If you’ve worked hard to establish excellent credit—by paying your bills on time each month, keeping your credit card balances low, and making every payment—congratulations on your accomplishment. An excellent credit score may help you qualify for great personal loan terms or mortgage rates and have your pick of desirable rewards credit cards. The following guidance may help you choose your best credit card from a wide range of potential credit card options for excellent credit.

What credit cards can you get if you have excellent credit?

Your credit history, along with your income and debt, typically determine the credit card offers you qualify for. So, while your credit score isn’t the only important factor, an excellent credit score typically gives you strong approval odds for various premium credit cards. The best credit card for you depends on your priorities: you may want a travel credit card, cash back credit card, a card with low interest, or other perks.

The scoring model a credit card company uses determines what qualifies as “excellent” credit. According to myFICO, most FICO scores range from 300 to 850. A score of 800 or more qualifies as excellent or exceptional.

VantageScores also range from 300 to 850, according to the company. However, they don’t have an “exceptional” or “excellent” range. Instead, scores over 781 qualify as “superprime”. Like excellent scores, scores in this range typically improve your approval odds for many cards.

What Discover Cards can you get with excellent credit?

Your credit history is just one factor that determines your eligibility. You’re never guaranteed approval on any credit card, as the credit card issuer always needs to review your credit file and other application information. However, an excellent credit score may boost your odds of qualifying for several Discover cards that can help you earn rewards on your every purchase and may offer bonuses in certain categories where you shop most. There’s no annual fee on the following cards or any credit cards from Discover.

Discover it® Chrome Card for gas and restaurants

If you commute a long distance for work or spend a lot of time running errands for your family, you may want an everyday card that offers you rewards for filling up your tank. On the other hand, if you often stop for a bite on the road or you love checking out the trendiest restaurants in your city, you might want a card that rewards dining out.

An excellent credit score could help you get the best of both worlds with a Discover it Chrome Card. You can earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. You'll still earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.¹

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Discover it® Miles Card for travel

The Discover it Miles Card is a great everyday travel credit card pick for avid adventurers with excellent credit. You can earn unlimited 1.5x Miles automatically on travel purchases and all your everyday purchases with the Discover it Miles Card.²

Some travel credit cards only allow you to redeem rewards for flights with certain airlines. But what if your travel plans change? The Discover it Miles Card offers more flexible redemption options. You could get a deposit into your bank account when you turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants, and more.³ You don’t have to worry about figuring out how much your miles are worth as cash. However you redeem, Miles have the same value.³ You also have the freedom to save up your rewards for a luxurious vacation because Discover rewards never expire.⁴

Discover it® Cash Back Card for rotating rewards

With an excellent credit score, you may qualify for the Discover it Cash Back Card, which has bonus rewards rates in categories that change throughout the year. This card offers one of the highest bonus rewards rates of any Discover^® Card. Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

If the bonus rewards rate categories align with your shopping habits, the Discover it Cash Back Card can help you maximize your cash back.

More benefits of excellent credit

An excellent credit score may have positive effects on your financial life in many ways beyond your credit card options. Good credit may help you achieve the following:

More loan options. Typically, your credit score impacts the personal loans, mortgages, and auto loans you qualify for. With an excellent credit score, you may qualify for more favorable terms, lower interest rates, or higher loan amounts.
Easier rental approval. Landlords and property management companies may check your credit as part of the apartment application process. A high credit score might help you qualify for an apartment or home rental as long as other factors (like your income and rental history) meet the property’s requirements.

Higher credit limits. Credit card companies typically assess your credit score and history, along with income and debt, to determine your credit limits. Excellent credit demonstrates to credit card issuers that you can manage credit responsibly, so they may feel secure in offering higher credit lines.
Better credit card interest rates. Your credit score is one of the most influential factors card issuers use to determine your interest rates. With excellent credit, you may qualify for lower APR credit cards.

Did you know?

An excellent credit score could also help you qualify for a card with a low introductory APR promotion. Any balance you carry on a low intro APR card during the promotional period accrues interest at the lower rate until the promotional period ends.

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An excellent credit score can help you qualify for premium credit cards with favorable rates and lucrative rewards programs. If you’re not there yet, don’t worry. You can improve your score with responsible credit habits, like repaying your balance in full each month and making all payments on time.

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