Credit Cards

I Have a 720 Credit Score — What Credit Card Should I Consider?

Reviewed by Unpack Money Research Desk · Updated October 2026 · Our review process

Quick answer

A 720 credit score is solidly in “good” territory and qualifies you for most rewards credit cards — cash-back, travel, and 0% intro APR cards included. The score gets you in the door; the right card depends on how you spend and whether you carry a balance. Pick the card type first, then compare cards within it.

What a 720 actually unlocks

A 720 sits comfortably above most issuers' published “good credit” thresholds, which is the tier where rewards cards live. Cash-back cards, travel cards, and 0% intro APR offers are all realistically in range — you are not limited to starter or secured cards.

The exception is the ultra-premium tier: cards with $395–$795 annual fees and big lounge or credit stacks tend to approve most smoothly at 740 and up. A 720 isn't disqualifying, but your odds and starting limit improve as the score climbs.

And the score is only one input. Issuers also weigh your income, your existing debt relative to that income, how many accounts you've opened recently, and any negative marks. A 720 with maxed-out cards and three recent applications looks worse than a 720 with low balances and a quiet file.

Stop shopping by score — start shopping by spending

Once you're approved-tier, the score stops being the decision. Your spending pattern picks the card type:

If you pay in full every month and spend across everyday categories, a flat-rate cash-back card (around 2% on everything) is the simplest high-value choice. If dining, groceries, and travel dominate your budget, a travel rewards card converts that spending into points worth more than cash back — provided you'll actually use the travel perks.

If you carry a balance month to month, ignore rewards entirely and look at 0% intro APR cards. A card paying 2% back while charging 24% interest is a bad trade dressed as a good one. Kill the interest first; chase rewards later.

The one question that picks your card

Ask yourself: “Will I pay the balance in full every month?” If the honest answer is yes, compare rewards cards on earn rate, fees, and perks. If the honest answer is no — or “sometimes” — a 0% intro APR card for 12–21 months saves more money than any rewards structure on the market.

This single question eliminates about two-thirds of the cards you'd otherwise agonize over. Most people overweight the welcome bonus and underweight the APR they'll actually pay. Flip that priority and the choice gets simple.

How to compare cards within a type

For cash-back cards: look at the effective earn rate after caps and category games, the annual fee measured against your actual annual spend (a $95 fee needs roughly $19,000 in extra 2%-vs-1.5% spending to break even), and whether the welcome bonus spend requirement fits spending you'd do anyway.

For travel cards: value the annual credits at what you'd actually spend without the card — a $300 travel credit you wouldn't otherwise buy is worth $0 to you. For 0% cards: the intro length minus the transfer fee (usually 3–5%) is the whole equation; the ongoing APR matters only if you might not finish in time.

Protect the score that got you here

Keep utilization under 30% of your limits — under 10% is better — because high balances drag a good score down fast, even if you pay on time. Apply for one card at a time: each application adds a hard inquiry that dings a few points temporarily, and several at once looks risky.

And don't close your oldest card after upgrading. Length of credit history supports your score, and a 720 took years to build. Keep the old card open with a small recurring charge; put your spending on the new one.

At a glance

Which card type fits which situation (general guidance, not a recommendation)

What this means for you

A 720 gives you options — the mistake is applying for the flashiest card instead of the one that matches your habits. Decide the card type from your payment behavior, compare two or three cards inside that type on the numbers that touch your wallet, and apply once. Then protect the score with low utilization and on-time payments, and it will keep opening doors.

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