The Best Credit Cards To Have With A 740 Credit Score

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If you have a credit score of 740, you should pat yourself on the back. Many banks consider this score to be the start of “excellent credit.” This means you can start qualifying for some of the best rewards credit cards that earn points/miles for things like travel, dining, and more. You’ll also have access to perks that can include things like airport lounge access, free TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, elite hotel status, and even credit for Equinox and Walmart+. Here are some of the best credit cards for a 740 credit score.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

The Best Credit Cards To Have With A 740 Credit Score in 2023

You have worked hard to improve your score to get a better rewards credit card. These cards offer better purchase rewards and better card benefits than starter credit cards used to build your credit score.

In some cases, you might qualify for these cards with a 720 credit score. But, your approval odds are better with a 740 credit score or higher.

It’s also possible to receive an instant approval decision. Or, you may qualify for a higher credit limit. Either way, you likely have a number of options available.

Here’s a preview of what a 740 credit score can get you:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• American Express® Gold Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

There is an ocean of travel rewards cards to choose from with a 740 credit score. But, one credit card that you should definitely consider is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. You will especially like this card for its travel bonus when booking travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® and if you want flexibility in redeeming and earning travel rewards.

Flexible Redemption Options

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns rewards points called Ultimate Rewards. If you are unfamiliar with this program, it’s arguably the best transferrable travel rewards points program. Not only do you earn points for every dollar spent on travel and dining, but you also have several awesome redemption options.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are most valuable when you redeem them for award travel. If you use the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal, they are worth 1.25 cents each (10,000 points are worth $125). Most travel rewards programs are doing good to make your points worth 1 cent each (10,000 points are worth $100). And, if you don’t have enough points to pay for an entire reward travel purchase, you can pay with points and cash.

Earning Points

The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns unlimited:

• 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® (excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Anniversary Hotel Credit)
• 3x points on dining (including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out)
• 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target®, Walmart®, and wholesale clubs)
• Also 3x points on select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel purchases
• 1x point per $1 spent on all non-bonus purchases 

There is a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit. It comes in the form of a statement credit that will automatically be applied to your account when your card is used for hotel accommodation purchases made through the Ultimate Rewards program, up to an annual maximum accumulation of $50.

This can be one of the best hotel credit cards.

Plus, on each account anniversary, you’ll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year. So, if you spend $25,000 on purchases, you’ll get 2,500 bonus points.

Sign-Up Bonus

New Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Member FDIC

Or, you can also transfer the points to one of the 1:1 travel partners where 60,000 Chase points becomes 60,000 Southwest points or 60,000 Marriott points, for example.

As an added bonus, you will never pay a foreign transaction fee. The annual fee is $95.

Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred Review

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Another leading travel rewards credit card is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. You earn 2x miles on all purchases. So if you buy groceries, pay for a movie, or book a flight with your Venture Rewards Card, you’ll earn 2x miles. You also earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options.

You can also redeem Venture miles for past travel purchases or booking future trips. Another redemption option is airline point transfers.

Another card benefit you might enjoy is a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. This is a good option for those people who have a 740 credit score.

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel, with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

The Platinum Card from American Express

Frequent flyer mile chasers should consider The Platinum Card® from American Express.

If you’re not loyal to a certain airline or need free checked bags, this is for you. You can also transfer your Membership Rewards® points earned with the Platinum Card to airline partners like British Airways, Delta, JetBlue, Emirates, and Etihad.

Cardholders earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, and earn 5x Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

This can be one of the best miles credit cards thanks to its flexibility and perks.

Cardholders can get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when they pay with the Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.

Also, select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Card.

Plus, American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.

Other Platinum Card from American Express Benefits

There’s also a digital entertainment credit. Cardholders can get up to $20 in statement credits each month when they pay for eligible purchases with The Platinum Card® from American Express. Enrollment required.

In addition to enjoying TSA PreCheck or Global Entry access, cardholders can also enjoy CLEAR perks. Breeze through security with CLEAR® Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per year on your membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card.

Another exciting benefit is the ability for cardholders to get up to $300 back each year in the form of statement credits on an Equinox+ subscription or any Equinox club membership when they pay with their Platinum Card. Enrollment required.

Plus, get a $155 Walmart+ credit, which covers the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. The cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax.

Get the full details and learn more in our in-depth The Platinum Card from American Express review.

The annual fee is $695 (See Rates & Fees) but can be offset with the perks, which are valued at over $1,400. 

Welcome Bonus Offer

New The Platinum Card® from American Express cardmembers can earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 on purchases on their new Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.

American Express Gold Card

Another American Express option for a 740 credit score is the American Express® Gold Card. Maybe you want a “lifestyle rewards” credit card that earns bonus points on travel and food purchases. The American Express® Gold Card earns 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earns 4X Membership Rewards® Points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Plus, earn 3X Membership Rewards® Points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

The most valuable point redemptions are for award travel, gift cards, and 1:1 airline partner transfers.

Another perk is the ability to earn up to $10 in statement credits on a monthly basis when you use your Gold Card to pay at the following dining establishments (enrollment is required):

• Grubhub
• The Cheesecake Factory
• Goldbelly
• Wine.com
• Milk Bar
• Shake Shack (only at participating locations)

This perk can save you up to $120 annually.

The annual fee is $250, and there are no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees).

New American Express® Gold Card cardholders can earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months. Also, Rose Gold is back! Cardholders can choose between Gold or Rose Gold. 

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

With a 740 credit score, you can also set your eyes on the flagship Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card. Cardholders earn unlimited:

• 3x points on Southwest® purchases
• 2x points on local transit and commuting, including rideshares
• 2x points on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming purchases

New Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card cardholders can earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

You also get these benefits:

• $75 Southwest annual travel credit
• Four Upgraded Bookings each year (when available)
• 25% back on inflight purchases
• 7,500 points anniversary bonus

This is one of the best Southwest credit cards.

Summary

A 740 credit score opens a lot of doors when applying for new credit. Even more open up when it grows to 800. While earning better rewards, don’t forget to use free credit score monitoring to track your progress.

Related Articles:

• Best Credit Cards For Groceries? Up to 6% Cash Back
• Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Capital One Venture Credit Card Review
• Is the Citi Premier Card Hard to Get? Here’s A Closer Look

For rates and fees of The American Express® Gold Card, please click here.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.