Interest in credit cards is expected to heat up in 2026

If you’re considering adding another credit card to your wallet this year, you’re not alone.
Among those seeking increased access to credit in 2026, 55% plan to open a new credit card, according to a November 2025 TransUnion Consumer Pulse study of 3,000 U.S. adults. While opening a new card is a quick way to get access to more credit, doing so irresponsibly could ruin your credit score — and you might not even get approved.
You have two main options if you’re looking to access more credit in 2026: Increase your credit limit on an existing card or apply for an entirely new credit card. CNBC Select discusses what you should know about each approach and which cards to consider if you decide to apply.
How to access more credit in 2026
According to the same TransUnion Pulse study, 20% of those seeking additional credit plan to increase their available credit limit on existing cards. While this is less popular than opening a new credit card (55% plan to do so), credit limit increases can be easier to obtain. Many issuers will automatically review your account and payment history and approve you for a credit limit increase, but you can just as easily call your issuer and request one.
There’s a chance, though, you’ll receive a less substantial increase compared to what you can get with a new card. If you’re only looking for an extra $3,000, a credit limit increase will suffice — but if you’re looking for $20,000 more in credit, a new card is likely a better fit.
It’s worth noting that neither requesting a credit limit increase nor applying for a new card is guaranteed; both decisions are at the issuer’s discretion and are heavily dependent on your credit score and spending habits. If you’re working to build your credit score, applying for multiple cards isn’t a good idea; you’ll likely want to focus on keeping your current credit utilization low and making on-time payments. But if your score is up to snuff, you recently changed your spending habits and your current card isn’t earning you the best rewards, that could be a reason to explore new options.
What 2026 could mean for credit approvals
Although credit card balances aren’t growing as quickly as they have in recent years (outside of the pandemic), the TransUnion 2026 Consumer Credit Forecast, released December 2025, still predicts balances to rise to $1.18 trillion in 2026.
In addition to relatively moderate growth in credit card balances, delinquencies are also expected to rise ever-so-slightly from 2.56% to 2.57%. This small increase in delinquencies could suggest issuers will be slightly more careful with lending. However, some expect the Federal Reserve to ease rates in 2026, which could make financial institutions more lenient with credit approvals.
With these lending trends in mind, it’s important to carefully weigh the pros and cons of applying for new credit.
What to know before opening a new credit card
Opening a new credit card can be a quick way to access more credit and, depending on the card, unlock benefits ranging from simple cash back to airport lounge access.
But that doesn’t make it the best option for every consumer. If you’re already on a tight budget, opening a new card for extra credit can tempt you into overspending and increase the risk of debt and late payments.
Pros
Access to more credit: Getting approved for a credit card is one of the quickest ways to access a new line of credit.
Greater opportunity for rewards and benefits: Many credit cards offer elevated rewards on certain purchases, as well as perks ranging from statement credits to airport lounge access.
Sign-up bonuses: Credit card welcome bonuses offer some of the best return on investment when it comes to earning credit card rewards.
Consumer protections: From travel insurance to purchase protections, credit cards can protect you from scams and unwanted transactions.
Cons
Temporarily lowers credit score: When you apply for a new credit card, the issuer will likely perform a hard inquiry, which can cause a small dip in your credit score.
Greater risk of overspending: With access to more credit, you’ll have to exercise more self-control and spend within your limits to avoid debt and late payments.
Higher APR than other options: Credit cards typically have much higher APRs compared to personal loans or HELOCs.
Top credit card options for 2026
Here are a few of the best credit cards to consider in 2026, whether you’re looking for flat-rate cash back, transferable travel points or heightened rewards on everyday spending categories.
If you want to keep it simple…
The Citi Double Cash® Card is a great catch-all cash back credit card if you don’t want to worry about rewards categories. The card earns a flat 2% back on all purchases: 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay. This means that no matter where or what you’re spending on, you’re still earning a minimum of 2% back on each purchase.
Citi Double Cash® Card
CNBC Select Rating
5.0
On Citi’s site
CNBC Select Rating
5.0
On Citi’s site
Spotlight
Receive a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers.
Credit score
Good to Excellent670–850
Regular APR
17.49% – 27.49% variable
Annual fee
$0
Welcome bonus
Earn $200 cash back
See rates and fees, terms apply.
Read our Citi Double Cash® Card review.
The Citi Double Cash® Card is one of the best no-annual-fee cash-back cards thanks to its straightforward rewards structure.
Long intro-APR for balance transfers
High flat-rate cash-back rewards structure
No annual fee
Has a foreign transaction fee
Intro APR doesn’t apply to purchases
Rewards
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
Balance transfer fee
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
Foreign transaction fee
3%
If you plan to travel more…
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is a low-cost entry to Chase’s travel credit card lineup. With a $95 annual fee, the card earns Ultimate Rewards® points, which can be transferred to 13 hotel and airline transfer partners. It also comes with a number of travel protections, a $50 annual hotel credit for stays booked through Chase TravelSM and a 10% points boost each account anniversary year.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
CNBC Select Rating
5.0
On Chase’s site
CNBC Select Rating
5.0
On Chase’s site
Spotlight
With Points Boost, your rewards will be worth up to 1.5x on thousands of top-booked hotels and flights from select airlines through Chase Travel.
Credit score
Good to Excellent670–850
Regular APR
19.49% – 27.74% variable
Annual fee
$95
Welcome bonus
Earn 75,000 bonus points
See rates and fees. Terms apply. Member FDIC.
Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections and more.
You can transfer rewards to all of Chase’s travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
Long list of travel and shopping protections
$50 annual Chase Travel hotel credit
Has an annual fee
Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase TravelSM
10% anniversary points boost – each account anniversary you’ll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
If you’re a homebody…
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a great option if you’re looking to cook more at home. It earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in yearly purchases (then 1%), plus cash back rewards on gas, transit and select streaming subscriptions. There’s also a $120 Disney Streaming Credit, applied as $10 monthly statement credits. Simply use your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at disneyplus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com U.S. websites. (Subject to auto-renewal.)
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
CNBC Select Rating
4.8
On the American Express site
CNBC Select Rating
4.8
On the American Express site
Credit score
Good to Excellent
Regular APR
19.49% – 28.49% Variable
Annual fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Welcome bonus
Earn a $250 statement credit
See rates and fees, terms apply. Read our Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express review.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a low-fee card with generous cash-back rewards and useful ongoing benefits, such as a monthly Disney Bundle credit. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
High cash-back earnings for U.S. supermarkets and streaming services
Intro-APR offer for purchases and balance transfers
No annual fee for the first year
It’s less rewarding after the first year because of the annual fee
Bonus rewards for U.S. supermarkets are capped
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Low Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.49% – 28.49%.
Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don’t have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you’ll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
Get up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at disneyplus.com, Hulu.com, or Plus.espn.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.
See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars
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