Best Credit Cards of December 2024
Updated: Nov 18, 2024
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The best credit card is one that's best aligned with your specific needs. NerdWallet's credit card experts have reviewed and rated hundreds of options for the best credit cards of 2024 – from generous rewards and giant sign-up bonuses to long 0% APR periods and credit-building help, so you can find the best fit for your needs.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
The best credit card is one that's best aligned with your specific needs. NerdWallet's credit card experts have reviewed and rated hundreds of options for the best credit cards of 2024 – from generous rewards and giant sign-up bonuses to long 0% APR periods and credit-building help, so you can find the best fit for your needs.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards.
Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today,
The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America"
and many other national, regional and local media outlets.
Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Show More
The best credit card is one that's best aligned with your specific needs. NerdWallet's credit card experts have reviewed and rated hundreds of options for the best credit cards of 2024 – from generous rewards and giant sign-up bonuses to long 0% APR periods and credit-building help, so you can find the best fit for your needs.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
The best credit card is one that's best aligned with your specific needs. NerdWallet's credit card experts have reviewed and rated hundreds of options for the best credit cards of 2024 – from generous rewards and giant sign-up bonuses to long 0% APR periods and credit-building help, so you can find the best fit for your needs.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Best Credit Cards of 2024: Business
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: Best for Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: Best for APR intro offer with no annual fee
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express: Best for Intro APR period
The American Express Blue Business Cashâ„¢ Card: Best for Intro APR + cash-back rewards
Show SummaryHide Summary
Best Business Cards of December 2024
| Credit card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Intro offer | Rewards rate | Apply now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ink Business Unlimited® Credit CardApply Now on Chase's website on Chase's website | $0 | $750 | 1.5% | Apply Now on Chase's website on Chase's website | |
 Ink Business Cash® Credit CardApply Now on Chase's website on Chase's website | $0 | $350 | 1%-5% | Apply Now on Chase's website on Chase's website | |
 The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American ExpressApply Now on American Express' website on American Express' website | $0 | 15,000 points | 1x-2x | Apply Now on American Express' website on American Express' website | |
 The American Express Blue Business Cashâ„¢ CardApply Now on American Express' website on American Express' website | $0 | $250 | 1%-2% | Apply Now on American Express' website on American Express' website |
Find the right credit card for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Business
Best Business Cards of 2024
Best for: Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
NerdWallet's take
No annual fee
Intro APR period
No reward caps
New cardholder bonus offer
No bonus categories
Best for: APR intro offer with no annual fee
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
- Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
NerdWallet's take
No annual fee
Intro APR period
New cardholder bonus offer
Requires good/excellent credit
Low rate outside bonus categories
Spending caps on bonus rewards
Best for: Intro APR period
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.74% - 25.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
- You’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power. *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
No annual fee
High rewards rate
Intro APR period
Transfer partners
Spending caps on bonus rewards
Requires good/excellent credit
Best for: Intro APR + cash-back rewards
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.74% – 25.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
- The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
No annual fee
High rewards rate
Intro APR period
Cash rewards
Spending caps on bonus rewards
Requires good/excellent credit
A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO CREDIT CARDS
The idea behind credit cards is simple: When you use a credit card, you are borrowing money to pay for something. Later on, you must repay what your borrowed. If you take time to pay it back (rather than pay it in full when your credit card statement comes), you'll be charged interest. The whole credit cards industry rests on this basic premise.
HOW CREDIT CARDS WORK
A basic credit card transaction works like this:
1. You use your card.
You use your card at the cash register by running it through a card reader (or, if you're online, you enter your card information on the checkout page).
2. The purchase is authorized.
The card reader contacts your credit card company to make sure the card is valid for the purchase amount. Assuming everything is OK, the transaction is authorized.
3. The merchant gets paid.
The bank that issued your credit card sends money for the purchase to the merchant where the transaction took place.
4. You pay.
The transaction shows up on your credit card statement, and you repay the bank for the purchase.
» MORE: What is a credit card?
HOW CREDIT CARD REWARDS WORK
Many of the best credit cards of 2024 give you rewards for your spending. Rewards programs come in two basic flavors (cash back and points/miles), with two basic structures (flat rate and bonus rewards).
Cash back
You can use cash back to directly reduce your balance. In some cases, you can have your cash back deposited in a bank account or sent to you as a check.
Points or miles
Points and miles can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, merchandise or other things. You may also have the option of redeeming points for credit on your statement, just like cash back.
Flat rate
You get the same rewards rate on all spending done with the card, regardless of what you spend money on. You might get 2 points per dollar on all purchases, or 1.5% cash back on everything.
Bonus rewards
You earn a base rate on all spending (typically 1 point per dollar or 1% cash back) and then higher rates in certain categories — 5% cash back at gas stations, for example, or 3 points per dollar spent on travel.
Many credit card users carry multiple cards with bonus rewards in different categories, plus a flat-rate card for purchases that fall outside those categories.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CREDIT CARDS
Credit card companies in 2024 offer different kinds of cards to meet different consumer needs. Some people put a lot of money on their cards every month and then pay them off immediately; those people benefit from a card that returns a portion of their spending in the form of rewards. Others tend to carry a balance from month to month; they're better served with a card that offers a low ongoing interest rate. Still others are working to improve their credit; issuers have cards designed for those people, too.
Rewards credit cards
These cards "pay you back" for a portion of your spending by giving you cash, points or miles. See our roundup of the best rewards credit cards of 2024 for a range of options for different types of users. Or look into specific types of rewards cards:
Interest-saving credit cards
These cards offer an introductory 0% APR period or a low ongoing interest rate. That can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in interest on a major purchase or on debt transferred from high-interest cards. Types of interest-saving cards include:
Credit-building credit cards
The credit cards with the richest rewards, plushest perks, lowest interest rates and longest 0% periods are available only to those with good to excellent credit. If you're still building your credit (or rebuilding it after a misstep), you'll want to hold off on applying for these cards until your score improves. However, banks have designed cards specifically for people working to improve their credit:
These cards "pay you back" for a portion of your spending by giving you cash, points or miles. See our roundup of the best rewards credit cards of 2024 for a range of options for different types of users. Or look into specific types of rewards cards:
These cards offer an introductory 0% APR period or a low ongoing interest rate. That can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in interest on a major purchase or on debt transferred from high-interest cards. Types of interest-saving cards include:
The credit cards with the richest rewards, plushest perks, lowest interest rates and longest 0% periods are available only to those with good to excellent credit. If you're still building your credit (or rebuilding it after a misstep), you'll want to hold off on applying for these cards until your score improves. However, banks have designed cards specifically for people working to improve their credit:
CHOOSING THE BEST CREDIT CARD FOR YOU IN 2024
If you're a beginner to credit cards, see our step-by-step guide to choosing a credit card. It starts by helping you figure out what cards you can qualify for, then walks you through deciding what kind of card best fits your needs. The process in short:
The higher your credit score, the more likely you are to qualify for the best credit cards of 2024. NerdWallet offers free access to credit scores.
COMPARING CREDIT CARD FEATURES
Every credit card delivers value in its own way, through its own unique combination of features. And there are trade-offs involved. If you want rewards, for example, you'll probably have to accept a higher interest rate. If you want high-value perks, you'll likely pay an annual fee. If you want a low interest rate and no fees, you shouldn't expect much else from the card. In other words, you're unlikely to find a single card that offers a high rewards rate, a long 0% period, a rock-bottom ongoing interest rate, generous perks and no annual fee.
Here are the main points of comparison when looking at credit cards.
Annual fee
Some people are dead-set against paying a fee just for the privilege of carrying a credit card. But paying an annual fee is worth it in certain circumstances. With any annual fee, the math comes down to whether the value you get from the card exceeds the dollar amount you pay. Still determined not to pay? See our best credit cards with no annual fee of 2024.
Other fees
Depending on what you plan to do with the card, you'll want to take these other fees into account:
Balance transfer fee. See our best credit cards with no balance transfer fee of 2024.
Foreign transaction fee. See our best credit cards with no foreign transaction fee of 2024.
Cash advance fee. Using your credit card to get cash is expensive.
Late fees and returned-payment fees. These fees can be steep, but they are avoidable.
Introductory interest rate
Credit card companies drum up business by offering people with good credit a low introductory interest rate.
Ongoing interest rate
The ongoing rate is what you pay after any introductory rate expires. Some cards charge a single rate for all cardholders; others allow for a range of rates depending on your creditworthiness. In general, the better your credit, the more likely you are to qualify for a low rate. That said, if you pay your balance in full every month, your interest rate doesn't actually matter because you're never charged interest.
Rewards
Cash-back cards refund a certain percentage of the purchase price. Other cards give you a certain number of points or miles per dollar spent. Every card sets its own rewards structure, so apples-to-apples comparisons can be difficult. But when comparing rewards programs, think in terms of:
Earn rate. What do you get for every dollar spent?
Redemption value. How much do you get for your rewards when it comes time to use them?
Redemption options. How much flexibility do you have in using your rewards?
Sign-up bonus
The sign-up bonus or welcome offer is a sum of cash (say, $150 or $200) or a batch of points or miles (say, 40,000 points or 50,000 miles) that you can earn by spending a certain amount of money in your first few months with a card. The purpose is to get you in the habit of using the card. The bonuses on many travel cards are often big enough to cover the card's annual fee for the first few years. See our best credit card sign-up bonuses of 2024.
Perks
Unlike rewards, which are what you receive for using a credit card, perks are benefits you get just for carrying a card. With some cards, particularly travel credit cards, it may be the perks that provide the bulk of the value. Premium credit cards, which have annual fees of $450 and up, tend to offer the cushiest perks. Airline credit cards and hotel credit cards can easily pay for their annual fee with their perks. A full list of potential perks would be too long to include here, but common examples include:
Airline/airport benefits. Lounge access. Free checked bags. Priority boarding. Elite status.
Hotel benefits. Free nights. Automatic room upgrades. Early check-in/late check-out. Free amenities. Elite status.
Statement credits. Automatic credit for such things as travel expenses, purchases from selected merchants or the application fee for trusted traveler programs such as TSA PreCheck and Global Entry.
Rental car coverage. Supplemental coverage on top of your own auto insurance policy, or even primary coverage in place of your own policy. Learn about credit card rental coverage and see our best cards for rental car coverage.
Cell phone insurance. Coverage in case of loss or damage. You usually have to pay for your service with your card to qualify. See our best cards for cell phone insurance.
Credit tracking and security. Free credit score. Credit monitoring services. Ability to "lock" your card.
Credit-building help
When you're looking to build or restore credit, several features are more important for you than for people who already have good credit.
Reporting to credit bureaus. If you're using your card responsibly, you want your credit score to reflect that. Make sure that your card reports payment activity to all three credit bureaus, the companies that assemble credit reports.
Deposit requirements. If you're getting a secured credit card, you'll need money for a security deposit. Minimum deposits are usually in the $200 to $300 range.
Upgrade opportunities. As your credit improves, it's nice to be able to upgrade your account to a better card.
Incentives for responsible behavior. Some cards might boost your rewards rate if you pay on time, or give you access to a higher credit line.
Some people are dead-set against paying a fee just for the privilege of carrying a credit card. But paying an annual fee is worth it in certain circumstances. With any annual fee, the math comes down to whether the value you get from the card exceeds the dollar amount you pay. Still determined not to pay? See our best credit cards with no annual fee of 2024.
Other fees
Depending on what you plan to do with the card, you'll want to take these other fees into account:
Balance transfer fee. See our best credit cards with no balance transfer fee of 2024.
Foreign transaction fee. See our best credit cards with no foreign transaction fee of 2024.
Cash advance fee. Using your credit card to get cash is expensive.
Late fees and returned-payment fees. These fees can be steep, but they are avoidable.
Credit card companies drum up business by offering people with good credit a low introductory interest rate.
The ongoing rate is what you pay after any introductory rate expires. Some cards charge a single rate for all cardholders; others allow for a range of rates depending on your creditworthiness. In general, the better your credit, the more likely you are to qualify for a low rate. That said, if you pay your balance in full every month, your interest rate doesn't actually matter because you're never charged interest.
Cash-back cards refund a certain percentage of the purchase price. Other cards give you a certain number of points or miles per dollar spent. Every card sets its own rewards structure, so apples-to-apples comparisons can be difficult. But when comparing rewards programs, think in terms of:
Earn rate. What do you get for every dollar spent?
Redemption value. How much do you get for your rewards when it comes time to use them?
Redemption options. How much flexibility do you have in using your rewards?
The sign-up bonus or welcome offer is a sum of cash (say, $150 or $200) or a batch of points or miles (say, 40,000 points or 50,000 miles) that you can earn by spending a certain amount of money in your first few months with a card. The purpose is to get you in the habit of using the card. The bonuses on many travel cards are often big enough to cover the card's annual fee for the first few years. See our best credit card sign-up bonuses of 2024.
Unlike rewards, which are what you receive for using a credit card, perks are benefits you get just for carrying a card. With some cards, particularly travel credit cards, it may be the perks that provide the bulk of the value. Premium credit cards, which have annual fees of $450 and up, tend to offer the cushiest perks. Airline credit cards and hotel credit cards can easily pay for their annual fee with their perks. A full list of potential perks would be too long to include here, but common examples include:
Airline/airport benefits. Lounge access. Free checked bags. Priority boarding. Elite status.
Hotel benefits. Free nights. Automatic room upgrades. Early check-in/late check-out. Free amenities. Elite status.
Statement credits. Automatic credit for such things as travel expenses, purchases from selected merchants or the application fee for trusted traveler programs such as TSA PreCheck and Global Entry.
Rental car coverage. Supplemental coverage on top of your own auto insurance policy, or even primary coverage in place of your own policy. Learn about credit card rental coverage and see our best cards for rental car coverage.
Cell phone insurance. Coverage in case of loss or damage. You usually have to pay for your service with your card to qualify. See our best cards for cell phone insurance.
Credit tracking and security. Free credit score. Credit monitoring services. Ability to "lock" your card.
When you're looking to build or restore credit, several features are more important for you than for people who already have good credit.
Reporting to credit bureaus. If you're using your card responsibly, you want your credit score to reflect that. Make sure that your card reports payment activity to all three credit bureaus, the companies that assemble credit reports.
Deposit requirements. If you're getting a secured credit card, you'll need money for a security deposit. Minimum deposits are usually in the $200 to $300 range.
Upgrade opportunities. As your credit improves, it's nice to be able to upgrade your account to a better card.
Incentives for responsible behavior. Some cards might boost your rewards rate if you pay on time, or give you access to a higher credit line.
HOW MANY CREDIT CARDS SHOULD YOU HAVE?
Just as there is no single best credit card for everyone, there is no perfect number of credit cards to have. It depends on your needs and how much effort you want to put into managing your credit cards.
There's no limit to how many cards you can have. Each lender evaluates your credit on its own term, but there's no hard limit where you have "too many cards."
You don't need to have multiple cards to maintain good credit score. Credit scoring formulas tend to reward you for having different types of accounts — credit cards, mortgages, loans, etc. — but it's not necessary to have multiple accounts of each type. One credit card, responsibly managed, is enough.
ADVANTAGES OF CARRYING MULTIPLE CARDS
One card may pay you a higher rewards rate on groceries. Another may reward you handsomely at restaurants, or on gas purchases, or for spending on travel. Having multiple cards allows you to maximize your total rewards.
Some cards are more widely accepted than others. It’s good to have a backup in situations where one card isn’t accepted. Additionally, if a card is lost, stolen or compromised, you'll have another option while you wait for a replacement.
A key factor in your credit score is your credit utilization, or how much of your available credit you're using. Ideally, you’ll want to keep utilization below 30%. If you have a $500 balance on a card with a $1,000 limit, your utilization is 50%. If you have $500 in balances spread across three cards with limits of $1,000 each, your utilization about is 17%.
RISKS OF CARRYING MULTIPLE CARDS
The more cards you have, the harder it is to remember how much you’ve spent on which card.
Multiple due dates increase the risk of missing a payment, which can trigger a late fee or (if it's late enough) even damage your credit.
METHODOLOGY
NerdWallet's Credit Cards content team selected the best credit cards of 2024 in each category based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. This page includes selections across multiple categories, and a single card is eligible to be chosen as among the "best" in more than one category. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards. Factors in our evaluations include:
For cash back cards
For travel rewards cards
For balance transfer and 0% APR cards
For college student cards
For credit-building cards
For business cards
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What's the best credit card?
What's the best credit card?No single credit card is the best for everyone. It all depends on how you use credit and how strong your credit is.
A rewards credit card gives you a little something back with each purchase you make — usually cash back or travel points or airline miles. These cards are best for people who can pay their credit card bill in full each month. If you carry a balance from one month to the next, the interest you pay will eat up the value of your rewards.
A zero percent credit card is ideal if you're looking to finance a big purchase or pay down high-interest debt by way of a balance transfer. If you tend to carry a balance month to month, look for a card with low ongoing interest rate.
A credit-building card is designed for people who are just starting out with credit or are trying to bounce back from damaged credit. Rewards cards and zero-percent cards are available mostly to people with good to excellent credit; for those who aren't there yet, there are credit-building cards. There are options for bad credit, for fair or average credit and for people with no credit history.
What's the easiest credit card to get?
What's the easiest credit card to get?Secured credit cards require you to provide a cash security deposit to open an account. Because that deposit protects the card company from risk, secured cards are much easier to qualify for than other cards. You're not guaranteed approval for a secured card, but the bar is much lower than for regular cards. Store credit cards are also generally easier to qualify for than bank cards.
What's the best credit card company?
What's the best credit card company?Just as there is no single best card for everyone, consumers have widely different opinions about the best (and worst) credit card issuers. One person could get the runaround from customer service rep and rate a bank zero stars as a result, while another has nothing but positive experiences and gives it five stars across the board. Still, some trends emerge in customer satisfaction surveys.
J.D. Power conducts an annual study of satisfaction among major national and regional credit card issuers. It regularly rates Discover and American Express at the top among mass-market issuers. In the most recent study, USAA and Navy Federal Credit Union had the highest ratings of all, but keep in mind that only people affiliated with the military are eligible for USAA or Navy Federal products.
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