My [unorthodox, LOL] opinion is that the best card is the one that gives you more in sign up bonuses. What kind of card is irrelevant, IMHO.

I agree about starting slow. This is what I would suggest.

1. Don't bother with manufactured spend yet except Amazon Payments because it's a supereasy way to add $1K a month to your spend capabilities.

2. Sign up for Credit Karma and Credit Sesame first to monitor your credit score. Credit Karma monitors Transunion while Sesame monitors Experian.

3. Apply for a couple of cards first to get your feet wet. I liked the suggestion about Arrival and CSP.

4. Watch how your credit score plunges 5-10 points then recovers 3 months later. Get a feel of how it works.

6. Meet spend requirement.

7. Enjoy your bonus. Even if you choose the most primitive redemption in cash (you shouldn't), you have just earned $840 at a minimum. Try that with cashback!

8. Read, read, read and do not be afraid to ask questions. Yes, there are folks here who love nothing better than snap at newbies. Don't mind them.

9. Repeat 4-6 months later with more cards.