The average U.S. credit card spend rose $109 since last year, reflecting financial strength for some customers and mounting financial pressure for others, according to JD Power’s 2026 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study.
The percentage of credit card customers classified as “financially unhealthy” rose from 56% last year to 60% this year, JD Power said. At the same time, the average credit card spend rose to $1,167 in 2026. Overall satisfaction among all credit card customers was 613 on a 1,000-point scale, with satisfaction highest among airline co-brand cardholders, driven by travel benefits and exclusive experiences. Satisfaction was lowest among cardholders with no rewards or annual fees.
“The gap highlights a distinctly K-shaped satisfaction divide, with premium, benefit-rich cards at the top and basic, value-oriented cards trailing,” JD Power said.
Among customers carrying a balance, nearly one-third (30%) have $2,500 or more in debt, according to the survey. It also found that confidence in the security of customers’ identity and financial information fell five percentage points to 37%, with declines both among those preferring to use physical cards and those using digital wallets.
