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The 5 best credit cards for online shopping: Get your shop on
If quarantine taught us anything, it is the importance of knowing how to shop wisely online. Even as life adjusts to a new normal, the benefits of online shopping are with us for all-time. It's made easier by the sheer number of businesses that have adjusted their sales models to include online orders for curbside and delivery service.
However, you may not be saving as much as you could. With the best credit cards for online shopping, there are exclusive rewards and savings that you can use when shopping online.
If you fancy yourself as an online shopping enthusiast, then you'll want to take note of these best credit cards to help you and your family find the best shopping deals online.
- Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
- Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
- Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
- Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
- Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card starts off strong, giving you a $100 gift card immediately upon approval. You will need a Prime membership to receive the best rewards, including 5% back on your Amazon transactions, both online and in-store. Are you a fan of Whole Foods? This card rewards you there, as well, with 5% cashback on your Whole Foods Market purchases. From there, restaurants, gas stations, and drug stores all give 2% cashback, with 1% back on utilities, ridesharing services, and all other purchases.
With the Amazon Prime Rewards card, you can receive 10% back on certain products when you use the Prime Card Bonus, an extra feature that spotlights certain categories or products each month for extra savings. When it comes time to pay it all off, you have time. Amazon offers customers the option to substitute their 5% cashback rate for an introductory 0% APR for the first six to 18 months on purchases of at least $50. When the promo APR period ends, the card reverts to one of the most competitive APRs on our list, at just 17.99% to start.
Pros:
- Unlimited cash back
- Introductory bonus
- No annual or foreign transaction fees
Cons:
- No introductory APR
- Best rewards limited to Amazon
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
- Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases).
- Earn automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases).
- Earn unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
- Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases).
- Earn automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases).
- Earn unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card prioritizes flexibility, giving you the option to choose which categories will give you the most earnings. Your chosen category gives you 3% cash back, the highest cashback rate of any purchases you make with your card, in whichever category you choose, up to $2,500. It is an added flexibility that is missing from most cards, allowing you to take control of both your spending and your rewards.
You will also earn 2% cashback at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, up to $2,500, before changing to 1% cashback. You will also earn 1% cashback on all other purchases. There is a $200 online cash rewards bonus offer to get you started. Plus, there is an introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers lasting 18 billing cycles, then 17.99% - 27.99% variable. There is no annual fee, either, with a competitive APR.
Pros:
- Introductory APR
- Bonus intro offer
- Rotating categories
Cons:
- Must have good credit
- Spending caps apply
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
- 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
- 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
- 2x on all other travel purchases.
- 1x on all other purchases.
- 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
- 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
- 2x on all other travel purchases.
- 1x on all other purchases.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card begins with 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 within the first three months of having the card. If redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards, it equals $750 toward travel for an added boost. Other travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards earn 5x the points, plus there is an additional $50 Annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit that you can use to save some extra money. Another perk is 2x the cashback on other travel purchased with your card.
Additional rewards include 3x the points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services. You also earn 3x the points on online grocery orders, although Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs like Costco are exempt. There is an annual fee, and the starting APR is a bit higher than the others on our list, but the rewards are generous after you sign up for the card.
Pros:
- Intro bonus offer
- Bonus categories
- Tons of extra perks
Cons:
- Annual fee applies
- No intro APR offer
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
- Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
- Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
The Discover it Cash Back Credit Card is all about cashback matching. You have to activate each category, but once you do that, Discover will match every dollar you charge to your card for the first full 12 months that you have the card. Regular rewards include 5% cashback based on rotating categories. For 2022, this includes places like Target from April to June, PayPal from July through September, and Amazon from October to December.
Other categories include grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, taking care of your daily needs. From there, your other purchases earn an automatic 1% cashback rewards rate. As an added perk, this card skips the annual fee and instead rewards you with a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 15 months, then 16.99% - 27.99% variable APR.
Pros:
- High rewards rate
- Rotating categories
- Cashback matching for first year
Cons:
- Must activate rewards
- Spending caps apply
Discover it® Cash Back
What is the best credit card for online shopping?
Credit card for online shopping | APR (variable) | Recommended Credit | Annual fee |
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card | 14.99% to 22.99% | Excellent | $0 |
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card | 17.99% to 27.99% | Good, Excellent | $0 |
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card | 21.24% to 28.24% | Good, Excellent | $95 |
Discover it Cash Back | 0% for first 15 months; 16.99% to 27.99% thereafter | Fair, Good, Excellent | $0 |
Which credit card for online shopping is right for you?
Credit cards can begin to blur together after a while, so we offer our expert suggestions to help you find the right online shopping credit card for your specific needs and preferences.
Product | If you... |
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card | Shop at Amazon and Whole Foods |
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card | Want control over your spending categories |
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card | Buy your groceries online |
Discover it Cash Back | Like having different rewards |
How did we choose these products?
In our search for the best online shopping credit cards, we consider a number of factors.
APR: The interest rate, or APR, determines how much interest you will pay on each purchase. The lower the APR, the more money you will save on interest.
Rewards: There are many rewards that you could earn, from cash back to statement credits and exclusive perks and experiences.
Introductory offer: Many credit cards entice new customers with attractive introductory offers, like a low APR or special rewards that accompany a certain threshold of purchases.
Credit score: Your credit score is a major factor in whether you are approved for a credit card or not. Credit card providers generally look for good to excellent credit, although there are many credit cards for bad credit.
Fees: Credit card fees can vary significantly, so it is best to look for a credit card that charges no fees, like those with no annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
Why should I get a credit card for online shopping?
There are many reasons why a credit card for online shopping is important. Depending on the card you choose, you stand to benefit from competitive APRs, excellent rewards, low fees, and exclusive access to sales and other events. Credit cards for online shopping are made to benefit the regular shopper, so you can count your earnings even while you spend.
What stores offer the best credit cards for online shopping?
Several of your favorite retailers likely offer a store card, but not all credit cards may be best suited toward online shopping. Some of our favorite picks for online shopping credit cards include Amazon, Macy's, Costco, Target, and Walmart.
Are there alternative credit cards for online shopping worth considering?
There are several alternative credit cards for online shopping that may fit your needs. These are some of the cards that almost made our list of the best online shopping credit cards.
- Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®: Best for Walmart customers
- Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi: Made for Costco enthusiasts
- Target REDcard Credit Card: Best for Target fans
While shopping for credit cards, consider our picks for the best credit cards for groceries, the best store cards for shoppers, and the best rewards credit cards.