With the average U.S. consumer spending more than $5,300 on online purchases every year, having a credit card for online shopping can be very convenient, especially if you earn a percentage back of what you spend.
We’ve rounded up our top picks for the best credit cards for online shopping, along with their eligibility requirements, fees, pros, and cons.
Best credit cards for online shopping
Here are our top credit cards for online shopping:
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards – best secured card with cashback rewards
- American Express Blue Cash Preferred® – best for overall rewards
- Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature – best Amazon credit card
- Chase Freedom Flex℠ – best for low interest rates
- Wells Fargo Active Cash Visa® – best for everyday spending rewards
- Target REDcard™ – best for Target shoppers
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® – best for entertainment benefits
- My Best Buy® Visa® – best for Best Buy shoppers
1. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards secured credit card
Why we chose it: Great secured card with cashback rewards
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured credit card offers great cashback rewards for a card that doesn’t require a high credit score. You can have a credit limit between $200 and $5,000, depending mainly on your security deposit.
You get 2% cash back at grocery stores and 3% cash back in your choice of these categories: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, and home improvement. After your first $2,500 spending in any category, you will earn 1% back on purchases.
Other perks include checking your FICO credit score for free and the ability to move to an unsecured card with a refund of your security deposit. You can improve your chances by keeping your balances low and making your payments on time.
Benefits and rewards:
- Up to 3% cash back on gas, online shopping, dining, travel, or home improvement.
- 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs on the first $2,500 in purchases, then earn 1%.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Up to 3% cash back rewards
- Flexible credit limit
Cons
- Security deposit of $200 (minimum)
- No welcome bonus
Eligibility Requirements:
- Requires a security deposit
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must be a U.S. citizen
2. American Express Blue Cash Preferred®
Why we chose it: Best for overall rewards
The American Express Blue Cash Preferred® credit card is great for all-around rewards and initial intro offers. With an intro APR of 0% on purchases and transfers in the first year, and up to 6% in cashback, this card is ideal for families looking to maximize rewards.
Although there is a steep annual fee, this is waived for the first year, and if you regularly spend in categories like groceries and streaming services, you’ll make that up in rewards. You’ll also earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in the first six months.
Another benefit is a 3% cash back at gas stations and the rewards aren’t capped. There is another 3% bonus category for spending on rideshares, taxis, tolls, buses, parking, and trains.
There is a $0 initial annual fee for the first year; then it’s $95 a year. There is also a foreign transaction fee of 2.7% and rates vary between 18.99% and 29.99% APR.
Benefits and rewards:
- 6% back at U.S. supermarkets for up to $6,000 a year, then 1% on purchases
- 6% back on select U.S. streaming services
- 3% back at U.S. gas stations
Pros
- High rewards rate
- Up to 6% cash back rewards
- 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
Cons
- High annual fee
- Requires good or excellent credit
Eligibility Requirements:
- Requires a security deposit
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must be a U.S. citizen
3. Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
Why we chose it: Best for Amazon credit cards
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature credit card is a great option for those spending a lot at Amazon.com or Whole Foods Market. No other card provides the consistently high rewards this card does when it comes to spending at Amazon.com.
Redeeming rewards is very flexible; you can redeem your rewards on Amazon purchases, through Chase to book travel or buy gift cards, or just simply get cash back in your pocket.
Issued by Chase, the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature credit card comes with a variable APR of 18.99% – 26.99%, no annual fee if you’re an Amazon Prime member ($139 a year), and a $200 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up.
Benefits and rewards:
- Prime members get a $200 Amazon Gift Card upon approval
- Unlimited 3% back on Chase Travel purchases or 5% back with an eligible Prime membership
- Unlimited 3% back online or in-store at Whole Foods Market or 5% back with an eligible Prime membership
- Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations
- Earn unlimited 2% back at restaurants
- Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases anywhere Visa is accepted
Pros
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- 5% back at Amazon.com, Whole Foods, and physical Amazon stores with an eligible Prime membership
Cons
- Requires a good credit score
- Charges a foreign transaction fee of 3%
Eligibility requirements:
- Good credit score (690-850)
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a U.S. citizen
4. Chase Freedom Flex℠
Why we chose it: Best for low interest rates
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ credit card has no annual fee, great cardholder perks, and one of the most flexible cashback rewards programs available. You’ll earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases that rotate quarterly. You’ll also earn 5% on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining, and 1% on all other purchases.
Chase doesn’t release the quarterly categories in advance, but some of the past categories included PayPal, Walmart, movie theaters, gas stations, Amazon.com, and streaming services.
There is no annual fee and a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and transfers. The card comes with rates between 20.24% and 28.99% APR.
Benefits and rewards:
- $200 bonus when you spend $500 in three months
- 5% cash back on Lyft rides
- 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories up to a $1,500 maximum
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and transfers
Pros
- Travel rewards are among the best in the market
- No annual fee
- Flexible rewards redemption
- Welcome bonus
Cons
- Requires a good credit score
- Cardholders must enroll in rotating quarterly bonus categories
Eligibility requirements:
- Good credit score (690-850)
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a U.S. citizen
5. Wells Fargo Active Cash Visa® Card
Why we chose it: Best for everyday spending rewards
Wells Fargo Active Cash Visa® Card is a great option for cardholders looking for cash back on everyday spending. It offers unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
The card comes with a 0% APR on purchases for the first 15 months and 0% APR on qualifying balance transfers for the first 15 months. You also get a $200 cash rewards bonus when you spend at least $500 on purchases in the first three months.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Visa® Card also comes with added benefits like up to $600 in mobile phone protection against theft or damage when you pay your monthly mobile bill with your card. There is no annual fee, but there is a 3% foreign transaction fee.
Benefits and rewards:
- Earn $200 cash back when spending $500 in the first three months
- Earn unlimited 2% cash back on purchases
Pros
- Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases
- No annual fee
- 0% APR intro period for 15 months on purchases and transfers
Cons
- Requires a good credit score
- Charges a foreign transaction fee of 3%
Eligibility requirements:
- Good credit score (690-850)
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a U.S. citizen
6. Target REDcard™ Credit Card
Why we chose it: Best for Target shoppers
The Target REDcard™ credit card is a store credit card offered by Target, a popular retail chain in the United States. It’s designed to provide benefits specifically for those who frequently shop at Target stores or on Target’s website.
The card has no annual fee and a 27.90% variable APR. One of the standout benefits of the Target REDcard™ Credit Card is the 5% discount on most Target purchases. This discount is applied at the time of purchase, providing immediate savings for cardholders.
Cardholders often enjoy free standard shipping on most items purchased at Target.com. This can add convenience and further savings for those who shop online.
Benefits and rewards:
- Save 5% every day at Target and Target.com
- RedCard Exclusives including special items and offers
Pros
- No annual fee
- Relationship rewards for customers
- New cardholder bonus offer
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- Must be a member/customer
- High APR
- Requires a good credit score
Eligibility requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Must be a member/customer
7. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Why we chose it: Best for entertainment benefits
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a good option for those who want a rewards card with entertainment benefits. It comes with an annual fee of $95, but the card offers good rewards like 60,000 bonus points when you spend at least $4,000 in the first three months. This relates to a bonus of $750 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
The card comes with an APR of between 21.24% and 28.24%, along with no foreign transaction fees and the ability to transfer your bonus points to over a dozen travel partners.
The card does require a good credit score, but the benefits can be worth it if you’re a regular traveler who wants to earn bonus points and enjoy ongoing rewards.
Benefits and rewards:
- 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
- Earn 5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out
Pros
- New cardholder bonus offer
- Flexible rewards redemption
- Earn high rewards in several areas of spending
Cons
- Annual fee of $95
- No intro APR offer
Eligibility requirements:
- Good credit score (690-850)
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a U.S. citizen
8. My Best Buy® Visa® Card
Why we chose it: Best for Best Buy shoppers
The My Best Buy® Visa® card is a credit card offered in partnership between Best Buy, a leading electronics retailer, and Visa. It’s designed to provide benefits and rewards to regular shoppers at Best Buy stores and online.
The card offers a rewards program where cardholders can earn points on Best Buy purchases as well as other everyday purchases like groceries and dining. The points can then be redeemed for Best Buy gift certificates.
The standard version of the My Best Buy® Visa® Card typically has no annual fee, but there might be other versions with an annual fee that offer higher rewards.
Benefits and rewards:
- 5% back in rewards (6% back in rewards for Elite Plus card members) on Best Buy purchases or flexible financing options starting on purchases $299 and up
- 3% back in rewards on gas purchases
- 2% back in rewards on grocery dining and takeout purchases
- 1% back in rewards on all other purchases
Pros
- No annual fee for the Platinum card
- Excellent reward earning on eligible Best Buy purchases
- Special financing options on eligible Best Buy purchases
Cons
- $59 annual fee for the Gold version of the card
- High standard APR
Eligibility requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Need a good to excellent credit score
What is a shopping credit card?
A shopping credit card is a specific type of credit card designed to offer benefits and rewards when used for shopping. These cards are tailored to suit the needs of consumers who frequently shop, whether it’s online or in physical stores.
There are a few advantages to shopping credit cards:
- Rewards and discounts: Many shopping credit cards offer points, cashback, or discounts on purchases at specific retailers or categories of spending, such as clothing or electronics.
- Special financing options: Some of these cards offer special financing options like no-interest periods or low interest on certain purchases, making it easier to manage payments over time.
Credit cards can have high interest rates, especially if you don’t pay your balance off in full every month. This could outweigh the benefits of the card. The rewards may also encourage unnecessary purchases and lead to increased debt if not managed correctly.
How to use a credit card for shopping
Using a credit card for shopping can be a convenient and rewarding way to make purchases, but it requires careful management. Here are a few tips for using a credit card for shopping:
- Understand the card’s features: Know the rewards, cashback, or discounts that your card offers for shopping. Be aware of the interest rates, especially if you intend to carry a balance.
- Making purchases: Use your credit card at trusted and secure payment terminals online or in-store. Keep track of your purchases to ensure they align with your budget.
- Managing payments: Pay off the full balance every month to avoid interest charges. If you can’t, make at least the minimum payment. If available, take advantage of special financing offers but be aware of the terms.
- Protect your information: Regularly check your statements for unauthorized transactions. Keep your card information secure to prevent fraudulent activities.
How to choose the best credit card for online shopping
Choosing the best credit card for online shopping requires careful consideration of your shopping habits, financial situation, and the features of various credit cards.
- Identify your shopping habits: Analyze where you shop online frequently and what you buy. This will help you target cards that offer rewards in those specific areas.
- Consider rewards and benefits: Look for cards that offer cashback, points, or discounts on the types of online purchases you make regularly. Consider sign-up bonuses and how attainable they are based on your spending.
- Evaluate interest rates and fees: If you plan to carry a balance, consider cards with low-interest rates. Be aware of annual fees and assess whether the benefits outweigh the cost.
- Check security features: Ensure that the card offers robust security measures for online transactions, such as fraud protection and alerts.
- Understand terms and conditions: Read the fine print carefully to understand all terms, including any restrictions on rewards or special financing options.
- Assess customer service: Consider the quality of customer service, including online tools and support, which may be essential for a smooth online shopping experience.
FAQs
Which card type is best for online shopping?
There is no single card type that is universally the best for online shopping. It depends on individual preferences and needs. A rewards credit card that offers cashback, points, or discounts on the categories you shop in most frequently is often a good choice.
Which bank gives the highest discount on online shopping?
The bank offering the highest discount on online shopping can vary and change over time. It’s best to compare current offers from various banks, considering both the discount percentage and the specific retailers or categories they apply to. Always read the terms and conditions to understand the full details.
Is it good to use credit cards for online shopping?
Using a credit card for online shopping can be advantageous due to the convenience, rewards, and purchase protection it may provide. However, it’s essential to use it responsibly, be mindful of security, and ensure that spending aligns with your budget.
What is the safest card to use online?
The safest card to use online is typically a credit card that has robust security features such as fraud protection, real-time alerts, and secure payment technologies like tokenization. Some cards may also offer virtual card numbers for online purchases, adding an extra layer of security.
