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Holiday shopping is in full swing, and the earlier you shop this year the better. Before you starting crossing gifts off of your list, consider how you plan to pay for them. A rewards credit card is a simple and effective way to earn cash back or points on all of your gift purchases.
With the best credit cards, you can earn between 2% to 6% cash back (or 2X to 6X points) on popular gifts, as well as food to fuel your holiday festivities.
To make your holiday shopping experience a bit more affordable, check out these cards that reward everything from electronics and clothing to groceries and takeout.
Best cards for holiday shopping
- Best for general shopping: Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card
- Best for Amazon: Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
- Best for Apple products: Apple Card
- Best for department stores: U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
- Best for wholesale clubs: Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
- Best for entertainment: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for restaurants, takeout and delivery: American Express® Gold Card
- Best for groceries: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Best for rotating categories: Chase Freedom Flex℠
- Best for intro 0% APR period: Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card
- Best for airline miles: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
- Best for welcome bonus: Capital One Venture X
Best cards for holiday shopping FAQs
Best for general shopping
Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card
Rewards
Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Welcome bonus
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for the first 15 months from account opening
Regular APR
14.99% to 24.99% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Balance transfer fee
Introductory fee of 3% ($5 minimum) for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5% ($5 minimum)
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees and our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- Unlimited cash rewards
- $200 cash rewards welcome bonus
- No annual fee
- Introductory APR period for first 15 months
- Access to Visa Signature Concierge
- Get up to $600 cell phone protection
Cons
- 3% fee charged on foreign transactions
Best for Amazon
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
Rewards
5% cash back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market; 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores; 1% back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
$150 Amazon.com gift card upon approval
Annual fee
$0 (but Prime membership is required)
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
14.24% to 22.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
5%, $5 minimum
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- No annual fee
- $150 Amazon.com gift card upon approval, with no spending requirements
- 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market
- No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
Cons
- Prime membership is required
- The 5% back on groceries only applies to groceries bought on Amazon.com or at Whole Foods Market
- Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $590
- Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $2,352
Rewards totals incorporate the points earned from the welcome bonus
Best for Apple products
Apple Card
Rewards
3% cash back on goods or services purchased directly from Apple (including Apple retail stores, the Apple online store, the App Store, iTunes, Apple Music and other Apple-owned properties) on Uber and UberEats, at Walgreens and Duane Reade stores, on the Walgreens app and on Walgreens.com, in T-Mobile stores, at Nike, at Exxon and Mobil stations and at Panera Bread, 2% cash back on Apple Pay purchases and 1% cash back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
10.99% to 21.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
None
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
N/A
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- No annual fee
- 3% cash back on goods or services purchased directly from Apple, on Uber and UberEats, at Walgreens and Duane Reade stores, on the Walgreens app and on Walgreens.com and in T-Mobile stores and at Nike
- No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
- No late payment fee
Cons
- Apple Pay isn’t accepted everywhere
- Purchases with the physical card only earn 1% cash back
- No special financing offers or welcome bonus
- Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $231
- Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $1,156
To calculate the rewards you could earn using your Apple Pay card, we assumed that cardholders will use Apple Pay for 70% of their purchases at a rate of 2% cash back, since 70% of all merchants accept Apple Pay, according to an Apple spokesperson. We also assumed the cardholder would use the physical Apple Card for the other 30% of their purchases at a rate of 1% cash back. You may earn a higher or lower return depending on your spending habits.
Best for department stores
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Rewards
5% cash back on two categories you choose quarterly (on your first $2,000 in combined eligible net purchases each quarter, then 1%); 2% cash back on one everyday category; 1% cash back on everything else
Welcome bonus
$200 cash back bonus after you apply online and spend $1000 within the first 120 days of account opening
Annual fee
$0*
Intro APR
0% APR for the first 18 billing cycles on balance transfers
Regular APR
13.99% to 23.99% (variable)*
Balance transfer fee
3%, minimum $5
Foreign transaction fee
2% to 3%
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
*See rates and fees and our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- No annual fee
- High 5% cash back on select entertainment purchases, when you activate bonus categories
- Low spending required to earn a good welcome bonus
Cons
- 5% cash back is limited to $2,000 in combined purchases each quarter
- Activation is required to earn 5% cash back
- 2% to 3% foreign transaction fee
- Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $478
- Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $1,790
Rewards totals incorporate the points earned from the welcome bonus
Best for wholesale clubs
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Rewards
4% cash back on eligible gas for the first $7,000 per year (then 1%); 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases; 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com; 1% cash back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
No current offer
Annual fee
$0, Costco membership required
Intro APR
N/A for purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
15.24% variable on purchases and balance transfers
Balance transfer fee
5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- Generous gas rewards
- No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
Cons
- Costco membership is required
- Rewards are distributed once a year and can only be redeemed at U.S. Costco Warehouses
- No welcome bonus, so you can’t maximize rewards during the first few months of card opening
- Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $406
- Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $2,031
Best for entertainment
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Rewards
4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 4% on eligible streaming services, 3% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
0% for the first 12 months on purchases; N/A on balance transfers
Regular APR
15.99% to 24.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
3% for promotional APR offers; none for balances transferred at regular APR
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- Unlimited 4% cash back on entertainment purchases
- 8% cash back on all Vivid Seats ticket purchases through January 2022
- Ability to redeem rewards at any amount, unlike some other cards with $25 minimums
- No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Cable, digital streaming and membership services are excluded from the 4% cash-back rate
- No introductory 0% financing offers for purchases or balance transfers
- Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $588
- Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $1,741
Rewards totals incorporate the cash back earned from the welcome bonus
Best for restaurants, takeout and delivery
American Express® Gold Card
Rewards
4X Membership Rewards® points on restaurants (including takeout and delivery, plus, Uber Eats purchases) and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months from account opening
Annual fee
$250
Intro APR
Not applicable
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees and our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- Up to $120 dining credit annually ($10 a month) for purchases made with Grubhub, Seamless and eligible restaurants (after a one-time enrollment)
- Up to $120 Uber Cash annually ($10 a month) for U.S. Uber Eats orders and U.S. Uber rides (card must be added to Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit)
- Strong rewards program with 4X points earned at restaurants and 3X points earned on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com
- Baggage insurance plan covers up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage that is damaged, lost or stolen
- No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
Cons
- No introductory APR period
- $250 annual fee
- Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $1,074
- Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $2,969
Rewards totals incorporate the points earned from the welcome bonus
Best for groceries
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Rewards
6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, 3% cash back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Welcome bonus
Earn a $300 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Annual fee
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95
Intro APR
0% for the first 12 months on purchases, N/A for balance transfers
Regular APR
13.99% to 23.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
2.7%
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees and our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- High 6% cash back at U.S. supermarket spending (up to $6,000 a year, then 1%)
- Unlimited 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- Unlimited 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit
- Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months after account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
Cons
- 2.7% fee on purchases made abroad
- Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $679
- Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $2,397
Rewards totals incorporate the cash back earned from the welcome bonus
Best for rotating categories
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Rewards
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate (then 1%), 5% cash back on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on drugstore purchases and on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services), 1% cash back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
$200 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases in your first three months from account opening
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% for the first 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
14.99% to 23.74% variable
Balance transfer fee
Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Generous welcome bonus
- Opportunity to earn up to 5% cash back in select categories upon activation
- Rewards can be transferred to a Chase Ultimate Rewards card
Cons
- Bonus categories must be activated each quarter
- 3% fee charged on foreign transactions
- Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $852
- Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $2,844
Rewards totals incorporate the cash back earned from the welcome bonus
Best for intro 0% APR period
Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card
Rewards
None
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
Introductory 0% APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for the first 18 months from account opening; extension of up to 3 months (totaling 21 months) with on-time minimum payments during the intro and extension periods
Regular APR
12.99% to 24.99% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Balance transfer fee
Introductory fee of 3% ($5 minimum) for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5% ($5 minimum)
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees and our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Long introductory APR period up to 21 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
- 3% intro balance transfer fee ($5 minimum) for first 120 days
- Access to Visa Signature Concierge
- Get up to $600 cell phone protection
- Access to Wells Fargo Deals to earn cash back in the form of a statement credit when shopping, dining
Cons
- No rewards
- No welcome bonus
- 3% fee charged on foreign transactions
Best for airline miles
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
Rewards
Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases, 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare; 2X points on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming; 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 40,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Annual fee
$69
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
15.99% to 22.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
5%, minimum $5
Foreign transaction fees
3%
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
Pros
- Modest annual fee
- Generous welcome bonus can be used toward Southwest Companion Pass
- 2 Early Bird Check-In® each year
Cons
- 3% fee charged on foreign transactions
- No introductory 0% APR period
Best for welcome bonus
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Rewards
Unlimited 2X miles on all eligible purchases, and 5X miles on flights and 10X miles on hotels and rental cars when booked via Capital One Travel portal
Welcome bonus
100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases within the first six months of account opening
Annual fee
$395
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
16.99-23.99% variable APR
Balance transfer fee
Either $10 or 4% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fees
$0
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
Pros
- Large welcome bonus
- Up to $300 back in statement credits each year for bookings made through Capital One Travel
- No foreign transaction fees
- Up to $100 statement credits for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Access to over 1,300 Priority Pass lounges, as well as Capital One Lounges
Cons
- High annual fee
- No introductory 0% APR period
Best cards for holiday shopping FAQs
What credit score do you need to get a rewards card?
Rewards credit cards often require good or excellent credit. Make sure you check your credit score before applying for one of these cards.
How to choose a rewards credit card
There are hundreds of rewards credit cards available, making it tricky to settle on the right one. It's important to take some time to choose the best card for your holiday shopping needs and long-term purchases.
All of the cards on this list are great to use throughout the entire year, so make sure you look at your past purchase history as a whole before settling on one card. You may even want to consider applying for multiple cards to maximize rewards.
First, decide if you're willing to pay an annual fee for a card, since this can help narrow down choices. Rewards cards have annual fees ranging from $0 to $550, which gives you the flexibility to choose the card that makes sense for your budget. Do the math to see if an annual fee is within your budget and if it can be outweighed by the card's benefits.
Next you should figure out what type of rewards you want to earn, and if you want a simple rewards program or one that may require some work. If you want a straightforward option, consider a card like the Citi® Double Cash Card, which offers a flat cash back rate on all purchases.
If you want to maximize rewards in common spending categories, such as dining and groceries, consider bonus rewards cards that offer over 2%/2X back on certain eligible purchases and may require activation. (Learn how credit card issuers classify purchases for bonus rewards.)
Beyond rewards, review the added card perks, such as annual statement credits and 0% APR periods, that can provide extra value.
How to make the most of your rewards card during the holidays
Make sure you understand all the benefits your card offers, including the rewards rates, statement credit offers, shopping discount tools and intro 0% APR periods.
Once you're familiar with the terms of your card, you can start to take full advantage of them. If you have a premium card like the American Express® Gold Card, set reminders to use monthly credits. Amex, Bank of America and Chase cardholders can activate various shopping discounts at apparel and dining retailers so you can earn extra rewards or statement credits.
There are also many cards out there, like the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card, which include intro 0% APRs that allow you to pay for purchases over time, without expensive interest charges. Read more about using a 0% APR card to pay for your holiday gifts this year.
Our methodology
To determine which credit cards offer the best value, Select analyzed popular credit cards available in the U.S. We compared each card on a range of features, including rewards, welcome bonus, introductory and standard APR, balance transfer fee and foreign transaction fees, as well as factors such as required credit and customer reviews when available. We also considered additional perks, the application process and how easy it is for the consumer to redeem points.
Select teamed up with location intelligence firm Esri. The company's data development team provided the most up-to-date and comprehensive consumer spending data based on the 2019 Consumer Expenditure Surveys from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You can read more about their methodology here.
Esri's data team created a sample annual budget of approximately $22,126 in retail spending. The budget includes six main categories: groceries ($5,174), gas ($2,218), dining out ($3,675), travel ($2,244), utilities ($4,862) and general purchases ($3,953). General purchases include items such as housekeeping supplies, clothing, personal care products, prescription drugs and vitamins, and other vehicle expenses.
Select used this budget to estimate how much the average consumer would save over the course of a year, two years and five years, assuming they would attempt to maximize their rewards potential by earning all welcome bonuses offered and using the card for all applicable purchases. All rewards total estimations are net the annual fee.
While the five-year estimates we've included are derived from a budget similar to the average American's spending, you may earn a higher or lower return depending on your shopping habits.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred Card, click here.