Best Credit Cards for Couples

Comparing the best credit cards for couples

A closer look at the best credit cards for couples

1. Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Benefits for couples:

• Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your bill with this card
• 24/7 on-demand roadside assistance for towing or locksmith services
• Zero liability protection

Annual fee: None.

Intro APR: 0% APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. Balance transfers made within 120 days from account opening qualify for the introductory rate.

Regular APR: 17.74% to 29.74% variable APR.

Signup bonus: None.

Our verdict: For couples who are working on consolidating their debt or reducing the overall debt they have, the Wells Fargo Reflect card is an excellent option. With an outstanding 21 month 0% introductory APR that is also applicable to balance transfers made within the first 120 days, this card can allow couples to get a stronger hold on their financials.

Pros:

• Incredibly long introductory APR period allows couples to not worry about interest
• No annual fee associated with the card
• Unique benefits such as 24/7 roadside assistance

Cons:

• No sign up offer
• No cash back incentives

Apply now: Wells Fargo Reflect®

Bank of America® Customized Cash Card

Benefits for couples:

• Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice ranging from gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvements and furnishings
• Earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
• Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases

Annual fee: None.

Intro APR: 0% introductory APR for first 18 billing cycles.

Regular APR: 17.74% to 27.74%

Signup bonus: $200 in online cash rewards after making at least $1,000 in purchases within three months from account opening.

Our verdict: For the couples who are always focused on home improvement, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card is the right choice.With 3% back in home improvement or furnishings, all couples can enjoy plenty of cash back on major home purchases. Additionally, should home purchases end for the foreseeable future, the Customized Cash card offers alternative categories for the 3% cash back.

Pros:

• 0% introductory APR for over a year
• Varying cash back categories can appeal to different interests
• No annual fee

Cons:

• The welcome bonus is on the lower side compared to other similar credit cards

Apply now: Bank of America® Customized Cash Back Rewards

Learn more: Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Review

American Express® Gold Card

Benefits for couples:

• 4x points at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 4x points on groceries at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per year
• 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on Amex’s website
• 1x points on other eligible purchases
• $120 dining credit yearly broken out as $10 statement credits monthly at select dining locations
• $120 Uber credit yearly broken out as $10 statement credits monthly when Gold card is connected to Uber account

Annual fee: $250

Intro APR: None

Regular APR: 20.74% to 28.74%

Signup bonus: Earn 75,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership (Limited time offer).

Our verdict: In looking at the best credit cards for couples to share, the Amex Gold card (also offered in a stunning Rose Gold color) has to make the list. As the pinnacle card for foodies, the Amex Gold offers 4 points per dollar spent at grocery stores, restaurants, and food delivery. This is ideal for couples who are all about the latest food fusion trend that no one knows about and who want to put it on the map. Additionally, with its points back on groceries, it’s perfect for couples who, when they aren’t finding the best new restaurant, are experimenting with recipes at home, so they need a solid grocery card.

Pros:

• Industry leading 4x points back on all food purchases, regardless of whether they are at a grocery store or restaurant
• Bonus statement credits for food and rideshare can be helpful for couples who love to enjoy a night out
• Large signup bonus

Cons:

• The hefty annual fee of $250 may be too expensive for those who don’t make use of the benefits the card offers

Apply now: American Express® Gold Card

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Benefits for couples:

• Earn 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories (currently Lowes and Amazon)
• Earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Earn 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
• Earn 3% on drugstore purchases
• Earn 1% on all other purchases

Annual fee: None

Intro APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers.

Regular APR: 19.74% to 28.49%

Signup bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Our verdict: In looking at the best joint credit cards for couples, the Chase Freedom Flex should be a candidate for couples who love to shop. Going beyond standard day-to-day purchases, the selling point of the Freedom Flex is the 5% back in rotating categories every quarter. Each category tends to be highly shopped, and the additional benefit of 3% on restaurants is a bonus for couples with foodie tendencies. For couples who love a good shopping session, but a great cash back rewards program even more, the Chase Freedom Flex is the best choice.

Pros:

• No annual fee makes this a great starter card for couples
• Rotating cash back across commonly shopped categories
• 0% intro APR makes this card a great option for couples looking to balance transfer
• Offers both large food and travel points back for couples always on the go

Cons:

• If you don’t shop at the places where the rotating categories are, it’s a relatively wasted bonus

Apply now: Chase Freedom Flex℠

Learn more: Chase Freedom Flex Review

Wells Fargo Active Cash®

Benefits for couples:

• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
• Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your cell phone bill monthly with your eligible Wells Fargo card

Annual fee: None

Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers.

Regular APR: 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74%

Signup bonus: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus when you spend $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

Our verdict: When considering the best couple’s credit card, both partners’ wallets should have a solid daily driver card. This card shouldn’t have a fee associated with it, should earn more than the bare minimum, and should act as a “catch-all”. The Wells Fargo Active Cash card serves this purpose perfectly and can even be a great starter card for couples just venturing into the world of joint accounts.

Pros:

• No annual fee makes this one of the best credit cards for married couples in need of a daily driver
• Competitive intro APR
• Blanket 2% cash back means couples don’t need to pick and choose which card they use for purchases

Cons:

• Relatively low cash back compared to other cards

Apply now: Wells Fargo Active Cash®

Learn more: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Review

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Benefits for couples:

• Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores
• Earn 1% on all other purchases
• Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
• Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

Annual fee: None

Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.

Regular APR: 19.74% to 29.74%

Signup bonus: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

Our verdict: For couples who are always on the run, whether it be going to the next sporting event, rocking out at a live concert, or just enjoying a meal with a friend, they want to be sure they’re earning while having fun. If this is you then the SavorOne credit card is the right choice. With numerous cash back categories, you can be rewarded for whatever you’re doing. Even if you’re just relaxing at home watching television and cooking, the 3% cash back on groceries and streaming platforms ensures you’re still earning. For couples without excellent credit, the Good credit variation of this card comes at a slightly higher APR with no welcome offer, but all the same benefits.

Pros:

• Cash back across a wide variety of categories makes the SavorOne card one of the best credit cards for newlyweds, established partners, and everything in between
• No annual fee on a card with so many reward categories is rare
• Travel benefits on top of all other categories

Cons:

• An excellent credit score is needed for the base card, the Good credit score variant of this card comes with a high 29.99% variable APR and no welcome offer

Apply now: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Card

Learn more: Capital One SavorOne Rewards Review

Chase Sapphire Preferred®

Benefits for couples:

• Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Earn 5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Annual Ultimate Hotel Credit
• Earn 2x on other travel purchases
• Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out
• Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases
• Earn 3x on select streaming services
• Earn 1x on all other purchases

Annual fee: $95

Intro APR: None

Regular APR: 20.74% to 27.74%

Signup bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening (Limited Time Offer). Equivalent to over $1,000 towards travel when redeemed through Chase travel portal.

Our verdict: The reason we picked this card is that all couples should have a travel card in their wallet. This card is perfect for couples whose middle name is Travel. When they aren’t taking advantage of transit for their daily commute in the form of cabs, trains, or rideshares, they are looking for the next weekend escape. The 5 points per dollar spent on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards means airline purchases, hotel payments, and even activity costs can earn any couple massive points back.

Pros:

• You and your partner will earn large amounts of points for travel booked directly through Chase
• The low annual fee for the number of perks offered
• You will earn 3 points per dollar for food purchased not only at grocery stores but also through delivery services
• Even if you and your partner don’t have travel planned on the horizon, you will still earn 3 points per dollar on streaming service payments

Cons:

• The one point per dollar on all other purchases means this card isn’t the best daily driver

Apply now: Chase Sapphire Preferred®

How to choose the best credit card for you and your partner?

Deciding between the seemingly countless credit cards available is a challenge for any couple. Trying to balance the benefits of a card along with you and your partner’s spending habits can seem impossible, but there are a few tips that can help:

1. Think about how important rewards points are: Are you and your partner the type of couple who are famous amongst your friends for traveling the world? If so, a card that is travel focused in terms of its rewards points, offering hotel points or airline credits, may be better as compared to a pure cash-back card. Consider your and your partner’s interests, such as the above, when evaluating the rewards a card offers.
2. Consider whether a sign-up bonus is important to you: A commonly seen strategy used by couples who know they’ll have large expenses on the horizon is to open a new card for the welcome bonus. With the upcoming expenses they have planned, they will quickly receive potentially hundreds of dollars in points once the bonus level is reached. These points can then be put towards a trip or simply cash-back depending on the card. Think about whether or not a sign-up bonus means anything to you and your partner.
3. Weigh the annual fee with the benefits you will use: It’s no secret that a credit card can come with a massive annual fee. Seeing such a fee as high as $500 may be daunting, but many people recoup that cost with the benefits they use. For example, if you have a card with a high fee, yet it gives you access to airport lounges, travel credit, cash-back for food, and more, you may quickly earn that annual fee back.

The above are just three important factors to think about as you go through and start evaluating which credit cards are right for you and your partner. Always consider your spending habits and needs when deciding on a card.

What are the best credit card strategies to follow for couples?

Combining financial accounts as a couple is a major step. Before diving officially combining all of your accounts, use some of the following credit card strategies to bolster your financial health:

1. Joint credit cards

Rather than having only a single credit card that the two of you need to share, consider joint credit cards. These work the same way as a standard credit card account except for the fact that both partners are on the account and get their cards. This means you don’t need to worry about who has the card at a certain point in time.

2. Adding each other as authorized users

For those who have a partner whose credit score may not be stellar, it’s normal to have a little apprehension about throwing them onto a credit account with yourself right away. Consider adding them as an authorized user so that their credit score can improve over time. If you feel comfortable enough, you can provide them with a card, but it’s not necessary.

3. Keeping credit card accounts separate

Some couples choose to keep their financial accounts separate and that’s perfectly acceptable. However, be aware that if both credit accounts tie back to a joint bank account for payments, it’s best to chat with your partner when the bills are due to be sure you have enough in your account to fund the payment.

How many credit cards should a couple have?

Regardless of whether couples choose to maintain separate financial accounts or not, it’s not a bad idea to have one or two shared credit card accounts for expenses that relate to both partners. Whether that’s food expenses, home goods purchases, or anything similar, having a joint credit card account can make the process simpler. As for any additional accounts, it is a completely personal preference based on the perceived benefit a credit card offers to a couple. Just be sure you don’t take on a card that has an annual fee you won’t recoup based on the benefits.

Methodology

In looking at the best credit cards for couples, a variety of factors were considered. Most notably, the annual fee associated with a card along with its APR (and intro APR if applicable) balanced against the financial benefits the card offered was the primary methodology used for the evaluation. The presence of a signup bonus was considered to be an added perk that bolstered the evaluation. Always be sure to have a thorough conversation with your partner about financials before agreeing to settle on and open a credit card account jointly.

The product information provided here is based on research conducted up to a specific date and may have changed. For the latest and most accurate information, we recommend you to visit the respective card’s website before proceeding.