Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping
At a Glance
Online shopping is more convenient than ever, but it’s important to use the right credit card to maximize your rewards and protect your finances. With so many different credit cards on the market, it can be tough to know which one is right for you. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the best credit cards for online shopping.
Whether you’re looking for a card with a high rewards rate, no annual fee, or travel rewards, we have you covered. We’ve also included information on each card’s sign-up bonus, intro APR, and regular APR, so you can make an informed decision about which card is right for you. So, without further ado, here are the best credit cards for online shopping in 2023.
263 million
Americans shop online.
Comparing the best credit cards for shopping online
| Credit Card | Rewards | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card | 1-5% | $0 |
| Discover it® Cash Back | 1-5% | $0 |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | 2x miles | $95 |
| Citi Double Cash Card | 2% cash back | $0 |
| Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express | 1-3% | $0 |
*Updated as of November 2023
A closer look at the best credit cards for online shopping
Chase Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
Annual fee: $0
Rewards rate: 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership, 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and 1% back on all other purchases
Intro APR: None
Regular APR: 19.49% to 27.49% Variable APR
Signup bonus: $100 Amazon.com Gift Card instantly when you are approved.
Our verdict: The Chase Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card is the best overall credit card for online shopping, especially if you’re a Prime member. It offers a high rewards rate on Amazon.com purchases, as well as at restaurants and drugstores. It also comes with several other benefits, including free two-day shipping on most Amazon purchases and access to Prime Video and Prime Music.
Pros:
- High earning potential with no limit to how much cash back you can earn
- Free two-day shipping on most Amazon purchases
- Access to Prime Video and Prime Music
- Welcome bonus of $100 Amazon.com Gift Card
Cons:
- Lower rewards rate on non-bonus category spending
- Mainly for Amazon
Apply now: Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
Learn more: Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card Review
Discover it® Cash Back
Annual fee: $0
Rewards rate: 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter, up to the quarterly maximum, then 1% cash back on all other purchases
Intro APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers and 3% intro balance transfer fee until January 10, 2024.
Regular APR: 17.24% to 28.24% Variable APR
Signup bonus: Match all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year
Our verdict: The Discover it® Cash Back is the best credit card for cash back on general online shopping. It offers a high rewards rate on rotating categories each quarter, up to the quarterly maximum, and then 1% cash back on all other purchases. It also matches all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, automatically. However, the rewards rate can vary depending on the rotating categories. You cannot choose these categories, but must follow the calendar to know which ones are active.
Pros:
- 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter, up to the quarterly maximum
- Discover matches all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year
- No annual fee
Cons:
- Rewards rate can vary depending on the rotating categories
- Lower rewards rate on all other purchases
Apply now: Discover it® Cash Back
Learn more: Discover It Cash Back Credit Card Review
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Annual fee: $95
Rewards rate: 2 miles per dollar on all purchases
Intro APR: None
Regular APR: 21.24% – 29.24% Variable APR
Signup bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Our verdict: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is the best credit card for travel rewards on online shopping. It offers a high rewards rate on all purchases, which can be redeemed for travel expenses at 1 cent per mile or transferred to a number of airline and hotel partners for a better valuation. It also comes with a welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. However, it does have an annual fee.
Pros:
- 2 miles per dollar on all purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus miles
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
- Hertz Five Star Status
- Extended warranty
Cons:
- Annual fee
- Lower rewards rate for cash back redemptions
Apply now: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Citi Double Cash Card
Annual fee: $0
Rewards rate: 2% cash back on all purchases, 1% when you buy and 1% as you pay
Intro APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers
Regular APR: 19.24% – 29.24% Variable APR
Signup bonus: None
Our verdict: The Citi Double Cash Card is perfect for online shoppers with poor credit. It offers a 2% cash back on all purchases, 1% when you buy and 1% as you pay. This makes it a good option for people who want to earn cash back on their online purchases without paying an annual fee. However, the rewards rate is lower than other cards on this list.
Pros:
- 2% cash back on all purchases
- No annual fee
Cons:
- No welcome offer
Apply now: Citi® Double Cash Card
Learn more: Citi Double Cash Card Review
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Annual fee: $0
Rewards rate: 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. online retail purchases, and U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 per year in purchases in each category, then 1% cash back. 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening
Regular APR: 19.24% to 29.99% Variable APR
Signup bonus: Earn $200 back after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Our verdict: The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a great all-around cash back credit card with no annual fee. It offers a high rewards rate on three popular spending categories, and it has a generous signup bonus. Plus, it comes with a variety of other benefits,like Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty.
Pros:
- 3% cash back on groceries, online shopping, and gas (up to $6,000 per year in each category)
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- No annual fee
- Generous signup bonus
- Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty
- Other benefits such as Send & Split, Plan It, and ShopRunner
Cons:
- 3% cash back categories have spending limits
- Cash back is redeemed in the form of statement credits, not cash
- Lower rewards rate on non-bonus category spending
Apply now: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
How to choose the right credit card for online shopping
When choosing a credit card for online shopping, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Rewards: What kind of rewards do you want to earn? Some cards offer cash back, while others offer travel rewards or points that can be redeemed for merchandise.
- Annual fee: How much is the annual fee? Some cards have no annual fee, while others charge a fee every year.
- Interest rate: What is the interest rate on the card? If you carry a balance, you’ll want to choose a card with a low interest rate.
- Features: What other features are important to you? Some cards offer purchase protection, travel insurance, and extended warranties.
Can you get a credit card for online shopping with bad credit?
Yes, it is possible to get a credit card for online shopping with bad credit. However, you may have to pay a higher interest rate or put down a security deposit. There are also a number of secured credit cards that are designed for people with bad credit.
How to use a credit card for shopping online
To make secure and savvy online purchases with your credit card, follow these guidelines. First, choose reputable online retailers and ensure the website is secure, indicated by “https://” in the URL. Try utilizing credit cards with strong fraud protection. Regularly monitor your credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions and consider setting up account alerts for added security. Familiarize yourself with the credit card’s policies on fraud protection and dispute resolution. By following these steps, you can confidently use your credit card for online shopping.
How to stay safe when shopping online
Here are a few tips on how to stay safe when shopping online:
- Only shop on secure websites. Look for the “https://” prefix in the URL and the lock icon in the browser bar. This means that the website is using encryption to protect your data.
- Be careful about what information you share. Only provide the information that is necessary to complete your purchase. Be wary of websites that ask for personal information such as your Social Security number or bank account number.
- Use a strong password and keep it safe. Don’t use the same password for multiple websites. And never share your password with anyone.
- Be careful about clicking on links in emails or social media posts. These links can lead to phishing websites designed to steal your personal information.
- Keep your software up to date. This includes your operating system, web browser, and antivirus software.
Methodology
To compile this list of the best credit cards for online shopping, we considered various factors, including rewards programs, annual fees, interest rates, and features. We also read reviews from consumers and experts.
FAQs
It’s generally safer to use a credit card for online shopping than a debit card. That’s because credit cards offer purchase protection, which can help you if you’re a victim of fraud. Additionally, if your credit card is compromised, your liability is limited to $50. With a debit card, your liability is your entire account balance.
Yes, many credit cards offer rewards for online shopping internationally. However, you may be charged a foreign transaction fee. Be sure to check with your credit card company to see if they charge foreign transaction fees and how much they charge.
The safest payment method to use while shopping online is a credit card. Credit cards offer purchase protection and limited liability in the event of fraud. Additionally, many credit card companies offer fraud protection features such as transaction alerts and fraud monitoring.
The safest card to use online is a credit card with a chip and PIN feature. Chip and PIN cards are more difficult for fraudsters to counterfeit than traditional magnetic stripe cards. Additionally, many credit card companies offer additional security features such as two-factor authentication and fraud monitoring.
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