Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping of November 2025
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Written by
Robin Saks Frankel
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Edited by
Jasmin Baron
Using a credit card to shop online is a smart money move. Credit cards have consumer protections that can provide peace of mind when handing over your number on the Internet, and some issuers even offer virtual credit cards for an extra layer of protection. Plus, the best credit cards for online shopping can save you money by way of rewards and other benefits like extended warranties or purchase protections.
Here’s what to know about credit cards for shopping online and how to choose the best one for you.
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Quick Overview: Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping
| Our Choice For | Credit Range | Annual Fee | Highlights | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Cash Back |
Excellent/Good
670 – 850*
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$0 |
Welcome bonus opportunity, generous intro APR, and choose your 6% cash back category 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs for the first $2,500 in combined choice category / grocery store / wholesale club quarterly purchases.
After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, up to the quarterly maximum. 1% cash back on all other purchases. If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25% – 75% more cash back on every purchase. The Preferred Rewards bonus is not applied to the 3% first year bonus.
Apply Now
More Details
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|
Cash Back Card |
Good – Excellent
|
$0 |
Earn a welcome offer and 1% – 3% cash back Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
Earn 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. Earn 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
Apply Now
More Details
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| 2% Cash Back |
Excellent/Good
670 – 850*
|
$0 |
Extra long intro APR on balance transfers, generous welcome bonus, and 2% cash back Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
Apply Now
More Details
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|
| Cash Back |
Excellent/Good
670 – 850*
|
$0 |
Earn 2% Cash Rewards plus a $200 bonus Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Apply Now
More Details
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|
| Rotating Bonus Categories |
Good – Excellent
670 – 850*
|
$0 |
Up to 5% cash back on certain categories each quarter 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more. 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Apply Now
More Details
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|
| Cash Back |
Excellent/Good
670 – 850*
|
$0 |
Earn a first year bonus plus 1% – 5% cash back Earn 5% Cash Back At Different Places Each Quarter Up To The Quarterly Maximum When You Activate.
Earn 1% Unlimited Cash Back On All Other Purchases – Automatically
Apply Now
More Details
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Amazon Shoppers |
Good – Excellent
670 – 850*
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$0 |
Up to 10% cash back on select items and categories on Amazon Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com 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
Full Review
More Details
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Detailed Overview: Best Online Shopping Credit Cards
Top Feature
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends a 17.74% – 27.74% Variable APR will apply.
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Cash Back
After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, up to the quarterly maximum.
1% cash back on all other purchases.
If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25% – 75% more cash back on every purchase. The Preferred Rewards bonus is not applied to the 3% first year bonus.
Card Details From Issuer
- New offer! Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice: gas and EV charging stations; online shopping, including cable, internet, phone plans and streaming; dining; travel; drug stores and pharmacies; or home improvement and furnishings. You’ll automatically earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
- Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- With the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program, members can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means the 3% choice category could go up to 3.75%-5.25%. The Preferred Rewards bonus is not applied to the 3% first-year bonus.
- No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.74% – 27.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
- Contactless Cards – The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Top Feature
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
0% intro APR on purchases and on balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening, then 19.74%-28.74% Variable APR
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Cash Back
Earn 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
Earn 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
Card Details From Issuer
- Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- No Annual Fee.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.74% to 28.74% variable APR.
- Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don’t have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you’ll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
- Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on eligible purchases for each category on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get up to a $7 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at Disneyplus.com, Hulu.com, or Plus.espn.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Top Feature
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 17.74% – 27.74% (Variable). A 17.74% – 27.74% (Variable) APR will apply for purchases.
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Cash Back
Card Details From Issuer
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.74% – 27.74%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Top Feature
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and on qualifying balance transfers, then a 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% Variable APR
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Rewards
Card Details From Issuer
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Top Feature
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening!
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, then 18.74% – 28.24% Variable
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Rewards
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more.
3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Card Details From Issuer
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.74%-28.24%.
- No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health – Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Top Feature
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
0% Intro APR on purchases and on balance transfers for 15 months, then 17.74% – 26.74% Variable APR
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Cash Back
Earn 1% Unlimited Cash Back On All Other Purchases – Automatically
Card Details From Issuer
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
- 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.
- Redeem cash back for any amount
- Apply now and you could get a decision in as little as 90 seconds. No annual fee.
- Start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with your virtual card, before your physical card arrives in the mail, if eligible.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.74% to 26.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Welcome Bonus
Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
19.24% – 27.99% Variable
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Rewards
Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com 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
Card Details From Issuer
- Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
- Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
- Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com 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
- No annual credit card fee
- No more waiting. Redeem daily rewards at Amazon.com as soon as the next day
- Member FDIC
What Is an Online Shopping Rewards Credit Card?
An online shopping rewards credit card can maximize your spending for online purchases. This could be higher rewards for shopping with a particular merchant, an upfront discount or other benefits that can boost your bottom line, such as free expedited shipping. The cards are aimed at anyone who frequently shops online, whether it’s through their computer, phone or other e-commerce platform.
In addition to rewards, like cash back, points or miles, many of the best online shopping cards come with perks that can be advantageous to your spending habits. Extended warranties, purchase protection, return protection and zero fraud liability can be a boon if something goes wrong with your purchase.
You may also be able to take advantage of additional savings with an online shopping rewards card that you might not find at a brick-and-mortar store. Or, you might find that the right online shopping rewards card for you comes with an introductory 0% APR offer on purchases to help you spread out the cost of a big buy over time.
How To Choose the Best Credit Card for Online Purchases
Choosing the best credit card for online purchases won’t look the same for everyone. It’s worth breaking down the features to find the card that best aligns with your shopping patterns and goals. Here’s what to consider to match the right card to your needs.
Consider How Often You Click To Make a Purchase
Some people are avid online shoppers and use a credit card and a screen to do most of their spending. If that’s the case, a card that earns strong general rewards across a variety of categories might be your best bet, especially if you shop with a variety of retailers.
Think About Where You Spend the Most
Everyone’s spending habits are different, and one household might have high expenses on groceries, while another spends heavily on clothing or furniture. If you typically spend a large chunk of your budget in one particular area, choosing a card that earns high rewards in that category makes sense. If you mostly shop with a particular retailer online, like Amazon, Walmart or Target, consider a co-branded card to get the maximum benefits for your money.
Know the Pitfalls of Carrying a Balance vs. Earning Rewards
Earning rewards is a great benefit, but the value of that benefit is easily outpaced by the interest you’ll have to pay if you carry a balance. That’s because credit card interest rates are typically in the double digits, and credit card rewards are single-digit. If you need extra time to pay off a purchase or you have some existing debt you’d like to shed, choosing a card with a low intro offer on purchases or balance transfers will be a bigger benefit than a rewards card in the long run.
Look at the Card’s Other Perks
Attributes like purchase protection or extended warranty coverage may not be top of mind when choosing a credit card, but if you’re doing a lot of online shopping, chances are you may have some packages that get bounced around or left outside where you live. The right benefits can save you money should something go awry with your delivery.
Types of Online Shopping Credit Cards
Online shopping cards typically come as one of several card types.
- General rewards: A general rewards credit card earns rewards across a wide variety of spending categories. This means you’ll earn rewards on everything, both online and offline. Each rewards program offers different ways to use your earnings, from cash-back to statement credits to applying to future purchases.
- Cash-back rewards: With cash-back credit cards, you’ll earn a straight percentage back on your spending. For example, if you spend $100 with a card that earns 3% back on online grocery shopping, you’ll earn $3 back. Cash-back cards typically come in three types: flat-rate, which earns the same rewards rate on all spending, tiered, which earns different rewards and different categories, and cards with rotating bonus categories, which offer elevated rewards in a handful of spending areas every month or calendar quarter up to a spending cap.
- Co-branded cards: This type of card is issued in partnership with a retailer, such as the Amazon Prime Visa, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card or the Target Circle Card. Typically, you’ll get the highest rewards rates for shopping with the brand, and you’ll often get other perks, too, like access to special savings opportunities or free shipping.
- Intro APR cards: It may not be what you first think of when you consider a card for online shopping, but that zero can be a hero if you need additional time to pay off a hefty expense. Some low-APR credit cards offer special financing programs that make it easier to swallow the cost of a major online purchase.
How To Maximize Online Shopping Rewards
Earning rewards on your online shopping is nice, but you can take it up a notch by stacking your savings. Follow these tips to make the most of every dollar you spend:
- Use the right card for each purchase type: If you have a card that earns rotating quarterly rewards in a specific area of spending, like warehouse clubs or drugstores, consider buying gift cards to those places so you can maximize your spending.
- Look for special targeted opt-in card offers: Many major card issuers have special offer programs where you can earn a statement credit or bonus rewards for spending with a specific retailer. Examples of this include Amex Offers, Chase Offers and Citi Merchant Offers. With these, you have to log into your account and “activate” the deal you like by clicking on the offer.
- Shop through a rewards portal: Sites like Rakuten and Capital One Shopping can help you earn additional cash back just for shopping the way you normally would. Rakuten even allows you to earn Membership Rewards points instead of cash back if you have a qualifying American Express card. Another option is Rove, where you can book travel or shop with merchants and earn universal travel miles on your purchase.
- Time credit card applications with big expenses: When your everyday expenses are higher, such as during the back-to-school or holiday shopping season, opening a new credit card and using your increased spending to unlock a welcome offer can be a smart move. For example, opening one of the best credit cards for holiday shopping and using it for Black Friday and Cyber Monday purchases can fast-track your progress toward earning an intro bonus.
Alternatives To Consider
- U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card: The Shopper Cash Rewards is a hybrid of a tiered card with rotating cash-back categories, making it a winner for those whose spending is varied. Although it has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 , you’ll earn 6% cash back on your first $1,500 in combined eligible purchases each quarter with two eligible retailers you choose, 3% cash back on your first $1,500 in eligible purchases on your choice of one everyday category (like wholesale clubs, gas and EV charging stations, or bills and utilities) and 1.5% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
- U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card: With this no-annual-fee card, you can choose categories that aren’t commonly eligible for bonuses, like department stores, electronics stores and furniture as 5% cash-back options. Plus, it offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles, then a variable APR of 17.99% to 28.24% applies.
- PayPal Cashback Mastercard®: If you often shop through sites that accept PayPal, it makes sense to consider this no-annual-fee cash-back card, as you’ll earn 3% cash back when you check out with PayPal and 1.5% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
The information related to the Prime Visa, U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card, U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card and PayPal Cashback Mastercard® was collected by CardCritics™ and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardCritics™ does not receive a commission for this product.
Frequently Asked Questions About Credit Cards for Online Shopping
Is it safe to use a credit card online?
Yes, credit cards offer stronger consumer protections than debit cards, thanks to the Fair Credit Billing Act. If you report the loss or theft of your card promptly after noticing fraudulent charges, your maximum liability is $50. However, many credit cards take it a step further and offer zero liability, so you won’t have to pay a penny if there’s been fraud. Debit cards offer some protections, but they’re not as robust.
What’s the difference between using a credit card and a debit card online?
With a credit card, you’re technically paying with the issuing bank’s money. The bank loans you money to make the purchase, and you pay it back either over time with interest or in full at the end of a billing period. With a debit card, those funds are debited directly from your bank account and can be harder to recover.
What credit card is best for online shopping?
Ideally, you’ll choose a card that earns rewards and benefits where you spend the most. You should also look for a card that offers zero liability coverage for fraud and any additional protection against bad actors.
What should I do if my card number was stolen after I shopped online?
Contact your issuer immediately and let them know about the fraud. Some card issuers also offer a card lock option that you can quickly activate from the bank’s app to prevent further card use.
How Do Our Critics Evaluate the Cards?
All of the credit cards featured on CardCritics™ are assessed using the same criteria. Our critics evaluate fees, interest rates, balance transfer options, introductory bonuses, rewards, additional benefits and the average credit score required for approval.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
*CardCritics™ references a FICO® 8 score, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when evaluating your application.