The 10 Best Credit Cards for Pet Expenses [2020]

BY 

Christine Krzyszton

- UPDATED: June 22, 2020

1. Credit Cards  / 
2. Strategies & Guides

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Pets can be just like family, for a variety of reasons. We love them, they love us (except for some cats), and we can spend a lot of money making sure they’re raised well. Like every other purchase we make, it’s a real bonus when those pet-related expenses can also be earning rewards.

Whether it’s cash-back, miles, or redeemable points, every purchase you make for your pet has the potential to accumulate earnings.

That’s the topic on our mind today. We’re going to look closely at how we can purchase pet-related items and services and uncover the best ways to reap as much benefit from those expenses as possible.

There are many variables when it comes to earning on pet-related purchases. Where you purchase the items or services and, of course, which credit card you use, can make a huge difference.

In our article, we’ll uncover which credit cards are the best to use for pet-related purchases and discuss additional options for elevated earnings and savings using special card offers.

If you’re ready to earn more on your pet purchases, let’s get started.

Best Chase Cards for Pet Expenses

The best Chase cards to use for pet-related expenses offer both elevated earnings for purchases at specific quarterly-rotating merchants and fixed percentage earnings.

Let’s review how to use these 2 popular Chase cards to earn top rewards on pet-related purchases.

Chase Freedom® Card

You’ll earn the highest rewards on pet expenses when you use your Freedom card at quarterly bonus-category merchants. Purchases made at these merchants will earn 5% cash-back in the form of valuable Ultimate Rewards points.

Common quarterly merchants that have been known to offer bonus earnings include these stores and payment methods which can facilitate making pet-related purchases:

• Grocery stores
• Home improvement stores
• Wholesale clubs
• PayPal
• Drugstores
• Target and Target.com
• Amazon
• Walmart.com
• Chase Pay, Apple Pay, Android Pay, and Samsung Pay

Simply activate your quarterly bonus earnings each quarter and you will earn 5% cash-back, up to $1,500 in purchases, at specific quarterly bonus merchants with your Freedom card.

Hot Tip: Many quarterly bonus merchants sell gift cards you can use to purchase pet supplies. For example, home improvement stores could sell Petco or Petsmart gift cards. Gift card availability will differ by merchant and by location. 

Why We Like the Freedom Card Overall

• Generous welcome bonus
• No annual fee
• Introductory 0% APR on purchases for 15 months after card approval
• 5% cash-back on Lyft rides through March 2022
• Points can be transferred to premium Chase credit cards to redeem for up to 50% more in value for travel
• Complimentary 3-month DoorDash DashPass subscription and option for 50% off for 9 months
• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty

Bottom Line: If you’re flexible as to where you purchase your pet supplies, you may be able to earn 5% cash-back in most quarters by using your Freedom card. 

Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card

The Freedom Unlimited card earns 1.5% cash-back on every purchase you make. For this reason, you can use it for pet supplies, pet-related services, veterinarian bills, and any other purchases you would need to make for your pet.

Why We Like the Freedom Unlimited Card Overall

• No annual fee
• Generous welcome bonus
• 1.5% cash-back earnings on every purchase
• 5% cash-back on qualifying Lyft purchases (through March 2022)
• Transfer cash-back earned as Ultimate Rewards points to premium Chase cards for up to 50% more value when redeemed for travel
• No quarterly promotions to register for
• Trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance
• Roadside dispatch
• Shopping benefits such as purchase protection and extended warranty
• Complimentary 3-month DoorDash DashPass Membership and 9 months at a 50% discount; members receive free delivery and discounted fees

Additional Ways to Earn More on Pet Expenses via Chase

Chase-issued credit cards offer additional ways to earn bonus rewards on your pet-related purchases — here are 2 popular examples.

Shop Through Chase

The Chase Shopping Portal offers additional opportunities to earn multiple Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent using your Chase-issued credit card. The increased earnings listed in the Chase Shopping Portal offer are in addition to the amount you would earn on the card normally.

In addition to earning bonus Ultimate Rewards points for your purchases, you’ll find special bonus earning offers or savings specific to each card. For example, Chase recently posted 30% off your first delivery subscription at Barkbox.

Chase Offers

When you log into your Chase credit card account, you’ll find a list of Chase Offers for each participating card.

Most Chase-issued credit cards, even debit cards and co-branded cards, come with Chase Offers you can use to earn more cash-back/Ultimate Rewards points on your purchases. Often you’ll find merchants that sell pet supplies within these offers.

Find the Chase Shopping Portal and Chase Offers in your online credit card dashboard for popular travel rewards cards such as:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® card

You can learn more about these 2 Chase travel rewards cards and Chase business credit cards, that can also be used to purchase via the Chase Shopping Portal and have Chase Offers, in our detailed articles.

Bottom Line: Most Chase credit cards have the potential to earn bonus rewards on pet-related purchases by either paying the bonus-category merchant directly, using a card that offers a fixed percentage of cash-back on all purchases and/or when utilizing the Chase Shopping Portal and Chase Offers.

Best American Express Cards for Pet Expenses

If you are able to purchase your pet supplies from a supermarket, you’ll enjoy several options for elevated earnings on pet purchases with these American Express cards.

American Express does an excellent job of offering cards that earn well on everyday expenses, including supermarket purchases.

American Express® Gold Card

Pet supplies purchased at U.S. supermarkets using your Amex Gold card will earn 4x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent. There is a maximum of $25,000 in 4x supermarket purchases each card anniversary year. After that, earnings are just 1 point per dollar spent.

AMEX CARD	BENEFITS & INFO
American Express® Gold Card	Earn 35,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first 3 months. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. $100 Airline Fee Credit: up to $100 in statement credits per year for incidental fees at one selected airline. Annual Fee: $250 Terms Apply For rates and fees of the Gold Card, click here.
➡️ Did you know that you may qualify for a higher offer? See which personalized offers you're eligible for by checking the CardMatch tool. There's no pull on your credit to check your offers.

Why We Like the Amex Gold Card Overall

• Welcome bonus worth at least $350
• 4x earnings at restaurants worldwide
• 3x earnings on flights purchased directly from the airlines or Amex Travel
• $100 statement credit for airline incidentals
• The Hotel Collection benefits such as room upgrades and $100 in amenity credits per 2-night stay
• $10 monthly dining credit
• Travel benefits and protections such as secondary car rental insurance, trip cancellation/interruption, and baggage insurance
• Purchase protection and extended warranty shopping protections

Hot Tip: Grocery stores often sell gift cards you can use for pet-related expenses. Receive bonus earnings when using a credit card that offers elevated earnings at supermarkets, plus earn any additional store reward offerings such as fuel rewards.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Although you’ll be earning on 6x Hilton Honors points when you purchase pet supplies (or any other purchase) at U.S. supermarkets, you’ll also earn 3x points on every other purchase you make with your Hilton Surpass card.

CREDIT CARD	CARD INFO
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card	Earn 125,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases within your first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn a free weekend night after you spend $15,000 on purchases on your card in a calendar year. 12X on qualifying purchases with hotels from the Hilton portfolio. Earn 6X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations. Terms Apply Annual Fee: $95 For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, please click here.
➡️ Did you know that you may qualify for a higher offer? See which personalized offers you're eligible for by checking the CardMatch tool. There's no pull on your credit to check your offers.

Why We Like the Hilton Surpass Card Overall

• Generous welcome bonus
• Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold elite status (spend $40,000 on the card in a calendar year for Diamond status)
• 10 single-use passes to Priority Pass lounges worldwide each year
• Free weekend hotel night after spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year
• 12x earnings at Hilton properties
• 6x earnings at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. restaurants
• 3x earnings on all other purchases (including pet supplies outside of grocery stores and services)
• Secondary car rental insurance and the option to purchase Amex Premium Protection for 1 low fee that covers the entire rental period
• Baggage insurance
• Purchase protection and extended warranty on eligible purchases

If you’re a Hilton loyalist, you’ll want to check out the entire collection of very rewarding Hilton-branded credit cards.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Preferred card offers excellent rewards earning on all your supermarket purchases, including pet supplies.

Amex Credit Card	Benefits & Info
Blue Cash Preferred® from American Express	Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months. 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 on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, 1% back on other purchases. Low intro APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, currently 13.99% to 23.99% Annual fee: $95 Terms Apply For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® from American Express, please click here.
➡️ Did you know that you may qualify for a higher offer? See which personalized offers you're eligible for by checking the CardMatch tool. There's no pull on your credit to check your offers.

Additional Card Benefits

• Secondary car rental insurance, option to purchase Amex Premium Protection for 1 low fee that covers the entire rental period
• Shopping benefits such as purchase protection, extended warranty, and return protection

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Everyday card is another good Amex card for earning rewards on your everyday purchases, including pet-related expenses. You’ll receive 3% cash-back on all purchases made at U.S. supermarkets up to $6,000 in purchases each calendar year, then just 1%.

Amex Credit Card	Benefits & Info
Blue Cash Everyday® from American Express	Earn a $150 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months. 3% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%). Earn 2% cash-back at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores. Earn 1% back on all other purchases. Low Intro APR of 0% on purchases for 15 months; after that, then 13.99%-23.99% variable. Terms Apply Annual fee: $0 For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please click here.
➡️ Did you know that you may qualify for a higher offer? See which personalized offers you're eligible for by checking the CardMatch tool. There's no pull on your credit to check your offers.

Additional Card Benefits

• Redeem cash-back for statement credits, gift cards, and shopping
• Secondary car rental insurance with the option to purchase premium coverage for 1 low rate that covers the entire rental period
• Purchase protection, up to $1,000 per item

For a side-by-side comparison of the Blue Cash Everyday card and the Blue Cash Preferred card, you’ll want to read our informative article.

Additional Ways to Earn More on Pet Expenses via American Express

Amex Offers

American Express-issued cards come with very special savings and reward-earning offers. Amex Offers are located within your online card account and can be added to your card for savings and elevated earning.

It is common to find merchants selling pet-related supplies and services in the list of offers.

Hot Tip: Check your Amex Offers prior to making any pet-related purchases as you may find savings or bonus-earning offers.

Additional Cards for Pet Expenses

Any card that earns 2x earnings or better may be a good card to use for pet-related expenses, including veterinary bills. Here are a few to consider.

• Citi® Double Cash Card — earn 2% cash-back on every purchase you make
• Capital One® Venture® Rewards Card — earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase you make
• Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card — earn 2% cash-back at supermarkets and wholesale clubs, up to $2,500 each quarter, and 3% cash-back at gas stations
• Radisson Rewards™ Premier Visa Signature® Card — 5x points per dollar on every purchase you make

It’s easy to understand how much cash-back rewards are worth, but if you’re interested in the value of other rewards you might earn on your cards, such as miles and points, you’ll find our article on the topic quite interesting.

Best Credit Cards for Pet Expenses — Summary

Let’s take a moment and recap the cards we’ve featured with a summary of how each card earns on pet expenses.

Additional Earning on Pet Expenses — Summary

Let’s also summarize the additional ways you can earn bonus rewards or find savings offers on your cards and the process for doing so.

Hot Tip: Utilizing cash-back sites, such as Rakuten, TopCashback, and BeFrugal, can allow you to stack cash-back with both Chase Offers and Amex Offers for the potential to earn even more. Sign in to a cash-back site such as Rakuten, use the site’s link to access the store at which you’re making the purchase, then use the eligible Chase or Amex card that has the spending offer. 

Final Thoughts

If you spend a lot on pet-related expenses, it’s worthwhile to determine which credit cards are the best at earning rewards on those purchases.

It’s also prudent to look at how a particular credit card matches your overall spending mix, your preferences for redeeming those rewards, and whether you’ll use any of the benefits that come with the card.

If you shop at grocery stores but don’t purchase your pet supplies there, it can also make economic sense to purchase pet-related store gift cards at bonus category supermarkets to ensure you’ll earn rewards. For example, if your credit card earns 4x earnings at the grocery store, pet store gift cards purchased there will normally earn those same 4x earnings versus possible 1x earnings when making your purchase directly with the pet store.

No single card solution works for everyone, but we’re confident you’ll find enough information here to make sure all of your future pet purchases earn rewards.

The information regarding the Chase Freedom® Card, Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card, Citi® Double Cash Card, Capital One® Venture® Rewards Card, Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card, and Radisson Rewards™ Premier Visa Signature® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® from American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please click here.