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The 6 Best Credit Cards for Buying a Car [2024]

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Purchasing a car is an important decision that most people will inevitably face. How you’ll pay for the car is likely a primary concern. Most people choose to finance with a loan or pay cash, but one of your payment options might be a credit card.

When it comes to a large transaction like buying a car, using the right credit card could make the difference in getting hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars back in the form of rewards.

In this guide, we’ll show you the best credit cards for purchasing a car.

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Best Credit Cards for Buying a Car — Summary

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Card

Welcome Offer and Annual Fee

Earning Rates

The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • 80,000 points

    The Platinum Card® from American Express

    Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
1x-5x points

The Platinum Card® from American Express

  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Point on other purchases
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
  • 75,000 miles

    Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

    Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
  • Annual fee of $395 (rates & fees)
2x-10x miles

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

  • Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
  • INTRO OFFERUp to $300 cash-back

    Chase Freedom Unlimited®

    Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
  • Annual fee of $0
1.5%-5% cash-back

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

  • 5% cash-back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
  • 3% cash-back on drugstore purchases.
  • 3% cash-back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.
  • 1.5% unlimited cash back on all other purchases.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

  • ELEVATED OFFER150,000 points

    The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

    Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
1x-5x points

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and
  • Earn 1.5X points on each eligible purchase at:
    • U.S. construction material
    • Hardware suppliers
    • Electronic goods retailers
    • Software & cloud system providers
    • Shipping providers
  • Earn 1.5X points on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
  • Earn 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

  • LIMITED TIME OFFER$900

    Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

    Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Annual fee of $0
1.5% cash-back

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash-back on every purchase made for your business

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

  • 15,000 points

    The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

    Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
1x-2x points

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point on other purchases.
  • Terms Apply.

Why Would You Purchase a Car With a Credit Card?

The big reason why you’d want to purchase a car with a credit card is to take advantage of points, or more broadly, rewards.

Most people purchase cars outright with cash or take out a loan. Since many dealerships offer 0% APR financing on loans, you might break even if you buy a car with a 0% interest credit card. Though most credit cards don’t offer 0% APR for longer than 24 months.

Basically, the only real situation when it makes sense to purchase a car with a credit card is to get a nice chunk of points. And if you sign up for a new card with a welcome bonus, your car purchase would make it super easy to snag that bonus and meet minimum spending requirements.

How Do You Purchase a Car With a Credit Card?

If you like the idea of getting a solid return of 2% to 4% back on your car purchase in the form of rewards, then you’re in the right place!

We need to set some expectations up front, though. Car dealers always want to make the most money from you, and fees for accepting credit cards cut into their profits. Expect some limitations on dealership credit card acceptance. A common practice is that the dealer will only let you charge the down payment to a credit card, though some may not accept cards at all.

Your mileage may vary, but you should always try to negotiate using a credit card as part of the purchase after you’ve fully negotiated the purchase price of the car.

Best Personal Cards

What are the characteristics of an ideal card to purchase a car on?

Mainstream credit cards from major banks including American Express, Chase, and Capital One don’t offer bonus categories for car dealerships, so you can’t optimize there.

However, what you do need to optimize for is:

  • Great earning for non-bonused spending
  • High spending or credit limits

With the right cards, you can earn up to 2x points per dollar spent. You may also be able to make 5-figure or even 6-figure purchases with a single swipe without getting your card declined or maxing out your credit line if you have the right card.

Assuming you aren’t purchasing a car for your business, this next section will walk you through the best personal cards to use for purchasing a car!

Hot Tip: See our helpful guides to the credit cards that offer a high credit limit or are perfect to reward high spending and large purchases

Amex Platinum Card (Best for No Preset Spending Limit*)

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS
The Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points
$1,760
$695
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros
  • The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
  • 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
  • 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
Cons
  • $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
  • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
  • Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
  • $695 annual fee.¤
  • Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Our absolute favorite personal card for buying a car is the Amex Platinum card.

The Amex Platinum card comes with a generous welcome bonus and the ability to earn up to 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly from the airline or at AmexTravel.com and prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).

While your car purchase will only earn 1x Membership Rewards points, the Amex Platinum card is one of the cards that is most likely to have a high enough spending limit to purchase a car.

Normal cards have credit limits that you can’t exceed, but the Amex Platinum card has no preset spending limit, meaning that Amex changes your spending limit on a regular basis if they believe you can pay back your bills in full.

Indeed, the Amex Platinum card has been made famous for being able to put huge purchases on the card, like yachts and paintings. But one of the biggest specialty perks you’ll enjoy as an Amex Platinum cardholder is access to the American Express Auto Purchasing Program.

This program allows you to get some additional information on the car you’re interested in, find dealers that will accept your card for at least $2,000 of your purchase, and get a Guaranteed Savings Certificate that will provide you with a fair price to cut through any negotiating nonsense.

In addition to these car purchase perks, you’ll be spoiled with luxury travel and shopping perks, including up to $200 annual airline fee credit (enrollment required), up to $200 in annual Uber Cash, up to $100 in annual Saks Fifth Avenue credits, a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit, up to $199 annual CLEAR Plus credit, up to $300 in annual Equinox credits, up to $240 in digital entertainment credits, up to $200 prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, up to $155 in Walmart+ credits, and up to $300 SoulCycle bike credit.

The Amex Platinum card offers the best airport lounge access of any card, including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta the same day), Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Partner, Plaza Premium Lounges, and Priority Pass lounges upon enrollment.

You’ll also get complimentary Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status upon enrollment, access to Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts, and no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees).

Why We Like Earning Amex Membership Rewards Points

The points you’ll earn when making purchases on the Amex Platinum card are called Membership Rewards points. They are the most valuable points according to our valuations, which will maximize the value you get from purchasing a car.

Our favorite way to redeem Amex points is to through the Amex transfer partners for luxury travel in business or first class or 5-star hotels.

You can also redeem Amex points for cash-back or statement credits, travel bookings through AmexTravel.com, gift cards, charity, and more. But the best way to achieve maximum value with your Amex points is to use transfer partners to book travel.

A $30,000 car purchase on the Amex Platinum card would earn 30,000 points, which is worth around $660, according to our valuations.

Bottom Line: The Amex Platinum card is an incredible ultra-premium card jam-packed with value. It doesn’t have a preset spending limit and it offers the unique American Express Auto Purchasing Program, which could go a long way in helping you buy a car. This is in addition to offering 1x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on car purchases.

Capital One Venture X Card (Best for Earning Miles)

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$395
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Excellent (740-840)

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros
  • 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
  • 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
Cons
  • $395 annual fee (rates & fees)
  • Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
  • Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
  • Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
  • Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

The Capital One Venture X card is recommended for those looking for awesome travel benefits with great rewards without worrying about bonus categories.

This is one of the most well-rounded credit cards you can have, boasting a low annual fee (for a premium card), no foreign transaction fees, and the ability to earn 2x miles on every purchase, every day.

Additionally, it earns 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel.

You’ll also enjoy a fantastic welcome bonus, $300 Capital One Travel credit, an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, a cardmember anniversary bonus of 10,000 miles, unlimited access to Capital One Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, and Plaza Premium Lounges, as well as top-notch travel insurance.

This card comes with purchase protection, extended warranty protection, zero fraud liability protection on unauthorized charges, and a slew of other perks like no foreign transaction fees.

And since you aren’t limited in how many miles you can earn and many cardholders get hefty credit limits, this is a great card to put your car purchase on.

Why We Like Earning Capital One Miles

We like Capital One miles because you can redeem them for numerous options, including gift cards, donations, PayPal, and our personal favorite, transferring miles to travel partners and redeeming them for business and first class travel.

If you put a $30,000 car purchase on the Capital One Venture X card, you would earn 60,000 Capital One miles, which is worth around $1,080, according to our points and miles valuations.

Freedom Unlimited Card (Best for Cash-back & Intro APR)

INTRO OFFER
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)
This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!
Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
Up to $300 cash-back
$0
0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.

Pros
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
  • 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
Cons
    • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
  • Enjoy 6.5% 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; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
  • After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% 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!
  • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The third-best personal credit card you should consider using to purchase a car is the Freedom Unlimited card, and it’s our only no-annual-fee personal card on this list.

The Freedom Unlimited card earns 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining and at drugstores, 1.5% cash-back on all other purchases, and a 0% intro APR perk!

In addition, the Freedom Unlimited card provides purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, zero liability protection, secondary rental car insurance, and fraud alerts.

Most importantly, if you have an Ultimate Rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you’ll be able to convert your cash-back to Ultimate Rewards points at a ratio of 1% to 1x points.

Why We Like Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of our absolute favorite reward currencies.

The best way to use Ultimate Rewards points is to transfer them to the Chase transfer partners for incredible flights like Singapore Airlines First Class Suites!

You can also use your Ultimate Rewards points for cash-back, purchases at Amazon, gift cards, and travel booked through the Chase travel portal.

Without a doubt, the highest-value redemption (and the reason why we value Chase points so much) is because of the ability to transfer points to partners for luxury travel.

If you purchase a $30,000 car using the Freedom Unlimited card, you would earn 45,000 Ultimate Rewards points, which is worth around $900, according to our valuations.

Best Business Cards

If you’re purchasing a car for business purposes, you’ll want to make sure that the transaction is separate from your personal expenses.

That’s where business cards come in! Let’s take a look at our favorite business cards for purchasing a car.

Amex Business Platinum Card (Best Business Card for No Preset Spending Limit)

ELEVATED OFFER
The Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)
This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!
Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
150,000 points
$3,300
$695
18.99% - 27.99% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Pros
  • 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
  • Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
  • Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)
Cons
  • High annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)
  • Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags
  • Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
  • Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
  • Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card®, here.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
  • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card®.
  • The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
  • $695 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 18.99% - 27.99% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 150,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Our top business card to purchase a car is the Amex Business Platinum card. It’s similar to the Amex Platinum card, but there’s 1 key benefit that actually makes this version the better card to purchase a car.

The Amex Business Platinum card comes with the oh-so-important earning of 1.5x points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else (up to $2 million in purchases per calendar year). If you can charge $5,000+ of your car purchase to this card, you’ll earn elevated rewards. A $30,000 car purchase on the Amex Business Platinum card would deliver 45,000 points, which we value at around $990.

Additionally, this card doesn’t have a preset spending limit*, just like the Amex Platinum card, so you should have no problem getting a large transaction approved.

You’ll also earn 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels at AmexTravel.com. Remember, you’ll also get access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection.

You’ll also enjoy access to Fine Hotels & Resorts and Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors Gold status upon enrollment, as well as statement credits every year of up to $400 with Dell Technologies, $360 with Indeed, $150 with Adobe, $120 on wireless telephone purchases, $199 for CLEAR Plus, a $200 airline fee credit after enrollment, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit.

Other ancillary perks include purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, return protection, travel insurance, and QuickBooks integrations.

Ink Business Unlimited Card (Best Business Card for Cash-back & Intro APR)

LIMITED TIME OFFER
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)
The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.
Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$900
$900
$0
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

As a business owner, you likely keep pretty busy and probably prefer a credit card that just keeps things simple.

If so, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card might be just the card for you. From zero annual fee to a flat cash-back rate, the card is a no-frills option that you don’t have to think twice about.

Don’t forget too, 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter

Pros
  • 1.5% cash-back on all purchases
  • No annual fee
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Cons
    • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
  • No Annual Fee
  • Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
  • Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
  • Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Rewards Center

The Ink Business Unlimited card is essentially the “business version” of the Freedom Unlimited card. This card excels in offering unfussy rewards on all your purchases, including car purchases.

You’ll start off by earning a hefty welcome bonus when you sign up for the card and meet the spending requirements. Then, you’ll earn a flat 1.5% cash-back on all purchases with no caps. If you were to purchase a $30,000 car with your Ink Business Unlimited card, you’d receive $450 in cash-back in cash-back earnings.

This card offers an introductory 0% APR benefit, which can help you pay off your balances gradually without accruing interest. But of course, make sure to pay off the full balance before that 0% interest period expires to avoid hefty interest rates.

If you have an Ultimate Rewards credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, 1.5% cash-back can be converted to 1.5x Chase Ultimate Rewards points, effectively doubling your return on spend to 3%. That $30,000 car purchase could now deliver 45,000 points worth around $900 in value.

Other important benefits of the Ink Business Unlimited card are employee cards for no additional fee, primary rental car insurance, zero liability fraud coverage, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection.

Amex Blue Business Plus Card (Best Business Card for Points & Intro APR)

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)
Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
15,000 points
$330
No annual fee
17.99% - 25.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-840)

As a business owner, getting a credit card that maximizes each dollar you spend does not have to be complicated or expensive. Especially when you opt for The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express.

With the Amex Blue Business Plus card, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases throughout the year (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter) and receive purchase protections and no-additional-charge employee cards all for no annual fee (see rates and fees).

The simple and straightforward earning structure makes it a great fit for those looking to earn flexible rewards, without having to fixate on which purchases earn the most points.

Let’s take look at all that the Amex Blue Business Plus card has to offer.

Pros
  • 2x Membership Rewards points per $1 on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter)
  • Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
  • No annual fee and employee cards at no additional cost
Cons
  • No unique bonus categories and 2x earnings are capped at $50,000 in annual spend
  • No elite travel benefits like lounge access or elite status
  • Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.99% - 25.99%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
  • Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
  • You’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power. *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 17.99% - 25.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The Amex Blue Business Plus card is a fantastic business credit card to consider putting your car purchase on. Here’s why: you will earn a straightforward 2x Amex Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 on everyday business purchases every year and 1x points after that. There’s no need to pay attention to bonus categories with this card.

This credit card comes with a 0% introductory APR benefit, as shown in the table above, that you can take advantage of to avoid interest payments. It also comes with no preset spending limit.

Standard benefits like purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and employee cards for no annual fee are available (rates & fees); you can even access Amex Offers with this card.

As long as your car purchase is $50,000 or less, you can easily maximize the 2x categories on the Amex Blue Business Plus card, netting you a return of around 4.4% back!

For example, if you spend $30,000 with this card, you’d earn 60,000 Amex Membership Rewards points, which, according to our valuations, are worth around $1,320.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to buying a car, you’ll want to make sure that the card you use has a sufficient credit or spending limit.

In addition, the best rewards you’ll earn are those that offer the most valuable points, such as Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Capital One Miles.

Lastly, you’ll want to make sure that you’re using a consumer card if you’re purchasing a car for personal use and a business card if you’re purchasing a car for business use.

You’re now equipped with the information you need to be educated on how to purchase a car with a credit card.

*No Preset Spending Limit on an American Express card means your spending limit is flexible. Unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

For the extended warranty and purchase protection benefit of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the return protection benefit of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

For the extended warranty and purchase protection benefit of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you buy a car with a credit card?

In many cases, you can buy a car with a credit card. It depends on the dealership, but some car dealers offer the ability to pay with a credit card as a benefit.

At a minimum, you should be able to pay the down payment with a credit card, and in many cases, you can buy the car outright with a credit card.

Can you use a credit card for a car down payment?

Yes! Almost all dealerships allow you to pay for the down payment using a credit card. You can potentially even pay for the entire car with a credit card, but it varies from location to location.

Do car dealers accept credit cards?

In most situations, yes. You can definitely negotiate this into your car purchase, but remember to do it after you’ve totally finished negotiating on price.

Is it a good idea to buy a car on a credit card?

It is if you can pay it off in a timely manner. If you have the cash to pay off the bill immediately, then you can earn a pile of extra points by purchasing a car with a credit card.

What forms of payment do car dealerships accept?

In all situations, they should accept checks and loans. In most situations, they also accept credit cards for a portion of the purchase, including the down payment.

You might be able to pay with cash, but you’ll be asked to get a cashier’s check, most likely.

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About Stephen Au

Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used by hundreds of clients.

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