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We’ve all likely considered or completed a home improvement project recently. Whether you’re taking on a major renovation or are planting a container garden on the patio, home improvement stores have become the go-to places for the supplies we need to spruce up our environment.
Many home improvement projects can cost a bundle, so it would be a shame not to earn rewards on those expenses. Unfortunately, earning rewards on those purchases is not usually a straightforward process as few credit cards offer bonus rewards for purchasing directly at home improvement stores.
When we focus on the rewards-earning process, however, just a bit of creativity can pay off big. And that’s the objective we’ll tackle in today’s article.
Timing, which card you use, and how you complete the transaction are all factors in receiving the most rewards for your home improvement purchase. This might sound complicated, but all of those variables don’t scare us. As you’d expect, we’re happy to break it down and make it simple to earn more.
If you want to earn the most rewards on your home improvement purchases, let’s get started.
What To Look For in a Credit Card for Home Improvement Purchases
When you’re looking for a credit card to use for home improvement purchases, you’ll want to be as strategic as possible.
That’s because home improvement purchases can easily run into the thousands of dollars; you wouldn’t want to miss out on those rewards!
You also have to consider your goals with a credit card — are you looking for maximum rewards, a credit card with a 0% introductory APR period to defer interest payments, or a combination of both?
Whatever the case, the best cards for home improvement offer the highest ROI, confer the best benefits, and can even offer attractive financing terms to spread out your payments.
In this next section, we’ll be walking you through our favorite personal credit cards for home improvement purchases!
SPECIAL OFFER: Unlimited Matched Cash Back. Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned at the end of your first year! There is no limit to how much cash back you can earn.
Annual fee of $0
1.5% cash-back on non-bonus purchases, which include home improvement purchases
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
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 purchased through Capital One Travel
2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
$300 annual travel credit on bookings made through Capital One Travel
Unlimited complimentary access for cardholder and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
10,000 bonus miles awarded on your account anniversary each year
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
Add authorized users for no additional annual fee
No foreign transaction fees
Cons
$395 annual fee
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 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
Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
The Capital One Venture X card is our top pick for those looking to use a personal credit card for home improvement purchases.
We love the Capital One Venture X card because of its amazing rewards. Specifically, you’ll earn an unlimited 2x miles on all non-bonus purchases including home improvement purchases.
You’ll even earn 10x Capital One miles on all hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, plus 5x miles on all flights booked through Capital One Travel.
Lastly, this credit card is rounded out with awesome travel insurance and no foreign transaction fees.
Why We Like Earning Capital One Miles
We have a great appreciation for Capital One Miles, which is one of the newer transferable points programs out there.
Because we value Capital One miles at around 1.8 cents each, the Capital One Venture X card offers a 3.6% return on spending for your home improvement purchases, which is fantastic.
You can redeem your miles for a fixed value through statement credits, gift cards, and travel booked through Capital One Travel. But those in the know will transfer their Capital One miles to travel partners and book luxury first and business class flights to get maximum value.
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.
Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$95
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.
Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Cardis one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.
Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.
Pros
5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
2 complimentary visits to a Capital One Lounge or Plaza Premium Lounges each year
The Capital One Venture card is the slightly-less premium version of the Capital One Venture X card.
This mid-tier, premium credit card still has most of what you’re looking for if you’re spending a lot at home improvement stores.
You’ll still get all of the fantastic 2x miles on all non-bonus purchases, including home improvement purchases, as you would with the Capital One Venture X card.
You’ll even get 5x miles on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel and the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit.
The key difference, though, between the Capital One Venture X card and the Capital One Venture card (besides the annual fee) is that the Capital One Venture card doesn’t have all of the travel benefits that the Capital One Venture X card does.
You’ll still enjoy travel insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty. This card has no foreign transaction fees or added fees for authorized users (rates & fees).
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!
This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!
SPECIAL OFFER: Unlimited Matched Cash Back. Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned at the end of your first year! There is no limit to how much cash back you can earn.
Matched 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 Ultimate Rewards
3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
1.5% back on all other purchases
No annual fee
Earn big on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
Everyday bonus on dining and drugstores
Straightforward cash-back on all other purchases
Ability to pool points
Cons
3% foreign transaction fee
SPECIAL OFFER: Unlimited Matched Cash Back. Use your card for all your purchases and at the end of your first year, Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned! There is no limit to how much you can earn. Every dollar in cash back rewards you earn is a dollar Chase will match.
Unlimited 1.5% cash back is just the beginning of what you can earn. You’ll enjoy 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
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 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!
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, real-time 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
The Freedom Unlimited card is one of the most attractive cards without an annual fee. This fantastic choice earns very robust rewards that can actually be transferred to travel partners with the right credit card pairing.
But before we get into that, let’s get into the earning structure:
As you can tell, the Freedom Unlimited card boasts a 1.5% cash-back structure with no limits and caps.
This 1.5% cash-back can then be converted to Ultimate Rewards points if you have an eligible card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. In a single move, you’ll double your return on spending to 3% since your 1.5% cash-back is converted to 1.5x points!
Another selling point of this card is its 0% introductory APR (as detailed in the table above) which can help you defer interest accrual as you spread out your payments.
The Freedom Unlimited card comes with benefits such as purchase protection, extended warranty, zero liability fraud protection, fraud alerts, and no additional fees for authorized users.
Why We Like Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of the absolute best points programs; you can use your points for Amazon purchases, gift cards, cash-back, travel booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal, and much more.
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.
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 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 $1 spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per year)
5x points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit)
TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, 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 with American Express Travel when you pay with 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, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
$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.
$300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
$189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
$100 Global Entry Credit: 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.
$300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. 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.
The Amex Platinum card is the king of luxury travel cards. Simply put, this iconic product is not only a status symbol but has an array of worthwhile travel benefits.
It falls closer to the bottom of the list because of its reduced earning structure on home improvement purchases.
On your home improvement spending, you’ll earn 1x Membership Rewards points, which is worth a return on spending of 2.2% by our valuations.
But you should consider getting this card for all the other benefits and perks. This card offers one of the biggest welcome bonuses out there — and you can earn 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or at Amex Travel (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year), as well as 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel.
This card also comes with no preset spending limit, making it easy to make big purchases as needed.
But the Amex Platinum card is so special because you’ll get:
Lastly, this card is rounded out with no foreign transaction fees (see rates & fees).
Why We Like Earning American Express Membership Rewards Points
We’re positively in love with American Express Membership Rewards. If you can get your hands on these points, you’ll be thrilled that these are some of the most valuable points, worth about 2.2 cents apiece.
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.
Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!
Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!
$0
19.24% - 29.24% 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.
Fair to Excellent (580-850)
The Citi Double Cash® Card has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!
This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points. This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.
Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.
Pros
Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
Flexible redemption options
No annual fee
Cons
No bonus categories
3% foreign transaction fees
Lack of premium travel benefits
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.
Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, 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).
Financial Snapshot
APR: 19.24% - 29.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase
The last personal credit card we’ll discuss is the Double Cash card. Even though it’s an incredibly popular credit card, most people don’t think to use it on home improvement purchases.
It doesn’t come with a welcome offer, but it often has a 0% introductory APR offer, as detailed in the table above.
We love this card because it earns a total of 2% cash-back per dollar spent (1% when you purchase and 1% when you pay it off, earned as ThankYou Points). And even though the ways to use these points are limited without having a different ThankYou credit card, we are big fans of this product.
The Double Cash card also comes with a late fee pass, flexible pay dates, fraud protection, zero liability for unauthorized purchases, no-fee authorized users, and more.
This happens to be one of the best transferable points systems available — however, the Double Cash card as a standalone credit card only gets you access to Choice Privileges, Wyndham Rewards, and JetBlue as transfer partners.
By our valuations, Citi ThankYou Points are worth 1.6 cents each, which translates to a return on spending of 3.2% when you earn 2x points per dollar.
Bottom Line: Our favorite personal cards for home improvement purchases are the Capital One Venture X card, Capital One Venture card, Freedom Unlimited card, Amex Platinum card, and Double Cash card.
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 cash-back card offers a capped 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases!
This cash-back card offers a capped 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases!
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$200
$0
0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; then 19.24%-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.
This card is excellent at earning cash-back on your everyday purchases at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases. So if you regularly spend money on everyday purchases, this could be the perfect card to add to your wallet.
Pros
3% back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
3% back on purchases at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
3% back on purchases on online retail purchases on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
Monthly credit towards The Disney Bundle
Monthly credit towards Home Chef
Cons
Rewards are not flexible and can only be redeemed for cash-back. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
No Annual Fee.
Balance Transfer is back! Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card.
Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; then 19.24%-29.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to U.S. dollars
Our last choice is a cash back card and it’s a little different because it earns rewards on online purchases. The Amex Blue Cash Everyday card earns 3% cash-back at U.S. online retailers (including home improvement stores) on up to $6,000 in purchases each year.
While Amex’s terms indicate you won’t earn extra rewards on purchases ordered online but paid for in-store, you can earn the 3% cash-back on online purchases that you simply pick up in the store.
Other benefits of this card include:
3% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases each year)
3% cash-back at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 in purchases each year)
The 5 Best Business Cards for Home Improvement
Do you frequently make purchases at home improvement stores for your business? If so, it’s wise to get a business credit card that rewards you the most for these purchases — let’s talk through our favorite options!
Earn 1.5x points at U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else (up to $2 million of these purchases every calendar year)
No preset spending limit
Incredible luxury travel benefits, such as the best airport lounge access available and hotel elite status
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!
This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!
Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
120,000 points
$2,640
$695
19.49% - 27.49% 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.
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.
5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
Up to $200 annual airline fee credit on your selected qualifying airline
Statement credits on select purchases with your card
35% airline bonus when using Pay With Points (up to 1,000,000 bonus points per calendar year)
Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
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)
Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags
Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your 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 everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
Unlock over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your Card.
$189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your 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.
To start, this card boasts an eye-popping welcome bonus. This ought to jumpstart your rewards in the blink of an eye!
The Amex Business Platinum card earns 1.5x Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases in key business categories and on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else (up to $2 million in combined purchases every calendar year).
These key business categories include:
U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers
U.S. electronic goods retailers
U.S. software & cloud system providers
U.S. shipping providers
Also, with no preset spending limit, the Amex Business Platinum card will make it easier to get large purchases approved as needed.
Remember, you’ll also earn 5x Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel.
Don’t forget about the American Express Global Lounge Collection access, Fine Hotels & Resorts access, and hotel elite status upon enrollment with Marriott Bonvoy (Gold Elite) and Hilton Honors (Gold).
You’ll even get up to $400 in statement credits for U.S. Dell purchases, up to $200 annual airline fee credit, up to $360 annual Indeed credit, up to $150 annual Adobe credit, up to $120 annual wireless phone services credit, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit, and so much more.
The Amex Business Platinum card comes with terrific travel insurance and no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees).
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.
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
Employee cards at no additional cost
Earn flexible rewards
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
This card starts with a huge welcome bonus to entice you to open the card, but what’ll make you keep the card is the unlimited 1.5% cash-back on all purchases without any caps.
The 1.5% cash-back rewards on this card are convertible to 1.5x Ultimate Rewards points if you have an Ultimate Rewards credit card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, Chase Sapphire Reserve card, or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. By converting your cash-back to points, your return on spending jumps to 3%!
To round out the perks on the Ink Business Unlimited card, you’ll find no-fee employee cards, primary rental car coverage, purchase protection, extended warranty, and zero liability fraud protection.
3. The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
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.
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
18.49% - 26.49% 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.
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
Charges foreign transaction fees
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, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
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.
You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
*The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
No Annual Fee
Terms Apply
Financial Snapshot
APR: 18.49% - 26.49% 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.
One of our favorite no-annual-fee cards from American Express is the Amex Blue Business Plus card. Offering straightforward rewards, this is one you should consider using if you have relatively small-scale business spending at home improvement stores.
You’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases, including home improvement stores. Your 2x points are capped at $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll earn 1x points after that.
Based on our valuations, earning 2x points is equal to a return on spending of 4.4%, which is fantastic.
You might also find a useful 0% introductory APR as detailed in the table above — but the usual benefits on this card include no-fee employee cards (see rates & fees), access to Amex Offers, and Expanded Buying Power.
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 Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every $1 you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every $1 you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
50,000 miles
$900
$0 intro for the first year, $95 after that
26.24% (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 Capital One Spark Miles for Business is a great option for business owners looking for an uncomplicated rewards card that earns double miles on every purchase they make and offers access to transfer partners, all for a low annual fee.
Pros
Unlimited 2x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
5x miles per $1 spent on hotel and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
2 complimentary visits to a Capital One Lounge per year
Up to a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
Access to Capital One transfer partners
No foreign transaction fees
Free employee cards
Extended warranty coverage
Cons
Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, $95 after that
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won’t expire for the life of the account
Unlimited 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry
$0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
A fan favorite amongst business owners, the Capital One Spark Miles card has excellent rewards you can take advantage of on your home improvement purchases.
To get your relationship rolling, you’ll earn an awesome welcome bonus, then enjoy 2x Capital One miles on all your business purchases without any caps. That’s equal to a return on spending of 3.6% by our valuations!
You’ll also earn 5x miles on hotel and rental car bookings made through Capital One Travel.
The Capital One Spark Miles card comes with up to $100 credit for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fees, no foreign transaction fees, no-fee employee cards, extended warranty, and purchase protection.
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 Spark Cash Plus card offers an unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases and helpful features for business owners. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus card offers an unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases and helpful features for business owners. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
Earn a one-time cash bonus of $1,200 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months.
$1,200
$150
N/A
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 (740-850)
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card is great for business owners looking to improve their bottom line by earning 2% cash-back on all purchases without a high annual fee. Further, with no preset spending limit, the ability to get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000, and free employee cards, there is something that every business owner will love.
Pros
Unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases
5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
No preset spending limit
Get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000
Complimentary employee cards
No foreign transaction fees
Extended warranty coverage
Payment flexibility (pick your own due date)
Cons
$150 annual fee
Earn a one-time cash bonus of $1,200 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months
Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere – with no limits or category restrictions
Comes with no preset spending limit, so it can adapt to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history and credit profile
Get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000 or more
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Add employee cards for free, and earn unlimited 2% cash back from their purchases
$150 annual fee
Spark Cash Plus has no APR because your balance is due in full every month
And it has a simple value proposition — get an unlimited 2% cash-back on all your purchases. Plus, there’s a great welcome bonus!
The difference is that this card has no preset spending limit, unlike Capital One’s other cards.
You’ll also get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000.
This card offers no-fee employee cards, purchase protection, extended warranty, and no foreign transaction fees.
Hot Tip: The cash-back rewards earned on the Capital One Spark Cash Plus card can actually be converted at a 1% to 1x ratio to Capital One miles if you have a Capital One Miles credit card such as the Capital One Venture X card, Capital One Venture card, or Capital One Spark Miles card.
Final Thoughts
As you can tell from the list above, our favorite credit cards are those that earn transferable rewards. That’s because these are generally the most valuable and can be used for outsized value when booking award travel.
Credit cards with specific merchants like The Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Menards generally don’t offer attractive rewards or discounts compared to the cards in this guide.
Plus, our recommended credit cards earn points on so much more than just home improvement, so you’ll find it so much easier to rack up and use rewards with the cards in this guide when compared to credit cards from home improvement stores.
The best card for your home improvement purchase, however, will depend on your willingness to pay an annual fee, how well rewards earnings match up with your spending mix, and if you can use any other benefits offered by the card. Also, you’ll want to consider whether or not you’ll need a 0% introductory APR promotion to help spread out your credit card payments over time.
In the end, earning rewards on your home improvement purchases with a card you can utilize in the long run may be a good choice, especially considering how pricey home improvement purchases can be.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Enrollment required through Capital One website or mobile app. Upon enrollment, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
The information regarding the Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information for the Citi Prestige® Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
Information regarding the Capital One Spark Miles for Business 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 Blue Cash Everyday® 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.
Featured Image Credit: saravut via Adobe Stock
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best card for home improvement purchases?
The best credit card for home improvement purchases is the card that rewards your major purchases, offers flexible redemption options for things you value, and has additional benefits you can use.
Our favorite personal cards for home improvement purchases are the Capital One Venture X card, Capital One Venture card, Freedom Unlimited card, Amex Platinum card, Double Cash card, and Amex Blue Cash Everyday card.
Our favorite business cards for home improvement purchases are the Amex Business Platinum card, Ink Business Unlimited card, Amex Blue Business Plus card, Capital One Spark Miles card, and Capital One Spark Cash Plus card.
Can I purchase a home improvement gift card with a credit card?
Whether cash-back or earning points is better for you will depend on how you prefer to redeem your rewards. If you’re a frequent traveler, for example, you may want to earn flexible rewards points to redeem for potentially higher value by utilizing travel transfer partners associated with the card.
Cash-back rewards, when accumulated in your account, can be saved to use towards a large purchase. Cash-back can also be used to offset expenses, whether business or personal.
Flexible points are best. When earned, the points may be used for statement credits, travel, gift cards, or transferred to travel partners. In some cases, points can be redeemed directly for cash, such as Ultimate Rewards points earned on Chase cards.
Is a Home Depot or Lowe's credit card worth it?
Home improvement store-branded credit cards serve the narrow purpose of offering a small discount on your purchase and/or an extended repayment plan. You may be able to do better with a rewards-earning credit card.
If you know you’re going to be making a major home improvement purchase, it’s prudent to compare credit card options in advance. This prevents you from making such an important decision at the time of purchase.
Selecting a rewards-earning card that has a generous welcome bonus, broader earning potential, flexible redemption options, and additional benefits can serve to be a better choice for a card that you could use potentially indefinitely.
Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.
This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.