The Ultimate Guide to the Best Credit Cards for Investors [2025]

Everyone knows that investing is a vital part of working towards your financial and retirement goals. Whether you’ve been investing for some time, or you’re just getting started, credit card rewards can help you reach your financial goals even faster.

How so? There are many credit cards rewards programs that allow you to invest your rewards directly into a qualified brokerage or retirement account. In fact, some even offer increased redemption rates for doing so or increased rewards rates for those that hold a certain level of assets within the program.

Your credit card rewards can provide an excellent boost to your overall investing plan, especially if you receive a large credit card bonus. This is even more true for young investors, as even just an extra $20 per month can amount to large compounded returns over the long haul.

Let’s take a look at some of the best credit card options available to investors, along with how you can make strategic use of these programs to boost your rewards, and account balances, even further.

Best Cards for Charles Schwab Investors

American Express Platinum Card^® for Schwab

The Amex Schwab Platinum card* is nearly identical to the Platinum Card^® from American Express. It offers the same rewards rate of 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com (on up to $500,000 per calendar year) and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com, along with 1x points on all other purchases.

Further, the Amex Schwab Platinum card offers all of the same benefits and annual statement credits as the Amex Platinum card, including worldwide lounge access, Hilton Honors and Marriot Bonvoy elite status, monthly Uber Cash, annual airline fee credits, and much more.

What separates the Amex Schwab Platinum card from the standard version is that it offers up to a $1,000 annual statement credit. The credit is $100 if your qualifying Schwab holdings are equal to or greater than $250,000, $200 if your qualifying Schwab holdings are equal to or greater than $1,000,000, and $1,000 if your Schwab holdings are equal to or greater than $10,000,000. Plus, it grants you the ability to redeem your American Express Membership Rewards points (from all Membership Rewards-earning cards) into your Charles Schwab brokerage or retirement accounts at a rate of 1.1 cents per point (up to 1 million points per year, then 0.8 cents per point).

For instance, if you had 100,000 Membership Rewards points, you could redeem these points for $1,100 deposited into your Schwab brokerage or retirement account. Not only can this be quite lucrative, but it also far exceeds that standard 0.6 cents per point cash-back redemption of Amex Membership Rewards points.

*All information about the American Express Platinum Card^® for Schwab has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

Hot Tip: You must already have an eligible Charles Schwab brokerage or retirement account to be eligible for the Amex Schwab Platinum card. 

Other American Express Membership Rewards Cards (If You Already Hold the Amex Schwab Platinum Card)

As mentioned, as long as you hold the Amex Schwab Platinum card, it grants you the ability to redeem your Membership Rewards points from all of your other Membership Rewards-earning cards into your eligible Schwab account. Here is a look at some of our favorite Amex Membership Rewards earning cards and the rewards they can offer to you:

*All information about the American Express^® Green Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

Depending on your spending habits and the perks or benefits you are looking for from your credit cards, it could make sense for you to hold multiple Membership Rewards cards to optimize your returns on every dollar you spend.

One popular combination is the Amex Schwab Platinum card and the Amex Gold card. With this combo, you’ll receive access to Invest With Rewards from your Amex Schwab Platinum card, along with all of the excellent perks and statement credits it offers, while the Amex Gold card offers impressive capped 4x rewards on common everyday purchases at restaurants and supermarkets.

Hot Tip: If you’re not sure which is the best Amex card for you, our dedicated guide will help you determine just that. 

How To Invest Your Rewards With Charles Schwab

Again, in order to use the Invest With Rewards feature, you must hold the Amex Schwab Platinum card, which will allow you to redeem your Membership Rewards points from it and all other Amex Membership Rewards cards into an eligible Schwab account.

From there, here is how redemptions work:

• Step 1: Log in to your account on the American Express website.
• Step 2: Click on Use Points under your Membership Rewards Points summary.
• Step 3: Click on Invest With Rewards.
• Step 4: Select the eligible brokerage account to which you want your points to be redeemed.
• Step 5: Confirm your deposit and then you are all set!

Redemptions start at 1,000 points, and you’re allowed to redeem up to 4 million points every 7 calendar days. Your redeemed points should be deposited into your eligible Schwab account within 4 to 6 business days. Eligible accounts include a Schwab One or Schwab General Brokerage Account held in your name or in the name of a revocable living trust where you are the grantor and trustee, or a Schwab Traditional, Roth, or Rollover IRA that is not managed by an independent investment advisor.

Best Cards for Fidelity Investors

Fidelity^® Rewards Visa Signature^® Card

For Fidelity investors, the Fidelity Rewards card allows you to earn an uncapped 2% back on all purchases made with your card. You can then deposit these cash-back rewards into any eligible Fidelity account, including brokerage, IRA, HSA, 529, Fidelity Charitable Giving Account, or Cash Management accounts.

The card charges no annual fee and includes perks like lost luggage reimbursement, travel accident insurance, and roadside dispatch.

One downside is that you must accumulate $50 worth of rewards before you are able to make a redemption, which requires $2,500 worth of card spending. Fortunately, the cash-back rewards you earn will never expire while you’re working towards the $50 threshold. One other item to keep in mind is that the Fidelity Rewards card charges a 1% foreign transaction fee, so you’ll want to opt for another card when making foreign purchases.

Best Cards for Merrill Lynch Investors

Bank of America Preferred Rewards

Before we jump into which credit cards are best for Merrill Lynch investors, it is important that we talk about the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program. It is the rewards program of Bank of America, of which Merrill Lynch is a subsidiary.

The Bank of America Preferred Rewards program has elite status tiers that offer added perks depending on the level of assets you hold in eligible Bank of America and Merrill Lynch accounts.

Why is this important for investors? One of the most interesting perks is the ability to boost the rewards rates of your Bank of America credit cards — rewards that can then be deposited into your Merill Lynch accounts.

Here is a look at the elite tiers and some of the investment-related benefits you receive from each:

As you can see, you have the ability to boost your credit card rewards by 25% to 75% depending on your elite status level within the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program. This can lead to 25% to 75% more rewards redeemed into your Merrill Lynch amounts each year!

Bank of America Credit Cards

Any Bank of America credit card that earns cash-back or rewards points, can be redeemed toward your eligible Merrill Lynch accounts at a rate of 1 cent per point. Here is a look at some of the best Bank of America credit cards and what they can offer you..

Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® Elite Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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.

A premium rewards credit card with straightforward earning and redeeming, with luxury perks such as airport lounge access.

Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® Elite Credit Card

A premium rewards credit card with straightforward earning and redeeming, with luxury perks such as airport lounge access.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 online bonus points after you make at least $5,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening

75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$750

Annual Fee

$550

APR

19.99% to 27.99% Variable

Why We Like This Card

The Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® Elite Credit Card is the bank’s most premium travel rewards credit card.

While it has quite a large annual fee of $550, it also comes loaded with benefits that frequent travelers are sure to love, such as airport lounge access, $450 in annual statement credits, travel protections, and a 20% boost to point value when redeeming for airfare.

Plus, those with status in the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program can really boost the value they receive from the card by earning 25% to 75% more points on all of their purchases.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2x points per $1 on travel and dining purchases
• 1.5x points per $1 on all other purchases
• $300 annual airline incidental statement credit

Cons

• $550 annual fee
• No access to travel transfer partners to help you get outsized value for your points

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• 75,000 online bonus points — a $750 value — after you make at least $5,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
• Earn unlimited 2 points for every dollar spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases. There’s no limit to the points you can earn, and points don’t expire.
• Receive up to $300 annually in Airline Incidental Statement Credits for qualifying purchases such as seat upgrades, baggage fees, airline lounge fees and in-flight services
• Save 20% on domestic or international airfare for any class when you pay with points
• Preferred Rewards members earn 25% to 75% more points on every purchase

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% to 27.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® credit card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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 Bank of America Premium Rewards card is a great travel rewards card for those looking for a simple approach to earning and redeeming rewards.

Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® credit card

The Bank of America Premium Rewards card is a great travel rewards card for those looking for a simple approach to earning and redeeming rewards.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

60,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$600

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.99% to 27.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

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 card application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® credit card is a great option for anyone looking for a travel rewards card with a simple approach to how you earn and redeem your rewards.

From travel and purchase protections to airline incidental and Global Entry credits, there is plenty to love about the Bank of America Premium Rewards card.

Plus, those that hold status in the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program can get even more value from the card by boosting their rewards by 25% to 75%!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2x points per $1 on travel and dining purchases
• 1.5x points per $1 on all other purchases
• Up to $100 annual airline incidental statement credit

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• Points are worth a fixed 1 cent per point, so it isn’t possible to get outsized redemptions via airline and hotel transfer partners

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Receive 60,000 online bonus points – a $600 value – after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
• If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87-2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
• No limit to the points you can earn and your points don’t expire.
• Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America^® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill^® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
• Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck^® or Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $120, every four years.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Low $95 annual fee.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% to 27.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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 Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card allows you to maximize your cash-back in your choice category each month.

Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card allows you to maximize your cash-back in your choice category each month.

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and balance transfers. Variable rate of 17.99% to 27.99% applies thereafter.

Credit Recommended

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 card application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking to the rake in the cash-back rewards, then the Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great option. Not only do you get to choose the 3% category for the card, but you can also boost the cash-back you earn by being a member of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3% cash-back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings (your category can be changed each month)
• 2% cash-back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
• 1% cash-back on all other purchases

Cons

• 3% and 2% cash-back categories are limited to the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter, then you’ll earn 1%
• Charges a foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
• If you’re a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
• No annual fee and no expiration on rewards.
• 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 17.99% to 27.99% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers in the first 60 days your account is open. After the intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for all future balance transfers is 4%.
• Contactless Cards – The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and balance transfers. Variable rate of 17.99% to 27.99% applies thereafter.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%

Bank of America^® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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 Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards allows you to earn an uncapped 1.5% cash-back on all purchases with no annual fee.

Bank of America^® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

The Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards allows you to earn an uncapped 1.5% cash-back on all purchases with no annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 17.99% to 27.99% variable thereafter.

Credit Recommended

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 card application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Bank of America^® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card is a good option to consider if you’re looking for unlimited cash-back, and straightforward earning – all without a $0 annual fee.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 1.5% cash-back on all purchases
• $0 annual fee
• Boost your cash-back rate with the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program

Cons

• Doesn’t offer bonus categories
• Charges foreign transaction fees

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
• If you’re a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 1.87%-2.62% cash back on every purchase with Preferred Rewards.
• No annual fee.
• No limit to the amount of cash back you can earn and cash rewards don’t expire.
• 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 17.99% to 27.99% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers in the first 60 days, and a 4% fee applies thereafter.
• Contactless Cards – The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 17.99% to 27.99% variable thereafter.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%

Bank of America^® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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 Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash card earns 1.5% cash-back on all purchases and has no annual fee.

Bank of America^® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards

The Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash card earns 1.5% cash-back on all purchases and has no annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Get a $300 statement credit online bonus after you make at least $3,000 in net purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.

$300

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% intro APR for the first 9 billing cycles; after that, variable rate of 17.24% to 27.24% will apply.

Why We Like This Card

The Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card is a top-notch option for business owners who are looking for a simple cash-back rewards card with no annual fee. Moreover, those who hold status in the Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business program can supercharge their cash-back rewards up to 2.625% on all purchases!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 1.5% cash-back on all purchases
• No annual fee
• Introductory APR offer

Cons

• Doesn’t offer bonus categories

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Get a $300 statement credit online bonus after you make at least $3,000 in net purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash-back on all purchases everywhere, every time.
• No annual cap and cash rewards don’t expire.
• No annual fee.
• You can earn up to 75% more cash-back on every purchase if you have a business checking account with Bank of America and qualify for our highest Preferred Rewards for Business tier. That means you could earn up to an unlimited 2.62% cash-back on all purchases.
• Choose how to redeem your cash rewards — as a deposit into your Bank of America checking or savings account, as a card statement credit, or as a check mailed to you.
• 0% Introductory APR on purchases for the first 9 billing cycles. After the intro APR offer ends, a variable APR that’s currently 17.24% to 27.24% will apply.
• Contactless Cards — the security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This offer may not be available if you leave this page or visit our website. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% intro APR for the first 9 billing cycles; after that, variable rate of 17.24% to 27.24% will apply.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each transaction.

While many of these cards have respectable earning rates on their own, it is easy to see how the rewards boost from the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program can hugely benefit your investments.

When you are ready to redeem your rewards, you can have them deposited into your Bank of America checking or savings accounts or eligible investment accounts with Merrill Lynch, including IRAs, 529 accounts, and more.

Best Cards for Morgan Stanley Investors

The Platinum Card^® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley

The Amex Platinum card for Morgan Stanley functions very similarly to the Amex Schwab Platinum card in that they both offer all of the same benefits as the standard Amex Platinum card, and both allow you to redeem your Amex Membership Rewards points into your investment accounts with each brokerage.

Where they differ is that the Amex Platinum card for Morgan Stanley allows you to add 1 authorized user to your card without any additional annual fee. This can be quite valuable as it usually costs $195 for an Amex Platinum card for Morgan Stanley authorized user, and they receive full access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, access to the Fine Hotels and Resorts program, and more.

Further, while you do have access to the Invest With Rewards program, the redemption rate is 1 cent per point for your Amex Membership Rewards points. This makes it a bit worse than the Schwab offering of 1.1 cents per point but is still far better than the standard 0.6 cents per point cash-back redemption the card usually offers.

All information about The Platinum Card^® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley have been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

Morgan Stanley Blue Cash Preferred^® American Express Card

Depending on your spending habits, the Morgan Stanley Amex Blue Cash Preferred card could be an excellent option for you.

With it, you’d earn 6% back on up to $6,000 in purchases at U.S. supermarkets, and 1% back thereafter. You’d also earn 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% back on transit purchases, 3% back at U.S. gas stations, and 1% back on all other purchases.

This could amount to some sizeable savings if a rather large percentage of your annual expenses fall within one or more of these categories. Additionally, as an exclusive benefit for Morgan Stanley customers, you can earn a $100 annual statement credit after spending $15,000 or more in eligible purchases each calendar year.

One item to note is that all of your cash-back rewards are provided in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit on your account. While you can’t directly deposit your cash-back rewards into one of your Morgan Stanley accounts, you can divert the funds you would have used to pay your card balance before receiving the statement credit and achieve the same outcome.

All information about Morgan Stanley Blue Cash Preferred^® American Express Card have been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

Best Cards for SoFi Investors

SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card

SoFi Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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 2% unlimited cash-back when you redeem it to save, invest, or pay down an eligible SoFi loan --- all without an annual fee.

Apply Now(at SoFi's secure site)

SoFi Credit Card

Earn 2% unlimited cash-back when you redeem it to save, invest, or pay down an eligible SoFi loan --- all without an annual fee.

Annual Fee

$0

APR

20.24% to 29.99% Variable

Why We Like This Card

The information regarding the SoFi card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

---

SoFi has quickly become one of the most popular fintech companies. It offers a combination of investing, saving, and loan refinancing on 1 platform.

The company offers a credit card that rewards you with 2% back on all purchases, helping you get even more out of your SoFi account.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2% cash-back on all purchases
• 3% cash-back when you purchase travel through SoFi Travel
• $0 annual fee

Cons

• Only useful if you already use the SoFi platform
• Does not offer bonus categories for those looking to optimize their spending on certain purchases

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn unlimited 2% cash back rewards on all purchases and redeem as statement credit—or toward saving, investing, and paying down eligible SoFi debt*
• Earn 3% cash back rewards on trips booked through SoFi Travel*
• No annual fee†
• No foreign transaction fees
• Cell phone protection (insurance coverage up to $1,000)**
• Mastercard ID Theft Protection™**
• $5 Lyft credit when you take 3 rides per month**
• * See offer details: www.sofi.com/card/rewards
• † See terms and conditions: www.sofi.com/card/terms
• ** Cell Phone Insurance Protection, Mastercard ID Theft Protection(TM), Lyft and Other Partner Rewards have additional terms and conditions, which can all be accessed through the World Elite Mastercard^® Benefits portal. Please see the guide to benefits for details or call 1-800-MASTERCARD.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24% to 29.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: $0

SoFi started off as “another FinTech startup” and now has grown to be one of the largest neo-banks in the world. SoFi now offers the full gamut of financial products, including banking, loans, investing, and a credit card, all without a single physical branch location.

Most SoFi users tend to be relatively young, but this is a great advantage as the sooner you start investing, the better! This is why the SoFi card can be a great fit for many.

It is a no-annual-fee card that earns an uncapped 2% back on all purchases you make with the card. These cash-back rewards can then be redeemed into your SoFi Money (banking) account, SoFi Invest account, or towards paying down a loan you have with SoFi. Beware not to redeem your rewards as a statement credit, though, as doing so cuts your rewards rate in half.

Beyond rewards, the SoFi card also offers complimentary cell phone insurance coverage, no foreign transaction fees, and World Elite Mastercard benefits.

Best Cards for TD Ameritrade Investors

TD Double Up Card

For TD Bank investors, the TD Double Up card is a compelling option as it earns 1% back on all purchases you make with the card, plus another 1% back when you redeem your rewards into an eligible TD Bank deposit account.

It has no annual fee, no limit to the amount of cash-back you can earn, and a 0% introductory APR balance transfer offer for the first 18 billing cycles after account opening. The downside is the card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, so you’ll want to choose another card for purchases made when traveling internationally.

While your cash-back rewards are redeemed to a TD Bank Deposit account, you can easily then move those funds into any investment accounts you have with TD Bank.

TD Cash Credit Card

If you’d prefer to optimize your purchases around bonus categories, then you can make use of the TD Cash card. With it, you’ll earn 3% back on dining (including takeout and delivery), 2% back at grocery stores, and 1% back on all other purchases.

As with the TD Double Up card, the TD Cash card doesn’t charge an annual fee, doesn’t have bonus category limits on the amount of cash-back you can earn, and offers a 0% introductory APR offer for the first 12 billing cycles after account opening. It does charge foreign transaction fees, though, so opt for another card when making overseas purchases.

Other Cash-back Credit Cards To Consider

If you don’t invest with any of the previously mentioned platforms and brokerages, or simply prefer a card that isn’t tied to a specific brokerage, you can redeem cash-back to an investment account. We’ll review a few top cash-back credit card options that might make sense for you.

Depending on your strategy, you could also pair one or more of the following cards with those that were mentioned above to mix and match bonus categories to optimize every dollar you spend.

Chase Freedom Flex^®

Chase Freedom Flex^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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 Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.

Chase Freedom Flex^®

The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.

Welcome Offer

Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.74% - 28.24%

Credit Recommended

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 card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Freedom Flex^® sure does pack quite a punch — especially for a no-annual-fee card.

The Freedom Flex card is an incredible option for those looking for a well-rounded cash-back card, or a powerful point-earner when paired with a premium card in the Ultimate Rewards family.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.74% - 28.24%
• Powerful cash-back earner: 5% back on quarterly categories and travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases
• No annual fee

Cons

• 3% foreign transaction fees in U.S. dollars

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
• 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
• 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.74%-28.24%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex^® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.74% - 28.24%
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The no-annual-fee Freedom Flex card is one of the most popular cash-back credit cards, and for good reason. It earns 5% cash-back on rotating quarterly bonus categories, like gas and groceries, on up to $1,500 in spend each quarter. It also offers 5% cash-back on purchases made through the Chase travel portal, 3% back on dining (including takeout and delivery), 3% back at drugstores, and 1% back on all other purchases.

There is no minimum cash-back redemption amount, and cardholders enjoy perks like cell phone protection insurance, purchase protection, rental car insurance, Mastercard World Elite benefits, and more.

Again, your cash-back rewards can’t be redeemed directly into an investment account, but you can redeem them as a statement credit or as a direct deposit into your checking or savings account.

Citi Double Cash^® Card

Citi Double Cash^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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!

Citi Double Cash^® Card

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 cash-back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.

$200 cash-back

Annual Fee

$0

APR

17.99% - 27.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

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 card application.

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Why We Like This Card

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 & Cons

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

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
• Earn a total of 5 ThankYou^® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rental, and attractions, excluding air travel, when booked through the Citi Travel^® portal.
• To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
• Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers; after that, the variable APR will be 17.99% – 27.99%, 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: 17.99% - 27.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase

Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

Those looking for a simple-to-use cash-back card with a fixed earning rate on all purchases will love the Double Cash card. With it, you’ll earn 1% cash-back on all purchases you make with the card, and another 1% cash-back when you pay your monthly statement balance (earned as ThankYou Points).

This gives you a total of 2% cash-back on all purchases you make with no annual fee or caps on how much you can earn. Your rewards never expire, and there is no minimum redemption amount required. You can redeem all of your rewards as a statement credit to offset your purchases or as a direct deposit into your linked checking or savings account, which you can then move to one of your investment accounts.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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 Savor card is a great no-annual fee card for those who regularly spend on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target).

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Savor card is a great no-annual fee card for those who regularly spend on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target).

Welcome Offer

LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn $300 in welcome bonuses. Enjoy a $100 credit to use towards flights, stays and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel during your first cardholder year. Plus, earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

$100 travel credit + $200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

Purchases: 0% intro on purchases for 12 months; 18.99% - 28.99% variable thereafter

Credit Recommended

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 card application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Savor card is a phenomenal option when it comes to no-annual-fee cash-back credit cards. With popular bonus categories like dining, grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), entertainment, and popular streaming services, and the ability to earn 3% cash-back on these purchases, it is easy to see why those who use the card can earn some serious cash-back throughout the year.

The card also allows you to take your rewards and experiences even further by offering access to Capital One Travel, Capital One Dining, and Capital One Entertainment.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
• 5% cash-back on hotels, rental cars, and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply.
• 3% cash-back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target)

Cons

• Rewards are purely cash-back, so there is no option for miles transfers to transfer partners for redemptions

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn $300 in welcome bonuses. Enjoy a $100 credit to use towards flights, stays and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel during your first cardholder year. Plus, earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart^® and Target^®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
• Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
• Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how much you can earn
• 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months; 18.99% – 28.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 0% intro on purchases for 12 months; 18.99% - 28.99% variable thereafter
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The Capital One Savor card*×Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One. comes loaded with bonus categories for cardholders to take advantage of, making it a very compelling option depending on your spending habits. You’ll earn an uncapped 3% cash-back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), plus 1% back on all other purchases.

That’s 4 distinct uncapped 3% back categories, all with no annual fee. Plus, the card has no foreign transaction fees, and more.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, you have no shortage of options when it comes to credit cards that can help boost your investment goals. Sure, investing your credit card rewards might not be as sexy as booking a stay at a luxurious hotel or kicking your feet up on a business class flight on your way to your next adventure — but the great thing about many flexible rewards programs is that you don’t have to choose one or the other.

At the end of the day, you can have your cake and eat it, too, using credit card rewards to reach both your financial and travel goals.

For the purchase protection benefit of the Platinum Card^® from American Express, American Express^® Gold Card, and The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
The information regarding the American Express Platinum Card^® for Schwab, Fidelity^® Rewards Visa Signature^® Card, The Platinum Card^® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley, Morgan Stanley Blue Cash Preferred^® American Express Card, TD Double Up Card and TD Cash Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.