While it’s important to support the businesses in our local community as much as we can, the relative convenience and safety of shopping online are undeniably pushing the volume of online sales to new levels.
In fact, according to market research and analysis company Statista, nearly 256 million people (most of the U.S. population) have shopped online. If we dig deeper, we find that over 200 million people actually visit online retail giant Amazon’s website to shop each month.
Shopping frequently online, like shopping at your local retailer, is a major rewards-earning opportunity that shouldn’t be missed.
But which card offers the most rewards for your online purchases and should this be the only criteria for selecting a rewards-earning credit card?
We’ll answer those questions plus provide our take on some of the best cards to use for your online shopping purchases.
Let’s get started.
Best Personal Credit Cards for Purchases With Specific Online Retailers
Many cards come with online shopping statement credits for purchases with specific merchants. Image Credit: Saks Fifth AvenueWhile we’re all familiar with bonus-category earning on credit cards that earn rewards, statement credits for specific purchases have become a trending incentive to facilitate those purchases with specific retailers.
Here are some prime examples of cards that offer big incentives for frequenting select online retailers.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome offer of up to 150,000 points with the Amex Platinum card! (The current public offer is 80,000 points.)
The card is best for shopping at online retailers. The card also comes with free ShopRunner membership that provides complimentary 2-day shipping at select retail partners.
- Saks Fifth Avenue — The card provides up to $100 in statement credits — $50 for the period of January through June and $50 for July through December — for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue. Learn more about how to maximize your Saks statement credit in our article filled with lots of ideas for this fun credit.
- Walmart+ — The card provides a $12.95 monthly statement credit towards a Walmart+ membership, which includes free shipping, among other benefits.
Hot Tip: For additional earnings and/or statement credits when making specific online shopping purchases, be sure to access your Amex Offers. Log in to your online Amex card account, scroll down the home page, and select from up to 100 current offers. Add the offer to your card then complete the purchase to receive the elevated earnings or statement credits worth hundreds of dollars.
Chase Freedom Flex℠
With quarterly bonus earning categories that can include online merchants, this card could be your online shopping go-to card.
It’s not unusual to find online retailers listed as bonus categories that earn 5% cash-back on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter.
Another benefit of the Freedom Flex card is that eligible purchases of products purchased online (or brick and mortar merchants) could qualify for the card’s introductory 0% APR benefit with no interest charged for up to 15 months from card approval.
In addition to quarterly bonus categories that include retailers, you may be able to purchase retail gift cards to use for online shopping at other quarterly bonus category merchants selling gift cards such as supermarkets, drugstores, home improvement stores, office supply stores, and more.
Hot Tip: Check your Chase Offers for additional savings and cash-back when purchasing from specific retailers. Chase Offers can be found by logging in to your Chase card account online and viewing the offers on your home page. Add the offer to your card, make the specific purchase, and the credit will be applied to your account.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
Amazon Prime members earn 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods Market purchases with the Amazon Prime Signature card.
Bottom Line: Offers for specific online shopping purchases may be temporary and subject to change. Always check your card’s benefits section in your online card account and watch for card issuer emails for shopping offers you can maximize for greater earnings or statement credits.
Best Credit Cards for Shopping Online With Department Stores
There are few cards, except specific store-branded cards, that offer bonus earnings for online department store purchases. Here are a couple of options if you have a large department store purchase you can make online.
- U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card — Earning big means selecting your own personal bonus categories. You’ll earn 5% cash-back on online (and in-store) purchases with retailers such as department stores, sporting goods or clothing stores, electronic stores, and even furniture stores. Select 2 categories each quarter and you’ll be earning well on your online purchases made in those categories, up to $2,000 in purchases each quarter.
Keep in mind that normally stores such as Walmart.com, Target.com, and warehouse club websites do not count as online department store purchases.
To learn more about department store-branded cards, we’ve done the homework for you in our articles on over 200 cards, including our take on some of the best cards issued by Comenity Bank and Synchrony Bank.
Best Credit Cards for Online Food Ordering
Ordering food online can be very rewarding. Image Credit: UberOnline food delivery apps make it easy to have your order delivered or schedule a pickup. Either way, it’s great to earn rewards or statement credits for your online food purchase.
Here’s a sampling of cards that earn well on food delivery or pickup when purchasing online.
American Express® Gold Card
Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus of up to 90,000 points with the Amex Gold card! (The current public offer is 60,000 points.)
We like the monthly dining credit on the Amex Gold card because it includes the online food delivery company GrubHub. You’ll receive $10 in monthly statement credits for your online purchase whether you have your food delivered or schedule a pickup. Plus, restaurant purchases earn 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent.
We also like that the card receives $10 in Uber Cash added to your Uber account each month, up to $120 annually. Be sure to add your card to your Uber account and select the card to pay for your order to receive this benefit. Uber Cash can only be used for U.S. Uber Rides and Uber Eats.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is a good choice for ordering food online as it comes with these food delivery service benefits:
- DoorDash DashPass — Receive a complimentary DashPass subscription. If activated by December 31, 2023, the subscription is active through December 31, 2024. If activated during the 2024 calendar year, the subscription will be valid for 1 year from the date of activation.
- DoorDash Credit: Enjoy a monthly $5 DoorDash credit.
Additional Credit Cards for Online Food Ordering
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card — This card also offers the same free DoorDash DashPass subscription as the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
- Amex Platinum Card — You’ll want to add your card to your Uber account as it comes with the benefits of $15 in Uber Cash deposited to your Uber account monthly from January through November and $35 in December, and up to $200 in Uber Cash annually. Uber Cash can only be used for U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats.
Bottom Line: Several Amex and Chase-issued cards offer savings and statement credits for online food delivery/restaurant purchases. To learn more about the best credit cards for online food delivery or for restaurants and dining purchases, you’ll want to read our articles with all the information you need for selecting the right rewards-earning card for your purchase.
Best Personal Credit Cards for Any Online Shopping Purchase
It’s possible to earn rewards on any shopping purchase you make. Image Credit: chantalao007 via ReshotNo need to purchase from a specific retailer to earn rewards on these cards as every purchase you make, including online purchases, earns points, miles, or cash-back.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
You’ll earn 3% cash-back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. Examples of purchases that will earn additional rewards include, but are not limited to:
- Major retailers (e.g., Amazon.com, Walmart.com)
- Pet stores (e.g., Chewy.com)
- Furniture stores (e.g., Wayfair.com)
- Department stores
- Drug Stores
- Book stores
- Auto & home supply stores
- Personal and household care
- Toy & Hobby stores
- Computer & Electronic stores
- Apparel, Footwear, and Accessories stores
- Sporting goods stores
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
You’ll earn 1.5% cash-back on every purchase you make online, or anywhere. You’ll also earn 3% cash-back at drugstores that may sell online merchant gift cards and on dining which can include food delivery.
Capital One Venture Rewards Card
Earning rewards on the CapOne Venture card is easy as you automatically earn 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase.
Citi® Double Cash Card
Receive a total of 2x points per $1 (that can be converted to cash-back) on every purchase with the Citi® Double Cash Card, including online purchases. You’ll receive 1x point when you make the purchase and an additional 1x when you pay it off.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Earn a generous 3% cash-back on your choice of bonus categories, which includes online purchases.
Best Business Credit Cards for Online Shopping
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome offer of up to 150,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum card! (The current public offer is 120,000 points.)
The Amex Business Platinum card is the card of choice for shopping online with Dell with up to $400 in Dell statement credits annually. Receive a $200 statement credit for purchases from January through June and another $200 statement credit for purchases from July through December.
You must activate the offer prior to your purchase by logging in to your online card account and finding the offer in the Benefits section. Be sure to check your Amex Offers for potential additional savings offers on Dell purchases.
The card is also a great choice if you need to make a large purchase since you’ll earn 1.5x on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else (up to $2 million in purchases per calendar year).
American Express® Business Gold Card
If you’re purchasing computer hardware, software, cloud solutions, or online advertising via U.S. merchants online, these categories fall into the 4x earnings categories on the Amex Business Gold card. There is a limit of $150,000 in total 4x earnings purchases per calendar year.
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
If you’re purchasing online at office supply stores, you’ll be earning 5% cash-back on every purchase, up to $25,000 in purchases each card anniversary year. You’ll also have access to an introductory 0% APR period of up to 12 months on purchases, as well as extended warranty and purchase protection coverage.
Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping When You Value Product Protection
Eligible items purchased online may qualify to receive product protection. Image Credit: Maxx-Studio via ShutterstockEarning rewards is great, but you may value product benefits and protections more. If so, you’ll want to consider these cards that excel in offering perks such as purchase protection, extended warranty, and more.
American Express Cards
You’ll find this trifecta of coverage for eligible items purchased with your card on several American Express cards. A sampling of Amex cards that offer this combination is the Amex Platinum card, Amex Business Platinum card, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, and The Plum Card® from American Express.
- Return Protection — If a merchant will not accept a return of an eligible item purchased with your card within 90 days, you could receive up to $300 per item, $1,000 per account per year.
- Purchase Protection — Should an eligible item be damaged or stolen, you could receive up to $1,000 per covered item, up to $50,000 per eligible card.
- Extended Warranty — Eligible items purchased with your card that have a manufacturer’s warranty of 5 years or less will receive an additional year of coverage. Coverage limits are up to $10,000 per covered purchase, up to $50,000 per eligible card.
Chase Cards
Chase also offers a nice selection of benefits and protections for online purchases. You’ll find that the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, the United Club℠ Infinite Card, and the United Club℠ Business Card all offer this trio of benefits.
- Return Protection — If the eligible item, purchased with your card, is not accepted for return by the merchant within 90 days after the purchase date, you could be eligible for up to $500 per item, $1,000 per year.
- Purchase Protection — Receive repair or replacement protection for eligible items for 120 days from the purchase date for damage, theft, or “involuntary and accidental parting”. Coverage is limited to $500 per item, $50,000 per account.
- Extended Warranty — For eligible items with a manufacturer’s warranty of 3 years or less, 1 additional year is added. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim, $50,000 per account.
Bottom Line: Most Amex- and Chase-issued cards come with purchase protection and extended warranty benefits that may protect your eligible online shopping purchases. Fewer cards are issued with additional return protection benefits.
Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping for Those With Bad Credit or No Credit
It’s difficult to find a rewards-earning credit card when you have no credit history or poor credit. However, don’t give up, as we have put together a list of cards that can help you get started building or rebuilding your credit. Take a look at our recommendations for some of the best credit cards for no credit or poor credit.
Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping — Summary
There are certainly a lot of ways to earn rewards for online shopping purchases. Let’s recap our featured cards, the cards’ earning opportunities, and benefits and protections that may apply to items you purchase online.
| Card | Benefits for Online Shopping |
| Amex Platinum card | - $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit
- Up to $200 annually in Uber Cash ($15 each month January to November, $35 in December)
- Purchase protection, extended warranty, return protection
|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve card | - Complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription
- Purchase protection, extended warranty, return protection
|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred card | - Complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription
- Purchase protection, extended warranty
|
| Freedom Flex card | - 5% cash-back on quarterly bonus category merchants
- 0% APR on purchases, including eligible online purchases, for 15 months from card approval
- 3% cash-back on dining, including eligible online food delivery purchases
- 3% cash-back at drugstores that may sell online retailer gift cards
- 3-month DoorDash DashPass subscription plus 9 additional months at a 50% discount
- Purchase protection, extended warranty
|
| Amazon Prime Signature card | - 5% back on Amazon purchases and Whole Foods
- Purchase protection, extended warranty
|
| U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card | - 5% cash-back in your choice of 11 categories (which can include online merchants)
- Purchase protection, extended warranty
|
| United Club Infinite card United Club Business card | - Purchase protection, extended warranty, return protection
|
| Amex Gold card | - 4x earnings on eligible online food delivery/restaurant purchases
- $10 monthly dining statement credit (valid at GrubHub)
- Up to $120 annually in Uber Cash ($10 monthly)
- Purchase protection, extended warranty
|
| Amex Blue Cash Preferred card Amex Plum card | - Purchase protection, extended warranty, return protection
|
| Freedom Unlimited card | - 1.5% cash-back on every purchase
- 3% cash-back on dining, including eligible online food delivery purchases
- 3% cash-back at drugstores that may sell online merchant gift cards
- 0% APR on purchases, including eligible online purchases, for 15 months from card approval
- 3-month DoorDash DashPass subscription plus 9 additional months at a 50% discount
- Purchase protection, extended warranty
|
| CapOne Venture Rewards card | - 2x miles per dollar spent on every purchase
|
| Citi Double Cash card | - 2x points on every purchase
|
| Amex Business Platinum card | - Up to $400 annual Dell Technologies credit
- 1.5x earnings on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else. Cap applies.
- Purchase protection, extended warranty, return protection
|
| Amex Business Gold card | - 4x earnings on computer hardware, software, cloud solutions, or online advertising via U.S. merchants online
- Purchase protection, extended warranty
|
| Ink Business Cash card | - 5% cash-back for online purchases with office supply stores
- Purchase protection, extended warranty
|
Don’t forget that online travel purchases can also earn big rewards. That’s a topic we’re passionate about and one at which we work endlessly to provide informative resources. Check out our recommendations for the best credit cards to earn rewards on every travel purchase.
Final Thoughts
If you make online purchases frequently and in volume, securing a card that delivers big rewards on those purchases could be an economically sound decision. If you’re the average online shopper, you may benefit from investigating the offers on cards you already hold.
Another benefit of online shopping statement credits and elevated rewards is an economic value that can serve to offset a portion, or all, of the annual fee you’re paying on your card.
Whether it’s securing a new card to reward online shopping purchases or reviewing existing cards for offers, you’ll benefit by taking advantage of elevated earnings, savings, or receiving statement credits for your online shopping purchases.
The information regarding the Capital One Venture Rewards Card, and Citi® Double Cash Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Plum Card® from American Express, click here.
