The 13 Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping and Purchases [2024]

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 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 you consider other factors like card annual fee and the best welcome bonus offer when 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.

The 13 Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping — Overview

There are certainly a lot of ways to earn rewards for online shopping purchases. Before we detail our featured cards, let’s preview the cards’ earning opportunities and benefits and protections that may apply to items you purchase online.

Card	Welcome Offer and Annual Fee	Benefits for Online Shopping
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express	Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Annual fee of $0 (rates & fees)	3% cash-back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%
Chase Freedom Unlimited®	Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. Annual fee of $0	1.5% cash-back on every purchase 3% cash-back at drugstores that may sell online merchant gift cards 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%. Purchase protection, extended warranty
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card	Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $95 (rates & fees)	2x miles on every purchase
Citi Double Cash® Card	Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months. Annual fee of $0	2% cash-back on every purchase (1% cash-back when you buy and 1% cash-back as you pay)
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card	Earn $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. Annual fee of $0	3% cash-back on your choice of bonus categories, which includes online purchases
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card	Earn 130,000 points after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first 6 months Annual fee of $150 (rates & fees)	4x points on U.S. online retail purchases
The Platinum Card® from American Express	Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 6 months. Annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)	$100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit, Walmart+ membership (enrollment required) Purchase protection, extended warranty, return protection
Chase Freedom Flex℠	Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months. Annual fee of $0	5% cash-back on quarterly bonus category merchants 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%. 3% cash-back at drugstores that may sell online retailer gift cards Purchase protection, extended warranty
Prime Visa card	Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members Annual fee of $0	5% back on Amazon purchases and Whole Foods Purchase protection, extended warranty
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card	Earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 120 days. Annual fee of $0	5% cash-back in your choice of 11 categories (which can include online merchants) Purchase protection, extended warranty
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express	Earn 120,000 points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)	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
American Express® Business Gold Card	Earn 70,000 points after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $375 (rates & fees)	4x points on your 2 highest purchase categories each month up to $150,000 each calendar year Purchase protection, extended warranty
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card	Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months. Annual fee of $0	5% cash-back for online purchases with office supply stores Purchase protection, extended warranty

Hot Tip: 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.

The 6 Best Personal Credit Cards for Any Online Shopping Purchase

No 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 with the Amex Blue Cash Everyday card include, but are not limited to:

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

You’ll earn 1.5% cash-back with the Freedom Unlimited card on every purchase you make online — or anywhere. You’ll also earn 3% cash-back at drugstores that may sell online merchant gift cards.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Earning rewards on the Capital One Venture card is easy as you automatically earn 2x miles on every purchase.

Citi Double Cash^® Card

Receive a total of 2% cash-back on every purchase you make with the Citi Double Cash card, including online purchases. You’ll receive 1% cash-back when you make the purchase and an additional 1% back when you pay it off.

Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

With the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card, earn a generous 3% cash-back on your choice of bonus categories, which includes online purchases.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card

The Hilton Surpass card Is a great option for Hilton loyalists looking to boost their balances of Hilton Honors points, as it earns 4x points on all U.S. online retail purchases.

The 4 Best Personal Credit Cards for Purchases With Specific Online Retailers

While 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 bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The Amex Platinum card is best for shopping at online retailers. The card also comes with a 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 (enrollment is required). 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, 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 go-to card for online shopping. It’s not unusual to find online retailers listed as bonus categories that earn 5% cash-back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter.

Another benefit of the Freedom Flex card is that eligible purchases of products purchased online (or from brick-and-mortar merchants) could qualify for the card’s 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.

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. 

Prime Visa Card

Amazon Prime members earn 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods Market purchases with the Prime Visa card.

U.S. Bank Cash+^® Visa Signature^® Card

Earning big means selecting your own personal bonus categories. Cardholders of the U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card 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.

Hot Tip:

Several 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 restaurant and dining purchases, you’ll want to read our articles with all the information you need to select the right rewards-earning card for your purchase. 

The 3 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 bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

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 (Enrollment required).

You must activate the offer prior to your purchase by logging into 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

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 110,000 points with the Amex Business Gold card! The current public offer is 70,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

If you’re purchasing from electronic goods retailers online, this is one of 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

Cardholders of the Ink Business Cash card that shop 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 a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter, as well as extended warranty and purchase protection coverage.

The Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping When You Value Product Protection

Earning 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.

Capital One

Many Capital One cards offer purchase protections as well, such as the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. These include:

• Purchase Security — Purchase an eligible item and receive 90 days of coverage (from the purchase date) for theft or damage.
• Extended Warranty — Purchase a qualifying item entirely with your eligible card and extend your qualifying product warranties automatically.
• Return Protection — If you try to return an item within 90 days of your original purchase and the merchant refuses your return, you can apply for reimbursement.

Chase Cards

Chase also offers a nice selection of benefits and protections for online purchases. You’ll find that the Chase Sapphire Reserve^®, the United Club℠ Infinite Card, and the United Club℠ Business Card all offer the following 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: Many Amex, Capital One, 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’ve 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.

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.

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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.

For the purchase protection benefit of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, when an American Express^® card member charges a covered purchase with their eligible card, purchase protection can help protect their covered purchases for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. 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.

For the purchase protection benefit of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, when an American Express^® card member charges a covered purchase with their eligible card, purchase protection can help protect their covered purchases for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. 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.

For the purchase protection benefit of Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express, when an American Express^® card member charges a covered purchase with their eligible card, purchase protection can help protect their covered purchases for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. 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.

For the purchase protection benefit of The Plum Card^® from American Express, when an American Express^® card member charges a covered purchase with their eligible card, purchase protection can help protect their covered purchases for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. 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.

For the extended warranty benefit of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, when an American Express^® card member charges a covered purchase to an eligible card, extended warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the original manufacturer’s warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. 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.

For the extended warranty benefit of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, when an American Express^® card member charges a covered purchase to an eligible card, extended warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the original manufacturer’s warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. 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.

For the extended warranty benefit of Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express, when an American Express^® card member charges a covered purchase to an eligible card, extended warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the original manufacturer’s warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. 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.

For the extended warranty benefit of The Plum Card^® from American Express, when an American Express^® card member charges a covered purchase to an eligible card, extended warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the original manufacturer’s warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. 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.

For the return protection benefit of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, with return protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express^® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

For the return protection benefit of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, with return protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express^® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

For the return protection benefit of the Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express, with return protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express^® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

For the return protection benefit of The Plum Card^® from American Express, with return protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express^® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

For the purchase protection benefit of the American Express^® Business Gold Card, 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.

For the extended warranty benefit of the American Express^® Business Gold Card, 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.