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Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping in 2025: Maximize Rewards and Purchase Protection Benefits

Three young women compare the best credit cards for online shopping while walking down a busy street holding many shopping bags.
The best credit cards for online shopping earn rewards on internet purchases and offer benefits such as purchase protection and extended warranty. Peter Cade
Updated

If your favorite way to shop is from the comfort of your living room couch, a good credit card for online shopping can earn you hundreds of dollars in cash back or travel rewards.

Business Insider's personal finance team reviewed dozens of credit cards to bring you a shortlist of our top recommendations for 2025. Each of our best credit cards for online shopping earns at least 2% back on relevant purchases, and none of our picks charge annual fees.

The best online shopping credit card for you will earn big returns on the purchases you make most frequently, in ways that make sense for your financial lifestyle.

These are the best credit cards for online shopping available right now.

Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping of 2025

What It's ForCardAnnual Fee
Best for familiesBlue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express$0 (rates and fees)
Best for big spendersBank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card $0
Best for reward maximizersChase Freedom Flex® $0
Best for cash backDiscover it® Cash Back$0
Best for self-directed investorsRobinhood Gold Card$0* (but requires Robinhood Gold membership with $5 monthly fee)
Best for PayPal usersPayPal Cashback Mastercard® $0
Best for Amazon Prime membersPrime Visa$0
Best for Target shoppersTarget Circle™️ Credit Card$0
Best for Costco loyalistsCostco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi$0

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best Online Shopping Credit Card for Families

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is one of the best credit cards for families that shop online, especially households that use a single credit card for every purchase.

This no-annual-fee card earns 3% cash back on online retail purchases within the U.S., on up to $6,000 a year (then 1%). It also earns the same 3% back at U.S. gas stations and supermarkets, each with the same limit of up to $6,000 per calendar year (then 1%).

Some cardholders on Reddit report that purchases from certain online retailers do not trigger the 3% cash back bonus on the Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card. American Express can be picky about merchant coding, which is how issuers determine what type of transaction was made, so you may not earn additional cash back on some purchases that seem like they would qualify.

That being said, the Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card is still a great credit card for automatic rewards, especially if you are willing to accept an occasional miss in exchange for simplicity.

Read more in our Blue Cash Everyday Amex card review.

Best online shopping credit card for single-card households
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Apply now lock icon An icon in the shape of lock.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
3.5/5
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, at U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 per category per year, then 1%). Earn 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

Annual Fee

$0

Intro APR

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening

Regular APR

18.24% - 29.24% Variable

Intro Offer

Earn a $200 statement credit

Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good bonus cash-back rate at U.S supermarkets
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No annual fee.
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If you spend more than $6,000 at U.S supermarkets in a year, you should use another card to earn bonus rewards once you hit that cap.
Insider’s Take

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a solid cash-back card with no annual fee. It's an especially valuable choice for purchases at US supermarkets, gas stations, and online retail purchases, thanks to its bonus earning categories.

Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
  • Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
  • No Annual Fee.
  • Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 18.24% to 29.24% 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%.
  • Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
  • 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.
  • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
  • Terms Apply.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best Online Shopping Credit Card for Big Spenders

This no-annual-fee credit card is best for online shoppers who save or invest at least $20,000 through Bank of America or Merrill, its investment banking subsidiary.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Cardholders earn 3% cash back on a single bonus category of their choice each month (up to $2,500 in combined choice category, grocery store, wholesale club quarterly purchases). Online shopping is one of the eligible categories — others include gas and EV charging, dining, travel, drugstores, and home improvement or furnishing stores.

A 3% return is strong by any standard, but Bank of America Preferred Rewards loyalty program members can earn even more cash back based on their investment tiers.

Preferred Rewards Gold members who bank $20,000 to $49,999 in Bank of America or Merrill accounts get a 25% boost on credit card rewards, or up to 3.75% cash back on bonus-category expenses. Platinum customers who invest $50,000 through $99,999 get a 50% boost for up to 4.5% cash back, and Platinum Honors ($100,000 to $999,999 invested) and Diamond ($1 million or more invested) members get 75% more, or up to 5.25% cash back on credit card rewards.

Bonus-category rewards are capped at $2,500 in spending per quarter, or an average of $833 a month.

Read more in our Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card review.

Best online shopping credit card for big spenders
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Bank of America Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
3.9/5
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice and automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases). Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishings purchases. Earn unlimited 1% on all other purchases.

Annual Fee

$0

Intro APR

0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and on any balance transfers made within 60 days of account opening

Regular APR

19.24% - 29.24% Variable

Intro Offer

Earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus

Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No annual fee
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Broad 2% and 3% cash-back categories
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Earn 2% and 3% cash-back categories capped at $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter.
Insider’s Take

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card is worth considering if you're looking for a no-annual-fee cash-back credit card that lets you choose your highest rewards category.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
  • $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 choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
  • Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishings purchases.
  • If you're a Bank of America 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 cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that's currently 19.24% - 29.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for 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.

Chase Freedom Flex®: Best Online Shopping Credit Card for Reward Maximizers

The no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Flex® is an excellent online shopping credit card for people willing to do a little extra work at checkout to earn high rewards.

Cardholders earn 5% on up to $1,500 spent in combined purchases (then 1%) in rotating quarterly bonus categories when activated. These 5% categories change every three months, and have included PayPal transactions at least once a year since 2020.

The Chase Freedom Flex® earns rewards in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. You can redeem these as cash back if you don't have other Chase cards, or as travel rewards if combined with travel rewards credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.

Read more in our Chase Freedom Flex credit card review.

Pro tip: The Chase Freedom Flex® can be particularly useful if you're planning ahead for a large purchase you'd like to pay off over time without incurring interest. New cardholders get 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, then 18.99% - 28.49% Variable APR.

Best online shopping credit card for reward maximizers
Chase Freedom Flex®
Chase Chase Freedom Flex®
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
4.4/5
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. Earn 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Annual Fee

$0

Intro APR

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months

Regular APR

18.99% - 28.49% Variable

Intro Offer

Earn a $200 bonus

Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No annual fee
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous bonus cash-back categories
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Great welcome bonus
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Booking through Chase Travel℠ can restrict outside earning potential
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Varying percentages and rotating calendar categories require extra attention
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. 3% foreign transaction fees
Insider’s Take

The Chase Chase Freedom Flex® is a great pick if you want one of the best no-annual-fee cards with big earning potential and impressive benefits. It's an even better choice if you already collect Ultimate Rewards points with other Chase cards, because you can combine your points and potentially get even more value.

Chase Freedom Flex review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."

Discover it® Cash Back: Best Online Shopping Credit Card for Cash Back

The Discover it® Cash Back also earns 5% cash back on rotating bonus categories, tracked in our Discover cash back calendar, when you enroll. This bonus rate applies to the first $1,500 spent on eligible transactions during the relevant quarter, then 1% after that. The card earns 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Unlike the Chase Freedom Flex®, the no-annual-fee Discover it® Cash Back is less consistent about offering 5% cash back categories related to online shopping. But Amazon, Target, Walmart, PayPal, and digital wallet shoppers have all been targeted in previous years, so it's worth keeping this card in mind when checking out.

First-year Discover it® Cash Back cardholders earn twice as much through the Discover Cashback Match program, which automatically matches all the cashback rewards earned at the end of your first 12 months. So if you earn $500 in Year 1, you'd have $1,000 total cash back at the end of your first year with Cashback Match®.

Read more in our Discover it Cash Back card review.

Best online shopping credit card for cash back
Discover it® Cash Back
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
3.8/5
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.

Annual Fee

$0

Intro APR

0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers

Regular APR

18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR

Intro Offer

Earn Unlimited Cashback Match®

Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. From January 1 to March 31, 2025, earn 5% cash back at restaurants, home improvement stores, and select streaming services on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Discover will match your cash back earned at the end of your first account year
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No annual fee
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Cap on how much bonus cash back you can earn each quarter
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If the quarterly categories aren't convenient for you, you can earn more cash back with a different card
Insider’s Take

The Discover it® Cash Back is one of the best credit cards that offers 5% back on popular rotating categories up to a spending limit. Your rewards are matched by Discover after the first 12 months, and the card has no annual fee.

Discover it Cash Back review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
  • Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • Apply and you could get a decision in as little as 60 seconds. No annual fee.
  • Start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with our digital card, before your physical card arrives in the mail, if eligible.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. Activate by mobile app for free.
  • Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.24% to 27.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • Terms and conditions apply.

Robinhood Gold Card: Best Online Shopping Credit Card for Self-Directed Investors

If you're a fan of the Robinhood Investing mobile app, you may want to consider the Robinhood Gold Card for online shopping and other purchases.

Cardholders earn 3% cash back on all purchases, except when purchasing travel through the Robinhood travel portal (which earns 5% cash back). This is one of the most generous rates of return you'll find on broad-category spending. Better yet, the card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, so you won't find yourself out of pocket for an additional 3% to 5% when shopping with merchants outside the U.S.

However, Robinhood has some downsides. While this credit card technically has no annual fee, you must have a Robinhood Gold account ($5 monthly fee) to get the card. And unlike most credit or debit cards, you may be charged a sneaky fee of up to $40 per replacement card if you lose or misplace your Robinhood Gold Card.

Despite these issues, the Robinhood Gold Card is still a great fit for self-directed investors and anyone else who values managing their finances on their own terms.

Read more in our Robinhood Gold Card review.

Best online shopping credit card for self-directed investors
Robinhood Gold Card
Robinhood Robinhood Gold Card
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
4.4/5
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn 5% cashback on travel booked through the Robinhood travel portal and 3% cashback on all other purchases

Annual Fee

$0

Intro APR

N/A

Regular APR

19.99% - 29.99% variable

Intro Offer

N/A

Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Unlimited 3% cash back on all purchases
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No annual fee
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No foreign transaction fees
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 5% cash back through Robinhood travel portal
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Requires Robinhood Gold premium subscription
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No welcome bonus
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Rewards do not transfer to airline or hotel partners

PayPal Cashback Mastercard®: Best Online Shopping Credit Card for PayPal Users

The PayPal Cashback Mastercard® is one of the best credit cards for online shopping if you primarily pay with PayPal at checkout. Cardholders earn unlimited 3% cash back when you use your card and check out with PayPal and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases where Mastercard is accepted.

Paying through PayPal has the added benefit of shielding your financial data behind an extra layer of financial protection since retailers don't get direct access to your credit card number. This can be helpful in this day and age of rampant digital fraud when merchants regularly get hacked, leaving customers vulnerable to leaks of sensitive information.

Paying through PayPal also makes you eligible to claim support through PayPal's purchase protection guarantee if you do not receive the service or product you paid for.

Best online shopping credit card for PayPal users
PayPal Cashback Mastercard®
PayPal PayPal Cashback Mastercard®
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
3.6/5
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn unlimited 3% cash back when you use your card and check out with PayPal. Earn 1.5% cash back on all other purchases where Mastercard is accepted.

Annual Fee

$0

Intro APR

N/A

Regular APR

19.24% - 33.99% variable

Recommended Credit

N/A

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to 3% cash back on purchases
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cash back deposits daily
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No annual fee
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Foreign transaction fees
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. You must have an account with PayPal to apply

Prime Visa: Best Online Shopping Credit Card for Amazon Prime Members

If you have Amazon Prime, the Prime Visa is hands-down the best credit card to use for Amazon purchases.

This no-annual-fee card earns 5% cash back on eligible Amazon, Whole Foods, and Chase Travel℠ purchases if you have an Amazon Prime membership and pay with the Prime Visa when you check out.

If you don't have Amazon Prime, you'll only earn 3% back on these purchases with the Prime Visa. Even so, 3% is still a generous rate of return, especially if you buy some or most of your household goods through this online retail behemoth.

Read more in our Amazon Prime Visa card review.

Pro tip: You'll also find this card on our guide to the best credit cards for buying groceries because of the 5% returns on Whole Foods orders including grocery delivery and curbside pickup — with Amazon Prime membership, of course.

Best online shopping credit card for Amazon Prime
Prime Visa
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
4.05/5
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership. Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel℠ purchases with an eligible Prime membership. Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare). Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases.

Annual Fee

$0

Intro APR

N/A

Regular APR

19.49% - 28.24% Variable

Intro Offer

Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card

Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 5% cash back at Amazon, Whole Foods, and travel booked through Chase is hard to beat
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good travel benefits and purchase protections
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No annual fee
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Must be an Amazon Prime member to qualify
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Other cards offer higher cash-back rates on non-Amazon purchases
Insider’s Take

The Amazon Prime Visa is a good choice if you're already an Amazon Prime member — and do quite a bit of online shopping. It comes with decent benefits for a no-annual-fee credit card, and its earning rates are exceptional.

Prime Visa review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
  • Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
  • Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
  • Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership
  • Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
  • Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
  • No annual credit card fee
  • No more waiting. Redeem daily rewards at Amazon.com as soon as the next day
  • Member FDIC

Target Circle™️ Credit Card: Best Online Shopping Credit Card for Target Shoppers

The Target Circle™️ Credit Card is best for people who buy most or all of their household goods from this popular mega-retailer.

This no-annual-fee card doesn't earn rewards, per se. Instead, cardholders automatically enjoy a 5% discount on eligible purchases when checking out with this card at Target.com, in Target retail stores, and at Starbucks locations within Target stores. Items will ring up in your shopping cart at retail price, but the discount will instantly apply as soon as the eligible card is confirmed on the payment screen.

Cardholders also enjoy exclusive benefits such as an additional 30 days for returns, free two-day shipping on many online purchases, and targeted sales and discounts for additional savings.

Read more in our Target Circle Card review.

Pro tip: If you don't want a credit card, you can get the same 5% benefits by choosing the debit card or reloadable card version of the Target Circle™️ Credit Card at sign-up.

Best online shopping credit card for Target shoppers
Target Circle™️ Credit Card
TD Bank USA, N.A. Mastercard Target Circle™️ Credit Card
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
3.8/5
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn 5% back at Target and Target.com. Earn 2% on dining and gas purchases. Earn 1% everywhere else outside of Target.

Annual Fee

$0

Intro APR

N/A

Regular APR

29.95%

Intro Offer

Get a $50 credit

Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 5% instant discount on most Target purchases
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Exclusive Target benefits including free two-day shipping
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No annual fee
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. High APR

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: Best Online Shopping Credit Card for Costco Loyalists

We'll say it up front: At just 2% cash back on Costco and Costco.com purchases, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi doesn't actually earn the highest possible returns for online shopping.

But if you're a Costco loyalist, that might not matter to you. And since many of the best credit cards for online shopping (or groceries and gas, for that matter) exclude wholesale clubs like Costco for bonus rewards, this card may still offer your best bet for maximizing rewards on Costco.com purchases.

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi has a $0 annual fee, so it's free to keep forever as long as you have an active Costco membership.

Note that you can earn rewards from the comfort of your home by shopping on Costco.com, but said rewards can only be redeemed in person at a U.S. Costco warehouse. You only have to go in-store once a year, however: You'll get your cash back annually in February, in the form of a rewards certificate that can be exchanged for merchandise or cash back.

Read more in our Costco Anywhere Visa card review.

Best online shopping credit card for Costco loyalists
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Citi Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Insider’s Rating
A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star
3/5
Icon of check mark inside a promo stamp It indicates a confirmed selection.
Perks

Earn 5% cash back on gas at Costco and 4% on other eligible gas and EV charging (on a combined $7,000 in spend per year on 5% and 4% earning, then 1% thereafter). Earn 3% on restaurants and eligible travel, including Costco Travel. Earn 2% on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com. Earn 1% on all other purchases.

Annual Fee

$0

Intro APR

N/A

Regular APR

19.49% - 27.49% Variable

Intro Offer

N/A

Recommended Credit

Excellent

Pros
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous cash-back categories, especially for gas purchases
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No foreign transaction fee
Cons
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. You can only receive rewards once per year
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. You need to visit a Costco location to redeem rewards for cash back instead of merchandise
Insider’s Take

If you're a Costco member and you spend a lot of money on gas or EV charging, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi card can a great option. Just remember that your rewards will only become available to you once per year, and that you'll have to visit a brick-and-mortar Costco store to get your cash back or to cash in your rewards for merchandise.

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."

How to Pick the Best Credit Card for Online Shopping

The best credit cards for online shoppers earn at least 3% back on retail purchases. But they typically earn these rewards at the expense of bonus points on other expenses, or require careful legwork to maximize earning potential.

People who value simple rewards may do best with flat-rate cash back credit cards, which earn the same amount on every expense. You'll leave one or two percentage points behind on some purchases, but make up that difference on other transaction categories. Some of our favorite credit cards for flat-rate cash back or cash rewards include the Citi® Double Cash Card , the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

Our guide to the pros and cons of cash-back credit cards can help you decide what type of card best fits your lifestyle.

Pro tip: If you purchase a lot of online products and services for your business, our guide to the best cash back business cards can help you maximize rewards while keeping professional and personal expenses separate.

Spending Limits on Online Shopping Bonus Rewards

Most of the best credit cards for online shopping limit how much you can earn in bonus rewards within a given timeframe. For example, the Discover it Cash Back and Chase Freedom Flex each limit 5% bonus rewards to the first $1,500 spent on all eligible rotating categories each quarter after activation, while the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card caps bonus-category rewards after the first $2,500 spent per quarter.

These caps still represent a lot of money on which to earn bonus rewards — up to $6,000 or $10,000 a year, depending on the card in question. But it's worth paying attention before you make a big purchase to ensure you won't exceed the bonus qualification amount, because you'll typically earn just 1% per dollar spent beyond the bonus

When to Get a Store Credit Card

We typically recommend avoiding most retailer-issued credit cards because of major store credit card drawbacks such as sky-high interest rates, even compared against standard credit cards.

Of course, some exceptions apply. We wrote a guide to popular retail card options like the Home Depot credit card and the Best Buy credit card, both of which offer better-than-average benefits for loyal shoppers. And this guide highlights cards from mega-retailers like Amazon, Target, and Costco that offer up to 5% cash back and member-exclusive perks.

As a general rule, you may want to consider a store credit card if it offers at least 5% cash back or discounts on regular expenses, and if you plan to pay off your balance in full each month to avoid high rates of interest. If you're trying to cut back on spending or prefer to focus on simpler rewards, a general rewards credit card will be a better fit for you.

Benefits and Features of the Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping

The best credit card for online shopping also depends on the type of rewards you like to earn, as well as any card-linked discounts or offers available to you. For example, personalized Amex Offers can save you hundreds of dollars on top of the rewards you'd earn from the right credit card for online shopping.

If you're buying something large or expensive, such as a kitchen appliance or a new TV, make sure your credit card also offers valuable benefits such as extended warranties and purchase protection.

Here are some considerations to keep in mind as you research the best credit card for online shopping:

Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty

The credit cards listed in this guide offer generous rewards for online purchases. But the best one for you should also protect your investment, so check whether your card of choice comes with consumer benefits such as Chase purchase protection or Amex purchase protection, as well as extended warranty coverage.

Purchase protection can replace or repair an item that is damaged or stolen within a specific length of time, usually up to 90 days. Meanwhile, credit cards that offer extended warranties can add an additional year of warranty protection or longer on TVs, computers, and similar big-ticket items that come with a manufacturer's warranty.

Cards at every price point offer purchase protection and extended warranty, from the no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Flex® to premium options like The Platinum Card® from American Express with a $695 annual fee.

Some cards have an annual or lifetime reimbursement cap for claims, so make sure you haven't maxed out your card's claim allowance before making a big purchase.

Welcome Bonus

Credit card welcome bonuses make your first year of card membership extra sweet, especially if you had to spend money anyway. Our guide to the best current credit card welcome bonuses can help you make the most of an impending purchase or spending period to earn additional points or cash back.

0% Intro APR Offers

We always recommend consumers avoid carrying a credit card balance if possible. But if you need to float a balance for a set amount of time, the best zero-interest credit cards can help you pay off what you owe over time without incurring expensive interest.

The Chase Freedom Flex, for example, boasts 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, followed by a 18.99% - 28.49% Variable APR.

How to Maximize Rewards When Shopping Online

In addition to paying with the right credit card, maximize your online shopping potential with these expert strategies.

Use an Online Shopping Portal

Whenever you shop online, it's worth taking a few extra seconds to go through an online shopping portal to maximize rewards before you click "Pay." Shopping portal bonuses stack on top of the earnings from your rewards credit card for double or even triple rewards.

Airlines and credit card issuers, along with a handful of hotel brands, operate shopping portals that award you bonus loyalty points in their respective programs when you click through from the portal to a retailer's website.

Online shopping portal bonuses change all the time, and not every portal partners with the same retailers. Before you shop through your favorite retailer's website, use a credit card reward tracking tool like Cashback Monitor or Evreward to compare the best shopping portal returns for earning points, miles, or cash back.

Once you've decided which shopping portal you want to use, make sure you're logged into your associated loyalty program account, then find the retailer in the portal and click through. This is an easy way to maximize credit card purchases that might otherwise only earn you 1 point per dollar or 1% cash back.

Take Advantage of Bonus Categories and Special Offers

Make sure you're maximizing any bonus categories your card offers, including ones that offer 5% back in rotating categories. These bonus points can add up in a hurry and leave you with a lot more rewards after the holidays have passed.

If you have an American Express card or a Chase card, you could save extra money on your online purchases. Many offers are targeted specifically to your account, and you need to make your purchase with the credit card tied to a given deal to earn the special bonus.

How to Redeem Rewards from Online Shopping

The best online shopping credit cards earn rewards in different ways. Some earn cash back, which is relatively straightforward. Other cards earn travel rewards, or allow you to pool rewards earned on that card with other credit cards from the same issuer family. Yet others earn points that should be redeemed through a specific retailer, such as Costco rewards or Amazon cash back.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed the Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping

In today's world, it's nearly impossible to make a purchase without using the internet. Business Insider's personal finance team evaluated some of the best credit cards for online shopping to help you decide which one is the best fit for your wallet.

Some of the criteria we considered include:

Financial protection — Does this credit card protect your money in the event of fraudulent purchases? Will you be reimbursed for damaged purchases and lost or stolen products? Can you claim compensation if the retailer refuses to accept an eligible return?

Rewards — If you're going to spend some money, you might as well be rewarded for it. Does this card offer fair rewards on your expenditures, whether in the form of cash back or travel rewards?

Read more about how we rate credit cards at Business Insider.

FAQs

What are the main benefits of credit cards for online shopping?

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The main benefit of a strong credit card for online shopping is high rewards on internet purchases. The best online shopping credit cards may also offer exclusive discounts, free shipping, special financing options, or similar benefits. Many also provide purchase protection, extended warranties, and other perks that enhance the online shopping experience.

What are the current best credit cards for online shopping?

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The best credit cards for online shopping right now include the Prime Visa for people who shop a lot through Amazon Prime, and the Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card for people who want to use a single credit card for all purchases. Each card offers unique features and benefits that cater to different online shopping needs and preferences.

Is it best to use a credit card instead of a debit card when shopping online?

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It's better to use a credit card instead of a debit card when shopping online because credit cards aren't linked directly to your bank account. This makes fraud prevention significantly easier for banks to track on your behalf. But you'll need to watch out for overspending, since high credit limits can tempt you to purchase more than you can responsibly afford.

How does credit card purchase protection work?

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Credit card purchase protection works by repairing, replacing, or reimbursing your eligible product if it's lost, stolen, broken, or defective within a certain period of time. Most cards and issuers have different criteria for qualification: You may be limited to a certain number of claims or dollar amount per year, or can only claim purchase protection on certain types of purchases.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

***Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details. Travel Accident Insurance is not guaranteed, it depends on the level of benefits you get at application.

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

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