What makes a credit card great for online shopping?
January 15, 2026
While online shopping has become a huge part of most people's everyday lives, not all credit cards are equal when it comes to getting the most out of those purchases. Some cards can help you enjoy flexible rewards, cash back rewards, or even extra perks like intro APR offers, purchase protection, and extended warranties. Others may offer little more than a way to pay for your purchases.
These are everyday purchases you’re likely making already. Using the right card simply turns them into savings.
Pro Tip: Use your card’s virtual card
number for safer online checkout and track spending in digital wallet apps. While online shopping is
generally secure, staying aware of how Credit Card Skimming and digital fraud are evolving can help you protect
your primary account information.
Explore our best Cash
Back Credit cards
Key Card Details
Annual Fee: $0
Welcome Bonus: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
Rewards: Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
Caps / Activation Rules: None.
Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
Key Protections: Purchase protection, fraud monitoring, digital wallet compatibility.
Drawbacks: No bonus categories for elevated online shopping rewards.
Why it's good for online
shopping:
The Active Cash® card is ideal for shoppers who want simple, flat rewards. You
earn 2% back on every online purchase without tracking categories, making it effortless to earn steady
value year-round.
Key Card Details
Annual Fee: $0
Welcome Bonus: $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Rewards: Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice. You’ll automatically earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category. Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.
Caps / Activation Rules: 6%/2% rewards capped at $2,500 quarterly for choice category.
Intro APR: 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 17.49% - 27.49% 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 5%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
Key Protections: Digital wallets, fraud protection, purchase security.
Drawbacks: Quarterly cap limits earnings for high spenders.
Why it's good for online
shopping:
You can choose “Online Shopping” as your 3% category—making this card
customizable to your digital buying habits.
Key Card Details
Annual Fee: $0
Welcome Bonus: 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
Rewards: Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
Caps / Activation Rules: None.
Intro APR: 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 17.49% - 27.49% 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 5%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
Key Protections: Travel protections, fraud protection.
Drawbacks: No bonus categories.
Why it's good for online
shopping:
You earn the same rewards regardless of where you shop, and points can be used
to erase travel purchases later.
Key Card Details
Annual Fee: $0
Welcome Bonus: Limited Time Offer: Earn a $250 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Rewards: Enjoy 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 1.5% on all other purchases.
Caps / Activation Rules: None.
Intro APR: Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 27.74%.
Key Protections: Purchase protection, extended warranty, fraud monitoring.
Drawbacks: 1.5% base rate is lower than 2% flat-rate cards.
Why it's good for online
shopping:
Freedom Unlimited® shines when paired with Chase Sapphire Preferred®, boosting
point value by up to 50% via travel transfers. If you are deciding between the major ecosystems, comparing Chase vs. Amex can help you determine which rewards currency
offers the most value for your specific travel goals.
Key Card Details
Annual Fee: $0
Welcome Bonus: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Rewards: Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
Caps / Activation Rules: None.
Intro APR: Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
Key Protections: Fraud protection, digital wallets.
Drawbacks: No bonus categories.
Why it's good for online
shopping:
Easy, flat 2% cash back on everything makes this a reliable card for everyday
online purchases.
Credit card rewards enthusiast and travel expert Rachel Lipson of Brooklyn Family Travelers says she focuses most of her efforts on cards that earn transferrable rewards that can turn into airline miles or hotel points with her favorite programs. However, she agrees that cash is still king.
"Sometimes it makes sense to keep things simple and earn cash back," said Lipson. "Because plans change and flexibility matters, I recommend having a card that earns cash back now but can convert to points later if your travel goals change."
Lipson recommends both the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card since they earn a minimum of 1.5% back on every qualifying purchase. And when you pair either one with a Chase travel credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, that cash back becomes transferable points that can be redeemed for travel at a much higher value than cash.
"I try to shop small whenever I can, but as a busy
mom and business owner, I also appreciate the convenience of fast, online shopping. With 5% cash back
at Amazon and Whole Foods, it feels like I’m getting a built-in discount every time I shop,"
she said.
Explore our top Cash Back cards
Credit card experts also have strong opinions when it comes to the best credit cards for online shopping, as well as their own top picks. Credit card rewards expert Kevin Payne, who is also the founder of Family Money Adventure, says one of his favorite cards for online shopping is the Citi Custom Cash® Card.
"It automatically applies 5% to your highest spending category each billing cycle, which makes it an easy way to earn more without managing rotating categories," said Payne.
"Letting the card auto-assign the 5% rate keeps things simple, and I usually redeem the rewards as a statement credit," he said.
Jacob Wade is a rewards credit card user since 2008, a personal finance coach and a YouTube educator at Roadmap Money. When it comes to online shopping, he is a big fan of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express.
"With 3% cash back when online shopping (up to $6,000 in purchases per year), I get a ton of value out of this card each year," he said.
When it comes to picking the right credit card for online shopping, not all cards are created equal. The best cards combine rewards, security and perks to make every purchase more valuable. Here are the key features to look for when comparing all your options.
Many of the best online shopping credit cards entice new applicants with welcome offers that can be worth hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars. These offers promise a big stash of cash back, points or bonus miles if you meet a minimum spending requirement within the first few months.
While credit card welcome offers can be appealing, ongoing rewards rates are just as important. Some cards offer flat-rate cash back or points on every purchase, while others give higher rewards for online shopping, specific retailer purchases or certain categories like electronics, groceries or streaming services.
Introductory APR offers can be a game-changer if you plan to make larger purchases online or carry a balance for a limited time. After all, many cards offer 0% APR for a set period, allowing you to pay off purchases over time without interest.
The best credit cards for online shopping offer additional benefits that make all your purchases safer and more convenient. Common perks include purchase protection, extended warranties, fraud monitoring and virtual card numbers.
Choosing the right credit card for online shopping is about more than just rewards. In fact, the best card for you depends on your spending habits, financial goals and how you manage credit.
The following tips can help you narrow down your
options.
Explore our best credit cards today
Your credit score plays a major role in determining which cards you’ll qualify for, especially since cards with the best rewards and perks require good to excellent credit (FICO scores of 670+).
Some cards offer flat-rate cash back on every purchase, which is simple and straightforward. Others offer category-specific cash back or points that can be redeemed for travel, gift cards or merchandise.
You'll also want to consider additional benefits each card offers beyond rewards. Added perks can include purchase protection, extended warranties, and exclusive online shopping discounts. These are often considered The Secret Perks of Credit Cards because many shoppers forget to file claims when a newly purchased item breaks or is stolen.
While many of the best credit cards for online purchases don't charge an annual fee, some do. If you choose a card that charges annually, make sure the value you get from rewards, perks and protections outweighs the cost of this additional charge.
To pick the cards for this guide, we compared offers based on factors like welcome bonuses, rewards rates and cardholder benefits. We also consulted leading credit card experts for their insights on the best cards for unique consumer types and their spending styles.
Disclosures:
This content is not provided by the issuers. Any opinions expressed are those of BestMoney and/or the authors’ alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuers.
The credit card offers and information presented on this page are current as of the published date. However, credit card terms, including APRs, fees, and promotional offers, are subject to change without notice. Some offers listed may no longer be available or may have expired. Please refer to the issuer's website for the most up-to-date terms and conditions.
Holly Johnson is a money and insurance expert who has covered personal finance, credit cards and insurance for over a decade. She is passionate about explaining the ins and outs of financial products to consumers, and is the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You’ll Love." She lives in Indiana with her husband and children.
