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Online shopping has evolved in recent years, with more and more consumers turning to the internet to purchase everything from clothing to groceries. With the right credit card, you can maximize your rewards and earn more cash back or earn points that can go towards other perks such as travel.
While online shopping offers convenience and a wide selection of products, it also presents some risks, particularly when it comes to credit card security. That's why you can’t be too careful with where you shop or what you use to make a purchase. Below we'll explore the best credit cards for online shopping and dive into the features that make them stand out.
The Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work Read the review
- APR19.74% - 28.49% (Variable)
- Annual Fee$0
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1.5%
1.5%Extra Cash Back
Earn 1.5% bonus cash back (up to $20,000 in purchases) during your first year. Worth up to $300 in cash back.
We like that the card offers a high flat rewards rate but also provides accelerated rewards on some common everyday spending categories. You’ll also get access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel portal, which allows you to use your cash-back earnings for travel rewards, gift cards and more. If you make this your primary card for most purchases you can quickly rack up a lot of rewards.
Overview
The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is unique for a couple of reasons. First, it comes with purchase protection and extended warranty protection you don’t see with some other cash-back cards. Second, you earn cash back in the form of points (Chase Ultimate Rewards) and when paired with another annual-fee earning Chase product, you can get even more value if you love to travel by transferring to partners.
That’s because while the Freedom cards are marketed as cash-back credit cards, they actually offer points. You can use those points to book travel through Chase at a rate of 1 cent per point. But if you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you’ll get 25% and 50% more value on those travel redemptions, respectively. (Plus, the ability to transfer your points, too.)
Pros
- No category bonuses to remember; earn at least 1.5% back on everything
- No annual fee
- Generous travel and purchase protection benefits
Cons
- Can't transfer Chase points unless paired with another annual-fee Chase product
Why we chose it:
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers a simple and practical cash back structure, making it a great choice for those who want consistent rewards without the hassle of tracking too many categories.
Shopping benefits:
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no cap
- 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3% cash back on dining, including eligible delivery services
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases, followed by a 19.74% - 28.49% (Variable) APR after based on your creditworthiness
Drawbacks: No bonus rewards for specific shopping categories.
Best for: Those who prefer a straightforward cash back program with no need to track categories.
Citi® Double Cash Card
- Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work Read the review
- APR18.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
- Annual Fee$0
The Citi® Double Cash Card, from our partner Citi, is among the top cards on the market for general spending. Forget the cards that offer 1% and 1.5% cash back. The Citi Double Cash Card offers you a whopping 2% cash back for all spending. Earn 1% back when you make a purchase and 1% back when you pay your account balance.
Overview
The Citi Double Cash Card, from our partner Citi, offers attractive and uncomplicated cash back for people who value a flexible credit card reward program. The Citi Double Cash Card gives you the chance to earn 2% cash back on your purchases. You can receive 1% cash back when you make a purchase and an additional 1% cash back once you pay your bill.
Pros
- No category bonuses to remember, unlimited 2% cash back on everything
- Earns ThankYou Points, which gives the potential to unlock valuable travel rewards
Cons
- Foreign transaction fees are applied
- Limited perks
Why we chose it:
The Citi® Double Cash Card, from our partner Citi, rewards users for both making purchases and paying off their balance, making it a popular choice for responsible credit card users seeking to maximize their cash back rewards.
Shopping benefits:
- 2% cash back (1% cash back on all purchases and additional 1% cash back as you pay off your balance)
- Unlimited cash back with no cap
- No need to track categories
- No annual fee
Drawbacks:
- No intro APR for purchases
- No bonus rewards for specific shopping categories
Best for: Those who consistently pay off their balance and want a straightforward cash back program.
Chase Freedom Flex℠
This product is currently not available via Slickdeals. All information about this product was collected by Slickdeals and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
- Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work Read the review
- APR19.74% - 28.49% (Variable)
- Annual Fee$0
-
$200
$200Cash Bonus
Receive a $200 bonus after you spend $500 in the first three months.
The Chase Freedom Flex card expands on the already lucrative Chase Freedom card. The Freedom Flex also gives cardholders access to Chase Ultimate Rewards, which is arguably the most versatile rewards platform, and you’ll get plenty of redemption options at good rates. Plus, if you have one of the program’s travel cards, you can transfer points from your Freedom Flex to your travel card account and get even more value and flexibility with how you redeem.
Overview
Getting more in cash back is a clear win for anyone who is considering the Freedom Flex card. This card is ideal for anyone who want to maximize cash-back rewards with the option to get more value with travel redemptions.
Pros
- Generous earnings on select rotating categories each quarter
- Cellphone and trip insurance coverage
- No annual fee
- Ability to convert rewards to transferable Ultimate Rewards points
Cons
- Can't transfer Chase points to travel partners unless paired with select products
Why we chose it:
Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers a versatile rewards structure that makes it easy to earn cash back on a variety of online and offline purchases.
Shopping benefits:
- 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (such as online shopping, streaming services, or groceries) up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter
- 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- No annual fee
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases followed by a 19.74% - 28.49% (Variable) APR based on creditworthiness
Drawbacks:
- Requires activation to earn 5% cash back on quarterly categories
- Cash back on rotating categories is limited to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter
Best for: Those who are willing to track and activate rotating categories to maximize rewards.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- Our Rating 4.0/5 How our ratings work Read the review
- APR 19.99%, 24.99%, or 29.99% (Variable)
- Annual Fee$0
-
$200
$200Cash Bonus
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 within the first three months of account opening
If you’re a fan of earning cash rewards for your everyday spending, you need a credit card that rewards you for purchases outside of popular bonus categories like travel, grocery stores and gas stations. With the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (Rates and Fees), you earn 2% back for every dollar spent without the fuss of tracking specific bonus categories.
Overview
While many rewards credit cards tempt you with bonus rewards for specific purchases, these cards invariably offer a mere 1% rewards rate on the vast majority of charges that don’t qualify for a bonus. And with many of these cards, the amount of purchases that are eligible for your bonus is capped, restricting the overall potential value.
But with the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, you simply receive a high level of cash rewards on purchases. There’s no need to register for anything, and there are no limits on the amount of cash rewards you can earn.
Pros
- Earn an unlimited 2% cash back on every single purchase
- No annual fee
- Automatic cellphone protection when you pay your monthly bill with the card
Cons
- Points don't transfer to travel partners unlike other card currencies
- No bonus earning categories
Why we chose it:
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers a competitive, flat cash back rate on all purchases, making it ideal for those seeking simplicity in their rewards program.
Shopping benefits:
- 2% cash back on all purchases, with no cap
- No annual fee
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers followed by a 19.99%, 24.99%, or 29.99% (Variable) APR based on creditworthiness
Drawbacks:
- No bonus rewards for specific shopping categories
Best for: Those who prefer a simple, flat cash back rate without the need to track categories.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
Why we chose it:
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card is a fantastic choice for frequent Amazon shoppers because of its exclusive rewards and benefits for Amazon purchases.
Shopping benefits:
- 5% cash back on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market purchases for Prime members
- 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
Drawbacks:
- Limited rewards value outside of Amazon and Whole Foods Market
- Requires an Amazon Prime membership for the best rewards
Best for: Amazon Prime members who frequently shop on Amazon and at Whole Foods Market.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- Our Rating 4/5 How our ratings work Read the review
- APR18.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
- Annual Fee$0
-
$200
$200Cash Bonus
Earn $200 Back After you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. You will receive the $200 back in the form of a statement credit.
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers good value among cash back rewards card competitors. Between its competitive grocery rewards rate and welcome offer, it’s easy to extract a lot of value from this card.
Overview
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers good value among cash back rewards card competitors with no annual fee. With a competitive grocery rewards rate and welcome offer, it’s easy to get a lot of value from this card. If you want to earn cash back on everyday purchases but can’t justify a more premium card with an annual fee, this card might be a good choice.
Pros
- Earn cash back on valuable everyday spending categories
- No annual fee to worry about
Cons
- Not ideal for high spenders as 3% cash back is capped at $6,000 per year
- Bonus categories are not for everyone
Why we chose it:
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is ideal for those who want to earn cash back on everyday expenses, including online shopping.
Shopping benefits:
- 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%)
- 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%)
- 3% cash back on gas at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%)
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- No annual fee
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases, followed by a 18.99% - 29.99% (Variable) APR based on creditworthiness
- Complimentary ShopRunner membership, which offers free 2-day shipping at 100+ online stores. Enrollment required.
Drawbacks: Rewards rates may be lower than other cards for non-grocery purchases.
Best for: Those who spend a significant amount on online retail shopping and groceries that want rewards for everyday spending.
10 Best Features Online Shopping Credit Cards Should Have
Fraud protection and rewards come in at the top when comparing credit cards specifically for online shopping. But there are some additional features as well. Let’s look at them all individually.
1. Fraud Protection
Out of the gate, fraud protection should be a number one priority. With the rise of online shopping, cybercriminals have become more sophisticated, making it easier for them to steal credit card information and make unauthorized purchases.
A credit card with robust fraud protection measures can help protect you from these risks. Look for a credit card that offers features such as zero-liability protection, fraud monitoring, and alerts for suspicious activity.
2. Rewards Program
iStock
Shopping online (like shopping anywhere else) can be an opportunity to earn rewards points or cash back on your purchases. Many credit cards offer rewards programs that provide bonus points or cash back for spending in certain categories, including online shopping.
Look for a credit card with a rewards program that aligns with your spending habits and offers high rewards for online purchases.
Quick Tip
Check inside your credit card app for monthly incentives such as high cash back at certain online stores. For instance, Chase offers different cash back incentives for select vendors each month unique to their cardholders.
3. Low Interest Rates
If you plan to carry a balance on your credit card, a low-interest rate is essential to avoid high fees and charges. Look for a credit card with a low APR, or annual percentage rate, to keep your costs low.
Keep in mind that interest rates can vary based on your credit score and other factors, so make sure to shop around and compare different credit cards before making a decision.
For even more purchasing power, look for a 0% APR introductory offer. Here you can have the option to carry a balance without the additional cost of interest. Just remember to pay off the balance before the intro period ends.
4. Flexible Payment Options
Some credit cards offer payment plans that allow you to pay off large purchases over time with low or no interest rates (also known as BNPL). This can be useful for larger online purchases, such as furniture or electronics.
Look for a credit card with flexible payment options that fit your budget and allow you to make large purchases without worrying about high-interest charges.
5. Virtual Credit Card Numbers
Virtual credit card numbers are unique, one-time-use numbers that can be used for online shopping. They can help protect your real credit card information from fraudsters and hackers, reducing the risk of unauthorized purchases.
Some credit cards offer virtual credit card numbers as a feature, so be sure to look for this option when choosing a credit card for online shopping.
6. Purchase Protection
Purchase protection is another important feature to consider when shopping online. Look for a credit card that offers coverage for damaged or stolen items purchased with the card.
Think of this like an additional safety net that can provide peace of mind. If an item you purchase is damaged or stolen, you may be able to file a claim with your credit card issuer and receive reimbursement for the cost of the item.
Quick Tip
In general, purchase protection covers items that are damaged or stolen within a certain timeframe after purchase, typically 90-120 days. Some credit cards may also have limits on the amount of coverage, so make sure to check your credit card’s policy.
7. Extended Warranty
Many credit cards offer extended warranty coverage for eligible purchases made with the card. This can be useful for expensive items such as electronics or jewelry, providing additional coverage beyond the manufacturer's warranty.
Typically, an extended warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship beyond the original manufacturer's warranty period.
Extended warranty coverage does not cover shipping mishaps or accidental damage. If you purchase an item online and it is damaged during shipping, you may need to file a claim with the shipping company or the online retailer, depending on their policies.
8. No Foreign Transaction Fees
If you plan to shop online from international websites, a credit card with no foreign transaction fees can save you money on currency conversion charges. Be on the lookout for a credit card that doesn't charge fees for foreign transactions to help you save money on your purchases.
9. Easy Redemption Process
Rewards points and cash back earned through credit card rewards programs are only valuable if you can redeem them easily. Opt for a credit card with an easy and straightforward rewards redemption process. This can make it easier to use your rewards and get the most value from them.
10. Secure Online Account Management
The value of security and privacy cannot be overstated. Look for a credit card issuer with secure online account management features that allow you to monitor your account and track your spending online.
This can help you keep your credit card information secure and prevent fraud. Make sure to choose a credit card issuer that uses encryption to protect your information when you access your account online.
7 Tips for Safe Online Shopping
Amazon
Choosing the right credit card is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to safe online shopping. Here are some additional tips to help you protect yourself when shopping online:
- Shop only on secure websites: Follow best practices for safe online shopping, such as shopping on secure websites, using strong passwords, and monitoring your accounts regularly.
- Use strong passwords: Choose a strong, unique password for each website you shop on and avoid using the same password for multiple sites.
- Use two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication provides an additional layer of security when logging in to a website. Consider using it when available.
- Keep your computer and software up-to-date: Regularly update your computer and software to ensure that you have the latest security features and protections.
- Monitor your accounts: Keep an eye on your credit card and bank accounts to spot any suspicious activity.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi: Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks when shopping online, as they may not be secure.
- Be cautious with emails and links: Don't click on links in emails from unfamiliar sources, as they may be phishing attempts to steal your personal information.
FAQs
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Credit cards are generally better for online purchases than debit cards because they offer stronger fraud protection, purchase protection, and the opportunity to earn rewards.
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Benefits of using a credit card to shop online include earning rewards, better fraud protection, purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and access to exclusive discounts and promotions.
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The best features for online shopping include the ability to earn rewards, flexible redemption options, strong fraud protection, and free shipping perks.
Ashlyn Brooks
Ashlyn Brooks is a financial writer and former civil engineer. She's on a mission to show others how to save and spend smarter through purposeful money habits. Her work has been featured on Investor.com, HerMoney.com, MoneyGeek and QuickBooks
