The average online shopper in the U.S. spends over $5,300 annually, according to a study by Insider Intelligence, so if you're not using the right credit card for your purchases, you're potentially missing out on valuable rewards and protections.
There is no "right" credit card for every situation, but there are better cards for certain categories of online shopping. One card may earn bonus points, miles or cash back at a specific retailer like Amazon, while another may earn extra rewards for food delivery. It's also important to consider a card's built-in coverages like purchase protection and extended warranty, especially when making larger purchases.
To help you make the best decision and maximize your purchases, CNBC Select has the details on the best credit cards for online shopping. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best cards.)
Best credit cards for online shopping
- Best for cash back:Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- Best for delivery and takeout:American Express® Gold Card
- Best for purchase protections:Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Best forflexible bonus category:Citi Custom Cash® Card
- Best for small businesses: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
- Best for Amazon:Prime Visa (See rates and fees)
Best for cash back
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express has no annual fee and earns bonus rewards on a wide range of common expenditures.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- 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, 20.24% 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.
- 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.
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars
Who's this for? The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is ideal for anyone who wants to earn cash back for their online shopping. It earns 3% back on U.S. online retail purchases on up to $6,000 in purchases per year (then 1%). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit. Plus, it provides a special financing offer for purchases and balance transfers with a 0% intro APR for the first 15 months from the date of account opening (20.24%-29.24% variable APR afterward; see rates and fees).
The Blue Cash Everyday also has potentially valuable benefits for streaming and meal delivery services. Cardmembers can get up to $180 in Home Chef credit ($15 back a month; subject to auto renewal & enrollment required) and up to $84 in Disney Bundle credit ($7 back a month in the form of a statement credit) after spending $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal &enrollment required). In addition, this card comes with purchase protection*, which covers eligible purchases for damage or theft for up to 90 days. Terms apply.
Best for delivery and takeout
The American Express Gold Card is great for earning valuable Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That's up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made at restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- 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.
- See Rates & Fees
Foreign transaction fee
None
Who's this for? If you like taking out or getting your food delivered, you'll love the American Express Gold Card. It earns a generous 4X Amex Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X), which includes delivery and takeout in the U.S.
In addition to the bonus points, the American Express Gold card offers useful monthly credits you can use on food delivery apps. Cardmembers get up to $120 in dining credits each year (up to $10 in statement credits monthly), at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys (enrollment required). The card also provides up to $120 in annual Uber Cash (up to $10 per month) that can be used for Uber Eats orders (you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Gold Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account. The Amex Benefit may only be used in the United States; enrollment required). An Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
The best way to use Amex Membership Rewards points is usually to transfer them to an airline or hotel partner, but you can also redeem them for gift cards, cash back and other rewards. To use the American Express Gold card's monthly dining credits, simply make an eligible purchase and the statement credit should automatically post to your account within 6 to 8 weeks. The Uber Cash is automatically deposited into your Uber account each month once you link your Amex Gold card.
Best for purchase protections
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a standout premium credit card with plenty of luxury perks and statement credits to justify its annual fee.
Highlights
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase TravelSM. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority PassTM Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater
Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a premium credit card loaded with benefits, including just about every type of purchase protection you could want. Purchases made with the card can qualify for the following:
- Purchase protection: Eligible purchases are covered for 120 days from the date of purchase against theft, damage or loss for up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year.
- Return protection: Eligible items the retailer will not allow you to return are covered for 90 days from the date or purchase for up to $500 per item and up to $1,000 per year.
- Extended warranty: Get one additional year of protection on original warranties that provide coverage for three years or less. Covers up to a maximum of $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
To take advantage of this card's extended warranty or return protection, you can file a claim at this site. For purchase protection, you can open a new claim here.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a $550 annual fee, but it can be offset by perks like a $300 annual travel credit and access to over 1,300 airport lounges with a Priority Pass Select membership. Chase Ultimate Rewards® points can be redeemed for cash back, travel booked through the Chase travel portal or transferred to various hotel and airline partners.
Best for flexible bonus category
The Citi Custom Cash® Card is an especially simple and rewarding cash-back card because you'll automatically earn bonus rewards where you spend the most.
Rewards
- Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter.
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026.
Balance transfer fee
5% of each balance transfer ($5 minimum)
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Who's this for? The Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5% cash back on purchases in the category you spend the most in each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent (then 1%). The categories are:
- Gas stations
- Restaurants
- Grocery stores
- Select travel
- Select transit
- Select streaming services
- Drugstores
- Home improvement stores
- Fitness club
- Live entertainment
What's nice about this card is, the bonus cash automatically applies to the category you spend the most in each month. So you don't have to select the category in advance and hope that's where most of your purchases fall that month. If you buy expensive concert tickets one month and start a home improvement project next month, the 5% bonus cash back will apply to the category where you spent the most without requiring any extra steps.
Pro tip: Although billed as a cash-back card, if you have the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees), you'll be able to transfer your Citi ThankYou® Rewards to any of Citi's 16 airline and hotel partners.
Best for small businesses
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is a great option if you're starting a business because it's affordable, earns flexible travel rewards and offers an intro-APR on purchases for a year.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
- You've got the power to spend beyond your credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power. *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply.
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
Who's this for? Anyone with a side hustle or small business can maximize their everyday spending, including online purchases, withThe Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express. It earns 2X American Express Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 in purchases each year, then 1X. Terms and limitations apply.
Its simple rewards structure allows card members to earn an above-average return without having to track specific spending categories. Plus, it has a $0 annual fee (see rates and fees), which makes it ideal for side hustles, freelancing or anyone just starting a business.
Best for Amazon
The Prime Visa is only available to Amazon Prime members ($139 for an annual membership and $14.99 for a monthly membership) but is very rewarding for Amazon purchases.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- 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
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Who's this for? If you want to make the most of your Amazon purchases,the Prime Visa is the way to go. It earns 5% cash back on purchases with Amazon and Whole Foods.
This card also has limited-time offers to earn 10% back on rotating categories or select items. And on Prime Day, you'll usually be able to earn 6% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods. The Prime Visa also comes with purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.
While this card has a $0 annual fee, you do need to be an Amazon Prime member to be eligible for the card.
FAQs
Should I use a credit card or debit card for online shopping?
There are advantages to using a credit card, as opposed to a debit card, for online shopping. You'll typically earn better rewards and have better protections compared to using a debit card or prepaid card.
What credit card is the best for online shopping protection?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve has return protection, purchase protection and extended warranty coverage. Plus, its coverages have higher limits or longer coverage periods than many other cards with these types of benefits.
What is the best credit card to use for online purchases?
The best credit card for online shopping is the one that earns the type of rewards you prefer and aligns with your spending habits.
Bottom line
Whenever shopping online, make sure you use a credit card that will get you the best return on your purchases and offers important purchase protections. Whether you want to earn cash back, points or miles, there's a credit card for you.
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Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best credit cards for online shopping.
Our methodology
To determine which cards are best for online shopping, CNBC Select analyzed over 230 of the most popular credit cards available in the U.S. We compared each card on a range of features, including: rewards, welcome bonus, introductory and standard APR, balance transfer fee and foreign transaction fees, as well as factors such as required credit and customer reviews when available. We also considered additional perks, the application process and how easy it is for the consumer to redeem points.
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* 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 rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
