Best credit cards for online shopping

Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping

ByAbby Hayes Last Updated:

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Allcards. Commissions do not affect our authors’ or editors’ opinions or evaluations. From our partners: See our advertiser disclosure here.

If you’re anything like me, your porch gets flooded with Amazon boxes and bags from OldNavy.com on a fairly regular basis. Since we almost exclusively grocery shop at Aldi, where we can’t get things like the cat food and kitty litter we prefer, we buy a lot of essentials on Amazon. And I do almost all of my clothes shopping for myself and my kids online. It just makes my life a little easier.

You may already know that shopping with a credit card is safer online. Credit cards have stronger fraud protection, so you can’t be held liable for charges you don’t authorize. Debit cards aren’t required to have this same level of protection (though some do). In short, it’s a good idea to use a credit card rather than a debit card if you’re going to shop online. Below you’ll find the best credit cards for online shopping.

Here are our favorite options to check out:

Overview of the Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping

Credit Card

Online Shopping Rewards

Annual Fee

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

Up to 5% cash back

$0

U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card

Up to 6% cash back

$0 for the first year, then $95

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Up to 3% cash back (Terms Apply)

$0

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Up to 3% cash back

$0

Amazon Visa

3% cash back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market

$0

Prime Visa

5% cash back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market

$0

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

2% cash back

$0

Citi® Double Cash Card

Up to 2% cash back

$0

Target Circle™ RedCard

5% off at Target and Target.com

$0

Best Credit Cards or Online Shopping

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature
Learn More

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

Bonus Offer

$200 bonus

Est. Value

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

18.99% to 29.24% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good to Excellent 670 – 850

Online Shopping Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose. Categories include department stores, select clothing stores, electronic stores, sporting goods stores, and more.

The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card pays 5% cash back on two categories you choose up to $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter. If you shop online at department stores or electronic stores, for example, you can earn up to 5% on those purchases. Be sure to choose your 5% categories each quarter otherwise, you’ll earn just 1% on those purchases. See U.S. Bank Cash+ merchants for a complete list of eligible stores.

If you need to make a big purchase, there’s also a 0% introductory APR offer for purchases for 15 billing cycles

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
1% cash back on all other purchases
2% cash back
Rotating Categories
2% cash back on one everyday category, like Gas Stations and EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants
5% cash back
Rotating Categories
5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose
5% cash back
Airfare
5% cash back on prepaid air booked directly in the Rewards Center
5% cash back
Hotels
5% cash back on prepaid hotels booked directly in the Rewards Center
5% cash back
Rental Cars
5% cash back on prepaid car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No annual fee
  • Up to 5% cash back

Cons

  • High APR
  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Requires good credit

U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card

U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards
Learn More

U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card

Bonus Offer

$250

Est. Value

$250

Annual Fee

$0 for the first year, then $95

APR

19.24% – 29.24% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good to Excellent 670 – 850

Online Shopping Rewards: Earn 6% cash back on two retailers you choose, up to $1,500 in combined eligible purchases each quarter.

The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card pays up to 6% cash back on the two retailers you choose. There’s a cap of $1,500 in combined eligible purchases each quarter. Stores like Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, Disney, and Best Buy are included (retailers subject to change). You can see a full list of the retailers here. There is an annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $95. But reaching the cap for even one quarter is enough to earn back nearly the entire annual fee.

1.5% cash back
All eligible purchases
Earn 1.5% cash back on all other eligible purchases
3% cash back
Select Categories
Earn 3% cash back on your first $1,500 in eligible purchases each quarter on your choice of one everyday category (like wholesale clubs, gas and EV charging stations, bills and utilities)
5.5% cash back
Hotels
Earn 5.5% cash back on prepaid hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Travel Rewards Center.
5.5% cash back
Rental Cars
Earn 5.5% cash back on prepaid hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Travel Rewards Center.
6% cash back
Select Categories
Earn 6% cash back on two retailers you choose, up to $1,500 in combined eligible purchases each quarter.

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • Up to 6% cash back

Cons

  • Annual fee
  • High APR
  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Requires good credit

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Learn More

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Welcome Offer (Terms Apply)

Earn a $200 statement credit

Est. Value

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

18.74% – 29.74% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good, Excellent

Online Shopping Rewards: Earn 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. The cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or on Amazon.com at checkout.

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express pays 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases. There is a cap of $6,000 per year and then you’ll earn 1% cash back on those purchases. There is also a 0% introductory APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months and a $0 annual fee.

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
1% cash back on all other purchases.
3% cash back
U.S. supermarkets
3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
3% cash back
Select Categories
3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
3% cash back
Gas
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • Up to 3% cash back
  • $0 annual fee

Cons

  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Requires good credit

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Learn More

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Bonus Offer

$200

Est. Value

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

18.74% to 28.74% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good to Excellent 670 – 850

Online Shopping Rewards: Get 3% cash back in the category of your choice including online shopping; gas and EV charging stations; cable, internet, phone plans and streaming; dining; travel; drug stores and pharmacies; or home improvement and furnishings.

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card pays 3% cash back in the category you choose including online shopping. But there is a limit of $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the 3% and 2% cash back categories. When you reach the limit, you’ll earn 1% cash back in those categories. There’s also a 0% introductory APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months and a $0 annual fee.

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
1% cash back on all other purchases
2% cash back
U.S. supermarkets
2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. Earn 3% 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.
3% cash back
Select Categories
Get 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas and EV charging stations; online shopping, including cable, internet, phone plans and streaming; dining; travel; drug stores and pharmacies; or home improvement and furnishings. Earn 3% 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.

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No annual fee
  • up to 3% cash back

Cons

  • High APR
  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Requires good credit
  • Spending cap

Amazon Visa

Learn More

Amazon Visa

Bonus Offer

$50

Est. Value

$50

Annual Fee

$0

APR

19.24% to 27.24% variable APR Variable

Credit Req’d

Good to Excellent 670 – 850

Online Shopping Rewards: Pays 3% cash back on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market.

The Amazon Visa pays 3% cash back on Amazon.com and Amazon Fresh purchases. If you regularly shop on Amazon but are not an Amazon Prime member, this could be the right card for you.

This card also has a $0 annual fee. The easiest way to redeem your rewards is on Amazon products at checkout. You can redeem these in any amount when you’re checking out on Amazon. You can also cash in points for cash through an electronic deposit or statement credit, but not until you get to 2,000 points.

All information about Amazon Visa has been collected independently by allCards.com. Amazon Visa is no longer available through allCards.com.

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
Earn 1% back on all other purchases.
2% cash back
Dining
Earn 2% back at restaurants.
2% cash back
Gas
Earn 2% back at gas stations.
2% cash back
Transit
Earn 2% back on local transit and commuting (including rideshare).
3% cash back
Select Categories
Earn 3% back at Amazon.com and Amazon Fresh.
3% cash back
Select Categories
Earn 3% back at Whole Foods Market.
3% cash back
Travel
Earn 3% back on Chase Travel(SM) purchases.

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Up to 3% cash back

Cons

  • High APR
  • Requires good credit

Prime Visa

Learn More

Prime Visa

Bonus Offer

Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card

Est. Value

$150

Annual Fee

$0

APR

20.49% – 29.24% Variable

Credit Req’d

Online Shopping Rewards: Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership. Eligible Prime cardmembers earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com.

The Prime Visa is for anyone who has an Amazon Prime membership. It has similar perks as the Amazon Visa but it offers a whopping 5% cash back on all Amazon purchases and purchases at Whole Foods Market. There’s a $0 annual fee for this card but you have to maintain an eligible Amazon Prime membership.

All information about Prime Visa has been collected independently by allCards.com. Prime Visa is no longer available through allCards.com.

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

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Up to 5% cash back

Cons

  • High APR
  • Need a Prime membership to get the best rewards

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Wells Fargo Active Cash
Learn More

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Bonus Offer

Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus

Est. Value

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

19.74%, 24.74% or 29.74% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good to Excellent 670 – 850

Online Shopping Rewards: Earn 2% cash back on purchases including online shopping.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card pays 2% on purchases. If you don’t want to carry multiple cards, this is a great one to earn elevated cash back on all your purchases. There’s also 0% intro APR for the first12 months from account opening if you need to make a big purchase and a $0 annual fee.

2% cash back
All eligible purchases
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No annual fee
  • 2% cash back

Cons

  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Requires good credit

Citi® Double Cash Card

Citi Double Cash
Learn More

Citi Custom Cash® Card

Bonus Offer

Earn $200 cash back

Est. Value

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

18.74% – 28.74%, Variable

Credit Req’d

Good to Excellent 670 – 850

Online Shopping Rewards: Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.

The Citi® Double Cash Card pays 2% cash back on every purchase including those you make online. You’ll earn 1% cash back when you make a purchase and 1% when you pay for the purchase. If you shop online at more stores than Amazon and hate rotating categories, the Citi® Double Cash Card could be your best friend when it comes to shopping online. It also has a $0 annual fee. While 2% cash back may not seem like a lot, since it covers all your purchases, it’s hard to beat.

2% cash back
All eligible purchases
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.

Pros

  • Welcome offer
  • No annual fee
  • Up to 2% cash back

Cons

  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Requires good credit

Target Circle™ RedCard

Target Redcard
Learn More

Target Circle™ RedCard

Bonus Offer

$50

Est. Value

$50

Annual Fee

$0

APR

29.95% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good 670 – 739

Online Shopping Rewards: Get 5% off at Target and Target.com.

The Target Circle™ RedCard is the card for you if you shop at Target. You get a 5% discount on every purchase at Target and Target.com and there’s a $0 annual fee. You also qualify for free two-day shipping and a longer return window. You’ll either be approved for a store credit card or a Target Mastercard. The Mastercard offers additional rewards including 2% cash back on dining and gas.

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
Earn 1% everywhere else outside of Target. Only for guests approved for a Target Mastercard.
2% cash back
Dining
Earn 2% on dining purchases. Only for guests approved for a Target Mastercard.
2% cash back
Gas
Earn 2% on gas purchases. Only for guests approved for a Target Mastercard.
5% cash back
All eligible purchases
5% off every day at Target and Target.com

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Free two-day shipping at Target.com
  • 5% off at Target and Target.com

Cons

  • No welcome bonus
  • High APR
  • Requires good credit

What to Look For in Credit Cards for Online Shopping

Here are some of the things we searched for in the cards that we vetted. You might want to use these same criteria when you’re looking for a credit card to use for shopping online:

  • Fraud Protection: The best credit cards these days have a $0 fraud liability clause that lets you off the hook for any fraudulent charges. Since your credit card number is more vulnerable when you use it online, this is a great protection to look for in a credit card for shopping online. Federal restrictions keep fraud protections pretty solid for consumers, but $0 is the best it gets.
  • Elevated Cash Back or Points: You want your card to give you the most cash back or points at the places you frequently shop, whether in-store or online. These cards automatically have good all-around rewards, or they have rotating categories that at least sometimes offer big bonuses for online shopping.
  • Decent Bonuses: If you’re looking for a new credit card, you might as well look for one with a good sign-on bonus. It’s a helpful additional perk if you’re waffling between two options. And extra money in your pocket is always a good thing.

Bottom Line

Lastly, remember to pay your bill in full each month. There’s no point in earning rewards for your online shopping if you have to pay interest on your purchases.

Each of these cards is a great option for shopping online. The key is to find the card that best suits your needs and spending patterns so that you can get the cash back rewards that are highest for you.

Abby is a freelance journalist who writes on everything from personal finance to health and wellness. She spends her spare time bargain hunting and meal planning for her family of three. She has a B.A. in English Literature from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, and lives with her husband and children in Indianapolis.