- Credit cards for online shopping deliver rewards based on how and where you spend money over the internet.
- Our top picks for the best credit cards for online shopping include Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, Chase Freedom Unlimited®, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express among others.
- Most online cards reward tangible purchases such as clothes, groceries and travel over intangible purchases like paying bills.
- When choosing an online shopping credit card, compare factors such as annual fees, welcome bonuses and rewards schemes.
- The best credit card is the one that matches your shopping habits, such as a branded card for a favorite retailer or a food delivery service card if you frequently order in.
When you buy something using links found on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. This content is reviewed & supervised by The Los Angeles Times Commerce Team.
On This Page
- Key takeaways
- Our top picks for the best credit cards for online shopping
- Comparing the best credit cards for online shopping
- Best credit cards for online shopping: Editorial reviews
- What is an online shopping credit card?
- Pros and cons of credit cards for online shopping
- Who should get a credit card for internet shopping?
- How to choose the best online shopping credit cards
- How to apply for a credit card for online purchases
- How to stay safe when using a credit card for online shopping
- Online shopping credit card tips
- Alternatives to credit cards for online shopping
- FAQ: Best credit cards for online shopping
On This Page
- Key takeaways
- Our top picks for the best credit cards for online shopping
- Comparing the best credit cards for online shopping
- Best credit cards for online shopping: Editorial reviews
- What is an online shopping credit card?
- Pros and cons of credit cards for online shopping
- Who should get a credit card for internet shopping?
- How to choose the best online shopping credit cards
- How to apply for a credit card for online purchases
- How to stay safe when using a credit card for online shopping
- Online shopping credit card tips
- Alternatives to credit cards for online shopping
- FAQ: Best credit cards for online shopping
Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping for 2024
Reviewed By
Blake Esken - Los Angeles Times
If your idea of a great night in is ordering food online and browsing the latest sales on your favorite shopping apps, it’s time to up your credit card game. In this guide, we look at the best online shopping credit cards to earn points, stack rewards and make money off your online buys.
To help you choose the card that’s right for you, we cover key topics like:
- Our top picks for the best credit cards for online shopping
- What is an online credit card?
- How to choose the best online shopping credit cards
Our top picks for the best credit card for online shopping
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for everyday spending
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for low fees
- DoorDash Rewards Mastercard®: Best for fans of ordering in
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for Chase Travel rewards
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for premium travel rewards
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Best for Hilton loyalists
- American Express® Gold Card: Best for foodies
Our top picks for the best credit cards for online shopping
Advertiser Disclosure
Best for everyday spending
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Up to 3% Reward Rate
Earn 3% cash back on up to $6,000/year spent at U.S. supermarkets (then 1%), 3% back on up to $6,000/year at U.S. gas stations (then 1%), 3% back on up to $6,000/year on online retail purchases (then 1%), and 1% back on all other eligible purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
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Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
$200
Regular APR
19.24% to 29.99% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
With no annual fee and 3% back on purchases at U.S. online retailers (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a solid card for earning rewards on your everyday purchases.
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Card Details
More card info
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months after account opening, then 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
- 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.
- Terms Apply.
Pros
- No annual fee
- 0% APR on eligible purchases for 15 months
- Generous rewards at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations & online shopping
Cons
- Rewards cap on spending at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and online retail purchases
- 2.7% foreign transaction fee
- Low rewards rate outside of bonus categories
Best for low fees
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Up to 6.5% Reward Rate
Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
Up to $300 cash back
Regular APR
20.49%-29.24% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is one of our top picks for online shopping due to its high flat-rate rewards on every purchase and its even higher rate on eligible food delivery services. Cardholders can also access a free 3-month DashPass subscription and 3 months of free Instacart+ with their purchase of an Instacart membership. For people who don’t order food delivery or grocery delivery, this card may not be ideal, but if those are two of your high-spending categories, the Freedom Unlimited card could reward you well for your purchases.
Best for fans of ordering in
DoorDash Rewards Mastercard®
Up to 4% Reward Rate
Earn 4% cash back on DoorDash and Caviar orders, 3% back on dining when purchased directly from a restaurant, 2% back on purchases from grocery stores, online or in person, and 1% back on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
Free Year of DashPass
Regular APR
20.24% - 28.99% Variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
If ordering food through DoorDash is a big part of your life, the DoorDash Rewards Mastercard® could be the ideal card for you. With a generous welcome offer of free DashPass for a year, 4% back on orders through DoorDash and Caviar, and even 2% back on online grocery purchases, this card is great for online ordering. To make it even better, the DoorDash Mastercard has no annual fee, so there’s no pressure to make up for a yearly cost. If you do spend a lot with this card ($10,000 per year), however, you can access additional DashPass benefits.
Best for Chase Travel rewards
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Up to 5X Reward Rate
Earn 5X points on Chase Travel℠ purchases, 3X points on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services, and 1X points on other purchases.
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer
60,000 points
Regular APR
21.49% to 28.49% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
If you love to travel and order your groceries online, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card could be exactly what you need in your life. Or perhaps you’re reading this and already have this card (considering it’s one of the most popular cards in America) and are only now realizing that it earns generous rewards of 3 points per dollar on online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs). The points you earn can be redeemed for 25% more value (1.25 cents) through Chase Travel or 1 cent per point for statement credits, gift cards, or the like.
Best for premium travel rewards
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Up to 5X Reward Rate
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year), 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, and 1X points on other eligible purchases.
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Annual Fee
$695
Welcome Offer
80,000 points
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
The Platinum Card from American Express offers a ton of statement credits that can be used toward certain online purchases, like a $155 per year Walmart+ credit and up to a $240 per year digital entertainment credit.
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Card Details
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- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
- $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- Terms Apply.
Pros
- Excellent rewards rate for travel purchases
- Qualify for $1,500+ in statement credits
- Very generous welcome offer
Cons
- High annual fee of $695
- Many statement credit offers are too specific and hard to use
- Non-travel-perks aren’t spectacular
Best for Hilton loyalists
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Up to 12X Reward Rate
Earn 12X points on eligible purchases made directly with Hilton hotels and resorts, 6X points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. supermarkets, 4X points on U.S. online retail purchases, and 3X points on all other eligible purchases.
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Annual Fee
$150
Welcome Offer
130,000 points + Free Night Reward
Regular APR
20.99% to 29.99% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 4X points on U.S. online retail purchases, so it’s a perfect option for people who like to stay at Hilton and shop online.
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Card Details
More card info
- Get up to $200 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases after you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
- Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors ™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
- Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status through the end of the next calendar year.
- Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club® program is required. Terms apply.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Terms Apply.
Pros
- Automatic Hilton Gold status
- Ability to earn a free night with enough spending
- Up to $200 in Hilton statement credits (up to $50 in statement credits each quarter)
Cons
- Has an annual fee
- High spending requirement for Free Night Award
- Limited redemption options
Best for foodies
American Express® Gold Card
Up to 4X Reward Rate
Earn 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X) and restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, and 1X points on other eligible purchases.
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Annual Fee
$250
Welcome Offer
60,000 points
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
The American Express® Gold Card earns generously on eligible food delivery purchases in the U.S. and comes with generous purchase protection benefits.
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Card Details
More card info
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Terms Apply.
Pros
- Generous welcome offer
- High rewards potential
- Many transfer partners available
Cons
- High annual fee
- Complicated statement credits
- Good or excellent credit recommended
Comparing the best credit cards for online shopping
Card name
Best for
Welcome bonus
Reward rate
Learn more
Best for everyday spending
$200
1%-3% cash back
Best for low fees
Up to $300 cash back
1.5%-6.5% cash back
Best for fans of ordering in
Free Year of DashPass
1%-4% cash back
Best for Chase Travel rewards
60,000 points
1X-5X points
Best for premium travel rewards
80,000 points
1X-5X points
Best for Hilton loyalists
130,000 points + Free Night Reward
3X-12X points
Best for foodies
60,000 points
1X-4X points
What is an online shopping credit card?
Credit cards for online shopping typically offer specific benefits related to internet shopping such as higher rewards and extra purchase protections. Card issuers may have their own concrete definition of what constitutes an online buy, but they usually consider items bought online or through an app run by a card-recognized retailer as an online purchase.
Generally speaking, tangible items such as clothes or new devices are included, and less tangible items like utility bills, credits for app-based games and tax payments are out.
Pros and cons of credit cards for online shopping
Pros
- Stack rewards based on your buying levels
- Credit cards are widely recognized, giving you extended purchasing power
- More protection against fraud
- Regular credit card use can help you repair or build your credit
- Some cards have extra perks, like travel protections and rental car insurance
Cons
- Using a credit card instead of cash can feel less real, resulting in overspending
- Many credit cards have stacked fees and charge high interest rates
- Overspending or falling behind on card payments can harm your credit
Who should get a credit card for internet shopping?
Online shopping credit cards can be beneficial if you’re a big fan of internet-based shopping and want to use your buying power to earn rewards.
Beware of cards with exorbitant fees and know ahead of time that some cards, especially those with attractive rewards schemes, may require good to excellent credit to be approved. But if you’re already shopping online a lot, getting a card specifically for that purpose could pay off.
How to choose the best online shopping credit cards
As you browse the best credit cards to use when online shopping, use these factors to narrow down your choices and pick the option that best suits your needs.
Annual fee
Annual fees for credit cards can range anywhere from $0 to well into triple figures. In most cases, no-annual fee credit cards are the clear winners. However, a card with a high fee can be worth it if the welcome bonus or spend-to-rewards ratios outweigh the annual fee.
Welcome bonus
Welcome bonuses are one-time offers that require you to meet specific terms to earn a predetermined award. For example, your new card may offer $300 cash back if you spend $5,000 within six months. Picking cards with a sign-up bonus can land you some serious free cash, but only if you’re comfortable spending and paying off the required amount on time.
Rewards
As you shop online with your credit card, you earn valuable points. However, not all reward programs are built the same. Some rewards credit cards offer more points for specific retailers, while others might award points for travel or groceries.
How to apply for a credit card for online purchases
You can usually apply for an online shopping credit card online. Most card sponsors offer applications on their own websites, and it takes just minutes to process your application.
To apply:
- Gather your personal information, including your Social Security number, government ID (you may need to upload a copy) and relevant financial information (e.g., your estimated annual salary).
- Fill out the application.
- Upload any requested documentation.
- Wait for a response.
How to stay safe when using a credit card for online shopping
Though online shopping is far safer than it used to be thanks to layered site security and other protections, shopping on the internet still opens you up to certain risks.
To stay safe:
- Don’t use public Wi-Fi. Shopping via a public network exposes you to fraudsters who can copy your credit card number and other personal information.
- Update your security features frequently. Only use devices with the latest security measures installed and update software as patches and upgrades are announced.
- Pick cards with zero-liability fraud protection. This way, if you are scammed, there are still safeguards in place.
- Set up fraud alerts. If your card is stolen or cloned, you’ll be notified ASAP.
- Use credit cards over debit cards. Credit cards frequently offer better fraud protection because the purchase money is borrowed rather than taken straight from your checking account.
Online shopping credit card tips
To get the most out of your credit card when online shopping, follow these expert tips.
Check your credit
To improve your chances of being approved, check your credit score and overall financial health ahead of time. You can do this by pulling your credit report and reading up on what each card looks for in their applicants. Remember, applying for credit can trigger a hard inquiry, which affects your credit score, so apply responsibly.
Be sure about what you’ll use the card for
Don’t get a credit card geared toward online purchases and then use it for eating out. Likewise, don’t use a Walmart card for purchases at Target. You’ll miss out on rewards. Instead, use a generalist card if you aren’t loyal to a single outlet. Alternatively, carry several dedicated cards and use the appropriate one for each spot.
Be careful not to overspend
Credit card purchases are real purchases that cost real money. Only spend what your budget allows and understand what you’ll pay in interest if you have to carry over a balance from month to month.
Maximize rewards
To maximize your rewards, match your spending to your welcome bonus offer, tailor your purchases to whatever card has the highest rewards for that spending category and redeem points strategically. Redemption is often less than straightforward — some cards offer better reward ratios for travel purchases or other trades versus redeeming points for cash.
Alternatives to credit cards for online shopping
If you’re considering using a credit card online as you shop but aren’t sure that’s the best route for your needs, there are other ways to fill your digital cart without relying on credit.
Debit cards
Instead of shopping with credit online, use your debit card to purchase items with money taken directly from your bank account. This approach can feel less complicated because you see the money come straight out of your bank balance. It feels more real, and it can be easier to keep track of your total monthly spend.
However, debit cards typically offer fewer protections for online shopping, and if you are the victim of fraud, you will be out of the stolen amount until your bank’s fraud department can straighten everything out. You also won’t get any rewards or freebies like you would with a cash-back credit card for example.
Store credit cards
Store credit cards often come with attractive terms, including low annual fees and much higher point ratios per dollar spent for purchases made through their own apps and websites. More specifically, grocery credit cards can be greatly beneficial to gain cash-back or points on your weekly purchases.
FAQ: Best credit cards for online shopping
Which type of credit card is best for online shopping?
There are many cards you can use for online shopping, but the best options are credit cards that offer rewards for purchases made online. Look for cards with low to no annual fees, high rewards and a generous welcome bonus.
What is the safest credit card for online shopping?
The safest and overall best credit card for online purchases is whatever card offers you the most safeguards. This includes purchase protection, fraud protection and zero-liability in case of fraud or theft.
Is it better to use a debit card or credit card for online shopping?
Credit cards typically offer better purchase protection and greater fraud protection over debit cards. There’s also a stopgap between the thief and your funds because you’re paying with borrowed money instead of taking payment straight from your personal account.
Which is the best credit card for Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping?
The best credit card for Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping is the card that will save you the most at your preferred retailers. Walmart, Target, Costco and most department stores have their own branded cards, but sometimes, a generalist card with big rewards for online shopping can serve you best overall.
What are the best cash-back credit cards for online shopping?
Many cards offer cash back for shopping online. Choose a card associated with your favorite retailer, such as Walmart or Target, to maximize your rewards for shopping on their websites. Or choose a generalist card from American Express, Chase or Capital One if you prefer to save across the board.
About the Author
Alana Luna (Musselman) is a versatile storyteller with over a decade of writing experience. She is passionate about helping people build their business through unique and engaging content.
Some examples of her current freelance projects include building content strategies for small businesses, completing industry research to build case studies, crafting buyer guides and more.
She has a passion and keen ability to simplify complex ideas through storytelling to make it easier for readers to understand hard-to-digest information. To accomplish this, Alana’s writing holds strong three principles – content that educates, engages and entertains.
About the Reviewer
Blake Esken has over 15 years of experience in product management and has been a member of the Los Angeles Times staff for over five years.
As part of his role at the Los Angeles Times Commerce Team, Blake acts as the in-house reviewer and fact checker for LA Times Compare. He supervises all content for compliance and accuracy and puts to use skills he has honed through years of experience managing high-stakes projects for a range of industry-leading companies.
He has a strong background in data analysis, compliance, and communication, which allows him to support LA Times Compare through fact-checking in an effort to provide up-to-date and factual information across our content.
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* Opinions expressed here are those of the LA Times Compare Cards Team and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser or entities included within this content. See our editorial policy for more details.
All products or services are presented in this content without warranty. The information, including card details such as rates and fees, is accurate at the time of publish. Please visit each bank's website directly for the most current information.