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Best Credit Cards for Families in September 2024

You may be a new parent looking to save money on essential purchases for your child. Or perhaps you’re parenting teens, trying to keep them happy with countless streaming services and enough groceries to satisfy their seemingly bottomless hunger. Whatever your situation is, family expenses can get, well, expensive.

The right credit card can give you rewards on everything from groceries to entertainment to travel, helping you save money on the purchases you already make. Some cards also offer perks like airport lounge access or credits for streaming services to make your life a little bit easier.

We’ve compiled a list of our top choices for families to help you find the best credit card.

Our top picks for the best family credit cards of 2024

Advertiser Disclosure

Best for Grocery and Gas Rewards

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

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Up to 6% Reward Rate

Earn 6% cash back on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year (then 1% back), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% cash back on 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 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Welcome Offer
$250
Regular APR
19.24% to 29.99% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card is a great option for families who spend a lot at U.S. supermarkets and gas stations. It offers excellent cash-back rates in these essential categories.
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Card Details

More card info

  • 0% Intro APR for purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months, then 19.24% to 29.99% variable applies.
  • Cash Back is received as Reward Dollars which can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
  • Get $7/month back in the form of a statement credit when you spend $9.99 or more per month on an eligible Disney Bundle subscription (Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+). Subject to auto-renewal. Only valid in the U.S. Enrollment required.
  • Terms Apply.
Pros
  • Excellent rewards on spending at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, transit and more
  • 0% APR on purchases for a limited time
  • Don’t need to activate categories
Cons
  • Rewards can only be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com
  • Charges foreign transaction fees
  • Has an annual fee

Best for Flexible Rewards

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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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
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is great for families who love to travel and want flexibility when using their rewards. You can get more value from your points by booking travel through Chase Travel℠, where points are worth 25% more (1.25 cents each). This card also provides important travel protections like trip cancellation insurance, lost luggage reimbursement and rental car insurance, which are ideal for family vacations. Bonus categories for dining, online groceries, and select streaming services make this card an excellent choice for earning rewards on family dinners, weekly grocery runs and at-home movie nights.

Best for Dining and Entertainment

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

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Up to 8% Reward Rate

Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% back on all other purchases. Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal. Earn 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

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Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
$200
Regular APR
19.99% to 29.99% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
For families who enjoy live entertainment and dining out, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is ideal, offering 3% cash back rewards in these categories.
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Card Details

More card info

  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (then 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR).
  • Balance transfer fee of 3% for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time
  • There are no rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards
  • Cash back won’t expire for the life of the account
  • No limit to how much cash-back you can earn
  • No foreign transaction fees
Pros
  • No rotating categories that you need to sign up for
  • No spending cap
  • No annual fee
Cons
  • High APR
  • Good or excellent credit recommended
  • Low sign-up bonus

Best for Family Travel

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

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Up to 10X Reward Rate

Earn 10X miles on hotel and rental car purchases made through Capital One Travel, 5X miles on airfare and vacation rentals purchased through the portal, and 2X miles per dollar spent on all other purchases.

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Annual Fee
$395
Welcome Offer
75,000 miles
Regular APR
19.99% to 29.99% variable
Recommended Credit
Excellent (740 - 850)
Why we like it
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has a high annual fee but offers great travel benefits that can easily offset the cost. Cardholders can get $300 in annual travel credits through Capital One Travel, 10,000 bonus miles yearly and access to airport lounges—a fantastic perk for family vacations.
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Card Details

More card info

  • Get a $300 annual credit for booking trips through Capital One Travel
  • Enjoy 10,000 bonus miles every year, which is equivalent to $100 towards travel, starting on your first anniversary
  • Unlimited complimentary access to over 1,300 lounges, including Capital One lounges and the partner lounge network, for you and two guests
  • Use Venture X miles to cover the cost of travel expenses, such as flights, hotels and rental cars; you can even transfer miles to over 15 travel loyalty programs of your choice
  • Enhance every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collection with a range of cardholder benefits, such as experience credit, room upgrades, and more
  • Up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Pros
  • Miles can be redeemed for travel purchases, transfers to international airlines, and more
  • Can qualify for hundreds of dollars in credits each year
  • Huge welcome offer
Cons
  • $395 annual fee
  • Large spending requirement to earn the welcome bonus
  • Excellent credit required

Best for Dining and Groceries

American Express® Gold Card

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Up to 4X Reward Rate

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. Earn 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point per dollar), 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases

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Annual Fee
$325
Welcome Offer
LTO: 60,000 points + 20% bonus
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
The American Express® Gold Card is perfect for families who bond over food. Whether you prefer cooking at home or dining out, this card can help you maximize value on these big-ticket expenses. Cardholders can also access generous dining-related statement credits.
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Card Details

More card info

  • Up to $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card as a payment method on your Uber account and automatically receive $10 in Uber Cash each month for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. (Up to $120 annually.) To receive this benefit you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Gold Card must be a method of payment on your Uber account. This benefit may only be used in the United States.
  • Up to $120 Dining Credit: Enjoy up to $10 in monthly statement credits when you use your American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys locations. Enrollment required.
  • $100 experience credit: Receive a $100 experience credit when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit amounts vary by property, and are given only with a minimum two-night stay.
  • Up to $100 Resy credit: Receive up to $50 in statement credits every 6 months (up to $100 per year) when you use your Gold Card at U.S. Resy restaurants or other eligible Resy purchases. Enrollment required.
  • Up to $84 in annual Dunkin’ credits: Get $7 back per month in credits after you enroll and pay with your Amex Gold card at Dunkin’ locations
  • Customize your card to fit your style: Gold, Rose Gold, or White Gold. White Gold is only available as supplies last.
  • 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

Best for Online Shopping

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

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Up to 3% Reward Rate

Earn 3% cash back on up to $6,000/year spent at U.S. supermarkets (then 1%), 3% cash back on up to $6,000/year at U.S. gas stations (then 1%), 3% cash back on up to $6,000/year on online retail purchases (then 1%), and 1% cash 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
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a good option if your family appreciates the convenience of online purchases, as it offers generous cash back on purchases at U.S. online retailers.
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Card Details

More card info

  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months after opening the account, then 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR applies.
  • Cash back is received as Reward Dollars which can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
  • Get $7/month back in the form of a statement credit when you spend $9.99 or more per month on an eligible Disney Bundle subscription (Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+). Subject to auto-renewal. Enrollment required.
  • Receive up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription. Subject to auto-renewal. Enrollment required.
  • Terms Apply.
Pros
  • No annual fee
  • Various partner benefits
  • 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

Comparing the best family credit cards of 2024

Advertiser Disclosure
Card name
Best for
Annual fee
Reward rate
Welcome bonus

Tips on choosing the best credit card for your family

1. Analyze your spending

Look at where your family spends the most money—groceries, gas, dining, travel, online shopping, etc.—and choose a card with the best rewards in those categories.

▶︎ Best cards for grocery shopping

▶︎ Best credit cards for gas purchases

▶︎ Best cards for dining and restaurants

▶︎ Best credit cards for travel

▶︎ Best cards for online shopping

2. Weigh the annual fee

Some cards with annual fees provide more value in rewards and benefits. If your family spends enough in bonus categories to offset the fee, choosing a card with an annual cost might be worth it. Otherwise, plenty of no-annual-fee rewards cards are available.

3. Consider additional perks

Choose a card with perks that benefit your specific family dynamic. Whether that means airport lounge access, streaming service credits or complimentary DashPass, the right card can help enhance your family’s experiences immensely.

4. Ponder redemption options

Choose cards with redemption options that align with your spending habits and lifestyle, whether a simple cash-back card or one with flexible rewards.

Is a family credit card worth it?

If you can find a credit card with bonus categories and perks that align with your family’s spending and lifestyle, adding a family credit card to your wallet can be tremendously valuable and worthwhile.

• • • • •

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please visit this page.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please visit this page.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please visit this page.

• • • • •

About the Author

Jaiden Hart
Jaiden Hart Writer & Content Manager, Credit Cards

Jaiden Hart serves as a credit card writer and content manager at LA Times Compare. Beginning her career as an intern on the Compare team, she has since amassed considerable expertise and passion in the credit card industry. 

Jaiden’s primary objective is to simplify the process of choosing and managing a credit card through engaging and honest content so individuals can more effectively maximize their benefits and meet their financial goals.

* 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.

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