top credit cards for online purchases

You can use an online credit card to pay for anything, including products and services, at any store that accepts them. In addition to the standard rewards and safeguards, certain shopping-centric credit cards provide even more enticing perks. Consider getting a credit card with shopping-related perks if you do a lot of retail therapy in-store or online.

Credit Cards That Are The Most Optimal For Online Purchases

If you are already paying for an Amazon Prime subscription, apply for the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card*. This card offers a high cashback percentage on purchases made at Amazon.com and Whole Foods without charging an annual fee, but only to Prime members.

With an eligible Prime membership, you can earn 5% cash back in rewards at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, 2% cash back at restaurants, petrol stations, and drugstores, and 1% on all other transactions.

With a Prime membership, there is no yearly fee.

Instant Amazon.com gift card after card approval is a nice touch.

Prime members get free two-day shipping and, in some cases, same-day delivery at no additional cost. Regarding Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, no other card offers a better rewards rate with no rotating categories or spending limitations.

Credit Card with Cash Back from Alliant * (Visa Signature) [quick links]

Suppose you're willing to join the credit union and hold a daily balance of at least $1,000 in your Alliance high-rate checking account. In that case, you can earn excellent returns with the Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card*.

Rewards: 2.5% cash back on up to $10,000 purchases every billing cycle with eligible accounts and no categories to track. 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

A yearly fee of nothing is not charged.

No sign-up bonus is available with this card.

To qualify for the card's 2.5% cash back rate on monthly expenditures up to $10,000 (then 1.5%), applicants must be members of the credit union and maintain a minimum $1,000 balance in an Alliant high-rate checking account.

Amazon Visa Signature Card with Rewards *

If you want something to buy online, you should shop at Amazon.com. If you do a lot of shopping there, you should use a credit card that rewards you handsomely for your purchases. The Amazon Incentives Visa offers the most substantial rewards if you are an Amazon customer but don't have Prime.

Cash back incentives of 3% at Amazon and Whole Foods Market; 2% at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores; and 1% on all other transactions.

Zero dollars per year in fees

Instant Amazon.com gift card upon card approval is a great way to start.

Other Perks and Drawbacks: In place of collecting rewards, this card, like its sibling card, the Amazon Prime Visa Signature Card, has an enticing offer if you're planning to finance a sizable online purchase.

Cash+® Visa Signature® Card from U.S. Bank *

Many bonus category selections are appropriate for purchases made through an online store, and you can choose which categories to receive bonus rewards in each quarter using your credit card. Online purchases from "department stores" like Kohl's and Macy's also count, as do those from "electronics stores" like BestBuy.com and the Apple site.

You can get 5% cash back on prepaid airfare, hotels, and rental cars booked through the Rewards Center. You can earn 5% cash back on the first $2,000 you spend in a quarter across two categories you select.

annual Fee: $0

The bonus of $200 in incentives after making $1,000 in purchases during the first 120 days of account creation

The card has the potential to generate substantial cash back, particularly when used in conjunction with other credit cards, but maximizing its benefits will require some work. The quarterly spending limit on designated categories may be the card's biggest drawback for some customers.

Credit card from Bank of America® with Customized Cash Rewards [skip to details]

Online shopping is one of many "option" categories available on the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card that can earn additional cashback up to the combined quarterly cap.

Rewards: Up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases are eligible for 2% cash back at wholesale clubs and grocery stores and limitless 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Annual Cost: 0

After making at least $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account establishment, you'll receive a $200 welcome bonus in the form of online cash rewards.

Other Advantages and Disadvantages: By having a sizeable sum of money in qualified accounts, Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program allows you to raise those earning rates by as much as 75%. Other cards may provide a better return on your spending if Preferred Rewards are unavailable.