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As you prepare for the holiday season, having the right credit card at your disposal can make a significant difference. Whether it's to earn bonus rewards on your top spending categories or a long introductory 0% APR promotion that makes it easier to stomach a little debt, it's important to make sure you have the right credit card in your wallet.
These credit cards are some of the best to help you maximize your rewards and savings for the holidays.
5 Partner Offers
| Our Picks for the Best Credit Cards for Holiday Shopping | |
|---|---|
 Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 1.5% cash back on every purchase |
 Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card | 2% cash back rewards on purchases $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months |
 Wells Fargo Reflect® Card | 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then 17.74%, 24.24%, or 29.49% Variable APR. |
 Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card | NULL cash back on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, and at grocery stores 1% cash back on all other purchases $250 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening |
Best for Fair Credit: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Most of the top credit cards for holiday shopping require good or excellent credit, which means having a credit score of 670 or higher. But if you're not quite there yet, consider the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. Responsible card use can help you strengthen your credit for the future.
The card charges a modest $39 annual fee, and it doesn't skimp on rewards. You'll earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make. However, this card does have a high 29.99% (Variable) APR. (See rates and fees.)
While this card can work if your credit score isn't in good enough shape to qualify for our other top credit cards for holiday shopping, those with good or excellent credit may have better options available.
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
on Capital One's website
Recommended FICO® Score*
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
APR
29.99% (Variable)
Intro APR
Rewards
1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day, 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
1.5% Cash Back on All Purchases
Annual Fee
$39
Card Details
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account. It's that simple
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
- Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
Best for General Shopping: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
If you have good credit and are looking for a card that offers a high base rewards rate, look no further than the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card.
The card offers a flat 2% cash back on every purchase you make, and unlike some other 2% cash back credit cards, there are no requirements you have to meet to get that rate. What's more, it offers an introductory bonus: $200 when you spend $500 in the first 3 months you have the card.
In addition to its excellent rewards program, the card offers a solid introductory APR promotion. You'll get an introductory 0% APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 12 months from account opening; the APR will be 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR.
This card is an excellent choice for people with good credit who prefer simplicity and want value that sticks around beyond the holiday season. But if you're looking to maximize your rewards on certain purchases, there are no bonus categories to speak of.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
on Wells Fargo's website
Recommended FICO® Score*
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
APR
19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR
Intro APR
Rewards
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
Intro Bonus
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Card Details
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Best for Intro APR Period: Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
If you have plans to spend a lot during the holidays and your top priority is a long intro APR period you can use to pay down the debt, consider the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card.
This card offers an intro 0% APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 21 months from account opening. Once the 0% intro APR period expires, your interest rate for purchases and balance transfers will increase to 17.74%, 24.24%, or 29.49% Variable APR. Qualifying balance transfers have a 5% fee ($5 minimum).
Because of how long this card's intro APR promotion is compared with some of the other options on our list, it's best suited for people who plan to spend a lot and need that extra time to pay down the balance.
There are few cards with a longer intro APR period. That said, the card doesn't offer rewards of any kind, so you may want to use a rewards card for your everyday spending.
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
APR
17.74%, 24.24%, or 29.49% Variable APR
Intro APR
Rewards
None
Intro Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Card Details
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 17.74%, 24.24%, or 29.49% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min: $5.
- $0 Annual Fee.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants. It's an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo credit card.
Best for Food and Entertainment: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
If you enjoy attending holiday events, such as concerts, movies and other types of entertainment, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card should be on your radar. The card is also a solid choice for groceries and dining.
You'll earn unlimited NULL cash back on entertainment, dining, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Target and Walmart), and 1% back on everything else.
New cardholders can earn a $250 cash bonus when they spend $500 in the first 3 months they have the card, and get a 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months. After that, the APR will be 19.74% - 29.74% (Variable); a balance transfer fee applies. (See rates and fees.)
This card is an excellent option if you want to maximize rewards on entertainment, groceries and dining. However, it's not necessarily the best rate you can get with groceries and dining, so consider this card if entertainment is a top spending category for you.
Also, remember that, like other cards on our list, this one's base rewards rate is just 1%, so it may be a good idea to use it only for bonus spending.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
on Capital One's website
Recommended FICO® Score*
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
APR
19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
Intro APR
Rewards
3% Cash Back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply), 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, 1% Cash Back on all other purchases
5% Cash Back on Hotels and Rental Cars Booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
3% Cash Back on Grocery Stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), Dining, Entertainment & Popular Streaming Services
1% Cash Back on All Other Purchases
Intro Bonus
$250 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$0
Card Details
- For a limited time, earn a $250 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.74% - 29.74% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
How to Use Credit Cards to Your Advantage During the Holidays
The holiday season is a time to spend with family and friends, but that also means spending money. Here are some ways you can use your credit cards to your advantage during the holidays:
- Spend within your means. Charge only what you can afford to pay off at the end of each month. If you do anticipate spending more than you can pay off, use a card with an intro 0% APR promotion.
- Track your spending. Keep track of how much you are actually spending by using online or mobile budgeting tools so you don't go over budget.
- Redeem rewards. If possible, redeem your rewards for cash back or statement credits to help offset some of your holiday shopping expenses.
- Book travel with points. If you have a travel card, maximize your rewards to help cover the cost of a trip during the next year.
- Review added protections. Check your card's benefits guide to see if you can take advantage of other benefits, such as extended warranty coverage, purchase protection and more.
Use Experian to Find the Right Card
It can be difficult to find the right credit card with so many options available, especially if you're not sure where your credit stands.
The good news is that Experian can give you an idea of which credit cards you might be eligible for based on your credit profile. You can also check your FICO® Score☉ and review your Experian credit report for free to understand what your credit file looks like and where you can make improvements.