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As a new parent, you may already be facing a lot of unexpected expenses, especially if it's your first child. With the right credit card, you can get extra value when buying baby essentials, either through rewards, a 0% APR promotion or both.
Here are our top picks for the best credit cards for new parents and what they offer.
5 Partner Offers
| Best Credit Cards for New Parents | |
|---|---|
 Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card | $200 cash rewards bonus when you spend $500 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening 2% cash rewards on every purchase No annual fee |
 Wells Fargo Reflect® Card | No annual fee |
 Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | 1.5% cash back on every purchase $39 annual fee Available for fair-credit borrowers |
 Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card | $250 bonus when you spend $500 in the first 3 months from account opening 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats through 11/14/24 NULL on dining and entertainment NULL on popular streaming services NULL at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Target and Walmart) 1% on everything else No annual fee |
 Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card | $200 bonus when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days from account opening 3% cash back in the category of your choice; automatic 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs ($2,500 spending limit per quarter on 3% and 2% categories); and 1% back on all other purchases No annual fee |
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
If you've got a lot of expenses coming up and want to maximize both rewards and interest savings, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a great option. As a new cardholder, you can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus when you spend $500 in the first 3 months from account opening. What's more, you'll get a 0% introductory APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 12 months, then it's a 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3%, then will have a fee of up to 5% ($5 minimum).
On an ongoing basis, the card offers 2% cash rewards on every purchase you make—that's one of the highest flat rewards rates available. You'll also get up to $600 in cellphone protection against damage or theft, subject to a $25 deductible. The card has a $0 annual fee.
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.
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
If you're overwhelmed with new baby purchases and want as long as possible to pay off the charges, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card should be on your radar. The card offers an impressive 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 21 months, then a 17.74%, 24.24%, or 29.49% Variable APR. Balance transfers have a fee of 5% ($5 minimum).
The card also offers $600 in cellphone protection against damage or theft (with a $25 deductible) and has no annual fee. However, it doesn't offer rewards on your purchases.
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.
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Most of the top rewards and 0% intro APR credit cards require good or excellent credit. If you have fair credit, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card may be for you. The card offers a solid 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make. And if you use your card responsibly, you could qualify for a higher credit line in as little as six months.
However, the card doesn't offer a 0% intro APR promotion or a welcome bonus. It also charges a $39 annual fee.
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
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Being a new parent can be physically, mentally and emotionally draining, and the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers bonus rewards on a lot of the spending categories that may go up during your first months and years as a parent, including groceries, select food delivery, streaming services and other entertainment.
The card offers 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats and complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/24. You also get NULL back on dining and entertainment, NULL on popular streaming services and NULL at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Target and Walmart). You earn 1% back on everything else.
You'll also get a $250 bonus when you spend $500 in the first 3 months. As a new cardholder, you'll also benefit from a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then 19.74% - 29.74% (Variable); a balance transfer fee applies. The card charges no annual fee. See rates and fees.
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
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
If you're a Bank of America customer or you want a little more flexibility with your bonus rewards, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card could be a solid choice. As a new cardholder, you'll get a $200 bonus when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days, plus a 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, an APR that's currently 18.74% - 28.74% Variable will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
The card also offers 3% cash back in the category of your choice, with options that may include gas and EV charging stations, online shopping, cable/internet/phone plans/streaming, dining, travel, drug stores or home improvement/furnishings. You'll automatically get 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% back on all other purchases. There is a $2,500 spending limit per quarter on 3% and 2% categories. However, if you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you could earn between 25% and 75% more cash back on every purchase. The card doesn't have an annual fee.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How Do Intro 0% APR Cards Work?
Zero percent intro APR credit cards allow you to pay no interest on new purchases, balance transfers or both for a set period of time. If you make purchases with the card, you may have anywhere between six and 21 months to pay off the debt interest-free. If you can't afford that, you only need to pay the minimum balance due every month. At the end of the promotional period, however, you'll pay the card's regular APR on any remaining balance.
The same is true for balance transfers from other credit cards, though promotional periods typically range from 12 to 21 months. Unlike with purchases, these transactions also come with an upfront balance transfer fee, which can range from 3% to 5% of the transfer amount. If a card has a 0% intro APR on balance transfers but not purchases, any new purchase you make may start accruing interest immediately until you pay off the transferred balance.
Should I Pay for Doctor Bills With a Credit Card?
Before you pay for labor and delivery or other medical bills related to pregnancy and the birth of your child, check with your medical provider for payment options. Some health care providers offer long-term financing with little to no interest, allowing you to make monthly payments with your credit card or checking account.
With this approach, you could use your 0% intro APR promotion on other baby essentials, and you can still earn rewards on your credit card when you make your monthly payment.
If your medical provider doesn't offer long-term financing with no interest, however, it may be wise to use a 0% intro APR credit card to save money. Just try to prioritize paying off the balance before the promotional period ends to avoid interest.
How to Earn Rewards on Baby Essentials
Whether you're preparing for your new baby or you've already welcomed the bundle of joy into the world, you probably have a long list of one-time and ongoing expenses. While there aren't any major credit cards that offer rewards specifically for baby-related purchases, you can take advantage of a welcome bonus on a new credit card and ongoing points, miles or cash back to make the most of your purchases.
The simpler approach is to get a flat-rate rewards credit card that offers a high rewards rate on every purchase you make. However, if you spend a lot in certain spending categories, such as groceries, gas, takeout or online shopping, you may consider getting a credit card that offers accelerated rewards on those purchases.
Take your time to shop around and compare multiple options to determine which one is the best for you.
Find the Right Credit Card for You Based on Your Credit
Another major factor to consider as you compare credit cards is your credit score. Again, most of the best options are designed for people with good or excellent credit, but you may still have options if your credit needs some work.
With Experian CreditMatch™, you can get matched with credit card offers based on your credit profile, making it easier to compare cards side by side and choose the best one for you.