Best credit cards for wellness
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Health and wellness have a direct impact on your quality of life, and anything you can do to improve your access to services and products that support your health and wellness journey only means that your quality of life can improve.
Whether you’re starting a new gym routine, revamping your eating habits or looking to practice better self-care, here are some rewards credit cards — and even a few 0 percent APR cards — that can help you achieve your goals without sacrificing your wallet.
Best for purchasing gear
If you’re just getting started on your fitness journey or it’s time to refresh your old gear, here are a few cards with retail rewards to help you save on purchases.
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card
The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is both a great card for earning rewards on purchased fitness gear and for the long-term in general. Each quarter, you can select two categories from a list of 12 in which you’ll earn 5 percent cash back on each purchase you make (up to $2,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1 percent). These categories include sporting goods stores, department stores and select clothing stores, which can help you stock up on gym clothes and equipment.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
For another multipurpose rewards card option, consider the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card, which offers 5 percent cash back at both Amazon.com and Whole Foods (if you have a Prime membership). You can set up your home gym or buy your workout gear on Amazon now, then continue making healthy choices at the grocery store year-round.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
A general cash back card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® can also help you save. You’ll earn a flat 1.5 percent cash back on every non-category purchase, which you can also pair and redeem with your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® (should you own either card) for a bigger boost in value through the Ultimate Rewards portal.
Best for memberships
To make sure you’re equipped to sustain your resolutions with savings on memberships throughout the year, consider a credit card that rewards you for your gym membership costs and more.
Citi Custom Cash Card
The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card offers 5 percent cash back and can be a flexible long-term choice. The card doles out 5 percent back on up to $500 each billing cycle (1 percent thereafter) in your top spending category. Like the U.S. Bank card, fitness clubs are an eligible category for the bonus. And if you pay your yearly membership in full one month and spend differently the next, you can earn rewards in other categories, like restaurants or grocery stores, in your next billing cycle.
Gym memberships can get notoriously pricey, so if you’re serious about a focus on fitness, collecting a few dollars back each month quickly adds up over time, making your commitment a bit more affordable.
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card (again)
As a cash back alternative, once again, the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature offers a 5 percent cash back category option for gyms and fitness centers. That way, you can stock up on the workout gear you need early in the year and then continue to earn on your memberships each month.
World of Hyatt Credit Card
If you’re, specifically, a World of Hyatt loyalist and are frequently on the go either for work or play, the World of Hyatt Credit Card* can reward you for Hyatt-related purchases, of course, but it can also earn you 2X points at fitness clubs and on gym memberships. If you already frequent Hyatt hotel locations throughout the year, this can be a win-win.
The Platinum Card from American Express
Though it doesn’t earn bonus points on gym purchases, The Platinum Card® from American Express can be a great option for gym buffs who also like to travel thanks to its plethora of statement credit opportunities.
In addition to the card’s plentiful travel benefits, it offers up to $300 in Equinox fitness membership credits per year ($25 per month). You can apply these credits to either an in-club or digital membership. Further, the Amex Platinum offers a $300 credit for a single, eligible SoulCycle At-Home bike purchase, which can be a helpful perk for those looking to bring a stationary bike into their home.
Best for self-care and mental health
Wellness isn’t all about healthy eating and fitness tracking; sometimes you need a refresh for your spirit, too.
Cards earning Membership Rewards points
Consider using a card that earns American Express Membership Rewards points, like the Amex Platinum or the American Express® Gold Card, to save on spa treatments and other benefits at hotels around the world.
Gold and Platinum American Express cardholders, for example, have access to The Hotel Collection and can receive up to $100 in credits to spend on eligible dining, spa and resort activities during each hotel stay. If you’re already planning a vacation this year, this is a great way to recharge and make the most of your relaxation.
Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa card
The Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® card* offers more than a few benefits for people focusing on health and wellness. You can earn 3 percent cash back on home, auto and health purchases and 1 percent cash back on all other purchases. The health category actually includes a broad array of health and wellness items, including counseling services.
More generally, the health category will also reward you for spa services, drugstore purchases, gym memberships and extra costs associated with doctor visits, like copays.
KrowdFit credit card
Launched this year, the KrowdFit credit card* offers either a free year of premium Calm or MyFitnessPal membership after approval. The Calm app, in particular, is a guided meditation app that can aid in improving your mental health.
In terms of rewards, the KrowdFit card earns you 4 percent cash back on qualifying health, medical, wellness and lifestyle partner purchases, as well as 2 percent back on qualifying grocery purchases and 1 percent on everything else.
Best for making large, wellness-related purchases
If you’re committing to your resolution with a large, one-time purchase like a treadmill, free weights or a stationary bike, a card with a 0 percent intro APR on new purchases can help you start using your equipment now while paying it off over time.
BankAmericard credit card
If you need as much time as possible to pay off your large wellness-related purchase, a 0 percent APR card like the BankAmericard® credit card is one of your best options. The card offers a 0 percent intro APR for 21 billing cycles, after which you’ll accrue a relatively-low variable APR between 14.99 percent to 24.99 percent (if you fail to pay off your purchase within the introductory period).
Though you won’t earn rewards or a first-year bonus with this no-annual-fee card, it can be a great tool to help you pay for expensive health-related purchases.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card also offers a zero-interest period on purchases, but the card offers better long-term value. On top of its 15-month 0 percent intro APR (17.99 percent to 27.99 percent variable APR thereafter), you’ll earn 1.5 percent cash back on every purchase. That means you can earn $30 in cash back just on your $2,000 treadmill, then continue earning on every purchase you make throughout the year.
This card also offers a $200 cash bonus when you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months. A large purchase off the bat can help ensure you earn this bonus and even help cover your purchase in the long run.
Best for physical activity
Though this category partially relates to fitness-related memberships, the following card offers a niche perk: A built-in fitness platform.
Paceline Card
The Paceline Card* allows you to earn up to 5 percent cash back on eligible health and wellness purchases and then up to 3 percent back on everything else. In addition to the credit card, you can also use Paceline’s fitness platform via a smartphone app, which tracks and rewards you for your physical activity. If you elevate your heart rate for at least 150 minutes a week, you’ll double your cash back from 2.5 percent to 5 percent on fitness classes, gear, groceries and pharmacy purchases.
The bottom line
If you’re on a mission to improve your overall wellness, credit cards can be a helpful way to kick-start your journey without hurting your wallet. Like any search for a new credit card, take time to find an option with benefits and rewards that work best for your long-term goals and regular purchases.
*The information about the World of Hyatt Credit Card, Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® card, Paceline Card and KrowdFit credit card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.