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If you’re a fan of Apple products, you may want to consider a credit card that will help you maximize rewards on those purchases. With so many options available, choosing the best card for you can be overwhelming, but we’ve researched and rounded up the top credit cards for Apple purchases to help you choose the card that will work best for you.
Comparing the best credit cards to use at Apple
If you’re considering adding new technology to your household, here’s a look at some of the best cards you can use for Apple purchases.
5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter up to $1,500 in purchases (1% after)
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months and 3% intro balance transfer fee until December 10, 2024 (18.74% - 27.74% Variable APR and 5% balance transfer fee after)
4X points on your top two spending categories each month (from a choice of six categories) on the first combined $150,000 in purchases each year (1X points after)
1X points on other purchases
5.0
Top credit cards to use at Apple
Best for Apple Pay
Apple Card
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
3.5
The no-annual-fee Apple Card* is an obvious addition since it’s designed to work with Apple products and Apple Pay. You’ll earn 3 percent back on Apple purchases and select retailers (when paying with Apple Pay) and 2 percent back on all purchases when paying with Apple Pay. You can also earn interest on your rewards by moving them to a high-yield savings account. The card doesn’t charge any other fees and you can qualify for an intro APR on select Apple purchases (offers may vary among eligible products).
Pros
The card works well with Apple purchases and incentivizes Apple Pay for transactions that might not earn bonus rewards otherwise.
The card offers solid rates for a no-fee card.
Cons
You’ll need an iPhone or iPad to access all the card’s features.
You don’t get a physical card unless you request one.
Best for cash back
U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card
The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card’s best feature is 6 percent cash back on the first $1,500 of combined eligible purchases each quarter at two selected retailers, including Apple. Although spending is capped per quarter, the card offers one of the highest rewards rates on Apple purchases. You can also stack this with the welcome offer for added value. The annual fee is waived for the first year, so you can get significant initial value if you plan accordingly.
Pros
Choosing Apple as a 6 percent retailer can provide a significant return on your purchase.
The card offers a solid rate on a chosen everyday category, including uncommon options like utilities and wholesale clubs.
Cons
The quarterly cap may only cover part of your Apple purchase if you buy more expensive items.
The long-term value may not be as great once you have to pay an annual fee after the first year.
Best for online shopping
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
4.1
The key to getting the most on Apple purchases from the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is to choose online shopping as your 3 percent cash back category. Then shop directly through Apple.com to earn high rates on your purchases (up to $2,500 in combined spending at grocery stores, wholesale clubs and your chosen category each quarter). Based on your tier level, Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can earn an additional 25 to 75 percent on spending, giving you a rate potentially as high as 5.25 percent.
Pros
The card offers flexibility in options for its top-earning categories like online shopping that could cover most expenses.
The Preferred Rewards program can add significant value to this card’s earning potential.
Cons
Quarterly caps on top rates can limit the card’s effectiveness.
You’ll need to plan your spending to maximize the top category rates.
Best for intro APR
Discover it® Cash Back
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
If you need a card that gives you some time to finance Apple purchases, the no-annual-fee Discover it® Cash Back is an excellent choice. The intro APR on purchases and balance transfers gives you a lengthy time frame to pay off large expenses. You can also earn 5 percent cash back on quarterly rotating categories (up to $1,500 once activated, 1 percent cash back after). Plus, Discover matches all cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year, giving you an extra boost to your purchase.
Pros
If you are looking to buy pricey Apple products soon, you can take advantage of Discover’s Cashback Match™ which can potentially provide more value in the first year.
This card helps consolidate debt while giving you a lengthy initial period to pay down purchases.
Cons
Quarterly categories require activation and may not align with your spending needs.
The card doesn’t offer any additional bonus categories.
Best for small businesses
American Express® Business Gold Card
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5
The American Express® Business Gold Card allows you to earn a generous rate of 4X points for the first $150,000 spent (1X points after) on your top two spending categories each billing cycle. One of the eligible categories is U.S. purchases made directly from select technology providers of computer hardware, software and cloud solutions, which includes Apple. Bankrate values Membership Rewards points at around 2.0 cents per point, giving you a whopping 8 percent value on these purchases.
Pros
The card has exceptionally high earning potential if you plan your spending accordingly.
You can get a substantial welcome offer if your business can meet the higher spending requirements.
Cons
The $375 annual fee is pretty high, so you’ll need to ensure you’re getting enough value each year.
The card doesn’t offer the luxury travel perks found on other premium cards.
How to choose the best credit cards to use at Apple
Consider your spending habits, bonus categories and other card features to find the best card for your next Apple purchase.
Try to earn a welcome bonus with your purchase. Apple purchases are generally expensive, so you may be able to complete or knock out a significant chunk of your minimum spending requirement on a new credit card welcome bonus with your purchase, which can quickly put rewards or cash back in your pocket.
Consider cards that can serve you well for the long term. While you want to find the best rates for Apple purchases, consider the other bonus categories and features offered. If a card provides opportunities for everyday value, it’s a much better choice for the long term.
See what you can stack together. If you can maximize multiple features of a card with your purchase, the value will grow exponentially. For example, making a large purchase on the U.S. Bank Shopper card could earn 6 percent cash back while also earning your welcome bonus, which could earn over $340 in cash back for your purchase.
Making Apple purchases isn’t always straightforward. Here are some things to watch out for.
Remember that Apple products are widely available. You may want to shop around with specific retailers to find the best deal, especially if you have cards that offer better rewards at other stores.
The Apple Store doesn’t officially have a price match policy. Other retailers that sell Apple products have official price-matching policies, so if you think you might see the price drop soon, you may want to keep this in mind since you won’t get a better price.
Read the fine print on what you’re buying, especially your warranty. Make sure you examine all the technical features of your purchase so that they’ll meet your needs. Also, consider what kind of warranty comes with your purchase and determine whether an extended warranty from AppleCare makes sense. Remember, many cards come with extended warranty and purchase protection, so you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the details of your card if it offers these features.
Frequently asked questions
The Apple Card is particularly compatible with Apple Pay, offering 3 percent daily cash back on Apple and select merchants, and 2 percent on others with no fees. The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Credit Card is also great for Apple Pay users because it offers bonus rewards for mobile wallet purchases. However, the best card for you depends on your spending habits and rewards preferences.
Apple provides in-store financing via Apple Card monthly installments, allowing you to pay for products like iPhones, iPads and Macs over time without interest. This option is available at Apple Stores for a range of devices and select accessories.
When purchasing online from Apple or placing an order over the phone, you can use up to eight Apple gift cards at once. You can use up to 20 Apple Gift Cards for one transaction when you purchase at an Apple Store. You can also combine them with an Apple account balance and Apple Pay or one credit card.
What’s next?
Check out these Bankrate tools to match your next card.
When purchasing Apple products, choosing the right credit card can help you save money and earn rewards. With so many great credit card options, it’s essential to carefully consider your spending habits and choose the one that best fits your needs. So the next time you’re in the market for an Apple product, make sure to use the right credit card and reap the benefits.
*The information about the Apple Card, U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Credit Card and the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card has been collected independently by Bankrate. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.
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Flanigan, R. (2024, September 17). Best credit cards to use at Apple. Bankrate. Retrieved November 08, 2024, from https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/rewards/best-credit-cards-apple-purchases/
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Flanigan, Ryan. "Best credit cards to use at Apple." Bankrate. 17 September 2024, https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/rewards/best-credit-cards-apple-purchases/.
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Flanigan, Ryan. "Best credit cards to use at Apple." Bankrate. September 17, 2024. https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/rewards/best-credit-cards-apple-purchases/.
