Education costs for kids have significantly surged in the last 30 years. To save on back-to-school expenses while ensuring a quality education, you need to consider choosing the right credit card. These cards offer savings, rewards, and opportunities to build credit, making them an essential addition to your family.
The picks are based on a WalletHub survey on back-to-school credit cards.
Citi Double Cash Card
By using the Citi Double Cash Card, you can receive 2% extra cash back on every transaction. New cardholders can earn $200 cash back after spending $1500 in the first six months. This card has no yearly charges. Moreover, balance transfers made over eighteen months will incur no interest. It is an ideal choice for back-to-school shopping and beyond.
Blue Cash Preferred Card
The Blue Cash Preferred Card is from the American Express. It presents a great choice for back-to-school shopping with 6% cash back in U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000 annually. It is perfect for stocking up on school supplies and lunches. The card also offers 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services, 3% on transit and gas stations, and 1% on other purchases. New cardholders can earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3000 in the first six months. The annual fee is $0 in the first year followed by $95.
Prime Visa
If you have a Prime membership, then you can get 5% cash back for every transaction when using this card. This cashback can be availed at Amazon as well as Whole Foods Market. It also offers 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and local transit. New members of this card receive a $200 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval. With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, it is a versatile choice for back-to-school shopping and beyond.
Petal 2 Visa Card
The Petal 2 Visa Credit Card is designed for those with limited credit history. It offers 1% cash back on eligible purchases, increasing to 1.5% after 12 months of on-time payments. With no annual fees and no foreign transaction fees, it is a good starter card for students who can use it for shopping for school supplies. This card also considers factors beyond credit scores for approval.
Wells Fargo Active Card
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card simplifies rewards with 2% cash rewards on all purchases. This straightforward approach is ideal for parents juggling multiple expenses. New cardholders can earn a $200 cash bonus after spending $500 in the first three months. For the first fifteen months after opening the account, you can get 0% APR on transactions as well as specific balance transfers. This card does not have any annual fees, making it a budget-friendly choice for back-to-school shopping.
U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card
The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card provides up to 6% cash back for certain retailers. You can get a discount of up to $1500 quarterly, making the purchase of new school supplies feasible. It also provides 3% cash back on one everyday category and 1.5% on other purchases. New members of this card can earn up to a $250 bonus after spending $2000 in one hundred and twenty days. The animal fee of this card is $0 in the first year and then $95.
Target Credit Card
The Target Credit Card offers a straightforward 5% discount on all Target purchases. It is perfect for back-to-school shopping at the popular retailer. New cardholders get $50 off on a future qualifying purchase over $50. For regular Target customers, it is a great card with extended returns and no yearly charge. The card also offers free shipping on most online orders from this retail shop.
QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Card
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is accessible to those with fair credit, making it a good option for parents or students building credit. 1.5% cash back is available for every transaction you make. Additionally, it also provides you with 5% cash back on lodging and vehicle rentals if you reserve via Capital One Travel. The card has a $39 annual fee but no foreign transaction fee. This makes it a feasible option for students who study internationally.
Kohl’s Credit Card
The Kohl’s Credit Card offers a 35% discount on the first purchase and 7.5% cash back in rewards on qualifying Kohl’s purchases. With no annual fee, it is an attractive option for frequent Kohl’s shoppers. The card also provides access to exclusive savings events throughout the year, maximizing back-to-school savings for cardholders.
SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Card
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card caters to students with 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming services, and grocery stores. It offers a $50 bonus after spending $100 in the first three months. It is perfect for students studying internationally because there are no yearly or foreign transaction fees. This card is also available to those with limited credit history.
Spark 2% Cash Plus
The Capital One Spark 2% Cash Plus offers 2% cash back on all purchases. It also offers a massive $1,200 bonus after spending $30,000 in the first three months. This card has an annual fee of $150 which is refunded if you spend $150,000 annually. With no preset spending limit, it is ideal for parents with small businesses with high back-to-school expenses.
Wells Fargo Reflect Card
The Wells Fargo Reflect Card provides a 0% APR for twenty-one months from account opening. It is available on purchases and qualifying transfers. This extended interest-free period can be a lifesaver for families facing hefty expenses for new school supplies. The card has no annual fee, making it an economical choice for those looking to spread out payments. It is important to note that this card does not offer rewards or a sign-up bonus.
Apple Card
Get 3% cashback on purchases made with this card. When you use Apple Pay, you can earn a 2% cashback. With no fees and the ability to add participants as young as 13, it is ideal for families with tech-savvy teens. The card allows co-owners to set spending limits and receive notifications. It is an optimal tool for buying school supplies along with teaching financial responsibility over academic years.