Best Credit Cards for Big Purchases

Major spending like buying appliances, car repairs, or holiday gifts always seems to shock our credit card bills a few times a year. Consumers are often not prepared for these unexpected expenses, and the proof is in the rising debt levels: Americans' credit card debt hit a trillion dollars for the first time ever in August 2023.

Next time you’re going to make a big purchase, make sure you’re using the right credit card. It could make all the difference in the world, or at least put some cash back in your pocket.

In this article, we review the best credit cards for big purchases so you can determine which card to get before that next major shopping trip.

Overview of the Best Credit Cards for Big Purchases

Credit CardBest For
Wells Fargo Reflect® CardLong 0% Intro APR
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American ExpressCash Back Bonus
Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardEarning a Travel Bonus
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit CardEasy-to-Earn Welcome Offer Plus Elevated Everyday Rewards
Prime Visa Amazon Purchases
Ink Business Cash® Credit CardSmall Business Owners
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit CardLarge Business Purchase

Our List of Best Credit Cards for Big Purchases

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card 

Best for a Long 0% Intro

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is a great card for major purchases because you get 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases (also applies to balance transfers), then a variable APR of 18.24%, 24.74% or 29.99%. That means you have just shy of two years to pay off that purchase. It's one of the longest introductory offers we've seen. You won't get a bonus and there are no rewards, but there's no annual fee, either. And you even get cell phone protection.

Rewards: None

0% Intro APR Offer: Get 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 21 months from account opening on purchases, then a variable APR of 18.24%, 24.74% or 29.99%.

Welcome Offer:  None

Annual Fee: $0

Approval Odds

Credit Score of Approved and Denied Applications

See our full list of Best Interest-Free Credit Cards


Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Best for a Welcome Offer

If you’re looking for a big cash back bonus after you make a large purchase, you’ll want to check out the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.

You’ll also receive a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months and on balance transfers for 12 months, then a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%.

Since we all need to buy food, we love this card for its grocery perks. And since most of us watch TV from multiple platforms, the rewards for streaming are pretty sweet, too.

Rewards:

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
3% cash back
Gas
3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
3% cash back
Transit
3% cash back on transit, such as taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains and buses
6% cash back
U.S. supermarkets
6% cash back on groceries up to $6,000 per year in purchases at U.S. supermarkets, then 1%
6% cash back
Streaming services
6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions

0% Intro APR Offer: 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and for 12 months on balance transfers. After that, your rate will be 19.24% - 29.99% variable, depending on creditworthiness.

Welcome Offer: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.

Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Approval Odds

Credit Score of Approved and Denied Applications


Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Best for Earning a Travel Bonus

If you’re someone who loves to travel, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the best cards you can get – period. It comes with an excellent welcome offer and the rewards are nearly unmatched. Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Rewards:

1x points
On all other eligible purchases
1x points on all other purchases
2x points
Travel
2x points on all other travel purchases
3x points
U.S. supermarkets
Earn 3x points on online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
3x points
Streaming services
Earn 3x points on select streaming services
3x points
Dining
3x points on dining
5x points
Travel
5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®

0% Intro APR Offer: None

Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Annual Fee:  $95

Approval Odds

Credit Score of Approved and Denied Applications


Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card 

Best for an Easy-to-Earn Welcome Offer Plus Elevated Everyday Rewards

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a welcome bonus that's easy to achieve. But what's even better are the elevated rewards you can earn on everyday spending including dining, grocery stores, streaming services, and entertainment. You'll also get a decently long 0% intro APR offer.

Rewards:

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
1% cash back on all other purchases
3% cash back
Supermarkets
3% cash back at grocery stores excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®
3% cash back
Streaming services
3% cash back on popular streaming services
3% cash back
Dining
3% cash back on dining
3% cash back
Entertainment
3% cash back on entertainment
5% cash back
Hotels
Earn 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply).
5% cash back
Rental Cars
Earn 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply).
8% cash back
Entertainment
Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
10% cash back
Select Categories
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024

0% Intro APR Offer: Get 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months After that, your rate will be 19.99% - 29.99% variable, based on your creditworthiness.

Welcome Offer:  $200 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

Annual fee: $0

Approval Odds

Credit Score of Approved and Denied Applications


Prime Visa

Best for Big Purchases on Amazon

For anyone who shops on Amazon (and who doesn't?) the Prime Visa is perfect for you. You get 5% cash back on Amazon and at Whole Foods, 2% cash back on dining, gas, and transit, and 1% on everything else. While there's no annual fee, you'll need an Amazon Prime membership to qualify for the card (currently $14.99 a month or $139 a year).

Rewards:

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases.
2% cash back
Dining
Earn unlimited 2% back at restaurants.
2% cash back
Gas
Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations.
2% cash back
Transit
Earn unlimited 2% back on local transit and commuting (including rideshare).
5% cash back
Select Categories
Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership.
5% cash back
Travel
Earn unlimited 5% back on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership.
10% cash back
Select Categories
Eligible Prime cardmembers earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com.

0% Intro APR Offer: None

Welcome Offer:  Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members

Annual Fee:  $0 (requires Prime membership)

Approval Odds

Credit Score of Approved and Denied Applications


Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Best for Small Businesses

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is a great card for small businesses trying to get off the ground. Not only can you earn a sweet welcome bonus, but you also get 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months. On top of that, you'll earn 5% cash back on many expenses the typical small business spends money on.

Rewards:

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
2% cash back
Dining
Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year.
2% cash back
Gas
Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year.
5% cash back
Select Categories
Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year

0% Intro APR Offer: Get 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months. After that, your rate will be 18.49% - 24.49% variable, depending on creditworthiness.

Welcome Offer: Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Annual Fee: $0

Approval Odds

Credit Score of Approved and Denied Applications


Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Best for Making a Large Business Purchase

If you own a business and need to make a big purchase, such as new office equipment, one of our favorite cards is the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card. This is one of the best business cards available.

First of all, making a large purchase with this card can help you earn an excellent welcome bonus. You’ll also get 0% intro APR for 12 months upon account opening for purchases, then an ongoing variable APR of 18.49% - 24.49% applies. This gives you a full year to pay off any major purchases without paying a dime of interest.

Rewards:

1.5% cash back
All eligible purchases
1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases with no limits to the amount you can earn

0% Intro APR: Get 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then a variable APR of 18.49% - 24.49%.

Welcome Offer:  Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Annual Fee:  $0

Approval Odds

Credit Score of Approved and Denied Applications

How to Choose a Credit Card for Big Purchases

Here are some features to look for when choosing a credit card for big purchases:

0% intro APR: Some credit cards offer 0% intro APR for both purchases and balance transfers while others only offer it for one or the other. If 0% APR is important to you, be sure the credit card you're applying for offers 0% intro APR for purchases. Keep in mind, that this feature is of little to no value if you don't pay off the full balance before the intro period ends.

Welcome Offer: If the credit card offers a welcome bonus, then a big purchase can help you reach the spending requirement. However, it's important to remember that you never want to charge more on your credit card than you can afford to pay off at the end of the billing cycle.

Fees: Most of the credit cards on this list have no annual fee. The ones that do, have a reasonable annual fee for additional perks and rewards. But if you don't use the perks or benefits, there's no sense in choosing a credit card with an annual fee.

Rewards: Consider the rewards or cash back you can earn with the credit card. If you don't travel often, a credit card paying elevated rewards on travel is probably not the best choice for you. Instead, choose a card that aligns with your spending habits.

Bottom Line

Have no fear, big spender! The cards listed above cover nearly every situation you may run into. Remember, though, making a big purchase is a major responsibility. If you take advantage of a 0% intro APR offer, have a plan to pay it all back, otherwise, you’ll end up in debt. Now the only question remains–what are you going to buy?