Best credit cards for Apple purchases

The Bank of America content was last updated on August 22, 2022.

The cult-like devotion to all things Apple is unwavering.

Lines for the newest generation of iPhone still go around the block on release day and the faithful attend the company’s annual conference by the hundreds at the mere suggestion of a groundbreaking product announcement.

Whether you’ve been an Apple loyalist since the first-generation Macintosh computer or recently made the switch for PC or Android, you’re probably wondering what the best credit card for Apple purchases is to earn big rewards on these big purchases. If that sounds like you, check our favorite picks below.

Apple Credit Card: Best for only Apple purchases

Why we picked it: The Apple Credit Card* works best when used for Apple purchases. With it, you’ll earn 3% cash back on everything Apple and 3% cash back on Panera Bread, Exxon/Mobil, Walgreens, Nike and Uber purchases. The card also gives 3% cash back when you use Apple Pay at T-Mobile stores, 2% cash back on all other Apple Pay purchases and 1% cash back on everything else you buy with the physical card.

It seems complicated, but it’s just Apple being Apple – trying to revolutionize the credit card scene. You should know that the Apple Card mostly lives on your phone, on the Wallet app, and is best maximized if you use it with Apple Pay. With a robust spending tracker and real-time estimation of interest on a payment, this card tries to make your financial lives clearer and freer.

Pros

• No annual fee
• Easy redemption for cash back, known as Apple Pay Daily Cash
• Unlimited cash back
• Low APR (10.99%-21.99% variable)

Cons

• Low cash back on non-Apple purchases
• No sign-up bonus

Who should apply: Diehard Apple fans will love this card to use on all their iPhone, Apple Music, Apple TV and such purchases. If you’re making the switch to PC to Mac, or Android to iPhone, soon, you may also like this card, to at least get some cash back on your big upcoming purchase.

Who should skip: Cardholders who like Apple but don’t spend on its products multiple times a year don’t need this card. If you also don’t like using Apple Pay, you will find it difficult to justify getting this card.

U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card: Best for mobile wallet spending

Why we picked it: Unlike the Apple Card, the U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card* not only features a healthy sign-up bonus, but it also rewards you for using your mobile wallet. It even lets you redeem points as you collect them, much like the Apple Card.

The card gives 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked with the Altitude Rewards Center and 3X points on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet spending. The $400 annual fee is very high, but you can offset it with up to $325 in annual statement credits for eligible travel purchases.

Pros

• 50,000 points if you spend $4,500 in the first 90 days
• Up to $325 annual travel credit
• Up to $100 credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years
• Points worth 50% per point when redeemed for travel

Cons

• $400 annual fee
• Must be an existing U.S. Bank account holder to qualify

Who should apply: If you currently have a U.S. Bank checking or savings account, mortgage or credit card, you’ll love the rewards the card brings in. Cardholders who use Apple Pay regularly, for their daily coffee or lunch run, should definitely go for this one.

Who should skip: Cardholders who occasionally spend on Apple products or don’t use Apple Pay might want to opt for another option.

Alliant Visa Signature Card: Best for flat-rate cash back

Why we picked it: For those of you looking for the simplest, most straightforward card, meet the Alliant Visa Signature Card*. As a flat-rate cash back credit card, the Alliant Visa Signature applies 2.5% cash back on every purchase (up to $250 cash back per billing cycle), then 1.5% cash back. That’s quite a generous rewards structure – you can spend $10,000 in one billing cycle before reaching that $250 cash back limit.

Meanwhile, for all the Apple products you buy, you get 90 days of purchase and extended warranty protection.

Pros

• 5% cash back on every purchase up to $250 cash back per billing cycle), then 1.5%
• No annual or foreign transaction fees
• Visa Signature card benefits

Cons

• Can only redeem cash back as statement credit or direct deposit into Alliant checking or savings account
• Minimum redemption of $25

Who should apply: Cardholders who like the simplicity and uncomplicated nature of flat-rate cards should definitely apply. If you’d also like to earn solid rewards on the purchases you make outside of Apple products, this one will do great.

Who should skip: Those who like to play with rotating categories and figuring out how to maximize their rewards will find this card boring. Of course, if you’d prefer to get a card from one of the major issuers, skip this one.

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for Apple.com purchases

Why we picked it: If you value flexibility over everything, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is the card for you. It offers 3% cash back on a category of choice, with one of the potential categories being online shopping (Apple.com and Apple Music qualify).

It also gives 2% cash back on grocery store and wholesale club purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. Remember that your 2% and 3% categories have a $2,500 spend limit per quarter. Plus, if you qualify for a Preferred Rewards tier, you may be able to get up to 75% more cash back and bump up your cash back on Apple purchases to 5.25%.

Pros

• No annual fee
• Change 3% category of choice up to once per calendar month
• $200 online cash rewards if you spend $1,000 in first 90 days
• 0% intro APR for first 18 billing cycles on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days) and new purchases (16.24-26.24% variable thereafter)

Cons

• $2,500 spend limit per quarter on bonus categories
• Limited redemption options

Who should apply: Apple fans who tend to consume its products via online shopping (buying products from online retailers, subscribing to Apple Music, etc.) will love this card. If you’d also like to earn substantial rewards on your other purchases, the card’s flexibility allows that.

Who should skip: Cardholders whose main Apple purchases are through Apple Pay and the rare, in-store Apple purchase should avoid this card.

Discover it Cash Back: Best for high cash back

Why we picked it: If you’re willing to put in a little work to maximize your cash back earnings, the Discover it® Cash Back is an excellent choice. It offers 5% cash back in rotating categories (up to $1,500 per quarter, then 1%) and 1% cash back on general purchases.

The bonus categories featured in the Discover cash back calendar are released on a quarterly basis, but based on previous years (such as in 2022) Target, PayPal, Amazon.com and digital wallets are the common categories you can earn 5% cash back on your Apple products. Target and Amazon.com both sell Apple items, Apple.com accepts PayPal as a payment option and digital wallets allow you use Apple Pay. For a sign-up bonus, Discover will also match all the cash back you earn in your first year. If you max out your rewards in the next three quarters of 2022 and apply the sign-up bonus, you’ll gain $450 in cash back.

Pros

• No annual fee
• Cashback Match at the end of first year
• Redeem cash back at any time
• 0% intro APR on balance transfers and new purchases for 15 months (13.49%-24.49% variable thereafter)

Cons

• Enrollment required quarterly
• $1,500 spending cap on rotating categories

Who should apply: Cardholders who enjoy playing with rotating categories and earning high cash back will like this card, one of the best cash back credit cards on the market. If you cannot figure out what kind of Apple consumer you are (online versus in person), consider this one as well. People looking for a well-rounded card in general, outside of your Apple purchases, won’t go wrong with the Discover it Cash Back, either.

Who should skip: If you think you’ll forget to enroll each quarter, you should skip this one. You should also take a look at Discover’s cash back calendar now – if the categories don’t really match up with your spending habits, other cards suit you better.

Comparing the best credit cards for Apple purchases

How to choose the best credit card for Apple purchases for you

The dilemma of credit cards is always there’s so many options, but no time to try them all. If so, how does you narrow down your choices to find the best credit card to suits your personal spending habits? Ask yourself the following questions to start the choosing process.

• Do I spend on Apple products or Apple Pay? For cardholders who love their Apple accessories: charger, AirPods, iPad cover, Apple Watch band and all the others, you should go for a card that gives rewards on Apple purchases (in store or online). For people who love the contactless convenience of Apple Pay, the easy choice is a card that gives rewards on Apple Pay purchases.
• Additional card or main card? If you have a long credit history and are just looking for another plastic, with Apple benefits, to add to your wallet, the Apple Card will likely hit the spot. Apple fans who are looking for a new main credit card (or their only one) would prefer one of the more well-rounded cards, like the Bank of America Customized Cash or Discover it Cash Back.
• Flat-rate, rotating categories or bonus categories? “There’s no time for distractions” – if that sounds like you, you’d probably like a flat-rate card. Unless you love playing with categories, timing all your Amazon purchases within three months of a year, you’d probably prefer a bonus category card. We’d say rotating categories are for the true credit card enthusiasts.

Bottom line

We often say (but it’s true), you cannot go wrong with any of these cards. As long as you examined your spending patterns and think your chosen card matches them, you’ll be basking in rewards soon. Just make sure you don’t get too tempted with the rewards and spend according to budget.

*All information about the Apple Credit Card, U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card and Alliant Visa Signature Card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.