If you’re shopping online for Cyber Monday deals, a good, rewarding credit card can help you save even more at checkout.
Credit cards can provide a solid return on your spending with welcome offers and rewards, and some help make your online purchases more secure. To enjoy more savings and security when shopping this Cyber Monday, here are some of the best credit cards to choose from.
CNET’S PICK
Intro Offer
Get a $200 Amazon Gift Card
Get a $200 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
Rewards Rate
1%
– 10%
Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of products and categories at Amazon.com; Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership; Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare); Earn unlimited 1% on all other purchases
Rec. Credit
Recommended Credit: A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
670 – 850
Good – Excellent
APR
19.49% – 27.49% Variable
If you’re shopping on Amazon, the Prime Visa is your best option this Cyber Monday. Amazon has plenty of Cyber Monday deals, and the Prime Visa will help you save even more thanks to the rewards it earns and its welcome offer. The card also provides useful perks like purchase protection, which covers your new purchases against damage or theft, and extended warranty, which extends a manufacturer’s warranty.
Until Dec. 4, you’ll get an instant $200 Amazon gift card upon approval that you can put toward your Cyber Monday purchases. The card doesn’t charge an annual fee, but you’ll need to be an Amazon Prime member to qualify.
You can learn more in our Prime Visa review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.49% – 27.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
10%
Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of products and categories at Amazon.com
5%
Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
2%
Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
1%
Earn unlimited 1% on all other purchases
If you’re shopping on Amazon, the Prime Visa is your best option this Cyber Monday. Amazon has plenty of Cyber Monday deals, and the Prime Visa will help you save even more thanks to the rewards it earns and its welcome offer. The card also provides useful perks like purchase protection, which covers your new purchases against damage or theft, and extended warranty, which extends a manufacturer’s warranty.
Until Dec. 4, you’ll get an instant $200 Amazon gift card upon approval that you can put toward your Cyber Monday purchases. The card doesn’t charge an annual fee, but you’ll need to be an Amazon Prime member to qualify.
You can learn more in our Prime Visa review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.49% – 27.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
10%
Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of products and categories at Amazon.com
5%
Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
2%
Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
1%
Earn unlimited 1% on all other purchases
Intro Offer
$200 cash rewards
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Rewards Rate
2%
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Rec. Credit
Recommended Credit: A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
670 – 850
Good – Excellent
APR
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
The Active Cash is a good choice no matter when you’re planning to use it. It earns flat cash rewards for your purchases — including whatever you plan to buy this Cyber Monday. Its welcome offer threshold should be pretty easy to reach, especially if you plan to use the card for most of your holiday shopping. It also has an introductory purchase APR that can help you finance a planned purchase.
You can learn more in our Wells Fargo Active Cash review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening
- Regular APR
- 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- up to 5%, min: $5
2%
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
The Active Cash is a good choice no matter when you’re planning to use it. It earns flat cash rewards for your purchases — including whatever you plan to buy this Cyber Monday. Its welcome offer threshold should be pretty easy to reach, especially if you plan to use the card for most of your holiday shopping. It also has an introductory purchase APR that can help you finance a planned purchase.
You can learn more in our Wells Fargo Active Cash review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening
- Regular APR
- 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- up to 5%, min: $5
2%
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Intro Offer
$200 cash back
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Rewards Rate
2%
– 5%
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.; Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
Rec. Credit
Recommended Credit: A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
580 – 850
Fair – Excellent
APR
19.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
Like the Active Cash, the Citi Double Cash offers a flexible rewards program. For most purchases you’ll earn 2% cash back – 1% when you make the purchase, and the other 1% once it’s paid off. You can also likely make some progress toward earning its welcome offer this holiday season. While the Double Cash does offer a virtual card number through digital wallets, it doesn’t feature many additional card perks like shopping protections.
You can learn more in our Citi Double Cash review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro for 18 months on Balance Transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
5%
Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
2%
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Like the Active Cash, the Citi Double Cash offers a flexible rewards program. For most purchases you’ll earn 2% cash back – 1% when you make the purchase, and the other 1% once it’s paid off. You can also likely make some progress toward earning its welcome offer this holiday season. While the Double Cash does offer a virtual card number through digital wallets, it doesn’t feature many additional card perks like shopping protections.
You can learn more in our Citi Double Cash review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro for 18 months on Balance Transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
5%
Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
2%
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Intro Offer
Earn $200
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Rewards Rate
1%
– 3%
3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.; 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.; 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.; 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
Rec. Credit
Recommended Credit: A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
670 – 850
Good – Excellent
APR
19.24% – 29.99% Variable
While most credit cards will offer a small reward rate for online shopping, only a handful have a dedicated online shopping bonus category. With the Blue Cash Everyday, you can earn 3% cash back on purchases at U.S. online retailers on up to $6,000 per year (then 1%). A category like this will continue to be useful even after Cyber Monday ends.
Its welcome offer has a higher spending threshold than many competitors, but its introductory purchase APR could prove useful for avoiding interest charges while paying off a larger purchase. There’s no annual fee to worry about, either.
You can learn more in our Blue Cash Everyday review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% on balance transfers for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% on purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 19.24% – 29.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
3%
3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
3%
3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
3%
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
1%
1% Cash Back on other purchases.
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more
While most credit cards will offer a small reward rate for online shopping, only a handful have a dedicated online shopping bonus category. With the Blue Cash Everyday, you can earn 3% cash back on purchases at U.S. online retailers on up to $6,000 per year (then 1%). A category like this will continue to be useful even after Cyber Monday ends.
Its welcome offer has a higher spending threshold than many competitors, but its introductory purchase APR could prove useful for avoiding interest charges while paying off a larger purchase. There’s no annual fee to worry about, either.
You can learn more in our Blue Cash Everyday review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% on balance transfers for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% on purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 19.24% – 29.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
3%
3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
3%
3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
3%
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
1%
1% Cash Back on other purchases.
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more
Rewards Rate
2%
– 3%
Apple Card gives you unlimited 3% Daily Cash back on everything you buy at Apple; With every purchase you make using your Apple Card with Apple Pay, you get 2% Daily Cash back
Rec. Credit
Recommended Credit: A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
N/A
APR
19.24% to 29.49% Variable
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.24% to 29.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
3%
Apple Card gives you unlimited 3% Daily Cash back on everything you buy at Apple
2%
With every purchase you make using your Apple Card with Apple Pay, you get 2% Daily Cash back
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.24% to 29.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
3%
Apple Card gives you unlimited 3% Daily Cash back on everything you buy at Apple
2%
With every purchase you make using your Apple Card with Apple Pay, you get 2% Daily Cash back
Intro Offer
Save $50 on a future qualifying purchase
Save $50 on a future qualifying purchase over $50 when approved for a credit or debit RedCard. Offer is redeemable only through Target Circle™. Valid 10/29/23 – 12/9/23
Rewards Rate
1%
– 5%
Save 5% in store and online at Target; For each eligible purchase you make in gas or dining merchant categories, you earn rewards at a rate of 2% of the eligible purchase amount.; For each eligible purchase you make at a merchant that is not in a gas or dining category, you earn rewards at a rate of 1% of the eligible purchase amount.
Rec. Credit
Recommended Credit: A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
670 – 739
Good
If you know the joys (or dangers) of Target — especially on a deal day like Cyber Monday — you’ve probably seen its credit card offer. It’s fairly simple, along with standard retail credit card perks like 2-day shipping and extended returns, you’ll automatically save 5% on your purchases at checkout. You can also earn rewards on gas and dining, which you can then redeem for Target gift cards.
You can learn more in our Target RedCard* review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 28.15% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
5%
Save 5% in store and online at Target
2%
For each eligible purchase you make in gas or dining merchant categories, you earn rewards at a rate of 2% of the eligible purchase amount.
1%
For each eligible purchase you make at a merchant that is not in a gas or dining category, you earn rewards at a rate of 1% of the eligible purchase amount.
If you know the joys (or dangers) of Target — especially on a deal day like Cyber Monday — you’ve probably seen its credit card offer. It’s fairly simple, along with standard retail credit card perks like 2-day shipping and extended returns, you’ll automatically save 5% on your purchases at checkout. You can also earn rewards on gas and dining, which you can then redeem for Target gift cards.
You can learn more in our Target RedCard* review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 28.15% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
5%
Save 5% in store and online at Target
2%
For each eligible purchase you make in gas or dining merchant categories, you earn rewards at a rate of 2% of the eligible purchase amount.
1%
For each eligible purchase you make at a merchant that is not in a gas or dining category, you earn rewards at a rate of 1% of the eligible purchase amount.
Intro Offer
5%
Introductory offer: Earn 5% cash back on purchases in Walmart® stores for the first 12 months when you use your card with Walmart Pay
Rewards Rate
1%
– 5%
Earn 5% cash back on Walmart.com purchases, including pickup and delivery
; Earn 2% cash back on purchases in Walmart® stores, Murphy USA and Walmart® fuel stations; 2% cash back on restaurants and travel purchases; 1% cash back on all other purchases everywhere else Mastercard® is accepted
Rec. Credit
Recommended Credit: A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
580 – 850
Fair – Excellent
APR
18.99% or 29.99% (Variable)
Planning on doing some online shopping at Walmart this Cyber Monday? It might be worth picking up the Walmart Rewards Mastercard before you do. It’s rare to find a co-branded credit card that earns cash back rather than store credit.
You’ll earn 5% cash back for purchases at Walmart.com and 2% in stores, plus 5% cash back in stores for the first 12 months when you use your card with Walmart Pay. So after your first year — or if you prefer not to use Walmart Pay — you’ll want to prioritize online shopping. However, the card doesn’t offer many shopping protections or Walmart-specific perks.
You can learn more in our Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard* review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 18.99% or 29.99% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- $0 at the Transfer APR, 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
5%
Earn 5% cash back on Walmart.com purchases, including pickup and delivery
2%
Earn 2% cash back on purchases in Walmart® stores, Murphy USA and Walmart® fuel stations
2%
2% cash back on restaurants and travel purchases
1%
1% cash back on all other purchases everywhere else Mastercard® is accepted
Planning on doing some online shopping at Walmart this Cyber Monday? It might be worth picking up the Walmart Rewards Mastercard before you do. It’s rare to find a co-branded credit card that earns cash back rather than store credit.
You’ll earn 5% cash back for purchases at Walmart.com and 2% in stores, plus 5% cash back in stores for the first 12 months when you use your card with Walmart Pay. So after your first year — or if you prefer not to use Walmart Pay — you’ll want to prioritize online shopping. However, the card doesn’t offer many shopping protections or Walmart-specific perks.
You can learn more in our Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard* review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 18.99% or 29.99% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- $0 at the Transfer APR, 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
5%
Earn 5% cash back on Walmart.com purchases, including pickup and delivery
2%
Earn 2% cash back on purchases in Walmart® stores, Murphy USA and Walmart® fuel stations
2%
2% cash back on restaurants and travel purchases
1%
1% cash back on all other purchases everywhere else Mastercard® is accepted
An ideal credit card to use this holiday shopping season will provide a good rewards rate, extra savings, shopping protections and security features like virtual credit card capabilities.
If you have a preferred retailer to shop with, like Amazon or Target, see if they’re offering any special discounts or heightened welcome bonuses. For example, you could earn an instant $200 Amazon gift card upon approval this Cyber Monday with the Prime Visa card.
Pros
-
Save more money by earning credit card rewards this holiday shopping season
-
Safeguard your purchases with shopping protections
-
Keep your financial information more secure with features like virtual credit cards
-
Make progress toward a credit card’s welcome bonus with planned purchases
Cons
-
Credit cards could lead to overspending
-
High variable interest rates could lead to credit card debt if you don’t pay off the balance each month
-
Missing a credit card payment could damage your credit score
How can you choose the right credit card?
You shouldn’t choose a credit card based on short-term savings. While there are plenty of good Cyber Monday deals to choose from, it’s important to make sure you can continue to derive value from your card once the shopping season comes to an end.
Rewards
How much the card earns is likely among the most important factors to consider. You want it to be worth using for purchases you normally make outside of Cyber Monday.
Limited-time offers
See if any of your favorite retailers are promoting special deals this Cyber Monday. If it offers a credit card, you might be able to push your savings even higher through a welcome offer or a lucrative rewards rate.
Welcome offer
With a welcome offer, you can earn cash back, a statement credit or other rewards if you spend at least the specified amount within an allotted time. So long as you can reach a credit card’s spending threshold without overspending, a card’s bonus could add considerable value. Some credit cards, like the Prime Visa, don’t even require a spending threshold to qualify for their bonuses.
Card perks
Additional card perks like shopping protections or virtual credit card capabilities could enhance the security of your purchases and save you money, particularly if merchandise breaks or is stolen. Some credit cards, like the Wells Fargo Active Cash, will provide additional protection for your cell phone and roadside dispatch if you run into car trouble when traveling, among others.
Introductory APR
If you’re planning to make a large purchase either for yourself or to cross off an item on your holiday shopping list, an introductory purchase APR could give you some breathing room for paying off the purchase without paying interest charges.
Before you apply, make sure the card’s promotional period offers enough time to pay off the balance before interest starts to accrue. To figure out how much you’ll need to pay monthly, divide the purchase amount by the number of months in the promotional period.
How to get the most from your credit card this Cyber Monday
Getting the most from your card this Cyber Monday means using it where it’ll earn the most rewards and earning the welcome offer. Cyber Monday should be all about savings, so you’ll want to earn as many rewards as you can without overspending.
An easy way to do that is to build a budget and stick to it. If you overspend for the sake of earning rewards or the welcome offer, any interest charges could quickly wipe out any value you’d get from the card.
Alternatives to using credit cards
If you’re worried about overspending or getting into credit card debt this holiday season, there are other ways to pay for your goods, like debit cards, cash or Buy Now, Pay Later plans.
Debit cards reduce the chances of overspending as they’re connected to your bank account, so you’re limited to spending money you have in your account. While debit cards aren’t as lucrative as credit cards and they typically don’t provide any additional card perks, they’ll potentially help you spend less and avoid getting into debt.
Buy Now, Pay Later or BNPL plans let you make a purchase and then pay it off over a short period of time. Some BNPL plans won’t charge you any interest, while others might charge retroactive interest if you’re unable to pay off the balance by the deadline. If you choose the right BNPL option and use it responsibly, you could avoid paying costly interest charges. However, they may not be as effective as a credit card since you’ll miss out on credit card rewards, benefits and protections, and BNPL plans could carry additional risks.
How to apply for a credit card
Once you find the card that fits your budget and lifestyle, applying is easy:
- Choose a credit card that’ll reward you for your normal spending habits.
- Apply online and fill out an application with the credit card issuer. You’ll need financial and identifying information including your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, monthly rent or mortgage payment and gross income.
- Once you’ve received your card, remember to only make purchases you can afford to pay off to avoid getting into credit card debt.
FAQs
The Prime Visa is our pick for best Cyber Monday card. You’ll earn solid rewards across Amazon’s brands, and until Dec. 4, you can earn an instant $200 Amazon gift card upon approval.
It’s safe to assume all of the big retailers like Apple, Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy will be running some form of special discount. Check with your favorite store or use CNET’s guide to the best Cyber Monday deals.
A rewards or cash-back credit card will be your best bet to use on Cyber Monday since it helps you save on purchases you’re already making.
Other credit cards we researched
Our methodology
CNET reviews credit cards by exhaustively comparing them across set criteria developed for each major category, including cash-back, welcome bonus, travel rewards and balance transfer.
We take into consideration the typical spending behavior of a range of consumer profiles — with the understanding that everyone’s financial situation is different — and the designated function of a card.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express, click here.
*All information about the Apple Card, Target RedCard, and the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.
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