Credit cards aren’t generally seen as the best option for borrowing money due to their high interest rates on unpaid balances. But a credit card can give you a lucrative edge over a personal loan if you need to finance a large purchase around the corner and plan to pay it off quickly.
The key is to use the right card for both the upcoming purchase and for your long-term needs. This could mean choosing a credit card that offers a 0 percent intro APR on purchases, a good welcome offer or stellar rewards potential based on your ongoing spending.
If you’re looking for the best credit card for a large purchase, here are our hand-picked selections of the top cards for the job.
Top credit cards for large purchases
16.99%, 23.49%, or 28.74% Variable APR
Bankrate’s view
Whether you need as much time as possible to pay off an upcoming purchase — or if you’ve already made that large purchase — the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card can give you as much breathing room as possible with its chart-topping intro APR offer. While the card is light on benefits, it does provide up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible; terms apply).
Pros
Few cards offer intro APR offers as long as the Reflect’s on both purchases and balance transfers.
The ongoing APR can be relatively low, making it valuable after the end of the intro period.
Cons
It doesn’t earn rewards, so the long-term value is limited compared to other rewards cards .
The 5 percent balance transfer fee ($5 minimum) is higher than several competing cards’ transfer fees.
Card Details
Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 16.99%, 23.49%, or 28.74% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min: $5.
$0 annual fee.
Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants. It’s an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo credit card.
Best for travel rewards
Cardholder rating
4.2
Bankrate score
4.9
Bankrate review
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:670 – 850
Apply now
on Chase‘s secure site
See Rates & Fees
19.99% – 28.24% Variable
Reward Details
5xEarn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
3xEarn 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
2xEarn 2x on all other travel purchases.
1xEarn 1x on all other purchases.
Bankrate’s view
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs some of the best potential travel rewards value on large travel and everyday purchases. Any upcoming large purchases can help you qualify for the welcome offer — one of the most valuable travel rewards bonuses on the market. Plus, if you regularly make big purchases, you can rake in remarkable value from the annual 10 percent bonus points on your previous year’s purchases.
Pros
For a mid-tier travel card, it carries stellar travel and purchase protections to insure your big purchases.
The card includes useful travel perks that easily make up for the annual fee.
Cons
The card does not come with any intro APR offers, which doesn’t make it ideal for large travel purchases.
There is a $95 annual fee, although you could offset it through perks if you can squeeze enough value through the anniversary bonus points and annual credits.
Card Details
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
10% anniversary points boost – each account anniversary you’ll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
Member FDIC
Best for cash back
Cardholder rating
4.3
Bankrate score
5.0
Bankrate review
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:670 – 850
Apply now
on Chase‘s secure site
See Rates & Fees
18.99% – 28.49% Variable
Reward Details
5%Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more.
3%3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service.
1.5%1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Bankrate’s view
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a versatile, one-size-fits-all card that could be even more lucrative than 2 percent flat-rate cash rewards cards if you prioritize ongoing cash back on your everyday purchases.
Plus, the welcome bonus is easy to earn and would be a nice batch of extra points on your large purchase.
Pros
Its solid intro APRs on purchases and balance transfers are competitive for a no-annual-fee rewards card.
It has some of the best perks and protections for a cash back card.
Cons
Depending on your typical spending, the flat rewards rate could be less lucrative than the 2 percent top flat-rate cards provide.
This card charges foreign transaction fees, so it’s not ideal for traveling abroad or making purchases in foreign currency.
Card Details
Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% – 28.49%.
No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
Member FDIC
By applying, you can see if you’re approved before impacting your credit
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points
Reward Details
12XEarn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
6XEarn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
4XEarn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
3XEarn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
Bankrate’s view
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card can rack up substantial points across its impressive variety of reward categories across Hilton and everyday purchases. One of the most significant expenses of travel can be your hotel stay, especially if it’s an extended one. With the Hilton Surpass Card, you receive automatic Hilton Honors Gold status, which, among other things, means you can get a fifth night free if you book your stay with points for five or more consecutive nights.
Pros
You can safeguard eligible large purchases with the Amex purchase protection and extended warranty perks, and pay them off over time with the American Express Plan It alternative payment option.
It grants you Hilton Gold elite status, which comes with complimentary breakfast, higher reward earnings and room upgrades when available at Hilton properties.
Cons
While you can earn a large amount of points, your redemption options are generally limited to Hilton stays and experiences.
The annual Free Night Award could be hard to obtain if you don’t regularly make large purchases since it requires spending $15,000 on your card in a calendar year.
Card Details
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. That’s up to $200 in statement credits annually.
Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold status with your Card. Plus, spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year. Terms and Limitations apply.
As a Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Member, you can enroll to receive complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status through the link on your American Express online account. After you’re enrolled, you can reserve a rental car by calling National Car Rental directly, using your travel service, or by booking online or through the National Car Rental mobile app. Terms apply.
No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.
$0 intro for first year; $95 after that
Reward Details
2%Earn unlimited 2% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions
5%Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One’s travel booking site
Bankrate’s view
The Capital One Spark Cash packs one of the best unlimited flat rewards rates for a cash back business card — 2 percent back on purchases — without charging an exorbitant annual fee. Plus, large purchases could help you earn the competitive welcome offer.
Pros
There’s no preset spending limit to cap the potential rewards you could earn on large purchases.
There are no foreign transaction fees, which could make this a better card for large travel expenses than several competing cash back cards.
Cons
Unlike traditional credit cards that give you the option to pay off your balance over time, you’re required to pay your card off in full each month.
It’s one of the only premium rewards cards without annual credits or other valuable perks that can help you make up for the annual fee.
Card Details
Earn a $1,000 cash bonus when you spend $10,000 within 3 months of account opening
For businesses that want to earn 2% cash back on all purchases with the familiarity of a traditional credit line
Earn unlimited 2% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions
$0 annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
Free employee cards, which also earn unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases
Rewards won’t expire for the life of the account, and you can redeem your cash back for any amount
No foreign transaction fees
Best travel card welcome bonus
Cardholder rating
4.4
Bankrate score
5.0
Bankrate review
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:740 – 850
Apply now
on Capital One‘s secure site
See Rates & Fees
19.99% – 29.24% (Variable)
Reward Details
10 Miles10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5 Miles5 Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
2 Miles2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
Bankrate’s view
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a substantial welcome bonus that can be valuable towards future travel purchases, especially if transferred to a solid travel partner. Plus, you easily bank up rewards on large purchases with the unlimited, flat-rate 2X miles. The Venture X’s valuable perks also make its annual fee easier to recoup without dipping into your hard-earned rewards.
Pros
You can shave up to $300 off of your travel purchases through Capital One Travel with annual statement credits and the 10,000 bonus miles on your account anniversary.
It’s one of the few cards that still offers return protection, which can be a big help if you need to get your money back from an eligible big purchase.
Cons
There isn’t as comprehensive a travel reward transfer partners list as some other issuers provide.
The annual fee could be difficult to justify if you don’t travel enough through the Capital One Travel portal to maximize the annual credits.
Card Details
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
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Comparing the best cards for large purchases
How to choose a card for large purchases
Choosing the best card for large purchases is a matter of finding the best balance of benefits, earnings and interest rates, among other things. Consider these important factors:
Welcome offer: Getting a welcome offer and earning quick rewards can help you offset the cost of a large purchase. Make sure the spending requirement isn’t too high to qualify for the offer or time your application with sizable purchases like an extended vacation or home renovation project.
Rewards rate: Rewards rates for different spending categories vary by credit card. To get the most out of your card, choose one that offers generous rewards in the categories in which you spend the most, such as online purchases, groceries or travel.
Transfer partners: With some credit cards, you may increase the value of the points you earn through your everyday spending by transferring them to airline and hotel partners. If you often travel, check if the card partners with hotel chains or airlines that you frequent.
Annual credits: Check to see if a card’s annual credits completely offset its annual fee (and that you can use them with retailers you already shop with) or puts you in a position where the rewards you earn with your regular spending will cover what’s left.
Benefits: Ideally, you’ll find a card with benefits that complement your lifestyle and help you save money. Some cards offer travel benefits, purchase protections, elite status and other perks. Understanding the kinds of benefits you want with your card can help you make the right choice.
How Bankrate experts chose their cards for large purchases
Senior credit card editor Nouri Zarrugh considered many features when narrowing down his options for a credit card to use for an upcoming computer purchase. He ultimately chose the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for three reasons.
“When I was looking to buy a computer, I decided it was a great time to apply for a new credit card. Here was my thinking:
I could easily earn a sign-up bonus based on the cost, so I’d essentially get a big discount on the large purchase just for getting a new card.
I’d earn a decent chunk of rewards for the large purchase since the card I went with offered 3 percent back on online shopping (and I planned to purchase online).
I could chip away at the cost over time with the card’s intro APR offer (I could pay it off right away, but being able to pay over time helped lessen the mental ‘blow’ of spending a lot of money all at once).”
Nouri Zarrugh, Senior Editor, Credit Cards
Pitfalls of opening a credit card for large purchases
Make sure you weigh the advantages and disadvantages of using a credit card for large purchases before opening one.
While opening a new credit card for a large purchase can be beneficial by giving you more time to pay off the debt and earning points, it’s also a risky financial move. If money is uncertain due to emergencies or other circumstances, it’s an easy way to fall into debt. The large, lingering balance will likely cause long-term monthly payments as well as incur interest, making those payments even higher.
It can also affect your credit utilization ratio. Experts recommend that card users keep their utilization ratio under 30 percent of their available credit limit. Putting a large purchase on a credit card with a small credit limit is likely to negatively affect your credit score.
If you’re sure that the debt can be paid back either by the payment due date or within the timeframe of the 0 percent intro APR offer, it’s a solid strategy that can give you a boost in rewards points right away.
What’s next?
The bottom line
Using a credit card for a large purchase can help you preserve cash and earn rewards in the process — but the best credit card for a large purchase shouldn’t just be for one event. Make sure the card you choose meets your immediate spending needs and helps you achieve your long-term financial goals.
The Bank of America content in this post was last updated on 09/23/2025.
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