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Whether it's groceries, gas or vacations, costs rise once you have kids. The right credit card can help offset those expenses, though, with cash back on everyday spending and family-friendly perks.
CNBC Select has rounded up the best credit cards for families, based on common spending categories. We also evaluated features such as purchase protection, travel insurance, budgeting tools and simple rewards redemption — because parents have better things to do with their precious free time than figure out complicated points programs.
For more on how we made our selections, read our methodology below.
Best credit cards for families
- Best for gas and groceries: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Best for cash back: Citi Double Cash® Card
- Best for dining and entertainment: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for family travel: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (See rates and fees)
- Best for online shopping: Prime Visa (see rates and fees)
Best for gas and groceries
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a low-fee card with generous cash-back rewards and useful ongoing benefits, such as a monthly Disney Bundle credit. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $300 cash back* after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $3,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.49%-28.49%.
- Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don't have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you'll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
- Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars
Who is this for? The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers one of the highest rewards rates available at U.S. supermarkets: 6% cash back on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%). Cardholders also earn 3% back at eligible gas stations and on transit, including trains, buses, taxis and rideshare services.
Are your kids glued to their screens? You'll also earn 6% cash back on select streaming subscriptions (and 1% cash back on all other purchases).
Rewards are redeemed as statement credits and card members can also take advantage of Amex Offers for additional rewards at select retailers (enrollment required).
The card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year. After that, it's $95 (see rates and fees), but for many families, that's easily offset by the rewards.
Best for cash back
The Citi Double Cash® Card is one of the best no-annual-fee cash-back cards thanks to its straightforward rewards structure. Card is one of the best no-annual-fee cash-back cards thanks to its straightforward rewards structure.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- 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.
- 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, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
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.
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Who is this for? If you're looking for a straightforward cash-back card, opt for the flat-rate Citi Double Cash® Card. This no-annual-fee card earns 2% cash back on all purchases — 1% when you make a purchase and an additional 1% when you pay your bill.
There is no limit to the amount of cash back you can earn, and you don't have to worry about activating bonus categories. And cash back can be redeemed for a statement credit to offset your bill or as a direct deposit into your bank account.
If you have credit card debt, the Citi Double Cash Card can help you consolidate it, with a 0% intro APR for the first 18 months on balance transfers (then 17.49% - 27.49% variable APR, based on your creditworthiness). There is an introductory balance transfer fee of 3% on each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first four months after account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Best for dining and entertainment
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the most rewarding options for earning cash back in categories such as entertainment and dining without paying an annual fee.
- One of the most rewarding cash back cards for entertainment and streaming services
- No annual fee
- Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
- High APR
- Requires a good to excellent credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months; 18.74% - 28.74% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
Introductory fee of 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account during the first 12 months that your account is open. After that, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that we may offer you at any other time.
Who is this for? If you like to dine out with your family (whether it's take-out or sit-down) and enjoy going to the movies, amusement parks or zoo, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is a money-saving card. For no annual fee, you can earn a competitive 3% cash back on dining and entertainment purchases, in addition to 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®) and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
New cardholders can earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Cash back can be redeemed for a statement credit, check or gift card at any time — there's no need to wait until you reach a certain dollar amount in rewards.
If you want to take your family to a special entertainment event, cardholders can benefit from access to exclusive experiences, such as the iHeartRadio Music Festival and the Capital One JamFest.
In addition to rewards, there's an introductory 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months; 18.49% - 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies (3% for the first 12 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time).
Best for family travel
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections and more.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- 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 TravelSM, 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 TravelSM
- 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
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Who is this for? Family travel can be stressful, but the Chase Sapphire Preferred can make it more affordable. There is a $95 annual fee, but it offers 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 5X points on Lyft rides (benefit valid through September 30, 2027), 3X points on dining and 2X points on all other travel purchases.
The redemption rate is particularly strong when you book airfare, hotels, car rentals or cruises through Chase Travel℠ , making it a great way to maximize value.
Plus, you can earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Cardholders also benefit from helpful travel perks, such as a $50 Annual Chase Travel hotel credit, no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, an auto rental collision damage waiver and emergency assistance services.
Best for online shopping
The Prime Visa is only available to Amazon Prime members ($139 for an annual membership and $14.99 for a monthly membership) but is very rewarding for Amazon purchases.
Rewards
- Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
- Unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
- 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership
- Unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Who is this for? If you order household goods and groceries online to save time, the Prime Visa provides a robust 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods Market. It also gives users unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), plus 1% back on all other purchases. Rewards can be applied to your bill, used to make new Amazon purchases or redeemed for gift cards.
As the name implies, you must have an eligible Prime membership to apply ($139 per year or $14.99 per month), but the Prime Visa comes with a welcome offer: Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members.
Don't have Prime? The Amazon Visa doesn't require a membership and still offers 3% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best credit cards for families.
Our methodology
To determine which cards offer the best value for families, CNBC Select analyzed 234 of the most popular credit cards available in the U.S. We compared each card on a range of features, including: rewards, welcome bonus, introductory and standard APR, balance transfer fee and foreign transaction fees, as well as factors such as required credit and customer reviews when available. We also considered additional perks, the application process and how easy it is for the consumer to redeem points.
While many of the overall best credit cards are also the best cards for families, the needs of a family differ from those of single-person households. Therefore, we selected the best family credit cards with family needs in mind, such as relatively simple rewards programs, easy redemption options and bonus rewards in key categories like gas and groceries. Generally speaking, the best credit card recommendations mentioned above will be the same regardless of how many members are in your family.
We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through Amazon links.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.
