The 6 best credit cards for online shopping: Protect your purchases while earning bonus rewards

The average online shopper in the U.S. spends over $5,300 annually, according to a study by Insider Intelligence, so if you're not using the right credit card for your purchases, you're potentially missing out on valuable rewards and protections.

There is no "right" credit card for every situation, but there are better cards for certain categories of online shopping. One card may earn bonus points, miles or cash back at a specific retailer like Amazon, while another may earn extra rewards for food delivery. It's also important to consider a card's built-in coverages like purchase protection and extended warranty, especially when making larger purchases.

To help you make the best decision and maximize your purchases, CNBC Select has the details on the best credit cards for online shopping. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best cards.)

Who's this for? The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is ideal for anyone who wants to earn cash back for their online shopping. It earns 3% back on U.S. online retail purchases on up to $6,000 in purchases per year (then 1%). Plus, it provides a special financing offer for purchases and balance transfers with a 0% intro APR for the first 15 months from the date of account opening (18.49% to 29.49% variable APR afterward; see rates and fees).

The Blue Cash Everyday also has potentially valuable benefits for streaming and meal delivery services. Cardmembers can get up to $180 in Home Chef credit ($15 back a month; subject to auto renewal) and up to $84 in Disney Bundle credit ($7 back a month in the form of a statement credit) after spending $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal & enrollment required). In addition, this card comes with purchase protection, which covers eligible purchases for damage or theft for up to 90 days. Terms apply.

Who's this for? If you like taking out or getting your food delivered, you'll love the American Express Gold Card. It earns a generous 4X Amex Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X), which includes delivery and takeout in the U.S.

In addition to the bonus points, the American Express Gold card offers useful monthly credits you can use on food delivery apps. Cardmembers get up to $120 in dining credits each year (up to $10 in statement credits monthly), at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys (enrollment required). The card also provides up to $120 in annual Uber Cash (up to $10 per month) that can be used for Uber Eats orders (you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Gold Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account. The Amex Benefit may only be used in the United States; enrollment required). Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.

The best way to use Amex Membership Rewards points is usually to transfer them to an airline or hotel partner, but you can also redeem them for gift cards, cash back and other rewards. To use the American Express Gold card's monthly dining credits, simply make an eligible purchase and the statement credit should automatically post to your account within 6 to 8 weeks. The Uber Cash is automatically deposited into your Uber account each month once you link your Amex Gold card.

Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a premium credit card loaded with benefits, including just about every type of purchase protection you could want. Purchases made with the card can qualify for the following:

• Purchase protection: Eligible purchases are covered for 120 days from the date of purchase against theft, damage or loss for up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year.
• Return protection: Eligible items the retailer will not allow you to return are covered for 90 days from the date or purchase for up to $500 per item and up to $1,000 per year.
• Extended warranty: Get one additional year of protection on original warranties that provide coverage for three years or less. Covers up to a maximum of $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.

To take advantage of this card's extended warranty or return protection, you can file a claim at this site. For purchase protection, you can open a new claim here.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a $550 annual fee, but it can be offset by perks like a $300 annual travel credit and access to over 1,300 airport lounges with a Priority Pass Select membership. Chase Ultimate Rewards® points can be redeemed for cash back, travel booked through the Chase travel portal or transferred to various hotel and airline partners.

Who's this for? The Citi Custom Cash Card earns 5% cash back on purchases in the category you spend the most in each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent (then 1%). The categories are:

• Gas stations
• Restaurants
• Grocery stores
• Select travel
• Select transit
• Select streaming services
• Drugstores
• Home improvement stores
• Fitness club
• Live entertainment

What's nice about this card is, the bonus cash automatically applies to the category you spend the most in each month. So you don't have to select the category in advance and hope that's where most of your purchases fall that month. If you buy expensive concert tickets one month and start a home improvement project next month, the 5% bonus cash back will apply to the category where you spent the most without requiring any extra steps.

Who's this for? Anyone with a side hustle or small business can maximize their everyday spending, including online purchases, with The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express. It earns 2X American Express Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 in purchases each year, then 1X. Terms and limitations apply.

Its simple rewards structure allows card members to earn an above-average return without having to track specific spending categories. Plus, it has a $0 annual fee (see rates and fees), which makes it ideal for side hustles, freelancing or anyone just starting a business.

Who's this for? If you want to make the most of your Amazon purchases, the Prime Visa is the way to go. It earns 5% cash back on purchases with Amazon and Whole Foods.

This card also has limited-time offers to earn 10% back on rotating categories or select items. And on Prime Day, you'll usually be able to earn 6% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods. The Prime Visa also comes with purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.

While this card has a $0 annual fee, you do need to be an Amazon Prime member to be eligible for the card.

Whenever shopping online, make sure you use a credit card that will get you the best return on your purchases and offers important purchase protections. Whether you want to earn cash back, points or miles, there's a credit card for you.

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 online shopping.

To determine which cards are best for online shopping, CNBC Select analyzed over 230 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.

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For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, click here.

For rates and fees of the Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.