Short Review of Best Credit Cards for Couples
| Name | Best for | Rewards Rate | APR | Apply |
|---|
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Travel, Daily use | 5x Miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.2x Unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. | 19.99% - 29.99% Variable | Learn more on our partner’s site |
Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa® | Good credit score | 1.5% Cash Back on payments. | 14.99% - 29.99% Regular | Apply now On Upgrade‘s website |
FIT™ Platinum Mastercard® | Unsecured | This card doesn't offer cash back, miles or points. | 35.90% Fixed | Apply now On Continental Finance site |
Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® | Low income | 3% Cash Back on Home, Auto and Health categories.1% Cash Back on everything else. | 14.99% - 29.99% Regular | Apply now On Upgrade‘s website |
Celtic Bank Surge® Platinum Mastercard® | Walmart purchases | This card doesn't offer cash back, miles or points. | 35.90% Fixed | Apply now On Celtic Bank‘s site |
| | 1% Cash Back rewards^^ on payments made to your Revvi Credit Card. | 35.99% * | Apply now On the Revvi secure website |
| Low income | 1% Earn 1% cash back rewards on payments made to your First Access Credit Card. | 35.99% | Apply now On the First Access Visa® Card secure website |
Celtic Bank Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® | Unsecured | This card doesn't offer cash back, miles or points. | 35.90% Fixed | Apply now On Celtic Bank‘s site |
| | 1% Cash Back on all purchases. | 35.99% * | Apply now On the Total Visa® Card secure website |
Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card | 18 year old | This card doesn't offer cash back, miles or points. | 9.99% Fixed | Apply now On Applied Bank®‘s site |
First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card | | 1% Cash Back rewards on payments. | 14.74% Variable | Apply now On First Progress’s site |
Merrick Bank Secured Credit Card | | This card doesn't offer cash back, miles or points. | 22.70% Variable | Apply now On Merrick Bank‘s site |
First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card | | 1% Cash Back on payments made to your First Progress Secured credit card account. | 18.74% Variable | Apply now On First Progress’s site |
First Electronic Bank Destiny® Mastercard® | Unsecured | This card doesn't offer cash back, miles or points. | 35.90% | Apply now On First Electronic Bank‘s site |
| | 2x - 7x:Points on restaurants.2x - 5x:Points on hotels.1.5x - 2x:Points on recurring software subscriptions.1x - 1.5x:Points on everything else. | None | Apply now On Cross River Bank‘s site |
American Express Blue Cash Preferred | Gas, Groceries, Streaming services, Daily use | 6% Cash Back at U.S. Supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).6% Cash Back on streaming (select U.S. streaming subscriptions).3% Cash Back on transit. Transit includes taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more.3% Cash Back at U.S. Gas Stations.1% Cash Back on other purchases. | 18.74% - 29.74% Variable | Learn more |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® | Travel, Restaurants, Daily use | $50 Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.5x Points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Anniversary Hotel Credit.3x Points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out.3x Points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).3x Points on select streaming services.2x Points on other travel purchases.1x Point per dollar spent on all other purchases. | 22.49% - 29.49% Variable | Learn more |
| Cash Back, No Annual Fee, Daily use | 2% Cash Back on every purchase with unlimited 1% Cash Back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for purchases. | 19.24% - 29.24% Variable | Learn more |
The Platinum Card® from American Express | Young couples | 5x Points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights (per calendar year).5x Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.1x Points on all other purchases. | 21.24% - 29.24% Variable | Learn more |
| Cash Back, 0 APR, No Annual Fee, Daily use | 5% Cash Back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards.3% Cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.3% Cash Back on drugstore purchases.1.5% Cash Back on all other purchases. | 20.49% - 29.24% Variable | Learn more |
| Travel, Restaurants, Daily use | 10x Points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.10x Total points on Chase Dining purchases with Ultimate Rewards®.5x Total points on flights when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.3x Points on other travel worldwide after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.3x Points on other dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out.1x Point per dollar spent on all other purchases. | 22.49% - 29.49% Variable | Learn more |
Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority | Young couples | 3x Points on Southwest Airlines® purchases.2x Points per $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.2x Points per $1 spent on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming.1x Point per $1 spent on all other purchases. | 21.49% - 28.49% Variable | Learn more |
Citi AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® | Young couples | 4x Miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.1x Mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases. | 21.24% - 29.99% Variable | Learn more |
Citi Costco Anywhere Visa® | Cash Back, Young couples | 4% Cash Back on eligible gas, including gas at Costco for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter.3% Cash Back on restaurants and eligible travel purchase worldwide.2% Cash Back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com.1% Cash Back on all other purchases. | 20.49% Variable | Learn more |
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Another great travel card that will earn you 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases. You can earn 75,000 bonus miles by spending $4,000 in the first 3 months after account opening. You can redeem your rewards through the many partner airline and hotel programs or statement credit at 1 cent per mile. This card has a $95 annual fee, and it won't charge you for adding an authorized user.
Read more about Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
American Express Blue Cash Preferred
Probably the best card on the market for family spending, therefore great for married couples or those who live together. It has the highest rewards rate of 6% for purchases made at U.S. supermarkets (capped at $6,000 annually). There is also a 6% rewards rate for U.S. streaming services and a 3% rewards rate for U.S. gas purchases and transit. You get $350 cash back if you spend $3,000 in the first 6 months. The 12-month 0% APR period for purchases (then a variable APR, 18.74% - 29.74%) can help you finance a large ticket item. All this comes at a $95 annual fee, which is waived the first year. There is no fee for adding an authorized user.
Read more about American Express Blue Cash Preferred
Chase Sapphire Preferred®
A great card for all couples who love romantic getaways. You'll earn 5 points per dollar spent on travel, 3 points on dining, streaming and grocery, 2 points on other travel and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. By spending $4,000 in the first 3 months upon account opening, you will get 60,000 bonus points, which are worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards. If you’re a member of a certain frequent flyer program, you can transfer your points with a 1:1 value. Airline travel partners include the British Airways Executive Club and the Jet Blue TrueBlue (the full list is available on Chase's website). This card will cost you a $95 annual fee, but there is no fee for an authorized user.
Read more about Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Citi Double Cash
One of the best flat-rate cash back cards with a generous 2% cash back on all purchases. You get 1% when you make a purchase and 1% when you pay for it. If one of you (or both) carries a high-interest balance on another card, you can take advantage of the great 18-month 0% APR offer on balance transfers (19.24% - 29.24% Variable after). There is no annual fee and no fee for an authorized user.
Read more about Citi Double Cash
The Platinum Card® from American Express
An elite travel card that couples who love traveling will definitely enjoy. You'll earn 5 points on flights purchased directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, 5 points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel. You can earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points if you spend $6,000 in the first 6 months after opening the account. On top of the great rewards, many other premium benefits come with this card too, which make it well worth it for the $695 annual fee. There is an additional $175 annual fee for up to 3 authorized users, and then it's $175 for each additional user.
Read more about The Platinum Card® from American Express
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card offers generous rewards, flexible redemption options, a long 0% introductory APR period, and a sign-up bonus — all for a $0 annual fee. You'll earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% at restaurants and drugstores, and 1.5% on everything else. The 15-month 0% APR offer can help you finance your next big purchase (20.49% - 29.24% Variable after that). New cardmembers can earn the $200 bonus by spending only $500 during the first 3 months. You can add an authorized user to the card at no additional fee.
Read more about Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the best premium travel cards on the market. You’ll earn 10x points on Chase Dining purchases, 3 points on dining and travel purchases worldwide, and on each account anniversary, you'll get a $300 annual travel credit. There is a 60,000 points sign-up bonus if you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months after opening the account. There are several redemption options (including cash, partners, and gift cards), but you’ll get the most value if you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards since rewards will be worth 50% more. For example, the bonus points are worth $900 toward travel. Considering its rewards and the many luxury perks it offers, the $550 annual fee shouldn't come as a surprise. There is also a $75 fee for an authorized user.
Read more about Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority
The Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards trio is ideal for couples who frequently travel with the airline. The three cards are Plus, Premier, and Priority with a $69, $99, and $149 annual fee, listed respectively. All of them earn you 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and 1 point on all other purchases, while the Premier and Priority also earn you 2 points on hotels and car rental partners. You can start with the Plus and make your way to the Priority, which comes with many elite benefits like travel protections, and it has the highest anniversary bonus among the three – 7,500 points. You can add an authorized user to the card at no cost.
Read more about Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority
Citi AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
A great premium airline credit card for American Airlines fans. There is a welcome offer of 70,000 bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months. You'll earn 4 miles per dollar spent on American Airlines purchases and 1 point for all other purchases. That is the only card that comes with an Admiral Club Membership. Some of the many perks you'll enjoy are priority boarding, 25% savings on inflight food and drinks, first checked bag free, and concierge service. The annual fee is $450, while there is no authorized user fee.
Read more about Citi AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Citi Costco Anywhere Visa®
A great choice for couples with kids who live in the suburbs and drive around all the time. With this card, you'll get 4% cash back on gas purchases (for the first $7,000 spent annually), 3% on dining out and travel, 2% on all Costco in-store and online purchases, and 1% on everything else. It doesn't have an annual fee, but it requires a Costco membership which costs $60 (Gold Star) and $120 (Gold Star Executive). Membership is also required for the authorized user if you want to add one.
Read more about Citi Costco Anywhere Visa®
How do credit cards for couples work?
Once you’ve joined finances with your partner (or are planning to), we’re sure that the topic of credit cards will come up. Now that there are two of you, several options are available. You can be co-signers of one account (which many credit card companies don't allow), you can have two separate cards, or you can use the authorized user feature most cards have.
Authorized users can make purchases with the card, but they won't be held financially responsible for it. Only the primary cardholder can manage the card’s balance and redeem rewards. This feature is a great way to boost rewards and easily reach bonus threshold amounts. However, it’s important to fully trust the person you’ll add as an authorized user.
If you’ve combined finances with your partner, don’t forget to list any household income you manage together when applying for a new credit card. Any additional income will work in your favor for getting approved and getting a higher credit limit.
How can we mix cards to make the most of them?
That will depend on your spending habits and preferences. You have many possibilities for maximizing the rewards, bonuses, and benefits that credit cards offer. We'll list some strategies to give you an idea.
Let’s say you just moved in together and would like to earn rewards, but you also need to make some purchases for your new home.
So, one of you can get a rewards card like the Blue Cash Preferred® if you prefer cooking at home or spend a lot on gas, or the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards if you enjoy dining out more. The other could get the Citi Double Cash, which has an 18-month 0% APR offer on purchases (19.24% - 29.24% Variable thereafter), and a 2% flat rewards rate. If the new purchases are a priority, both of you can get cards with intro APR offers. One such great card is the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. That one and the Citi Double Cash both have no annual fees, which is great if you don't like paying an annual fee.
It’s always smart to get two Chase cards and combine your points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal to get the most out of them. If you often travel, consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which has 50% more redemption value when redeemed through the Chase portal. However, this one comes with a hefty $550 annual fee and a $75 authorized user fee.
One of you can get the Sapphire Reserve®, and the other can get a no-annual fee Chase card (like the Freedom Unlimited®). Then transfer all points combined to the Sapphire Reserve® to get the best value.
Tips for managing cards as a couple
If both of you have excellent credit scores, the best credit cards will be accessible, and it'll be easier to make the most of any credit cards you own. We'll offer some tips depending on whether you decide to share an account through the authorized user feature or have two separate credit cards.
One account (authorized user)
Adding an authorized user is great when you’ve found the perfect card and want every household member to have it in their wallet. That way, both of you can swipe the card and pile up rewards. Sharing an account is also a good idea when one partner has a considerably better credit score than the other. Don’t forget to check whether the card allows the authorized user’s spending to count toward the sign-up bonus. In that case, go for a card with a big one!
Separate accounts
The strategies we've listed in the previous section apply to couples who have separate credit cards. So, think about your spending and goals. You have more lucrative opportunities with two cards - one can get a regular cash back card like the Citi Double Cash, while the other can get a premium travel card from your favorite airline, like the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority.
How to compare credit cards for couples?
Here are some things to consider when deciding on a credit card:
- Rewards type – do you want to earn cash back or points/miles?
- Annual fee – this is particularly important if you’re going to have separate cards. It’s not very smart to pay two annual fees. You’ll also ‘spread’ the rewards on two cards, so you can’t be sure if they’ll outweigh the annual cost. However, two people joining forces and earning rewards with the same card can easily outset the annual fee.
- APR offer – many rewards credit cards come with an intro APR offer on balance transfers and/or purchases. You can take advantage of them to transfer a high-interest balance or finance a large purchase. The Discover it® Cash Back can help you with both.
- Authorized user fee – If one of you is going to be an authorized user or you're going to be each other's authorized users, take a look at whether this will cost you and how much. The Platinum Card® from American Express® and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® charge an authorized user fee, so only go for them if you are really certain you will earn enough rewards.
If we are only applying for one card, who should apply?
It’s simple – the one with the better credit score. That way you’ll have better chances at getting a good card. A partner with bad credit should be added as an authorized user and will see a credit score increase if the card is managed responsibly (making payments on time).
If both of you have an excellent credit score, apply for separate cards and add each other as authorized users. With two great cards earning rewards in your favorite spending categories, you could earn hundreds of dollars cash back or points/miles. Consider our strategies in the section ‘How can we mix cards to make the most of them?’
It’s a bit tricky if both of you have bad credit scores. You won’t have many options, at least good ones. To get the best rewards rates, you will need to build your credit first. If you can afford a security deposit, one or the two of you should apply for a secured credit card.
The Discover it® Secured is a great card for people with bad credit who want to earn rewards.
FAQ
What are other credit cards to consider?
Is it a good idea to add an authorized user to the card?
Adding an authorized user to a credit card can help pile up rewards more quickly, but it also means you'll be held responsible for any charges the authorized user makes. You should only add a person who you know well and would trust that will manage the card in a financially responsible way.
Does the authorized user share the same benefits as the primary cardholder?
Many rewards cards offer valuable benefits which in some cases can apply only to the primary cardholder. You should check whether you and your partner will both have the same benefits before applying for the card.
