Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
Best Credit Card for Apple Pay in 2026
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
Best Credit Card for Apple Pay: The Chase Freedom Flex® is our top pick for Apple Pay users due to its excellent rewards on everyday purchases and valuable built-in protections. This card maximizes value on the types of transactions you'd typically make with a digital wallet.
Top Cards
Chase Freedom Flex®
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2883", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "No-Fee Card Seekers", "headerHint" : "No Annual Fee" } ]]
Why we picked it it
- The Chase Freedom Flex® offers a powerful combination of rewards by featuring special earning categories that change throughout the year, on top of consistent rewards on everyday spending like dining and drugstore purchases. This dynamic structure allows cardholders to maximize their earnings across a wide variety of expenses, making it a versatile tool for savvy spenders.
- This card is an excellent companion for Apple Pay users, as its strong rewards on common on-the-go purchases can be easily maximized through a mobile wallet. Furthermore, the card includes valuable built-in benefits like cell phone protection and purchase protection, adding a layer of security to your digital and physical transactions.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "428", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "No Fee Rewards", "headerHint": "Straightforward Cash Back"} ]]
Why we picked it it
- The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card (See Rates & Fees) stands out for its exceptional simplicity, making it a great option for those who want a no-fuss rewards experience. It provides consistent cash back on every single purchase, so you don't have to worry about tracking rotating categories or activating special offers.
- This card is particularly well-suited for a wide range of consumers, from everyday spenders to frequent travelers. Its straightforward value proposition is enhanced by useful perks like a complimentary Uber One membership, adding extra benefits to your daily spending and travel plans.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "260", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Everyday Spenders", "headerHint": "Consistent Cash Back"} ]]
Why we picked it it
- The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (See Rates & Fees) is a standout choice for its straightforward rewards on common household expenses like groceries, gas, and online shopping. It's particularly well-suited for families and everyday spenders who want a simple way to earn cash back on their regular purchases without tracking complicated categories.
- This card delivers a hassle-free rewards experience, making it an excellent entry point for those new to earning credit card rewards. Beyond its simple earning structure, it provides access to valuable benefits like purchase protection and exclusive Amex Offers, adding a layer of security and savings opportunities.
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. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Other Options to Consider
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3041", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Excellent Choice" } ]]
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "497", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Cash Back Seekers", "headerHint": "Fantastic Cash Back Card"} ]]
How to Choose a Credit Card for Apple Pay
Since nearly every major credit card works with Apple Pay, the real challenge is finding one that best rewards your spending habits through the digital wallet.
Don't get sidetracked by a huge welcome bonus without weighing it against the card's annual fee and long-term earning potential. It's also crucial to look for spending caps on bonus categories, which can significantly limit how much you earn at advertised high rates. The goal is to find a card that consistently rewards your actual spending habits, not one that just offers a fleeting upfront perk.
Key Factors
- Bonus Categories: Match the card’s high-earning categories with your personal spending habits, especially for contactless payments at places like grocery stores, restaurants, and transit systems.
- Welcome Offer: A strong introductory offer provides a great head start, but it shouldn't be the only reason you choose a card if its long-term rewards don't fit your lifestyle.
- Annual Fee: Calculate whether the value you get from rewards and benefits will realistically offset the annual fee each year.
- Spending Caps: Pay close attention to quarterly or annual limits on bonus rewards, as these can significantly reduce your earning potential if you're a high spender in that category.
- Redemption Flexibility: Ensure the rewards you earn can be redeemed in a way that's valuable to you, whether it's straightforward cash back, travel transfers, or statement credits.
- Additional Perks: Look beyond the rewards rate for benefits like travel insurance, purchase protection, or annual statement credits that can add substantial value.
What to Watch Out For
A common pitfall is assuming a card’s bonus categories for things like "online shopping" or "groceries" will apply to every Apple Pay purchase—always read the fine print on merchant restrictions. Avoid getting tunnel vision by picking a card for one lucrative category while it offers little value for your other common transactions. A truly great card for Apple Pay will reward your spending comprehensively, not just in a single, narrow area.
Decision Flow
- If you value simplicity and a high flat rate on all spending: Choose a card that offers at least 2% back or 2x miles on every purchase. This approach removes the need to track bonus categories, ensuring every Apple Pay transaction—from a vending machine snack to a new laptop—earns a consistent, valuable reward.
- If your Apple Pay is mostly used for dining out and at grocery stores: Look for a card that offers high bonus multipliers for those specific categories. Since restaurants and many grocery stores almost universally accept contactless payments, you can consistently earn 3x or 4x rewards on a huge portion of your budget.
- If your primary goal is earning points for travel: Focus on a card that belongs to a flexible travel ecosystem, like one that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® or American Express Membership Rewards® points. This allows you to convert points earned from everyday Apple Pay purchases into flights and hotel stays, often at a high value through transfer partners.
- If you want to earn rewards without paying an annual fee: A no-annual-fee card with rotating or fixed bonus categories is your best bet. Many offer 3% to 5% back on common Apple Pay-friendly categories like drugstores, gas stations, or transit, providing a cost-free way to maximize your digital wallet spending.
Maximize Your Return with Apple Pay
To get the most out of every tap, here are a few strategies to keep in mind:
- Stack your rewards: Layer your credit card rewards with merchant-specific loyalty programs to earn points or discounts from both the card issuer and the retailer on a single purchase.
- Leverage rotating categories: Some credit cards offer elevated rewards on digital wallet spending during certain quarters, making it a prime time to make Apple Pay your default payment method.
- Load all your cards: Add all of your rewards cards to your Apple Wallet to easily choose the one that offers the highest rewards rate for a specific spending category, like dining or groceries.
- Use online shopping portals: Before you shop online, click through a rewards portal and then complete your purchase with Apple Pay to double-dip on earnings from both the portal and your card.
- Redeem wisely: While cash back is straightforward, you can often get significantly more value from your points by transferring them to a card issuer's airline or hotel partners for premium travel bookings.
Supercharge your Rewards with Kudos
Kudos is a free app that automatically selects your highest-earning credit card for every purchase, helping you maximize rewards and unlock hidden perks without the guesswork. Get started for free.
Other Things to Consider
Beyond the standard features like rewards and fees, your personal spending habits should heavily influence your card choice for Apple Pay. For instance, if you're a regular at a specific retailer, a store-branded card might offer superior discounts or cash back when used through the digital wallet. However, the convenience of tap-to-pay can make it easy to accumulate debt, so it's vital to only charge what you can comfortably pay off each month. This also means being mindful of how you manage your overall finances, including cash flow and any existing Buy Now, Pay Later plans. Thoughtful spending management ensures you reap the benefits of your card without falling into a debt trap.
Our Methodology
We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Apple Pay secure for credit card transactions?
Yes, Apple Pay is designed with security in mind. It uses a device-specific number and a unique transaction code, meaning your actual card number is never shared with merchants or stored on Apple's servers.
Will I still earn rewards if I use my credit card with Apple Pay?
Absolutely. Using your card via Apple Pay is just another way to pay, so you will earn all the same points, miles, or cash back that you would by using your physical card.
Are there extra fees for using a credit card with Apple Pay?
No, Apple does not charge any additional fees when you use your credit card with Apple Pay. Any fees you might incur would be standard charges from your credit card issuer, not from using the service itself.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
.webp)
