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Best Credit Card for Shipping in 2026
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
Best Credit Card for Shipping: While it doesn't offer bonus rewards on shipping purchases, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a powerhouse for businesses with varied operational costs. Its value comes from a suite of premium benefits and statement credits for common business expenses like technology and software, which can help offset costs across the board (Terms apply).
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.
Top Cards
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
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Why we picked it it
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (See Rates & Fees) is a top-tier choice for business owners who value premium travel perks. It offers extensive benefits like access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection and elite status with major hotel and car rental partners, which is ideal for those who travel frequently to manage supply chains or client relationships. These features ensure a more comfortable and efficient travel experience. Terms apply.
- This card also provides valuable statement credits tailored to business operations, which can be particularly useful for shipping-related expenses. For example, credits on Dell purchases can help offset the cost of technology essential for managing logistics, while other business-focused credits add to the card's overall value. Terms apply.
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.
Capital One Venture X Business
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3444", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Business Owners", "headerHint" : "Top Business Travel Card" } ]]
Why we picked it it
- The Capital One Venture X Business Card (See Rates & Fees) excels by blending premium travel benefits with powerful business-grade tools. It’s particularly well-suited for business owners who travel frequently, offering complimentary access to an extensive network of airport lounges. This combination of luxury perks and practical features makes it a standout choice for growing companies.
- This card also provides robust features to streamline operations and manage expenses. Business owners can issue employee cards with individual spending controls and benefit from payment flexibility to handle irregular cash flow. Furthermore, it offers valuable protections like cell phone coverage for both the cardholder and their employees.
American Express® Business Gold Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "111", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Business Owners", "headerHint" : "Versatile Business Tool" } ]]
Why we picked it it
- The American Express® Business Gold Card (See Rates & Fees) is a standout choice for its ability to automatically optimize rewards based on where your business spends the most each month. This removes the need for manual category selection, making it an ideal tool for companies with variable expenses across different areas like advertising, shipping, or technology.
- This card offers significant spending flexibility, which is crucial for growing businesses that need to adapt to changing operational costs without being constrained by a traditional credit limit. Additionally, it comes with a suite of valuable travel and purchase protections, providing peace of mind for business-related travel and acquisitions. Terms apply.
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 Spark Cash Plus
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "437", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Business Owners", "headerHint": "Powerful Cash Back Rewards Program"} ]]
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3055", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Business Travelers", "headerHint": "Zero Transaction Fees"} ]]
How to Choose a Credit Card for Shipping
For any business that regularly ships products, selecting a credit card that maximizes rewards on those expenses is a critical, yet often overlooked, financial strategy.
Don't just chase the highest rewards percentage; this is a classic pitfall that can lead to disappointing returns. Often, these top-tier rates come with low spending caps or are offset by high annual fees that diminish their value. A savvy business owner will look beyond the headline offer to evaluate the card's complete terms and benefits.
Key Factors
- Reward Rates and Categories:Scrutinize which cards offer accelerated rewards specifically on shipping purchases, as this is where you'll generate the most value.
- Spending Caps:Always check for caps on bonus categories, as a business with significant shipping volume can easily hit these limits, reducing the card's earning potential.
- Annual Fees:Evaluate whether the projected annual rewards from your shipping spend will outweigh the card's annual fee.
- Welcome Offer:While attractive, a large introductory bonus should be considered secondary to the card's long-term earning potential for your specific spending habits.
- Redemption Value and Flexibility:Determine how you can use the points or miles you earn; flexible options like cash back or statement credits are often more valuable for a business's bottom line than restricted travel rewards.
- Additional Business Perks:Look beyond the rewards rate for benefits like expense management tools, purchase protection, or free employee cards that can streamline operations and add value.
What to Watch Out For
A primary pitfall is assuming all shipping expenses will automatically qualify for a card's top bonus category; many issuers have narrow definitions that can exclude major carriers or specific types of shipping services. Furthermore, businesses often underestimate their shipping volume, quickly hitting rewards caps, or they choose cards with inflexible redemption options like travel miles when cash back would better serve their operational needs.
Decision Flow
Navigating the credit card landscape is a process of matching your business's specific needs to a card's strengths. There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer; the best card is the one that aligns with your spending volume, reward preferences, and operational priorities. Use the following decision points to guide your choice.
- If you prioritize simplicity and ease of management: Consider a business card that offers a high, flat-rate cash back on all purchases. While you won't get a specialized bonus for shipping, you'll earn a consistent, predictable return on every dollar your business spends without needing to track bonus categories or spending caps.
- If you are a high-volume shipper focused on maximizing returns: Zero in on cards that explicitly list shipping as a bonus category. Pay close attention to the spending cap; a card with a lower reward rate but no annual cap on bonus earnings will often yield a greater return for a business with substantial shipping costs than a card with a higher rate and a low cap.
- If your main objective is to improve cash flow: A card that delivers rewards as cash back or a statement credit is the most practical choice. This provides immediate liquidity that can be funneled directly back into your business operations.
- If you want to use your rewards for travel: Look for a card that earns flexible, transferable points in a major rewards program. These points can offer outsized value when redeemed for flights or hotel stays, but first, verify that shipping purchases earn at an accelerated rate to justify choosing it over a cash-back option.
- If your business expenses include more than just shipping: Some cards bundle shipping into a broader bonus category that might include advertising, software, or internet services. If your spending is distributed across these areas, a card with a comprehensive bonus category could be the most efficient way to consolidate your rewards.
Maximize Your Return with Shipping
To ensure you're getting the absolute most value from your credit card rewards when you shop, here are a few key tips to keep in mind:
- Stack your rewards: Don't just rely on your card's base rewards; combine them with online shopping portals, browser extensions, and card-linked offers to multiply your earnings on a single purchase.
- Use the right card for the purchase: Always use the credit card that offers the highest rewards rate for the specific merchant or spending category you're shopping in.
- Activate quarterly bonuses: Many cards offer rotating bonus categories that earn 5% or more, but they almost always require you to opt-in each quarter before you can earn the higher rate.
- Plan your redemptions: Maximize the value of your points by saving them for high-value redemptions, such as transferring them to airline or hotel partners, rather than settling for lower-value options like cash back or merchandise.
- Be aware of spending caps: Take note of any annual or quarterly spending limits on your card's bonus categories to ensure you're not losing out on rewards after hitting the cap.
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Other Things to Consider
Beyond just rewards and fees, take a hard look at your shipping patterns. If your business loyally uses a single carrier or office supply store, a co-branded card could provide the most lucrative returns. However, no rewards program can outweigh the importance of disciplined financial management. It's crucial to pay your balance in full each month, as interest charges can quickly negate the value of any points or cash back you've earned. This principle extends to carefully managing your overall cash flow and any Buy Now, Pay Later plans to ensure you're not taking on more debt than your business can handle.
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
What should I look for in a credit card for shipping costs?
Look for a card that offers a high rewards rate specifically on shipping or a broad category that includes it, such as general business expenses. Also, consider cards with benefits like purchase protection or extended warranty, which can be valuable for shipped items.
Are business credit cards better for shipping expenses?
Business credit cards are often better for shipping as they frequently offer bonus rewards on shipping as a specific spending category. They also provide tools to track business expenses, which can simplify accounting for your shipping costs.
How do shipping purchases categorize for credit card rewards?
Shipping purchases typically fall into their own specific rewards category on certain business cards. On other cards, they might be classified under a broader category like "business services" or simply earn the base rewards rate.
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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.
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