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Venmo Credit Card Review (2026): 3% on Dining, Up to 4% When You Split
September 27, 2026
The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.
The Venmo Credit Card changed its rewards for new applicants in 2026. The old setup, which paid 3% and 2% on your top two spending categories each month, is gone. New cardholders now earn fixed rates: 3% on dining, entertainment, and purchases made with Venmo, 4% on dining and entertainment when you split the purchase on Venmo, and 1% on everything else.
The card is issued by Synchrony Bank, runs on the Visa network, and has no annual fee. You need an active Venmo account to apply. Below, we cover how the new rewards work, what changed, and how the card compares with other no-annual-fee cash back cards.
Venmo Credit Card at a Glance
Pros
- 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, and streaming, with no cap
- An extra 1% on dining and entertainment purchases you split with friends on Venmo
- 3% cash back when you check out with Venmo online or pay a business on Venmo
- No annual fee
- Cash back deposits into your Venmo account automatically every day
Cons
- Groceries, utilities, and most everyday spending now earn 1%
- The 4% rate depends on splitting the purchase within 30 days
- Requires an active Venmo account
- Flat-rate cards earn more on purchases outside the bonus categories
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Want high rewards everywhere, not just at restaurants? A simple three-card lineup covers dining, groceries, and everything else. See our three-card cash back setup.
How the New Venmo Credit Card Rewards Work
New cardholders earn cash back at fixed rates, with no monthly category calculations:
- 3% cash back on dining and nightlife: restaurants, bakeries, takeout, delivery, bars, and liquor stores.
- 3% cash back on entertainment: including streaming and concerts through Ticketmaster.
- 3% cash back with Venmo: when you check out with Venmo online, pay a business on Venmo, or pay someone for goods or services on Venmo.
- 4% cash back on split purchases: an extra 1% on dining and entertainment when you split the purchase with a friend on Venmo.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Venmo describes the cash back as unlimited, so there is no spending cap on the 3% categories. When you check out with Venmo, you can split the payment with your Venmo balance, but you earn cash back only on the part charged to your card.
How Does the 4% Split Bonus Work?
After you make an eligible dining or entertainment purchase, open the Venmo app, go to the Me tab, tap Transactions, select the purchase, and choose the friends you want to split it with. The split must be completed within 30 days of the purchase to earn the extra 1%.
What Earns Only 1%?
Everything outside the bonus categories, including groceries, utilities, and healthcare. If a big share of your spending goes to grocery stores or bills, this card earns less than it used to.
Kudos recommends the best card in your wallet at checkout, so you can use the Venmo Credit Card for dining and entertainment and a higher-earning card for groceries and everyday purchases.
Not sure whether a flat rate or bonus categories fit you better? We ran the numbers for 2026. Compare flat-rate and rotating-category cards.
What Changed From the Old Venmo Credit Card Rewards?
The previous version of the card automatically gave you 3% cash back in your top spending category each month and 2% in your second, with 1% on everything else. Eligible categories included groceries, so a household that spent most at the grocery store could earn 3% there without doing anything.
The new structure trades that flexibility for fixed categories. Frequent diners and people who pay with Venmo online now know exactly what they will earn. Grocery-heavy spenders lose the most, since groceries drop to 1%.
Do Existing Cardholders Get the New Rates?
Existing cardholders reportedly keep the previous top-category structure for now, while the new rates apply to new applicants. Check the rewards section of your Venmo app to confirm which structure applies to your account.
Interested in earning crypto on your spending? See how a card built around crypto rewards compares. Read our Gemini Credit Card review.
Other Venmo Credit Card Features
Automatic Daily Cash Back
Cash back you earn is deposited into your Venmo account every day. There is no redemption step and no minimum to reach before you can use it.
Option to Buy Crypto With Your Cash Back
You can turn on the Purchase Crypto feature in the Venmo app to automatically buy a cryptocurrency with your cash back each month, with no crypto purchase transaction fee. Crypto prices can rise and fall quickly, so only use this if you are comfortable with that risk.
Virtual Card Right After Approval
If you are approved, your virtual card number appears in the Venmo app, so you can shop online before the physical card arrives.
Everything Managed in the Venmo App
Spending, rewards, payments, and crypto purchases are all tracked in the Venmo app.
Venmo Credit Card Fees and Drawbacks
The Venmo Credit Card has no annual fee. The drawbacks come down to where the rewards stop:
- Low base rate. At 1% on everything outside the bonus categories, the card trails flat-rate cards that pay 1.5% or 2% on every purchase.
- The 4% rate takes work. You only get the extra 1% when you split the purchase with a friend on Venmo within 30 days.
- Pay with Venmo rewards apply only to the card portion. Anything covered by your Venmo balance earns nothing.
- A Venmo account is required. If you do not already use Venmo, much of the card's value is out of reach.
How Does the Venmo Credit Card Compare With Other Cash Back Cards?
Here is how the Venmo Credit Card stacks up against three no-annual-fee alternatives:
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card (See Rates & Fees): 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on other purchases. It covers the same categories as Venmo and adds grocery stores.
- PayPal Cashback Mastercard: 3% cash back on purchases made through PayPal and 1.5% on other purchases. It is the closest match if you check out online often, with a higher base rate.
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. A better fit if you want one rate everywhere.
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You do not have to pick just one. Kudos compares the cards in your wallet at checkout, so you can use the Venmo Credit Card for dining and a flat-rate card for everything else.
Is the Venmo Credit Card Right for You?
The card is a good fit if you:
- Spend a lot on restaurants, takeout, bars, streaming, or concerts
- Regularly split meals and tickets with friends on Venmo
- Often check out with Venmo online or pay businesses through Venmo
- Want rewards deposited automatically with no redemption step
It is a weaker fit if you:
- Spend most of your budget on groceries, gas, or bills
- Want a single card that earns more than 1% on everything
- Do not use Venmo
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the Venmo Credit Card rewards change?
Yes. For new applicants, the card replaced its top-two-category system with fixed rates: 3% on dining, entertainment, and purchases with Venmo, up to 4% on split dining and entertainment purchases, and 1% on everything else.
How do I get 4% cash back with the Venmo Credit Card?
Make an eligible dining or entertainment purchase, then split it with a friend in the Venmo app. The split must be completed within 30 days of the purchase.
Does the Venmo Credit Card have an annual fee?
No. The Venmo Credit Card has no annual fee.
Where does my Venmo Credit Card cash back go?
Cash back is deposited into your Venmo account automatically every day. You can also set it to buy crypto each month.
Can I use the Venmo Credit Card outside the Venmo app?
Yes. It is a Visa card, so you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted, online and in stores.
Do I need a Venmo account to get the Venmo Credit Card?
Yes. You need an active Venmo account to apply for and use the card.
The Bottom Line
The new Venmo Credit Card is a solid no-annual-fee pick for people who eat out, stream, and split bills with friends on Venmo. The 3% categories have no cap, and the split bonus can push dining and entertainment to 4%.
If most of your spending goes to groceries and bills, the change makes the card less useful than it was. In that case, pair it with a flat-rate or grocery card and let Kudos recommend the right one at checkout.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2474", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Dining and Entertainment", "headerHint": "UP TO 4% CASH BACK"} ]]
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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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