The Best Back-to-School Credit Cards for Parents

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is the best back-to-school credit card of 2021 because it offers high cash back earning rates in all the right categories. In addition to a $300 statement credit for spending $3,000 in the first 6 months, Blue Cash Preferred offers 6% cash back on up to $6,000 spent each year at U.S. supermarkets, where parents can purchase a lot of school supplies. Cardholders also earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services, which could help you save on educational content and entertainment alike. There’s more, too. The 3% cash back that Blue Cash Preferred provides on purchases at U.S. gas stations and transit-related expenses can make getting your kids to and from school more affordable. All other purchases get you 1% cash back.

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card has a $0 intro annual fee the first year, $95 after. But it will more than pay for itself if you spend a lot in those bonus categories. Applicants need good credit or better for approval.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card is one of the best back-to-school credit cards because it rewards cardholders at the same high rate on all purchases: 2% cash back. Plus, cardholders can get an initial bonus of $200 after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.

Wells Fargo Active Cash also has a $0 annual fee and offers a low introductory APR on purchases: 0% for 15 months. It requires at least good credit for approval.

Using the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card is a great way to avoid interest on big back-to-school expenses. It offers intro APRs of 0% for 20 billing cycles on new purchases and 0% for 20 billing cycles on qualifying balance transfers. The balance transfer fee is 3% (min $5), but there is no annual fee.

The Upgrade Visa® Card with Cash Rewards is the best rewards credit card for people with fair credit because it gives 1.5% cash back on all purchases (after you pay the bill). The Upgrade Credit Card also comes with a $0 annual fee.

The Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card is the best rewards credit card for people with limited credit. The Petal 2 Card gives up to 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases and has a $0 annual fee.

The Capital One Savor Card is among the best back-to-school credit cards available to parents who want to earn a nice cash bonus in return for their initial spending. The Savor Card offers $300 for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months of opening an account. It also gives 4% cash back on dining, entertainment and streaming services, 3% cash back at grocery stores, and 1% back on everything else. Those rewards can pay dividends not only during back-to-school time, but throughout the rest of the school year as well. You can get a lot of school supplies at grocery stores, plus a full belly and a little fun every now and then help promote learning.

The Savor Card has a $95 annual fee and it requires good or excellent credit for approval.

The Amazon Visa Card gives you a $50 Amazon.com gift card upon approval ($100 for Prime members). You’ll also earn 3 points for every $1 spent at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market (5 points per $1 for Prime members). And you’ll get 2 points for every $1 spent at gas stations, restaurants and drugstores, plus 1 point per $1 on everything else. There is no annual fee.

This store card saves you 5% on every purchase made at the superstore, offers free shipping for online purchases and extends your window for returns by 30 days. Plus, there’s no annual fee.

Capital One Spark Cash Plus offers an initial bonus of $500 for spending $5,000 in the first 3 months and $500 for spending $50,000 in the first 6 months. Plus, all purchases yield 2% cash back, and the card has a $150 annual fee.