Rewards
6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, 3% cash back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more and 1% cash back on other purchases

Welcome bonus
$300 statement credit after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new card within the first six months

Annual fee
$0 introductory annual fee for one year, then $95 (offer expires 12/10/2020)

Intro APR
0% for the first 12 months on purchases, N/A for balance transfers

Regular APR
13.99% to 23.99% variable

Balance transfer fee
N/A

Foreign transaction fee
2.7%

Credit needed
Excellent/Good

3. Use a newly opened rewards card
You may have recently opened a rewards card with a welcome bonus and Prime Day can help get you closer to earning the bonus cash back or points.

Since welcome bonus offers typically expire within three months after account opening, only consider cards that have been opened after mid July 2020. Then review the terms associated with the bonus offer — primarily the minimum spending requirement — to understand how much money you need to spend to earn the bonus. If you’ve already been spending on the card, you can deduct those purchases from the requirement to calculate how much more you need to spend.

For instance, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers $200 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases in your first three months from account opening. If you opened the Flex card last month and already spent $350 on the card, you’d only need to spend $150 more to meet the $500 requirement and earn the $200 bonus. Spending $150 can be within reach during Prime Day, since a lot of items can add up.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Rewards
5% cash back on grocery store purchases (not including Target or Walmart purchases) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year, 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate (then 1%), 5% cash back on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on dining and at drug stores, 1% cash back on all other purchases

Welcome bonus
$200 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening

Annual fee
$0

Intro APR
0% for the first 15 months on purchases

Regular APR
14.99% to 23.74% variable

Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

Foreign transaction fee
3%

Credit needed
Excellent/Good

And if you have a long list of big-ticket items to buy, consider using a recently opened card with a large welcome bonus. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is offering its highest-ever 80,000-point bonus that requires you to spend $4,000 within the first three months from account opening. This bonus is worth up to $1,000 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards® or on grocery store, dining and home improvement purchases with Pay Yourself Back.

Chase Sapphire Preferred®

Rewards
5X points on Lyft rides through March 2022, 2X points on travel and dining worldwide, 1X points on all other purchases

Welcome bonus
80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening — worth up to $1,000 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®

Annual fee
$95

Intro APR
None

Regular APR
15.99% to 22.99% variable on purchases and balance transfers

Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

Foreign transaction fee
None

Credit needed
Excellent/Good