Much like a new coat of paint or a new set of curtains can make a room feel refreshed, home improvement projects can give your house a whole new look–and sometimes even increase its value. If you’re gearing up to tackle some upgrades this year, it’s important to use the right tool for the job–and that tool is your credit card.
Many credit card companies offer a great selection of rewards and redemption options, plenty of which may be applicable at your favorite store! This can be incredibly handy, particularly when you’re preparing for some home reno projects. However, every card is different and every company offers something a little different. You need to do some research first to figure out which card is going to best benefit you and your lifestyle. To help, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 credit cards for home improvement projects!
Best Credit Card for Home Improvement
As we said, every credit card is unique and offers unique rewards. It’s important that you find a card that not only offers great rewards for your spending but also has no annual fee, or a fee that works for your budget. You don’t want to spend more money on your card than you need to!
To begin deciding which card will work for you, you need to know what kind of rewards you’re looking for. Do you do a lot of shopping for wood, equipment, tools, and appliances? Then maybe a Lowe’s card will be right for you. Is Amazon your go-to shop for everything home-related? Well good news, Amazon has a specific credit card for that! Maybe it’s IKEA that tickles your fancy. No problem, there’s a card for that too! Maybe you don’t even need a specific store, but are looking for cash rewards. Plenty of companies can help you with that!
No matter what you’re looking for or where you prefer to shop, there’s going to be a credit card out there to suit your needs. All you need to do is find it! And that’s where we come in. Here are the top 10 options for credit cards when you’re considering a home improvement project:
1. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Card Details
The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a great way to earn cash back on your everyday purchases. You can choose to redeem your rewards for statement credits, deposits into a Bank of America account, or gift cards.
The Customized Cash Rewards card is best for people who want flexibility in how they redeem their rewards and who don’t carry a balance from month to month. If you’re looking for a simple cash-back card with no annual fee, the Customized Cash Rewards card from Bank of America is a great option.
Rewards
- 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
- 3% cash back on a category of your choosing
- 1% on all other purchases
- Additional rewards for Preferred Rewards Members
- $200 in online cash bonuses after your first $1,000 in purchases within 90 days of opening an account
Annual Fee
- $0 annual fee
APR
- Intro APR: 0% on purchases for the first 15 billing cycles plus 0% on balance transfers for 15 billing cycles on transfers made in the first 60 days
- Regular APR: 14.74% – 24.72% Variable
Pros
- Preferred Rewards Members can earn 25-75% more cash back on purchases
- There are no annual fees
- A great intro APR period
- Rotating bonus categories for ample choices
- Relationship rewards for customers
Cons
- Requires a high credit score to qualify (690-850)
- A complicated rewards system can be hard to follow
- Spending caps on bonus rewards limits your cash back on major purchases
- The best rewards are limited to certain customers
2. U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Card Details
The Cash+ Visa Signature card is best for people who want flexibility in how they redeem their rewards and who don’t carry a balance from month to month. With this card, you have plenty of chances to earn high rewards each quarter and a great selection of home-related reward options such as utilities, cell phones, and department store shopping. If you’re looking for a simple cash-back card with no annual fee, the Cash+ Visa Signature card from U.S. Bank is a great option.
Rewards
- Choose 2 categories each quarter to receive 5% cash back (to a spending cap)
- Choose 1 category to receive unlimited, 2% cash back
- 1% cash back on all other spending
- $200 bonus sign-up offer after spending $1,000 on select purchases within the first 120 days of account opening
- Earn from home utilities, cell phone providers, transportation, department stores, fast food restaurants, and movie theaters
Annual Fee
- $0 annual fee
APR
- Intro APR: 0% for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers
- Regular APR: 14.74% – 24.74% Variable
Pros
- $0 annual fee
- Bonus categories to choose from
- High rewards rate for best gain
Cons
- Complicated rewards – the rotating quarterly rewards can be a lot to keep track of
- Requires ongoing maintenance
3. Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Card Details
The Citi Custom Cash credit card is a good choice for people who want high rewards on bonus categories. This card comes with some great travel benefits, including free checked baggage, priority boarding, and no foreign transaction fees. So if you’re looking for a credit card that will help you save money on your not-so-everyday expenses, the Citi Custom Cash card is a great option.
Rewards
- 5% cash back in your priority spending category every billing cycle (up to the limit cap of $500)
- 1% on all other purchases
- $200 sign-up bonus after you spend your first $750 in the first 3 months
- Earn through groceries, dining, gas, streaming, home improvement stores, drugstores, fitness, and travel
Annual Fee
- $0 annual fee
APR
- Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
- Regular APR: 14.74% – 24.74% Variable
Pros
- No annual fees
- High rewards on bonus categories
- Intro APR period
Cons
- Outside of the 5% bonus categories, low rewards rate
- Requires a good/excellent credit score to qualify (690-850)
4. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Card Details
The Blue Cash Preferred card from American Express is a great choice for people who want to earn exceptionally high rewards on their spending. While there’s a high annual fee, you can earn big on your everyday purchases at the supermarket or on your favorite streaming service.
Rewards
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 a year)
- 6% cash back on select streaming services
- 3% cash back at gas stations and select transit
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- $350 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months of using your new card
Annual Fee
- $95 annual fee
APR
- Intro APR: 0% on purchases for 12 months
- Regular APR: 14.74% – 24.74% Variable
Pros
- Incredibly high rewards rate
- Excellent selection of bonus categories
- Intro APR period
- Earn cash rewards
Cons
- High annual fee (especially compared to similar cards)
- Requires excellent credit score to qualify
- Spending caps on bonus rewards
5. Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 Months BT Offer
Card Details
If you’re looking for a well-rounded, straightforward credit card, look no further! The Citi Double Cash card offers simple, easy-to-keep track of rewards and a long 0% APR introductory period. This card is perfect for people who want to avoid the complexity of bonus categories and earn cash back on all their spending.
Rewards
- 2% unlimited cash back on every purchase – 1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay
- Redeem through statement credit, bank account deposits, or checks
Annual Fee
- $0 annual fee
APR
- Intro APR: 0% on balance transfers for 18 months
- Regular APR: 14.74% – 24.74% Variable
Pros
- $0 annual fee
- Unlimited, high rewards rate
- Intro balance transfer fees
Cons
- Requires a credit score between 690 and 850 to qualify
- No bonus offers
- No bonus categories to choose from
6. Lowe’s Advantage Card
Card Details
If home renos are your jam, the Lowe’s Advantage card may be perfect for you! With no annual fee and 5% cash back on all Lowe’s purchases, you can earn big rewards while sprucing up your home. Just keep in mind that this card can only be used at Lowe’s stores–so if you’re looking for a more general-purpose credit card, this may not be the best option for you.
Rewards
- 20% sign-up bonus when you open a new account (up to $100 discount)
- 5% automatic discount on most items in-store plus gift cards, extended protection plans, shipping and delivery, assembly, taxes, and certain high-end brands
- Lowe’s Special Financing options (on purchase of $299+ for a period of 6 months, on purchases of $2,000+ for a period of 84 months)
Annual Fee
- $0 annual fee
APR
- Regular APR: 26.99% Variable
Pros
- $0 annual fee
- Excellent rewards rate when shopping at Lowe’s
- Great new cardholder bonus
Cons
- Restrictions on rewards
- No 0% Intro APR
7. IKEA Visa® Credit Card
Card Details
The IKEA Visa Credit Card is a great option for people who frequently shop at IKEA (or who simply love Swedish meatballs). With no annual fee and 5% cash back on all IKEA purchases, you can easily rake in the cash while shopping at a place you love.
When you sign up for the IKEA credit card, you immediately win! With a $25 discount immediately after getting approved, the rewards begin right away. And if you venture outside of IKEA, you can still earn on dining, groceries, and utilities!
Rewards
- 5% back on all IKEA purchases (including Traemand installation and the services of TaskRabbit assembly)
- 3% back on restaurants and dining, groceries, and utilities
- 1% back on all other purchases
- $25 off your first IKEA purchase when you start spending immediately after your instant approval
Annual Fee
- $0 annual fee
APR
- Regular APR: 21.99% Variable
- Cash Advance APR: 23.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer APR: 26.99% Variable
Pros
- No annual fees
- Instant approva,l new card bonus
- Average credit score needed to qualify
- High rewards rates
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- High APR
- No intro APR
- Complicated redemptions
8. Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
Card Details
It’s no secret that Amazon has it all–from home decor to tools to grocery items! For the avid Amazon shopper, the Prime Rewards credit card is a no-brainer! With 5% back on all Amazon purchases and no annual fee, it’s easy to see how this card can add up quickly.
Rewards
- 5% cash back when you purchase through Amazon or Whole Foods (with an Amazon Prime membership)
- 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores
- $100 Amazon gift card when you get approved
Annual Fee
- $0 annual fee
APR
- Regular APR: 14.49% – 22.49% Variable
Pros
- $0 annual fee
- Excellent rewards rate
- Flexible redemption options
- No foreign transaction fees
- Bonus offer immediately after approval
Cons
- Can only apply if you’re an Amazon Prime member
- No intro APR
9. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Card Details
Chase Freedom Unlimited is a great option for people who are looking for high rewards right away. While the rewards may be a little trickier to keep track of, you’ll definitely earn big when spending with this card.
Rewards
- Intro rewards: For the first year (or the first $20,000 spent) take an additional 1.5% cash back on all purchases – 6.5% on travel through Chase Unlimited Rewards, 4.5% on drugstore and dining (including takeout and delivery), 3% on all other purchases
- Regular rewards: After the first year (or the first $20,000 spent) – 5% on CHase travel, 3% on drugstore and dining, 1.5% on all other purchases
Annual Fee
- $0 annual fee
APR
- Intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
- Regular APR: 15.74% – 24.49% Variable
Pros
- $0 annual fees
- Intro APR rates
- High rewards rate plus intro year bonuses
- No minimum redemption amount required
Cons
- Requires a high credit score to qualify (690-850)
- Slightly complicated rewards structure
10. Discover It® Cash Back
Card Details
When you spend with the Discover It credit card in your first year, you’re going to get majorly rewarded! With the Unlimited Cash Back Match program, Discover makes it well worth your while to shop, shop, shop! After that, your everyday purchases through Amazon, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations are still going to treat you well. This is a great option for those looking to earn big and then earn steadily.
Rewards
- Intro offer: Unlimited Cashback Match – Discover will match all that you’ve earned at the end of your first year (no minimum or maximum rewards)
- 5% cash back on everyday purchases (changes quarterly)
- Rewards for Amazon, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and when you use PayPal
- 1% cash back on everything else
Annual Fee
- $0 annual fee
APR
- Intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
- Regular APR: 12.74% – 23.74% Variable
Pros
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period
- Great selection of bonus categories
- Cash back rewards
Cons
- Quarterly changes to rewards can be complicated
- Spending caps on bonus rewards
- Not as widely known abroad or accepted
In Conclusion
There are a lot of great options for credit cards out there, but it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. It’s important to consider what you’ll be using the card for and how much you’re willing to spend. The cards on this list are some of the best for home improvement, so be sure to check them out and find the right one for you!
If you’re looking to learn more about credit cards and how to use them to your advantage, be sure to sign up for our FREE web class. You’ll learn everything you need to know about how to get the most out of your finances.
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