Black Friday may no longer involve shoppers risking bodily harm for the last Tickle Me Elmo, but that doesn't mean the deals are any less exciting. From big-ticket electronics to everyday essentials, this is when retailers roll out some of their best discounts of the year.
And while scoring a great deal is satisfying enough, earning cash back, points or miles on top of those savings can make the deals even better.
Whether you're braving the crowds or shopping from the comfort of your couch, here are the best credit cards to use when shopping this year's Black Friday sales.
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards
If your Black Friday shopping plans involve more clicking than crowd-dodging, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card deserves a spot in your wallet.
By selecting online shopping as your bonus category, you can earn extra cash back at a wide range of retailers, including stores offering some of the year's biggest holiday discounts.
Welcome bonus: Earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. Plus, earn 6% cash back for the first year from account opening in your choice category.
Annual fee: $0
Key earning rates:
- 3% cash back plus a 3% first-year cash back bonus in the category of your choice, which you can choose as online shopping
- 6% and 2% cash back in the choice category and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter; then earn unlimited 1% thereafter; after the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum)
When to use this card: The online shopping category makes this card particularly useful for Black Friday and Cyber Monday purchases, whether you're shopping for electronics, clothing or holiday gifts.
Eligible BoA Rewards members can boost their cash-back earnings even further.
To learn more, read our full review of the BofA Customized Cash Rewards.
Apply here: Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards
American Express Blue Cash Everyday
You don't need an expensive credit card to earn great rewards on your holiday shopping. The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers a straightforward way to earn extra cash back on eligible online purchases, all without an annual fee.
Welcome bonus: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as $200 cash back after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
(Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer; Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.)
Annual fee: $0 (see rates and fees)
Key earning rate: 3% cash back* on online purchases from U.S. retailers (on the first $6,000 spent during a calendar year, then 1% until the following year)
*Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
When to use this card: If you'll be shopping online during Black Friday or Cyber Monday, this is easily one of the best credit cards for your purchases.
To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Blue Cash Everyday.
Apply here: Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
Capital One Venture Rewards
Your Black Friday shopping could help pay for your next vacation. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns at least 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases, making it a great option for shoppers who would rather turn their holiday spending into future flights and hotel stays than earn cash back.
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, plus receive a $300 credit to use on hotels and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel in the first cardholder year.
Per TPG's October 2026 valuations, this offer is worth $1,688 (including the credit).
Annual fee: $95
Key earning rate: 2 miles per dollar spent on everyday purchases
When to use this card: The Venture Rewards is a great choice for Black Friday purchases that don't qualify for bonus rewards on your other credit cards. Because it earns the same rate regardless of where you shop, you won't have to worry about whether you're buying gifts online or in-store.
Rather than settling for cash back, you can transfer your Capital One miles to one of the issuer's 15-plus airline and hotel partners, potentially getting outsize value toward your next vacation.
To learn more, read our full review of the Venture Rewards.
Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Chase Freedom Flex
The Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees) offers rotating bonus categories that change every quarter, giving cardholders opportunities to earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases (up to $1,500 per quarter; activation required). And while this quarter's categories might not scream Black Friday, they're still worth a closer look.
Welcome bonus: Earn a $250 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $0
Key earning rate: 5% cash back in quarterly rotating categories (up to $1,500 per quarter; activation required)
When to use this card: For the fourth quarter of 2026, Freedom Flex cardholders can earn 7% cash back on dining and 5% cash back at grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target).
Grocery stores and restaurants often roll out their own promotions on Black Friday, giving you a chance to score deals on food while earning extra rewards. Just remember to activate your quarterly categories by Dec. 14 to earn the bonus rewards.
To learn more, read our full review of the Freedom Flex.
Apply here: Chase Freedom Flex
Citi Double Cash
Not every Black Friday purchase fits neatly into a credit card bonus category. That's where the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) comes in.
With unlimited 2% cash back* on purchases, you can earn rewards whether you're buying a new TV, checking off your holiday gift list or splurging on something for yourself.
*1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% back as you pay
Welcome bonus: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.
Annual fee: $0
Key earning rate: 2% on every purchase (1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% back as you pay)
When to use this card: The Double Cash is a great fallback for Black Friday purchases that don't qualify for bonus rewards on your other cards. You'll earn the same cash-back rate whether you're shopping online or in-store.
To learn more, read our full review of the Citi Double Cash.
Apply here: Citi Double Cash Card
Prime Visa
If your Black Friday shopping cart is already filling up on Amazon, the Prime Visa is worth a closer look. With 5% back on eligible Amazon purchases for Prime members, it's an easy way to rack up rewards while checking gifts off your holiday shopping list.
Welcome bonus: Receive a $150 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval, exclusively for Prime members.
Annual fee: $0 (but you need a Prime membership to get this card)
The information for the Prime Visa has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Key earning rates:
- 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com**
- 5% back at Amazon.com, Audible.com, Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market**
**With an eligible Prime membership
When to use this card: The Prime Visa is only open to those who have an Amazon Prime membership. While the card has no annual fee, you do have to foot the $139 bill for an annual Prime account.
But for those who find Prime worthwhile and use it frequently, the card excels with 5% back on a wide variety of items and groceries at Amazon and Whole Foods.
To learn more, read our full review of the Prime Visa.
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature
While several cards on this list reward online shopping, the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is particularly useful for in-store Black Friday purchases. With the right bonus categories selected, you can earn 5% cash back at department stores, electronics retailers and select clothing stores.
Welcome bonus: Earn a $200 rewards bonus after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee: $0
The information for the U.S. Bank Cash+ has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Key earning rate: 5% cash back in two categories of your choice (on up to $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter, then 1%)
When to use this card: If you're planning to shop for electronics, clothing or other holiday gifts this Black Friday, the Cash+ could be a great fit. You can choose two 5% bonus categories each quarter, including electronics stores, department stores and select clothing stores.
Just make sure to activate your categories before shopping and note the $2,000 quarterly spending cap applies to both 5% categories combined.
To learn more, read our full review of the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card.
How to maximize Black Friday spending
Don't forget about shopping portals
One of the easiest ways to earn extra rewards on Black Friday purchases is to use an online shopping portal. By clicking through a portal before making a purchase, you can earn bonus cash back, points or miles on top of whatever you're already earning with your credit card.
And with retailers often offering elevated shopping portal rates around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it's worth taking an extra minute to compare your options.
A good place to start is a shopping portal aggregator like Cashback Monitor, which lets you compare earning rates across multiple portals in one place.
You can also stack shopping portal rewards with eligible credit card offers and promotional discounts, making an already good deal even better.
Reach a welcome bonus spending requirement
If you just applied for a new card with a welcome bonus spending requirement, holiday shopping is a great opportunity to help you meet that spending requirement.
For instance, let's say you applied for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. The Venture X earns 2 miles per dollar spent on everyday purchases. Currently, new Venture X cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, so you could use your holiday shopping to help you reach that minimum spending requirement.
Accruing 2 miles per dollar spent on everyday spending is a solid rate of return, especially for purchases that don't qualify for bonus rewards on your other cards. But if you're also making a dent in the $4,000 spending requirement to earn 75,000 bonus miles, that's an even sweeter deal.
Use credit card offers
Major credit card issuers offer targeted promotions that can help you earn extra rewards or cash back on your purchases. Just keep in mind that these offers vary by cardholder and may not be available on all your cards.
Options include Amex Offers, BankAmeriDeals, Capital One Offers, Chase Offers and Citi Merchant Offers. Many offers are applicable to both in-store (Black Friday) and online (Cyber Monday) purchases.
Even a card that doesn't normally earn bonus rewards at a particular retailer could be worth using if you have a targeted offer. Just add the offer to your card before shopping and use that same card at checkout to earn rewards on top of your usual earnings.
Related: Earn points, miles or cash back: How to maximize online shopping portals for your purchases
Bottom line
Black Friday is a great opportunity to score some of the year's best deals, but a little planning can make those purchases even more rewarding.
Whether you're filling your Amazon cart, hunting for electronics in-store or checking off your holiday gift list, using the right credit card can help you earn valuable cash back, points or miles along the way.
And don't forget to check for shopping portal bonuses and targeted credit card offers before making your purchases. With a little extra effort, you can turn an already great deal into an even better one.
Related: How to maximize shopping portals for Black Friday and holiday deals
For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Cash Everyday card, click here.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.