Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the biggest shopping days of the year for most Americans. People often plan out their shopping in advance to find the best deals of the holiday shopping season. It’s for good reason, as Americans spent over $41 billion during Cyber Week (Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday) in 2024, according to Adobe Analytics. For the savvy shopper, the shopping season isn’t just about landing deals, but also about maximizing cash back and earning rewards on their credit cards. This guide shares how to use Black Friday credit card deals to earn more cash back and rewards on your holiday shopping.
Use the right card for the right store
Not all credit cards reward you equally at every store. For example, your favorite card may only offer 1% cash back on holiday shopping, whereas another cash back credit card may offer 3%, or more, on these purchases.
Depending on your shopping, that can leave a sizable amount of cash back on the table. Using the right card lets you maximize rewards, helping you offset spending or redeem for your preferred rewards.
Best card for Amazon purchases
Amazon is a popular retailer for both Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These are the best cards to use to earn cash back and rewards on Amazon.
- Prime Visa
- Discover it(R) Cash Back
- Bank of America(R) Customized Cash Rewards credit card
- Chase Freedom Unlimited(R)
➤ SEE MORE:How to maximize cash back on Amazon purchases
Top pick for Walmart and Target
Walmart and Target also offer plentiful deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Here are some of the best credit cards to use for Walmart and Target shoppers wanting to maximize rewards.
Citi is a CardRatings advertiser.
➤ SEE MORE:Which credit cards earn cash back at Walmart and Target?
Best card for department stores
Shoppers who frequent department stores like Macy’s and Kohl’s should identify credit cards that offer generous earning opportunities. Such cards may have bonus or online shopping categories that increase earnings. These are the top credit cards to consider for department store shopping.
- Blue Cash Everyday(R) Card from American Express
- Bank of America(R) Customized Cash Rewards credit card
- American Express Platinum Card(R)
American Express is a CardRatings advertiser.
Why store-specific cards matter
It’s important not to write off store-specific options when considering Black Friday credit card offers. Such cards traditionally only work at a specific store, such as the Target Circle card. They may offer access to valuable one-time discounts or early access to deals, but they often come with high APRs.
“Unless you shop at the store often, a general rewards card may be a better fit. Before you start shopping, think about where the bulk of your holiday budget will go and use a card that rewards those purchases….The key is to align your rewards strategy with your holiday priorities, so you’re earning the most where you’re already planning to spend,” says Lora Monfared, head of consumer card products at Bank of America.
Stack rewards with online shopping portals
Online shopping portals can be a helpful way to boost earning rewards or cash back on your purchases. Buying directly through a retailer works, but shopping portals commonly give rewards of 3-10%, if not more. By using shopping portals, you can earn bonus rewards on top of your regular card earnings, maximizing your total benefits. Pairing the strategy with a rewards credit card increases your cash back.
How Rakuten, TopCashBack, and Capital One Shopping work
Rakuten, TopCashBack, and Capital One Shopping are three leading online shopping portals that provide promo codes or cash back on purchases. The three portals partner with retailers to offer rebates and are free to use.
You log into the portal of your choice and locate the retailer you intend to purchase from. This takes you to the chosen retailer, and you make your purchase as normal. You will earn both the portal’s bonus plus the rewards on your credit card.
Combining cash back with card rewards
Using your highest-earning rewards card is commonly the best practice to maximize earnings. It’s no different when you shop through an online portal. In fact, it’s even more important as the two together can really amplify your earnings.
For instance, if you’re receiving 10% back on your shopping via the portal, combining that with a card that pays 5% cash back on purchases can net a 15% return. Make sure to complete your purchases in one shopping session and follow the instructions in the portal to maximize your earnings.
By stacking portal rewards with your card’s cash back, you can maximize your earnings and collect all the cash available from your purchases.
➤ SEE MORE:How to choose the best credit card for holiday shopping
Leverage limited-time credit card offers
Most major credit card issuers extend offers to earn a percentage of your purchase back or a set dollar amount back for a specific purchase. You may see additional offers during the holiday shopping season. Accessing these offers can be a powerful way to boost rewards.
“Review your card’s bonus structure before you start shopping and align your purchases with the rotating categories or limited-time bonuses where you’ll earn the most. That way, every dollar you spend during sale season works harder for you,” notes Monfared. Offers commonly vary between online only and in-person, so be aware of that when considering a limited-time credit card offer.
Amex Offers and how to activate them
Amex Offers are a helpful way to receive statement credits. Users can activate desired offers online or within their mobile app. A current example is getting $20 cash back on a $100 purchase at NFLShop.com.
Within your account, locate the “Offers” tab to identify possible deals. When you locate one, click the “Add to Card” button to add it to your account. Make your purchase as usual, using the same Amex card, and the statement credit or points will appear within several business days. With Amex Offers, you can often redeem cash back as a statement credit or use it toward future purchases once you meet the minimum redemption threshold.
Chase and Citi merchant deals
Activating Chase and Citi merchant deals is similarly easy and can be done within the respective app or online account. Within your Chase account, scroll down to the “Chase Offers” tab and locate deals of interest. Once you find a deal you want, follow the instructions and click the “Go to website” button to make a purchase.
Getting Citi deals is simple, too. Log in to your account online or in your app. Click on the “Explore Offers” tab, then “Offers for You”. Upon finding a deal you like, click on the “Add Offer” button to add it to your account. Complete your purchase like normal, using the same Citi card, and the statement credit will appear within several business days.
The rewards you earn through these deals are often credited as reward dollars, which can be redeemed for statement credits or other benefits.
Capital One offers explained
Availing yourself of Capital One offers is easy. Log in to your account online or within your app. Click on the “View all offers” tab to identify all currently available offers.
Click on the offer you want, which will bring up the terms and conditions, then select the “Shop Online” button. Capital One will take you to the selected retailer to complete the purchase. Your statement credit will reflect in your account within several weeks.
Always make sure to read the fine print of each Capital One offer to understand any restrictions or exclusions that may apply.
➤ SEE MORE:Best credit cards for online shopping
Use Cyber Monday credit card deals wisely
Finding great deals on Cyber Monday is an excellent way to save money. Using the right credit card can multiply your savings efforts significantly. Many credit cards offer exclusive Cyber Monday deals, such as extra cash back or limited-time discounts, to help shoppers maximize their savings. Shopping online makes earning cash back easy, but it also requires careful budgeting to avoid overspending.
Timing purchases for bonus cash back
Planning your spending is a useful way to maximize cash back efforts. Credit card companies typically include rotating categories during the fourth quarter of the year that let you earn more cash back and boost savings.
“You will need some planning and preparation even before the holiday season starts. Keep track of your rotating categories early or at least know which ones earn the most bonus points. Cards like Chase Freedom and Discover it often have quarterly 5% categories that include holiday-friendly options like online shopping, PayPal, or department stores,” says credit card expert Dana Yao of Dana Yao Media.
Timing your purchases to align with these bonus categories can help you maximize your bonus earn during the holiday shopping season.
Avoiding impulse buys with budgeting tools
Earnings rewards or cash back are great until they lead to unplanned spending. Left unchecked, the spending can lead to unnecessarily high-interest debt. No rewards are worth debt.
Tracking your spending is a helpful way to avoid problems. “If you have multiple cards, track your spending with a spreadsheet or app so you can meet bonus requirements efficiently,” says Yao. It’s wise to apply this philosophy to your spending to avoid overspending.
➤ SEE MORE:Holiday budgeting tips: Why smart shoppers start planning now
Using virtual cards for added security
Credit card fraud is traditionally worse during the holiday shopping season, according to TransUnion. Virtual cards can be an effective way to prevent fraud against you.
These virtual credit cards operate like physical credit cards, but without the actual plastic. Issuers create a different 16-card number and expiration date for every transaction, just for the approved amount to curtail possible fraud.
Time your purchases for maximum cash back
Timing is your friend when using credit card Black Friday deals. If done right, you can quickly boost cash back opportunities.
Holiday shoppers can benefit from timing their purchases to take advantage of special credit card offers and maximizing cash back.
When to buy for bonus categories
Many credit cards offer rotating bonus categories that change each quarter, often featuring popular retailers or spending categories aligned with holiday shopping seasons, helping you maximize your rewards during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. But timing is crucial to avoid missing out on rewards due to issuer policies.
Credit card issuers may credit rewards based on either the transaction date or the posting date, which can impact your rewards if you make purchases near the end of a quarter. To ensure you receive your bonus rewards, it’s often best to complete purchases several business days before the quarter ends.
Using rotating category cards effectively
Credit cards like Discover it(R) Cash Back require you to activate quarterly rotating categories, so be sure to activate your rotating category each quarter. But don’t stop there—you’ll want to pair your spending with cards that offer the highest cash back or bonus rewards for your purchases to maximize your earnings.
“Once you know your biggest spending categories, pick a credit card that gives you more flexibility to choose where you earn extra cash back,” notes Monfared.
While rotating categories can offer higher rewards during special events, it’s also important to use cards that provide solid cash back on everyday purchases.
➤ SEE MORE:Discover quarterly rewards categories
Avoiding interest with 0% APR cards
Interest can be costly, whether it’s on a major purchase or during a heavy spending time like the holiday shopping season. Using a 0% APR credit card can be a strategic way to avoid incurring interest.
Many 0% APR credit cards offer introductory rates on both purchases and balance transfers, allowing you to manage new spending and existing debt.
If you opt for a no-interest credit card, plan wisely. Pay off the card before the promo period ends to avoid paying any interest.
Apply for a new card strategically
Black Friday can be a good time to apply for a new rewards credit card. You may find attractive sign-on bonuses available, but don’t apply for a new card if it doesn’t fit with your long-term goals.
“A large introductory offer might sound like an easy win around the holidays, but it’s important to think long term. If the card’s rewards structure or benefits don’t align with your regular spending habits once the holiday rush ends, you could find yourself with a card that offers little ongoing value, or worse, one that tempts unnecessary spending just to hit the bonus threshold,” says Monfared.
Before applying, confirm you can meet the minimum spend without incurring debt. If you’re unsure and it doesn’t offer an attractive rewards structure, it may not be worth applying.
Bottom line
Maximizing cash back and rewards on Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping isn’t about spending more. It’s about spending smarter. Using the right card for each store, stacking rewards, and utilizing limited-time offers can be a powerful trio to boost cash back efforts without needless overspending.
