Guide
Best credit card for online shopping (2026)
For general online shopping, Citi Double Cash and Wells Fargo Active Cash earn a flat 2% on every purchase. Chase Freedom Unlimited adds 3% on dining and drugstores. Co-branded store cards only win when the retailer is your top spend category.
Quick comparison
| Card | Best for | Earn rate | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citi Double Cash | Flat rate online | 2% cash back | $0 |
| Freedom Unlimited | Mixed online + dining | 1.5–3% cash back | $0 |
| Amazon Prime Visa | Amazon only | 5% at Amazon | $0 |
Why most people pick the wrong card
Most people default to the same card at checkout — usually the one on top in their wallet. That habit quietly costs hundreds of dollars a year when another card in your stack earns 3×, 4×, or even 6× on the same purchase.
How Pikt routes smarter than guesswork
Pikt links the cards you already carry, weighs your offers and category earn rates, and tells you the best card to use — with a plain-English explanation and dollar estimate for every purchase. Online, the Pikt Checkout extension auto-fills that card at checkout; in-store, Pikt Nearby names it on your lock screen. Amazon, Target.com, and boutique sites code as general merchandise — Pikt compares your catch-all rate against any active offers.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I use a store credit card online?
- Only if that store dominates your spend. Otherwise a 2% catch-all often beats a 5% card used everywhere else at 1×.
$89 at Amazon → Active Cash earns $1.78 (+$0.89 vs default card)
See your personal best cards
Generic advice assumes average spend. Your wallet is different. Take Pikt's 60-second quiz — pick your top spending areas and whether you prefer cash back, travel points, or simplicity.
Where does your money go?
Pick your top spending areas and we'll show you which cards earn the most for each.
What matters most to you?
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