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From old-school arcade jockeys and board game aficionados to modern console champions and mobile game mavericks, there are literally billions of gamers in the world. And yet, gamers remain one of the least-served markets when it comes to credit cards. Credit card companies have yet to tap into the wealth of possibilities that is the gaming market. As such, finding the right cash back credit cards for gaming involves a combination of niche cobranded cards and rewards workarounds. Get the tips and tricks in our complete guide to the best credit cards for gamers.
Great for: Amazon Prime members
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
19.49% - 28.24% Variable
Rewards Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership, unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and unlimited 1% on all other purchases
1% - 5% back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card
If you have an Amazon Prime account, do we have the card for you! This one is part of Chase's lineup, and earns a whopping 5% cash back on Amazon, Whole Foods, and Amazon Fresh purchases. Best of all, that cash back is available to you as soon as the next day -- so if you make frequent Amazon purchases and have a Prime membership, you'll easily save.
Read Full ReviewGreat for: Electronics stores
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases billing cycles, and after that 18.99% - 29.24% (Variable).
Purchases: 0%, 15 billing cycles on purchases
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 billing cycles
Regular APR
18.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
Rewards 5% cash back back on up to $2,000 of quarterly spending in two categories of choice and for travel booked directly in U.S. Bank's Rewards Travel Center, unlimited 2% back in one "everyday" category of choice, 1% back on other purchases
1% - 5% back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer Earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
$200
You get the power to choose not one, but two bonus 5% cash back categories every quarter with this U.S. Bank card. Plus, you get 5% on travel spending when you book through U.S. Bank. No annual fee, a generous welcome bonus, and 15 billing cycles of 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers round out the perks on this card.
Great for: Best Buy rewards
Fair (300-669)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
15.74% to 31.24%, variable
Rewards 5% back on Best Buy purchases, 3% back for gas, 2% back at restaurants, bars, and grocery stores, 1% back on other purchases
1% - 5% back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
10% back on your first day of Best Buy purchases
A decent option for consumers with average credit who frequently shop at Best Buy. If you have a high credit score, there are more useful cards available.
Read Full ReviewGreat for: 5% Target discount
Good (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
29.95%, variable
Rewards 5% discount on Target and Target.com purchases. 2% cash back on gas and dining purchases. 1% cash back on other purchases outside of Target.
1%-5% rewards
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
Save $50 on a future qualifying purchase over $50 when approved for a credit card.
Good for loyal Target shoppers who can make the most of the purchase discount and free shipping benefits. Target RedCard Credit Card cardholders can also earn rewards on all purchases toward a Target gift card. Otherwise, the card's features are limited for most other people.
Great for: Walmart.com purchases
Good (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
19.48% or 29.99% (Variable)
Rewards 5% back on purchases online at Walmart, including Grocery Pickup and Deliver, 2% back on purchases in Walmart stores, 2% back on restaurants and travel purchases, 1% back on other eligible purchases
1% - 5% back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer 5% back on in-store purchases for the first 12 months
5% back
A compelling offer for Walmart fans, but not a fit for anyone seeking a one-card wallet with versatile rewards.
Great for: Online purchases
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
Rewards 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% at at grocery stores and wholesale clubs for the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases, 1% on all other purchases.
1% - 3% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
$200 cash back
This card's wide range of extra cash back options speaks for itself, with a choice of six bonus categories you can change monthly for 3% earnings in the category of your choice. And you can earn 2% back automatically at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. No annual fee and a nice welcome bonus also make this one a winner. Plus, if you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, this card will be even more valuable for you.
Read Full ReviewGreat for: Flat-rate rewards
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Regular APR
19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR
Rewards Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
2% cash rewards
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
$200 cash rewards
This card’s unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases is the highest we’ve seen for a flat-rate rewards card with no annual fee. It also has an incredibly easy-to-earn $200 welcome bonus and a decent intro APR offer. We simply haven’t come across this combination of top perks in one card before.
Read Full ReviewGreat for: Unlimited cash back and 0% intro APR
Fair to Excellent (580-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months on Balance Transfers
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
Rewards Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
2% cash back
Annual Fee N/A
$0
Welcome Offer Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
$200
This card combines a top-notch balance transfer offer with best-in-class unlimited 2% cash back on purchases. There's no introductory APR for purchases, so you'll need to pay those off in full every month if you want to avoid interest charges.
Read Full ReviewIf you're a hardcore gamer -- or even a casual one -- you likely spend a healthy chunk of change on your hobby. Whether it's hardware updates, in-game gear, or just a monthly subscription fee, gaming costs can add up.
Given the gaming line item in your budget, it makes sense to find a dedicated card to help you get the most out of your gaming purchases. A good rewards credit card can help you maximize your purchase rewards no matter what kind of gamer you are -- or want to be.
LEARN MORE: How to Maximize Your Credit Card Rewards
That said, the type of gaming purchases you make will have a big impact on the best types of credit cards for you. Here's a look at three common types of gaming purchases and how to choose the right card for them.
No matter what kind of gaming you do, you need the right hardware to do it right. This could be a sharp monitor with a killer refresh rate, a headset you can wear for hours, or even the perfect set of well-balanced dice.
If you're a desktop or console gamer, most of your hardware likely comes from an electronics store. The best card for electronics purchases is the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card. Just choose "Electronics Stores" as one of your 5% bonus categories, and you're good to go at more than a dozen stores up to the quarterly maximum, including (but not limited to):
Or, if you're a dedicated brand loyalist, get the cobranded credit card for your favorite store. A My Best Buy® Visa® gives you extra rewards for being an Elite Plus member. Alternatively, Amazon, Target, and Walmart all have regular sales on popular consoles and gear, and they each have their own cobranded credit cards for earning rewards.
READ MORE: Best Cash Back Credit Cards
Credit card companies are almost ignoring in-game purchases entirely. The only credit card that directly offers purchase rewards for in-game purchases is the PlayStation Visa Credit Card. Most other rewards cards won't offer extra rewards for your in-game purchases. So you need a workaround.
TIP
The best way to get credit card rewards for in-game purchases is to use a rewards card to buy gift cards for your favorite platforms or games.
Gaming gift cards can be found just about anywhere, including grocery stores, big-box stores (Target, Walmart, etc.), and even office supply stores. For the best results, use a rewards card that gets you bonus rewards at that store. For example, pick up gift cards on your next food run with a grocery store rewards card, then use the cash back you earn as a statement credit to cover a portion of your purchase.
Most major video game platforms offer gift cards, including:
You can even find gift cards for specific games. Some of the easiest to find are:
Maximizing rewards on your board game purchases will depend on where you buy most of your supplies. For example, if you collect family board games, like Monopoly or Scrabble, then Amazon or Target -- and their respective credit cards -- might be a good choice.
On the other hand, if you frequent the local comic shop for your D&D or Warhammer books and figures, you may have to get more creative for bonus rewards. If you can make purchases from your favorite comic book store online, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card could net you decent rewards with "Online Shopping" as your bonus category pick.
READ MORE: Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping
Otherwise, a good flat-rate cash back rewards card is probably your best bet. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, for instance, gives you 2% cash rewards on purchases.
Unfortunately, most credit cards that offer "entertainment" as a bonus category don't apply to gaming purchases. These cards are intended for purchases at entertainment venues, such as:
You could potentially purchase some gaming materials at one of these venues (you could probably pick up a Marvel-themed board game while visiting Universal Studios). However, your local comic book or gaming store typically won't qualify for bonus rewards on a card with an entertainment bonus category.
Love entertainment? Check out Motley Fool Money's guide to the best credit cards for entertainment.
Card | Rating | Great For |
---|---|---|
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Amazon Prime members |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Electronics stores |
|
Rating image, 3.00 out of 5 stars.
3.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Best Buy rewards |
|
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: 5% Target discount |
|
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Walmart.com purchases |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Online purchases |
|
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Flat-rate rewards |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Unlimited cash back and 0% intro APR |
At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and 0% intro APR offers to evaluate our ratings.
Our highest-rated credit cards have:
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best card recommendations. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.
The best card for buying games online is one that offers bonus rewards for those purchases. If you shop mostly with one store or brand, the cobranded card is often your best bet.
For example, PlayStation fans may benefit from the PlayStation Visa Credit Card. And regular Amazon shoppers may get a lot of value from the Prime Visa.
For general online purchases, you can earn extra rewards with a Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card. Or a flat-rate cash back card is always a good pick. The Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card offers the same 2% cash back on your purchases.
The PlayStation Visa Credit Card offers bonus rewards for purchases made in the PlayStation store. For other platforms, your best option is to use a rewards card to purchase gift cards to use for in-game purchases. If you're going that route, choose a card that earns bonus rewards for the store where you're buying the gift cards. For instance, use a grocery store rewards card if you're buying gift cards at the grocery store.
Picking the best credit card for your gaming purchases depends on the type of gaming you do and where you buy your supplies. If you're a PC or console gamer, a card that rewards your electronics purchases may be your best pick. The U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card has "Electronics Stores" as a bonus category option. Best Buy also has its own cobranded credit card.
For board game fans, rewards cards for major stores, like Amazon and Target, may be the most valuable. Or select a quality flat-rate rewards card that will give you up to 2% back on your purchases, including the local comic and gaming stores. The Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card is a solid 2% cash back card.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Motley Fool Money is 100% owned and operated by The Motley Fool. Our knowledgeable team of personal finance editors and analysts are employed by The Motley Fool and held to the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.
The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Mastercard and Visa.