Best Credit Cards for Large Purchases for 2025
Review
Updated
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Cash may be king when it comes to making a large purchase, but if you don't have the cash in hand, there are several smart ways to make a credit card work for you. Here, we cover the best credit cards for large purchases, and -- because so much rides on your credit score -- we look at how to approach a credit card purchase based on your credit score.
Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.
2025 Award Winner
Great for: Long intro 0% APR
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 21 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Regular APR
17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee N/A
$0
Welcome Offer
N/A
This no-frills card is a solid choice if your priority is to avoid credit card interest for as long as possible. It offers an incredible intro APR. The balance transfer fee (5%; $5 min.) is higher than some cards, but if you want an equally long intro APR on purchases, this card is hard to beat.
Read Full ReviewGreat for: Balance transfers
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months on Purchases
Balance Transfers: 0%, 21 months on Balance Transfers
Regular APR
17.24% - 27.99% (Variable)
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee N/A
$0
Welcome Offer
N/A
This card sets itself apart with an incredible 21-month 0% intro APR offer on qualifying balance transfers and no annual fee, making it a top pick for anyone looking for ample time to pay off credit card debt. Plus, you can choose from any available payment date. That way, you can set up automatic payments that are aligned with your paycheck.
Read Full ReviewGreat for: Cash back and sign-up bonus
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% Intro APR on Purchases
Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months
Regular APR
18.99% - 28.49% Variable
Rewards 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.
5% cash back offer
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening!
$200 bonus
This Chase card is one of our favorites, and with good reason. You earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate, alongside other standout perks (and at least 1% on all purchases). Plus, this one comes without an annual fee and with a generous welcome bonus.
Read Full ReviewGreat for: Secured card
New/Rebuilding Under(579)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: 10.99%, 6 months
Regular APR
27.24% Variable APR
Rewards 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically
1% - 2% Cashback
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
We think this card has among the highest cash back potential for a secured card with no annual fee. The key is the Unlimited Cashback Match — Discover automatically matches the cash back new cardholders earn at the end of the first year. This card could be perfect for you if you're new to credit, or rebuilding after past troubles.
Read Full ReviewGreat for: Long intro 0% APR
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 21 billing cycles on purchases billing cycles, and after that 18.24% - 29.24% (Variable).
Purchases: 0%, 21 billing cycles on purchases
Balance Transfers: 0%, 21 billing cycles
Regular APR
18.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
N/A
Welcome Offer
N/A
Got a big purchase to finance over time? Consider this U.S. Bank card, as it'll give you a whopping 21 billing cycles of 0% APR on purchases. This also goes for balance transfers, making this one a great fit if you have some existing debt to pay off. It also comes without an annual fee.
If you have a good or excellent credit score, you're in luck. A strong credit score means you have access to more than one credit card with a low interest rate and perks like cash rewards, cash back, double cash, and travel rewards. A poor to fair credit score makes the landscape a little trickier to navigate, and getting approved for a credit card may not be as easy, but it is possible.
The perfect credit card for a large purchase may be one you already own. Why not find out what yours have to offer? Log into your account and look for special offers.
Sometimes, an offer will involve a good credit card APR on new purchases for a limited time.
Or, you may find that a card offers a balance transfer. A balance transfer allows you to move the amount you owe on one card to another. The most common balance transfers give you 0% interest for a number of months (typically 12 to 18). Look out for the balance transfer fee. While it's possible to snag a lower fee, most credit card companies charge 3% to 5% of the balance to make the transfer. If one of your cards offers a balance transfer, here's how to make it work for a large purchase:
If you've had the same credit card for years, give the card issuer a call and ask what they can do for you. Are there offers available to their best customers that you haven't heard about? Even if your credit score is not quite as high as you'd like, it may be worth it to contact the credit card company, particularly if you have a positive payment history.
While you're checking out your credit cards, take another peek at any rewards card you may hold. Life gets busy, and it's easy to forget about things like a sign-up bonus, welcome bonus, or other bonus rewards accumulated on a rewards credit card. If you're not someone who watches your bonuses like a hawk, you may have funds available that you've overlooked -- money that can help you cover major purchases.
Landing a great credit card for your big purchase is easier if you have a credit score that qualifies you for just about any credit card you desire. If that's the case, check out our list of current favorites above. Don't just look at the average APR, though. Your strong credit means you also have access to cards with add-ons like bonus points on eligible purchases, no foreign transaction fees, no annual fees, elite status, and other benefits that make card membership attractive. And if you're making a very large purchase, focus on high limit credit cards.
Most financial institutions, including banks and credit unions, offer their own credit cards. If your credit score is not strong enough to qualify for a card full of perks, consider going into a branch of your financial institution and asking what they have to offer. If you're a member of a credit union, you may have an extra leg up. That's because credit union members are also considered shareholders. And because you're a shareholder, credit unions make it policy to do what they can to make you happy.
Let's say you have a credit score in the low 600s. Your credit score is fair, but you're working to boost it. In the meantime, you're paying your bills on time and avoiding overdrafts. A credit union officer can check out your financial history in moments, and may be able to help you land the perfect credit card for your big purchase.
Whether it's everyday purchases or large expenditures, the smartest way to use a credit card is to create a plan that results in paying as little in interest as possible. Let's say you qualify for a Chase Freedom Unlimited® card (see rates and fees) or other 0% intro APR credit card. While that's awesome, it benefits you most if you pay the balance in full before the introductory period expires, and you have to pay the standard interest rate.
There are at least two ways to avoid interest when using a credit card to make a large purchase.
Apply for a big-name credit card with a 0% introductory APR: If your credit score is 670 or higher, you may qualify for a card with a very attractive introductory APR, which helps cardholders avoid interest on purchases during the intro period.
Apply for a store credit card with a 0% introductory APR: If your credit score is a bit lower (around 640) and the purchase you hope to make is home-improvement related, take a look at a Home Depot® Credit Card or a MyLowe’s Rewards Credit Card. Home Depot, for example, periodically runs special offers that allow cardholders to extend repayment over 24 months at intro 0% interest.
The same is true if you're shopping anywhere that offers financing options or a store card -- as is common with many furniture stores. Before you apply for credit, though, ask about the minimum required credit score.
Here are a couple of ways to maximize credit card rewards:
Keep in mind that rewards cards only benefit you when the rewards you receive are worth more than the interest or annual fees paid.
If your credit score is in a ditch, that's okay. It may be a hassle, but the great thing about credit scores is that what goes down can go up. The goal is to get it where you need it to be. Let's look at three scenarios:
As with all financial products, your best bet is to look for a credit card that offers the most rewards at the lowest cost when choosing a card to make a large purchase.
| Card | Rating | Great For |
|---|---|---|
|
2025 Award Winner
|
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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Long intro 0% APR |
|
Rating image, 4.25 out of 5 stars.
4.25/5
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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Balance transfers |
|
|
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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Cash back and sign-up bonus |
|
|
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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Secured card |
|
|
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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Long intro 0% APR |
Not if you can pay it off quickly enough to avoid expensive interest payments.
A large credit card purchase raises your credit utilization rate (how much you're using of the total amount of credit available to you). This means that your credit score may drop a bit, but only until you begin paying the debt down. Regular, on-time payments will ultimately raise your credit score.
A credit score of 670 or higher is typically needed to qualify for credit cards with lower interest rates and 0% intro APR offers on purchases and balance transfers.
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 Visa.
