Back-to-school season is here, and it’s important for you (or your kids) to have the right supplies. That back-to-school list can sometimes run into the hundreds or thousands of dollars, from laptops to pencils and everything in between.
If you are looking to earn more points and miles or hit a minimum spending bonus, back-to-school shopping can be a great way to do so. Here are some of the best cards for back-to-school supplies (with a bonus card below):
Comparing the best cards
| Best for | Bonus earning | |
|---|---|---|
| Ink Business Cash Credit Card | Office supply stores | 5% cash back on up to $25,000 in combined purchases at office supply stores and internet, cable, and phone services |
| American Express Gold Card | U.S. supermarket purchases | 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on up to $25,000 in purchases each calendar year (then 1 point per dollar). Terms apply |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | Low-annual-fee return | 6% cash back on your first $6,000 of purchases made at U.S. supermarkets* |
| Prime Visa | Amazon purchases | 5% cash back on all Amazon and Whole Foods purchases |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card/Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | General back-to-school purchases | Unlimited 2 miles per dollar on all purchases |
| Citi Double Cash Card | No-annual-fee return | Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay) |
*Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
A closer look at each card
Ink Business Cash Credit Card
Even if you don’t own your own business, you may be eligible for a business card like the Ink Business Cash.
Welcome offer: Earn $350 in cash back after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Plus, earn an additional $400 in cash back after spending $6,000 in the first six months of account opening.
Earning: The Ink Business Cash Credit Card offers a generous 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and internet, cable and phone services. Whether you are buying simple supplies or a computer, 5% is a great amount of savings.
Annual fee: None.
Why we like it: If you’re purchasing a computer from an office supply store, consider using this card. Along with the cash back, you will also have purchase protection and extended warranty protection.
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Many people do not believe they can apply for a business card when in fact, they can. You can apply for a business credit card even if you’re a freelancer or have a side business.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Ink Business Cash.
Apply here: Chase Ink Business Cash
Prime Visa
If your family has a Prime subscription, you should consider the Prime Visa card.
Welcome offer: Receive a $100 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval.
Earnings: This card offers 5% cash back on all Amazon and Whole Foods purchases.
Annual fee: None, but a Prime subscription is required for approval.
Why we like it: If you’re planning to make significant purchases on Amazon, consider applying for the Amazon Prime Visa. The store that sells nearly everything from A to Z is bound to have things on your back-to-school list.
Additionally, the card comes with purchase protection and extended warranty protection.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Prime Visa.
Apply here: Amazon Prime Visa
American Express Gold Card
Whether it’s buying groceries for your kids’ lunches or dinner from a fast food place on a busy night, the Amex Gold can help you rack up valuable points on your purchases.
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of cardmembership. You may be targeted for a higher offer via CardMatch; not everyone will be targeted for the same offers and offers may change at any time.
Earnings: With the American Express Gold Card, you can earn 4 points per dollar spent when shopping at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) or eating at your favorite restaurants (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).
Annual fee: $325 (see rates and fees).
Why we like it: If you are looking for simple school supplies such as pens, pencils or paper, consider using this card to earn valuable American Express Membership Rewards at your local supermarket.
You’ll earn up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at select restaurants each calendar year (up to $10 monthly) and up to $120 in Uber Cash per calendar year (up to $10 monthly credits; card must be added in an Uber account and you must use an eligible Amex card to pay to receive your Uber Cash benefit). The card’s various perks can easily make up for the annual fee. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Gold.
Apply here: American Express Gold Card
Capital One Venture Rewards and Capital One Venture X Rewards
Both the Capital One Venture Rewards and Capital One Venture X offer great benefits; the decision comes down to how much you’re willing to pay in annual fees.
Welcome offers: Both the Venture Rewards and Venture X have identical welcome offers. New cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening.
Earnings: Earn at least 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase.
Annual fee: $95 (Venture Rewards); $395 (Venture X Rewards)
Why we like them: Both of these cards offer at least 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which comes out to a 3.7-cent return on every dollar spent per TPG’s January 2025 valuations. Either card, if already in your wallet, is a great option for filling in the gaps on your back-to-school purchases.
To learn more, check out our full reviews of the Venture Rewards and Venture X.
Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards
Learn more: Capital One Venture X
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
If you prefer earning cash back instead of points, consider the Blue Cash Preferred.
Welcome offer: Receive $250 back as a statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first six months of card membership.
Earnings: Earn 6% cash back on your first $6,000 of purchases made at U.S. supermarkets each calendar year (then 1%).
Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 (see rates and fees)
Why we like it: This card offers a whopping 6% cash back on your first $6,000 of purchases made at U.S. supermarkets each calendar year (then 1%), among other bonus categories. While you probably won’t be dropping six grand on pens and pencils this year, this card is a solid low-annual-fee alternative that’ll put cash right back into your wallet.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Blue Cash Preferred.
Apply here: Blue Cash Preferred
Citi Double Cash Card
Sometimes, keeping it simple is best. If that’s what you want to do, the Citi Double Cash may just be for you.
Welcome offer: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on the card in the first three months of account opening.
Earnings: Earn unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases: 1% when you buy and 1% as you pay.
Annual fee: $0
Why we like it: The Citi Double Cash is one of the best no-annual-fee cards on the market, essentially offering 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay). If you’re looking to add a card for cheap to bolster your back-to-school savings, this is the pick for you.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Citi Double Cash.
Apply here: Citi Double Cash
Using the Dell statement credit on The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Lastly, if you have The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ll get a statement credit to use on eligible U.S. purchases from Dell.
You’ll get an up-to-$400 annual statement credit toward eligible U.S. Dell purchases each calendar year. That’s split up as a statement credit for up to $200 on U.S. Dell purchases between January and June and another credit for up to $200 on U.S. Dell purchases between July and December. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
This benefit has a current end date of June 30, 2025, so make sure to take that into account before applying for this card.
Related: 10 items you can buy with the Amex Business Platinum’s $400 Dell statement credit
Bottom line
The back-to-school season is already here. With supplies and essential expenses coming up for many people, now is the time to plan your strategy to help alleviate some of those costs.
In addition to using the best credit card, remember to maximize your rewards-earning on school supplies by taking advantage of other programs like shopping portals, Amex Offers, Chase Offers and discount codes.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, click here
