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 even thousands of dollars, from laptops to pencils and everything in between.
If you’re looking to earn more points and miles or get a small spending bonus, shopping back to school 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
| It’s very good | Bonus money | |
|---|---|---|
| Ink Business Cash Credit Card | Office stores | 5% cash back on up to $25,000 in combined purchases at office supplies and internet, cable, and phone services |
| American Express Gold Card | US supermarket shopping | 4 Membership Rewards points spent on $25,000 in purchases each calendar year (then 1 point per dollar). Terms apply |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | Low annual returns | 6% cash back on your first $6,000 in purchases made at major US stores* |
| Main 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 | Typical back to school shopping | 2 unlimited miles per dollar on all purchases |
| Citi Double Cash Card | Non-annual cash return | Unlimited 2% cashback on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay) |
*Cashback is earned in the form of Reward Dollars that can be used as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
Looking closely 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 Ink Business Cash.
Acceptance offer: Earn $350 in cash back after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening. Plus, earn an additional $400 after spending $6,000 in the first six months of account opening.
Salary: The Ink Business Cash Credit Card offers 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent on combined purchases at office supply stores and Internet, cable and phone services. Whether you’re buying appliances or a computer, 5% is a huge savings.
Annual fee: Nothing.
Why we love it: If you buy a computer at an office supply store, consider using this card. Along with money back, you’ll also have purchase protection and extended warranty protection.
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Many people believe they can apply for a business card when in fact they can’t. You can apply for a business credit card whether you are a freelancer or have a side business.
To learn more, check out our full Ink Business Cash review.
Apply here: Chase Ink Business Cash
Main Visa
If your family has a Prime subscription, you should consider a Prime Visa card.
Welcome offer: Get a $100 Amazon gift card immediately after approval.
Advantages: This card offers 5% cash back on all Amazon and Whole Foods purchases.
Annual fee: No, but a Prime subscription is required for approval.
Why we love it: If you plan to buy essential items on Amazon, consider applying for an Amazon Prime Visa. A store that sells almost everything from A to Z is sure to have items on your back-to-school list.
Additionally, the card comes with purchase protection and extended warranty protection.
To learn more, check out our full Prime Visa review.
Apply here: Amazon Prime Visa
American Express Gold Card
Whether it’s grocery shopping for your kids’ lunch or dinner at a fast food place on a busy night, Amex Gold can help you accumulate valuable points on your purchases.
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of card membership. You may be directed to great offers through CardMatch; not everyone will be targeted with the same offer and the offer may change at any time.
Advantages: With the American Express Gold Card, you can earn 4 points for every dollar you spend when you shop at major US stores (up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) or dine at favorite restaurants (up to $50,000 per year of the calendar, then 1 point per dollar).
Annual fee: $325 (see rates and fees).
Why we love it: If you’re looking for simple school supplies like pens, pencils or paper, consider using this card to earn valuable American Express Membership Rewards at your local store.
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 to account -Uber and you must use an eligible Amex card to pay to receive your Uber Cash benefit). The card’s various benefits can easily offset the annual fee. Registration is required for selected benefits; terms apply.
To learn more, check out our full Amex Gold review.
Apply here: American Express Gold Card
Capital One Venture Awards and Capital One Venture X Awards
Both the Capital One Venture and Capital One Venture X awards offer great benefits; the decision comes down to how much you are willing to pay in annual fees.
Welcome offer: Both Venture Rewards and Venture X have similar welcome offers. New cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening.
Advantages: Earn at least 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase.
Annual fee: $95 (Venture Awards); $395 (Venture X Rewards)
Why we love them: Both of these cards offer at least 2 miles per dollar on each purchase, which comes out to 3.7 cents in return on every dollar spent by TPG’s January 2025 rating. Either card, once it’s in your wallet, is a great way to fill in the gaps on your back-to-school purchases.
To learn more, check out our full Venture Rewards and Venture X reviews.
Read more: Capital One Venture Awards
Read more: Capital One Venture X
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
If you prefer cash back instead of points, consider this Preferred Green Money.
Welcome offer: Get $250 back as a statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first six months of card membership.
Advantages: Earn 6% cash back on your first $6,000 in purchases made at US supermarkets each calendar year (then 1%).
Annual fee: $0 annual introductory fee for the first year, then $95 (see rates and fees)
Why we love it: This card gives you a whopping 6% cash back on your first $6,000 in purchases made at major US retailers each calendar year (then 1%), among other bonus categories. While you won’t be dropping six pens and pencils this year, this card is a solid low-annual fee option that will put cash back into your wallet.
To learn more, check out our full Blue Cash Preferred review.
Apply here: Preferred Green Money
Citi Double Cash Card
Sometimes, keeping it simple is best. If that’s what you want to do, the Citi Double Cash it might be for you.
Welcome offer: Earn $200 in cash back after spending $1,500 on the card in the first three months of account opening.
Advantages: Get unlimited 2% cashback on all purchases: 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay.
Annual fee: $0
Why we love it: Citi Double Cash is one of the best annual fee cards on the market, actually offering 2% cash back on all purchases (1% on purchases and 1% on payments). If you’re looking to add a cheap card to boost your back-to-school savings, this is your pick.
To learn more, check out our full Citi Double Cash review.
Apply here: Citi Double Cash
Applying Dell statement credit to the Business Platinum Card from American Express
Finally, if you have one Business Platinum Card® from American Expressyou’ll receive a statement credit to use on eligible US purchases at Dell.
You’ll receive an annual statement credit of up to $400 on eligible US Dell purchases each calendar year. That’s split into a statement credit of up to $200 on US Dell purchases between January and June and another credit of up to $200 on US Dell purchases between July and December. Registration is required for selected benefits; terms apply.
This benefit has a current expiration date of June 30, 2025, so be sure to consider that before applying for this card.
Related: 10 things you can buy with Dell’s $400 Amex Business Platinum statement credit
Bottom line
Back-to-school season is already upon us. Since there are important goods and expenses that come into play for most people, now is the time to plan your strategy to help reduce some of those costs.
In addition to using the best credit card, remember to maximize the rewards you earn on school supplies by using other programs such as shopping sites, Amex Offers, Chase Offers and discount codes.
For Amex Gold rates and fees, click here.
For rates and fees for the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, click here
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