Top credit cards for fashion shopping

Whether you're refreshing your wardrobe for the upcoming season or picking up the latest travel-friendly athleisure, choosing the right credit card can help you maximize your clothing expenses. Unfortunately, our top-rated cards don't have specific bonus categories for 'clothing,' so we have to get inventive with how we earn on these purchases.

We've compiled the best strategies to earn rewards on every clothing purchase, so you can feel just as good about your rewards as you do about your new wardrobe.

Top credit cards for fashion purchases

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Ideal for earning travel rewards with a flat rate
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Great for flat-rate rewards and points transfers
• Citi Double Cash® Card: Best for flat-rate cashback (see rates and fees)
• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Perfect for online shopping
• Chase Freedom Flex®: Best for rotating rewards categories
• Prime Visa: Excellent for Amazon shopping

A comparison of the best credit cards for shopping

Since most clothing purchases don't fall under a bonus-earning category with your favorite credit card, it's wise to use one that offers a great return on all purchases.

Sometimes, a card with rotating bonus categories will feature retailers where you can buy clothes, so be sure to keep an eye on those as well.

Here are our top recommendations:

*Bonus value is an estimated calculation by TPG and not provided by the card issuer.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Based on TPG's July 2024 valuation, Capital One miles are valued at 1.85 cents per mile. Including the miles and the Capital One Travel credit, this welcome bonus is worth $1,388.

Annual Fee: $95 (see rates and fees)

Why we recommend it: This card earns an unlimited 2 miles per dollar on all purchases. Capital One miles are simple to redeem, allowing you to apply them toward travel purchases made on your card. Use this card for your wardrobe refresh, and feel confident knowing you can apply your rewards to your next trip.

For more information, take a look at our comprehensive review of the Venture Rewards Card.

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Welcome bonus: Earn an extra 1.5% cash back on all purchases (on up to $20,000 spent during the first year), worth up to $300 in cash back.

Annual fee: $0

Why we recommend it: The Freedom Unlimited earns 5% back on travel booked through the Chase Travel portal, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% on all other purchases.

This rewards structure alone makes this card a step above others that only offer 1 point per dollar on clothing purchases, but it becomes even more valuable if you also have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®. With those cards, you can transfer points to your account and redeem them with a wide range of Chase's travel partners.

For more information, check out our detailed review of the Freedom Unlimited.

Citi Double Cash Card

Welcome bonus: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 within the first six months of account opening.

Annual fee: $0 (see rates and fees)

Why we recommend it: The Double Cash earns 2% cash back on every purchase (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay), ensuring a great return on all your spending with no need to track categories. Additionally, you can earn 5% total cash back on hotel stays, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel℠ portal until 12/31/25.

For more information, check out our complete review of the Citi Double Cash.

Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express

Welcome bonus: Receive $200 cash as a statement credit after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 6 months of card membership.

Annual fee: $0 (see rates and fees)

Why we recommend it: This card offers a generous 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 annually, then 1%), making it the best choice for online shopping outside of specific bonus categories.

It also provides 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 annually in each category, then 1%), making it a great option for everyday spending.

Cash Back is earned in the form of Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed as a statement credit or used at checkout on Amazon.com.

For more information, take a look at our complete review of the Amex Blue Cash Everyday.

Chase Freedom Flex

Welcome bonus: Receive $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Annual fee: $0

Why we recommend it: This card offers 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500, then 1%) after activation. In the past, PayPal has been included as a rotating category, allowing you to earn rewards on clothing and anything else when you pay with PayPal.

Even if your favorite clothing stores aren't included in the rotating categories, you can often purchase gift cards from a qualifying retailer, such as buying a H&M gift card at a supermarket or office supply store when they're part of the bonus categories.

For more information, read our full review of the Freedom Flex.

Prime Visa

Welcome bonus: Receive a $150 Amazon gift card immediately upon approval.

Annual fee: $0, but you must have a Prime membership ($139 annually).

Why we love it: Is there anything you can't find on Amazon? It's amazing how your favorite new outfit can come from the same place you order toothpaste and packing cubes, but more and more people are making this their go-to. If you’re one of them, earn 5% cash back on all your Amazon purchases, including clothing, with this card.

Plus, earn 5% back at Whole Foods Market, Amazon Fresh, Chase Travel, 2% at restaurants, gas stations, and for local commuting (including ride-hailing), and 1% on all other purchases.

For more information, take a look at our complete review of the Prime Visa.

Purchase protections

If you're making a big purchase or buying something expensive, it's worth considering the purchase protections your card offers, along with its welcome bonus and earning potential.

Should I get a store credit card?

In short, probably not. We generally don’t recommend store credit cards because they tend to fall short compared to our favorite cash-back cards. That said, there are exceptions. Just make sure you do your homework and don’t get swayed by a tempting offer at the checkout counter.

Alternative ways to earn rewards on clothing purchases

Purchase gift cards

If you have a credit card that offers bonus points at grocery or office supply stores, consider buying gift cards from retailers like Gap or TJ Maxx. You can use these gift cards to shop for clothing and still earn bonus points.

Utilize a shopping portal

Always check your preferred shopping portal when shopping online to maximize your earnings on clothing purchases.

Review merchant offers

Many credit cards feature merchant offers for clothing retailers. Regularly check the deals available on your cards, and add any that could benefit you. Then, use the card with the applicable offer to shop at participating stores before the deal expires.

We suggest noting down which offers are available on which cards in your phone so you can quickly reference them when you're ready to shop.

Final thoughts

Shopping for clothes can be costly, so make sure you're maximizing your rewards on every purchase. Use top credit cards for clothing, buy gift cards from stores that offer extra rewards, and always shop through a portal when making online purchases. This way, your rewards balance will shine just as brightly as your new wardrobe.