Core Insights - The article discusses the best credit cards for Amazon purchases in 2025, highlighting various options that offer significant cash back and rewards for frequent Amazon shoppers [1][46]. Group 1: Credit Card Options - The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express offers a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months and provides 3% cash back on up to $6,000 in U.S. online retail purchases annually [3][5]. - The Prime Visa card provides a $250 Amazon Gift Card upon approval for Prime members and offers 5% back on Amazon.com purchases, making it ideal for frequent Amazon shoppers [7][9]. - The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a $95 annual fee and offers 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, with 2x miles on all eligible purchases [11][9]. - The Amazon Visa card, which does not require a Prime membership, offers a $50 Amazon gift card upon approval and has a lower rewards rate compared to the Prime Visa [15][46]. - The Discover it Cash Back card provides up to 5% cash back on rotating categories, including Amazon during the fourth quarter, and matches all cash back earned at the end of the first year [18][36]. Group 2: Rewards and Benefits - The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card allows users to earn 3% cash back in a chosen category each quarter, which can include online shopping from Amazon [25][39]. - The Wells Fargo Active Cash Credit Card offers unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases and has no annual fee, making it a competitive option for everyday spending [29][39]. - The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card provides 6% cash back on the first $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter with selected retailers, including Amazon [34][46]. - The Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card offers up to 5% cash back on rotating categories, which may include Amazon, and has no annual fee [31][39]. Group 3: Considerations for Choosing a Card - The right rewards rate depends on individual spending habits; those focused on Amazon purchases should seek cards with the highest rewards for Amazon [37][40]. - Most cards listed do not have an annual fee, but if a card does, it is essential to evaluate whether the rewards justify the cost [39][40]. - Credit cards can provide additional benefits such as purchase protection, which is valuable for online shopping [39][40].

Core Insights - The article discusses the best grocery credit cards for 2025, highlighting various options based on their rewards structures and benefits. Group 1: Best Grocery Credit Cards - The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in eligible purchases annually, with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year and a $95 fee thereafter [3][5][6] - The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card provides 3% cash back on grocery purchases with no cap, making it a strong option for frequent grocery shoppers [9][12][13] - The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express has no annual fee and offers 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in eligible purchases annually [17][18] Group 2: Additional Benefits and Offers - The Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card includes additional cash-back categories for streaming, transit, and U.S. gas stations, enhancing its overall value [6][10] - The Capital One Savor card features a welcome offer of $300 in bonuses and a $100 credit for travel bookings, making it attractive for new cardholders [11][12] - The American Express Gold Card allows for 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets, which can be beneficial for those looking to convert grocery spending into travel rewards [23][24] Group 3: Spending Limits and Cash Back Potential - The average American spends approximately $5,703 annually on groceries, which influences the potential cash back earned from these cards [54][75] - The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card offers 6% cash back on the first $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter with selected retailers, including superstores [39][40] - The Citi Custom Cash Card provides 5% cash back on grocery purchases up to $500 per month, allowing for significant rewards for regular grocery shoppers [44][46]

Core Insights - Metal credit cards serve as both a status symbol and a potential long-term value for spending and travel [1] - It is essential to evaluate the rewards and benefits of metal credit cards beyond their aesthetic appeal [1] Summary by Sections Overview of Metal Credit Cards - Metal credit cards are generally made from materials like stainless steel, titanium, and other metal alloys, making them more durable than plastic cards [13] - The first modern metal card was the American Express Centurion Card, introduced in the early 2000s, which set a precedent for luxury metal cards [14] Benefits of Metal Credit Cards - Many metal credit cards offer travel perks, high welcome bonuses, and exclusive benefits such as airport lounge access and trip insurance [22] - The durability of metal cards means they are less likely to fade or break compared to plastic cards [22] Costs and Considerations - Metal credit cards often come with higher annual fees, which can be justified if the cardholder frequently utilizes the card's benefits [22] - Some metal cards have no annual fees, providing options for consumers who may not travel often [19] Choosing the Right Metal Card - Cardholders should prioritize the value offered by a metal card, including welcome offers and ongoing rewards, rather than choosing based solely on aesthetics [20] - Many premium metal cards require a good credit score for approval, which may limit access for those with lower credit ratings [22]

Core Insights - The article discusses the best student credit cards for 2025, highlighting various options that cater to different spending habits and preferences. Group 1: Discover it® Student Cash Back Card - Offers a $0 annual fee and a welcome offer where Discover matches all cash back earned in the first year with no spending minimum [3][5] - Provides 5% cash back in rotating categories and 1% on all other purchases, with potential earnings of around $300 in the first year [6][7] - Introductory APR of 0% for the first 6 months on new purchases and 10.99% on balance transfers [3][16] Group 2: Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Card - No annual fee and a welcome offer of a $50 cash bonus after spending $100 in the first 3 months [10] - Offers 8% cash back on entertainment purchases and 5% on hotels and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel [11][12] - Provides 3% cash back on dining and popular streaming services, making it suitable for students with a focus on entertainment [12] Group 3: Discover it® Student Chrome Card - Best suited for commuter students, offering 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants up to $1,000 in combined spending quarterly [16][19] - Includes a $0 annual fee and a welcome offer of cash back match for the first year [20] - Potential earnings of approximately $139.36 per year based on typical student spending [19] Group 4: Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students - No annual fee and a welcome offer of a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days [21][23] - Offers 3% cash back in a category of choice and 2% at grocery stores, with a cap of $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter [24][26] - Allows flexibility in choosing the category each month to maximize rewards based on spending habits [25] Group 5: Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students - Provides unlimited 1.5x points on all purchases with no annual fee [31] - Offers a welcome bonus of 25,000 online bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days [31] - Ideal for students planning to study abroad, as it has no foreign transaction fees [34] Group 6: General Considerations for Student Credit Cards - Student credit cards are designed to help build credit history and often come with no annual fees [49][62] - They typically offer rewards on everyday purchases, making them beneficial for students managing limited budgets [75] - Important factors to consider include fees, interest rates, and the ability to earn rewards that align with spending habits [52][59]

The holiday season brings plenty of reasons to celebrate, but it can also come with a lot of extra expenses. Consumers expect to spend an average of $736 on holiday gifts in 2025 — a 10% increase from the previous year, according to a Visa Business and Economic Insights survey. To help cover costs, you may consider a holiday loan, a type of personal loan specifically designed for seasonal spending. Borrowing money for nonessential expenses can be risky, though, especially if you don't have a solid plan fo ...