We spend loads of time speaking about journey and the very best bank cards for issues like no overseas transaction charges, eating places, supermarkets and extra. We even have guides to the greatest bank cards for college kids. However one other group that deserves its personal consideration is seniors and retirees, given their differing life from these different teams.
On this information, we’ll have a look at the very best bank cards for retirees and seniors that can assist you navigate your later years with a strong bank card portfolio geared particularly towards you. We’ll break these playing cards down into two sections — on a regular basis spending playing cards and premium journey playing cards — since they meet the totally different wants of various individuals.
One of the best on a regular basis bank cards for retirees and seniors
These playing cards provide high quality incomes constructions, low annual proportion charges and different perks that ought to be enticing for individuals of their later years who might have much less disposable revenue attributable to now not working. Let’s check out the very best on a regular basis bank cards for retirees and seniors.
AARP Important Rewards Mastercard from Barclays
Signal-up bonus: Earn a $200 money bonus after spending $1,000 or extra on the cardboard inside 90 days of account opening.
Annual payment: $0
Why we prefer it: If in case you have loads of medical bills, you’ve got possible observed a extreme lack of playing cards that earn bonus factors on this sort of spending. The AARP Important Rewards card earns 2% money again on eligible medical bills, in addition to 3% money again on gasoline and drugstore purchases. You will earn 1% money again on all different purchases.
You possibly can redeem your earnings as money again or towards the price of an AARP membership for your self or another person. There aren’t any incomes limits in any of the classes and no annual payment. For these looking for a card that earns nicely on medical bills however who do not wish to pay an annual payment, this card could possibly be your resolution.
The data for the AARP Important Rewards Mastercard from Barclays has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Financial institution of America Custom-made Money Rewards bank card
Signal-up bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after spending no less than $1,000 on the cardboard within the first 90 days from account opening.
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Annual payment: $0
Why we prefer it: The Custom-made Money Rewards card has no annual payment and lets you select a class the place you earn 3% again on spending on the primary $2,500 and a couple of% again at grocery shops and wholesale golf equipment on the primary $2,500 of mixed spending in these classes every quarter (then 1%) and 1% again on all different purchases.
Cardmembers also can take pleasure in a 0% introductory APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and any stability transfers made within the first 60 days (3% stability switch payment), then a variable APR of 19.24% to 29.24% will apply.
The place this card can excel is in case you are a member of Financial institution of America Most popular Rewards. Eligible members can earn an up-to-75% bonus on bank card rewards, which may nearly double the Custom-made Money Rewards card’s incomes charges from 3%, 2% and 1% to five.25%, 3.5% and 1.75%, respectively.
Learn our Custom-made Money Rewards card evaluation for all the main points.
Apply right here: Financial institution of America Custom-made® Money Rewards bank card
Blue Money On a regular basis Card from American Categorical
Welcome provide: Earn $200 within the type of a press release credit score after spending $2,000 on purchases in your new card throughout the first six months.
Annual payment: $0 (see charges and costs)
Why we prefer it: This card has no annual payment, incomes classes that match frequent day by day spending and introductory charges on APR and “purchase now, pay later” plans that may make it easier to lower your expenses whereas financing giant purchases. Cardmembers take pleasure in $0 Plan It® charges for plans created through the first 15 months after account opening. This will help you financial giant purchases developing, after which plan charges are 1.33% of the acquisition quantity after the introductory interval, along with the usual buy APR.
Cardmembers additionally take pleasure in an introductory APR of 0% for purchases within the first 15 months, then a variable APR between 19.24% to 29.99%.
Another excuse to love this card is its incomes construction. Cardmembers earn 3% money again at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. on-line retail purchases and U.S. gasoline stations. Every class has a spending cap of three% on the primary $6,000 in purchases, and you may earn 1% money again in these classes after assembly that cap. All different purchases on the cardboard earn 1% money again.
Learn our Blue Money On a regular basis card evaluation for all the main points.
Apply right here: Blue Money On a regular basis® Card from American Categorical
Blue Money Most popular Card from American Categorical
Welcome provide: Earn a $250 assertion credit score after you spend $3,000 in purchases in your new card throughout the first six months.
Annual payment: $0 introductory annual payment for the primary 12 months, then $95 (see charges and costs)
Why we prefer it: This card earns nicely in frequent spending classes, has a reasonable annual payment, and the worth of the rewards you earn ought to simply overcome the annual payment. Plus, you’ll be able to take pleasure in $0 in Amex Plan It “purchase now, pay later” charges for plans created within the first 12 months of card membership (then as much as 1.33% in month-to-month charges) and a 0% introductory APR for brand new purchases and stability transfers within the first 12 months from account opening (then a variable APR between 19.24% to 29.99% will apply).
Cardmembers earn 6% money again at U.S. supermarkets on as much as $6,000 in spending per 12 months (then 1% money again). This alone may present $360 in money again per 12 months if maximized. Cardmembers additionally earn 6% money again on choose streaming subscriptions, 3% money again at U.S. gasoline stations and on transit (together with taxis, ride-hailing apps, parking, tolls, trains and different commuting bills) and 1% money again on all different purchases.
Learn our Blue Money Most popular card evaluation for all the main points.
Apply right here: Blue Money Most popular® Card from American Categorical
Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card
Signal-up bonus: Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases throughout the first three months of account opening, plus obtain a one-time $250 Capital One Journey credit score in your first cardholder 12 months.
Annual payment: $95
Why we prefer it: One of the best factor in regards to the Enterprise card is its simplicity. You possibly can earn 2 miles per greenback spent on practically the whole lot. The exceptions are incomes 5 miles per greenback spent on motels and automotive leases booked by Capital One Journey.
Capital One miles have gained worth lately due to a rising listing of switch companions. TPG’s August 2024 valuation pegs these miles at 1.85 cents apiece. That makes the sign-up bonus value $1,638 and gives a 3.7% return on on a regular basis spending.
Past the miles, the cardboard additionally affords a good quantity of perks. These embody utility payment credit score for World Entry or TSA PreCheck, two complimentary passes to Capital One lounges or Plaza Premium lounges (lounge entry will now not be out there for Capital One Enterprise Rewards, beginning Jan. 1, 2025), and perks like journey accident insurance coverage, secondary auto rental protection, prolonged guarantee safety and no overseas transaction charges.
Learn our Enterprise card evaluation for all the main points.
Study extra: Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card
Chase Freedom Flex
Signal-up bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first three months from account opening.
Annual payment: $0
Why we prefer it: The cardboard has no annual payment however robust incomes classes for money again, and you’ll convert these earnings to Chase Final Rewards factors for those who or somebody in your loved ones has a card that earns these factors and has an annual payment — which may unlock all of Chase’s switch companions. The cardboard additionally gives worthwhile World Elite Mastercard advantages, resembling cellphone safety.
Cardmembers earn 5% money again on as much as $1,500 in mixed spending every quarter on rotating bonus classes (you could bear in mind to enroll for these every quarter) and 5% money again on journey bought by Chase Journey℠. Cardmembers additionally earn 3% money again on drugstore purchases and eating, together with eating places, takeout and supply. You will earn 1% money again on all different purchases.
Cardmembers also can take pleasure in 0% introductory APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and stability transfers, then a variable APR starting from 20.49% — 29.24%.
Learn our Freedom Flex card evaluation for all the main points.
Apply right here: Chase Freedom Flex®
Chase Sapphire Most popular Card
Signal-up bonus: Earn ,000 bonus Final Rewards factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Annual payment: $95
Why we prefer it: Except for our advice that this ought to be the primary card in any factors and miles collector’s pockets, it is greater than only a starter card. The cardboard gives compelling advantages, like a $50 annual lodge credit score, a ten% annual factors bonus, a 12 months of complimentary DoorDash DashPass for meals supply with no charges (activate by Dec. 31, 2027), and a slew of journey protections, in addition to no overseas transaction charges. If you would like a journey card in your later years however do not desire a hefty annual payment, this generally is a nice card in your purse or pockets.
The incomes construction can be glorious when in comparison with different playing cards with a sub-$100 annual payment. You will earn 5 factors per greenback on journey booked by the Chase Journey℠ portal, 5 factors per greenback on Lyft (by March 2025), 3 factors per greenback on eating, choose streaming companies and on-line grocery retailer purchases (excluding Goal, Walmart and wholesale golf equipment), 2 factors per greenback on all journey not booked by the Chase journey portal and 1 level per greenback on the whole lot else.
Chase Final Rewards factors — the factors this card earns — are extraordinarily worthwhile for his or her many makes use of, and that is the cardboard with the bottom annual payment that unlocks all of Chase’s switch companions.
Learn our Sapphire Most popular evaluation for all the main points.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Most popular® Card
Citi Customized Money Card (see charges and costs)
Signal-up bonus: Earn $200 money again after you spend $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of account opening. This bonus provide can be fulfilled as 20,000 Factors, which could be redeemed for $200 money again.
Annual payment: $0
Why we prefer it: Many playing cards require you to select your most popular incomes classes prematurely, maintain observe of classes that change every quarter or join bonus earnings to be eligible. As a substitute, the Customized Money card robotically doles out bonus earnings within the class the place you spend probably the most every month. There’s nothing to maintain observe of in that regard, and you do not have to enroll for the additional earnings.
Cardmembers earn 5% money again on as much as $500 spent of their prime spending class every billing cycle. The relevant classes embody purchases you are possible making frequently, resembling eating out, drugstores, gasoline, groceries, transit and journey.
You can also earn limitless 1% money again on all different purchases, together with purchases previous your $500 restrict within the prime spending class every billing cycle. Members can redeem their earnings as a press release credit score, deposit, test, Amazon purchases, present playing cards and sure journey purchases.
Learn our Customized Money card evaluation for all the main points.
Apply right here: Citi Customized Money® Card
Citi Double Money Card (see charges and costs)
Signal-up bonus: Earn $200 money again after you spend $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of account opening, plus an introductory APR of 0% for 18 months on stability transfers solely; after that, the variable APR can be 19.24% – 29.24%, based mostly in your creditworthiness.
Annual payment: $0
Why we prefer it: The Citi Double Money® Card is an easy solution to earn rewards. The cardboard earns 1 Citi ThankYou level per greenback spent on the cardboard and one other 1 ThankYou level when paying the invoice.
Beforehand, you wanted to take an additional step to convert money again into ThankYou factors. That has modified, making the cardboard even less complicated to make use of. Moreover, you may have entry to Citi’s full vary of lodge and airline switch companions for those who maintain one other Citi bank card, just like the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see charges and costs).
Since there is not any annual payment, you will not discover beefy perks on this card. Nevertheless, the cardboard does provide entry to Citi Leisure, which gives particular entry to buy tickets to hundreds of occasions and ID theft safety.
Thus, you will not earn a windfall of factors from a sign-up bonus, however the introductory APR provide will help you financial a big buy. Moreover, you may earn 2 factors per greenback (1 whenever you spend, 1 whenever you pay the invoice) in your purchases, and TPG’s August 2024 valuation marks these factors at 1.8 cents apiece.
Learn our Double Money card evaluation for all the main points.
Apply right here: Citi Double Money® Card
Costco Wherever Visa Card by Citi (see charges and costs)
Signal-up bonus: None
Annual payment: $0, however a Costco membership is required
Why we prefer it: For seniors who store at Costco or spend some huge cash on gasoline, this card is a winner for its 2% money again on Costco purchases on-line and in-store and 4% again on gasoline purchases, which is not restricted to Costco gasoline stations, and EV charging. Nevertheless, the 4% incomes fee is proscribed to the primary $7,000 spent per 12 months.
Cardmembers additionally earn 3% again on eligible journey and eating, although different playing cards can earn at greater charges in these classes. Nevertheless, for those who spend so much on gasoline or store typically at Costco, it’s possible you’ll be in search of a card that earns nicely on these purchases, and this could possibly be it.
Learn our Costco Visa card evaluation for all the main points.
Apply right here: Costco Wherever Visa® Card by Citi
Constancy Rewards Visa Signature Credit score Card
Signal-up bonus: None
Annual payment: $0
Why we prefer it: It isn’t typically that you simply discover a card that earns rewards that may be deposited right into a retirement account, well being financial savings account or school financial savings account. With the Constancy Rewards Visa, you are able to do all three, which presents an fascinating prospect for seniors and retirees who wish to develop their retirement financial savings, plan for medical bills or assist their kids and grandchildren put together for the rising prices of tuition.
Cardmembers earn limitless 2% money again on purchases, and your earnings could be deposited into a number of varieties of eligible Constancy accounts. Because the identify implies, you could have a Constancy account to work in tandem with the bank card. For the reason that card has no annual payment, no incomes limits and no reward classes to maintain observe of, it could possibly be an awesome card for many who wish to use their bank card rewards to plan for the long run.
The data for the Constancy Rewards Visa Signature Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
U.S. Financial institution Visa Platinum Credit score Card
Signal-up bonus: No bonus factors provide. Nevertheless, there’s an introductory 0% APR on purchases and stability transfers made inside 60 days of account opening and on purchases throughout the first 21 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR of 18.74% to 29.74% will apply.
Annual payment: $0
Why we prefer it: A standard cause for opening a brand new bank card is getting away from excessive rates of interest on a present bank card the place you may have a stability. Another excuse generally is a giant upcoming buy the place you might be hoping to keep away from curiosity whereas paying off the stability over time. The U.S. Financial institution Visa Platinum affords options to each of those issues by an introductory 0% APR on purchases and stability transfers. You need to notice that you’ll pay a stability switch payment of 5% (with a minimal of $5).
If you wish to reap the benefits of the introductory APR that can assist you scale back the curiosity on present debt or finance a big buy, it is necessary to grasp that the variable APR after the introductory interval ranges from 18.74% to 29.74%. Thus, for those who do not repay your stability by that time, it’s possible you’ll be again in the identical spot the place you began.
Nevertheless, this could possibly be an awesome card for many who are in a position to reap the benefits of the introductory APR and lower your expenses whereas making funds through the first 21 billing cycles of card membership. That is longer than the vast majority of introductory APR affords out there in the present day.
The data for the US Financial institution Visa Platinum Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
One of the best premium journey playing cards for retirees and seniors
No dialogue of the very best bank cards can be full with out discussing journey rewards-based playing cards. The playing cards above are high quality playing cards to make use of for on a regular basis purchases. Nevertheless, being older does not imply individuals cease touring.
In truth, for those who’re retired, it’s possible you’ll discover that you’ve extra time for journey now that you do not want permission out of your boss. Let us take a look at the very best bank cards for retirees and seniors who need premium journey perks since these advantages do not finish at a sure age.
Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
Welcome provide: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in your card inside three months of account opening.
Annual payment: $395
Why we prefer it: The Enterprise X has the bottom payment of the playing cards on this part however nonetheless affords high quality on a regular basis advantages, a good incomes fee and journey perks that ought to make your journeys extra pleasant.
The cardboard gives a $300 annual journey credit score for bookings with Capital One Journey, 10,000 anniversary bonus miles every year, reimbursement in your TSA PreCheck or World Entry utility payment, Precedence Cross Choose membership and entry to Capital One lounges and Plaza Premium lounges for you and two company.
You will additionally get Hertz President’s Circle standing for rental automotive perks*, cellphone safety and the flexibility so as to add as much as 4 free approved customers. These customers can take pleasure in a slew of perks in their very own proper.
Cardmembers earn Capital One miles, which, in accordance with TPG’s August 2024 valuation, are value 1.85 cents every and can be utilized with quite a few 15-plus journey companions. The cardboard earns 10 miles per greenback on motels and rental automobiles booked with Capital One Journey, 5 miles per greenback on flights booked by way of Capital One Journey, and a couple of miles per greenback on all different purchases. There are additionally no overseas transaction charges.
Learn our full Enterprise X evaluation for all the main points.
*Upon enrollment, accessible by the Capital One web site or cell app, eligible cardholders will stay at upgraded standing degree by Dec. 31, 2024. Please notice, enrolling by the conventional Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment course of (e.g. at Hertz.com) won’t robotically detect a cardholder as being eligible for this system and cardholders won’t be robotically upgraded to the relevant standing tier. Extra phrases apply.
Study extra: Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Welcome provide: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Annual payment: $550
Why we prefer it: Regardless of a better annual payment, the perks and advantages provided by the cardboard can simply be justified by those that journey typically and are in a position to make use of the cardboard’s advantages. These embody an annual $300 journey credit score that applies robotically to a broad vary of journey bills; entry Precedence Cross Choose lounges; Pay Your self Again and journey portal redemptions at elevated charges; utility payment reimbursement for TSA PreCheck, World Entry or Nexus; and quite a few journey and buying protections. There are additionally no overseas transaction charges.
The cardboard earns Final Rewards factors that, in accordance with TPG’s August 2024 valuation, are value 2.05 cents apiece. You will earn 10 factors per greenback on motels and automotive leases booked by Chase Journey℠, 10 factors per greenback on Lyft rides (by March 2025), 5 factors per greenback on airfare booked by the Chase journey portal, 3 factors per greenback on eating and different journey spending and 1 level per greenback on different purchases. (Word that you don’t earn bonus factors on purchases lined by the $300 journey credit score.)
The annual payment could be justified for many who can make the most of the cardboard’s perks, and the journey protections can present peace of thoughts when one thing goes fallacious.
Learn our Chase Sapphire Reserve evaluation for all the main points.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Platinum Card from American Categorical
Welcome provide: Earn 80,000 bonus factors after you spend $,000 on purchases within the first six months from account opening.
Annual payment: $695 (see charges and costs)
Why we prefer it: Whereas the annual payment generally is a bit surprising at first, the Platinum Card affords premium journey perks and advantages plus on a regular basis life-style credit that add as much as nicely greater than the annual payment if you’ll be able to use them.
This consists of as much as $200 in pay as you go lodge credit per 12 months, as much as $240 in streaming credit per 12 months, reimbursement for a Walmart+ membership, as much as $200 in airline incidental credit, as much as $200 in Uber Money (which you too can use for Uber Eats)- You have to have downloaded the newest model of the Uber App and your eligible Amex Platinum Card have to be a way of cost in your Uber account, Clear membership payment reimbursement and entry to a variety of airport lounges (with as much as two company, relying on the lounge), amongst different advantages. Word that enrollment is required prematurely for choose advantages. The cardboard additionally affords a number of journey protections and buying protections.
The cardboard additionally earns Membership Rewards factors that, in accordance with TPG’s August 2024 valuation, are value 2 cents apiece: 5 factors per greenback on flights booked straight with an airline, 5 factors per greenback on pay as you go flights and motels from Amex Journey (on as much as $500,000 of those purchases per 12 months, then 1 level per greenback) and 1 level per greenback on different purchases. This would possibly not be your greatest card for on a regular basis spending, however utilizing it to pay for journey and making the most of the perks can actually elevate your journey expertise.
Learn our full Platinum Card evaluation for all the main points.
Apply right here: The Platinum Card® from American Categorical
Backside line
One measurement doesn’t match all right here. Seniors and retirees usually are not all alike, and it’s possible you’ll even discover that one card from our listing doesn’t meet your entire wants. You need to think about your spending habits and private objectives (together with journey) at this stage in your life to discover a card that rewards you for purchases you make typically and gives perks you could truly use in a approach that greater than compensates for the cardboard’s annual payment.
Whether or not you are in search of money again, 0% APR for big purchases coming quickly, a card that rewards a specific spending want or a card that provides premium journey perks, it’s best to be capable to discover a card or two that advantage a spot in your pockets.
For charges and costs of the Blue Money On a regular basis, please click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Blue Money Most popular, please click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum, please click on right here.
For Capital One merchandise listed on this web page, a number of the above advantages are offered by Visa® or Mastercard® and should fluctuate by product. See the respective Information to Advantages for particulars, as phrases and exclusions apply.
