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The sleepless nights, the excitement and the big questions — all are expected when you’re a new parent. While par for the course with a new addition in the household, adjusting your finances to the new reality can be equally overwhelming. As you re-evaluate your family budget, you may find it an ideal time to add a new credit card to your wallet that earns rewards on the purchases you’re bound to make more regularly.
Whether your goal is a simple, flat-rate cash back credit card that doesn’t require keeping up with categories or you want a a generous zero-interest card to give you some breathing room on upcoming expenses, the best cards for new parents offer convenience and savings to your family’s bottom line.
Comparing the best credit cards for new parents
| Card name | Best for | Card highlights | Bankrate score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card | Simple cash back |
|
4.3 |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | Grocery rewards |
|
4.4 |
| Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card | No annual fee |
(3% and 2% categories share a combined $2,500 quarterly spending cap, then 1%) |
4.3 |
| Prime Visa | Convenient deliveries |
|
4.1 |
| Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi* | Wholesale club purchases |
|
3.7 |
Top credit cards for new parents
Best for simple cash back
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The lack of sleep and focus on a new human being can make it difficult to keep up with minor details. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers one of the most straightforward rewards programs available with its 2 percent cash rewards on all purchases. It also includes a decent 0 percent introductory APR on both purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 12 months from account opening (then 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR). Although these aren’t the most competitive intro APR offers for a no-annual-fee card, this is perhaps the most well-rounded flat-rate 2 percent card for spreading out payments on bigger purchases and chipping away at higher-interest credit card debt. (Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro APR and intro 3 percent balance transfer fee, then up to 5%, min: $5).
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Pros
- Includes cellphone protection and other valuable purchase protections
- Convenient redemption options, including statement credits and physical cash
Cons
Best for grocery rewards
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With new parents spending more of their money on baby essentials, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express can be one of the most lucrative options since it packs perhaps the highest rewards rate on groceries available: 6 percent cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 spent in a calendar year, then 1 percent). Plus, as one of the only premium rewards cards with intro APR offers, this card can make it easier to budget and save on interest in case of unexpected expenses. The card comes loaded with purchasing protections and perks too, including Disney Bundle streaming service statement credits with enrollment.
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Pros
- High rewards potential on other staple family expenses like groceries, gas and streaming
- It’s one of the few cash back cards with annual credits, and the Disney Bundle streaming perk is perfect for young children.
Cons
- $0 intro first-year annual fee, but $95 each year after
- High-earning supermarket category capped at $6,000, and excludes parent-friendly warehouse stores like Target and Walmart and online grocers like Amazon.
Best for no annual fee
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The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card combines the simplicity of a cash back card with boosted rewards potential that’s ideal for new parents experiencing their own changes in spending habits. With no annual fee, the card lets you customize your rewards each month with a family-friendly category of your choice such as gas, online shopping, dining, drug stores, home improvement and travel. If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can also give your rewards a boost of 25 percent to 75 percent based on qualifying balances across Bank of America and Merrill Edge accounts.
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Pros
- Adapt your reward categories each month based on your upcoming expenses
- Generous introductory APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
Cons
- Quarterly spending caps can limit your rewards depending on your typical spending
- Higher threshold of spending for welcome bonus than competing cards require
Bankrate insight
If you can’t even think about keeping up with category selection, the Citi Custom Cash® Card might be a better fit. This no-annual-fee card offers 5 percent cash back on up to $500 spent each billing cycle (then 1 percent after that) in your top spending category from a pool of 10 possible categories — without you having to choose.
Best for convenient deliveries
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As a new parent, leaning into the ease and convenience of delivery can save you precious time. Few retailers make it as easy as Amazon does for delivery. The Prime Visa offers 5 percent cash back on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods purchases — ideal for diapers and other baby necessities you’ll order on repeat. Plus, it includes boosted cash back on gas, restaurants and transit purchases that keep families moving.
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Pros
- Adds a consistent rewards foundation with key, everyday categories for restaurant, gas station, commuting and local transit purchases as well.
- Its $100 Amazon Gift Card is one of the easiest welcome offers to obtain — it’s provided upon approval.
Cons
- Although there’s technically no annual fee, you’re required to have an Amazon Prime membership (starts at $139 per year).
- Rewards can’t be transferred to travel partners or other rewards programs, so your redemption options are limited.
Bankrate insight
If rewards on delivery is the nourishment you’re looking for, just not with Amazon, consider the Instacart Mastercard®*, which earns you 5 percent cash back on qualifying Instacart and Instacart app purchases, as well as 2 percent at gas stations, restaurants and on select streaming services and 1 percent on all other purchases.
Best for wholesale club purchases
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If you like Costco’s bulk savings on popular household supplies, then the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is worth a look. Many rewards cards exclude warehouse stores like Costco, but this one earns you 2 percent cash back on all Costco and Costco.com purchases, which can be handy for diapers, formula, snacks and other baby essentials. It also comes with a strong 4 percent cash back on eligible gas and EV charging station purchases (on the first $7,000, then 1 percent after).
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Pros
- Packs one of the highest year-round rewards rates on gas, which can help parents save while they’re on the road.
- The other restaurant and travel reward categories add up to a well-rounded combo for typical family spending.
Cons
- Cash back can only be redeemed once per year in a physical Costco location, and must be used that same year.
- There is no annual fee, but requires a Costco membership (starts at $65 per year).
What to look for in a credit card as a new parent
You’ll find plenty of rewards credit cards available, but new parents can benefit most from those offering simple rewards on groceries, gas and other essentials needed to welcome your bundle of joy and transition to a family with kids.
- Straightforward, no-hassle rewards. Look for a wide range of rewards and redemptions. Whether earning cash back toward your budgeting bottom line or building rewards for a future dream family vacation, it helps to have as many options and as much flexibility as possible.
- Boosted rewards on everyday purchases. Look for rewards on purchases you’re making (or plan to make) as a new parent. The best flat-rate cash back cards can earn you rewards on all purchases, while a card with boosted categories like groceries or wholesale club purchases may better fit your spending habits.
- An annual fee that makes sense. There are plenty of amazing no-annual-fee credit cards out there, though cards with annual fees tend to offer stronger rewards, travel perks and purchase protections. Paying a fee may be worth it if you can maximize benefits to outweigh the upfront costs.
- Know the APR. Adding a member to the family also adds expenses to the budget, and you could find yourself carrying a card balance as you adjust your finances. Understand the interest charges you face before signing up.
- Keep your credit score in mind. The best rewards credit cards require good to excellent credit, though you can find good picks for fair credit. It’s helpful to know your credit score before you compare so that you can save time and avoid unnecessary credit checks by applying only for cards for which you have a good chance of approval.
How Bankrate experts chose their cards for parenthood
As new parents themselves, several Bankrate staff experts found their credit card preferences changing based on their new priorities and upcoming expenses. For example, senior editor Courtney Mihocik has been leaning on cash back cards more than her former go-to travel card.
Bankrate staff insights
“My spending has definitely changed, and I had to shift my credit card strategies to maximize my current spending. I used to pull out my Chase Shappire Preferred® Card more often, because we would frequently go out to restaurants or get drinks with friends. As a new mom, my spending is more geared toward groceries now. Luckily, I can still used the Sapphire Preferred for its great rewards rates on my online groceries for pickup and delivery.
However, I’m leaning much more on my Citi Custom Cash® Card* for in-store grocery shopping. And since we’ll definitely have a few large purchases coming up — like a convertible car seat when our daughter grows out of the infant car seat — I opened the Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card* to handle spending outside of groceries.”
“My spending has definitely changed, and I had to shift my credit card strategies to maximize my current spending. I used to pull out my Chase Shappire Preferred® Card more often, because we would frequently go out to restaurants or get drinks with friends. As a new mom, my spending is more geared toward groceries now. Luckily, I can still used the Sapphire Preferred for its great rewards rates on my online groceries for pickup and delivery.
However, I’m leaning much more on my Citi Custom Cash® Card* for in-store grocery shopping. And since we’ll definitely have a few large purchases coming up — like a convertible car seat when our daughter grows out of the infant car seat — I opened the Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card* to handle spending outside of groceries.”
Courtney Mihocik, Senior Editor, Credit Cards
The bottom line
Parenthood is a daunting prospect, but plenty of credit cards can take the guesswork out of earning rewards with access to fantastic benefits that new parents value most. Whether it’s simple cash back on your next diaper purchase or flexibility to choose your highest rewards category, you’re likely to find a fit with your growing family among the best credit cards out there.
*Information about the Citi Custom Cash® Card, Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card, Instacart Mastercard® and Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is collected independently by Bankrate. Card details are not reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
The information about the Bank of America cards was last updated on March 6, 2025.
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