Cash Back for Amazon and Online Shopping?

For most people, the best way to earn 3% or more on Amazon and other online shopping is to start with one card and add a second only if your Amazon spending is big enough to justify it. The reason is simple: a card that pays a high rate on Amazon usually pays much less everywhere else, while a card with an online shopping category may or may not count Amazon at all. This guide walks through how to pick, with a real dollar example and a few rules for keeping things simple.

How much of your online spending actually goes to Amazon?

Before you pick a card, look at where your online money goes. Pull up three months of statements and add up Amazon purchases separately from everything else you buy online, like clothing, electronics, pet supplies, and subscriptions. Compare current offers.

This matters because Amazon is a huge part of online shopping for most people. In one June 2025 survey, 96.6% of consumers said they had purchased from Amazon in the previous six months, compared with 88.4% who had bought from another retailer's website and 64.3% who had bought directly from a brand's website.^[1] Chances are Amazon is your biggest single online store, but it's rarely your only one.

Once you know the split, the choice gets easier. If Amazon is 80% of your online spending, a card that favors Amazon makes sense. If it's closer to half, a broader card may serve you better.

Does an online shopping category include Amazon?

This is the detail most people miss. Many cards advertise a high rate on online shopping, but some limit it to certain merchants or leave out big marketplaces. Others let you pick online shopping as a bonus category you choose yourself, and the fine print on what counts can vary.

Before you apply, read the card's rewards terms and look for how it defines online purchases. If Amazon isn't clearly listed as included, treat it as earning the base rate until you confirm otherwise.

Also check for spending caps. Some bonus categories pay the higher rate only up to a quarterly or yearly limit. Past that, you drop to the base rate, which changes the math if you shop a lot.

Adding up your Amazon and non-Amazon spending separately shows which card setup could earn more.

Is one card enough, or do you need two?

Online shopping is a big part of how Americans buy things. U.S. retail e-commerce sales accounted for 16.2% of total retail sales in the first quarter of 2025.^[2] That's why so many cards now compete for this spending.

Here's a simple example. Say you spend $300 a month on Amazon and $200 a month at other online stores. That's $500 a month, or $6,000 a year. If one card pays 3% on all of it, you'd earn $180 a year. If instead you split it, with a dedicated retailer card at 5% on the $3,600 you spend there ($180) and a flat 2% card on the other $2,400 ($48), you'd earn $228. That's $48 more per year for juggling two cards.

Whether $48 is worth the effort is your call. For many people, one good card is the smarter choice. For heavy Amazon shoppers, the gap grows with every extra dollar, and a second card may pay off.

The numbers above are only illustrations. Real rates, caps, and requirements differ by card, so plug in the actual terms for any card you're considering.

• One card: simpler, fewer due dates, easier to track rewards
• Two cards: could earn more if spending is large and split clearly
• Either way: pay the full balance each month so interest doesn't wipe out the rewards

What are the trade-offs of a retailer-focused card?

A card built around one retailer can pay a strong rate there, but it usually pays less elsewhere. That's fine if you mostly shop at one store, and it's a poor fit if you spread your spending around.

Some store-focused cards also tie their best rewards to a membership or a particular account, so check whether you'd need to meet any extra requirements to earn the top rate.

A broader online shopping card or a flat-rate card is more flexible. It might earn a bit less on Amazon, but it earns something on every other site, and it keeps working if your shopping habits change.

If you already have several cards, think about how many you can manage well. Fifty-four percent of scored U.S. consumers had three or more credit-card accounts at year-end 2023, so juggling a few is common.^[3] Still, every extra card is one more payment to remember.

Which setup fits you?

Here's a straight recommendation. If you spend a few hundred dollars a month online and it's spread across stores, go with one card that clearly includes Amazon in a high online shopping or flat-rate category. If you spend more online, a lot of it is Amazon, and you're comfortable managing two cards, a dedicated retailer card plus a broader card could earn more.

Spending level helps too. In the same June 2025 survey, 30% of consumers reported spending $251 to $500 online per month, and another 30% reported spending $501 or more.^[4] At the lower end, the extra rewards from a second card are small. At the higher end, they could add up.

These cards are generally recommended for good to excellent credit. Whatever you choose, rewards only help if you pay your balance in full. Interest at a card's regular APR can easily cost more than you'd earn back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can one card earn 3% or more on both Amazon and other online shopping?

Sometimes, but it's not guaranteed. Some cards pay a high rate on online shopping and include Amazon, while others carve Amazon out. Read the card's rewards terms before you assume it counts.

Is a dedicated Amazon card worth it?

It could be if Amazon is most of your online spending and you're a regular shopper there. If you spend across many stores, a broader online shopping card or a flat-rate card is usually simpler.

Do I need two cards to get 3% or better online?

Not always. Two cards can earn more when your spending is split between Amazon and other sites, but a single card is easier to manage and may be enough if your spending is modest.

Does online shopping cash back include Amazon?

It depends on the card. Some include Amazon in the online category and some exclude it or limit which merchants count. Check the rewards terms for how online purchases are defined.

Are there spending caps on bonus cash back?

Many cards cap the higher rate at a set amount per quarter or year, then drop to the base rate. If you shop a lot online, check the cap before you apply.

What credit do you need for these cards?

Cards with strong online shopping rewards are generally recommended for good to excellent credit. Check each card's requirements.

Is the cash back worth it if I carry a balance?

Usually not. Interest at a card's regular APR can cost more than the rewards you earn, so these cards work best when you pay in full each month.

The Bottom Line

For most shoppers, one card that clearly includes Amazon in a high online category is the best starting point. It's simple and it earns on all your online spending.

Add a second card only if your Amazon spending is large enough that the extra rewards beat the extra hassle. Check the fine print, pay in full, and compare current offers before you decide.