Back to school season is here and it’s important that you (or your kids) have the right supplies. That back-to-school list can sometimes run into hundreds or thousands of dollars, from laptops to pencils and everything in between.
If you are looking earn more points and miles either reach a minimum spending bonus, Back to school shopping can be a great way to do this. Here are some of the best cards for back to school supplies (with a bonus card below):
Comparing the best cards
| The best for | Bonus win | |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Credit Card for Ink Businesses | Office supply stores | 5% cash back on up to $25,000 in combined purchases at office supply stores and Internet, cable and phone services |
| American Express Gold Card | Shopping in US supermarkets | 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on purchases up to $25,000 each calendar year (then 1 point per dollar). Terms apply |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | Profitability with low annual fee | 6% cash back on your first $6,000 in purchases at US supermarkets* |
| Main visa | shopping on amazon | 5% cash back on all Amazon and Whole Foods purchases |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card/Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | General shopping for back to school | 2 unlimited miles per dollar on all purchases |
| Citi Double Cash Card | Refund without annual fee | Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when purchasing and 1% when checking out) |
*Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at checkout on Amazon.com.
A closer look at each card.
Cash Credit Card for Ink Businesses
Even if you don’t own your own business, you may be eligible to receive a business card like the Cash for ink business.
welcome offer: Earn $350 in cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. Plus, earn an extra $400 in cash back after you spend $6,000 in the first six months of account opening.
Winner: The Ink Business Cash Credit Card offers generous 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent on combined purchases at office supply stores and Internet, cable and phone services. Whether you’re purchasing simple supplies or a computer, 5% is a huge amount of savings.
Annual fee: None.
Why we like it: if you are buying a computer at an office supply store, consider using this card. Along with the refund, you will also have purchase protection and extended warranty protection.
Daily newsletter
Reward your inbox with TPG’s daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers to receive breaking news, in-depth guides, and exclusive offers from TPG experts.
Many people don’t believe they can request a business card when in reality they can. You can request a commercial credit card even if you are self-employed or have a side business.
For more information, see our Ink Business Cash full review.
Apply here: Chase Ink Business Cash
Main visa
If your family has a Prime subscription, you should consider the Main visa card.
Welcome offer: Receive a $100 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval.
Earnings: This card offers 5% cash back on all Amazon and Whole Foods purchases.
Annual fee: None, but a Prime subscription is required for approval.
Why we like it: If you plan to make major purchases on Amazon, consider applying for the Amazon Prime Visa. The store that sells almost everything, from A to Z, is sure to have things on your back-to-school list.
Additionally, the card comes with purchase protection and extended warranty protection.
For more information, see our full review of Visa Prime.
Apply here: Amazon Prime Visa
American Express Gold Card
Whether buying food for your kids’ lunch or dinner at a fast food place on a busy night, the American Gold can help you accumulate valuable points on your purchases.
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 in the first six months of card membership. You may be offered a higher offer through card match; Not everyone will receive the same offers and offers may change at any time.
Earnings: With the American Express Gold Card, you can earn 4 points per dollar spent when you shop at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) or eat at your favorite restaurants (up to $50,000 per calendar year ). then 1 point per dollar).
Annual fee: $325 (see rates and fees).
Why we like it: If you are looking for simple school supplies, such as pens, pencils, or paper, consider using this card to Earn valuable American Express membership rewards at your local supermarket.
You’ll earn up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at select restaurants each calendar year (up to $10 monthly) and up to $120 in Uber Cash per calendar year (up to $10 monthly credits; card must be added to an Uber account and must use an eligible Amex card to pay for and receive your Uber Cash benefit). The card is varied. The benefits can easily offset the annual fee.. Enrollment required for select benefits; Terms apply.
For more information, see our full review of the Amex Gold.
Apply here: American Express Gold Card
Capital One Venture Rewards and Capital One Venture X Rewards
Both the Capital One Venture Rewards and Capital One Venture offer great benefits; The decision comes down to how much you are willing to pay in annual fees.
Welcome offers: Both Venture Rewards and Venture X have identical welcome offers. New cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening.
Earnings: Earn at least 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase.
Annual fee: $95 (risk rewards); $395 (Venture X Rewards)
Why we like them: Both cards offer at least 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which equates to a return of 3.7 cents for every dollar spent according to TPG in January 2025. ratings. Either card, if you already have them in your wallet, is a great option to fill in the gaps in your back-to-school purchases.
For more information, check out our full reviews of the Risk rewards and Company X.
More information: Capital One Venture Rewards
More information: Capital One Venture
American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card
If you prefer to earn cash back instead of points, consider the Blue Cash Preferred.
Welcome offer: Receive $250 as a statement credit after you spend $3,000 in the first six months of card membership.
Earnings: Earn 6% cash back on your first $6,000 in purchases at US supermarkets each calendar year (then 1%).
Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 (see rates and fees)
Why we like it: This card offers a whopping 6% cash back on your first $6,000 in purchases made at US supermarkets each calendar year (later 1%), among other bonus categories. While you probably won’t spend six thousand dollars on pens and pencils this year, this card is a solid alternative with a low annual fee that will put cash back in your wallet.
For more information, see our full review of Blue Cash Preferred.
Apply here: Blue Cash Preferred
Citi Double Cash Card
Sometimes it’s best to keep it simple. If that’s what you want to do, the Citi Double Cash it may be just for you.
Welcome offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on the card in the first three months of account opening.
Earnings: Earn unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases: 1% when purchasing and 1% when checking out.
Annual fee: $0
Why we like it: Citi Double Cash is one of the best no-annual-fee cards on the market and essentially offers 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay). If you’re looking to add an affordable card to bolster your back-to-school savings, this is the choice for you.
For more information, see our full review of the Citi Double Cash.
Apply here: Citi Double Cash
Using Dell Statement Credit on the American Express Business Platinum Card
Lastly, if you have The Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressYou’ll get a statement credit to use on eligible Dell purchases in the US.
You’ll earn an annual statement credit of up to $400 on eligible Dell purchases in the US each calendar year. That breaks down as a statement credit of up to $200 on U.S. Dell purchases between January and June and another credit of up to $200 on U.S. Dell purchases between July and December. Enrollment required for select benefits; Terms apply.
This benefit has a current end date of June 30, 2025, so be sure to keep that in mind before applying for this card.
Related: 10 Items You Can Buy with the $400 Dell Statement Credit from Amex Business Platinum
In a nutshell
Back to school season is here. Since many people have essential supplies and expenses, now is the time to plan your strategy to help alleviate some of those costs.
In addition to using the best credit card, remember Maximize your rewards earnings on school supplies taking advantage of other programs such as shopping portals, Amex offers, Chase offers and discount codes.
For Amex Gold rates and fees, click here.
For rates and fees for the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card, click here
