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Large but necessary purchases -- like furniture, school books or home improvements -- can put a burden on any budget. The best credit cards for big purchases offer 0% introductory APRs, allowing you to finance a purchase with no interest over a set period of time as long as you make all the minimum payments on time (although we recommend paying off as much as you can each month).
Alternatively, there are picks that require a high spending threshold to earn a lucrative welcome bonus, cards with higher credit limits and cards designed to earn rewards for those with lower credit who can't qualify for the other picks.
Intro OfferEarn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
APR18.49%-29.49% Variable
Intro Purchase APR0% on purchases for 12 months
Recommended Credit Excellent, Good
- 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%)
- 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% Cash Back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases
Annual Fee$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Intro Balance Transfer APR0% on balance transfers for 12 months
Balance Transfer APR18.49%-29.49% Variable
Balance Transfer Fee Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Late Payment Fee Up to $40
Foreign Transaction Fees 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
Penalty APR 29.99% Variable
- 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%)
- 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% Cash Back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases
Our Take
American Express is a well-known credit option for big-ticket items. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers the best of all worlds: a potentially high credit limit for big buys, 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening (18.49% to 29.49% variable APR thereafter) and the chance to earn cash back.
This card is quite generous with cash back, though the categories with the highest rewards don't usually match up with large purchases. Still, you can still enjoy multiple uses with this card by earning a whopping 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), 3% on transit and U.S. gas stations, and 1% on other purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
For more details, check out our full review of the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Intro OfferN/A
APR18.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
Intro Purchase APR0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on purchases
Recommended Credit Good/Excellent
Reward RatesN/A
Annual Fee$0
Intro Balance Transfer APR0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on balance transfers
Balance Transfer APR18.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
Balance Transfer Fee Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
Foreign Transaction Fees 2% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in U.S. Dollars. 3% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in a Foreign Currency
Our Take
If you need to stretch out payments on a big purchase, consider this card. The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card gives you 18 billing cycles of 0% introductory APR on purchases. After the introductory period, the APR is 18.99% to 28.99% variable. This offer could save you hundreds of dollars in interest and finance charges, as long as you consistently meet the minimum payment every month and pay the balance in full before the 18 billing cycles end. This card is a top pick on our best 0% introductory APR credit cards list.
For more information, see our full review of the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card.
Intro OfferEarn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
APRSee Pay Over Time APR
Intro Purchase APRN/A
Recommended Credit Excellent/Good
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
Annual Fee$250
Balance Transfer Fee N/A
Late Payment Fee Up to $40
Foreign Transaction Fees None
Penalty APR See Rates & Fees
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
Our Take
Because with American Express cards you are expected to pay the balance in full each month (though you can use the Pay Over Time feature on eligible purchases), there is no preset spending limit. No preset spending limit means your spending limit is flexible. Unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history. If you're making a large purchase and afraid it won't fit on one card, the American Express® Gold Card may be a good choice. You can also earn American Express Membership Rewards® Points on your purchases, and a large purchase could net you the welcome offer at one fell swoop. Do note that there's a $250 annual fee to keep this account open.
For more information, check out our full review of the American Express Gold Card.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Best travel rewards credit card
Intro OfferEarn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
APR20.24% - 27.24% Variable
Intro Purchase APRN/A
Recommended Credit Excellent/Good
- 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 3x on dining.
- 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.
Annual Fee$95
Balance Transfer APR20.24% - 27.24% Variable
Balance Transfer Fee Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign Transaction Fees $0
Penalty APR Up to 29.99%
- 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 3x on dining.
- 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.
Our Take
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card doesn't offer the option of low- or interest-free financing, but it's great for travel rewards if you will be making a big purchase. The 60,000-point welcome bonus (a $600 value in cash back) could be redeemed for your next trip or vacation. You must spend at least $4,000 within the first three months of card approval to collect these points, making it an easy choice if you already plan to make a large purchase or to travel. You can also collect enhanced rewards points on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, dining, online grocery purchases and select streaming services, as well as a standard 1-to-1 point per dollar ratio on any other purchases.
To stretch the value of your points, book your trips through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. There, your points are worth 25% more, making your welcome bonus worth $750. If you purchase a hotel stay through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, you'll also earn up to a $50 statement credit per year. And if that's not enough, you'll also get an annual gift of 10% of your past year's expenditure in the form of points. That means if you spend $25,000 on purchases, you'll earn 2,500 bonus points. All this could add up to a nice vacation.
Check out more details in our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
Best high-limit card for limited credit
Intro OfferN/A
APR17.49% - 31.49% (Variable)
Intro Purchase APRN/A
Recommended Credit Limited/Fair/Good/Excellent
- Up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments.
- 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away.
Annual Fee$0
Foreign Transaction Fees $0
- Up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments.
- 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away.
Our Take
It isn't easy to find a credit card with a limit high enough for a big-ticket purchase if you have only fair credit, but the Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card (issued by WebBank) fits the bill with a credit limit of up to $10,000, based on creditworthiness. If the Petal 2 Visa Credit Card can cover your large purchase, you'll be able to build your credit as you go. Meanwhile, you can enjoy 1% cash back on your eligible large purchase, and even more if you spend at select merchants.
As long as you make payments on time, you may be eligible for a credit limit increase, potentially boosting your credit score. In another effort to motivate your credit-building, you can earn an additional 0.5% cash back after you make 12 monthly on-time payments on eligible purchases. Alternatively, check out some of our other picks for fair or average credit.
Longest purchase APR offer
Intro OfferN/A
APR16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Intro Purchase APR0% Intro APR for 21 billing cycles for purchases
Recommended Credit Excellent/Good
Reward RatesN/A
Annual Fee$0
Intro Balance Transfer APR0% Intro APR for 21 billing cycles for any BTs made in the first 60 days. A 3% fee applies.
Balance Transfer APR16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Balance Transfer Fee 3% of the amount of each transaction
Late Payment Fee See Terms
Foreign Transaction Fees 3%
Penalty APR none
Our Take
This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
The BankAmericard® credit card offers cardholders a good opportunity to finance a large purchase or transfer a balance from another card and avoid interest charges on both. Cardholders will have 21 billing cycles to pay down a new purchase or a transferred balance at 0% introductory interest (then 16.24% to 26.24% variable; balance transfers must be completed within 60 days of account opening). It's one of the longest promotions available.
While there aren't any rewards, 21 billing cycles – about 21 months – is still a generous amount of time to pay down a new, large purchase. If you have a trip coming up or a home improvement project, consider using the BankAmericard to pay for it.
For more details, see our full review of the BankAmericard credit card.
Credit cards vs personal loans vs. installment plans
The biggest factors to determine the best form of financing will be the intent and size of your purchase, interest rates and the monthly payment you're comfortable with.
Credit cards typically have higher interest rates than personal loans, but may offer 0% introductory APR periods for up to 21 months. Thus credit cards can be great for small- and medium-sized expenses like a minor home improvement project or a new appliance. They're good to have on standby in the event of an unexpected emergency expense because you don't pay any interest while the card is unused. Credit cards are also better for recurring use, as they give you access to revolving credit.
Personal loans are typically better for one-time, large expenses that will take far longer to pay off because they often have lower interest rates and may last for years. They're also preferable in a situation where you might need cash instead of a line of credit, though once a loan is paid off, it's gone for good. Installment loans and personal loans are also treated differently on your credit report.
Installment plans are another route to take when financing a large purchase. However, it's important to read the terms of any plans before agreeing. Some of them charge retroactive interest if you aren't able to pay them off in time, which means you'll be charged all of the interest at once from the date of purchase.
Installment plans can help avoid interest charges, but they have more risk than a credit card, seeing as how credit cards won't charge retroactively if you don't pay down a balance in time.
How to choose the right credit card for a large purchase
The most important thing to consider is the length of the intro APR on the credit card. You'll need to be sure you're able to pay down whatever purchase you plan to make within that timeframe to avoid interest charges.
A good way to figure out if you'll be able to pay down the balance in time is by dividing it by the number of months in the cards APR offer. For example, if your planned purchase costs $3,000 and your credit card has an intro APR of 18 months, divide $3,000 by 18. You'll need to pay at least $167 monthly in order to pay it off in time. However, it's a good idea to pay a bit more than that if you can.
If possible, choose a card that offers both an introductory APR and rewards on your purchases to stretch your budget further.
FAQs
Should I finance a large purchase with a credit card?
According to the Federal Reserve, the average credit card interest rate these days is 16.30%. Financing a large purchase at such a high interest rate could be costly. Unless you can take advantage of a low- or no-interest introductory credit card offer and can commit to paying off your balance on time, it may be cheaper to look for financing alternatives such as a personal loan or drawing on your savings.
How can I maximize points for a large purchase with a credit card?
To maximize what you can earn for large purchases, choose a rewards credit card that offers points that can be redeemed for merchandise, travel or cash. Stay informed on which credit card categories offer bonus earnings. The way you redeem your points could also make a big difference. You may be able to redeem accrued rewards for bonus points when you make redemptions at a specific website or merchant, stretching your rewards even further.
What credit cards have the highest limits for card purchases?
American Express cards typically offer high credit limits, making it possible to make larger purchases. If you're not sure of your spending limit, contact your card issuer for more information. You may also be able to request a credit limit increase if you foresee the need to make a large purchase in the near future and your current credit limit isn't enough.
Should you open a new credit card to make a large purchase?
You should only open a new account to make a large purchase if you have a plan to pay off your purchase in a reasonable timeframe. You should avoid opening a new credit card if you are expecting to apply for a mortgage or other large loan in the upcoming months because it could impact your debt-to-income ratio and add a hard pull to your credit reports.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express, click here
For rates and fees of the American Express Gold Card, click here
The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.