[UPDATE: Some offers mentioned below have expired and/or are no longer available on our site. You can view the current offers from our partners in our credit card marketplace. DISCLOSURE: Cards from our partners are mentioned below.]
The holiday season provides the perfect opportunity to entertain company. If you love hosting holiday parties, you know that feeding friends and family can quickly get expensive. Some credit cards can help, though, and can earn you cash back rewards on groceries and more.
Here are four great credit cards for hosting holiday parties.
1. SavorOne Card from Capital One
Rewards: 3% cash back on dining purchases; 2% cash back at grocery stores; 1% cash back on other purchases.
Sign-Up Bonus: $150 bonus cash back if you spend $500 in the first three months.
Annual Fee: $0
Annual Percentage Rate (APR): , then APR.
Why We Picked It: You get great cash back rates on dining out and at grocery stores.
For Holiday Parties: With 3% cash back on dining out and 2% cash back at grocery stores, this card will earn rewards whether you’re cooking an elaborate dinner or ordering takeout.
Drawbacks: If you don’t dine out often, this card won’t offer as much value.
2. Blue Cash Preferred Card from American ExpressÂ
Rewards: 6% cash back on up to $6,000 in annual spending at U.S. supermarkets; 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations; 1% cash back on other purchases.
Welcome Offer: $250 statement credit if you spend $1,000 in the first three months.
Annual Fee:
APR: , then APR.
Why We Picked It: Few competitors come close to this card’s supermarket cash back rate.
For Holiday Parties: With 6% cash back on all supermarket purchases, you can dramatically cut the cost of expensive or elaborate home dinners. And you’ll earn 3% cash back on gas as you drive to the grocery store or pick up holiday visitors at the airport.
Drawbacks: There’s an annual fee of .
3. BankAmericard Cash Rewards Credit Card
Rewards: 3% cash back on gas and 2% cash back at groceries stores and wholesale clubs on up to $2,500 in quarterly gas and grocery purchases; 1% cash back on other purchases.
Sign-Up Bonus: $150 cash bonus if you spend $500 in the first 90 days.
Annual Fee: $0
APR: 0% APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers, then variable 13.99% to 23.99% APR.
Why We Picked It: All grocery and wholesale club purchases earn solid cash rewards.
For Holiday Parties: Whether you shop for groceries at wholesale clubs or grocery stores, your holiday dinner supplies will earn 2% cash back. Bank of America customers get an additional 10% cash back whenever they redeem for a deposit in their savings or checking account.
Drawbacks: If you aren’t a Bank of America account holder, you’ll lose out on extra cash rewards.
4. Chase Freedom UnlimitedÂ
Rewards: 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
Signup Bonus: $150 bonus cash if you spend $500 in the first three months.
Annual Fee: $0
APR: 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then APR.
Why We Picked It: All purchases will earn the same cash back rate.
For Holiday Parties: While you don’t get a special cash back rate on groceries, you’ll get the same dependable 1.5% cash back on everything you buy, no matter where you shop.
Drawbacks: If you want a special cash back rate on groceries, this isn’t the card for you.
How to Choose a Credit Card for Holiday DinnersÂ
If the primary reason you’re getting a credit card is for hosting dinners, you should choose a card that offers the highest rewards rates wherever you get party supplies and groceries.
If you plan to use your card for other purchases, you should pick a card that offers rewards at other merchants you visit. However, if your spending tends to be fairly random, a card with a flat cash back rate on every purchase could be the best bet.
Make sure to evaluate fees and APRs. If you tend to carry a balance on a monthly basis, interest can diminish the value of your rewards. Fees may have the same effect.
What Credit Is Required for Holiday Parties Rewards Cards?
The best cash back credit cards will require good to excellent credit. Check your credit before applying for a card, as a hard inquiry can lower your credit by a few points. You can check your credit score for free at Credit.com.
At publishing time, the SavorOne Card from Capital One, the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi and the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card are offered through Credit.com product pages, and Credit.com is compensated if our users apply for and ultimately sign up for any of these cards. However, this relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment. This content is not provided by the card issuer(s). Any opinions expressed are those of Credit.com alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the issuer(s).
Note: It’s important to remember that interest rates, fees, and terms for credit cards, loans, and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees, and terms for credit cards, loans, and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees, and terms with credit card issuers, banks, or other financial institutions directly.
Image:Â svetikd