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Enthusiastic hosts love to throw parties for friends and family. Whether you like to put on lavish dinner parties with elaborate menus or make chili nachos for your friends on game day, you might be spending a lot at the supermarket. Some credit cards offer cash back rewards on grocery purchases, helping you host epic get-togethers.
Here are three credit cards to help you throw your next great party.
1. Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Rewards: 6% cash back on up to $6,000 in annual U.S. supermarket purchases, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and 1% cash back everywhere else
Welcome Offer: $250 statement credit when you spend $1,000 in the first three months
Annual Fee: $95.
APR: , then
Why We Picked It: This card offers one of the best supermarket cash back rates available.
For Your Party: You’ll earn a whopping 6% cash back at US. supermarkets, which should prove extremely valuable for frequent party hosts.
Drawbacks: There is a $95 annual fee.
2. Premier Dining Rewards From Capital One
Rewards: 3% cash back on dining purchases, 2% cash back on groceries and 1% cash back on everything else
Signup Bonus: $100 bonus cash back when you spend $500 in the first three months
Annual Fee: $0
APR: Variable 15.49% – 24.49%
Why We Picked It: The card offers solid cash back rates on dining and groceries.
For Your Party: With 3% cash back on dining and 2% cash back on groceries, you’re covered whether you’re meeting a big group for dinner or hosting friends at home.
Drawbacks: If you don’t dine out a lot, you should keep looking.
3. BankAmericard Cash Rewards
Rewards: 3% cash back on gas and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs on up to $2,500 in combined quarterly purchases, 1% cash back on everything else
Signup Bonus: $150 bonus cash back when you spend $500 in the first 90 days
Annual Fee: $0
APR: 0% for 12 months, then variable 13.99% to 23.99%
Why We Picked It: You’ll earn double cash back on all grocery and wholesale club purchases.
For Your Party: With 2% cash back on all grocery store and wholesale club purchases, you’ll earn double cash on party supplies. Plus, Bank of America customers get an extra 10% cash back when they redeem their cash for a bank account deposit.
Drawbacks: The best cash back redemption value is reserved for Bank of America customers.
How to Choose a Credit Card for Party Expenses
If your primary purpose for a credit card is funding your parties, your choice is easy. You’ll want to choose a card that offers the strongest rewards wherever you get party supplies.
But if you also want a card for everyday spending, you may want to pick a cash back card that offers good rates at the other merchants you frequent. If your spending is truly scattershot, a card with a great flat cash back rate on all purchases might be the right choice.
Don’t forget to consider interest rates and fees. If you tend to carry a balance on your card, the ensuing interest will eat into your cash back earnings. Fees can have the same effect.
What Credit Is Required for a Card That Funds Parties?
Cards with great cash back rates generally require good to excellent credit. You should check your credit before you apply, as a hard inquiry resulting from a credit card application may slightly ding your credit score. You can check two of your credit scores free at Credit.com.
Image: svetikd
At publishing time, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi, Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express, Premier Dining Rewards From Capital One. Citi Double Cash and Bank Americard Cash Rewards credit cards are offered through Credit.com product pages, and Credit.com is compensated if our users apply and ultimately sign up for this card. 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).
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