Moving House? Here Are 3 Great Credit Cards for Your Move
KEY POINTS
- Take advantage of home improvement and furnishings as a bonus cash back category.
- Enjoy a high cash back rate on groceries.
- Earn at least 1.5% back on all your miscellaneous moving expenses.
I have finally achieved the 2024 goal I've been working toward for the last two-plus years: I'm officially a homeowner again! All the time I spent working to pay off debt and save money for a down payment, closing costs, and an emergency fund has paid off. But that means that now I'm staring down yet another moving day -- Moving Day No. 36 for me, to be exact (yes, after that many moves, I'm an expert).
In addition to being physically and emotionally stressful, moving can also be financially stressful. There's a lot of costs to cover: a truck rental (and possibly even professional movers), packing supplies, and maybe even new furniture or household items you'll need for your new place.
Without further ado, here are my three favorite credit cards to help you earn cash back on your moving expenses.
1. A card with a handy bonus category
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card gives you the chance to choose from six 3% bonus cash back categories, and you can change your category every month if you want.
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers.
Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Rewards 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% at at grocery stores and wholesale clubs for the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases, 1% on all other purchases.
1% - 3% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
$200 cash back
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This card's wide range of extra cash back options speaks for itself, with a choice of six bonus categories you can change monthly for 3% earnings in the category of your choice. And you can earn 2% back automatically at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. No annual fee and a nice welcome bonus also make this one a winner. Plus, if you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, this card will be even more valuable for you. Read Full Review
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- Competitive welcome bonus
- Bonus cash back in a category of your choice
- No annual fee
- Great 0% intro & transfer APR offer
- Relationship rewards bonus
- Foreign transaction fee
- Limit on bonus cash back
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- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
- Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishings purchases.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
- No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 19.24% - 29.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- 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.
I've had this card set to online shopping for the last couple of years, but last week, I switched it over to home improvement and furniture. That means I'll get 3% cash back on the paint, cleaning supplies, new rugs, and more I'm planning to buy before I even move into my home.
2. A card that'll help you fuel up the moving truck -- and fill your new fridge
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express pays the highest rewards rate I've seen on grocery purchases -- 6% cash back! (terms apply, see rates and fees.) My new home has a much nicer kitchen than my current rental, and I'm excited to fill my new fridge and cabinets with a big trip to the grocery store.
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 months
APR
19.24%-29.99% Variable
Rewards 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 at U.S. gas stations. 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more). 1% Cash Back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
1%-6% Cash Back
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Welcome Offer Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$250
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This card offers market-leading cash back at U.S. supermarkets. The welcome bonus and intro APR offer sweeten the deal. Terms apply. If you spend a lot on groceries (excluding wholesale clubs and superstores like Costco and Walmart), this card is worth considering. Read Full Review
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- Big welcome offer
- U.S. supermarkets rewards
- U.S. gas stations rewards
- Streaming subscription rewards
- Travel and purchase protections
- Annual fee
- Foreign transaction fee
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- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
- Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%.
- 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 at U.S. gas stations.
- 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
- Terms Apply.
This Amex card also pays a great rate on gas purchases (3%), so if you're renting a moving truck, you'll get cash back when you fill that giant gas tank. And if it's a long-distance move and you're looking at paying tolls along the way, you get 3% cash back on those, too! (terms apply.)
Unlike the other cards on this list, Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has an annual fee, but you get a break initially. This card charges a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. (See rates and fees). I'll point out that if groceries and gas are a big part of your budget, it won't be hard to outearn that fee in cash back.
3. A card with flat-rate rewards on all your miscellaneous expenses -- and bonus dining rewards
OK, we've covered furniture, home improvement, groceries, and gas. What's left? Well, pizza on moving day is a tradition for a reason -- it's easy to eat without silverware (or indeed, plates), it can easily be delivered to your door, and hot cheese is like a balm for the soul when you are sweaty and exhausted from moving. For your moving day pizza expenses, I recommend the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. It earns 3% cash back on dining, including takeout.
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months
Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months
Regular APR
20.49% - 29.24% Variable
Rewards Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases
1.5% - 5% cash back
Annual Fee N/A
$0
Welcome Offer Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
Up to $300 cash back
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A cash back card that has it all with unlimited 1.5% - 5% cash back rates and an excellent 0% intro APR offer. There's also an innovative sign-up bonus worth up to $300 cash back. With the bonus, you’ll earn 4.5% cash back on dining and drugstores, 6.5% on travel booked through Chase Travel, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After the bonus, you’ll still earn the regular cash back rates on every purchase. Read Full Review
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- Innovative sign-up bonus
- Purchase and travel protections
- Robust rewards program
- Great intro APR
- No annual fee
- Limited bonus opportunities on everyday spending
- Foreign transaction fee
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- INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Plus, this card has a base rewards rate that's a bit higher than the other two cards on this list -- 1.5%, instead of just 1%. That means you can use it for any miscellaneous expense that doesn't fit into the broad categories we've discussed here. Hitting the liquor store for a celebration bottle of champagne after closing on your mortgage? (Yes, I did this.) The Chase Freedom Unlimited® will give you 1.5% cash back.
Also unlike the other two cards on this list, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points. You can redeem them as cash back, but you'll get more value for them if you pair this card with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. These are travel cards that give you the ability to book travel through Chase directly -- or transfer your points to a travel partner, where your points might be worth even more. If you're planning a vacation for the near future, your moving expenses can help you save money on it!
What about the movers?
You may have noticed that I didn't mention paying a particularly big moving expense with a credit card: professional movers. Some moving companies will let you pay by credit card for no additional cost -- but if you're going to be charged extra for doing so, think twice. The moving company I've hired tacks a 3% surcharge on credit card payments, which would more than negate the cash back I'd earn if I used a credit card. So I'll be writing a check instead.
Even without using a credit card for movers, I still stand to make at least 1.5% back on all of my other moving expenses. Plus, using credit cards makes it far easier for me to track how much I'm spending. What could be better than that? Now, if you'll excuse me -- I've gotta get back to packing.
Our Research Expert
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For rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here
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