Best credit cards for day care expenses
Editor's Note
Day care expenses seem to be never-ending for parents. According to Care.com's 2024 Cost of Care project, the average cost of center-based day care in the United States has risen over the last few years and is now more than $300 weekly.
This price varies widely based on location, and in addition to this large monthly expense, some day care centers offer ancillary products, such as internet viewing for parents, for an extra charge.
This cost will likely continue its upward trend, but the good news is that credit cards may alleviate some of the pain that comes with shelling out thousands for child care. A good first step is to ask your day care — or potential day care if you're still in the shopping-around stage — if it charges additional fees when using a credit card as payment.
With that in mind, let's review some of the best cards for day care expenses.
Related: The best ways to save money and earn travel rewards for kids
The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express
Welcome offer: Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $3,000 on purchases within your first three months of cardmembership.
With The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, collecting points couldn't be simpler. You will earn 2 points per dollar spent on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent afterward with no annual fee (see rates and fees).
With TPG's November 2024 valuation of American Express Membership Rewards points at 2 cents per point, you will be able to earn 4 cents per dollar in value back for your day care expenses if you are within the $50,000 mark.
Related: Who qualifies for a business credit card?
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great card for someone looking to earn miles without the hassle of tracking bonus categories. With this card, you will earn 2 miles per dollar spent across all purchases.
Capital One miles are worth 1.85 cents apiece, per TPG's February 2025 valuations, making this card a solid option for anyone looking to accumulate travel rewards on everyday purchases. This card has a $95 annual fee.
Related: Current welcome bonus on the Capital One Venture Rewards
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Welcome offer: Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) earns 1.5% on all purchases (along with 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining at restaurants — including takeout and eligible delivery services — and 3% on drugstore purchases). For no annual fee, it's solid to use on day care expenses.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Welcome offer: Enjoy a $100 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year. Plus, earn $200 as a one-time cash bonus when you spend $500 within three months from account opening.
If you prefer Capital One, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is another no-annual-fee product that earns 1.5% cash back on every purchase, including day care expenses.
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Welcome bonus: Earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership.
Finally, we've got The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, which is appealing because of its incredible perks. It does come with a steep $895 annual fee (see rates and fees) but also features a stellar welcome bonus worth up to $4,000, per TPG's November 2024 valuations.
For many people, meeting the spending requirement in three months to earn the bonus is a massive undertaking. However, if you are able to pay ahead for child care and pay your balance off, this could be a great opportunity to score a big stash of American Express Membership Rewards points.
Related: Is the Amex Business Platinum worth the annual fee?
Bottom line
Day care is expensive, but depending on how you choose to pay this particular bill, you can earn valuable credit card rewards.
Consider using a card with healthy earnings on most expenses — even if this means choosing to pay for day care with a flat-rate reward-earning card — or a card with a steep welcome bonus you can comfortably achieve and subsequently pay off.
Apply here: The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express
Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited
Learn more: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards
Apply here: The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Related: The best credit cards for everyday spending
For rates and fees of the Blue Business Plus card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum card, click here.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month