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 after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Plus, upon approval, you'll receive a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use during your first year.
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 within 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: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases 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
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.