The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Emily Thompson specializes in beginner content as a credit cards editor. She taps into her prior experience as a high school English teacher to help others demystify credit scores and unlock experiences that credit card rewards can make possible.
July 12, 2024 • 10 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
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Quick summary
Weddings are major expenses, and using the right rewards card can help offset costs and earn valuable travel or cash-back rewards.
Cards that offer travel rewards are especially useful for honeymoon bookings or destination weddings, while those with strong dining or grocery benefits can maximize value on catering and food-related purchases.
Flat-rate rewards cards are recommended for miscellaneous wedding expenses that don't fit into specific bonus categories.
Additional strategies include leveraging welcome bonuses, buying gift cards at certain merchants, using merchant offers, and shopping portals to further boost rewards.
What to consider
Some offers mentioned in the article are no longer available, so check for current terms before applying.
Eligibility for welcome bonuses and bonus categories may vary by merchant coding and purchase type.
Introductory 0% interest periods can help manage large wedding expenses, but it's important to pay off balances before the promotional period ends.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of which types of rewards cards best fit different wedding expenses and how to maximize points or cash back during wedding planning.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
You're recently engaged — congratulations!
As you start looking at what wedding items you need to book or purchase, you may realize that wedding planning is as expensive as it is exciting.
According to Zola, the average cost of a 2024 wedding is $33,000. Regardless of where your budget falls, there's a good chance that this will be one of the largest expenses of your life. But at The Points Guy, when we see big expenses, we also see big rewards-earning potential.
Let us help you choose the best credit card for wedding expenses, from the venue to invitation postage and everything in between.
The best credit cards for wedding travel
Whether you're booking your honeymoon or making arrangements for a destination wedding, use a card that earns travel rewards when you book hotels and flights. Plus, if you're using a hotel for your venue, using a travel rewards card for that purchase is an easy way to earn some serious rewards.
The Platinum Card from American Express
Welcome bonus: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $12,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. TPG's July 2024 valuations peg this bonus up to $3,500.
THE POINTS GUY
Annual fee: $895 (see rates and fees)
Why we recommend it: With The Platinum Card® from American Express, you'll earn 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airlines and travel booked through American Express Travel®, on up to $500,000 per calendar year (1 point thereafter). You'll also get up to $600 in hotel statement credits each calendar year ($300 semi-annually) and up to $200 in airline fee statement credits per calendar year, as well as access to the Global Lounge Collection of airport lounges for eligible cardmembers and a up to $209 Clear+ statement credit to make your travel experience easier and more comfortable (subject to auto-renewal).
You'll also enjoy an up to $155 annual Walmart+ statement credit (up to $12.95 each month plus taxes for one membership) to get snacks and last-minute items delivered to you wherever you are (Plus Ups excluded; subject to auto-renewal).
Apply here: The Platinum Card from American Express
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This bonus is worth $1,538 per TPG's July 2024 valuations.
THE POINTS GUY
Annual fee: $95
Why we recommend it: With the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you'll earn 5 points per dollar spent on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 2 points per dollar on all other travel and 3 points per dollar on dining.
We love that this card earns bonus points on both travel and dining expenses. Chase has a generous definition of travel, so this card is especially handy if you're paying for parking or going camping for the bachelor party. And with the bonus points on dining, this is also a great card to use if you're taking your bridal party to brunch or getting your reception catered by a local restaurant.
However, traditional catering services don't code as dining with Chase, so you'll want to use a different card if you're going that route.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (see rates and fees)
The best credit cards for wedding catering
From the official rehearsal dinner and reception meals to snacks to fuel your late nights of planning, you're sure to spend a good chunk of money on food for your wedding. For these expenses, use a card that earns bonus points for dining and grocery purchases.
American Express Gold Card
Welcome bonus: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases in your first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. TPG's July 2024 valuations peg this bonus at up to $2,000.
THE POINTS GUY
Annual fee: $325 (see rates and fees)
Why we recommend it: The American Express® Gold Card earns 4 points per dollar at restaurants (up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), making it ideal for all your celebratory meals. It also earns 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines, through amextravel.com or through the Amex Travel App™, so it's great for booking honeymoon flights as well.
Welcome bonus: Earn a $200 one-time cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
Annual fee: $0
Why we recommend it: This card earns unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®). This makes it a great card to use for meals and activities you're probably planning for the bachelor or bachelorette trip, like going to dance clubs and sporting events.
Learn more: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
The best credit cards for everything else wedding-related
Other than food and travel purchases, most of your wedding spending will fall into the "all other purchases" category, earning a measly 1 point per dollar spent on most rewards cards. For these purchases, use a card with a solid flat earning rate instead of bonus categories.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. As of July 2024 valuations, TPG values Capital One miles at 1.85 cents per mile, making this offer worth $1,388.
Annual fee: $95
Why we recommend it: This card earns an unlimited 2 miles per dollar on all purchases, meaning you'll earn extra miles on everything you buy, from the catering to your nail appointment for the big day.
We also love that Capital One miles are incredibly easy to redeem for a statement credit to reimburse travel purchases you make on the card. If you want to focus on using just one travel rewards card for all your wedding expenses, this is the one.
Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Welcome bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $0
Why we recommend it: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® earns 5 points per dollar spent on travel when booking in Chase Travel℠ and 3 points per dollar on dining and drugstore purchases, making it perfect for dining out and last-minute drugstore runs. It also earns a flat 1.5 points on all other purchases.
In addition to its impressive earning potential, we love that this card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points and gives you redemption options. Most simply, you can redeem this card's points for a cash-back statement credit to help offset some of those wedding expenses. But if you also have the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, you can transfer your points to that account and open up the full line of Chase's travel partners as additional redemption options.
Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited (see rates and fees)
Citi Double Cash Card
Welcome bonus: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
Annual fee: $0 (see rates and fees)
Why we recommend it: The Citi Double Cash® Card earns unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay). If you want to simplify your strategy and focus on earning cash-back rewards to help you save on your wedding, this is a great card for all your wedding purchases. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal.
Planning your wedding is a great time to get a new credit card with a great welcome bonus since you'll be able to easily meet the minimum spending requirements for a new card with your wedding purchases. If you've had your eye on a card with a good bonus, apply for that card and use it for all your wedding expenses until you've reached the spending requirement.
Buy gift cards
If you have a credit card that earns bonus points for shopping at grocery or office supply stores, you can purchase gift cards from these stores. Then you can use the gift cards at some of the places you know you'll be spending money for your wedding, such as makeup and craft stores, to earn bonus points on those purchases.
Check merchant offers
Check the merchant offers on all your cards regularly, and add any that you think you might use. We recommend using a note on your phone to keep track of which offers are on which cards, so you can easily reference it when you're ready to make a purchase.
KATHERINE FAN/THE POINTS GUY
Use shopping portals
Always use your favorite shopping portal for all your online shopping to earn even more points on your wedding purchases.
Choose zero-interest credit cards
We firmly believe in paying off your full credit card balance each month, but it's understandable if you need to make an exception for such a large event. If that's the case, choose a card that has an introductory period with a 0% annual percentage rate (APR). Just make sure to note when the 0% period is over and pay off your full balance by then.
Bottom line
Add to the excitement on your road to "I do" by using the best credit cards for wedding expenses. The right cards can help you save money, cover your honeymoon or launch the next chapter of your life with a good stash of points and miles. With these strategies, you'll be celebrating long after your wedding day.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
