4 reasons to get the Apple Card
Editor's Note
So, sure: The Apple Card isn't exactly a rewards behemoth.
After its 2019 launch, we bemoaned its limited perks, lack of a sign-up bonus and overall failure to meet expectations after CEO Tim Cook called it "the most significant change in the credit card experience in 50 years."
That said, I wanted to check it out on my own and applied on a whim. I find myself — a credit card novice but a TPGer nonetheless — using the card regularly.
Here are four reasons why the Apple Card might be right for you, too.
The information for the Apple Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Simple earning
It took me mere minutes to apply for the Apple Card on my iPhone, and I've been glad ever since that the card's rewards structure is just as simple.
With the Apple Card, you earn 3% cash back on all Apple purchases (including tech products, App Store purchases and other services such as Apple Music and Apple TV+), plus a number of specific merchants. These include:
- Ace Hardware
- Duane Reade
- Exxon
- Mobil
- Nike
- Panera Bread
- T-Mobile
- Uber
- Uber Eats
- Walgreens
You'll also earn 2% cash back on all purchases made with Apple Pay and 1% back on everything else.
As an Apple loyalist and Panera addict, I enjoy the 3% cash-back categories — but the 2% back with Apple Pay is the real winner for me. Nearly every purchase I make online can be made with Apple Pay, and while our review noted that this card is "best suited for those who live in urban areas," I find that more and more in-store retailers are offering Apple Pay no matter where you find yourself.
The card's Apple Pay Family feature allows two partners to merge credit lines and form a single co-owned account. Both co‑owners can view and manage the account, see each member's activity and set limits on participants' spending.
Instant rewards
The Apple Card's Daily Cash system is built for the era of instant gratification.
Rather than waiting until the end of a billing cycle to post accrued monthly earnings, customers who use the Apple Card will see cash-back totals daily, allowing you to use it instantly. I still enjoy saving up my cash back, but it's nice to get regular reminders about how much you earned the previous day.
Your Daily Cash will also earn interest as it's automatically deposited into a high-yield savings account from Goldman Sachs, helping your rewards grow over time.
The interface is built by Apple, meaning it's simple and easy to use. Through your Wallet app, you can see previous monthly statements, make a payment, check your available balance and more.
Daily Cash and a clean, integrated interface are welcome changes from issuers who offer monthly cash back and clunky third-party apps.
Zero fees
The Apple Card has absolutely no fees attached. That means no annual, over-the-limit, foreign transaction or late fees. As the card page promises, it truly has "No fees. Not even hidden ones."
Aside from the obvious fact that it's cheaper, I also enjoy the wall-to-wall simplicity of Apple's approach here. Just sign up in minutes, earn easy cash back with Apple Pay and don't worry about fees attached to traveling abroad, going over your limit or even making a late payment.
If you're a points and miles pro, maybe none of this is a big deal to you. But as someone still new to the space, I enjoy the peace of mind that comes with the Apple Card.
Advanced privacy
And maybe the most important feature of all: The Apple Card goes above and beyond its competitors to protect your privacy and prevent fraud. Most banks don't just make money from fees and finance charges — they also profit from your personal information.
Consider Bank of America's U.S. consumer privacy policy, which details the many ways it puts information about a customer's creditworthiness and their transaction history in the hands of a wide range of other companies. Other banks, such as Chase and Citi, have similar policies.
Apple says that Goldman Sachs, its partner for the card, will not share or sell your data to third-party companies.
As for fraud prevention, the physical card has no card number, security code, expiration date or signature — just your name and a chip. To access those card numbers when making a purchase online, cardholders need to pull up their card in the Wallet app. Additionally, the Apple Card features a "one-time unique dynamic security code" that changes after each purchase you make, adding another layer of protection against fraud.
Bottom line
Like most rewards cards, the Apple Card is what you make of it. It doesn't offer the most lucrative rewards structure, but if you're an Apple loyalist or want a helpful introduction to the credit card world, it could be a fit for you.
With a simple earning structure and no fees, the card is Apple to a T: streamlined, elegant and designed for the most positive user experience possible.
To learn more, read our full review of the Apple Card.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees