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.
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| 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