Best Credit Cards for Daycare Expenses
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Daycare expenses seem to be never ending for parents. The average cost of center-based daycare in the United States is nearly $1,000 per month. Of course, this price widely varies based on location. To add to this large monthly expense, some daycare centers are beginning to offer ancillary products, such as internet viewing for parents, for an additional charge.
While these costs aren't going to slow down anytime soon, credit cards can help alleviate the pain a bit. However, be sure when you are 'shopping' around for childcare in your area, ask if they have any fees when using a credit card.
Here are the best credit cards for daycare expenses.
The Blue Business®️ Plus Credit Card from American Express
Welcome offer: Earn 15,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months of account opening
With the Blue Business Plus Credit Card, earning points couldn't be simpler. You will earn 2x per dollar on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, and 1 point per dollar afterward with no annual fee (see rates and fees).
Along with this, you will have a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening, then a variable rate, 13.24%-19.24%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening) (see rates and fees).
With TPG's valuation of American Express Membership Rewards at 2 cents per point, you will be able to earn 4 cents per dollar in value back for your daycare expenses if you are within the $50,000/year mark.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a perfect card for someone looking to earn miles without the hassle of spending categories. With this card, you will earn 2 miles per dollar (worth 2.8 cents, according to the latest TPG valuations) on all purchases. You can also earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
This card has a $95 annual fee.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
If earning cash back is more to your liking, the Chase Freedom Unlimited could be the right fit for you. You will earn $200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Along with this, you will have a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening (then variable APR of 14.99% - 24.74% applies).
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
This one is a long-shot, but it is worth mentioning. The Business Platinum Card from American Express is an appealing card because of the incredible perks. However, it does come with a steep $595 annual fee; $695 if application received on or after 1/13/2022 (see rates and fees), but there is a reason to mention this card when it comes to daycare services.
The welcome bonus for The Business Platinum Card is currently 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Platinum Card within the first three months of card membership. For many people, spending $15,000 in three months is a heavy ask. However, if you are able to pay ahead for childcare and pay your balance off, this could be a perfect opportunity to score a lot of American Express Membership Rewards points.
If that pill is too much to swallow at once, you may want to consider the traditional Platinum Card® from American Express to score some valuable points.
Bottom Line
Paying for daycare is never a fun expense. However, it can be mitigated with some major points earnings.
One other points to keep in mind - if your daycare service does not accept credit cards, ask if they will accept from a bill pay service like Plastiq. While there are fees to use Plastiq, it may just be worth it to earn that next welcome bonus.
For rates and fees of the Blue Business Plus card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum card, click here.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro Offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.60,000 bonus pointsAnnual Fee
$250Recommended 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.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees