Get free shipping from your favorite retailers with these credit cards
Looking for free shipping on your upcoming online order? Well, you already might have access to it, thanks to a credit card in your wallet. With many brick-and-mortar stores closed during the coronavirus crisis, online ordering is booming. And if you plan on making any purchases now (or anytime in the future), it pays to know which cards can get you free shipping straight to your front door.
Let's take a look at the credit cards that offer free shipping and how to take advantage of this benefit.
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American Express cards
While having an Amex card can't get you free shipping everywhere, it can get you free 2-day shipping and returns at over 100+ retailers. Nearly all U.S.-issued American Express cards, both consumer and business, give you complimentary access to ShopRunner.
Typically, a ShopRunner membership costs $79, but by simply having an American Express card, you can skip the fee. Some popular Amex cards that include ShopRunner membership include (enrollment required):
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- American Express® Gold Card
- The Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card from American Express
- The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
The information for the Amex EveryDay and Amex EveryDay Preferred has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Keep in mind that American Express cards from other financial institutions, like the Wells Fargo Propel Amex card, do not include ShopRunner membership.
Related Reading: A complete guide to ShopRunner
How to sign up for Shoprunner with an Amex card
It takes only a few seconds to sign up and begin shopping.
- Enroll at www.americanexpress.com/shoprunner
- Provide your name, email address, credit card number.
- Set a password for your ShopRunner account.
- Set a password for your ShopRunner account.
- Shop at participating stores (don't forget to use an online shopping portal)
- Select ShopRunner eligible items.
- Choose ShopRunner at checkout.
World Mastercard or World Elite Mastercard cards
If you have a World Mastercard or World Elite Mastercard, you also get a complimentary ShopRunner membership. The majority of Mastercards issued in the U.S. have the "World" or "World Elite" designation. Some of our favorites include:
- Citi® Double Cash Card
- Citi Premier® Card
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
- CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
The information for the Citi AAdvantage Platinum card, CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum 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.
How to sign up for Shoprunner with Mastercard
The process of signing up for a free Shoprunner account with Mastercard is identical to Amex. Here is what you have to do once you have your card in-hand:
- Enroll at www.shoprunner.com/enroll/mastercard
- Provide your name, email address, credit card number.
- Set a password for your ShopRunner account.
- Shop at participating stores (don't forget to use an online shopping portal)
- Select ShopRunner eligible items.
- Choose ShopRunner at checkout.
Related Reading: Best credit cards to use for online shopping
Target REDcard
The Target REDcard actually has two different card types – a debit a credit card version. Both offer similar perks, which include 5% off most Target items, a bonus 30-day window for returns and, of course, free shipping. Specifically, it offers 2-day shipping for online purchases of any amount when paying with the REDcard.
While it may not make sense to open a Target credit card, TPG Senior Writer Katherine Fan is a big fan of the debit card version. Even better, the debit REDcard won't trigger a credit pull and won't affect your Chase 5/24 standing.
The information for the Target REDcard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Honorable mention: Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
While the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa card doesn't technically get you free shipping, it's a card worthy of being at least on your radar. In order to reap the benefits of this card, you already have to be an Amazon Prime member (which gets you access to free 2-day shipping). But you'll also get 5% back on all Amazon and Whole Foods purchases and 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drug stores.
The information for the Amazon Prime Rewards 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.
Related Reading: Is the Amazon Prime card worth it?
Bottom line
These credit cards unlock access to free shipping services with dozens of online retailers. Don't forget to use an online shopping portal to earn extra rewards on the purchases you're making anyway. And if you're using an Amex card, check your Amex offers to see if there are even more savings you can take advantage of.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 6X | 6x points at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. |
| 4X | 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. |
| 2X | 2x points on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
- 6x points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4x points at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
- Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
- Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines
Cons
- Airline points transfer ratios are poor
- Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after spending $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer expires 11/2/22.
- 6x points at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 6X | 6x points at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. |
| 4X | 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. |
| 2X | 2x points on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after spending $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer expires 11/2/22.Earn 100,000 points75,000 pointsAnnual Fee
$125Recommended 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
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
- 6x points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4x points at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
- Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
- Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines
Cons
- Airline points transfer ratios are poor
- Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after spending $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer expires 11/2/22.
- 6x points at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.
- See Rates & Fees