Get free shipping from your favorite retailers with these credit cards
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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.
Featured photo by Roberto Westbrook/Getty Images
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Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership. Offer ends 11/10/2021.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer expires 11/10/2021.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.