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Get free shipping from your favorite retailers with these credit cards

Chris Dong
Articles
Chris Dong was a reporter at The Points Guy, where he covered the intersection of credit card rewards and travel.
April 10, 2020
•
6 min read
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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

Even a no-annual fee Amex card gets you free ShopRunner membership (Photo by The Points Guy)

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 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.

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  1. Enroll at www.americanexpress.com/shoprunner
  2. Provide your name, email address, credit card number.
  3. Set a password for your ShopRunner account.
  4. Set a password for your ShopRunner account.
  5. Shop at participating stores (don't forget to use an online shopping portal)
  6. Select ShopRunner eligible items.
  7. 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:

The information for the 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:

  1. Enroll at www.shoprunner.com/enroll/mastercard
  2. Provide your name, email address, credit card number.
  3. Set a password for your ShopRunner account.
  4. Shop at participating stores (don't forget to use an online shopping portal)
  5. Select ShopRunner eligible items.
  6. 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

(Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
(Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

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 image by Getty Images/Image Source
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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How we chose these cards

Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. If anyone on our team wouldn’t recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldn’t recommend it on The Points Guy either. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners.
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TPG featured card

Best for the well-traveled foodie

American Express® Gold Card

Apply for American Express® Gold Card
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
4 / 5
Go to review
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site

Rewards

3 - 4X points
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

Intro offer

60,000 bonus points
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.

Annual Fee

$250

Recommended Credit

670-850
Excellent/Good
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.

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
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for the well-traveled foodie

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
3XEarn 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 points

  • Annual Fee

    $250

  • Recommended 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.

    670-850
    Excellent/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