4 reasons to get the Apple Card
Editor's Note
So, sure: The Apple Card isn't exactly a rewards behemoth.
After its 2019 launch, we bemoaned its limited perks, lack of a sign-up bonus and overall failure to meet expectations after CEO Tim Cook called it "the most significant change in the credit card experience in 50 years."
That said, I wanted to check it out on my own and applied on a whim. I find myself — a credit card novice but a TPGer nonetheless — using the card regularly.
Here are four reasons why the Apple Card might be right for you, too.
The information for the Apple 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.
Simple earning
It took me mere minutes to apply for the Apple Card on my iPhone, and I've been glad ever since that the card's rewards structure is just as simple.
With the Apple Card, you earn 3% cash back on all Apple purchases (including tech products, App Store purchases and other services such as Apple Music and Apple TV+), plus a number of specific merchants. These include:
- Ace Hardware
- Duane Reade
- Exxon
- Mobil
- Nike
- Panera Bread
- T-Mobile
- Uber
- Uber Eats
- Walgreens
You'll also earn 2% cash back on all purchases made with Apple Pay and 1% back on everything else.
As an Apple loyalist and Panera addict, I enjoy the 3% cash-back categories — but the 2% back with Apple Pay is the real winner for me. Nearly every purchase I make online can be made with Apple Pay, and while our review noted that this card is "best suited for those who live in urban areas," I find that more and more in-store retailers are offering Apple Pay no matter where you find yourself.
The card's Apple Pay Family feature allows two partners to merge credit lines and form a single co-owned account. Both co‑owners can view and manage the account, see each member's activity and set limits on participants' spending.
Instant rewards
The Apple Card's Daily Cash system is built for the era of instant gratification.
Rather than waiting until the end of a billing cycle to post accrued monthly earnings, customers who use the Apple Card will see cash-back totals daily, allowing you to use it instantly. I still enjoy saving up my cash back, but it's nice to get regular reminders about how much you earned the previous day.
Your Daily Cash will also earn interest as it's automatically deposited into a high-yield savings account from Goldman Sachs, helping your rewards grow over time.
The interface is built by Apple, meaning it's simple and easy to use. Through your Wallet app, you can see previous monthly statements, make a payment, check your available balance and more.
Daily Cash and a clean, integrated interface are welcome changes from issuers who offer monthly cash back and clunky third-party apps.
Zero fees
The Apple Card has absolutely no fees attached. That means no annual, over-the-limit, foreign transaction or late fees. As the card page promises, it truly has "No fees. Not even hidden ones."
Aside from the obvious fact that it's cheaper, I also enjoy the wall-to-wall simplicity of Apple's approach here. Just sign up in minutes, earn easy cash back with Apple Pay and don't worry about fees attached to traveling abroad, going over your limit or even making a late payment.
If you're a points and miles pro, maybe none of this is a big deal to you. But as someone still new to the space, I enjoy the peace of mind that comes with the Apple Card.
Advanced privacy
And maybe the most important feature of all: The Apple Card goes above and beyond its competitors to protect your privacy and prevent fraud. Most banks don't just make money from fees and finance charges — they also profit from your personal information.
Consider Bank of America's U.S. consumer privacy policy, which details the many ways it puts information about a customer's creditworthiness and their transaction history in the hands of a wide range of other companies. Other banks, such as Chase and Citi, have similar policies.
Apple says that Goldman Sachs, its partner for the card, will not share or sell your data to third-party companies.
As for fraud prevention, the physical card has no card number, security code, expiration date or signature — just your name and a chip. To access those card numbers when making a purchase online, cardholders need to pull up their card in the Wallet app. Additionally, the Apple Card features a "one-time unique dynamic security code" that changes after each purchase you make, adding another layer of protection against fraud.
Bottom line
Like most rewards cards, the Apple Card is what you make of it. It doesn't offer the most lucrative rewards structure, but if you're an Apple loyalist or want a helpful introduction to the credit card world, it could be a fit for you.
With a simple earning structure and no fees, the card is Apple to a T: streamlined, elegant and designed for the most positive user experience possible.
To learn more, read our full review of the Apple Card.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.