Apple Card review: Lucrative for Apple users, but less flexible for others

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The Apple Card, designed exclusively for Apple device users, offers a unique but limited approach to cash back rewards. While it provides solid rewards rates through Apple Pay and lacks some standard fees, its value largely depends on your shopping habits and how frequently you use Apple Pay.

If you’re an Android user or prefer traditional payment methods, you won’t find much value with this card. Even for Apple enthusiasts, the rewards structure highly favors digital payments, which aren’t accepted everywhere.

How the Apple Card works

The Apple Card is a cash back credit card that rewards Apple Pay users, particularly with select merchants.

Apple Card rewards

The Apple Card’s rewards program looks impressive at first glance, but its value depends heavily on how — and where — you shop.

Earning rewards

You’ll earn cash back at three different rates:

• 3% back when you shop with Apple and select retailers when you use your Apple Card with Apple Pay
• 2% back on other spending when paying with Apple Pay
• 1% back on all other purchases in-store and online

This reward structure is generous if you frequently use Apple Pay. However, remember that not all retailers accept Apple Pay, and you’ll only earn 1% on non-Apple Pay purchases.

The eligible merchants with which you can earn 3% cash back are also fairly limited. According to Apple, you can earn 3% cash back if you use Apple Pay at the following retailers:

• Ace Hardware
• Duane Reade (in New York and New Jersey)
• Exxon Mobil
• Nike
• Panera Bread
• T-Mobile
• Uber and Uber Eats
• Walgreens

Redeeming rewards

You’ll receive your rewards as "Daily Cash" that can be spent on the card immediately. Your cash back appears in your Apple Cash account each day, ready to use for purchases, transfers to a savings account, or as a statement credit.

While this quick access to rewards is convenient, you won’t find the variety of redemption options that competing cards offer, such as gift cards, merchandise, travel, or other options. This limitation may be frustrating if you prefer more flexibility with your rewards.

Apple Card benefits

Like many no annual fee cards, the Apple Card’s benefits package is relatively modest. Here's an overview of the perks you get with this card.

Zero interest on eligible Apple purchases

Instead of a traditional intro APR offer, the Apple Card provides interest-free financing specifically for Apple products. The financing period varies based on your purchase amount and the specific items you buy.

While this can be helpful for big Apple purchases, it’s far less versatile than the blanket 0% intro APR period offered by many other cash back credit cards.

No late fees

Missing your payment deadline won’t trigger a late fee, which is a nice perk, but you’ll still rack up interest charges on any unpaid balance.

Apple Card Family

The Apple Card Family program allows you to add up to four participants and a co-owner to your account. Co-owners share equal responsibility for the account and build credit history based on the card’s usage. Participants aged 13 and up can also be added with custom spending limits, though they won’t build credit.

This feature is relatively rare in the credit card world and could be valuable for families who prefer managing their credit together while teaching younger family members about responsible spending.

Metal credit card

If you're looking for a metal credit card with a certain amount of heft, the Apple Card is made of heavyweight titanium. This makes it seem more prestigious than typical plastic credit cards, but that doesn’t necessarily mean better benefits or rewards.

Apple Card drawbacks

Beyond the previously mentioned limitations, a few other factors might make you reconsider applying.

Average rewards without Apple Pay

The card’s 1% cash back rate on standard purchases falls below what many basic cash back cards offer. Unless you’re confident you can use Apple Pay for most purchases, you might earn less than you could with a different card.

You may even be surprised that some major retailers don't accept Apple Pay, including Costco, Walmart, Sam's Club, and most Kroger locations.

No welcome bonus

Unlike many competing cards that offer $200 or more in sign-up bonuses, the Apple Card starts you off with nothing. You miss out on an easy way to boost your rewards in the first few months.

Limited interest-free financing

The card’s 0% financing deal only applies to Apple purchases. If you want to finance other large purchases or transfer a balance, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

How the Apple Card compares

The Apple Card is unique in the cash back credit card space in more ways than one, but that doesn't mean it's the best for you — even if you're an Apple enthusiast.

Apple Card vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers more consistent value for most users, with a minimum of 1.5% cash back on all purchases, 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠.

You’ll also get more flexible redemption options and an intro APR period for purchases and balance transfers. Plus, there’s a welcome bonus to jumpstart your rewards earnings and no annual fee.

Apple Card vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card simplifies rewards with a straightforward 2% cash back on everything you buy. You won’t have to worry about whether a merchant accepts mobile payments, and it also comes with a welcome bonus and intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers. While it lacks the Apple Card’s flashy design and integration, it may deliver more reliable value for everyday spending.

Who should get the Apple Card?

This card makes the most sense if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem and regularly use Apple Pay. It could work well as part of a two-card strategy — use it for Apple Pay purchases and partner merchants, then switch to another card that earns more for other spending.

If you paired up the Apple Card and the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, for example, you would use the Apple Card for Apple Pay purchases and purchases made with select merchants that earn 3% cash back. From there, you could switch to the Chase Freedom Unlimited® for travel bookings through Chase, dining and drugstore purchases, and all other purchases to earn a minimum of 1.5% cash back.

Who should choose a different card?

Beyond the obvious exclusion of non-Apple users, this card isn’t ideal if you prefer traditional payment methods or shop frequently at stores that don’t accept Apple Pay. If you’re looking for consistent rewards regardless of the payment method or want more flexibility in redeeming your cash back, consider other options.

How we rated this card

Every credit card review we publish has gone through a rigorous editorial process to ensure accuracy and objectivity.

We rate all credit cards on a 10-point system, with 10 being the highest possible score and 1 being the lowest possible score. We assess each card across several key factors, weighted based on what our research shows matters most to readers like you. Learn more about our methodology here.

Editorial disclosure: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.