Best Credit Cards for Holiday Shopping Rewards 2025

Author: Matthew
Date: Nov 7, 2025
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How I Maximize Cashback, Points & Perks During Peak Spending Season

I’ll be honest — holiday shopping is my biggest spending season. Gifts, travel, groceries, winter clothes, decorations… it adds up. And for years, I was basically leaving free money on the table because I used the wrong card.

Once I started paying attention to cashback categories, welcome bonuses, and travel points, I realized I could earn $300–$900+ in rewards just by using the right card — on the spending I was already going to do. So if your goal is:  

  • Saving money 
  • Earning travel points for 2025 trips, or 
  • Getting supermarket / dining / Amazon cashback 

This guide will help you lock in the best credit card match for your spending style.

🎁 What to Look For in a Holiday Shopping Credit Card

When I evaluate a card, I prioritize:

Priority

Why It Matters

Welcome Bonus

Easiest way to earn $200–$900 quickly

Category Rewards

Grocery, Amazon, travel, dining, gas, etc.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

If you're traveling this season

Purchase Protection

Useful for electronics & gifts

Return Protection / Extended Warranty

Saves you when stores won’t

 Top Credit Cards for Holiday Shopping (2025 Edition)  

1. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Best for: People who want easy, flexible cashback without complicated categories.

Why I love it: 

1.5% unlimited cashback on everything 

Bonuses on dining & drugstore purchases 

Cashback can convert to Chase travel points (super valuable!) 

Holiday Savings Example: 

I spent ~$1,200 during November and earned $177 in cashback + bonus points — just from normal shopping. 

👉Apply or learn more directly on Chase’s website → Search: “Chase Freedom Unlimited Official Site”

2. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express 

Best for: Grocery shopping, food delivery, streaming, and big households. 

Category

Earn Rate

U.S. Supermarkets

6% cashback (up to a cap)

Streaming Services

6% cashback

Transit + Gas

3% cashback

Other Purchases

1%

If you host holiday dinners or feed a family — this one pays for itself fast.

👉See current offers →

3. Capital One Venture Rewards Card 

Best for: Holiday Travel + Flights in 2025

  • 2x miles on every purchase 
  • No foreign transaction fees 
  • Great travel insurance protections

I used Venture points to pay for flights to visit family → Saved $460. 

👉Compare Venture travel card offers → Capital One Venture Rewards 

4. Amazon Prime Visa 

Best for: People who practically live on Amazon (like me during December).

5% cashback on Amazon + Whole Foods 

2% at restaurants + gas 

No annual fee (with Prime) If you're buying toys, home goods, electronics gifts → this card is a powerhouse.

Check eligibility directly on Amazon → “Amazon Prime Visa Apply

Cashback vs Travel Points — Which Should You Choose?

If your priority is…

Choose

Saving money right now

Cashback Cards

Free travel in 2025

Travel Rewards Cards

Shopping heavy on Amazon

Amazon Prime Visa

Feeding a household

Amex Blue Cash Preferred

You want simple rewards

Chase Freedom Unlimited​

My personal setup: 

Chase Freedom Unlimited → everyday spending 

Blue Cash Preferred → groceries / holiday meals 

Capital One Venture → travel flights & hotels 

This combo gives me cash now + free trips later. 

💡 How I Earn the Maximum Rewards (Simple Strategy)

Step 1: Use a card with bonus spending for groceries, Amazon, gifts. 

Step 2: Pay the balance in full — never pay interest. 

Step 3: Redeem cashback or transfer points to travel partners for 2x–5x value. 

Real talk: The rewards are great only if you avoid debt. Any interest wipes out the benefit — so treat these like smart tools, not extra money. 

🔥 Final Thoughts 

Holiday shopping is expensive — but the right credit card setup turns spending into savings

This year, I earned hundreds of dollars in cashback and over 30,000 travel points, just by being strategic with the card I used. 

If you’re buying gifts, traveling, cooking holiday meals, or just stocking up — this is the perfect time to start maximizing your rewards

FAQ — Real Answers, Not Bank Talk 

Q1. Does applying for multiple cards hurt my credit score? 

A small temporary dip is normal, but long-term your score can increase if you: Pay on time Keep balances low Grow your total available credit 

Q2. Which card is easiest to manage for beginners? 

Chase Freedom Unlimited — simple cashback, no category tracking. 

Q3. What if I don’t travel much? 

Choose cashback-focused cards — especially Blue Cash Preferred or Prime Visa. 

Q4. Should I cancel old cards I don’t use? 

Usually, no — keeping them helps maintain credit history. 


About Matthew
Hi, I’m Matthew, a data analyst and blogger with a deep focus on mobile app trends, especially in the Android space. On Sequone’s blog, I dig into the rankings, performance, and data insights behind top apps and games to help developers, marketers, and tech enthusiasts stay on top of industry shifts.

I love sharing funny Apps or games so as to add joy in your life or enhance your productivity. My goal is to provide clear, actionable insights that make understanding Google Play trends easier and empower creators to succeed in a competitive market.

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