3 Top Credit Cards for Your Valentine's Day Shopping

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and millions of Americans are going to spend money on gifts, dining out, and travel. The right credit card can help you earn great rewards for purchases like these, as well as some other perks. Here are three in particular that could be great choices for your Valentine's Day shopping and more, in 2024.

1. A great credit card for gifts

One excellent credit card for gifts, especially if you do most of your shopping online, is the Prime Visa from Chase. The card has no annual fee (but a Prime membership is required) and earns 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods, so it could also be a good choice if you're planning to cook a Valentine's Day dinner.

Cardholders also get 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on rideshare purchases. In addition to the sold rewards rate on Amazon purchases, you can also choose 0% APR financing for up to 12 months (instead of rewards), which can be great if you want to pay for a gift a little at a time. If you are an Amazon Prime member and don't have this card yet, it's definitely worth a closer look.

2. A great choice for a special dinner

The American Express® Gold Card isn't exactly cheap, with a $250 annual fee (see rates and fees), but it offers excellent perks that can make it well worth the cost. For example, it includes $120 in annual Uber Cash, as well as excellent travel and purchase protections that American Express is well known for (terms apply).

It's also one of the best cards for dining out. Not only can the Uber Cash help you get to the restaurant cheaply, but it also offers $10 in statement credits per month at certain restaurants and food delivery services (terms apply). Plus, it offers a fantastic rewards rate of 4X per $1 on dining and grocery purchases, which is among the best in the industry.

3. If you're getting away for a romantic weekend

One of the best travel credit cards without a high annual fee is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. It has a $95 annual fee, but it also includes a $100 credit toward a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership that can more than cover the first year all by itself.

The Venture card also earns 2 miles per $1 (so, 2% back) on purchases, with a bonus of 5X per $1 on rental cars and hotels booked through Capital One Travel. There's also an excellent welcome bonus for a card of this price point, so it could be worth a look for travelers.

If you're going to spend the money, it makes sense to maximize your rewards

As a final thought, playing the credit card "rewards game" as described here only makes sense if you are going to spend the money anyway and can pay the bill off quickly. In other words, it's not wise to go into debt simply because your credit card offers a strong rewards rate on a certain type of purchase. But if you were planning to spend money on Valentine's Day purchases, credit cards like these can help you get the most bang for your buck.