Moving House? Here Are 3 Great Credit Cards for Your Move

I have finally achieved the 2024 goal I've been working toward for the last two-plus years: I'm officially a homeowner again! All the time I spent working to pay off debt and save money for a down payment, closing costs, and an emergency fund has paid off. But that means that now I'm staring down yet another moving day -- Moving Day No. 36 for me, to be exact (yes, after that many moves, I'm an expert).

In addition to being physically and emotionally stressful, moving can also be financially stressful. There's a lot of costs to cover: a truck rental (and possibly even professional movers), packing supplies, and maybe even new furniture or household items you'll need for your new place.

Without further ado, here are my three favorite credit cards to help you earn cash back on your moving expenses.

1. A card with a handy bonus category

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card gives you the chance to choose from six 3% bonus cash back categories, and you can change your category every month if you want.

I've had this card set to online shopping for the last couple of years, but last week, I switched it over to home improvement and furniture. That means I'll get 3% cash back on the paint, cleaning supplies, new rugs, and more I'm planning to buy before I even move into my home.

2. A card that'll help you fuel up the moving truck -- and fill your new fridge

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express pays the highest rewards rate I've seen on grocery purchases -- 6% cash back! (terms apply, see rates and fees.) My new home has a much nicer kitchen than my current rental, and I'm excited to fill my new fridge and cabinets with a big trip to the grocery store.

This Amex card also pays a great rate on gas purchases (3%), so if you're renting a moving truck, you'll get cash back when you fill that giant gas tank. And if it's a long-distance move and you're looking at paying tolls along the way, you get 3% cash back on those, too! (terms apply.)

Unlike the other cards on this list, Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has an annual fee, but you get a break initially. This card charges a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. (See rates and fees). I'll point out that if groceries and gas are a big part of your budget, it won't be hard to outearn that fee in cash back.

3. A card with flat-rate rewards on all your miscellaneous expenses -- and bonus dining rewards

OK, we've covered furniture, home improvement, groceries, and gas. What's left? Well, pizza on moving day is a tradition for a reason -- it's easy to eat without silverware (or indeed, plates), it can easily be delivered to your door, and hot cheese is like a balm for the soul when you are sweaty and exhausted from moving. For your moving day pizza expenses, I recommend the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. It earns 3% cash back on dining, including takeout.

Plus, this card has a base rewards rate that's a bit higher than the other two cards on this list -- 1.5%, instead of just 1%. That means you can use it for any miscellaneous expense that doesn't fit into the broad categories we've discussed here. Hitting the liquor store for a celebration bottle of champagne after closing on your mortgage? (Yes, I did this.) The Chase Freedom Unlimited® will give you 1.5% cash back.

Also unlike the other two cards on this list, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points. You can redeem them as cash back, but you'll get more value for them if you pair this card with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. These are travel cards that give you the ability to book travel through Chase directly -- or transfer your points to a travel partner, where your points might be worth even more. If you're planning a vacation for the near future, your moving expenses can help you save money on it!

What about the movers?

You may have noticed that I didn't mention paying a particularly big moving expense with a credit card: professional movers. Some moving companies will let you pay by credit card for no additional cost -- but if you're going to be charged extra for doing so, think twice. The moving company I've hired tacks a 3% surcharge on credit card payments, which would more than negate the cash back I'd earn if I used a credit card. So I'll be writing a check instead.

Even without using a credit card for movers, I still stand to make at least 1.5% back on all of my other moving expenses. Plus, using credit cards makes it far easier for me to track how much I'm spending. What could be better than that? Now, if you'll excuse me -- I've gotta get back to packing.