Is the Apple Card Worth It for You?

If you’re a fan of Apple products, you’ve likely heard of the Apple Card. This is a credit card issued by Goldman Sachs in partnership with Apple and it offers some valuable benefits for cardholders. But is the Apple Card worth it for everyone?

It very well could be — even if you’re not obsessed with Apple products — but it depends on your situation. You might find that the Apple Card offers value as an everyday cashback card, as long as its earning rates align with your spending habits. And its other benefits, such as no hidden fees, could prove useful as well. Let’s see what the Apple Card has to offer.

9 Reasons you might want the Apple Card

Everything Apple

You might consider getting the Apple Card simply because you like Apple devices and products. Whether it’s the iOS operating system or iTunes, or you’re a Mac, Macbook, iPad, Apple Watch, or iPhone user — the Apple Card fits perfectly into this ecosystem. For more information, check out our Apple Card review.

Daily Cash

Every eligible purchase with the Apple Card earns cash back, called Daily Cash. Unlike many cashback cards that earn cashback rewards, the Apple Card offers daily deposits of any cash rewards you earn for quick and easy access. You typically have to wait until your rewards post with other credit card rewards programs, which might not be until the next billing cycle.

Spending categories for the Apple Card include 3% cash back on Apple purchases and purchases with select partners when using Apple Pay, 2% cash back on other Apple Pay purchases, and 1% cash back on everything else. Purchases from the App Store, Apple Music, and Apple TV+ count for earning 3% cash back. Select Apple Pay partners include Nike, T-Mobile, Uber Eats, Walgreens, Exxon Mobil, Panera, and Duane Reade.

See other ways to earn cash back with Apple Pay.

Apple products

The Apple Card offers 3% cash back on Apple purchases and purchases with select partners when using Apple Pay. This makes it one of the best credit cards for Apple purchases.

Immediate use

If you’re approved for the Apple Card, you could immediately start using it with Apple Pay from your iPhone. No need for a physical card or physical card number as long as merchants accept Apple Pay.

Metal card

If you like to have a physical card just in case, you might be happy to know that the physical Apple Card is made out of metal. Its titanium makeup gives it a slick and clean look that resembles the style of many other Apple products. For other metal options, check out our list of the best metal credit cards.

No fees

When Apple says “no fees,” they mean it. The Apple Card has no foreign transaction fees, no late fees, no over-the-limit fees, and a $0 annual fee. In addition, your interest rate (which applies to carrying a balance, which we don’t recommend) works differently compared to most credit cards. The Apple Card will estimate how much interest you’ll pay depending on your payment amount, which could make it easier for you to calculate your payments.

Apple Card Family

Want to merge credit lines with a partner or help your teens learn better spending habits? The Apple Card offers its Apple Card Family feature, which allows you these options and more. This feature could make it convenient for you to track your family’s spending all in one place.

Apple Card monthly installments

The Apple Card monthly installments feature allows you to buy certain Apple products, such as iPhones and iPads, on monthly payment plans with your Apple Card. But are the Apple Card monthly installments worth it? They might be since the monthly payments are interest-free and you could still earn 3% cash back on these purchases.

Trusted partners

Apple partners with trusted companies like Goldman Sachs, the card issuer, and Mastercard, the payment network, for its complete Apple Card product. This is the first consumer credit card issued by Goldman Sachs, a global financial institution that was founded in 1869. Mastercard credit cards are currently accepted in over 210 countries and territories worldwide.

When the Apple Card is worth it

The Apple Credit Card won’t fit every situation, but here are a few instances where it could make sense:

• You often buy Apple products: Apple purchases and purchases with select partners when using Apple Pay offer 3% back in Daily Cash. If you frequently make Apple purchases, that’s basically an automatic 3% discount you’d be receiving. For products that are typically expensive, that’s not a bad amount of savings.
• You love earning cash back: Every eligible purchase with your Apple Card earns Daily Cash, which is essentially cash back. This cash back never expires, there’s no limit to how much you could earn, and it’s deposited into your card account every day.
• You hate fees: The Apple Card boosts no fees, including no hidden fees. This means the annual fee is $0, there are no foreign transaction fees, and you don’t have to stress about late fees.
• You frequently use Apple Pay: All Apple Pay purchases will earn between 2% and 3% Daily Cash with your Apple Card. If Apple Pay is your preferred method of payment and the merchants you frequent accept it, you could be earning more cash back on a regular basis.
• You want to share card access: With the Apple Card Family feature, you could share access to an Apple Card with your family members. This could make it easier for multiple individuals (18 and older) to build credit, as payments will be reported to the credit bureaus and show up on credit reports. It could also help give you an overview of your family finances.

In many cases, an ideal Apple Card user is likely someone who loves and uses Apple products (or wants to), uses Apple Pay for a majority of their everyday purchases, and prefers earning cash back over other types of credit card rewards.

When the Apple Card is not worth it

For cases where it might not make sense to apply for the Apple Card, here are some factors to consider:

• You prefer Android products: As a credit card with the Apple name attached, some of this card’s perks and benefits are Apple-related. This isn’t surprising, but it likely lowers the card’s potential value for Android users.
• You don’t use Apple Pay: If you don’t or can’t use Apple Pay (because the retailers where you shop don’t accept it), you’re likely to miss out on a large part of this card’s earning potential.
• You would rather earn travel rewards: The Apple Card earns Daily Cash, which is cash back. Cash is good for basically purchasing anything, but you still might prefer earning travel rewards, such as points or miles, if you have travel-related goals.
• The bonus categories don’t apply: If you don’t often make purchases with Walgreens, Uber Eats, Nike, Panera, T-Mobile, Exxon Mobil, or other merchants where you could earn 3% Daily Cash, you’re likely to miss out on maximizing your earning potential. For example, an avid Amazon shopper might not find this card to be a good fit.
• You don’t have good credit: You typically need at least good credit to qualify for the Apple Card.

The non-ideal Apple Card user is likely someone who can’t qualify for the card, would prefer a travel-focused credit card, can’t take advantage of the bonus categories, or doesn’t typically use Apple products. This card also wouldn’t likely make sense for making in-store purchases at Costco since U.S. Costco warehouses only accept Visa credit cards.

Alternatives to the Apple Card

For alternatives to the Apple Card, check out two of the best cashback credit cards.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited^® is a Visa credit card (it works at Costco) that offers 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

You could also earn a generous welcome offer, which is something you won’t typically find on the Apple Card. This card offers earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).

For more information, check out our Chase Freedom Unlimited review.

The Citi Double Cash^® Card is a Mastercard credit card like the Apple Card that offers 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24. 

It also comes with a welcome bonus. You can earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

For more information, check out our Citi Double Cash Card review.

FAQs

Bottom line

The Apple Card could make sense in a variety of situations, including if you typically shop for Apple products or often use Apple Pay when making purchases. If these factors align with your spending habits, this card might make sense for you. But if not, you might want to consider other options.

Comparing other card offers could help you find a card that better fits your financial goals — whether you want to earn travel rewards, have different types of expenses, or are looking for specific benefits. To see our top choices for cashback credit cards, travel cards, and more, use our dedicated page to compare credit cards.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

5.0

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

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Rates and fees

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
• Intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
• $0 annual fee

Drawbacks

• Has foreign transaction fee
• No bonus categories

Card Details

• Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
• 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
• $0 annual fee.
• No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.