Experian and CreditMatch logo

The Best Credit Cards for Large Purchases of 2023

At Experian, one of our priorities is consumer credit and finance education. This post may contain links and references to one or more of our partners, but we provide an objective view to help you make the best decisions. For more information, see our Editorial Policy.

Before you make a large purchase, you may consider applying for a new credit card. Depending on the situation, a card with an introductory 0% APR, a welcome bonus or no preset spending limit―or even a combination of those features―can help you make the most of a big expense.

It can make sense to use a credit card for a large purchase if you can pay it off with little or no interest, you can afford to pay it back quickly or you need some time to come up with the cash. Here are some credit cards to consider.

3 Partner Offers

Our Picks for the Best Credit Cards for Large Purchases
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening, then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

3 points per dollar at restaurants and on travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases

No annual fee

(Rates & Fees)

Wells Fargo Reflect<sup>®</sup> Card

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 21 months, then 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% Variable APR

No annual fee

(Rates & Fees)

Bank of America<sup>®</sup> Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Intro 0% APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and any balance transfers made within the first 60 days, then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable

3% intro balance transfer fee for the first 60 days from account opening, then 4%.

3% cash back in the category of your choice; automatic 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 spent each quarter in 3% and 2% categories); and 1% back on all other purchases

No annual fee

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers a relatively short introductory 0% APR promotion, but that can still be plenty of time to pay off some moderately big purchases. (Your ongoing rate will be 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR.) What's more, you'll benefit from several bonus rewards categories.

When you first open the card, you'll earn a limited time offer of 20,000 bonus points—worth $200—when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months. You'll also get a high rewards rate on several expenses, including restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans.

Point redemption is flexible, with options including travel, gift cards or statement credits. You can also shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Apply

on Wells Fargo's website

Rates and Fees

Good - Exceptional

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

APR

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

Intro APR

0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases

Rewards

3x Points on Restaurants, Travel, Gas Stations, Transit, Popular Streaming Services & Phone Plans

1x Points on Other Purchases

Intro Bonus

Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.

Annual Fee

$0

Card Details
  • Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
  • Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
  • Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
  • $0 annual fee.
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter.
  • Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
  • Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
  • Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

You won't earn a welcome bonus or ongoing rewards with the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card, but if you're making a large purchase and your priority is maximizing your interest savings, this card should be on your radar.

The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card offers one of the longest 0% intro APR promotions available. It runs for 21 months, with a 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% Variable APR applying afterward. Balance transfers made within 120 days from account opening qualify for the intro rate, then a balance transfer fee of up to 5% ($5 minimum).

And while the card might not offer rewards on everyday purchases, you can earn cash back when you take advantage of offers with select merchants through the My Wells Fargo Deals program.

Apply

on Wells Fargo's website

Rates and Fees

Good - Exceptional

APR

18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% Variable APR

Intro APR

0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

Rewards

None

Intro Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

$0

Card Details
  • Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
  • 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min $5.
  • $0 Annual Fee.
  • Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
  • Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants. It's an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo credit card.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

In addition to one of the longest 0% intro APR promotions on our list, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card offers a rare feature that allows you to choose which category (from a list) you can earn bonus rewards on.

Options might include common expenses such as gas and EV charging stations, online shopping, cable/internet/phone plans/streaming, dining, travel, drugstores and home improvement/furnishings. You'll also earn bonus cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, but keep in mind that bonus cash back is limited to the first $2,500 you spend each quarter in combined purchases in your chosen 3% category and the card's 2% categories.

The card also offers a $200 cash rewards bonus when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days after you open the account, adding more value to your big expense.

How to Choose the Best Credit Card for Large Purchases

Until you apply and get approved, you can't know what your new card's credit limit will be. As such, it's important to consider other factors to decide which option is best for your upcoming big expense.

Your Goals

Are you looking to maximize your interest savings or earn a big welcome bonus? After you've paid off your purchase, do you want the card to keep offering value, or do you just want to make the most of this one purchase?

Think about what you want in a credit card and which features matter the most to you.

Your Financial Situation

Think about how long it'll take you to pay down your balance after making the purchase. If you can pay it off relatively quickly, it may make more sense to focus on cards with big welcome bonuses and better rewards. On the flip side, if you anticipate needing a year or longer to pay down the purchase, you might want to prioritize a card with a longer 0% intro APR promotion.

Your Credit Score

Credit cards with a 0% intro APR, a welcome bonus or both typically require good credit, which means a FICO® Score of 670 or above. If you check your credit score and it doesn't meet that threshold, your options may be limited.

There are credit cards for fair credit that offer rewards, but some may also charge annual fees, so you'll want to weigh the benefits against the costs and your spending habits to determine the best fit for you.

How to Pay Off a Large Purchase

Credit cards aren't like installment loans with fixed monthly payments. Instead, you'll be given a minimum monthly payment that's likely comfortable but won't help you pay off your balance very quickly. As such, if your card has a 0% intro APR, divide the purchase amount by the number of months you have with no interest and determine if you can afford to pay that instead.

If not, try to pay as much as you can to limit how much interest you'll be charged once the promotional period is over.

If you're making a large purchase on a card with no 0% intro APR offer, try to cut back in other areas of your budget, so you can pay off the balance as quickly as possible and avoid expensive interest charges.

Get Matched With a Card Based on Your Credit

Even if you have a credit score that meets a card's minimum requirement, there's no guarantee you'll get approved. If you want to compare cards that you have a good chance of getting approved for, you can use Experian CreditMatch™ to get matched with offers based on your credit profile.