Best Credit Cards for Seniors and Retirees 2024

As you enter retirement or embrace your senior years, your spending habits may shift. You might find yourself traveling more, dining out with family and friends, or noticing an increase in monthly medical expenses.

That’s where having the right credit card comes in—it can help you get the most out of your spending by offering rewards and benefits tailored to your needs.

Whether you want to earn rewards on your daily purchases, save on travel, or manage your expenses, choosing a credit card designed with your lifestyle in mind can make a big difference.

We’ve taken a close look at some of the best options for seniors and retirees to help you find a card that offers maximum value based on your spending habits.

Top Credit Cards for Seniors and Retirees for 2024

AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays

Best for seniors looking for cash back on healthcare and dining.

• Earning Rates:
  • 3% cash back on gas and drugstore purchases, including medical expenses.
  • 2% cash back at restaurants.
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Additional Benefits:
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • $0 fraud liability protection.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best for seniors who want to choose their cash-back categories.

• Earning Rates:
  • 3% cash back in a category of your choice (gas, online shopping, travel, dining, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings).
  • 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs.
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Additional Benefits:
  • $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days.
  • Introductory 0% APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Best for retirees focused on U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations with no annual fee.

• Earning Rates:
  • 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 in combined purchases per category each year, then 1%).
  • 3% at U.S. online retail purchases up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Cash back is received in the form of reward dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
• Additional Benefits:
  • $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases within the first six months.
  • Introductory 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers then a variable APR 18.74% – 29.74%.
• Terms Apply.  See rates and fees.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Best for seniors with high grocery and streaming expenses.

This card offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 in combined purchases each year, then 1%) and 3% on transit. It’s suitable for those with substantial spending in these areas. The annual fee is $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95. Cash back is received in the form of reward dollars that can be redeemed as statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

• Earning Rates:
  • 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions (on up to $6,000 in combined purchases each year, then 1%).
  • 3% cash back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, and buses).
  • 3% cash back on U.S. gas stations
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Additional Benefits:
  • Up to $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases within the first six months.
  • Introductory 0% APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers. 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable APR, 18.74% to 29.74%.
  • Terms Apply.  See rates and fees.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Best for seniors who love to travel with easy-to-use miles.

This card offers 2x miles on all purchases and the ability to transfer miles to hotel and airline partners or redeem them for travel purchases. It’s ideal for those who travel frequently. The annual fee is $95.

• Earning Rates:
  • 2x miles on all purchases.
• Additional Benefits:
  • Up to $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
  • Complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and partner lounges.

Chase Freedom Flex® Card

Best for seniors seeking versatile cash-back rewards.

• Earning Rates:
  • 5% cash back on rotating categories (on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter you activate, then 1%).
  • 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases.
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Additional Benefits:
  • $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first three months.
  • Introductory 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Best for seniors who want flexible travel and dining rewards.

Points can be transferred to hotel partners or redeemed via Chase’s travel portal, where they’re worth 25% more. The annual fee is $95.

• Earning Rates:
  • 5x points on travel booked through Chase.
  • 3x points on dining.
  • 2x points on other travel-related purchases.
  • 1x point on all other purchases.
• Additional Benefits:
  • $50 annual Ultimate Rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Best for seniors seeking premium travel perks and rewards.

• Earning Rates:
  • 10x points on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Travel℠.
  • 5x points on flights booked through Chase Travel℠.
  • 3x points on other travel and dining purchases.
  • 1x point on all other purchases.
• Additional Benefits:
  • $300 annual travel credit.
  • Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership.
  • Comprehensive travel protections.

Citi Custom Cash® Card

Best for seniors who want 5% cash back on their top spending category.

This flexibility is ideal for seniors with varying monthly expenses. There is no annual fee.

• Earning Rates:
  • 5% cash back on your highest eligible spending category each billing cycle, up to $500 in combined purchases, then 1%.
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Additional Benefits:
  • $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months.
  • Introductory 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.

Citi Double Cash® Card

Best for seniors seeking simple, flat cash-back rewards.

This simplicity makes it ideal for seniors preferring a hassle-free rewards system. There is no annual fee.

• Earning Rates:
  • 1% cash back when you buy.
  • 1% cash back when you pay off purchases.
• Additional Benefits:
  • Introductory 0% APR for 18 months on balance transfers.
  • No foreign transaction fees.

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

Best for Costco members who want maximum rewards on gas and travel.

 There is no annual fee (Costco membership fee applies).

• Earning Rates:
  • 4% cash back on gas and EV charging purchases (on up to $7,000 in combined purchases each year, then 1%).
  • 3% cash back on dining and travel.
  • 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com.
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Additional Benefits:
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • Comprehensive travel protections.

Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Card

Best for seniors who want to earn cash back for retirement investments.

There is no annual fee.

• Earning Rates:
  • Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases.
• Additional Benefits:
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • $0 fraud liability protection.

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

Best for seniors looking for long-term balance transfers and low-interest rates.

The card provides an introductory 0% APR for 20 billing cycles on balance transfers and new purchases, then a variable APR applies. There is no annual fee.

• Earning Rates:
  • No rewards program.
• Additional Benefits:
  • Introductory 0% APR for 20 billing cycles on balance transfers and new purchases.
  • Cell phone protection.

Key Features to look for in a Credit Card for Seniors

• Earnings Rates
• Bonus Rewards Categories
• Welcome Bonus
• Introductory APR
• Low or No Fees
• Travel Benefits

Benefits of Credit Cards for Seniors

• 0% Introductory APR
• Bonus Cash Back or Points
• Travel Perks

How to choose the Best Credit Card for Seniors

• Your Spending Patterns
• Ease of Use
• Annual Fees

Getting a Credit Card as a Senior or Retiree

Kurt’s key takeaway

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