The Best Rewards Cards for a Valentine’s Day Splurge

Holly Johnson

February 18, 2018  •  4 Minute Read

Credit Cards, Holidays

According to a survey from the National Retail Federation, consumers planned to spend an average of $136.57 on Valentine’s Day in 2017. Among lovebirds, parents, friends, and workplace acquaintances, the most popular planned gifts included jewelry, evenings out, flowers, clothing, and gift certificates.

The sum people spent is not a ton of cash, but it’s not pocket change, either. Whether your lover, spouse, or friend is worth it is something only you can decide.

5 Credit Cards to Splurge with This Valentine’s Day

If you are hoping to score a slightly more exciting or luxurious Valentine’s Day this year, however, certain rewards and travel credit cards can help. Not only do some dole out rewards you can use for an epic gift, but some rewards are a gift on their own.

Here are some of our favorite cards for an epic Valentine’s Day, plus how to use them to your advantage:

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8

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There’s a reason this card is consistently named one of the top rewards credit cards for people who want free travel or cash-back. With the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card you can earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

But, you don’t have to spend your points on travel. You can also cash them in for high-dollar gift cards that are perfect for a luxurious Valentine’s dinner out.

Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.

Barclaycard Arrival Plus® World Elite Mastercard®

Here’s a good one if your sweetie prefers a getaway instead of jewelry or lingerie. With the Barclaycard Arrival Plus® World Elite Mastercard®, you’ll earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase with 70,000 points after you use your card for $5,000 on purchases in the first 90 days and paying the annual fee.

The best part is, you can use these rewards in arrears to erase your travel purchase from your bill. So, if you needed to pay for your travel to reach the $5,000 spending limit within 90 days, you could erase all or most of the travel expenses off your bill after-the-fact depending on how many points you racked up. Keep in mind, however, that you have to redeem points in increments of 10,000 points – worth $100 – or more.

This card charges a $89 annual fee, which is waived the first year.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a no-brainer if you’re looking for a way to score Valentine’s Day for free. With this card you can enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). You also earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

Not only can you use your points for cash-back, there is a 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%. The best part is this card never charges an annual fee and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is yet another card that could be exactly what you need to cover some of the costs of a romantic getaway. Once you sign up for this card, you can earn unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, every day. Plus, you can enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

You can use these points to cover any type of travel purchase, such as a hotel or resort, a plane ticket, a train ticket, or most rental condos as long as they code as travel. This card does charge $95 annual fee.

Fortunately, like the Barclaycard, you can use this card to cover your travel purchases then use your points in arrears to remove the purchase from your account.

Rate & Fees *Information for this card is not reviewed by or provided by Capital One

Chase Freedom Flex℠ (Offer Expired)

Last but not least, let’s say you want to splurge for Valentine’s Day by buying something expensive – so expensive you need to make monthly payments. Instead of putting the purchase on a regular credit card, it makes sense to sign up for a card that offers 0% APR on purchases for 15 months first.

Keep in mind that not all 0% APR offers, offer zero interest on purchases. Some cards offer 0% APR on balance transfers, but charge regular interest rates on everything you buy.

With a card like the Chase Freedom Flex℠ (Offer Expired), you’ll earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. This card also gives you 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.24% - 27.99%. There is no minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!

If you have other high interest debts, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ (Offer Expired) will also let you earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!. The best part is, this card doesn’t charge an annual fee.