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3. Apple Card review: You’ll need an iPhone to maximize rewards

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reviews

2.9

Rating: 2.9 out of 5.

Editors’ take: Apple Card provides solid cash back rates and comes with no annual fee. However, maximizing rewards requires using Apple Pay, and the card lacks a traditional sign-up bonus.

Great for Apple Pay users

Annual Fee: $0

This content is curated by Intuit Credit Karma’s Editorial team using data from members who were approved for this card or similar cards, or who self-matched this card or similar cards. Intuit Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse this content. Information about financial products not offered on Credit Karma is collected independently. Our content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.

Here’s the average credit limit of members who matched their Apple Card or similar cards.

% of members by credit limit range

The average credit limit for members who have matched with this card or similar cards is $8,481, with $1,000 being the most common.

Here’s the average credit score of members who matched their Apple Card or similar cards.

% of members by credit score range

The average credit score for members who have matched with this card or similar cards is 700, with 760 being the most common. Note this is just one of the deciding factors when it comes to getting approved.

Member stats

Updated daily

30%

Average credit utilization (or what percent of the card’s credit limit is being used) of members who matched with this card or similar cards.

43 years

Average age of members who matched this card or similar cards.

$97,878

Average annual income of members who matched this card or similar cards. Note: Income may be estimated for some members by Credit Karma and may differ from members’ actual incomes.

Pros and cons

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Near-instant use if approved

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Solid rewards rate

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No annual fee

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Need an Apple device to access all features

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Must use Apple Pay to maximize cash back

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No sign-up bonus offer

Is the Apple Card worth it?

The Apple Card might be a good choice for loyal iPhone and Apple customers who want an easy way to earn rewards — especially on purchases made at Apple and select purchases made at certain partners including Walgreens, Uber and Mobil. If you’re not an Apple user, you may prefer a cash-back card with a simple rewards rate instead. 

The Apple Card is best for people who are comfortable using Apple’s digital wallet. When you use your Apple Card in Apple Pay, you’ll get 2% cash back. So, if you prefer paying with a physical credit card, or the stores you shop at most often don’t accept contactless payments, the Apple Card might not be worth it for you. 

Apple Card at a glance

• Annual fee: $0
• Sign-up bonus: None
• Standout benefit: Apple Card Family lets you add a co-owner and up to four participants
• Best rewards rate: 3% cash back on Apple purchases and certain purchases with select partners
• Baseline rewards rate: 1% cash back on all other purchases

Apple Card best perks and features

Ability to make purchases quickly after approval

Apple Card offers a smooth experience with Apple devices using your Apple ID.  If you’re approved, your Apple Card will appear in your Apple Wallet, and you can begin using it right away. 

If the store you’re shopping at accepts digital wallet payments or Apple Pay, you should be able to make purchases instantly from your phone or other Apple Wallet-enabled device.

Solid rewards rate

Here’s how the Apple Card rewards, which Apple calls Daily Cash, break down:

• 3% Daily Cash on Apple purchases 
• 3% Daily Cash on certain purchases with select merchants and partners — including Ace Hardware, T-Mobile, Nike, Uber, Uber Eats, Walgreens, Exxon and Mobil — made using your Apple Wallet
• 2% Daily Cash on purchases you make with Apple Wallet
• 1% Daily Cash on all other purchases

The Apple Card‘s cash back structure is competitive but comes with some limitations. While the 3% cash back on Apple purchases or certain transactions with select merchants is attractive, it’s the 2% cash back on all Apple Pay transactions that makes it especially appealing. This rate matches or exceeds many flat-rate cash back cards, but you must use Apple Pay.

You also can have your accumulated Daily Cash automatically deposited into a savings account to earn interest or set up Apple Cash to spend it or send it to people you know. Rewards are unlimited.

No annual fee

Apple Card has a $0 annual fee, which means you don’t have to worry about your cash back earnings being offset by annual charges.

What are the drawbacks of Apple Card?

Apple device required

You’ll need an Apple device to use Apple Card. If you have an Apple device and your application is approved, your Apple Card will automatically be loaded into your Apple Wallet and you can begin using it right away. 

Must use Apple Pay to earn the most cash back

To maximize your cash back, you’ll need to do most of your spending through Apple Wallet. You can order a titanium Apple Card to use at places where Apple Pay isn’t accepted, but you’ll need to already have the digital version of the card in your Apple Wallet and use an iPhone or iPad to request a card. 

Limited sign-up incentives

Unlike many cash back cards, the Apple Card doesn’t offer a permanent sign-up bonus. New cardholders will miss out on the immediate value that competing cards might provide, making the Apple Card less attractive for those seeking upfront rewards.

Other cards to consider

• Citi Double Cash® Card: This card may be a good fit for people who want a straightforward cash back card they can use without their phones.
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This no-annual-fee card offers cash back on useful everyday categories.
• Amazon Prime Visa: This card provides unlimited 3% back on your Amazon.com purchases or 5% back with an eligible Prime membership.

Looking at these aspects of the card helps us determine whether we’d recommend it to our members.

FAQs about the Apple Card