Best Credit Cards for Teachers [2024] Teacher Credit Card
By Maddy Scheckel Teachers are notoriously underpaid. In fact, teachers earn 26.4% less than other college-educated workers.
Although teaching can be an incredibly rewarding profession, when paychecks are stretched thin, it’s important to find ways to earn more.
Finding the best credit card for teachers can help you earn rewards while spending money on classroom and personal expenses.
So, let’s explore the best credit cards for teachers that can help you make the most of your hard-earned money.
The Best Credit Cards for Teachers
SavorOne Rewards From Capital One
Annual Fee: $0
Welcome Bonus: $200 when you spend $500 within the first 3 months
Credit Score Required to Apply: Excellent
The Capital One SavorOne Card is among the best credit cards for teachers (if not the best credit card for teachers) who are looking to make the most out of their everyday spending.
With no annual fee and generous rewards, it’s hard for teachers (or anyone) not to love this card! This explains why the Capital One SavorOne Card gets 4.7 stars out of five from over 1,800 online reviews!
For instance, cardholders earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming, and groceries. The complimentary Capital One travel perks and a welcome bonus don’t hurt, either!
And if your credit could use a boost before you apply for this awesome credit card, check out our Cheese credit builder review.
Source: Capital One
Key Benefits:
- 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming services, and grocery stores
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars (travel must be booked through Capital One Travel)
- No foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad for an educational trip or a vacation
- 0% Intro APR (annual percentage rate) for the first 15 Months on purchases and balance transfers, which helps you manage your larger expenses without worrying about immediate interest
- $200 welcome bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months
- Rewards don’t expire as long as you keep the account open
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Annual Fee: $0
Welcome Bonus: $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months
Credit Score Required To Apply: Good to Excellent (670+)
Whether you’re stocking up on classroom supplies or enjoying a night out, the Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card offers solid rewards and perks. This makes it a solid contender for the best credit card for teachers.
Just like with the SavorOne credit card from Capital One, you only need to spend $500 in the first 3 months to earn the $200 welcome bonus. Not bad, right?
And if the idea of a bonus appeals to you, here are some other banks with immediate sign up bonus that are worth checking out.
With no annual fee and plenty of rewards, the Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card is great for earning cash back on all your purchases. Adventure-loving teachers will especially enjoy the 5% cash back on travel (must be booked through the Chase Travel portal) as well as the 3% on both dining and drugstores and 1.5% on everything else.
Key Benefits:
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- 3% cash back on dining and drugstores
- 5% cash back on travel (purchased through the Chase Travel member portal)
- 0% Intro APR for the first 15 Months on balance transfers and purchases
- $200 welcome bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months
- No minimum requirement to redeem cashback rewards, and your cashback rewards won’t expire as long as you keep your account open
- Free 3 months DashPass membership for DoorDash — comes with unlimited free deliveries and lower service fees.
- 5% cash back on Lyft rideshare until March 31, 2025.
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
Annual Fee: $0
Welcome Bonus: $200 after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months
Credit Score Required To Apply: Good to Excellent (670+)
Teachers will love the American Express Blue Cash Everyday Card for its cashback rewards, which will help you save on groceries, gas, and school supplies. And with no annual fee, it’s a no-brainer that the American Express Blue Cash Everyday credit card is considered one of the best credit cards for teachers.
Key Benefits:
- 3% cash back at U.S. online retailers (up to $6,000 per year, then drops to 1%).
- 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets or grocery stores (up to $6,000 per year, then drops to 1%).
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations – perfect for commuting or school trips (up to $6,000 per year, then drops to 1%).
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- $200 welcome bonus after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months
- $84 Disney bundle credit when you use your American Express Blue Cash Everyday credit card to pay for a $9.99+ monthly subscription.
- $180 Home Chef credit when you use your American Express Blue Cash Everyday credit card on a monthly, auto-renewing meal kit subscription (great for when you’ve been teaching all day and want to make something simple and delicious for dinner).
And if you’re looking for even more ways to earn cash, check out our list of ways to find free money.
Citi Double Cash Card
Annual Fee: $0
Welcome Bonus: $200 after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months
Credit Score Required To Apply: Poor to Excellent
One of the best credit cards for teachers is the Citi Double Cash credit card. The biggest reason is that you’ll earn 2% cash back on every purchase!
There’s no annual fee, and cardholders also get perks like fraud protection and zero liability for unauthorized purchases. It’s a simple, smart teacher credit card for any teacher looking to make the most of their regular spending.
Key Benefits:
- 2% cash back on every purchase (earn 1% when you make a purchase and 1% when you pay)
- $200 welcome bonus after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months
- 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, making it easier for you to manage debt
- 5% cash back on select vacations booked through the Citi travel portal until 12/31/2024
- Customer support is available 24/7
Chase Freedom Flex
Annual Fee: $0
Welcome Bonus: $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months
Credit Score Required To Apply: Good to Excellent (670+)
The Chase Freedom Flex is known for its versatility and high reward rate, which is why it’s on the list for the best credit cards for teachers.
With rotating quarterly bonus categories as well as a generous welcome offer, it’s a great teacher credit card to help you save on things like classroom supplies as well as your personal expenses. So, it’s easily one of the best credit cards for teachers.
This card also comes with perks like travel insurance, purchase protection, and cell phone protection to help you maintain peace of mind.
Key Benefits:
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases within rotating quarterly categories (Past categories have included places like Amazon, grocery stores, and hotels.)
- 3% cash back on dining (including takeout) and drugstore purchases
- 5% cash back on travel booked through the Chase Travel portal
- No matter where you shop, you’ll earn 1% cash back on everything else
- $200 welcome bonus after you spend $500 in the first 3 months
- 0% Intro APR for the first 15 Months on balance transfer and purchases
- Cash back rewards won’t expire as long as you keep your account open
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Annual Fee: $95
Welcome Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
Credit Score Required To Apply: Good to Excellent (670+)
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is the best credit card for teachers who want to make the most of their summer holiday. This teacher credit card lets you turn your everyday spending into awesome travel rewards!
With a huge $750 welcome bonus for travel, as well as perks like travel insurance and no foreign transaction fees, it’s a teacher’s best friend on those well-deserved breaks.
Source: Chase
Key Benefits:
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. That’s $750 toward travel (when redeemed through the Chase Travel portal).
- 5x points on travel (when purchased through the Chase Travel portal)
- 2x points on other travel (covering any travel purchases made outside the Chase Travel portal)
- 3x points on dining and groceries, plus earn points on select streaming services
- 1x points on everything else (equivalent to 1 point per dollar spent)
- Every annual account anniversary, you’ll earn 10% of your total purchases made the prior year in bonus points.
- Ultimate rewards points won’t expire as long as you keep your account open.
Teachers FCU Visa Cash Back Credit Card
Annual Fee: $0
Welcome Bonus: None
Credit Score Required To Apply: Good to Excellent (670+)
The Teachers FCU Visa Cash Back Credit Card is an excellent, budget-friendly choice for members of the Teachers Federal Credit Union (FCU).
This card offers a cashback program with no annual fee and a low APR, making it a practical option for everyday use.
Key Benefits:
- Earn a flat 1.5% cash back on every eligible purchase.
- Option to redeem cash back rewards in the form of a statement credit, direct deposit (to a Teachers FCU account), or gift cards
- As low as 16.10% APR is available
- Free Shipt delivery membership
- Rewards won’t expire as long as the account is open.
Need to decipher your credit score to apply for these amazing card deals? Check out our guide explaining What is a good credit score?
Commonly Asked Questions About The Best Credit Cards for Teachers
Does Teachers Credit Union Offer a Credit Card?
Yes, the Teachers Federal Credit Union (FCU) offers several credit cards, including the Teachers FCU Visa Platinum, Teachers FCU Visa Cash Back, Teachers FCU Visa Low Rate, Teachers FCU Visa Student, and the Teachers FCU Visa Secured cards. Each card comes with benefits like low APRs and no annual fees.
Can You Get a Business Credit Card as a Teacher?
Yes, teachers can get a business credit card! You can apply as a sole proprietor using your Social Security number (SSN). You just need to have good credit and some business income.
The Teachers Visa Business credit card offers a credit line up to $50,000 with no annual fee.
Best Credit Cards For Teachers with Bad Credit? / Credit Cards For Teachers With Bad Credit?
Teachers with bad credit can still find good options. The following cards are great choices that offer rewards and help rebuild your credit with no annual fee:
If you’ve got a low credit score, check out the best credit repair companies.
