Best Sports Credit Cards

There’s little harm in using a credit card just because it has your favorite team’s logo on it, but most of the time there’s very little benefit other than some minor discounts. By choosing the most competitive product, rather than the one with your favorite team’s logo, sports fans can get the most value from their credit cards.

Whether it’s a unique fan experience or discounted tickets and team merchandise — sports affiliated credit cards can be enticing offers. However, when you’re considering getting a new credit card you should try to make your decision on the financial benefits and try to avoid being swayed by team loyalty. Instead, focus on finding a credit card rewards program that helps you build reward points you will actually use.

Sports credit cards’ rewards might help you save money, especially if a sizable chunk of your budget goes toward team gear and paraphernalia. Some cards might offer you extra cash back on purchases made at grocery stores or gas stations, others offer extra bonus points or discounts when shopping for team gear. Some cards may even offer both.

2. Rack up Rewards

Some sports cards offer special introductory offers that could allow you to earn extra rewards, such as $100 in cash rewards or 10,000 bonus points when you spend $500 within the first 90 days.

3. Show Love for Your Team

Whether you’re a fan of baseball, basketball or hockey, there’s a card to help you show your love for the sport. Some cards allow you to customize your card with your favorite team’s colors and logo.

4. Keep Your Card and Credit Secure

With the growing rates of credit card fraud, security features are worth looking at before signing onto any card. Features like zero-liability guarantees in case of fraud and the ability to lock your card when it goes missing can make all the difference—and eliminate a lot of hassle—if your card is lost or stolen.

For example, the NFL Extra Points card offers two tickets to any game for 25,000 points, earned from spending $25,000. That same amount spent on Capital One's new Quicksilver card, which offers 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases, would earn cardholders $375. If those two tickets are worth more than $375, then it will be worthwhile for fans to hold that card. Football fans know that the going rate for tickets will all depend on a number of factors like how well their team is doing, how big their city is, and when the game is occurring.