Apple Card
A no-annual-fee cash back card from Goldman Sachs.
Rates, fees, and full terms are set by Goldman Sachs and can change. See current rates & fees on the issuer’s site, and always confirm the latest terms before applying.
Our review
The Apple Card is a fine no-annual-fee card if you live in the Apple ecosystem: 3% at Apple, 2% on Apple Pay, and 1% on the physical titanium card. It is simple and well-designed, but the earning is only strong when you are using Apple Pay, and the rewards are locked into Apple Cash.
It is a good card for the right person, but it is not the flexible powerhouse some people assume it is.
Think twice if: you shop places that do not take Apple Pay, since the physical card only earns 1%.
Our 7.1 out of 10 rating
Each score weighs the rewards rate, value after the annual fee, welcome offer, points flexibility, and perks, with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. This is our editorial assessment to help you compare cards, not a guarantee of approval or of the value you will get.
Earning rates at a glance
Rewards: how it earns
You earn 3% at Apple, 3% with certain partners, 2% on any Apple Pay purchase, and just 1% when you swipe the physical card. So the value hinges entirely on how much you use Apple Pay. Where it is accepted, 2% is solid; where it is not, 1% is weak. The rewards come as Apple Cash, which is flexible enough for spending but not a transferable travel currency.
| Category | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dining and restaurants | 2x | Base rate |
| Groceries | 2x | Base rate |
| Gas | 2x | Base rate |
| Travel | 2x | Base rate |
| Streaming | 2x | Base rate |
| Everything else | 2x | Everything else |
Brand and bonus rates: beyond the everyday categories above, this card also earns:
- 3% Daily Cash back at Apple and select partners (Nike, Uber, Walgreens & more)
Every point and mile above is valued at a flat 1 cent, the same honest standard we use for every card. Run your own spending through the calculator to see what this card would actually return for you.
Best ways to earn & redeem
Put your Apple purchases spending on this card to earn at its highest rates, and let a different card handle the categories it does not bonus.
When you cash in, take the rewards as cash back or a statement credit, worth a flat 1 cent each. We value every point at a flat 1 cent, so treat any transfer upside as a bonus rather than the baseline — see what your points are really worth.
Pros and cons
- No annual fee
- 3% at Apple and 2% on Apple Pay purchases
- Clean budgeting and privacy features on iPhone
- Daily Cash pays out instantly
- Only 1% on the physical card where Apple Pay is not accepted
- No real welcome bonus
- Rewards are Apple Cash, not transferable points
The welcome bonus
There is no traditional welcome bonus, occasional targeted offers aside. So there is no big first-year hook, which is a real downside compared to nearly every competitor.
First-year value vs ongoing value
| Welcome bonus | None |
| To earn it | No minimum spend |
| Est. first-year value* | $583 |
| Est. ongoing value / yr* | $583 |
There is no lump-sum welcome bonus, so first-year and ongoing value are about the same, roughly $583 a year on typical spending after the fee. What you see is what you get from day one.
*First-year value counts the welcome bonus, estimated rewards, and annual credits, minus the annual fee; ongoing value is a typical year after. Every point at a flat 1 cent, on average spending.
Benefits and protections
Beyond the rewards, the perks and protections worth knowing about include:
- Daily Cash deposited instantly, spend it right away via Apple Cash
- No card number, CVV, or expiration on the physical card, maximum privacy
- Advanced fraud protection via Face ID, Touch ID, and device-based security
- Goldman Sachs FDIC-insured high-yield savings account for Daily Cash
Statement credits
This card does not come with recurring statement credits. Its value is in the rewards rate and welcome offer.
Who should get it, and who should skip it
If you are all-in on Apple, pay with Apple Pay constantly, and like the clean iPhone interface and privacy features, the Apple Card is a reasonable no-fee pick, and the 3% at Apple is nice if you buy a lot of their gear.
But if you shop where Apple Pay is not accepted, or you want a welcome bonus and transferable points, better free cards exist. A flat 2% card earns more everywhere without depending on Apple Pay. Think of the Apple Card as a lifestyle card, not a rewards leader.
Alternatives to the Apple Card
Pairs well with
The Apple Card earns the most in its bonus categories, so pair it with a no-fee flat-rate card to cover everything it only earns a base rate on.
Frequently asked questions
Best-card guides featuring this card
Learn more
How does it rank for your spending?
Every card is ranked by what it actually returns on the way you spend. Run your numbers and see where the Apple Card lands.
Calculate My CardOffer details verified against issuer sources as of October 2026. Editorial opinions are our own. Cardocrat values all points at a flat 1 cent and never inflates redemptions.
