Do Craft and Hobby Stores Earn a Bonus?

By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated July 2026
The short answer: Usually just the base rate. Craft, hobby, and fabric stores code under their own retail category that mainstream cards do not treat as a bonus, so a flat-rate card typically earns the most. A store coupon or loyalty program often saves more at these retailers than any card reward.

How craft and hobby stores code

A craft, hobby, or fabric retailer rings up under an arts-and-crafts or hobby-store category code, outside the usual bonus buckets like dining and groceries, so most cards earn their base rate on supplies. Online craft purchases usually code the same, unless bought through a general marketplace. The category logic is in merchant category codes explained.

Coupons often beat card rewards

Craft chains are known for frequent coupons and loyalty discounts that can knock 20 to 40 percent off an item, far more than a card earns. So the biggest savings usually come from stacking a store coupon with any card, not from the card’s rewards rate. Pay with a rewards card on top for a little extra.

The best card for craft supplies

Since crafts have no bonus category, a strong flat-rate card earns the most, and pairing it with store coupons is the real optimization. See the flat-rate earners in best cash back cards, and value any points at a flat 1 cent when you compare.

Frequently asked questions

Do craft stores earn a bonus category?
Rarely. Craft, hobby, and fabric stores code under an arts-and-crafts retail category that mainstream cards do not treat as a bonus, so you earn the base rate.
What card is best for craft supplies?
A strong flat-rate card, since crafts have no bonus. Stacking a store coupon with the card usually saves more than the rewards rate itself.
Do online craft purchases earn rewards?
Yes, at the base rate, and they usually code the same as a physical craft store. A purchase through a general marketplace can code as that platform instead.

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Bryce Casson

Written by Bryce Casson, Founder of Cardocrat. About the author and how we rank cards.