Do Home Improvement Stores Have a Rewards Bonus Category?
This guide explains why home improvement rarely earns a bonus and how to earn the most on those purchases.
Why home improvement rarely earns a bonus
Unlike groceries, dining, or gas, home improvement is not a category most rewards cards single out, so purchases at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and hardware stores typically earn only your card’s base rate. There is no widely available card that permanently bonuses home improvement, which surprises people planning a big renovation.
The ways to earn more
You have a few options. Some rotating-category cards feature home improvement for a quarter, so timing a big purchase to that window earns an elevated rate. The retailer’s own store card pays a bonus or offers financing at that store specifically, worth weighing with our store cards guide. And a solid flat-rate card earns a good rate on everything, including home improvement.
How to decide for a big project
For a large renovation, compare the options: if a rotating card is running a home-improvement quarter, use it up to the cap, then a flat-rate card beyond it. A store card can make sense if it offers meaningful financing or a bonus and you shop there often, but do not open one just for a small reward. For most people, a flat-rate card is the simple, reliable choice on home-improvement spending.
- Few cards offer an ongoing home-improvement bonus.
- Home Depot and Lowe’s usually earn only your base rate.
- Rotating-category cards sometimes feature it a quarter.
- Store cards pay an elevated rate at that retailer.
- A strong flat-rate card is often the simplest answer.
Frequently asked questions
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