Apple Card Review
Overview
The Apple Card is a flat-rate cash back card from Goldman Sachs, running on the Mastercard network. The Apple Card keeps things simple, earning a flat 2x on every purchase with no categories to track or quarterly activations. There is no annual fee, which means every dollar of rewards is pure profit.
It is built for simplicity. There are no categories to track, no quarterly activations, and no annual fee, which makes it one of the easier cards to set and forget while still earning a respectable flat rate.
Think twice if: you have heavy, predictable spending in one category, where a card with a higher bonus rate there would simply earn you more.
Our 3.5 out of 5 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.
Rewards: how it earns
The Apple Card earns a flat 2x on every purchase. On a typical $29,160 of annual spending that comes to about $583 back a year, with nothing to track or activate.
| 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.
Pros and cons
- Flat 2x on every purchase
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Few real drawbacks for the right user
The welcome bonus
This card does not run a traditional welcome bonus, so its value comes entirely from ongoing rewards and perks.
Is the annual fee worth it?
The Apple Card has no annual fee, so there is no break-even math to worry about. Every dollar of rewards is profit, and you can keep it open for free, which also helps the average age of your credit over time.
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
It is best for people building or rebuilding their credit who want a no-fuss card that reports to all three bureaus and can grow with them over time.
Skip it if you have heavy, predictable spending in one category, where a card with a higher bonus rate there would simply earn you more.
Frequently asked questions
Offer details verified against issuer sources as of June 2026. Editorial opinions are our own. Cardocrat values all points at a flat 1 cent and never inflates redemptions.