Apple Card Review

Overview

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Is it worth the annual fee?

There is no annual fee, so there is nothing to justify. The card is free to hold, with genuinely nice budgeting tools built into the iPhone. The knock is the earning structure, not the cost.

First-year value vs ongoing value

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.

Frequently asked questions

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