Key takeaways

  • Generally, it's best to use a credit card for large purchases only if you can pay off the balance before it starts incurring interest. Debt adds up fast.
  • Using a credit card to pay for large but predictable expenses — like groceries, travel and appliances — can help you tap the rewards and other benefits your card offers.
  • If you have large emergency expenses, consider opening a card with a 0 percent intro APR and budgeting to pay the balance before the introductory APR offer ends. Otherwise, use alternatives if at all possible.

Whether or not you should use a credit card for large purchases depends on your budget, the card’s APR and the circumstances. If you plan to use your credit card like a debit card — that is, paying off the balance in full by your due date — then using credit is a good idea. You’ll add positive behavior to your credit history, and you might even earn a stash of cash back or points.

On the other hand, if you end up paying off the purchase over time, you’ll be charged credit card interest on your debt. Since the average credit card interest rate is quite high, currently hovering around 20 percent, you should ideally use your credit card only for purchases you know you can pay off instantly. The one exception is if you recently opened a credit card with a 0 percent intro annual percentage rate (APR), in which case you may have several months to pay off the purchase without accruing interest.

Below is our guide on when to use (or not use) a credit card for large purchases.

Benefits of using a credit card for a large purchase

It’s important to think about why you want to put a large charge on your card. Is it for the rewards? Or the option to split up payments into manageable chunks? Here are a few reasons why using a credit card for a large purchase may work in your favor.

Sign-up bonus

Many credit cards offer a sign-up bonus — such as cash back, points or miles — to entice you to sign up. To earn the bonus, you typically have to spend a certain amount within the first few months. If you already need to make a big purchase, it may be an excellent time to get a new credit card with a hefty bonus offer. Here are our picks for the best credit card sign-up bonuses.

Earning rewards

If you know you can comfortably pay back the purchase in short order, it may be worth using your credit card for a big purchase to earn valuable rewards. Earning rewards on purchases you would have made anyway is a great way to maximize your credit card strategy. Here are our picks for the best rewards credit cards.

0% intro APR

If you’re getting a new credit card with a 0 percent intro APR offer, you might consider using it for a large purchase. You’ll still need to make minimum payments each month — if you don’t, your issuer may revoke the introductory rate, and you’ll be charged the regular interest rate. But this strategy can give you more than a year to chip away at a big credit card balance. Here are our picks for the best 0 percent APR credit cards.

Cardholder benefits

Among the biggest perks credit cards provide are extra protections and benefits, including extended warranties, purchase protection and travel insurance. While a credit card may have an attractive sign-up bonus, keep an eye out for its under-the-radar perks. For example, suppose you want to use a credit card to purchase a new washer and dryer with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. In that case, your credit card may offer an additional year of warranty coverage and double your protection.

Emergencies

If you’re dealing with a financial crisis and need to cover immediate expenses, using a credit card may be your best (or only) option. If you need extra time to pay for emergency costs, consider applying for a new 0 percent intro APR credit card with the longest introductory period you can find and make sure to make at least the minimum payment each month.

On average, a 0 percent APR introductory offer lasts anywhere from 12 to 21 months. However, ensure you know when the 0 percent intro APR period ends so you aren’t surprised when the regular APR kicks in. Ideally, you want to ensure your balance is paid before this date to avoid interest charges.

But if you cannot qualify for a 0 percent intro APR offer or don’t want to apply for a new card, it’s best to avoid putting emergency expenses on a credit card if at all possible.

Common large purchases to make with a credit card

Sometimes it may make sense to put a large purchase on a credit card — especially if you’ve run the numbers and you feel good about the results. Here are a few of those scenarios:

  • Groceries: Trips to the grocery store add up quickly, especially if you have a lot of mouths to feed. This is one of those expenses you will always have month to month, so you might as well throw these expenses on a credit card to save money (and earn rewards). However, make sure you are using a rewards credit card that rewards you for your grocery store purchases. Here are our picks for the best credit cards for groceries.
  • Large appliances and electronics: A handful of credit cards offer added protections and benefits that can be extremely helpful when you are contemplating upgrading your household appliances for big-ticket items. Purchase protection, for example, applies to purchases you make with your credit card for a specific amount of time. If the item is damaged or stolen, typically within 90 to 120 days, you can be reimbursed for the item(s), or receive a replacement. Take a look at your credit card’s terms and conditions so that you are aware of any limitations.
  • Travel (hotel stays and flights): Travel expenses are a great way to build up your rewards stash, but if you cannot pay for the trip in full at the time of the purchase it may cost you. The benefit of paying for a trip with your credit card is that you are building up points, miles or cash back to then use on your next trip. And depending on what kind of rewards credit card you have, you may have access to added protections such as trip cancellation insurance, luggage protection and more.
  • Rental cars: Rental cars ring in comparable benefits to paying for travel with a card. And depending on what kind of credit card you have in your wallet, you may be rewarded the highest points or miles per dollar rate on your car rental. Keep in mind that most major rental car companies require a credit card to rent a car in the first place, so it is a win-win.

When not to use your credit card for a large purchase

You should never use your credit card when you cannot pay off the balance at the end of the billing cycle. However, there may be a time when you have to use your credit card for a large purchase unexpectedly, but never impulsively — we hope. The following are a few situations where we believe you’ll benefit from not using your credit card for a large purchase.

When you have unexpected medical bills or other emergencies

Proceed with caution. Putting large purchases on your credit card without a plan or resources to pay them off may leave you in a more dire financial situation in the long run. While charging unexpected medical debt on a credit card may be your only option in the case of an emergency, it can cost you if you’re unable to pay the balance right away. Consider the alternatives below or reach out to a credit counselor for more specific advice.

When you’re just doing it for the sign-up bonus or rewards

Making a large purchase you can’t actually afford simply to earn a sign-up bonus is not a good idea. It’s best to earn sign-up bonuses by rerouting regular spending to your new card during the qualifying period or only applying for the card once you’ve saved up enough money for a specific purchase, like new furniture or new appliances.

Any rewards value will quickly be overtaken by interest payments if you end up carrying a balance you can’t clear. It’s never a good idea to spend beyond your means to cash in on rewards — the rewards you earn will never be worth more than the interest you rack up.

When you only want the 0% intro APR offer

Even with 0 percent interest, you should avoid charging a large amount unless you have a plan to pay off the balance before the end of the introductory period. Any balance you still owe at the end of the period will start accruing interest and continue to grow.

How to plan for a large credit card purchase

If you think you’ll be making a big purchase soon, run the numbers to see how long it will take you to pay it off without running the risk of incurring interest rate charges.

Consider this example: Your refrigerator is on its last legs, and you find a quality replacement for $1,500. You obtain a credit card offering a 0 percent introductory APR for one year to make the purchase. Divide the purchase price ($1,500) by the number of interest-free months on your card (12) and you’ll see you would need to pay $125 each month to avoid paying interest after the intro APR period ends.

If you won’t be able to repay the balance within the interest-free period, it’s probably best to avoid charging a major expense to your credit card. Even if your card has a relatively low APR, those interest charges will compound and may lead to insurmountable debt.

The same goes for if you’re making a large purchase on a credit card to score rewards or to meet the spending requirement for a sign-up bonus. Run the numbers to make sure you can comfortably afford to pay the balance straight away.

Best credit cards for large purchases

Here are some of our favorite credit cards to use for big purchases, whether you’re looking for extra time to ease a financial burden or want to get something extra for a purchase you would otherwise pay for with cash.

If you’re looking to pay off your purchase over time

The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card offers a 0 percent intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 21 months from account opening with a variable APR of 18.24 percent, 24.74 percent or 29.99 percent thereafter. Note that balance transfers made within 120 days from account opening qualify for the intro APR offer and that the balance transfer fee is 5 percent (minimum $5).

While the Wells Fargo Reflect doesn’t offer rewards or a welcome bonus, the primary benefit of this card is the extended intro APR offer. It also has other protections and perks, including up to $600 (per claim) in cellphone protection when you pay your monthly cellphone bill with the card, which covers eligible damage and theft. Note that a $25 deductible applies and there is a two-claim maximum per year.

The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card* is another option with a 0 percent intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles (followed by a 19.74 percent to 29.74 percent ongoing variable APR). Balance transfers must be completed within 60 days of account opening. This card is also thin on perks (a trade-off for the lengthy intro APR offers), though it does offer the same level of cellphone protection as the Wells Fargo Reflect. If you pay your cellphone bill with your card, you’re covered for up to $600 per claim (maximum of two claims per year) for eligible damage or loss — minus a $25 out-of-pocket deductible.

If you’re looking for rewards for spending

The Discover it® Cash Back offers a 0 percent intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (17.24 percent to 28.24 percent variable APR thereafter) as well as rewards earning potential, making it a good option if you want to balance an intro APR offer with ongoing value. It offers 5 percent cash back after activation on rotating categories each quarter (on up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1 percent back) and 1 percent cash back on all other purchases. So, if your upcoming large purchases will fall into one of Discover’s cash back categories, this could be a great choice — especially as Discover will match all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year of card ownership.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers a significant welcome bonus: 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. That’s worth $750 toward travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. There’s no intro APR offer, so a 21.49 percent to 28.49 percent variable APR will apply immediately to any balances you carry. But if you already have the cash at hand to pay the balance off and just want to earn rewards on a purchase you can afford to make anyway, this is a great sign-up bonus to take advantage of — though not the highest the card has ever offered.

Alternatives to credit cards

Credit cards aren’t the only option for making a big purchase. Consider these alternatives before you charge a significant amount to your credit card:

  • Dip into your savings. If you’re trying to steer clear of debt, the best way is to use cold hard cash whenever possible. General advice is to keep enough in your savings to cover at least three to six months’ worth of expenses in an emergency, so this isn’t a good option if a large purchase will take you significantly below this threshold.
  • Ask for an installment plan. Many retailers offer installment plans as a way to pay for a significant purchase, such as a furniture set, appliances or exercise equipment. What’s more, many of these retailers are partnering with buy now, pay later (BNPL) companies such as Affirm, Afterpay and Klarna. Here are our picks for the best credit cards with buy now, pay later options.
  • Set aside your income tax refund. Consider dedicating your tax refund check to something special, whether it’s a vacation or a much-needed new water heater, instead of just adding it to your checking account. This way, you can make a large purchase without a major impact on your regular spending and budget.
  • Apply for a personal loan. If you qualify for a personal loan offer with lower interest rates than your credit card offers, it may make sense to consider paying for a large purchase with a personal loan. It may even help your credit since the credit scoring models for both FICO and VantageScore look for a mix of revolving credit and installment loans in your credit history.

The bottom line

It’s important to always treat your credit card like cash when you’re contemplating using it for a large purchase. If you are unable to make the payment in full at the end of the month, you’re going to pile on unnecessary debt. Make a habit of developing a plan if and when you find yourself in a situation where you have no other option than to use your credit card. If you can establish a manageable timeline to pay off your card before your balance gets out of hand, you can take back control of your finances.

*All information about the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card has been collected independently by Bankrate and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.