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Football season is fast approaching, and die-hard NFL fans will be spending a lot on their favorite sport. Whether you love tailgating and seeing live games, throwing game day parties or hitting your local sports bar, you might be spending a lot of dough as a fan.
Some credit cards can help you unleash your inner football fanatic, earning rewards as you spend and support your favorite team. Here are four credit cards for NFL fans.
1. NFL Extra Points Credit Card
Rewards: Two points per dollar spent on NFL and team purchases, one point per dollar spent on other purchases
Signup Bonus: 10,000 bonus points when you spend $500 in the first 90 days
Annual Fee: $0
Annual Percentage Rate (APR): 0% for six months on eligible NFL ticket purchases, then variable 15.99%, 20.99% or 25.99%, variable 15.99%, 20.99% or 25.99% on all other purchases; 0% for 15 months on balance transfers, then variable 15.99%, 20.99% or 25.99%.
Why We Picked It: NFL fans earn double points on NFL purchases and get exclusive discounts.
For the NFL Fan: You’ll earn double points on your NFL and team spending, including tickets, in-stadium purchases and at team pro shops. Points can be redeemed for cash back, game tickets or NFL experiences. You’ll also get 20% off purchases at NFLShop.com. Plus, eligible NFL ticket purchases are interest-free for six months.
Drawbacks: You’ll only earn double points at a limited number of officially approved merchants.
2. Citi ThankYou Preferred Card
Rewards: Two points per dollar spent on dining and entertainment, one point per dollar spent on other purchases
Signup Bonus: 15,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first three months
Annual Fee: $0
APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers* and then 15.24% – 25.24% (Variable) ongoing APR.
Why We Picked It: You’ll earn double points on dining and entertainment purchases, including sporting events. (Full Disclosure: Citibank advertises on Credit.com, but that results in no preferential editorial treatment.)
For the NFL Fan: If you go to a lot of games, the double points you earn on sporting events can rack up quickly. Points can be redeemed for gift cards, electronics, travel and more. There’s a 15,000-point signup bonus.
Drawbacks: If you tend to watch games at home, you won’t get as much value from this card.
3. Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Rewards: 6% cash back on up to $6,000 in annual spending at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and 1% cash back on everything else
Welcome Offer: $250 statement credit when you spend $1,000 in the first three months (offers may vary).
Annual Fee: $95
APR: , then
Why We Picked It: If you love to tailgate or throw game day parties, this card can help.
For the NFL Fan: The 6% cash back rate at U.S. supermarkets comes in handy when you pick up food for tailgating or game day parties. You can also earn a hefty welcome offer.
Drawbacks: There’s a $95 annual fee.
How to Choose a Card for Your NFL Purchases
The best card for your football fandom depends on your spending habits and how you wish to earn rewards.
Try to pick a card that rewards the way you spend. If you go to a lot of games, a card that rewards ticket or entertainment purchases might be right for you. If you throw a lot of game day parties, a card that rewards grocery purchases might be a good fit. If you like to hit sports bars, a card with dining rewards could be the right choice.
You should also take a close look at the card’s rewards and redemptions. Cash back and points rewards have varying redemption options, so make sure the card you’re considering earns rewards you’ll be motivated to redeem.
What Credit Is Required for a Card for Football Fans?
Cards with cash back or points rewards typically require good to excellent credit. Before you apply, you’ll want to be confident in your chances of approval, as a hard credit inquiry resulting from a credit card application can ding your credit score. You can check two of your credit scores for free at Credit.com.
Image: ActionPics
At publishing time, the Citi ThankYou Preferred, Blue Cash Preferred from American Express and Capital One Premier Dining Rewards credit cards are offered through Credit.com product pages, and Credit.com is compensated if our users apply and ultimately sign up for this card. However, this relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment. This content is not provided by the card issuer(s). Any opinions expressed are those of Credit.com alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer(s).
Note: It’s important to remember that interest rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees and terms with credit card issuers, banks or other financial institutions directly.