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How to Maximize Apple Card Cash Back – Top Tips for 2025
December 12, 2024
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Understanding Apple Card Cash Back Basics
Apple Card’s Daily Cash program is straightforward: you earn cash back on every purchase, deposited daily to your Apple Cash balance. The reward rates are tiered by purchase type: 3% back on Apple purchases and select partner merchants, 2% back on anything when you use Apple Card via Apple Pay, and 1% back on all other purchases. For example, buying directly from Apple or using Apple Card with Apple Pay at partners like Ace Hardware, Booking.com, Exxon/Mobil, Nike, T‑Mobile, Uber, Walgreens, and Duane Reade earns you 3% Daily Cash. All other Apple Pay transactions yield 2%, and if you use the physical titanium card where Apple Pay isn’t accepted, you still get 1% back.
Importantly, there’s no cap on how much cash back you can earn – Apple Card rewards are unlimited. Unlike many cards that issue points monthly, Apple Card deposits your cash back every day, which means you can use it or save it immediately. Your Daily Cash never expires or loses value, so you can let it accumulate or spend it as you please. And because Apple Card has no annual fee or foreign transaction fees, every bit of cash back you earn is pure gain, with no fees eating into your rewards.
How to access your rewards: Simply open the Wallet app, tap on your Apple Card, and check the “Daily Cash” section to see your accrued cash back and any special offers. You can choose whether your Daily Cash goes into your Apple Cash card or automatically into Apple’s high-yield Savings account to earn interest.
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Tips to Maximize Your Apple Card Cash Back
Maximizing your Apple Card rewards requires a strategic approach that leverages all of its unique features, bonus categories, and earning opportunities. The key to getting the most value from your Apple Card lies in understanding how to optimize your spending patterns and take full advantage of the card's distinctive benefits.
Below are some essential strategies to help you earn more Daily Cash and make the most of your Apple Card experience:
Kudos quickly compares your cards and finds hidden perks when you shop online — it's free and easy to use. By adding the Kudos extension, you’ll automatically see which card (including Apple Card) will give you the most cash back at checkout, and unlock bonus offers without any extra effort.
1. Use Apple Pay Whenever Possible (Earn 2% vs. 1%)
The easiest way to boost your cash back is to always use Apple Pay for purchases instead of swiping the physical card. With Apple Pay, you’ll get 2% Daily Cash on anything you buy, double the 1% rate you earn when a retailer doesn’t accept contactless payments. The good news is Apple Pay is widely accepted – about 85% of merchants in the U.S. take Apple Pay as of recent data.
From grocery stores and gas stations to apps and websites, look for the Apple Pay logo at checkout. Using your iPhone or Apple Watch to tap-and-pay not only speeds up the transaction securely, but it instantly bumps your rewards to 2% in Daily Cash. Over time, that extra 1% on everyday purchases adds up significantly.
2. Shop at Apple and 3% Partner Merchants
For the maximum 3% Daily Cash rate, focus your spending on Apple Card’s bonus categories. All purchases made directly with Apple (Apple Stores, Apple.com, App Store, iTunes, Apple Music/TV+, etc.) automatically earn 3%. In addition, Apple has partnered with several popular merchants where you get 3% back when using Apple Card via Apple Pay. These currently include big names like Nike, Uber and Uber Eats, Walgreens (and Duane Reade), Exxon/Mobil gas, T‑Mobile (until July 1, 2025, after which T‑Mobile reverts to 2%), Ace Hardware, ChargePoint EV charging, and Booking.com.
Whenever you’re spending at these retailers or services, use your Apple Card through Apple Pay to snag the 3% Daily Cash. For instance, pay for your Uber rides or Walgreens pharmacy purchases with Apple Card in Apple Pay and you’ll see 3% of the transaction amount show up as Daily Cash. Planning a big purchase from Apple, like a new iPhone or Mac? Putting it on your Apple Card nets you 3% back, which on a $1,000 purchase is $30 in Daily Cash – not too shabby.
3. Pay via Apple for Subscriptions and Services
One trick many Apple Card users overlook is leveraging Apple’s payment system for subscriptions and services to get 3% back. Since Apple purchases earn the highest rate, you can route certain recurring charges through Apple to qualify. For example, if you subscribe to a streaming service like HBO or Hulu, consider subscribing via the Apple TV app or App Store (as an in-app purchase) instead of directly with the provider. Those charges will be billed by Apple (Apple Services), thus earning 3% Daily Cash with your Apple Card.
The same goes for apps, games, or in-app subscriptions – put them on your Apple Card via your Apple ID. Many people are already paying for things like cloud storage, music streaming, or news subscriptions through Apple; using Apple Card ensures you’re getting 3% back on those ongoing expenses. It’s essentially “free” money on payments you’d be making anyway, so you might as well capture the higher reward. As AppleInsider notes, even moving your monthly streaming subscriptions to bill through Apple can boost your rewards since those become Apple purchases eligible for 3% Daily Cash.
4. Watch for Special Promotions and Partner Deals
Keep an eye out for limited-time promotions that can supercharge your cash back beyond the standard rates. Apple Card occasionally runs special offers – often in partnership with specific merchants – that bump up your Daily Cash rate. For example, in spring 2025 Apple Card offered a travel promo giving 5% back (instead of 3%) on hotel and rental car bookings made through a special Booking.com link and paid with Apple Card via Apple Pay.
Likewise, Apple has offered perks like extra travel credits or free subscription trials for cardholders: recently, Apple Card users could get a 6-month free Uber One membership (and continue earning 3% on Uber purchases) by signing up with their card. These promos are time-sensitive, but Apple usually announces them in the Wallet app (under Daily Cash specials) or via email. Take advantage of them when they arise – it’s an easy way to get above-and-beyond cash back or added value. Even outside of Apple’s own offers, using Apple Card through certain shopping portals or with select apps can sometimes stack additional rewards (for instance, getting Apple Card cash back plus a merchant discount or loyalty credit).
5. Put Your Daily Cash to Work (Apple Savings Account)
Maximizing your rewards isn’t just about earning more cash back – it’s also about making the most of the cash back you’ve earned. Apple Card helps here too. In April 2023, Apple launched a built-in high-yield Savings account for Apple Card users, enabling you to automatically deposit your Daily Cash into a savings account that earns interest. This Goldman Sachs-powered account has a competitive APY (annual percentage yield). As of mid-2025 it’s around 3.65% APY – about 8× the U.S. national average for savings. By opting to send your cash back to this account, your rewards themselves start earning money.
For example, if you earn $100 in Daily Cash over time and leave it in the Apple Card Savings, it could generate roughly $3–4 extra in interest per year at current rates. That might not sound huge, but remember it’s effortless extra cash on top of your cash back – essentially boosting your overall reward rate. You can transfer additional funds into this savings account too, and there are no fees or minimums to worry about. Even if interest rates fluctuate, keeping your Apple Card cash back in a high-yield account until you need it is a smart way to maximize the value of your rewards (versus letting them sit idle with zero growth).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Apple Card cash back unlimited?
Yes – Apple Card’s Daily Cash program has no earning cap. You can earn unlimited 1%, 2%, or 3% cash back on purchases; there’s no maximum limit to the Daily Cash you can accumulate.
Do Apple Card Daily Cash rewards expire?
No, your Apple Card cash back never expires. Daily Cash doesn’t lose value over time. It remains in your Apple Cash (or Apple Savings) until you choose to spend it, transfer it, or apply it toward your credit card balance.
Can I get 3% cash back with Apple Card at any store?
No – the 3% Daily Cash rate only applies at Apple and a list of select partners (when using Apple Card via Apple Pay). All other purchases made with Apple Pay earn 2%, and transactions at non-partner merchants without Apple Pay earn 1%. If a store isn’t on Apple’s 3% partner list (e.g. not Uber, Nike, Walgreens, etc.), you’ll max at 2% using Apple Pay.
Does Apple Card have a sign-up bonus or intro offer?
No, Apple Card does not offer a traditional sign-up bonus (like upfront points or cash after spending X in 3 months). Instead, the card focuses on ongoing Daily Cash rewards from your everyday spending. Occasionally Apple Card may have special offers for new users (such as extra Daily Cash on certain purchases), but there’s no standard welcome bonus.
Is the Apple Card Savings account worth using?
Yes – if you have an Apple Card, the integrated Savings account is an excellent place to grow your cash back. It’s free with no minimums, and it currently yields a high interest rate (~3.65% APY) on your balance. Parking your Daily Cash in this account means your rewards will earn interest until you need them, effectively boosting your cashback’s value over time.
Conclusion
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The Apple Card can be a highly rewarding credit card when you know how to use it to its full potential. By sticking to Apple Pay, taking advantage of the 3% Daily Cash partners, funneling your subscriptions through Apple, and leveraging Apple’s occasional promos, you’ll maximize the Daily Cash flowing back into your wallet. Little habits – like tapping your iPhone at checkout or routing your cash back into a high-yield savings – can make a noticeable difference in how much you earn. Overall, Apple Card shines brightest for those entrenched in the Apple ecosystem and who frequently use Apple Pay.
Finally, remember that no single card is perfect for every purchase. If you have multiple rewards cards, consider a tool like Kudos to help you effortlessly pick the best card for each transaction and uncover any extra perks. With the right strategy (and a bit of smart tech assistance), you can turn your Apple Card into a cash-back machine and enjoy every swipe (or tap) a little more, knowing you’re getting the maximum reward each time. Happy earning!
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