Apple Card: 🤯 Is This Still Worth It? 💰

Tech & Science

The Apple Card continues to gain traction, offering a remarkably simple way to manage spending and unlock attractive rewards. A key feature is “Daily Cash,” providing immediate cashback after each purchase – a significant difference from cards that only offer rewards at the end of the billing cycle. This Daily Cash can be automatically deposited into your “Apple Cash” balance, perfect for Apple Pay purchases, sending money to friends through Messages, or transferring funds to your regular bank account. Alternatively, you can have the Daily Cash applied directly to your Apple Card balance. Another standout benefit is the “Monthly Installments” feature, allowing you to finance any Apple product purchase over time with zero-percent interest – for example, financing an iPhone 17 Pro directly through your Apple Card. Trade-ins also reduce the purchase price. Currently, Apple Card users benefit from the Apple Card Savings Account, offering 3.65% Annual Percentage Yield, mirroring the rate provided by Goldman Sachs through its Marcus savings account, and for a limited time, a special sign-up bonus – a chance to earn a boosted 3.9% APY. However, when considering the Apple Card, it’s important to weigh it against other options. While it’s a solid choice for frequent Apple Pay users and managing Apple-related spending, many rewards cards offer significantly more expansive benefits. Cards like Chase’s Freedom, Sapphire Preferred, or Citi’s Premier frequently provide much higher point multipliers for categories like restaurants and gas. For instance, spending $10,000 annually on an Apple Card would likely yield only around $300 in rewards, whereas a better rewards card could generate 50,000 points – potentially worth thousands in value through redemptions for travel or other rewards. Ultimately, rewards cards are most effective when you pay your balance in full each month, as interest charges quickly diminish any potential earnings. As banks increasingly partner with merchants for advertising revenue, we can expect to see even more diverse rewards options across all cards. To help you strategically choose the best card for your purchases, consider using tools like CardPointers. And for a limited time, 9to5Mac readers can take advantage of a special offer – saving up to $750 a year by utilizing CardPointers to maximize their credit card rewards. Specifically, you can get 30% off CardPointers Pro’s annual and lifetime plans, plus a $100 Savings Card – essentially making the lifetime upgrade completely free.