Online shopping credit cards refer to credit cards that offer rewards for your online purchases. To enjoy the reward offered by the credit card, simply pay for your purchase on the online store with the credit card. You can even save your credit card information into the application or your online account for ease of purchase in the future.

Credit cards give rewards such as cashback, miles or rewards points for your online purchases. Some online shopping credit cards also offer additional perks such as e-commerce protection. E-commerce protection can reimburse you for incomplete delivery, delivery of wrong items, physical damage or non-delivery of purchase.

Online shopping usually encompasses purchases made online on e-commerce sites. This includes the likes of Shopee, Lazada, Zalora, Qoo10, Amazon, blog shops and more. Beyond retail shopping spend, some credit cards have wider definitions when it comes to online shopping. This means you could get rewarded for any transactions made across various categories (e.g. dining, grocery, food delivery), as long as they are purchased online. 

How a credit card provider determines the eligibility for the reward ultimately depends on the Merchant Category Code (MCC). Do check the terms and conditions of the credit card before applying or before making your online purchase.

Online shopping credit card offers are applicable to all online spending in local or foreign currency. The earning of rewards on your credit card is not limited to specific online merchants. 

However, online merchants could partner up with specific credit card providers to offer special promotions, so you can keep a lookout for that. Although spending in foreign currency may earn you additional rewards, you may be charged dynamic currency conversion fees if your credit card transactions are processed on overseas-based websites and charged in foreign currency.

Besides knowing what you can earn on your credit card when spending online, you should also look out for other features such as: 

• Minimum monthly spend required 
• Cashback cap 
• Additional perks (e.g. e-commerce protection, free travel insurance) 
• Rewards for spending on other categories (e.g. mobile contactless transactions, in-store retail purchases)

The best credit card depends on your online spending habits. For example, it is advisable to use a credit card with a minimum spend that matches your monthly expenditure. You can read this article to find the best online shopping credit cards in Singapore. For mile chasers, read this to find out how you can earn miles while shopping.

There are online shopping credit cards for each of these credit card types. You can read this article to find out which of the three types of credit cards is the best for you, before narrowing your selection within the credit card type to apply for one that rewards you for online shopping.

Besides getting a credit card that rewards you for online shopping, you should find out if the online shopping store gives additional promotions for specific credit card providers. Keep aYou should also actively look out for promo codes that can get you an additional discount. 

Refer to these articles that contain the latest promo codes for Lazada, Shopee and Zalora.

Online shopping credit cards may charge annual fees and late payment fees. However, these fees are similar across all types of credit cards, rather than being a charge specific to online shopping credit cards.

You will have to meet the minimum income requirements to apply for the card. Some online shopping credit cards, such as the DBS Woman’s World card and the UOB Lady’s Solitaire card, also impose a higher minimum income requirement. 

Online shopping credit cards can also be gender specific, such as the UOB Lady’s Card that is only available for females. Do keep in mind that while some credit cards such as the DBS Woman’s World Card are named as such, they do not require you to be a female to apply for the card.

You can earn online shopping rewards only with eligible transactions. When you return your online purchase for a refund, this refund will be returned to the same credit card you made the purchase with. Most credit cards' terms and conditions state that all returned, refunded and exchanged transactions are not eligible for rewards, and all falsified, cancelled and indemnified transactions are not entitled to earn rewards either.

Some merchants offer different promotions online compared to their brick-and-mortar stores. These promotions could make online shopping more attractive by offering more discounts, especially with the use of promo codes. Shopping online can also save time and gives you added convenience. However, there is a chance that shopping online could end up more expensive because of shipping charges. 

Brick-and-mortar stores, on the other hand, give you the chance to try on and inspect your product before purchase. This could save you the hassle of getting product exchanges and refunds.

When making online purchases with the credit card of your choice, you're usually required to supply your name as shown on the card, your credit card number, expiry date, and a three-digit code that can be found at the back of the card (or in the case of American Express, the four-digit code found in front). Your online purchase will only be processed by the vendor when these details are provided.

  You should also check that the website you’re on is secure before entering your credit card details at the checkout page. Once you confirm payment, a final approval is usually required via an additional security check. Examples include 2-factor authentication on your mobile phone or a ‘Verified by Visa’ page. You should also keep a copy of your payment confirmation for your reference. 

You can also read this article for tips to prevent cyber attacks.