Pumpkin spice isn’t the only thing everywhere this fall—so is consumer spending.
According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are gearing up for a record-breaking Halloween, with total spending expected to reach an all-time high of $13.1 billion this year. That includes everything from candy and costumes to decorations and last-minute party supplies, and all at a time when many households are still feeling the pinch from inflation.
Here’s the treat: The right credit card can help stretch your Halloween budget. With bonus rewards on online orders, cash back on grocery store candy hauls and flexible redemption options, certain cards can take some of the sting out of spooky-season spending.
Sweeten Your Spooky Season: Credit Cards Make Halloween Hauls a Treat, Not a Trick
Halloween costs can sneak up on you fast. One minute you’re grabbing a few bags of chocolate and sour candies, the next you’re knee-deep in decorations, snacks and a fancy last-minute costume. But if you’re swiping the right rewards card, all that spooky-season spending can pay you back. Whether filling your online cart, raiding the party aisle or stocking up at the grocery store, the right card can help you turn Halloween shopping into real cash back.
Prime Visa
If you’re not in the mood to fight crowds at the store for that last bag of Snickers, the Prime Visa has you covered.
Up to 5X Reward Rate
Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible PrimeRead More
Welcome Bonus
Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
19.49% – 28.24% Variable
Credit Score
Good, Excellent (670 – 739)
- Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
- Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
- Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership
- Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
- Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
- No annual credit card fee
- No more waiting. Redeem daily rewards at Amazon.com as soon as the next day
- Member FDIC
This Amazon-linked card earns 5% back on purchases at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership, unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and unlimited 1% back on other purchases. That’s perfect for stocking up on candy, decorations or even last-minute costumes without leaving the couch.
Because the card rewards online spending, it’s ideal for anyone who wants Halloween essentials delivered without the hassle, especially as busy shoppers juggle workdays and packed schedules. That cash back can add up quickly, especially if you’re buying bulk candy or themed party decor.
There’s also a $0 annual fee, and rewards are automatically applied to future Amazon purchases or can be redeemed as statement credits. If you’re going to be doing most of your shopping online anyway, Prime Visa lets you score sweet savings without lifting more than a finger.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Halloween spending rarely happens in one place, which is why the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is such a strong pick. This card offers 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on eligible dining and drugstores and 1.5% on all other purchases.
Whether you’re heading to a party store for decorations, picking up a spooky-themed dinner for friends or buying candy at the local pharmacy, you’ll earn rewards on it. The flat-rate cash back on general purchases is especially useful for miscellaneous Halloween buys like themed makeup, pet costumes or those impulse-buy fog machines that somehow end up in your cart.
Another bonus: new cardholders can earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That could cover a good chunk of your Halloween budget on its own. And since rewards can be redeemed with cash back, travel or even gift cards, you can use them for holiday shopping later in the year, too.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
If your Halloween spending centers around grocery stores, a go-to place to stock up on candy, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a solid option.
It gives cardholders 6% cash back for the first year in the eligible category of your choice, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases), and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs up to the quarterly maximum.
That means every time you fill your cart with candy, pumpkins or baking ingredients for Halloween treats, you’re automatically earning rewards. If you plan and select online shopping as your choice category, you can score extra cash back for costume orders or decor bought online.
Bottom Line
Spending on Halloween is bigger than ever, but with the right credit card in your wallet, you can make that money work harder for you. Whether you’re ordering candy in bulk with the Prime Visa, earning flexible rewards across all your spooky-season purchases with Chase Freedom Unlimited® or maximizing grocery-store cash back with the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card, there’s a way to earn something back on almost every dollar you spend.
So, before you load up on Reese’s, fake cobwebs and skeleton decor, make sure you have the right card in your wallet. A little planning now can mean extra cash later—and that’s a treat worth celebrating long after the jack-o’-lanterns go dark.
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