topic Re: Rewards credit cards for home impovements in Credit Cards

Rewards credit cards for home impovements

AndySoCal — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 20:43:04 GMT

I thinking about doing a couple of home improvement projects. The timing of which would be late 2026 or in 2027. I need some time to work on the cost of the options that are available.

The two options for credit cards that I have found are US Bank Shoppers CashRewards and Bank of America Custom Cash Rewards. The common thread is they both pay 6% cash back but there are differences

US Bank Shoppers Cash Rewards

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/best/home-improvement/#us_bank_shopper_cash_rewards_section

Home Depot is the source for the supplies for the project which is one of the venders on the 6% list

Drawback there is a $95.00 annual fee and the maximum $1500 in purchases earn that rate. You cannot prduct change to the card. After the second year my spend would not justify the fee.

Plus is currently the annual fee is waived for first year.

Bank Of America Custom Cash Rewards

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/reviews/bank-of-america-cash-rewards/

Drawback the 6% cash back rate is limited to the first year. If the project is delayed potentially I could lose on the 6% cash back

Plus There is no annual fee

Is there any other cards I am missing?

Re: Rewards credit cards for home impovements

unsungivy — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 21:45:40 GMT

@AndySoCal wrote:
I thinking about doing a couple of home improvement projects. The timing of which would be late 2026 or in 2027. I need some time to work on the cost of the options that are available.

The two options for credit cards that I have found are US Bank Shoppers CashRewards and Bank of America Custom Cash Rewards. The common thread is they both pay 6% cash back but there are differences
US Bank Shoppers Cash Rewards
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/best/home-improvement/#us_bank_shopper_cash_rewards_section

Home Depot is the source for the supplies for the project which is one of the venders on the 6% list
Drawback there is a $95.00 annual fee and the maximum $1500 in purchases earn that rate. You cannot prduct change to the card. After the second year my spend would not justify the fee.
Plus is currently the annual fee is waived for first year.

Bank Of America Custom Cash Rewards

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/reviews/bank-of-america-cash-rewards/

Drawback the 6% cash back rate is limited to the first year. If the project is delayed potentially I could lose on the 6% cash back

Plus There is no annual fee

Is there any other cards I am missing?

It's relevant to note that the CCR includes NOT JUST home improvement STORES, but professionals for installation and repairs as well. That can make a huge difference if you need to pay for the plumber, landscaper, or floor refinishing, not just the mats.

To answer your question, the Citi Custom Cash is a card many people have that can be used for home improvement STORES. You can pay Citi cards with a 1% debit card, which effectively makes them 6%.

Re: Rewards credit cards for home impovements

EasyMark — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 22:31:30 GMT

On a tangential note, insungivy, what cashback debit cards have you seen lately that earn cashback on Citi card bill pay? Have you seen the notice out in statements recently that certain debit cards will no longer be accepted for Citi bill payments by 1/30/2026?

Re: Rewards credit cards for home impovements

BrutalBodyShots — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 22:39:21 GMT

I think in most cases where you're talking sort of one off situations of expenses like home improvements, an engagement ring, etc. you're going to do better rewards wise chasing a few SUBs rather than going with a singular card that is tailored to that spend.

Re: Rewards credit cards for home impovements

ptatohed — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 23:09:13 GMT

@unsungivy wrote:
@AndySoCal wrote:
I thinking about doing a couple of home improvement projects. The timing of which would be late 2026 or in 2027. I need some time to work on the cost of the options that are available.

The two options for credit cards that I have found are US Bank Shoppers CashRewards and Bank of America Custom Cash Rewards. The common thread is they both pay 6% cash back but there are differences
US Bank Shoppers Cash Rewards
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/best/home-improvement/#us_bank_shopper_cash_rewards_section

Home Depot is the source for the supplies for the project which is one of the venders on the 6% list
Drawback there is a $95.00 annual fee and the maximum $1500 in purchases earn that rate. You cannot prduct change to the card. After the second year my spend would not justify the fee.
Plus is currently the annual fee is waived for first year.

Bank Of America Custom Cash Rewards

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/reviews/bank-of-america-cash-rewards/

Drawback the 6% cash back rate is limited to the first year. If the project is delayed potentially I could lose on the 6% cash back

Plus There is no annual fee

Is there any other cards I am missing?
It's relevant to note that the CCR includes NOT JUST home improvement STORES, but professionals for installation and repairs as well. That can make a huge difference if you need to pay for the plumber, landscaper, or floor refinishing, not just the mats.

To answer your question, the Citi Custom Cash is a card many people have that can be used for home improvement STORES. You can pay Citi cards with a 1% debit card, which effectively makes them 6%.

Home imp's can be very pricey so I think the challenge here might be spending caps. If Lowe's is an option, they have a 5% card with no spending caps.

Re: Rewards credit cards for home impovements

BrutalBodyShots — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 23:11:26 GMT

I'm a big fan of the Lowe's card for homeowners if you've got one in your area.

Lowe's is my only store/retail card currently and ever.

Re: Rewards credit cards for home impovements

JamesS84 — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 23:15:15 GMT

I’d go with the US Bank Shopper Card and cancel it after the first year, unless your project gets delayed. The initial bonus will help cancel out the fee anyway.

Re: Rewards credit cards for home impovements

EasyMark — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 23:23:48 GMT

For single big ticket home improvement purchases, Huntington Bank offers a business credit card that pays 4% for up to $7000 a quarter.

Re: Rewards credit cards for home impovements

ptatohed — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 23:27:22 GMT

Yes it's a hotel card and yes it earns in points but, just for the sake of mentioning a high(er) earning card on Home Improvements with no spending caps, the Choice Privileges ($0 AF) is 3x on Home Imp and the Choice Privileges Select ($95 AF) is 5x. Just tossing out one more option.

Re: Rewards credit cards for home impovements

AndySoCal — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 03:37:51 GMT

@unsungivy I already have the Citi Custom Cash card with 10 years of credit history. It is five percent with no caps that I know about and a 14100 credit limit. It save a hard pull and the annual fee. Edited to add I reread on Citi you recieve five percent on the first 500 in spending then it is one percent. This card will not work as expected.

The two projects I thinking about doing is update the kitchen countertops and a walk-in shower in the bathroom. Heating and air conditioning system update is the primary update for 2026. The vendor I prefer will install and maintenance the system. I have been their customer for 15 or 16 years

Re: Rewards credit cards for home impovements

unsungivy — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 12:26:15 GMT

@EasyMark wrote:
For single big ticket home improvement purchases, Huntington Bank offers a business credit card that pays 4% for up to $7000 a quarter.

Unfortunately for that card you have to apply in-person in a branch, with a banker. And Huntington has a very limited footprint. They're almost solely located in Ohio, with what looks like possibly one branch location in Chicago, and one in Wisconsin. Possibly two in south FL... but FL is known to have a little bit of a bunch of banks for snowbirds so they can use whatever they used "back home".

That doesn't mean it's limited to residents, but it does make it a hassle to apply for.

Re: Rewards credit cards for home impovements

unsungivy — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 12:31:27 GMT

@EasyMark wrote:
On a tangential note, insungivy, what cashback debit cards have you seen lately that earn cashback on Citi card bill pay? Have you seen the notice out in statements recently that certain debit cards will no longer be accepted for Citi bill payments by 1/30/2026?

I have not noticed that, no, since I almost never look at my statements unless I have to chase down an APR shift for records. I use Quontic for my Macy's and ThankYou cards. P2 uses same for CCC and Best Buy... he has to do them by phone as opposed to the card being saved to account after first payment.

Guess we'll see which cards are affected, if any.

Re: Rewards credit cards for home impovements

unsungivy — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 13:12:28 GMT

@BrutalBodyShots wrote:
I think in most cases where you're talking sort of one off situations of expenses like home improvements, an engagement ring, etc. you're going to do better rewards wise chasing a few SUBs rather than going with a singular card that is tailored to that spend.

This is absolutely the right answer. I have looked at a few of the biz cards SUBs with this in mind in the past, since they usually have a high spend threshold that you rarely have occasion to meet. Time to knock out that "once-in-a-lifetime-family-language-applies" AmEx biz plat or gold 😜

Re: Rewards credit cards for home impovements

EasyMark — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 14:53:34 GMT

From Google:

"Huntington Bank has locations primarily in the Midwest and Southeast, covering states like Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Minnesota, North Carolina, and South Carolina, plus expanding into Colorado and Florida, with services available through their website or branch locator for specific branch/ATM details, with recent acquisition news pointing to further growth in the South

To Find Locations:

Online Locator: Visit the official Huntington Bank website and use their branch/ATM locator for precise addresses and hours near you.
Career Site: Their careers page lists current job locations, giving an idea of their footprint.

Key States (Presence Across):

Midwest: Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin.
Southeast: North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, West Virginia, Kentucky.
Expanding: Colorado, Pennsylvania, Texas (vehicle loans).

Recent Developments:

Cadence Bank Acquisition: Huntington is acquiring Cadence Bank, with branches expected to operate under the Huntington name starting in 2026, significantly expanding their presence in the South.

In short, use their website's locator for the most accurate, real-time branch and ATM information, as their footprint is growing, especially in the Southeast. "

they recently had branches nearby here in Murfreesboro. In early 2026 they will have multiple branches here in the Nashville area, and much of the South, with the Cadence acquisition. This is within the needed time period of the OP.

Re: Rewards credit cards for home impovements

AndySoCal — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 20:24:47 GMT

@EasyMark @The Huntington Bank will not work I am in Southern California also the the 4% catagories for the card are office supplies and utilities.

Re: Rewards credit cards for home impovements

flash123 — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 21:53:23 GMT

PC to Cash+ if you do not want to pay the AF after 1st year.

You could also complement the Shoppers card with Citibank Custom Cash to gain an additional $500/monthly.

Re: Rewards credit cards for home impovements

EasyMark — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 21:59:56 GMT

There are ten categories for the Huntington Bank card, including Home Improvement stores, but whatever.

Re: Rewards credit cards for home impovements

AndySoCal — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:53:26 GMT

@EasyMark @The link below was the only business card I could find

https://www.huntington.com/SmallBusiness/voice-business-credit-card

Re: Rewards credit cards for home impovements

Vinjints — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 01:02:37 GMT

Cycle through the options. I just checked the link you posted.

Re: Rewards credit cards for home impovements

Stuart89 — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 01:48:53 GMT

The best cards I see are WF Active Cash, Amex Blue Cash Preferred, US Bank Shopper, and Bank of America Customized Cash. Those are WalletHub’s picks for home improvement rewards. Personally, I’m content with 2% on everything, given the simplicity.