The Apple Card launched a year ago to much hype with its “Daily Cash” program and sleek titanium design, and I was among the first wave of cardholders to apply during the preview period last August.


After it arrived in the mail, I used the Apple Card around New York City for a week to get a feel for how my new card compares to others on the market. I loved receiving cash back at the end of every day, but the card fell short by having a limited amount of 3% cash back categories and limiting 2% cash back to Apple Pay purchases.



Over the past year, the Apple Card has added more rewards partners, allowing cardholders to maximize 3% cash back at retailers like Nike and Walgreens. Plus Apple ran some limited-time offers and even launched a new website to manage the card.


But still, I rarely find myself using my Apple Card despite its updates. Here’s how the card has changed over the past year and why I prefer to shop with other cards for the most part.


I’ve used the Apple Card for a year–here’s what I think now

Sams Credit Card

The Sam’s Club Credit Card, issued by Synchrony Bank, is a basic store credit card for Sam’s Club members with a less-than-stellar credit profile. The Sam’s Club Credit Card can only be used at Sam’s Club and Walmart stores and doesn’t offer any rewards on purchases, so it’s mainly for borrowers who aren’t likely to qualify for a better credit card that can be used more broadly. If your credit is just fair (if you have a FICO score of 580 to 669) and you shop at Sam’s Club and Walmart frequently, this card can be a worthwhile financing tool, albeit with a steep interest rate.

Big Lots Credit Card

The Big Lots Credit Card is a good choice for frequent Big Lots shoppers who want the flexibility to pay for their purchases over time. If you can handle the deferred-interest financing deals properly, you can save a lot of money and gain the flexibility around paying your credit card bill. Most people, however, will be better off with a cash-back card that works anywhere and earns rewards of some kind. Try the CardCruncher tool to find the right card for you.

Surge Mastercard Credit Card

The Surge Mastercard® is one of the easiest credit cards to get if you have bad credit, but the card's annual and monthly fees may reduce its appeal. If you're considering the Surge Mastercard® to build credit, here's what you need to know before you submit your application.

Menards BIG Credit Card

Menards has been one of the leading stores for home improvements for over five decades now. Many people rely on this store for their home improvement needs where they spend thousands of dollars. The Menards Big Card is designed to help all the Menards loyalists to get more rewards from making their purchases in the store and a few other selected gas stations. The card offers different types of rewards from cash back to in-store financing making it a very valuable tool especially if you tend to do a lot of home improvement.

Stein Mart Credit Card

The Stein Mart Platinum Mastercard® offers additional savings on items that fly off the rack at the discount retailer's store.The card, issued by Synchrony Bank, earns rewards at the retailer online and in-store and everywhere that Mastercard is accepted. It also offers perks such as exclusive savings events, birthday surprises and the chance to earn even more rewards with Elite status. The card's annual fee is $0.

Sponsored Links

Related Credit Card/Article

Apple Card, a new kind of credit card created by Apple and designed to help customers lead a healthier financial life, is available1 in the US starting today.
Apple Card’s compelling rewards program, Daily Cash, gives back a percentage of every purchase as cash on customers’ Apple Cash card each day
It's not a game-changer, but it does offer some intriguing features. Here's how to know if it's right for you.
If you need to pay for purchases that can't be made with ‌Apple Pay‌, you can use the physical version of the Apple Card that Apple sends once you sign up.