All The Automobile Manufacturer Branded Credit Cards

This post is intended as a (hopefully) comprehensive analysis of automobile manufacturer branded credit cards (most of which are exceedingly mediocre). I would not recommend these cards, with the exception of the American Express Mercedes-Benz cards and CapitalOne BuyPower cards (and even then only when your circumstances warrant them). Nonetheless, there are situations where they can be a good option, and I have included an evaluation of each card’s applicability under “You Might Get This…” (benchmarked against a flat 2% card).

Despite the title, this post does not contain every automobile branded credit card, but rather the (a) US-based ones that (b) earn some sort of rewards at or for the automobile manufacturer. This excludes cards such as the Porche Card S (which earns Miles & More and doesn’t appear to be US-based in any case) or the Porche Club of America Credit Card.

If I’ve missed anything, made any mistakes, or you have suggestions, drop a comment below!

American Express Mercedes-Benz Credit Card

The Mercedes-Benz Credit Card has a $95 annual fee and earns Membership Rewards points. Unusually for the cards on this list, it has a signup bonus: 10,000 MR for $1,000 in spend.

Earn Structure

  • 5x at Mercedes-Benz
  • 3x at gas stations (for transactions under $400, capped at $15,000 per year)
  • 2x at restaurants
  • 1x on all other purchases

Perks

  • A $500 certificate each year you charge $5,000 in purchases, good toward the future purchase or lease of a new Mercedes-Benz. (expires 1 year from date of issue).
  • Up to 1,000 excess miles waived at lease-end on leases through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services.
  • Every year you renew your card, you get a $50 certificate good toward Genuine Mercedes-Benz Accessories. (expires 1 year from date of issue).

You Might Get This…

If you’re planning to purchase or lease a Mercedes-Benz from a dealership, AND you hate the idea of paying a $475 AF. If you charge $5,000 in purchases a year, your $500 certificate minus the $95 AF nets you $405 towards the purchase or lease of a new MB. That’s an astounding 8.1% cashback on the first $5,000, on top of earning 3x on gas & 2x on restaurants!

Because the certificate expires one year from the date of issuance, it’s best to have a firm redemption in mind when applying for the card. Only one certificate can be used per purchase or lease.

Despite lacking the 3x airfare & 2x groceries of the Premier Rewards Gold ($195 AF) and the 3x/4.5x groceries on the EveryDay Preferred ($95 AF), it’s raw earning potential is remarkably competitive with the two cards (helped substantially by the difference in AF between it and the PRG).

American Express Mercedes-Benz Platinum Card

The Mercedes-Benz Platinum Card has a $475 annual fee and earns Membership Rewards points. Also unusually for the cards on this list, it has a signup bonus: 50,000 MR for $3,000 in spend.

Earn Structure

  • 5x at Mercedes-Benz
  • 5x on airfare
  • 1x on all other purchases

Perks

  • A $1,000 certificate each year you charge $5,000 in purchases, good toward the future purchase or lease of a new Mercedes-Benz. (expires 1 year from date of issue).
  • Up to 2,000 excess miles waived at lease-end on leases through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services.
  • Every year you renew your card, you get a $100 certificate good toward Genuine Mercedes-Benz Accessories. (expires 1 year from date of issue).
  • Standard Platinum benefits, including these hidden benefits.

You Might Get This…

If you’re planning to purchase or lease a Mercedes-Benz from a dealership, bonus points if you get value from the Platinum card benefits. If you charge $5,000 in purchases a year, your $1,000 certificate minus the $475 AF nets you $525 towards the purchase or lease of a new MB. That’s 10.5% cashback on the first $5,000, in addition to all the benefits of the American Express Platinum card.

The benefits on the Mercedes-Benz Platinum card murder the Mercedes-Benz Credit Card. If you fully use the airline incidental credit, your net is $725 and you get 14.5% cashback on the first $5,000—which is impossible to surpass. If you’re locked into the MB ecosystem, this card is the way to have a Platinum card on the cheap.

Because the certificate expires one year from the date of issuance, it’s best to have a firm redemption in mind when applying for the card. Only one certificate can be used per purchase or lease.

It’s all downhill from here, folks.

BMW Bank Cards

The three BMW cards earn BMW Reward Points, which can be redeemed at an unknown ¢ rate. Redemption options for all three cards include: BMW Financial Services Rewards (Lease or Finance Payment Credit, BMW Protection Products Credit, Excess Wear and Use Credit, Additional Lease Miles), BMW Center Rewards (Service and Repairs, BMW Lifestyle Accessories), BMW Vehicle Rewards (Lease or Finance Credit, Vehicle Credit), Gift Cards (BMW Visa Prepaid Cards), or BMW Inner Circle (BMW Experiences).

In addition, the BMW Signature Card and BMW Ultimate Card can redeem BMW Reward Points for Get Away Rewards (Travel, Hotel Stays, Spa Certificates).

BMW Card

Earn Structure

  • 3x at BMW centers
  • 1x on all other purchases

Perks

  • Thru March 31, 2017: 0% APR for 6 months, on purchases of $1,000 or more at a BMW Center.
  • When using this card, you get 20% off the BMW Performance Driving School.
  • Standard Visa benefits.

You Might Get This…

If you spend $5,000+ / year at BMW Centers. This card presents a marginal increase in cashback over a flat 2% cashback card (to the tune of $50 per $5,000)—assuming BMW Reward Points can be redeemed at a rate of 1¢ with this card.

BMW Signature Card

Earn Structure

  • $75 Annual Fee
  • 4x at BMW centers
  • 2x on gas
  • 1x on all other purchases

Perks

  • Thru March 31, 2017: 0% APR for 6 months, on purchases of $1,000 or more at a BMW Center.
  • When using this card, receive a $500 loyalty credit good toward leasing or financing a new or certified pre-owned BMW through BMW Financial Services.
  • When using this card, you get 20% off the BMW Performance Driving School.
  • BMW Reward Points can be redeemed at a rate of 1¢ on Get Away Rewards.
  • Standard Visa Signature benefits.

You Might Get This…

If you spend $8,000+ / year at BMW centers or can use the $500 loyalty credit. If that’s not you, get a flat 2% cashback card instead.

BMW Ultimate Card

Earn Structure

  • Invitation only, to cardholders who spend at least $50,000 a year
  • $75 Annual Fee
  • 5x at BMW centers
  • 3x on gas
  • 1x on all other purchases

Perks

  • Thru March 31, 2017: 0% APR for 6 months, on purchases of $1,000 or more at a BMW Center.
  • When using this card, receive a $500 loyalty credit good toward leasing or financing a new or certified pre-owned BMW through BMW Financial Services.
  • When using this card, you get 20% off the BMW Performance Driving School (this is not stated explicitly, but I can’t imagine it’s different from the previous two).
  • BMW Reward Points can be redeemed at a rate of 1.5¢ on Get Away Rewards.
  • Standard Visa Signature benefits.

You Might Get This…

Never. The fact that BMW Reward Points can be redeemed at a rate of 1.5¢ would be nice if it weren’t for the fact that you need to spend $50,000 / year on a BMW card to be invited to apply for this card. Get a flat 2% cashback card instead.

BMW Bank MINI Card

This card is also issued by BMW Bank, but I’ve separated it because it didn’t fit thematically with the BMW cards.

This cards earn MINI Motoring Points, which can be redeemed at a rate of 1¢ for: MINI Financial Services Perks (Lease or Finance Payment Credit, MINI Protection Products Credit, Excess Wear and Use Credit, Additional Lease Miles), MINI Moolah (Service and Repairs, MINI Motoring Gear), Motor On (Lease or Financing Credit, Vehicle Credit), MINI Experiences, MINI Visa Gift Cards, MINI Giving (donation to these charities), or MINI Motoring Mates (transfer points to other MINI Card members).

MINI Motoring Points can only be redeemed in $50 increments, are redeemed on a first-in, first-out basis, and expire five years after being earned. There is a 20,000 point earning cap per month, and the Motor On redemptions are capped at $10,000 for the Lease or Financing Credit (if through MINI Financial Services) and $5,000 for the Vehicle Credit.

Earn Structure

Perks

  • Thru March 31, 2017: 0% APR for 6 months, on purchases of $1,000 or more at a MINI Dealership.
  • The MINI displayed on your card can be customized to replicate your MINI.
  • 0% APR for 15 months.
  • Standard Visa Platinum benefits.

You Might Get This…

If you absolutely must have a credit card with your MINI on it. The $50 increment requirements for redemptions really hurts this card—instead of being about equivalent to a flat 2% cash back card, it is much worse. It’s too bad this card doesn’t give you 3x or 4x at MINI dealerships, considering the number of $200+ run-flat tires you’ll be replacing over the lifetime of your MINI.

CapitalOne BuyPower Cards (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, or GMC)

There is a personal & a business version of this card, plus the GM Extended Family Card. The GM Extended Family Card is aimed at people who are eligible for a GM Employee Discount, as the cashback from the BuyPower cards cannot be used in conjunction with said discount, fleet vehicle incentive programs, or some other offers and discounted sale programs.

Cashback from the BuyPower cards can only be redeemed for the purchase or lease of a Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, or GMC vehicle. Cashback from the GM Extended Family Card can be redeemed similarly, or you can request a statement credit (or check), in $50 increments. Additionally, cashback on the GM Extended Family Card (but not the BuyPower cards) expires seven years after it is earned. Though not explicitly stated, I assume that when redeeming, you use earnings on a first-in, first-out basis.

BuyPower Card

Earn Structure

  • 5% on all purchases up to $5,000 / year ($250) and 2% thereafter.

Perks

You Might Get This…

If you’re ever planning to purchase or lease a Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, or GMC vehicle from a dealer. On the first $5,000 / year, you get $150 more per year by using this card as opposed to a flat 2% cashback card. The “top-off” & “bonus cash” offers are very lucrative if you’re already planning on buying a vehicle and are waiting for the right offer—$1,000 to $3,000 or more in bonus cash is a lot of money. That said, there’s no reason to use it as a daily driver beyond $5,000 / year.

GM Extended Family Card

Earn Structure

  • 1% on all purchases

Perks

  • Standard MasterCard benefits (type of MC is not disclosed).
  • Unpublished benefit, courtesy of Curmudgeon in the comments: once you’ve earned cashback, GM will sometimes send you “top-off” offers (usually, rounding your balance up to the nearest $1,000) or “bonus cash” offers (usually, adding $1,000+ to your balance) if you buy a vehicle in the next 30 to 180 days (timeframe varies).

You Might Get This…

Never. Get a flat 2% cashback card instead. If you’re ever planning to purchase or lease a Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, or GMC vehicle from a dealer and are eligible for certain sales incentives, such as an employee discount. The “top-off” & “bonus cash” offers are very lucrative if you’re already planning on buying a vehicle and are waiting for the right offer—$1,000 to $3,000 or more in bonus cash is a lot of money. Just don’t use it as a daily driver.

BuyPower Business Card

Earn Structure

  • 5% on purchases of GM parts, accessories, and service at authorized GM Dealers
  • 3% on purchases at gas stations, restaurants, and office supply stores
  • 1% on all other purchases

Perks

  • Standard business MasterCard benefits, including the Easy Savings program.
  • Unknown if you get “top-off” or “bonus cash” offers on this card.

You Might Get This…

If you need to service a GM fleet and are regularly buying new GM cars. If that’s not the case, you want Bank of America’s Cash Rewards for Business MasterCard.

Citi Volkswagen Service Credit Card

Earn Structure

None!

Perks

  • Thru December 31, 2017: $25 MetaBank VGC when you spend $250 or more (before tax) at a participating Volkswagen location (1 per visit).
  • 0% APR for 6 months, on purchases of $200 or more.

You Might Get This…

If you’re regularly spending $250 or a little more before tax at participating Volkswagen locations, you aren’t going to be able to beat 10% cashback and (icing on the cake) no interest for 6 months (of course, the normal APR on this card is 28.99%). For everyone else, there’s MasterCard. I mean, a flat 2% cashback card.

Comenity Lexus Pursuits & Toyota Card

Both of these cards have a signup bonus of 5,000 points if you spend $500 outside of Lexus dealerships (Toyota dealerships for the Toyota card) in the first 90 days. Points can be redeemed at a rate of 1¢ for (fixed denomination) statement credit, at Lexus dealerships (Toyota dealerships for the Toyota card) (with no minimum), and on items, travel & gift cards.

Earn Structure

  • 5x at Lexus dealerships (Toyota dealerships for the Toyota Card)
  • 2x on gas, dining, and entertainment purchases
  • 1x on all other purchases

Perks

  • 0% APR for the first 6 months.
  • Standard Visa Platinum benefits (or Visa Signature depending on the credit line).

You Might Get This…

If you spend $5,000+ / year at Lexus dealerships (Toyota dealerships for the Toyota Card)—for example, if you’re charging a substantial portion of a new car to a credit card. You get a decent increase in cashback over a flat 2% cashback card (to the tune of $150 per $5,000).

Reader Justin notes that these cards will probably get you 5x at all dealerships, and that cardholders are sometimes offered targeted spending bonuses at dealerships, both of which increase the potential utility of this card significantly.

First Bankcard Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Cards (Chrysler, Dodge, FIAT, Jeep, Mopar, Ram, and SRT)

There is a personal & a business version of this card. The personal card has a signup bonus of a $50 statement credit after your first FCA Purchase (with no stated time limit on when the purchase must be made). The 10,000 bonus points after the first $100 in FCA Purchases posted to your account before your third billing cycle closes.

These two cards earn points that can be redeemed at an unknown ¢ rate (likely 1¢). Redemption options for both cards include: FCA parts (including Mopar parts and accessories) and services at participating FCA dealerships; or the purchase or lease of a new or used Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram or FIAT vehicle at participating FCA dealerships. Redemption options specific to the personal card include: unspecified merchandise, gift cards & certificates, travel (airline, hotel, and car rentals), a fixed denomination statement credit ($25, $50, $100, or $250), and other goods and services.

Points are redeemed on a first-in, first-out basis; points from the personal card expire seven years after being awarded & points from the business card expire three years after being awarded.

Personal

Earn Structure

  • 3x at FCA US dealerships
  • 2x on travel
  • 1x on all other purchases

Perks

  • 0% APR for the first 6 months.
  • Free FICO 8 score.
  • You may receive exclusive, private offers, such as low-rate financing options, added dealer bonus cash and other valuable benefits.
  • Standard MasterCard benefits (type of MC is not disclosed).

You Might Get This…

If you spend $5,000+ / year at FCA US dealerships. This card presents a marginal increase in cashback over a flat 2% cashback card (to the tune of $50 per $5,000)—assuming points can be redeemed at a rate of 1¢.

Business

Earn Structure

  • 4x at FCA US dealerships
  • 1x on all other purchases

Perks

  • 0% APR for the first 6 months.
  • Standard business MasterCard benefits, including the Easy Savings program.

You Might Get This…

If you spend $5,000+ / year at FCA US dealerships. This card presents a marginal increase in cashback over a flat 2% cashback card (to the tune of $100 per $5,000)—assuming points can be redeemed at a rate of 1¢.

US Bank Harley-Davidson Cards

There are two types of this card: the Harley-Davidson Visa Signature and the Harley-Davidson High Performance Visa. If you aren’t creditworthy enough to nab the Harley-Davidson Visa Signature, you may be given a Harley-Davidson High Performance Visa, which has a different earn structure and benefits. US Bank also offers a secured version of the Harley-Davidson High Performance Visa, the Harley-Davidson Visa Secured Card, which works exactly the same but requires a deposit.

These cards earn H-D Genuine Rewards points which can be redeemed at an unknown ¢ rate (likely 1¢). The only redemption option mentioned is at a rate of 1¢ for a $25 Harley-Davidson gift card (which never expires), but that is for the Harley-Davidson High Performance Visa—the Visa Signature may have other redemption options. H-D Genuine Rewards points expire after three years, on December 31 of the expiration year. Though not explicitly stated, I assume that when redeeming, you use earnings on a first-in, first-out basis.

Earn Structure

  • 3x at Harley-Davidson dealerships (Visa Signature only)
  • 2x at gas stations, restaurants, bars, and lodging (Visa Signature only)
  • 1x on all other purchases

Perks

  • Thru December 31, 2017: each transaction enters you into a sweepstakes to win a Harley-Davidson; drawings occur every month, and everyone who didn’t win is entered into a sweepstakes to win a $500 Harley-Davidson gift card in January 2018.
  • Standard Visa Signature benefits (Visa Signature only).

You Might Get This…

If you spend $5,000+ / year at Harley-Davidson dealerships. This card presents a marginal increase in cashback over a flat 2% cashback card (to the tune of $50 per $5,000)—assuming points can be redeemed at a rate of 1¢. It may also be worth your while to get this if you want to brag to your friends about how your card has the most stereotypical 2x categories possible for a Harley-Davidson card.

The secured card is surprisingly decent—it’s no Discover it Secured, but the list of non-predatory secured cards isn’t that long to begin with, much less the list of non-predatory secured cards that have rewards. (hat tip to Jeremy in the comments)
    sirtheta
  • On January 12, 2017, 16:21

View Comments (26)

  • Slight change to the BMW cards as of November, 2018.

    https://mybmwcard.com/

    Earn 30,000 bonus BMW Reward Points when you spend $2,000 on purchases within the first 90 days after account opening. Redeem for exclusive BMW Rewards you won’t find anywhere else.

    Not saying it's worth it just an update on bonus to the article.

  • I wrote about the BMW cards a while back. One thing worth pointing out is that the "BMW centers" category is not just BMW dealers--it includes "Automobile and Truck Dealers (New and Used) – Sales, Service, Repairs, Parts, and Leasing; Automobile and Truck Dealers (Used Only); Automotive Tire Stores; Automotive Parts, and Accessories Stores". So if I'm understanding the T&Cs correctly then theoretically you could get 7.5% back on a Chevrolet purchase with this thing, assuming you could pay with a credit card.

    It's largely a theoretical point given how few people will bother spending $50K on a BMW card, but there you go.

  • DP on the Lexus card. I have one and it's a Visa Signature not a platinum. I only use it at the dealership for service (sometimes get bonus offers of 10/pts per $ at dealer). I don't use it for anything else and realize it's a stupid card... My thought was they might go easier on me with my lease return if I had it. Another DP the 5 points per $ at Lexus dealers seems to work at ALL dealers. I paid for an oil change on our Acura at the Acura dealer and also received 5 points per $ there too. All points = 1 cent no matter which way you redeem them.

  • Two minor things about the H-D cards:
    1. They come with a $10 certificate!
    2. There is a secured version of the card that isn't half bad- its strong second place contender for those who want to delay getting Discover It

    • Do you mean it's not half bad as compared to the Discover it Secured? I'm a bit confused if you're saying it's as good as the Discover it.

      • Sorry, I'm bad at expressing myself online (Italian- talking without hand gestures is difficult). My main point was "you missed a card" and "that card is usually toward the top of the list in its given category". I assumed if I just said that someone else would bring up It being better (despite your post trying to be all-inclusive) and tried to head it off by claiming the card was second place. I do respectfully disagree that its always the best choice for someone's first credit card. but that's not really a view to argue on this blog with its raw-number (where Discover is the clear winner) approach.

        But, you missed a card ;)

        • Haha, I know how that is! (Italian family members).

          Yes, I'll definitely put it in there—I was just confused at first, but now I've got it.

  • My current lease ends in November, and I was thinking of buying /leasing a Mercedes at the end of the calendar year. Thus, the MB Plat card is intriguing to me. Will I get the $1000 certificate after $5 spend only after the cardmember anniversary, or end of calendar year, or shortly after $5K spend, mid-year? Basically, if I apply soon, will I be able to take advantage of the certificate before 2018?

    • You get the certificate about a week after the statement closes. The certificate is valid for 1 year. It is really nice!

    • Based on my reading of the benefit, the certificate would be issued right after you charged $5,000 of eligible purchases to the Platinum card for the reward year (though it may take 6 to 8 weeks to arrive). (a reward year spans the time between two cardholder anniversaries, including the time between the date when you open the card and your first cardholder anniversay).

      It never hurts to chat with a customer care professional online, though!

  • I think there's typo in the summary about the Amex MB platinum, it says "your effective annual fee is $725" if you use the airline incidental credit

  • The GM Buypower card has an unlisted benefit. Once you have any amount of cash rebates built up you'll get offers from GM to "top up" your balance to $1000, or even add $1000 to your total, if you buy a new GM product within 30-60 days. This bonus is on top of any other discounts or promos that GM is running.

    I get these offers probably a couple of times a year, so for this alone it's worth getting the card, paying for a couple of oil changes at the dealer (to get the 5%) and put it in your sock drawer.

    • Agreed my father just recieved a 3000 incentive on top of his earned cash back... he would get an offer a few times a year. so he just waited till one was juicy, to order his next truck.

      to the dealership, the cashback, and the additional incentive is cash, so you don't tell them, until your done negotiating.

      • $3k bonus is great! Do you know how much rebate cash he had built up at the time? I never get offers for more than $1k bonus, but my cash rebate balance is only around $20.

        Congrats to your Dad on being able to use that huge bonus!

  • All those cards are horrible including the MB one. Unless you're churning MB's it seems like a huge waste considering just about ever other AMEX card is better (and you can only have 4).

    What we need is a car RENTAL credit card. Hertz or Enterprise...hello?

    Even an Uber or Lyft card.

    • You are wrong.

      The MB Platinum card is really good IMO.

      It is $25 more than regular plat but you get $1000 certificate, $100 yearly merchandise gift, 5x extra on MB, lease end extra miles.

      I lease a MB and I travel from MIA were there is a centurion lounge.

      in 2016 I was able to:

      Use extra miles for my lease end.
      Use $100 coupon to buy two MBs jackets and polos and a mug.
      Use $1000 at the end of online negotiation to pay $27 less a month on my lease.
      Get the 80,000 sign up bonus MR and use them to go to japan First class on Singapore air.
      Get 10,000 Points from $2k that I put for the drive off fees on the car and prepaid maintenance.
      Buy 2x $100 amazon gift cards and this year 2x $100 AA gift cards.
      Get a retention bonus of $200 no spend required.
      Access to centurion lounge with wife at least 5 times.
      SPG, Hilton, Marriott gold with free breakfast and upgrades.

      A really nice looking MB Platinum card :)

      All for $475.

      This card is awesome.

      • I stand corrected. You extracted far more value from the card than I thought existed. Guess that's what I get for not looking under the hood...

    • Given the once-in-a-lifetime nature of AmEx bonuses, you eventually run out of cards to sign up for, though. If you can use the certificate, it's a fantastic return on investment. If you can't, it's total trash (except for the signup bonus).

    • I think it was Rapid Travel Chai that said he spoke to one of the card issuers about why they don't have rental credit card partners and they said it was due to the fact that consumers have a perception that these are low tier brands and it negatively affects their marketing image.

      • You'd think Synchrony or Comenity would fill that spot. Even a second-tier rental-car credit card should/would have primary coverage (you'd hope). That could be its main benefit.

        With Amex you still have to pay per rental for primary. The only card I have with primary is Chase Mileageplus (which I just found out about, unfortunately). Could have saved a bundle on those Amex charges.

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