Best Credit Cards That Save You on Hair & Salon Expenses

Best Credit Cards That Save You on Hair & Salon Expenses (2025)

Best Credit Cards That Save You on Hair & Salon Expenses

Let’s be real — getting a haircut or color refresh isn’t cheap anymore 💇‍♀️. With rising salon costs and tips adding up, most of us spend anywhere between $50 to $200 a month just to look sharp.

But here’s the good news: the right credit card can actually help you save hundreds of dollars a year on salon visits, hair products, and even spa treatments.

Yes — if you use your card smartly, you can earn cashback, rewards, or discounts every single time you swipe for a haircut or hair service.

In this 2025 guide, I’ll walk you through the best credit cards for hair & salon savings, how to use them efficiently, and insider tricks most people never think about.


Why Use a Credit Card for Salon Expenses?

Most people swipe their card at the salon without thinking twice. But if you pick the right card, that same transaction can earn you up to 5% cashback or 3x points every time you visit Great Clips, Supercuts, or your local salon.

Here’s how it helps:

  1. Cashback on every haircut: Some cards give 3–5% back on everyday purchases like personal care or services.

  2. Rewards & miles: Earn points or airline miles with every salon visit.

  3. Sign-up bonuses: Meet the spending limit faster when you include grooming expenses.

  4. Exclusive offers: Some cards give special deals with beauty and wellness merchants (like Ulta, Sephora, and local spas).

Over a year, that can easily mean $200–$500 in savings, just by using the right card.


1. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Best for: Everyday cashback including salon visits
Rewards:

  • 1.5% unlimited cashback on all purchases

  • 3% cashback on dining, drugstores, and select personal care categories

Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a fan favorite for good reason — you don’t need to worry about bonus categories. Every haircut, blow-dry, or beard trim earns you cash back automatically.

Pro Tip: Pair this with a Chase Sapphire Preferred to transfer cashback into Chase Ultimate Rewards points for travel redemptions.

Why it’s great for hair & salons:
Even if salons aren’t a bonus category, the flat 1.5–3% cashback adds up for regular visits.


2. Citi Custom Cash® Card

Best for: Automatic bonus on your top spending category
Rewards:

  • 5% cashback on your highest eligible category each month (up to $500 spend)

  • 1% on everything else

If you frequently visit salons or beauty parlors, your “personal care” or “services” spending can easily become your top category — unlocking 5% cashback automatically.

Why it’s great:
You don’t need to track categories — if salon expenses are your biggest monthly spend, Citi Custom Cash® automatically rewards it at 5%.

💡 Example:
You spend $300 at Great Clips and Supercuts this month → that becomes your 5% cashback category → you earn $15 back.


3. American Express® Blue Cash Everyday

Best for: Rewards on personal and household purchases
Rewards:

  • 3% cashback at U.S. supermarkets (perfect for buying hair products)

  • 2% cashback at gas stations and select online retailers

  • 1% cashback everywhere else

This card’s strength is in its simplicity and Amex offers — many salons and barbershops run limited-time deals (10–15% back) through the Amex Offers program.

Why it’s great for salon-goers:

  • Use it at local salons that accept Amex.

  • Stack offers and cashback for extra savings.

  • Great card for couples or families who spend regularly on personal care.

💡 Pro Tip: Check your Amex account monthly — you’ll often find “Spend $50, get $10 back” deals for salons, spas, and wellness centers.


4. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Best for: Simple, unlimited cashback with no annual fee
Rewards:

  • 2% cashback on every purchase, no limits or categories.

This is the best “set it and forget it” card if you just want consistent rewards.
Whether you’re at a high-end salon or your local barber, you’ll earn 2% back every time.

Why it’s great:

  • No complicated bonus categories.

  • No annual fee.

  • Easy redemption as statement credit.

💡 Pro Tip: Redeem your cashback directly toward your next salon visit — a simple way to keep looking fresh while saving money.


5. Capital One SavorOne® Rewards Card

Best for: Dining, entertainment, and everyday services
Rewards:

  • 3% cashback on dining, entertainment, and popular services

  • 1% on all other purchases

  • No annual fee

Salons and barbershops often fall under “services” or “entertainment” depending on how they’re categorized by your merchant terminal.
Many users report getting 3% cashback automatically at local salons.

Why it’s great:
If you already use this card for dining or streaming services, adding your salon visits helps you earn more every month.

💡 Pro Tip: Combine it with Capital One Shopping (free browser extension) to earn bonus rewards when buying hair products online.


Bonus: Use These Strategies to Save Even More on Haircuts

Here’s how I personally stack my rewards when paying for haircuts 👇

  1. Book with your credit card app: Some cards (like Amex or Chase) offer portal-based rewards.

  2. Combine salon loyalty + card cashback: Use a Great Clips or Supercuts rewards account with your cashback card.

  3. Buy gift cards through bonus portals: For example, buy a $50 Great Clips gift card via Rakuten + your credit card to double your rewards.

  4. Pay during promotions: Some cards (Amex, Citi) run limited-time personal care cashback offers.

💡 Over a year, this can turn a $1,000 haircut budget into $80–$120 in cashback or rewards.


Final Thoughts

Haircuts might seem like a small expense, but they add up over time — and so can your rewards.
Whether you go to Great Clips every few weeks or splurge at a salon once a month, using the right credit card turns every visit into a chance to save.

If you’re looking for a card that gives steady cashback with no annual fee, go for Wells Fargo Active Cash® or Chase Freedom Unlimited®.
If you want maximum rewards for lifestyle spending, Citi Custom Cash® or Capital One SavorOne® are perfect fits.

So next time you pay for a haircut, swipe smarter — your wallet (and your hair) will thank you

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