Nearly 7 in 10 Cardholders Say Mobile Apps Influence Which Credit Card They Use Most

People in the market for a new credit card may look for cards with a sleek design or those that offer the best travel rewards. But according to a new report from PYMNTS Intelligence, the mobile app an issuer offers can play a big part in how much a consumer uses a particular card. 

The payments research firm conducted a survey from Feb. 27 to March 3, 2026, of 3,198 U.S. adult cardholders who own one or more general-purpose credit cards. Sixty-nine percent of surveyed respondents said the quality of a card’s mobile app determines which card they use the most.

That figure goes up to 87% among Generation Z, according to PYMNTS Intelligence’s generational definition. The numbers show how an app — which some issuers may have once considered an afterthought — can capture a larger share of transactions.

Members of Gen Z place great importance on a credit card’s mobile app.

“What began as a digital service channel for checking balances and making payments has evolved into a core engagement layer that influences which cards consumers prioritize, how much they spend, and whether those cards are part of their everyday financial behavior,” the report’s authors wrote.

For card issuers, designing an app that suits the preferences of the majority of consumers may be a tall task. But one key first step is to find out what people are looking for in a credit card app.

Experian nudges users to consider whether a card’s mobile app offers a simple dashboard and a convenient way to monitor and redeem points or other rewards a cardholder has earned. In addition, the company suggests reviewing a card app’s security features and the payments options.

Consumers searching for the best credit card app can turn to reviews from consumer intelligence companies for guidance. J.D. Power recently released its 2026 U.S. Digital Banking and Credit Card Mobile App Satisfaction Studies.

In the credit card mobile app satisfaction category, American Express ranked highest for a third consecutive year, followed by Wells Fargo and Chase, respectively.

The PYMNTS Intelligence study also revealed on how the spending habits of cardholders can change once they begin using their card’s mobile app. Just shy of 33% of respondents who use a card app said they began spending more on their card that after they adopted it.

Conversely, 24% said that a subpar app or negative experience with a digital solution played a role in their decision to use a card less or not at all. 

Share of surveyed consumers who said they used both a debit and credit card

in the 90 days prior to participating in the study.

60%60%

Nearly

Credit card issuers shouldn’t just compare their app to those other credit card programs offer. They should also review apps for debit cards and BNPL services.

Fintech platform Marqeta surveyed consumers and small businesses in the United States and the United Kingdom in the first quarter of this year and found that consumers aren’t content to stick to one payment type across different transactions.

“85% of consumers surveyed consider multiple factors before deciding which payment method to use for a given transaction, and 59% have used both debit and credit within the past 90 days, switching based on purchase type, current financial situation, or preference,” the company said in a press release.