A number of credit cards offer incredible category bonuses. Citi Prestige offers 5X for dining, airfare, and travel agencies. Chase Freedom offers 5X in changing categories each quarter. Amex Gold offers 4X at US restaurants and US supermarkets (up to $25K per year, then 1X). And these are just a small sample of examples. Below you’ll find the best card for each type of purchase. We describe these as the best category bonuses.
Best Card For…
- Gas
- Grocery Stores
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Travel
- Misc Other
- Business
- Everywhere Else: See: Best Rewards for Everyday Spend.
Details
For cards that earn points instead of cash back, I’ve listed the “X” which is the number of points per dollar earned in that category. For example, “5X” means that the card earns 5 points per dollar in the given category.
Within each category, cards are sorted by the value of the rebate in descending order based on my Reasonable Redemption Values (RRVs) or by their fixed redemption value with cash back cards.
It’s worth noting that transferable points are assigned higher Reasonable Redemption Values since they make it possible to cherry pick the best value awards. In some cases this will be unintuitive, especially when a card is marketed as a cash back card. For example, the Chase Freedom card is advertised as a cash back card where points are worth 1 cent each. However, if you (or another household member) has a premium Chase card (Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, Ink Business Plus, etc.), you can move points from the Freedom card to the other card and then transfer those points to airline or hotel programs as needed.
For a list of cards with great earning potential everywhere (not just within bonus categories), please see: Best Rewards for Everyday Spend.
For a list of cards that earn bonuses for high spend, please see: Best Big Spend Bonuses.
Jump to –> Business, Gas, Grocery, Office, Phone, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel, Misc
Best Card for Business Purchases (Biz)
Card Info Name and Earning Rate (no offer) |
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American Express® Business Gold Card Earning rate: Earn 4X on the two categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle from the following categories: ⚬ US purchases at restaurants ⚬ Airfare purchased directly from airlines ⚬ U.S. purchases for advertising in select media ⚬ U.S. purchases at gas stations ⚬ U.S. purchases for shipping ⚬ U.S. computer hardware, software, and cloud computing purchases made directly from select providers. 4X applies to first $150,000 in combined purchases in your two categories each calendar year, 1X point per dollar thereafter and on other purchases. Terms apply. |
Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard (with Platinum Honors Preferred Rewards for Business) Base 1.75% Travel 5.25% Dine 3.5% Gas 5.25% Phone 5.25% Office 5.25% Biz 5.25% |
The Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express Earning rate: Earn 3X on one of your choice, 2X on rest. [3X choices: ⚬ Airfare purchased directly from airlines ⚬ U.S. purchases for advertising in select media ⚬ U.S. purchases at gas stations ⚬ U.S. purchases for shipping ⚬ U.S. computer hardware, software, and cloud computing purchases made directly from select providers. 3X and 2X apply to first $100,000 in purchases in each of the 5 categories per year, 1X point per dollar thereafter. |
Huntington Voice Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 3% Grocery 3% Shop 3% Office 3% Biz 3% Other 3% |
Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 2% Gas 3% Phone 3% Office 3% Biz 3% |
SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express Base 1% Travel 3% Gas 3% Phone 5% Office 5% Biz 3% |
Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card Earning rate: 6x at Marriott Bonvoy properties ⚬ 4x U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased from U.S. suppliers and on U.S. purchases for shipping ⚬ 2x on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply. (Rates & Fees) |
Hilton Honors American Express Business Card Earning rate: ⚬ 12X Hilton spend ⚬ 6X on Select Business & Travel Purchases (flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel; car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies; US restaurants; US gas stations; wireless telephone services purchased directly from US service provider; US shipping purchases) ⚬ 3X on all other eligible purchases |
Jump to –> Business, Gas, Grocery, Office, Phone, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel, Misc
Best Card for Gas
Card Info Name and Earning Rate (no offer) |
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American Express® Business Gold Card Earning rate: Earn 4X on the two categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle from the following categories: ⚬ US purchases at restaurants ⚬ Airfare purchased directly from airlines ⚬ U.S. purchases for advertising in select media ⚬ U.S. purchases at gas stations ⚬ U.S. purchases for shipping ⚬ U.S. computer hardware, software, and cloud computing purchases made directly from select providers. 4X applies to first $150,000 in combined purchases in your two categories each calendar year, 1X point per dollar thereafter and on other purchases. Terms apply. |
Bank of America Cash Rewards (with Platinum Honors Preferred Rewards) Base 1.75% Travel 5.25% Dine 5.25% Gas 5.25% Grocery 3.5% Shop 5.25% Other 5.25% |
Major League Baseball BankAmericard Cash Rewards card (with Platinum Honors Preferred Rewards) Base 1.75% Travel 5.25% Dine 5.25% Gas 5.25% Grocery 3.5% Shop 5.25% Other 5.25% |
Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard (with Platinum Honors Preferred Rewards for Business) Base 1.75% Travel 5.25% Dine 3.5% Gas 5.25% Phone 5.25% Office 5.25% Biz 5.25% |
The Amex EveryDay Preferred Card (with 30 purchases per billing cycle) Earning rate: Earn 50% more points: Use your Card 30 or more times on purchases in a billing period and get 50% more points on those purchases less returns and credits. With 30 or more purchases, earn: 4.5x points at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1.5x) ⚬ 3x points at US gas stations ⚬ 1.5x points on other purchases. |
The Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express Earning rate: Earn 3X on one of your choice, 2X on rest. [3X choices: ⚬ Airfare purchased directly from airlines ⚬ U.S. purchases for advertising in select media ⚬ U.S. purchases at gas stations ⚬ U.S. purchases for shipping ⚬ U.S. computer hardware, software, and cloud computing purchases made directly from select providers. 3X and 2X apply to first $100,000 in purchases in each of the 5 categories per year, 1X point per dollar thereafter. |
Costco Anywhere Business Visa Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 4% Brand 2% |
Costco Anywhere Visa Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 4% |
Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 2% Gas 3% Phone 3% Office 3% Biz 3% |
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Base 1% Travel 3% Gas 3% Grocery 6% Shop 3% Other 6% |
SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express Base 1% Travel 3% Gas 3% Phone 5% Office 5% Biz 3% |
U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World EliteTM Mastercard Base 1% Gas 3% Phone 3% Office 3% |
Bank of America Cash Rewards Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 3% Grocery 2% Shop 3% Other 3% |
Huntington Voice Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 3% Grocery 3% Shop 3% Office 3% Biz 3% Other 3% |
Major League Baseball® BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ MasterCard® credit card Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 3% Grocery 2% Shop 3% Other 3% |
AARP Credit Card from Chase Base 1% Dine 3% Gas 3% |
Vantage West Connect Rewards Base 1% Gas 3% Grocery 2% Other 5% |
Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card Earning rate: 6x at Marriott Bonvoy properties ⚬ 4x U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased from U.S. suppliers and on U.S. purchases for shipping ⚬ 2x on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply. (Rates & Fees) |
Hilton Honors American Express Business Card Earning rate: ⚬ 12X Hilton spend ⚬ 6X on Select Business & Travel Purchases (flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel; car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies; US restaurants; US gas stations; wireless telephone services purchased directly from US service provider; US shipping purchases) ⚬ 3X on all other eligible purchases |
U.S. Bank Cash+ Base 1% Travel 5% Dine 2% Gas 2% Grocery 2% Shop 5% Phone 5% Other 5% |
Amazon Business American Express Card Base 1% Dine 2% Gas 2% Grocery 5% Shop 5% Phone 2% Brand 5% Other 2% |
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express Base 1% Gas 2% Grocery 3% Shop 2% |
Affinity Cash Rewards Visa® Signature Credit Card Base 1% Dine 7% Gas 2% Grocery 2% Other 5% |
AAA Member Rewards Visa Signature Card Base 1% Travel 3% Gas 2% Grocery 2% Shop 2% Brand 3% Other 2% |
TD Business Solutions Visa Base 1% Dine 2% Gas 2% Phone 3% |
BBVA Compass NBA American Express Card Base 1% Gas 2% Grocery 2% Brand 3% Other 5% |
Jump to –> Business, Gas, Grocery, Office, Phone, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel, Misc
Best Card for Grocery Stores
Card Info Name and Earning Rate (no offer) |
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Citizens Bank Cash Back Plus® World Mastercard® Base 1.8% Dine 10% Grocery 10% |
The Amex EveryDay Preferred Card (with 30 purchases per billing cycle) Earning rate: Earn 50% more points: Use your Card 30 or more times on purchases in a billing period and get 50% more points on those purchases less returns and credits. With 30 or more purchases, earn: 4.5x points at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1.5x) ⚬ 3x points at US gas stations ⚬ 1.5x points on other purchases. |
American Express® Gold Card Earning rate: 3X points for flights booked with airlines or on amextravel.com ⚬ 4x points at US Supermarkets (up to $25K in purchases, then 1x) ⚬ 4x at restaurants worldwide ⚬ 1X points on other purchases. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees) |
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Base 1% Travel 3% Gas 3% Grocery 6% Shop 3% Other 6% |
“Old” Blue Cash Card from American Express Base 1% Grocery 5% Other 5% |
ABOC Platinum Rewards Base 1% Grocery 5% Shop 5% Other 5% |
Amazon Business American Express Card Base 1% Dine 2% Gas 2% Grocery 5% Shop 5% Phone 2% Brand 5% Other 2% |
Bank of America Cash Rewards (with Platinum Honors Preferred Rewards) Base 1.75% Travel 5.25% Dine 5.25% Gas 5.25% Grocery 3.5% Shop 5.25% Other 5.25% |
Major League Baseball BankAmericard Cash Rewards card (with Platinum Honors Preferred Rewards) Base 1.75% Travel 5.25% Dine 5.25% Gas 5.25% Grocery 3.5% Shop 5.25% Other 5.25% |
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express Base 1% Gas 2% Grocery 3% Shop 2% |
Huntington Voice Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 3% Grocery 3% Shop 3% Office 3% Biz 3% Other 3% |
SEFCU Lightning Credit Card® Base 1% Grocery 3% Shop 5% |
AAA Member Rewards Visa Signature Card Base 1% Travel 3% Gas 2% Grocery 2% Shop 2% Brand 3% Other 2% |
U.S. Bank Cash+ Base 1% Travel 5% Dine 2% Gas 2% Grocery 2% Shop 5% Phone 5% Other 5% |
TD Cash Visa Credit Card Base 1% Dine 3% Grocery 2% |
Affinity Cash Rewards Visa® Signature Credit Card Base 1% Dine 7% Gas 2% Grocery 2% Other 5% |
Vantage West Connect Rewards Base 1% Gas 3% Grocery 2% Other 5% |
BBVA Compass NBA American Express Card Base 1% Gas 2% Grocery 2% Brand 3% Other 5% |
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Base 1% Dine 3% Grocery 2% Other 3% |
Capital One Savor Base 1% Dine 4% Grocery 2% Other 4% |
Bank of America Cash Rewards Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 3% Grocery 2% Shop 3% Other 3% |
Major League Baseball® BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ MasterCard® credit card Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 3% Grocery 2% Shop 3% Other 3% |
Jump to –> Business, Gas, Grocery, Office, Phone, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel, Misc
Best Card for Office Supply Stores (Office)
Card Info Name and Earning Rate (no offer) |
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Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard (with Platinum Honors Preferred Rewards for Business) Base 1.75% Travel 5.25% Dine 3.5% Gas 5.25% Phone 5.25% Office 5.25% Biz 5.25% |
SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express Base 1% Travel 3% Gas 3% Phone 5% Office 5% Biz 3% |
U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World EliteTM Mastercard Base 1% Gas 3% Phone 3% Office 3% |
Huntington Voice Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 3% Grocery 3% Shop 3% Office 3% Biz 3% Other 3% |
Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 2% Gas 3% Phone 3% Office 3% Biz 3% |
Jump to –> Business, Gas, Grocery, Office, Phone, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel, Misc
Best Card for Phone, cellular, internet (Phone)
Card Info Name and Earning Rate (no offer) |
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Chase Freedom Flex Earning rate: 5x travel booked through Chase ⚬ 5X Lyft ⚬ 3x dining ⚬ 3x drugstores ⚬ 5X in rotating categories on up to $1,500 spend per quarter. Q1 2021: 5X Wholesale Clubs; Internet, Cable, and Phone; Select Streaming Services |
Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard (with Platinum Honors Preferred Rewards for Business) Base 1.75% Travel 5.25% Dine 3.5% Gas 5.25% Phone 5.25% Office 5.25% Biz 5.25% |
U.S. Bank Cash+ Base 1% Travel 5% Dine 2% Gas 2% Grocery 2% Shop 5% Phone 5% Other 5% |
SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express Base 1% Travel 3% Gas 3% Phone 5% Office 5% Biz 3% |
U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World EliteTM Mastercard Base 1% Gas 3% Phone 3% Office 3% |
Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 2% Gas 3% Phone 3% Office 3% Biz 3% |
TD Business Solutions Visa Base 1% Dine 2% Gas 2% Phone 3% |
Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card Earning rate: 6x at Marriott Bonvoy properties ⚬ 4x U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased from U.S. suppliers and on U.S. purchases for shipping ⚬ 2x on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply. (Rates & Fees) |
Hilton Honors American Express Business Card Earning rate: ⚬ 12X Hilton spend ⚬ 6X on Select Business & Travel Purchases (flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel; car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies; US restaurants; US gas stations; wireless telephone services purchased directly from US service provider; US shipping purchases) ⚬ 3X on all other eligible purchases |
Amazon Business American Express Card Base 1% Dine 2% Gas 2% Grocery 5% Shop 5% Phone 2% Brand 5% Other 2% |
Jump to –> Business, Gas, Grocery, Office, Phone, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel, Misc
Best Card for Restaurants / Dining
Card Info Name and Earning Rate (no offer) |
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Citizens Bank Cash Back Plus® World Mastercard® Base 1.8% Dine 10% Grocery 10% |
Affinity Cash Rewards Visa® Signature Credit Card Base 1% Dine 7% Gas 2% Grocery 2% Other 5% |
American Express® Gold Card Earning rate: 3X points for flights booked with airlines or on amextravel.com ⚬ 4x points at US Supermarkets (up to $25K in purchases, then 1x) ⚬ 4x at restaurants worldwide ⚬ 1X points on other purchases. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees) |
American Express® Business Gold Card Earning rate: Earn 4X on the two categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle from the following categories: ⚬ US purchases at restaurants ⚬ Airfare purchased directly from airlines ⚬ U.S. purchases for advertising in select media ⚬ U.S. purchases at gas stations ⚬ U.S. purchases for shipping ⚬ U.S. computer hardware, software, and cloud computing purchases made directly from select providers. 4X applies to first $150,000 in combined purchases in your two categories each calendar year, 1X point per dollar thereafter and on other purchases. Terms apply. |
Major League Baseball BankAmericard Cash Rewards card (with Platinum Honors Preferred Rewards) Base 1.75% Travel 5.25% Dine 5.25% Gas 5.25% Grocery 3.5% Shop 5.25% Other 5.25% |
Bank of America Cash Rewards (with Platinum Honors Preferred Rewards) Base 1.75% Travel 5.25% Dine 5.25% Gas 5.25% Grocery 3.5% Shop 5.25% Other 5.25% |
Chase Freedom Flex Earning rate: 5x travel booked through Chase ⚬ 5X Lyft ⚬ 3x dining ⚬ 3x drugstores ⚬ 5X in rotating categories on up to $1,500 spend per quarter. Q1 2021: 5X Wholesale Clubs; Internet, Cable, and Phone; Select Streaming Services |
Capital One Savor Base 1% Dine 4% Grocery 2% Other 4% |
Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard (with Platinum Honors Preferred Rewards for Business) Base 1.75% Travel 5.25% Dine 3.5% Gas 5.25% Phone 5.25% Office 5.25% Biz 5.25% |
Costco Anywhere Visa Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 4% |
Bank of America Cash Rewards Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 3% Grocery 2% Shop 3% Other 3% |
Costco Anywhere Business Visa Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 4% Brand 2% |
Major League Baseball® BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ MasterCard® credit card Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 3% Grocery 2% Shop 3% Other 3% |
Ridgewood Savings Bank World Mastercard Base 1% Travel 2% Dine 3% |
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Base 1% Dine 3% Grocery 2% Other 3% |
AARP Credit Card from Chase Base 1% Dine 3% Gas 3% |
Huntington Voice Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 3% Grocery 3% Shop 3% Office 3% Biz 3% Other 3% |
BBVA Compass Select Base 1% Travel 2% Dine 3% Other 4% |
TD Cash Visa Credit Card Base 1% Dine 3% Grocery 2% |