Which are the best cards for everyday spend? Many credit cards are great for spend within certain categories, but not great for spend everywhere else. For example, the Citi Prestige card offers 5X ThankYou Rewards for airfare, dining, and most travel agencies, and 3X for hotels and cruise lines. That’s great. But, I don’t recommend using the card for spend outside of those categories where it only earns 1 point per dollar. You can do better.
Separately we posted: Best Category Bonuses: Which card to use where? There, you’ll find the best cards to use for many different types of purchases: grocery, dining, travel, etc.
Here, you’ll find the cards to turn to for spending everyday, everywhere else.
Special Mention: Altitude Reserve
The US Bank Altitude Reserve card deserves special mention. This card offers two 3X categories and then offers just 1 point per dollar everywhere else. Points are worth 1.5 cents each towards travel. So, as a pure “everywhere else” card, the Altitude Reserve is actually not great at all. You can do much better than 1.5 cents per dollar value. The reason I’m highlighting it here though is that one of its 3X categories is “mobile wallet payments” (travel is the other 3X category). Mobile wallet payments include all payments made with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. That’s an incredibly broad category.
Mobile Wallet payments, such as Apple Pay, are accepted at a huge number of stores around the world. And, everywhere you use the Altitude Reserve in this way, you get the equivalent of 4.5% back towards travel. That’s awesome! Within the US, you can use mobile payments at most big-box stores, most supermarkets, most warehouse stores (such as Costco), and much more. Those with certain Samsung devices (with MST technology) can even use Samsung Pay at terminals not equipped for mobile payments. Nick previously wrote about using his Samsung watch in this way. Caution: US Bank has been known to shut down accounts of those who buy large value gift cards (e.g. $500) or large numbers of gift cards via mobile wallet payments with their Altitude Reserve card.
Now, back to the show…
The Best Cards for Everyday Spend
| Card Info Name and Earning Rate (no offer) |
|---|
Earning rate: 2X Membership Rewards points on all purchases, up to $50K spend per calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Terms apply. (Rates & Fees) Base: 2X (3.1%) |
Earning rate: After spending $15,000 within your cardmember year, the base earning rate becomes 3x. This is applied for both the first $15K of spend and future spend within the same cardmember year. Note that there is a $7,500 monthly cap on 3x rewards Base: 3X (3%) |
Earning rate: 1.5 miles per dollar for all spend. All Miles are doubled at the end of your first card membership year. Base: 3% |
Earning rate: 2% cash back everywhere (1% cash back for each purchase + 1% when paying your credit card bill for that purchase) Base: 2X (2.9%) |
Earning rate: 2X Miles everywhere ⚬ Earn 5X miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel |
Earning rate: 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel ⚬ 5x on flights booked via Capital One travel. ⚬ 2X everywhere else. |
Earning rate: 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel ⚬ 5x miles on flights booked via Capital One travel. ⚬ 2X miles everywhere else. |
Earning rate: 2X miles everywhere ⚬ 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel |
Earning rate: With Platinum Honors status with Bank of America's Business Advantage Relationship Rewards program, this card earns: 2.625X points for all spend (and 5.25X for travel purchased through BOA's travel center) |
Earning rate: With Platinum Honors status with Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program, earn: 3.5X travel and dining ⚬ 2.625X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 1.5% everywhere; Earn up to 2.625% back everywhere with Bank of America Platinum Honors status Base: 2.625X (2.63%) |
Earning rate: 1.5% everywhere; Earn up to 2.625% back everywhere with Bank of America Platinum Honors status Base: 2.625X (2.63%) |
Earning rate: With Platinum Honors status with Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program, this card earns: 2.625X points for all spend (and 5.25X for travel purchased through BOA's travel center) |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X Amtrak ⚬ 2X dining ⚬ 1X elsewhere |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3X Amtrak ⚬ 2X qualifying travel, dining, transit, and rideshare ⚬ 1X elsewhere |
Earning rate: Tier One Rewards (which now requires $1,000 in an Alliant high-yield checking account and 2 electronic transactions per month) offers 2.5% cash back everywhere on up to $10K per billing cycle, then unlimited 1.5% cash back beyond $10K in purchases in a billing cycle. (Note that some purchases, like those from GiftCards.com, are not eligible for cash back) Base: 2.5% |
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. |
Earning rate: 1.5% cash back everywhere in the form of Go Far Rewards ⚬ 1.8% back on Google Pay or Apple Pay purchases for the first 12 months Base: 1.5X (2.25%) |
Earning rate: 1.5X on all purchases ⚬ 5X Lyft through through March 2025 |
Earning rate: 5x travel booked through Chase ⚬ 5X Lyft through March 2025 ⚬ 3x dining ⚬ 3x drugstores ⚬ 1.5X everywhere else |
Earning rate: Collect 1 $110 stamp for every night you stay at any eligible property booked on Hotels.com and collect 1 stamp each time you spend $500 on purchases with your card. Collect 10 stamps, get 1 reward night. Base: 0.002X (2.2%) |
Earning rate: 1.5X miles everywhere ⚬ Earn 5X miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X in the top 3 spend categories each calendar quarter through 12/31/24 (then the top 2 categories after that). Eligible categories include dining; airline tickets purchased directly with the airline; car rental agencies; local transit and commuting; gas stations; internet, cable and phone services; social media and search engine advertising; and shipping ⚬ 4X Hyatt |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X restaurants / cafes / coffee shops, airlines, local transit, fitness clubs and gym memberships ⚬ 4X Hyatt |
Earning rate: X1 offers "Boosts" of additional point earnings for various categories of spend, for specific merchants, and for certain thresholds of spend. You must enroll in these boosts to earn more points. Additionally, earn 3x for all spend between $1000 and $7,500 each calendar month Base: 2X (2%) |
Base: 2X (2%) |
Earning rate: 2X Miles on all purchases Base: 2X (2%) |
Earning rate: 2X Miles on all purchases Base: 2X (2%) |
Earning rate: Earn 2% cash back on your first $100,000 in eligible purchases each year then 1% Base: 2% |
Earning rate: 3% cash back when you check out with PayPal ⚬ 2% cash back everywhere else Base: 2% Brand: 3% |
Earning rate: 3% cash back when you check out with PayPal ⚬ 2% cash back everywhere else Base: 2% Brand: 3% |
Earning rate: 2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more ⚬ 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards ⚬ 2% cash back on all other spend Base: 2% Other: 5% |
Earning rate: 2% everywhere ⚬ 5% on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel Base: 2% Travel: 5% |
Earning rate: 2% cash back as a statement credit on all purchases, up to $50K spend per calendar year (then 1% thereafter). Terms apply. Base: 2% |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X United ⚬ 1.5X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 3X on Air France, KLM, and SkyTeam purchases ⚬ 1.5X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 3X Virgin Atlantic ⚬ 1.5X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 10X IHG ⚬ 5X travel, gas stations, restaurants and dining, social media and search engine advertising, office supply stores ⚬ 3X on all other purchases |
Earning rate: 10X IHG ⚬ 5X travel, dining, and gas stations ⚬ 3X on all other purchases |
Earning rate: Make 20 or more purchases in a billing period and get 20% more points, less returns and credits ⚬ With 20% more points, earn: 2.4X points at US supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1.2x) ⚬ 1.2X on other purchases |
Earning rate: 1.25X miles everywhere ⚬ 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel |
Earning rate: 1.8% back everywhere Base: 1.8% Dine: 1.8% Gas: 1.8% Other: 1.8% |
Earning rate: With Platinum Honors status with Bank of America's Business Advantage Relationship Rewards program, this card earns: 3.5% on dining plus 5.25% on 1 choice from: gas stations (default), office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom & wireless, computer services or business consulting services (for the first $50,000 in combined choice/dining purchases each calendar year, 1.75% thereafter) and 1.75% everywhere else. Base: 1.75% Travel: 5.25% Dine: 3.5% Gas: 5.25% Phone: 5.25% Office: 5.25% Biz: 5.25% |
Earning rate: With Platinum Honors status with Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program, earn: 3.5% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 5.25% on gas up to the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter Base: 1.75% Travel: 5.25% Dine: 5.25% Gas: 5.25% Grocery: 3.5% Shop: 5.25% Other: 5.25% |
Earning rate: 6X Marriott ⚬ 4X dining, internet, cable and phone service ⚬ 4X gas stations and shipping ⚬ 2X everywhere else. |
Earning rate: ⚬ 6X Marriott Bonvoy ⚬ 3X gas stations, grocery stores, and dining on up to $6K in combined purchases each year ⚬ 2X everywhere else |
Earning rate: ⚬ 6X Ritz & Marriott.⚬ 3X airline tickets purchased directly with the airline, at car rental agencies and at restaurants ⚬ 2X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 6X Marriott.⚬ 4X restaurants & grocery on up to $15K spend per year ⚬ 2X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 6X Marriott.⚬ 4X restaurants & U.S. Supermarkets on up to $15K spend per year ⚬ 2X on all other eligible purchases |
Earning rate: 6x at Marriott Bonvoy properties ⚬ 4x at restaurants worldwide, 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) |
Earning rate: 3X airfare -on flights booked directly with airlines; 3X restaurants worldwide, 6X Marriott; 2X on all other eligible purchases |
Earning rate: 6X Marriott ⚬ 2X on all other eligible purchases |
Earning rate: Must use your card for 5 purchases per month, then: 3x Dining ⚬ 3x Lyft ⚬ 2x Travel ⚬ 1x rent (one payment per month, up to 100,000 points per year) ⚬ 1x everywhere else |
Earning rate: ⚬ 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel ⚬ 5X points for prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X U.S. Restaurants ⚬ 2X select U.S. Department Stores ⚬ 2X Car Rentals Purchased Directly from Select Car Rental Companies ⚬ 2X Airfare Purchased Directly from Airlines |
Earning rate: ⚬ 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel ⚬ 5X prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3x points at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1x) ⚬ 2x points at US gas stations ⚬ 1x points on other purchases. |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2x points at US supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1x) ⚬ 1x on other purchases |
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. |
Earning rate: Earn 4X on the first $150K in combined eligible purchases in the two categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle (then 1x) from the following categories: ⚬ Electronic goods retailers or software and cloud system providers in the U.S. ⚬ Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S. ⚬ U.S. purchases for advertising in select media ⚬ U.S. purchases at gas stations ⚬ Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways. ⚬ 3x on eligible purchases through AmexTravel.com ⚬ 1x on all other purchases. Terms apply. |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X at AmexTravel.com ⚬ 1X points on other purchases. Terms apply. |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3X on travel & transit (including flights, hotels, taxis, and rideshares) ⚬ 3X dining ⚬ 1X points on other purchases. Terms apply. See |
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) |
Earning rate: 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel ⚬ 5X points for prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel |
Earning rate: 5X flights and prepaid hotels at AmexTravel.com ⚬ 1.5X points per dollar on eligible purchases of $5000 or more (on up to $2 million of those purchases per year) ⚬ 1.5x on US construction/hardware stores, US electronic goods, and US shipping ⚬ 1X elsewhere ⚬ Terms apply. |
Earning rate: 3x for air travel and hotel stays, 2x for eligible business expenses (office supplies, business cable/internet, shipping, business phone and advertising), 1X everywhere else |
Base: 1X (1.5%) |
Earning rate: 3x for commercial air travel, 2x for gas and groceries, and 1X everywhere else |
Base: 1X (1.5%) |
Earning rate: 3X flights, hotels, homestays, car rentals, dining, gas, rideshares, transit, and streaming services |
Earning rate: 5x prepaid hotel & car rental through Altitude Rewards Center ⚬ 3X travel and mobile wallet payments |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3X restaurants ⚬ 2X gas stations and airlines |
Earning rate: 2X charity and then 2X in one of the following: cell phone providers, gas, grocery, or airline purchases (whichever category you spend most on each month). |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X cell phone ⚬ 2X charity ⚬ 2X gas, office supply, or airline purchases (whichever is most each month). |
Earning rate: ⚬ 5X office supplies, 5X cellular/landline/cable ⚬ 2X gas and hotels ⚬ 5X Lyft through March 2025 |
Earning rate: 3X travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone, and advertising with social media sites (up to $150K spend per year) ⚬ 5X Lyft through March 2025 |
Earning rate: 5X office supplies ⚬ 5X cellular/landline/cable (on up to $25,000 in total purchases in 5x categories annually) ⚬ 2X on the first $25K in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each cardmember year ⚬ 5X Lyft through March 2025 |
Earning rate: 5x travel booked through Chase ⚬ 5X Lyft through March 2025 ⚬ 3x dining ⚬ 3x drugstores ⚬ 5X in rotating categories on up to $1,500 spend per quarter (Q4 2023: PayPal, wholesale clubs, and select charities) |
Earning rate: 5X Lyft through March 2025; 5X in rotating categories on up to $1,500 spend per quarter (Q2 2023: Amazon, Whole Foods In-Store and Lowe's). |
Earning rate: 5X Travel booked through Chase (2X all other travel) ⚬ 3X Dining ⚬ 3X Select streaming services ⚬ 3X Online grocery ⚬ 5X Lyft (through March 2025) ⚬ 10% annual point bonus |
Earning rate: 10X hotels & car rentals booked through Chase ⚬ 10X Chase Dining ⚬ 5X flights booked through Chase ⚬ 3X Travel and Dining ⚬ 10X Lyft (through March 2025) |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3X Travel ⚬ 1.5X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 1.5% cash back for all spend. Base: 1.5X (1.5%) |
Earning rate: 1.5X everywhere; 3X for travel booked through BOA's travel center |
Earning rate: 1.5% everywhere; Earn up to 2.625% back everywhere with Bank of America Platinum Honors status. Note that you'll need Preferred Rewards on the business side ("Preferred Rewards for Business") to earn a greater return. Base: 1.5X (1.5%) |
Earning rate: 1.5% everywhere; Earn up to 2.625% back everywhere with Bank of America Platinum Honors status Base: 1.5X (1.5%) |
Earning rate: 1.5X everywhere; 3X for travel booked through BOA's travel center |
Earning rate: 2.5% for groceries, drugstores, sporting goods, fitness, and athletic apparel ⚬ 1.5% everywhere else. Earn double (5% or 3%) each week when you meet fitness goals. Base: 1.5% Grocery: 2.5% Shop: 2.5% Other: 2.5% |
Earning rate: 1.5% cash back everywhere if you choose the cash back program (note that you must opt in to the cash back program at account opening to get the signup bonus and 1.5% everywhere. If you choose points, this card earns 1x everywhere and a bonus 1,000 points in any statement period that you spend $1,000 or more. Base: 1.5% |
Earning rate: 6x on first $1,500 in purchases each quarter with two retailers you choose ⚬ 3x on first $1,500 in purchases per quarter on one everyday category (like wholesale clubs, gas and EV charging stations, bills and utilities) Base: 1.5% Gas: 2% Other: 6% |
Earning rate: 1.5 miles per dollar for all spend. Base: 1.5% |
Earning rate: 1.5% everywhere ⚬ 5% on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel Base: 1.5% Travel: 5% |
Earning rate: 2.5%, 5%, or 10% back at select retailers ⚬ 1.5% everywhere else ⚬ Note a monthly limit of $200 in earned rewards. Base: 1.5% |
Earning rate: 1.5% everywhere ⚬ 5% on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel Base: 1.5% Travel: 5% Other: 5% |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X travel and dining ⚬ 1.5X everywhere else Base: 1.5% Travel: 2% Dine: 2% |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X travel and dining ⚬ 1.5X everywhere else Base: 1.5% Travel: 2% Dine: 2% |
Earning rate: Unlimited 1.5% cash back on eligible charges when you pay within 10 days of your statement closing date. Pay your Minimum Payment Due by your Payment Due Date and the discount is applied to your next statement Base: 1.5% |
Earning rate: 5x on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1x thereafter. Eligible categories: Restaurants, Gas Stations, Grocery Stores, Select Travel, Select Transit, Select Streaming Services, Drugstores, Home Improvement Stores, Fitness Clubs and Live Entertainment. ⚬ 1x on all other purchases |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3 points per $1 at gas stations ⚬ 2 points per $1 oat grocery stores ⚬ 1 point per $1 on all other purchases |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2 points per $1 on products and services that are purchased directly from AT&T ⚬ 2 points per $1 on all purchases at online retail and travel sites ⚬ 1 point per $1 on all other purchases |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3 points per $1 on products and services that are purchased directly from AT&T ⚬ 3 points per $1 on all purchases at online retail and travel sites ⚬ 1 point per $1 on all other purchases |
Earning rate: 2X at supermarkets and gas stations on up to $6,000 per year ⚬ Round up to nearest 10 TY points on all purchases |
Earning rate: 5x on travel booked through Citi Travel Portal through June 30 2024 (excludes air travel) ⚬ 2X at supermarkets and gas stations on up to $6,000 per year ⚬ Round up to nearest 10 TY points on all purchases |
Earning rate: 2X dining and entertainment |
Earning rate: 3X grocery ⚬ 3X dining ⚬ 3X gas stations ⚬ 3X flights, hotels, travel agencies |
Earning rate: 5X airfare, dining, and travel agencies ⚬ 3X hotels and cruise line ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 3x travel ⚬ office supply ⚬ professional services |
Earning rate: ⚬ 7X Hilton spend ⚬ 5X US restaurants, US Supermarkets, and US gas stations ⚬ 3X on all other eligible purchases |
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 |
Earning rate: ⚬ 12X Hilton spend ⚬ 6X U.S. restaurants, US Supermarkets, and US gas stations ⚬ 3X on all other eligible purchases |
Earning rate: ⚬ 14X Hilton spend ⚬ 7X US restaurants, flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, select car rental companies ⚬ 3X on all other eligible purchases ⚬ Terms & Limitations Apply. |
Earning rate: 8x Rideshare ⚬ 5x Brex Travel ⚬ 4x Restaurants ⚬ 3x on recurring software like Salesforce, Zendesk, Twilio, and more ⚬ 1x everywhere else |
Earning rate: 3X Southwest ⚬ 2X Rapid Rewards(R) hotel and car partners ⚬ 2X local transit and rideshare ⚬ 2X internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming ⚬ 1X on all other purchases. |
Earning rate: 3X Southwest ⚬ 2X Rapid Rewards(R) hotel and car partners ⚬ 2X local transit and rideshare ⚬ 2X internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming ⚬ 1X on all other purchases. |
Earning rate: 4X Southwest ⚬ 3X Rapid Rewards(R) hotel and car partners ⚬ 2X rideshare ⚬ 2X social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services ⚬ 1X on all other purchases. |
Earning rate: 3X Southwest ⚬ 2X Rapid Rewards(R) hotel and car partners ⚬ 2X rideshare ⚬ 1X on all other purchases. |
Earning rate: 2X local transit and commuting, including rideshare ⚬ 2X internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming ⚬ 2X Southwest |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X restaurants and grocery ⚬ 3X JetBlue ⚬ 1X everywhere else⚬ |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X restaurants and office supply stores ⚬ 6X JetBlue ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 2X restaurants and grocery ⚬ 6X JetBlue ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Base: 1X (1.3%) |
Earning rate: 2X miles on Korean Air, Gas Stations, Dining |
Earning rate: 3X miles on Korean Air, 2x on Other Airlines, Car Rental, Hotels and Dining |
Earning rate: 2x on Korean Air, Hotels and Dining |
Earning rate: 2X Aeroplan miles per dollar spent on Air Canada purchases |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3X Avianca ⚬ 2X gas & grocery ⚬ Free bag for travel between US & South America |
Earning rate: 4X AA ⚬ 10X hotels booked through AA.com/Hotels ⚬ 10X car rentals booked through AA.com/Cars ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X AA ⚬ 2X certain telecommunications merchants ⚬ 2X car rental merchants ⚬ 2X gas |
Earning rate: 2X grocery ⚬ 2X AA ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 2X restaurants ⚬ 2X gas ⚬ 2X AA |
Earning rate: 3X Air Canada ⚬ 3X grocery stores ⚬ 3X dining ⚬ 500 bonus points with each $2K calendar month spend, up to $6K spend per month (1,500 points max) ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 2X United ⚬ 2X gas stations ⚬ 2X local transit and commuting |
Earning rate: 3X United ⚬ 2X restaurants including eligible delivery services ⚬ 2X on all other travel ⚬ 2X select streaming |
Earning rate: 2X United ⚬ 2X restaurants ⚬ 2X on hotel stays |
Earning rate: ⚬ 4X United ⚬ 2X dining & travel |
Earning rate: 2X at restaurants including eligible delivery services , gas stations, and office supply stores ⚬ 2X United ⚬ 2X on local transit and commuting, including taxicabs, mass transit, tolls, and ride share services |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X gas and grocery ⚬ 3X Asiana. |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3X Virgin Atlantic ⚬ 1X elsewhere |
Earning rate: 3X Alaska Airlines ⚬ 2x gas, EV charging, shipping and local transit ⚬ 1X elsewhere |
Earning rate: 3X Alaska Airlines ⚬ 2x gas, EV charging, local transit, rideshare, cable, and select streaming services purchases ⚬ 1X elsewhere |
Earning rate: 3X Emirates ⚬ 2X airfare, hotel, and car rentals ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 3X Emirates ⚬ 2X airfare, hotel, and car rentals ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 2X Miles & More |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X AA, office supply, telecommunications services, and at car rental agencies ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 2X AA ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3X AA ⚬ 2X hotel and car rentals ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 2X restaurants worldwide ⚬ 2X Delta ⚬ 1X on all other eligible purchases |
Earning rate: 2X Delta ⚬ 2x restaurants worldwide ⚬ 2x US supermarkets |
Earning rate: 2X Delta ⚬ 2X restaurants ⚬ 2X U.S. purchases for advertising in select media and U.S. shipping purchases (capped at $50k per year starting 1/1/24) |
Earning rate: 3X Delta ⚬ 1.5X on all eligible purchases per calendar year after spending $150K |
Earning rate: 3X Delta ⚬ 3X purchases made directly with hotels ⚬ 2X restaurants ⚬ 2X US Supermarkets |
Earning rate: 3X Delta ⚬ 3X purchases made directly with hotels ⚬ 1.5X on purchases of $5K or more (max 50K extra miles per year) |
Earning rate: 5x Gas and EV Charging ⚬ 3X supermarkets, restaurants, and TV, radio, cable, streaming services ⚬ 1X everywhere else. |
Earning rate: 4X Travel for PenFed Honors Advantage Members ⚬ 3X travel otherwise ⚬ 1.5X everywhere else. Advantage membership is available to anyone who opens an Access America Checking account, or to military members. |
Earning rate: ⚬ 5X IHG ⚬ 3x dining, gas stations utilities, cable, Internet, phone, and select streaming services ⚬ 2X everywhere else |
Earning rate: Earn 1.529% back on your purchases when your Upromise Program account is linked to an eligible College Savings Plan or 1.25% if it is not. Base: 1.25% |
Earning rate: 3X Spirit ⚬ 2X dining & grocery ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3X airline, hotel, taxi, limousine, rental car, train bus, restaurant, fast food and takeout food and dining purchases ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X Cathay Pacific ⚬ 1.5X dining ⚬ 1.5X purchases outside of the US ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 3X British Airways. Iberia, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL ⚬ 2X hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel ⚬ 1X elsewhere |
Earning rate: 3X British Airways. Iberia, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL ⚬ 2X hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel ⚬ 1X elsewhere |
Earning rate: 3X British Airways. Iberia, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL ⚬ 2X hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel ⚬ 1X elsewhere |
Earning rate: 10X at Best Western properties ⚬ 2X elsewhere |
Earning rate: 3% cash back on all net qualified purchases for the first 90 days, then 1% Base: 1.05X (1.05%) |
Earning rate: Earn Verizon Dollars: 4% grocery & gas ⚬ 3% dining ⚬ 2% Verizon (including monthly wireless bill) ⚬ 1% everywhere else |
Earning rate: 3x Allegiant ⚬ 2x dining |
Earning rate: 2x Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara |
Earning rate: 2x Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara |
Earning rate: 3x Norwegian cruise line purchases ⚬ 2x air and hotel |
Earning rate: 3x travel (includes airlines, hotels, and car rentals) ⚬ 2x dining |
Earning rate: 2x travel (includes airlines, hotels, and car rentals) |
Earning rate: 3X travel & transit, gas, phone plans (wireless and landline) and streaming services |
Earning rate: 5x hotels and car rentals when booked through US Bank Portal ⚬ 4X travel, gas stations and EV charging ⚬ 2x take out, food delivery (including apps like GrubHub, UberEATS, etc), dining and streaming services |
Earning rate: 4X travel and gas stations ⚬ 2x take out, food delivery (including apps like GrubHub, UberEATS, etc), dining, grocery (including meal kit delivery) and streaming services |
Earning rate: 4X take out, food delivery (including apps like GrubHub, UberEATS, etc), and dining ⚬ 2X grocery (including meal kit delivery), gas stations, and streaming services |
Earning rate: Choose one of ten categories for 3x and one for 2x each quarter, then 1x everywhere else. Must choose 3x and 2x categories before each quarter starts or all purchases will default to 1x. You may select your categories as early as the first day of the preceeding quarter. Bonus categories are not capped. Base: 1X (1%) |
Earning rate: 3X travel & dining |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3X Travel, Dining and Gas ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 5X in rotating categories, up to $1500 spend per quarter (Q2 2023: Restaurants and Wholesale Clubs) |
Earning rate: 5X in rotating categories, up to $1500 spend per quarter (Q2 2023: Restaurants and Wholesale Clubs) |
Earning rate: 5X gas ⚬ 3X grocery and dining ⚬ 2X Sears and KMart |
Earning rate: 4X gas stations ⚬ 3X dining ⚬ 2X grocery stores (up to $8,000 spend per cardmember year across all three categories combined) |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X Miles for travel and dining ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 3% travel & AAA ⚬ 2% gas, grocery store, wholesale club and drugstore purchases ⚬ 1% back everywhere else Base: 1% Travel: 3% Gas: 2% Grocery: 2% Shop: 2% Brand: 3% Other: 2% |
Earning rate: 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants ⚬ 1% back everywhere else ⚬ Note: purchases of gaoline greater than $200 will not be deemed to be a purchase of automotive gasoline and will therefore earn only 1%. Base: 1% Dine: 3% Gas: 3% Phone: 3% Office: 3% |
Earning rate: 3% back at gas stations, office supply stores, and cell phone/service providers ⚬ 1% back everywhere else ⚬ Note: purchases of gaoline greater than $200 will not be deemed to be a purchase of automotive gasoline and will therefore earn only 1%. Base: 1% Gas: 3% Phone: 3% Office: 3% |
Earning rate: 3% cash back on up to $2K in spend in the category you choose each quarter: gas stations, travel & entertainment, restaurants, discount & warehouse stores, grocery stores, utilities & office supply stores, electronics and computer and camera stores, department and apparel and sporting good stores, auto parts & service, and home improvement stores Base: 1% Travel: 3% Dine: 3% Gas: 3% Grocery: 3% Shop: 3% Office: 3% Biz: 3% Other: 3% |
Earning rate: Each quarter, choose two 5% cash back categories (capped at $2K spend per quarter combined) and one 2% category (uncapped). 1% cash back everywhere else. 5% Categories: Home Utilities ⚬ Ground Transportation ⚬ Select Clothing Stores ⚬ Cell Phone Providers ⚬ Electronic Stores ⚬ TV, Internet & Streaming Services ⚬ Gyms/Fitness Centers ⚬ Fast Food ⚬ Sporting Goods Stores ⚬ Department Stores ⚬ Furniture Stores ⚬ Movie Theaters. 2% Categories: Gas Stations ⚬ Restaurants ⚬ Grocery Stores Base: 1% Travel: 5% Dine: 2% Gas: 2% Grocery: 2% Shop: 5% Phone: 5% Other: 5% |
Earning rate: 2x on top two categories where you spend the most each month. Base: 1% Other: 2% |
Earning rate: 3% phone, internet and cable services ⚬ 2% dining and gas stations Base: 1% Dine: 2% Gas: 2% Phone: 3% |
Earning rate: 5% back at at every store at every Simon Mall, Mills, or Premium Outlet in the U.S. Use your card 5 times each statement period to earn Rewards. ⚬ 1% back on all other purchases. Base: 1% Shop: 5% Brand: 5% |
Earning rate: 4x gas ⚬ 4x bars, restaurants, and select food delivery services ⚬ 4x on Pelicans tickets ⚬ 10% statement credit for concessions purchases at Smoothie King Center and at the in-venue and online Pelicans team store Base: 1% Dine: 4% Gas: 4% Brand: 4% Other: 4% |
Earning rate: 5x on Marlins tickets ⚬ 5% back on retail & concessions at IoanDepot Park ⚬ 3x on dining, food delivery, gas and drugstores ⚬ 1x on everything else Base: 1% Dine: 3% Brand: 5% Other: 3% |
Earning rate: 5x points on Liverpool FC merchandise at the Official Liverpool FC Store and on Liverpool FC ticket purchases, select rideshare and streaming services ⚬ 3x at bars, restaurants, and select delivery services ⚬ 1x everywhere else Base: 1% Dine: 3% Brand: 5% Other: 5% |
Earning rate: 5x rideshare and streaming services ⚬ 5x bars and restaurants on match days ⚬ 1x everywhere else Base: 1% Dine: 5% Other: 5% |
Earning rate: 5x Cavs season tickets and streaming services ⚬ 3x other Cavs tickets, dining, grocery, and delivery ⚬ 1x everywhere else Base: 1% Dine: 3% Grocery: 3% Brand: 5% |
Earning rate: 5% back at all bookstores, including Amazon (note: this is capped at $3500 in purchases per month) ⚬ Extra 5% back in rotating categories ⚬ 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and supermarkets Base: 1% Dine: 2% Gas: 2% Grocery: 2% Other: 5% |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3% cash back for dining, select entertainment, and Marvel purchases (Select entertainment = Movie Theatres, Video Rental and Game Stores, Theatrical and Concert Promoters, Amusement Parks, Digital Entertainment, Games and Software, Music, Books and Newsstands, Toys and Hobby Stores) Base: 1% Brand: 3% Other: 3% |
Earning rate: 5x online purchases until 1/31/21 ⚬ 3x grpcery on up to $1250 per quarter Base: 1% Grocery: 3% Shop: 5% |
Earning rate: 5x on up to $1500 in purchases per quarter in the category of your choice out of Travel, Restaurants, Utilities [water, cell, electric, etc.], In-Store Wholesale Purchases [Costco, Sam’s Club, etc.], Department Stores, Hardware & Home Improvement Stores, Charitable Organizations, Pharmacies & Drug Stores, Amazon.com ⚬ 3x gas ⚬ 2x groceries Base: 1% Gas: 3% Grocery: 2% Other: 5% |
Earning rate: 3x travel & dining ⚬ 2x gas Base: 1% Travel: 2% Dine: 3% |
Earning rate: 4x entertainment ⚬ 3x dining ⚬ 2x travel Base: 1% Travel: 2% Dine: 3% Other: 4% |
Earning rate: 2X gas and grocery ⚬ 3X NBA purchases ⚬ 5X on all purchases during the NBA All-Star Weekend and two weeks of the NBA finals Base: 1% Gas: 2% Grocery: 2% Brand: 3% Other: 5% |
Earning rate: 5x in rotating categories, up to $1500 spend per quarter. Base: 1% Dine: 5% Grocery: 5% Shop: 5% Other: 5% |
Earning rate: 5X on rotating categories each quarter. 5% limited to $6K spend per year. Base: 1% Grocery: 5% Other: 5% |
Earning rate: ⚬ 4% gas & EV charging (up to $7K spend / year) ⚬ 3% restaurant & travel ⚬ 2% Costco ⚬ 1% everywhere else Base: 1% Travel: 3% Dine: 3% Gas: 4% Brand: 2% |
Earning rate: ⚬ 4% gas and EV charging (up to $7K spend / year) ⚬ 3% restaurant & travel; 2% Costco ⚬ 1% everywhere else Base: 1% Travel: 3% Dine: 3% Gas: 4% |
Earning rate: 3% on your eligible top spend category ⚬ 2% on your second top category ⚬ 1% everywhere else ⚬ Eligible cateories include Dining & Nightlift, Travel, Bills & Utilities, Health & Beauty, Grocery, Gas, Transportation, Entertainment Base: 1% |
Earning rate: 3% airfare, hotel stays, and car rentals ⚬ 2% restaurants ⚬ 1% everywhere else Base: 1% Travel: 3% Dine: 2% |
Earning rate: 3% drugstores and gas stations ⚬ 2% medical expenses ⚬ 1% everywhere else Base: 1% Gas: 3% Other: 3% |
Earning rate: 2X grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and most Disney locations ⚬ 1X everywhere else Base: 1% Dine: 2% Gas: 2% Grocery: 2% Brand: 2% |
Earning rate: This card only earns 1% back in the form of "Disney Dream Dollars" on most purchases (and 2% in bonus categories) and the meet & greet is also available on the Disney debit card. However, the current signup bonus makes it worth a look. Base: 1% |
Earning rate: 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services ⚬ 3% at grocery stores ⚬ 1% everywhere else ⚬ 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases ⚬ 5% on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel Base: 1% Travel: 5% Dine: 4% Grocery: 3% Other: 4% |
Earning rate: 3% on dining, entertainment, select streaming services, and purchases at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®) ⚬ 1% everywhere else ⚬ 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases ⚬ 5% on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel Base: 1% Travel: 5% Dine: 3% Grocery: 3% Other: 3% |
Earning rate: 4x Dining, takeout, & delivery ⚬ 2x grocery stores, grocery delivery, gas station, and streaming services ⚬ 1x everywhere else Base: 1% Dine: 4% Gas: 2% Grocery: 2% |
Earning rate: 2% on dining plus 3% on 1 choice from: gas stations (default), office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom & wireless, computer services or business consulting services (for the first $50,000 in combined choice/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter) and 1% everywhere else. Base: 1% Travel: 3% Dine: 2% Gas: 3% Phone: 3% Office: 3% Biz: 3% |
Earning rate: 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 3% on one category of your choice between gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings (can choose a new category monthly) up to the first $2,500 in combined 2% and 3% category purchases each quarter, then 1%. Base: 1% Travel: 3% Dine: 3% Gas: 3% Grocery: 2% Shop: 3% Other: 3% |
Earning rate: 3% back on your choice of the following: gas and EV chargng, online shopping, cable, streaming, internet & phone plans, dining, travel, drugstores, home improvement & furnishings (can choose a new category monthly). ⚬ 2% back at grocery stores & wholesale clubs ⚬ 1% back everywhere else. 2% and 3% rewards are capped at $2500 in combined purchases per quarter Base: 1% Travel: 3% Dine: 3% Gas: 3% Grocery: 2% Shop: 3% Phone: 3% Other: 3% |
Earning rate: Earn 5x on eligible Priceline.com purchases. Earn 2x on gas and restaurants. Base: 1% Dine: 2% Gas: 2% Brand: 5% |
Earning rate: ⚬ 5% US office supply stores and US wireless phone services ⚬ 3% your choice from list of categories (e.g. airfare, hotels, car rentals, gas stations, restaurants, select media buys, shipping,computer) ⚬ 1% other purchases. 3% and 5% rebates are capped at $50,000 per rebate year and then earn 1% thereafter. Terms Apply. Base: 1% Travel: 3% Gas: 3% Phone: 5% Office: 5% Biz: 3% |
Earning rate: 3% in Amazon rewards on US purchases at Amazon.com and Amazon physical stores ⚬ 3% back at Whole Foods ⚬ 3% back on Chase Travel purchases ⚬ 2% Back in Amazon rewards at US restaurants, local transit and commuting (including rideshare), US gas stations, and drugstores ⚬ 1% back on all other purchases Base: 1% Dine: 2% Gas: 2% Grocery: 3% Shop: 3% Brand: 3% Other: 2% |
Earning rate: Prime Members: 5% in Amazon rewards on US purchases at Amazon.com and Amazon physical stores ⚬ 5% back at Whole Foods ⚬ 5% back on Chase Travel purchases ⚬ 2% Back in Amazon rewards at US restaurants, local transit and commuting (including rideshare), US gas stations, and drugstores ⚬ 1% back on all other purchases Base: 1% Dine: 2% Gas: 2% Grocery: 5% Shop: 5% Brand: 5% Other: 2% |
Earning rate: Prime Members: 5% in Amazon rewards on US purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com, Whole Foods on up to $120K in purchases per calendar year, then 1% ⚬ 2% Back in Amazon rewards at US restaurants, US gas stations, and on US wireless telephone services ⚬ 1% back on all other purchases Base: 1% Dine: 2% Gas: 2% Grocery: 5% Shop: 5% Phone: 2% Brand: 5% Other: 2% |
Earning rate: ⚬ Up to 5% Cash Back as a statement credit at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations & select U.S. drugstores (Everyday Purchases) ⚬ Up to 1% Cash Back as a statement credit on other purchases. ⚬ For your first $6,500 in purchases in a reward year, you will earn 1% on Everyday Purchases (5% thereafter), and 0.5% on other purchases (then 1%) ⚬ Terms Apply. Base: 1% Grocery: 5% Other: 5% |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3% cash back as a statement credit at US supermarkets up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%) ⚬ 3% cash back as a statement credit at US gas stations on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. ⚬ 3% cash back as a statement credit on U.S. online retail purchases on up to $6,000 per year, then 1% ⚬ 1% cash back as a statement credit on other purchases ⚬ Terms apply. Base: 1% Gas: 3% Grocery: 3% Shop: 3% |
Earning rate: ⚬ 6% cash back as a statement credit at US supermarkets up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%) ⚬ 6% Cash Back as a statement credit on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. ⚬ 3% Cash Back as a statement credit on transit (includes taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more). 3% cash back as a statement credit US gas stations ⚬ 1% cash back as a statement credit on other purchases ⚬ $7 monthly statement credit on Disney Bundle subcription of $12.99 or more. Enrollment required. ⚬ Terms apply. Base: 1% Travel: 3% Gas: 3% Grocery: 6% Shop: 3% Other: 6% |
Earning rate: ⚬ 6% cash back as a statement credit at US supermarkets up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%) ⚬ 6% Cash Back as a statement credit on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. ⚬ 3% Cash Back as a statement credit on transit (includes taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more). 3% cash back US gas stations ⚬ 1% cash back on other purchases ⚬ Terms apply. Base: 1% Travel: 3% Gas: 3% Grocery: 6% Shop: 3% Other: 6% |
Earning rate: 5X at FlyFrontier.com ⚬ 3X restaurants |
Earning rate: 8X Wyndham & gas ⚬ 5X marketing, advertising, and utilities (telecommunications, cable, satellite, electric, gas, heating oil and water) ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 6X Wyndham & gas ⚬ 4X restaurants & grocery ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: ⚬ 5X Wyndham & gas ⚬ 2X restaurants & grocery ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3X Wyndham ⚬ 2X gas, utility & grocery ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: ⚬ 5X Wyndham ⚬ 2X gas, utility, & grocery ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3X Marriott Bonvoy ⚬ 2X travel ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X airline, car rental, & restaurants ⚬ 5X Marriott. |
Earning rate: 2X airfare, car rental and dining ⚬ 3X Sonesta |
Earning rate: 3X Hawaiian Airlines ⚬ 2x gas, dining, and grocery stores ⚬ 1x everywhere else |
Earning rate: 3X Hawaiian Airlines ⚬ 2x gas, dining, and office supply stores ⚬ 1x everywhere else |
Earning rate: 3X Expedia purchases |
Earning rate: 4X Expedia purchases ⚬ 2x restaurants & entertainment |
Earning rate: 10X at Choice Hotels ⚬ 5X at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and phone plans ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 5X at Choice Hotels ⚬ 3X at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and phone plans ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: ⚬ 5X IHG ⚬ 2X gas, grocery, and restaurants |
Earning rate: 2X on spending with LAN & TAM |
Earning rate: This card does not earn ongoing rewards beyond the welcome bonus. Base: 0% |
Base: 0% |
The above cards (at least the top 25 or so in the list) offer great rewards regardless of where they’re used. Our entire database of credit cards is contained above, shown 10 cards at a time, and sorted with the best everyday everywhere-else rewards on top. For the purposes of this post, please train your eyes on the boxes titled “Base”. These show the base earning rate (aka “everywhere else” earning rate) for each card.
For cards that earn points instead of cash back, we’ve listed the “X” which is the number of points per dollar earned. For example, “2X” means that the card earns 2 points per dollar.
Cards are sorted by the value of the “Base” rebate in descending order based on our Reasonable Redemption Values (RRVs), or by their fixed redemption value with cash back cards.
As we analyze the best cards for everyday spend, 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:
- Fixed Value Cards: Capital One Venture and Spark Miles cards earn Capital One “miles” that are worth exactly 1 cent each when redeemed for travel. So, when you look at a card that earns 2 “miles” per dollar you would expect to see 2% as the base rewards rate. Instead, you’ll find a higher percentage because Capital One Miles are transferable to airline miles at a rate up to 2 Capital One Miles to 1.5 airline miles.
- Cash Back Cards: Some cards are advertised as cash back cards, but actually earn points that can be converted to airline miles or hotel points. 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.
Want to learn more about miles and points? Subscribe to email updates or check out our podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
[…] Note that you will not earn an office supply category bonus. These purchases are processed through GiftCardMall, so no dice there. Just use a card on which you’re trying to meet a spending requirement (proceed with caution if it is an Amex spending requirement) or the card you have which earns the best return on everyday spend. […]
[…] There are many reasons you may want to increase credit card spend. You may need to meet spend requirements on several new credit cards in order to earn huge signup bonuses. Or, perhaps you want to earn high level elite status or other big spend bonuses, as Greg does with Delta. Or, perhaps you simply want to earn extra rewards using cards with big category bonuses, or big rewards for everyday spend. […]
[…] Payment is processed by GiftCardMall/Blackhawk Network, so there’s sadly no 5x opportunity here. That said, it could be an opportunity to pick up spend on whichever card offers you the best return on everyday spend. […]
[…] If you can’t earn any category bonuses, you can always look to our guide to the best cards for everday spend. […]
[…] Longer answer: If you spend exactly $20K with this offer in non-bonus categories, you’ll earn a total of 65K points since the card offers 2X for base spend. So, that comes to 3.25 points per dollar if you spend exactly $20K, $40K, or $60K. With the Marriott Reasonable Redemption Value of 0.72 cents per point, that means that you can average 2.34% in rewards. That’s good, but not good enough for me to recommend committing all of your spend to this Marriott card. Plus, it’s not even as good as the usual value of some competing cards. See: Best cards for everyday spend. […]
[…] verdict changes for big spenders who don’t have another card great for everyday spend (see our list of best options here). The Chase Sapphire Preferred card earns 2X for travel and dining, and 1X everywhere else. The […]
[…] Best cards for everyday spend (X1 may end up on this list someday) […]
This really nice resource would be even more useful if people could limit (filter) the results to the cards they actually have (or are thinking of getting).
Is this something you guys can do here, or does it need a spreadsheet? (The problem with that would be keeping it up to date.)
For example, I have an Amex offer, good at small businesses, for $5 off $10 for multiple uses. Then there are Marriott, Amex, Chase offers for restaurants, gas, groceries etc.
What do you think, Greg?
I don’t think we can do that without basically creating an app. There are apps that do this (but unfortunately they don’t use our RRVs). Anyway, I understand why you’d want this, but it’s not likely something we would invest in anytime soon.
[…] data points I’ve read, Sallie Mae accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Discover (no Amex). See our Best Rewards for Everyday Spend page for a list of cards that earn the best return on this type of unbonused […]
[…] The best credit cards to use with Kiva are those with which you are working towards completing minimum spend requirements for a new welcome bonus, or one of the many cards with big spend bonuses, or a card that has very high rewards for everyday spend. […]
FM,
If I want the Ink cash and the Amex Business Everyday, which should I get first in terms of 5/24? Or it doesn’t matter since biz cards don’t show up on the credit report? Thanks!!
It doesn’t matter for 5/24, but since Chase is a tougher on approvals, I’d go with Ink Cash first.
Why give American Express and Chase points a 30% bonus for flexibility and not give the same bonus for cash back?
Cash can take advantage of sales and special offers with even more flexibility than either American Express or Chase points.
US dollars are the most flexible point program, haha.
LOL, good question! Note that I didn’t write that they get the bonus for flexibility (did I?) but rather than they make it possible to cherry-pick the best value awards. For example, the chance of getting over 3 cents per point value goes way up.
You are doing it wrong. You ignore the fees and the category limits.
You should calculate the cashback taking this two into account. Similar to the difference between the apy and interest rate on mortgage.
Your db is great but I can’t compare apples to apples just based on one #.
Debit
They as in All here do a very good job as for 2.5* travelers (me) or the 5* travelers which is common here ..This is the Best Blog I hope others Up their Game . Lots of space on the Internet for others . I always apply for a CC on the site that tells me the Right one for Me..
Have a Nice (Fr) Day
CHEERs
True, adding both of those would be good enhancements. Adding annual fees is tricky though: some of the cards with annual fees are worth keeping for their other benefits, not just their category bonuses. Also, if a card has multiple good category bonuses, how do I split up the annual fee? The Amex Gold card is a good example. It has perks ($100 airfare fee reimbursement + up to $120 dining credit) and both 4X grocery and 4X restaurants.
If you are concerned about fees and category limits, I think it’s hard to beat the Bank of America Travel/Premium Rewards (with Platinum Honors).
The best card to use for non-bonused spending is the one you are working on the MSR for a signup bonus 😉
True
Great article. I would also not minimize the value of insurance, ability to return items and extended warranty. Depending on what you are buying these items could far exceed the value of miles that you receive.
Yes, very good point. We don’t have that data right now but it would be an awesome enhancement
Great post! Question about these cards: which of these best performing everyday-purchase-cards offers free foreign transactions? As someone who spends most of the year overseas, I often default to my CSR card, which has a pretty terrible base rate of 1 point per $1. What would you recommend to someone outside the US for everyday use? (I’m not in one of the countries that offers the Curve Card you wrote about recently, otherwise I’d probably pair that with AmEx Blue Business or Everyday preferred).
That’s a really good point. I’ll plan on adding an indicator on the display to show which cards are fx free. For now, among the top 25, these are foreign exchange fee free:
-Discover It Miles
-Alliant
-Capital One Venture & Spark Miles
-Bank of America premium Rewards
-Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards (I think — need to double check)
-Bank of America Travel Rewards
-BOA Amtrak World Mastercard
-Chase United Club card
-Air France
-Virgin Atlantic
-PNC
-Barclays
Awesome thanks, Greg!
The Altitude frustrates me. I’m a heavy mobile pay user. Closed my Radisson personal 4 months before this card opened and they wouldn’t qualify me. I’m not in a US Bank state, would have to open a USB personal card for a period of time just to qualify for this. Any other known workarounds?
You can simply open a checking account online, wait a week, then apply for the Altitude
Nuts. They won’t let me sign up start my zip code. Any work around a?
I tried anyhow by saying I was a customer. Rejected.
Good Post once again .I’ll be getting the Capital One Venture card in March (ur link) if they will have me . I need a card for hotels in EZE which I’ll be there 12+ nites ..
THANKS
CHEERS
@Greg- Once you spend $50k on Amex blue business, does it make sense to use the Capitol Spark card for rest of everywhere spend? What would you do?
Yes that makes sense. What I would do isn’t really relevant to most people. What I would do tends to depend upon things like:
1) Do I have any new credit cards with high minimum spend requirements?
2) Did I get any good targeted spend offers on any cards?
3) Am I trying to get enough spend on a card to earn a big spend bonus (such as on my Delta cards in order to earn elite qualifying miles / MQMs)
Thanks. Are you still spending $250k on Delta cards for Diamond?
Yep. Actually $500K! ($250K for me and $250K for my wife). We’ve continued to get huge value from diamond status, especially global upgrades, the ability to guest people into SkyClubs, and ability to gift Gold status. And of course we earn boatloads of Delta miles in the process.
Thanks !! Now I know for sure how u get ur points no need for Flipping like I do.
CHEERs
How are you doing it if Amex has put down a hammer on buying gift cards, etc. Are you just putting taxes on it? Simon mall is out too, right? I’d love to pick your brain.
He’ll never tell…