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) |
|---|
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express Base 2X (3.1%) |
Paceline Credit Card (Enhanced Earnings When Meeting Fitness Goals) Base 3% Grocery 5% Shop 5% Other 5% |
Discover it Miles (First Year) Base 3% |
Citi Double Cash Card Base 2X (2.9%) |
Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card (with Platinum Honors Preferred Rewards) Base 2.625X (2.63%) |
Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards (with Platinum Honors Preferred Rewards) Base 2.625X (2.63%) |
Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Card Base 2.5% |
Spirit Airlines World Mastercard® Base 2X (2.4%) |
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. |
Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card Base 1.5X (2.25%) |
Hotels.com Rewards Visa Credit Card Base 0.002X (2.2%) |
The Blue for Business® Credit Card from American Express Base 1.3X (2.02%) |
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card Base 2X (2%) |
Barclaycard Arrival Plus® World Elite Mastercard® Base 2X (2%) |
Barclays Arrival® Premier World Elite Mastercard® Base 2X (2%) |
PNC Premier Traveler® Visa Signature Credit Card Base 2X (2%) |
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card Base 2% |
Paypal Cashback Mastercard Base 2% |
Evergreen® by FNBO Business Edition® Credit Card Base 2% |
Evergreen® by FNBO Credit Card Base 2% |
Fidelity Rewards Visa Base 2% |
Capital One Spark Cash Business Credit Card Base 2% |
Capital One Spark Cash Plus Base 2% |
UBS Cash Rewards Visa Business Base 2% |
SoFi Credit Card Base 2% |
Citizens Bank Cash Back Plus® World Mastercard® Base 1.8% Dine 10% Grocery 10% |
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% |
Bank of America Customized 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 World of Hyatt Business Credit Card Earning rate: ⚬ 2X in the top 3 of 8 spending categories each calendar quarter through 12/31/22 and then the top 2 of 8 spending categories in 2023 and beyond. 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 |
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) |
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express 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. |
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. |
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. |
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) |
Wells Fargo Visa Signature Card Base 1X (1.5%) |
Wells Fargo Rewards Visa® card Base 1X (1.5%) |
UBS Visa Signature Base 1X (1.5%) |
UBS Visa Signature Business Base 1X (1.5%) |
Discover it Business - Double cash back your first year Base 1.5X (1.5%) |
Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card Base 1.5X (1.5%) |
Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Base 1.5X (1.5%) |
BECU Cash Back Visa credit card Base 1.5% |
Santander® Ultimate Cash Back® credit card Base 1.5% |
Schwab Investor Card® from American Express Base 1.5% |
American Express Cash Magnet® Card Base 1.5% |
Paceline Credit Card Base 1.5% Grocery 2.5% Shop 2.5% Other 2.5% |
Wells Fargo Business Platinum Visa® card Base 1.5% |
Barclaycard CashForward Base 1.5% |
Capital One Spark Cash Select – $500 Cash Bonus Base 1.5% |
The Owner's Rewards Card by M1 Base 1.5% |
Capital One Quicksilver Base 1.5% |
Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Base 1.5% Travel 2% Dine 2% |
Discover it Miles - Double Miles your first year Base 1.5% |
Bank of America Premium Rewards Base 1.5% Travel 2% Dine 2% |
The Plum Card® from American Express Base 1.5% |
The Comenity® Mastercard® Credit Card Base 1.5% |
Citi Custom Cash Card 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 |
Citi® AAdvantage® Gold MasterCard® Base 1X (1.3%) |
JAL USA CARD Base 1X (1.3%) |
Upromise World MasterCard® issued by Barclays Base 1.25% |
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 |
BB&T Spectrum Rewards Base 1.05X (1.05%) |
BBVA ClearPoints Credit Card Base 1X (1%) |
BOA WorldPoints® Rewards for Business Visa® Card Base 1X (1%) |
U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card Base 1% Other 2% |
TD Business Solutions Visa Base 1% Dine 2% Gas 2% Phone 3% |
AARP Credit Card from Chase Base 1% Dine 3% Gas 3% |
AARP® Travel Rewards Mastercard® Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 2% |
Citi Dividend Platinum Select Base 1% Grocery 5% Other 5% |
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express Base 1% Gas 2% Grocery 3% Shop 2% |
SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express Base 1% Travel 3% Gas 3% Phone 5% Office 5% Biz 3% |
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Base 1% Dine 2% Gas 2% Grocery 5% Shop 5% Brand 5% Other 2% |
Amazon Business Prime American Express Card Base 1% Dine 2% Gas 2% Grocery 5% Shop 5% Phone 2% Brand 5% Other 2% |
“Old” Blue Cash Card from American Express Base 1% Grocery 5% Other 5% |
Major League Baseball® BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ MasterCard® credit card Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 3% Grocery 2% Shop 3% Other 3% |
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Base 1% Travel 3% Gas 3% Grocery 6% Shop 3% Other 6% |
Morgan Stanley Blue Cash Preferred® American Express Card Base 1% Travel 3% Gas 3% Grocery 6% Shop 3% Other 6% |
Capital One Savor Base 1% Dine 4% Grocery 3% Other 4% |
AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® Base 1% Gas 3% Other 3% |
U.S. Bank Cash+® Base 1% Travel 5% Dine 2% Gas 2% Grocery 2% Shop 5% Phone 5% Other 5% |
Huntington Voice Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 3% Grocery 3% Shop 3% Office 3% Biz 3% Other 3% |
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Base 1% Dine 3% Grocery 3% Other 3% |
New Orleans Pelicans Credit Card Base 1% Dine 4% Gas 4% Brand 4% Other 4% |
NBT Bank Everyday Rewards+ Card Base 1% Dine 4% Gas 2% Grocery 2% |
Liverpool FC Credit Card Base 1% Dine 3% Brand 5% Other 5% |
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 3% Grocery 2% Shop 3% Other 3% |
ABOC Platinum Rewards Base 1% Dine 5% Grocery 5% Shop 5% Other 5% |
Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 2% Gas 3% Phone 3% Office 3% Biz 3% |
Rakuten (formerly Ebates) Cash Back Visa issued by Synchrony Bank Base 1% Brand 3% |
BBVA Compass NBA American Express Card Base 1% Gas 2% Grocery 2% Brand 3% Other 5% |
BBVA Compass Select Base 1% Travel 2% Dine 3% Other 4% |
Ridgewood Savings Bank World Mastercard Base 1% Travel 2% Dine 3% |
Vantage West Connect Rewards Base 1% Gas 3% Grocery 2% Other 5% |
SEFCU Lightning Credit Card® Base 1% Grocery 3% Shop 5% |
Disney Premier Visa Card Base 1% Dine 2% Gas 2% Grocery 2% Brand 2% |
Costco Anywhere Business Visa Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 4% Brand 2% |
Marvel MasterCard from Synchrony Base 1% Brand 3% Other 3% (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) |
Miami Marlins Credit Card Base 1% Dine 3% Brand 5% Other 3% |
Ducks Unlimited Visa from First Bankcard Base 1% |
Costco Anywhere Visa Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 4% |
Venmo Credit Card Base 1% |
Disney Visa Card Base 1% |
AAA Member Rewards Visa Signature Card Base 1% Travel 3% Gas 2% Grocery 2% Shop 2% Brand 3% Other 2% |
Affinity Cash Rewards Visa® Signature Credit Card Base 1% Dine 2% Gas 2% Grocery 2% Other 5% |
U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard Base 1% Gas 3% Phone 3% Office 3% |
TD Cash Visa Credit Card Base 1% Dine 3% Grocery 2% |
Cleveland Cavaliers Credit Card Base 1% Dine 3% Grocery 3% Brand 5% |
Manchester United Credit Card Base 1% Dine 5% Other 5% |
PRICELINE REWARDS VISA® CARD Base 1% Brand 5% |
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite™ Mastercard® Base 1% Dine 3% Gas 3% Phone 3% Office 3% |
BOA Platinum Business Visa Base 0% |
Chase Slate Edge 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.
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[…] 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. […]