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%) |
X1 Card (After $15K annual spend & under $7.5K per month) Base 3X (3%) |
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%) |
Chase World of Hyatt Business Credit Card Earning rate: ⚬ 2X in the top 3 spend categories each calendar quarter through 12/31/23 (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 |
The Blue for Business® Credit Card from American Express Base 1.3X (2.02%) |
Barclaycard Arrival Plus® World Elite Mastercard® Base 2X (2%) |
Barclays Arrival® Premier World Elite Mastercard® Base 2X (2%) |
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card Base 2X (2%) |
PNC Premier Traveler® Visa Signature Credit Card Base 2X (2%) |
Capital One Spark Cash Plus Base 2% Travel 5% |
Chase Ink Business Premier℠ Base 2% Other 5% |
UBS Cash Rewards Visa Business Base 2% |
Evergreen® by FNBO Business Edition® Credit Card Base 2% |
Paypal Cashback Mastercard Base 2% |
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card Base 2% |
Evergreen® by FNBO Credit Card Base 2% |
Fidelity Rewards Visa Base 2% |
Capital One Spark Cash Business Credit Card Base 2% |
SoFi Credit Card Base 2% |
Citizens Bank Cash Back Plus® World Mastercard® Base 1.8% Dine 1.8% Gas 1.8% Other 1.8% |
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% |
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% |
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card 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) |
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. |
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. |
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. |
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card 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 |
UBS Visa Signature Business Base 1X (1.5%) |
UBS Visa Signature Base 1X (1.5%) |
Wells Fargo Rewards Visa® card Base 1X (1.5%) |
Wells Fargo Visa Signature Card Base 1X (1.5%) |
Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Base 1.5X (1.5%) |
Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card Base 1.5X (1.5%) |
Discover it Business - Double cash back your first year Base 1.5X (1.5%) |
American Express Cash Magnet® Card Base 1.5% |
The Plum Card® from American Express Base 1.5% |
Schwab Investor Card® from American Express Base 1.5% |
Discover it Miles - Double Miles your first year Base 1.5% |
Paceline Credit Card Base 1.5% Grocery 2.5% Shop 2.5% Other 2.5% |
Barclaycard CashForward Base 1.5% |
Bank of America Premium Rewards Base 1.5% Travel 2% Dine 2% |
Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Base 1.5% Travel 2% Dine 2% |
Wells Fargo Business Platinum Visa® card Base 1.5% |
U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card Base 1.5% Gas 2% Other 6% |
Capital One Quicksilver Base 1.5% Travel 5% Other 5% |
The Comenity® Mastercard® Credit Card Base 1.5% |
The Owner's Rewards Card by M1 Base 1.5% |
BECU Cash Back Visa credit card Base 1.5% |
Capital One Spark Cash Select – $500 Cash Bonus Base 1.5% Travel 5% |
Santander® Ultimate Cash Back® 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 |
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 |
JAL USA CARD Base 1X (1.3%) |
Citi® AAdvantage® Gold MasterCard® Base 1X (1.3%) |
Upromise World MasterCard® issued by Barclays Base 1.25% |
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%) |
Ridgewood Savings Bank World Mastercard Base 1% Travel 2% Dine 3% |
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% |
Vantage West Connect Rewards Base 1% Gas 3% Grocery 2% Other 5% |
Huntington Voice Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 3% Grocery 3% Shop 3% Office 3% Biz 3% Other 3% |
Morgan Stanley Blue Cash Preferred® American Express Card Base 1% Travel 3% Gas 3% Grocery 6% Shop 3% Other 6% |
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Base 1% Dine 2% Gas 2% Grocery 5% Shop 5% Brand 5% Other 2% |
BBVA Compass NBA American Express Card Base 1% Gas 2% Grocery 2% Brand 3% Other 5% |
SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express Base 1% Travel 3% Gas 3% Phone 5% Office 5% Biz 3% |
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% |
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express Base 1% Gas 3% Grocery 3% Shop 3% |
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Base 1% Travel 3% Gas 3% Grocery 6% Shop 3% Other 6% |
U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard Base 1% Gas 3% Phone 3% Office 3% |
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite™ Mastercard® Base 1% Dine 3% Gas 3% Phone 3% Office 3% |
ABOC Platinum Rewards Base 1% Dine 5% Grocery 5% Shop 5% Other 5% |
BBVA Compass Select Base 1% Travel 2% Dine 3% Other 4% |
AARP Credit Card from Chase Base 1% Dine 3% Gas 3% |
Capital One Savor Base 1% Travel 5% Dine 4% Grocery 3% Other 4% |
Costco Anywhere Visa Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 4% |
Cleveland Cavaliers Credit Card Base 1% Dine 3% Grocery 3% Brand 5% |
NBT Bank Everyday Rewards+ Card Base 1% Dine 4% Gas 2% Grocery 2% |
New Orleans Pelicans Credit Card Base 1% Dine 4% Gas 4% Brand 4% Other 4% |
AARP® Travel Rewards Mastercard® Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 2% |
Simon® American Express® Credit Card from Cardless Base 1% Brand 5% Other 3% online purchases. ⚬ Up to 3% back on all eligible purchases made at Simon destinations ⚬ Up to 1.5 percent back on all other purchases. |
Costco Anywhere Business Visa Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 4% Brand 2% |
Citi Dividend Platinum Select Base 1% Grocery 5% Other 5% |
TD Cash Visa Credit Card Base 1% Dine 3% Grocery 2% |
Major League Baseball® BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ MasterCard® credit card Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 3% Grocery 2% Shop 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% |
Disney Visa Card Base 1% |
Venmo Credit Card Base 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% |
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Base 1% Travel 3% Dine 3% Gas 3% Grocery 2% Shop 3% Other 3% |
Disney Premier Visa Card Base 1% Dine 2% Gas 2% Grocery 2% Brand 2% |
Affinity Cash Rewards Visa® Signature Credit Card Base 1% Dine 2% Gas 2% Grocery 2% Other 5% |
Ducks Unlimited Visa from First Bankcard Base 1% |
PRICELINE REWARDS VISA® CARD Base 1% Dine 2% Gas 2% Brand 5% |
Miami Marlins Credit Card Base 1% Dine 3% Brand 5% Other 3% |
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) |
SEFCU Lightning Credit Card® Base 1% Grocery 3% Shop 5% |
AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® Base 1% Gas 3% Other 3% |
Liverpool FC Credit Card Base 1% Dine 3% Brand 5% Other 5% |
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Base 1% Travel 5% Dine 3% Grocery 3% Other 3% |
Manchester United Credit Card Base 1% Dine 5% Other 5% |
Chase Slate Edge Base 0% |