Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new card details and information.
Cash-back credit cards are great for earning simple cash-back rewards on everyday purchases like dining, groceries, gas and even travel. However, not all cash-back cards are created equal, as some prioritize certain spend categories over others.
If you’re in the market for a card that’s going to give you the greatest value for your spending habits, you’ve come to the right place. Today, I’ll discuss some of the best cash-back cards for several of the most popular spending categories.
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Best cash-back cards for each spending category
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for dining and entertainment
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for groceries at U.S. supermarkets
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: Best for gas
Citi® Double Cash Card: Best for non-bonus spending
Chase Freedom Flex: Best for rotating categories
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card: Best for flexibility
The information for the Capital One Savor card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
In This Post
Comparison of the best cards for each cash-back rewards category
Card
Category
Annual fee
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Dining and entertainment (4%).
$95.
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Groceries from U.S. supermarkets (6% on up to $6,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1%). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits.
$95 (see rates & fees).
Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi
Eligible gas (4% for the first $7,000 per year, then 1%).
None, but requires Costco membership ($60 a year for Gold).
Citi Double Cash Card
Non-bonus spending (2% return — 1% cash back when you buy and 1% when you pay).
None.
Chase Freedom Flex
Rotating categories (5% return on up to $1,500 each quarter you activate).
None.
Citi Custom Cash Card
Flexible categories (5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter).
None.
The above table shows my favorite cash-back rewards cards for several popular spending categories. But for some categories, multiple cards perform well. So, depending on your particular spending patterns and lifestyle, a different card may be better for you.
As such, for each spending category I’ll present the cards you should consider if you spend a significant amount in that spending category.
Related: Best ways to use the cash back from your credit card
Best cash-back card for dining and entertainment
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
(Photo by John Gribben/The Points Guy)
Earning rates:
8% cash back on tickets at Vivid Seats through Jan 31, 2023.
4% cash back on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services.
3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target).
1% cash back on all other purchases.
Current bonus: Earn $300 after you make $3,000 on purchases in the first three months after opening the account.
Benefits: You’ll pay no foreign transaction fees on purchases outside the U.S. and you’ll receive protective benefits such as an extended warranty provision.
Annual fee: $95.
Related:
Capital One Savor credit card review
The best credit cards for dining out, taking out and ordering in
Use these cards to maximize your entertainment spending
Official application link: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best cash-back card for groceries
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
(Photo by The Points Guy)
Earning rates:
6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1%).
6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3% cash back on transit, including parking, tolls, rideshare and trains.
3% cash back at U.S. gas stations.
1% cash back on all other purchases.
Current bonus: Earn a $350 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months.
Benefits: This card is eligible for Amex Offers. You’ll also get return protection for recent purchases and car rental loss and damage insurance when you use your card to rent a car.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Annual fee: $95 (see rates and fees).
Related:
American Express Blue Cash Preferred credit card review
The best grocery credit cards
How to ensure you earn bonus points for grocery purchases
Official application link: Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Best cash-back card for gas
Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi
(Photo by John Gribben/The Points Guy)
Earning rates:
4% cash back on eligible gas* for the first $7,000 per year, then 1% (available worldwide, not just at Costco gas stations).
3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases.
2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco (in-store and online).
1% cash back on all other purchases.
*The 4% bonus rate doesn’t apply to gas purchased at superstores, supermarkets, convenience stores and warehouse clubs other than Costco, or for fuel used for non-automobile purposes.
Current bonus: None.
Benefits: There are no foreign transaction fees. You must be a Costco member to be eligible for this card. And, although this is a cash-back card, you can’t earn statement credits or redeem your rewards at any time. Instead, you’ll receive a reward coupon annually, redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses.
Annual fee: $0 with your paid Costco membership ($60 for Gold Star and business members and $120 for Gold Star Executive members).
Related:
Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi credit card review
The best credit cards for gas purchases
Official application link: Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi
Best cash-back card for non-bonus spending
Citi Double Cash Card
Earning rates: Up to 2% cash back on all purchases, provided as 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay.
Current bonus: For a limited time, earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.
Benefits: The Citi Double Cash earns an industry-high 2% back across all purchases for a no-annual-fee credit card. And for those who know they’ll be traveling, this card is pairable with Citi ThankYou cards such as the Citi Premier® Card and Citi Prestige® Card. After all, you can convert your Double Cash rewards into fully transferable ThankYou Points if you have one of these cards. Don’t use this card outside of the U.S. though, since it charges a 3% foreign transaction fee.
The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Annual fee: None.
Related:
Citi Double Cash credit card review
The best credit cards for everyday spending
Official application link: Citi Double Cash Card
Best cash-back card for rotating bonus categories
Chase Freedom Flex
(Photo by John Gribben for The Points Guy)
Earning rates:
5% cash back on up to $1,500 on combined purchases at merchants in the card’s quarterly bonus categories each quarter you activate.
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
3% cash back at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.
3% cash back on drugstore purchases.
1% cash back on all other purchases.
Current bonus: Earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases during your first three months after account opening.
Benefits: You’ll have access to purchase protection and extended warranty protection when you pay for an eligible item with your card. Plus, you’ll get cell phone protection when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your card.
Annual fee: None.
Related:
Don’t forget to activate your 5% cash-back categories
Why I switched from the Chase Freedom to the all-new Chase Freedom Flex
Official application link: Chase Freedom Flex
Best cash-back card for flexibility
Citi Custom Cash Card
(Photo by John Gribben for The Points Guy)
Earning rates:
5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle (up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter).
Eligible categories: Restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment.
1% cash back on all other purchases.
Current bonus: Earn $200 cash back after spending $750 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Benefits: Enjoy 0% introductory annual percentage rate (APR) for 15 months on balance transfers and purchases. After that, the variable APR will be 16.24% – 26.24%, based on your creditworthiness. Intro APR applies to the date of first transfer for balance transfers completed within the first four months of account opening.
Annual fee: None.
Related:
Flexible 5% cash-back: A review of the Citi Custom Cash credit card
The best Citi credit cards of 2022
Official application link: Citi Custom Cash Card
Bottom line
Whether you enjoy earning travel rewards or cash back, it’s important to choose the best card for your spending habits.
A simple way to start is to consider the categories in which you spend the most money. Then, make sure you have a card that earns bonus rewards in these categories.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred Card, please click here.
Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox, Madison Blancaflor and Ashley Onadele.
Featured image by Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy.
