These are the 8 cards you should be using every day

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If your monthly budget includes grocery store hauls, gas station trips, or regular dinners out, a credit card that offers rewards where you spend the most may be worth having. 

Using the right credit card for everyday purchases can help you maximize rewards and save money. The best everyday credit cards offer high reward rates on common spending categories like groceries, gas, dining, and entertainment. They also provide valuable perks like sign-up bonuses, intro APR offers, and additional benefits that can enhance your spending power.

Whether you prefer cash back, points, or miles, there's an everyday credit card that can help you get the most value from your purchases.

Top cards for everyday spending

To find the top credit cards for everyday use, we compared their rewards structures, annual fees, and other features to help you find the perfect card for your spending habits.

• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for groceries 
• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for dining 
• PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card: Best for gas 
• U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card: Best for utilities 
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for earning travel rewards 
• Chase Freedom Flex℠: Best for drugstore purchases 
• Prime Visa: Best for online shopping 
• Citi Custom Cash® Card: Best for flat-rate cash back

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for groceries 

Rewards:

• 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%)
• 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services
• 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit
• 1% cash back on other purchases

Welcome bonus: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 within the first 6 months.

Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (see rates and fees).

Why we picked it

If you love to cook at home, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a top pick. This card offers an unmatched 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), making it one of the most rewarding grocery cards. 

Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or on Amazon.com at checkout.

While the card does have a $95 annual fee, the high cash back rate on groceries can easily offset this cost for most households. See rates and fees. For example, you'll break even on the annual fee if you spend around $1,600 annually on groceries (approximately $130 per month).

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for dining 

Rewards:

• 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber and Uber Eats (through Nov. 14, 2024) 
• 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
• 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked using Capital One Travel
• Unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Welcome bonus: Earn a $250 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $0

Why we picked it

Foodies and restaurant enthusiasts will love the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card. This card offers unlimited 3% cash back on dining and grocery stores, among other categories.

With no annual fee and a solid welcome bonus, the Savor card is a great choice for those who enjoy dining out and cooking at home.

The Savor Cash Rewards card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months (then a 19.74%-29.74% variable ongoing APR based on your creditworthiness). Plus, there are no foreign transaction fees, making this card a solid option for international travel. 

PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card: Best for gas 

Rewards:

• 5X on gas purchases at the pump and electric vehicle charging stations
• 3X on supermarket purchases
• 1X on all other purchases

Welcome bonus: 15,000 bonus points when you spend $1,500 in the first 90 days

Annual fee: $0

Why we picked it

This card offers 5X points on gas purchases and electric vehicle charging stations, making it one of the most rewarding cards for fueling up. You'll also earn 3X points on supermarket purchases and 1X on other purchases. Points can be redeemed for gift cards, merchandise, or travel.

This card has no foreign transaction fees and a 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers for the first 12 months. Remember that to open this card, you’ll need to be a member of the PenFed Credit Union.

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card: Best for utilities

Rewards:

• 5% cash back on two categories you choose each quarter (including utilities) up to $2,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1%. 
• 2% cash back on one everyday category (like gas, groceries, or restaurants)
• 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases

Welcome bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.

Annual fee: $0

Why we picked it

The U.S. Bank Visa Signature is a unique cash back card allowing you to choose your bonus categories each quarter. You can select two categories to earn 5% cash back on up to $2,000 in combined purchases per quarter, including home utilities. That includes purchases made with providers of gas, electric, water, and sanitary utilities, making it a great option for those looking to earn bonus rewards on essential bills.

In addition to the 5% categories, you can choose one "everyday" category to earn 2% cash back each quarter, like groceries, gas, or dining. The flexibility to customize your bonus categories sets this card apart from other rewards cards, allowing you to tailor rewards to your spending.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for earning travel rewards 

Rewards:

• 5X points on travel through Chase Travel
• 5X total points on Lyft rides (through March 2025)
• 3X points on dining (including eligible delivery services), select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs)
• 2X points on other travel
• 1X points on other purchases

Welcome bonus: 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months

Annual fee: $95

Why we picked it

If you want to earn travel rewards on your everyday purchases, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a top contender. This card offers 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3X points on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services, 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X on all other purchases. 

Points can be redeemed for travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal at a 25% bonus or transferred to popular airline and hotel partners for potentially greater value.

The Sapphire Preferred card also offers a generous sign-up bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months — worth $750 in travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Other perks include a $50 annual credit for hotel stays purchased through Ultimate Rewards, travel insurance, and no foreign transaction fees. 

Chase Freedom Flex℠: Best for drugstore purchases 

Rewards:

• 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Welcome bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Annual fee: $0

Why we picked it

The Chase Freedom Flex is a versatile cash back card that offers 3% cash back on drugstore purchases, making it a great choice for those who frequently shop at pharmacies.

One of the standout features of this card is its rotating 5% bonus categories, which have historically included grocery stores, gas stations, and even drugstores. These categories offer the potential to earn significant cash back on common purchases throughout the year.

Prime Visa: Best for online shopping 

Rewards:

• 5% cash back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market
• 5% cash back on Chase Travel 
• 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and local transit 
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Welcome bonus: Instantly get a $100 Amazon Gift Card upon approval for Prime members

Annual fee: $0 ($139 annual Prime membership required)

Why we picked it

The Prime Visa is a must-have if you're a Prime member and do lots of shopping on Amazon. This card offers an impressive 5% cash back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, making it one of the most rewarding cards for online shopping. You'll also earn 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, local transit, and 1% on all other purchases.

The Prime Visa offers a $100 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval. The card has no annual fee (aside from the $139 Amazon Prime membership fee) and no foreign transaction fees. 

Citi Custom Cash® Card: Best for flat-rate cash back 

Rewards: 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy, plus 1% when you pay off the purchase)

Welcome bonus: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening

Annual fee: $0

Why we picked it

For those who prefer a simple rewards program, the Citi Custom Cash® Card is tough to beat. This card offers an unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases – 1% when you buy and an additional 1% when you pay your bill. There are no bonus categories to track or activate and no annual fee.

The card also offers a lengthy 0% intro APR on balance transfers, providing an opportunity to pay down high-interest debt from other cards.

What is an everyday credit card? 

An everyday credit card is a rewards credit card that offers bonus points, miles, or cash back on common daily spending categories. 

These cards are designed to help you maximize your rewards on purchases you make frequently, such as:

• Groceries
• Gas
• Dining
• Entertainment
• Drugstores
• Streaming services
• Transit

Everyday credit cards often have no annual fee or a relatively low annual fee, making them accessible to a wide range of consumers.

 They may also offer additional benefits like purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and travel insurance.

How do everyday credit cards work? 

Everyday credit cards offer a percentage of your spending back in rewards for each purchase you make. The rewards structure varies by card but typically includes higher earning rates on specific spending categories and a base earning rate on all other purchases.

For example, a card might offer:

• 3% cash back on groceries
• 2% cash back on gas and dining
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

When you use the card to make a purchase, you'll automatically earn the specified rewards rate for that category. Rewards can be redeemed for statement credits, direct deposits, gift cards, travel bookings, or other options, depending on the card.

Some everyday credit cards also offer sign-up bonuses when you meet a minimum spending requirement within the first few months of opening the account. These bonuses can provide a significant boost to your rewards balance and increase the overall value of the card.

What is the best credit card for everyday spending?

The best credit card for everyday spending depends on your unique spending habits and preferences. 

Top options include the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express for groceries, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card for dining, and the Chase Freedom Flex℠ for drugstore purchases and rotating bonus categories.

How to choose the best everyday credit card for you

To find the best everyday credit card for your needs, consider the following factors:

• Rewards structure: Look for a card that offers high reward rates in categories where you spend the most. Consider whether you prefer cash back, points, or miles, and if you're willing to track bonus categories or prefer a flat-rate rewards structure.
• Annual fee: While some everyday credit cards charge annual fees, many have no annual fee at all. If a card does have an annual fee, make sure the rewards and benefits you'll receive will outweigh the cost.
• Intro APR offers: If you plan to make a large purchase or transfer a balance, look for a card with a 0% intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers.
• Sign-up bonus: A generous sign-up bonus can provide a significant boost to your rewards earnings. Compare current offers and choose a card with a bonus that aligns with your spending habits and goals.
• Additional benefits: Consider perks like travel insurance, purchase protection, and exclusive discounts or experiences.
• Redemption options: Consider how you want to use your rewards. If you prefer straightforward cash back, look for a card that offers statement credits or direct deposits. If you enjoy travel, a card that earns transferable points or miles might be a better choice.
• Credit score requirements: Generally, you need at least a credit score of 670 or higher to qualify for most rewards cards. Check your credit score to see if you'll qualify for a card before applying. 

How to maximize rewards with everyday credit cards

Using a card for most everyday purchases can help you earn valuable rewards and access other benefits. To make the most of your credit card, consider these strategies:

• Choose a card that aligns with your spending habits. Pick a card that offers bonus rewards in categories you spend the most, such as groceries, gas, dining, or entertainment.
• Combine cards for optimal rewards. Use multiple cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. For example, you could use a card with high grocery rewards for supermarket purchases and another with high gas rewards for filling up your tank.
• Pay your balance in full each month. Always pay your credit card balance in full and on time to avoid interest charges.
• Redeem rewards strategically. Choose redemption options that offer the most value for your rewards, such as direct deposits or booking travel.
• Take advantage of sign-up bonuses. Many cards offer a sign-up bonus when you meet a minimum spending requirement within the first few months. These bonuses can significantly boost your rewards earnings.

How we picked the best everyday credit cards 

To find the best everyday cards, we evaluated each card's sign-up bonus, rewards earning rates on purchases, added perks and benefits, and annual fees.

Our team analyzed numerous credit card offers and selected the top contenders based on these key criteria. The options on this list represent the best value, rewards, and benefits available. Read more about our methodology here. 

The bottom line

The top everyday credit cards help you earn rewards where you spend the most each month. Use the cards on our list as a starting point as you search for rewards credit cards that make sense based on your spending habits.

Remember to use credit responsibly and avoid overspending just to earn rewards. With the right everyday credit card and a disciplined approach to spending, you can enjoy the benefits of rewards without compromising your finances.

Editorial disclosure: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.