Which Credit Card to Use for Daily Spend?
I get asked this question a lot…
Which cards are best for what purchase?
Here is a list of MY favorites.
*Please note: I rarely include co-branded cards for top picks. So if you are wondering why they aren’t many on here, it’s because I don’t (usually) recommend daily spend on cards that don’t earn transferable points.
GROCERIES
My Pick: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – 3x points for online grocery (won’t work with Target/Wholesale stores, must code as grocery)
American Express® Gold Card – 4x grocery (up to $25K annually, US supermarkets)
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – 2x on everything
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card – 2x on everything
Chase Freedom Unlimited® – 1.5x on all “other” purchases
Amex EveryDay® Credit Card – 2x on grocery
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®Card – 6x grocery
Citi Premier® Card – 3x grocery
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card – 1.5x on everything
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card – 3X on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
Hilton Honors American Express Card – 5x grocery
DINING OUT
My Pick: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – 3x points restaurants
American Express® Gold Card – 4x restaurants
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – 2x on everything
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card – 2x on everything
Chase Freedom Unlimited® – 3x restaurants
Chase Freedom Flex℠ – 3x restaurants
American Express® Green Card – 3x restaurants
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®Card – 6x restaurants
Chase Sapphire Reserve® – 3x restaurants
Citi Premier® Card – 3x restaurants
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card – 2x on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card – 3X on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
Hilton Honors American Express Card – 5x restaurants
The Ritz Carlton Card – 3x restaurants
Citi Prestige – 5x restaurants
GAS
My Pick: Ink Business Cash® Credit Card – 2x on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – 2x on everything
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card – 2x on everything
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card – 1.5x on everything
Citi Premier® Card – 3x gas
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®Card – 6x gas
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card – 3X on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
Hilton Honors American Express Card – 5x gas
DRUGSTORES
My Pick: Chase Freedom Unlimited® – 3x drugstores
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card – 1.5x on everything
TRAVEL
My Pick: American Express Platinum Card® – 5x flights booked directly with airline or with American Express travel
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – 2x on travel (or 5x if booked in Chase Travel(SM)
Chase Sapphire Reserve® – 3x on travel after first $300 annually (as the 1st $300 is a travel credit) (Or 5x on flights and 10x on hotels when purchased through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually)
American Express® Gold Card – 3x flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
Citi Prestige – 5x on air travel
STREAMING
My Pick: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card -3x on *select* streaming
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card – 2x select streaming
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card – 2x select streaming
INTERNET
My pick: Ink Business Cash® Credit Card – 5x on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card – 2x internet
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card – 2x internet
PHONE
My Pick: Ink Business Cash® Credit Card – 5x on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card – 2x phone
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card – 2x phone
RIDESHARE
My Pick: American Express® Green Card – 3x transit (ride share, trains, cabs, subway, buses)
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card – 2x ride share, local transit, community
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card – 2x ride share, local transit, community
CAR RENTAL
My Pick: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – 2x on everything (has primary car rental insurance)
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card — 2x travel purchases (has primary car rental insurance)
The Ritz Carlton Card – 3x
Chase Sapphire Reserve® – 3x on travel after first $300 annually (as the 1st $300 is a travel credit) (10x if booked through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually)
GYM MEMBERSHIP
My Pick: The World of Hyatt Credit Card – 2x gym memberships
What did I miss? Any other points earnings cards you prefer over these?
