For the average American, the single best way to maximize travel rewards is to make sure you’re applying for the best credit cards, and using the right credit cards for your daily spending.
Having the card that best suits your spending patterns can be the difference between earning a single point per dollar on a purchase, and earning five points per dollar on a purchase.
Over the past several years we’ve seen the introduction of so many great new cards that can really help you maximize every dollar you spend. I remember that back in the day I’d typically only earn around one point per dollar spent, while nowadays I’m averaging multiple points per dollar spent.
In this post:
The best credit card bonus categories
Given how much the credit card landscape has changed, I figured it was worth sharing the cards that I’m currently using for each major spending category, based on my portfolio of cards. This list is different than the credit cards that I spend the most on in absolute terms, since that one is heavily skewed based on my spending patterns.
Below are the cards I use for various categories, ranked from the most points per dollar to the fewest points per dollar (and the return on spending that I calculate is based on my valuation of points).
Airfare purchases
I use The Platinum Card® from American Express (review) for my airfare purchases globally, as the card offers 5x Membership Rewards points on airfare purchased directly from airlines or through Amex Travel, on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year (which is a cap I certainly don’t hit; after that it is 1x). I value those points at 1.7 cents each, for a return of 8.5%. On top of that, the Amex Platinum offers excellent travel protection when putting airfare purchases on the card.
Learn more about the best credit cards for airfare purchases.
Dining purchases
I use the Citi Prestige Card for my dining purchases, as the card offers 5x ThankYou points per dollar spent on dining purchases globally. I value those points at 1.7 cents each, for a return of 8.5%.
Learn more about the best credit cards for dining purchases.
Cellular phone, internet, and cable purchases
I use the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (review) for my cell phone purchases, as the card offers 3x Ultimate Rewards points, and has a great cell phone protection plan. Meanwhile I use the no annual fee Ink Business Cash® Credit Card for my internet and cable purchases, as the card offers 5x Ultimate Rewards points.
As you can see, I’m forgoing some points on cell phone purchases by using the Ink Business Preferred, but I find it to be worthwhile for the added protection.
Office supply store purchases
I use the no annual fee Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (review) for office supply purchases, as the card offers 5x points. You can buy a surprising number of things at office supply stores, so I find this to be quite useful.
In conjunction with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (review), Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card (review), or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, these points can be turned into Ultimate Rewards points.
Food delivery purchases
I use food delivery services, so I feel like in my case that’s worth putting in a separate category from dining. What’s interesting is how different credit cards categorize food delivery services, as some view them the same as restaurants, while others don’t.
Since most of my food delivery spending is with Uber Eats, I currently use the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card (review). Thanks to a partnership between Capital One and Uber that’s valid through November 14, 2024, this card currently offers 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats spending. Those rewards can be converted into Capital One miles at the rate of one cent per mile, meaning I’m earning 10x Capital One miles per dollar spent.
For all other food delivery purchases, I use the Citi Prestige Card for food delivery, as the card offers 5x ThankYou points on these purchases, just as is the case with dining.
Grocery & supermarket purchases
I use the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card for my grocery and supermarket purchases. The no annual fee card offers 3% cash back on those purchases, and those rewards can be converted into Capital One miles at the rate of one cent per mile, meaning I’m earning 3x Capital One miles per dollar spent. I value that at a 5.1% return on that spending.
Learn more about the best credit cards for supermarket purchases.
Hotel & other travel purchases
I use the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (review) for most non-airfare travel purchases, as the card offers 3x Ultimate Rewards points on all travel coded purchases globally, for a return of 5.1%. This includes everything from hotels, to rideshares and taxis, to cruises, to parking.
There are only four exceptions to this:
- I use the World of Hyatt Credit Card (review) and World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (review) for my Hyatt purchases (so that I earn 4x World of Hyatt points, which I value at a 6% return)
- I use the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (review) for my Hilton purchases (so that I earn 14x Hilton Honors points, which I value at a 7% return)
- I use the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (review) for my Marriott purchases (so that I earn 6x Marriott Bonvoy points, which I value at a 4.2% return — even though this isn’t necessarily the best return, I find it to be worthwhile)
- I use the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card (review) for my Uber purchases (through November 14, 2024, you can earn 10% cash back on those purchases)
Learn more about the best credit cards for hotel purchases, learn more about the best credit cards for rideshare purchases.
The information and associated card details on this page for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by OMAAT and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Gas station purchases
Honestly, I should probably do better in this category, but I end up using the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (review) for my gas station purchases, earning the standard 2x miles per dollar spent on the card, which I value at a 3.4% return.
I just don’t spend that much on gas, and I don’t have a card that offers a better “no strings attached” return on gas station spending.
Learn more about the best credit cards for gas station purchases.
Drugstore purchases
I use the no annual fee Chase Freedom Unlimited® (review) for U.S. drugstore purchases, as the card offers 3x points on those purchases. In conjunction with select other cards, these rewards can be converted into Ultimate Rewards points.
International purchases
My go-to card for purchases abroad is the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, given that it offers 2x miles per dollar spent, which I value at a 3.4% return.
Now, I still use cards with bonus categories internationally if there are no foreign transaction fees. But for all my international non-travel and dining purchases, this is my preferred card.
Learn more about the best credit cards for international purchases.
Everyday, non-bonused personal spending
For personal spending in non-bonused categories, I use the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card nowadays, which offers a flat 2x miles per dollar spent, all with no foreign transaction fees. While the card has a $395 annual fee, that’s quite easy to justify thanks to the benefits the card offers, including $300 in Capital One Travel credits every cardmember year, plus 10,000 bonus miles every anniversary.
Learn more about the best credit cards for everyday spending.
Everyday, non-bonused business spending
For my business spending in non-bonused categories, I use the Capital One Venture X Business (review). Much like the personal version of the card, it offers a flat 2x miles per dollar spent, with no foreign transaction fees. The card also has a $395 annual fee, but that’s offset by the $300 in Capital One Travel credits every cardmember year, plus 10,000 bonus miles every anniversary.
Learn more about the best business credit cards.
Bottom line
It’s incredible how far credit card rewards structures have come, especially for those maximizing bonus categories. When all is said and done, I earn an average of over 3x transferable points per dollar spent, which I value at a return of over 5%.
While I’m not suggesting that everyone should have as many credit cards as I do, I do think there’s a lot of value in strategically getting a few cards that have big bonus categories for the things you spend most on.
How does this compare to the cards you use to maximize your spending?
This article is interesting because it contradicts comments you made when reviewing various cards specifically regarding cards not mentioned in this article. Clearly this is a paid promotion.
I'm still looking to shuffle a bit, going back and forth on having my wife get either Amex Gold or Platinum next.
My mix right now is:
Custom Cash #1 5x for the first $500 in groceries
Custom Cash #2 5x for the first $500 in restaurants
Flights Cap1 via portal for 5x or direct to airline with Citi Strata for 3x
Hotels Non-major brands Cap1 portal 10x major brands direct Citi Strata 3x
Gas Strata for 3x
Airfare -- My wife has the AMEX Plat (5x). if we are traveling together, airfare goes on that. If separately, I use the Citi Prestige (5x). The exception is flying Alaska, when I put the fare on my Alaska card (3x).
Restaurants & Food Delivery -- Citi Prestige (5x) or Amex Gold (4x).
Grocery/Supermarkets -- Amex Gold (4x)
Hotel -- Citi Prestige (3x, but 10x, if purchased through Citi travel); exception: Hilton Aspire (14x) @...
Airfare -- My wife has the AMEX Plat (5x). if we are traveling together, airfare goes on that. If separately, I use the Citi Prestige (5x). The exception is flying Alaska, when I put the fare on my Alaska card (3x).
Restaurants & Food Delivery -- Citi Prestige (5x) or Amex Gold (4x).
Grocery/Supermarkets -- Amex Gold (4x)
Hotel -- Citi Prestige (3x, but 10x, if purchased through Citi travel); exception: Hilton Aspire (14x) @ Hilton hotels.
Gas -- Citi Strata for 3x
Doesn't look like you use Bilt for anything, including Lyft.
It's Gary who sold his soul to Bilt and Cardless.
You got the wrong person.
So why do you keep the Amex Everyday Preferred? I was thinking you were using that for groceries (4.5x if you hit the 30 transactions). But it seems like that is $95 down the drain. Am I missing something?
With three or four wisely chosen cards, one will likely capture about 95 percent of the points theoretically possible given the person's spending pattern. The incremental benefit of adding another card to the mix only adds about 1.5 percent. The next card even less. The juice ain't worth the squeeze.
The Citi Prestige also offers 5x on airfare. Is there a reason you prefer Amex Platinum?
Prestige doesn't have any travel protection AFAIK, or even if it does they aren't as strong as AmEx's
Which wallet do you use for all those cards? Not being snarky, genuine question as generally my wallets fit 4-6 cards at most and I don’t get apply for more cards for that reason.
@ Nikojas -- It's a great question. My wallet and credit card organization system is a mess. I think I should probably dedicate a post to this, so stay tuned...
Apple Pay is helpful to avoid having to carry too many cards at one time
Ask Capital One.
They've been very concerned about your wallet for decades.
This is where Apple or Google wallet are helpful as you can put pretty much all cards in there and use them at any tap to pay terminal. Only challenge is when you don't have a tap to pay .