Most people think about credit cards one purchase at a time. Which card should I use at the grocery store? What about at restaurants? What about for a big tax bill? The honest answer is that the right card depends on the situation, and there is no single card that wins in every category.
What I can do is tell you which card I think is the best in each of the most important everyday spending categories, based on my own analysis of the available options. I have covered each of these categories in depth in dedicated posts, and this is the summary: the single best personal card in each category, what it earns, and why it wins.
I am limiting this to personal cards throughout. All return percentages are based on my valuations of the relevant points currencies: I value the points of Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou, Amex Membership Rewards, and Capital One, at 1.7 cents each.
Compare credit cards for everyday spending
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Earn 100,000 bonus points
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct
- 3x points on Dining
- $300 Annual Travel Credit
Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary subscriptions to Apple TV and Apple Music for a minimum of one year when activated by June 22, 2027, a value of $288 annually.
- Member FDIC
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earn 75,000 bonus points
- 5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x points on dining
- 2x points on travel purchases
- 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x on dining
- 3x on vacation homes
- 3x on gas & EV charging
- 3x on top streaming services
- 3x on online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs)
- 2x on all other travel purchases
- 1x on all other purchases
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Emergency Evacuation and Transportation and more
- Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $156.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for 12 months when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck® or NEXUS application.
- Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Member FDIC
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 bonus miles
- Earn 2x miles per dollar on every purchase
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more-you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Top rated mobile app
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
Earn 75,000 bonus points after qualifying purchases
- Earn Bonus Points on Dining
- Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com and 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com
Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time
Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
Learn more from these OMAAT posts:
- Citi Strata Elite Card Review: Are The Premium Perks Worth The Fee?
- Is The New Citi Strata Elite Card Worth It? 10 Reasons To Apply
- The Citi Strata Elite Card’s Incredible First Year Value: Why It Stands Out
- Citi Strata Elite Card Application Experience: Instant Approval!
- Citi Strata Elite Card Welcome Bonus Summary
- Earn 75,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
- Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com and 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com
- Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time
- Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
- Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit: Each calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more when booked through cititravel.com.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
Earn 75,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
Citi Strata Premier® Card
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after qualifying purchases
- Earn 3x Points on Airfare
- Earn 3x Points on Hotels
- Earn 3x Points at Restaurants
Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
Earn 3 Points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
- Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
- Earn 3 Points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Earn a $200 Bonus
- Earn 3% Cash Back on Dining
- Earn 3% Cash Back at Drugstores
- Earn 1.5% Cash Back On All Other Purchases
Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases
Learn more from these OMAAT posts:
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can use points to redeem for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the United States!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 27.74%.
- No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Citi Double Cash® Card
Earn $200 after qualifying purchases
- Earn 1% cash back when you make a purchase, earn 1% cash back when you pay for that purchase
1% cash back when you make a purchase
1% cash back when you pay for that purchase
Learn more from these OMAAT posts:
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.49% - 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
60,000 ONLINE BONUS POINTS OFFER
- Unlimited 2 points per $1 spent on travel and dining purchases
- Unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on purchases made everywhere else
- Up to $100 in Airline incidental and up to $100 in Airport Security Statement credits
Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No limit to the points you can earn and your points don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Low $95 annual fee.
- Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No limit to the points you can earn and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- Turn daily purchases into everyday wins. Simply use your Premium Rewards credit card for the things you already buy - from gifts to getaways - BofA Rewards™ members earn more points.
- Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at BofA Travel.
- Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, every four years.
- Travel Insurance protections to assist with trip delays, cancellations and interruptions, baggage delays and lost luggage.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- This offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Receive 60,000 online bonus points – a $600 value – after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Best everyday credit cards by category
1. Grocery spending
There are several strong options on my list of the best grocery credit cards, but one card stands clearly above the rest.
Top pick: American Express® Gold Card
The Amex Gold card earns 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, after which it drops to 1x. At my valuation of 1.7 cents per Membership Rewards point, that 4x is the equivalent of a 6.8% return on grocery spending. There is no other personal card that matches that return at scale.
The card has a annual fee (Rates & Fees), but the math is straightforward: it comes with up to $240 in annual dining credits (issued as $20 per month at restaurants, food delivery, and select partners) and up to $120 in annual Uber Cash credits ($10/mo), which together help justify the fee significantly for most cardholders. The card also earns 4x at restaurants worldwide on up to $50K in purchases per calendar year and then 1x, making it a natural fit for people who spend heavily on both food at home and food out.
Link: Learn more about the American Express® Gold Card
Runner-up: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year, which is the highest cash back rate at grocery stores of any card available. The $6,000 annual cap is the main limitation, but for households spending $500 or less per month at supermarkets, the cap is not a binding constraint. The card has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (Rates & Fees).
Link: Learn more about the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Verdict on earning rewards on grocery spending
The Amex Gold wins on earn rate at scale, particularly for anyone who spends more than $500 per month at supermarkets or who wants to earn transferable points rather than cash back. For lower grocery spenders who prefer cash back, the Blue Cash Preferred is the better fit.
2. Gas station spending
Gas station rewards vary more than most people realize, and several cards are in the running for the best credit cards for gas offer compelling returns in this category. Here are my top picks:
Top pick: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred earns 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations with no annual cap. That is a straightforward, reliable return on every fill-up, with no portals to book through and no category activation required. The card has $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (Rates & Fees), and the supermarket spending category alone makes the annual fee easy to justify independently of the gas station benefit.
Link: Learn more about the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Runner-up: Citi Strata Premier® Card
The Citi Strata Premier card earns 3x ThankYou points at gas stations and EV charging stations, with no cap. At my valuation, that is a 5.1% return on gas spending, making it the highest-returning personal card in this category on a points basis. The card has a $95 annual fee and also earns 3x on groceries, dining, air travel, and hotels, making it one of the most well-rounded mid-tier travel cards available.
Link: Learn more about the Citi Strata Premier® Card
Verdict on earning rewards on fuel
The Blue Cash Preferred wins for cash back simplicity and the combination of grocery and gas rewards in a single card. The Citi Strata Premier wins on pure points return for gas spending if you transfer to airline partners. Which is right depends on whether you prioritize cash back or transferable points.
3. Dining credit cards
The best dining credit cards category is one of the most competitive, with several cards offering 3x to 4x returns.
Top pick: American Express® Gold Card
The Amex Gold earns 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide on up to 50k per calendar year and then 1x. That is the highest consistent dining earn rate of any personal card available, at what I calculate to be a 6.8% return per dollar. The category covers sit-down restaurants, fast food, takeout, and delivery, and it applies globally, not just in the United States.
As noted in the grocery section, the card also earns 4x at U.S. supermarkets (on up to 25k/year and then 1x), making it the natural choice for anyone who wants to maximize both grocery and dining spending on a single card. The annual fee (Rates & Fees) is offset by up to $240 in annual dining credits and $120 in annual Uber Cash, making the effective out-of-pocket fee much lower for regular cardholders.
Link: Learn more about the American Express® Gold Card
Honorable mention: Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
The Citi Strata Elite deserves a mention for its uniquely structured dining benefit. The card earns 6x ThankYou points on Citi Nights dining, which applies on Fridays and Saturdays between 6PM and 6AM ET, and 3x at all other times. At my valuation, that 6x is a 10.2% return on weekend dining. For someone who concentrates their restaurant spending on weekend evenings, the Strata Elite can meaningfully outperform the Gold on a per-dollar basis. The $595 annual fee is higher, but the card offers a solid credit package to offset it.
Link: Learn more about the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
Verdict for dining rewards
The Amex Gold wins on consistent dining performance, particularly for daily and weekday use. If you eat out primarily on Friday and Saturday evenings and already hold or are considering the Citi Strata Elite for other reasons, the 6x dining rate is worth noting. For most people, the Gold is the better single-card answer for dining.
4. 0% intro APR cards
The best 0% introductory APR credit cards can be genuinely useful when you need to finance a large purchase over time without paying interest. The key is choosing a card that remains worth keeping after the intro period ends.
Top pick: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers a 0% Intro APR on Purchases and 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months, followed by a regular APR of 18.24% - 27.74% variable, with no annual fee. What sets it apart from the other intro APR cards is its long-term earning structure: 1.5x points on all purchases, which become transferable Ultimate Rewards points if you also hold a premium Chase card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. That makes the Freedom Unlimited a card worth holding permanently as part of a Chase ecosystem, not just for the intro period.
One important caveat: the intro APR cards on this list are worth considering for financing a genuine necessary purchase, not as a reason to spend more than you otherwise would. The ongoing interest rate after the intro period ends is significant, and carrying a balance beyond that point will wipe out any rewards value many times over.
Link: Learn more about the Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Balance transfer pick: Citi Double Cash® Card
The Citi Double Cash is sometimes listed as a 0% APR card, and it does offer an intro period on balance transfers. However, that rate does not apply to new purchases, only to balances transferred from other cards. If you are looking to pay down existing debt and earn rewards on new spending simultaneously, the Double Cash can serve both purposes, but it is not a true 0% on purchases card.
Link: Learn more about the Citi Double Cash® Card
0% intro APR credit card verdict
The Freedom Unlimited is the best intro APR card for new purchases, particularly for anyone building a Chase Ultimate Rewards balance. It earns real value on spending beyond the intro period and has no annual fee to justify. Just make sure the purchase is one you would make regardless, and have a plan to pay it off before the intro period ends. The Citi Double Cash card can be a good option for those looking to pay down existing balances with a card worth keeping long-term.
5. New customer bonuses
The best new cardmember bonuses are one of the fastest ways to earn a large points balance, and the right card can unlock aspirational travel in a way that everyday spending alone never could.
Top pick: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is currently offering a welcome bonus of 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $6,000 within the first three months. At my valuation of 1.7 cents per point, that bonus is worth approximately $1,700. The spending requirement is one of the most accessible of any card offering this level of bonus value, and Ultimate Rewards points are among the most flexible and valuable currencies available, transferring to World of Hyatt, United, Singapore KrisFlyer, Air Canada Aeroplan, and many others at a 1:1 ratio.
Beyond the welcome bonus, the Sapphire Reserve is a card that earns its keep long term: the $300 annual travel credit reduces the effective annual fee, and the card offers exceptional lounge access including Chase Sapphire Lounges and a Priority Pass Select membership. The card earns 4x on direct flight and hotel bookings, 3x on dining, and 8x on purchases through Chase Travel℠.
Link: Learn more about the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card
Best value credit card offer: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
For those who cannot stomach high annual fees, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $5,000 in three months, at a $95 annual fee. The points are worth approximately $1,275 at my valuation. The Preferred also includes a $100 annual hotel credit. It is not the highest-value bonus on the list, but the combination of bonus value, spending requirement, and annual fee makes it the most accessible strong offer available.
Link: Learn more about the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Credit card welcome bonus verdict
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers the best combination of welcome bonus value and accessible spending requirement for a premium card. The Amex Platinum has a potentially larger bonus but a higher spending requirement. For someone new to points, the Sapphire Preferred is the best entry point. For someone comfortable with a premium card, the Sapphire Reserve is the best overall offer right now.
6. Cash back
The top cash back cards are the simplest way to earn from credit card spending, but the best options also give you the flexibility to convert rewards to travel points if you ever want to.
Co-winners: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Citi Double Cash® Card
I am calling a tie at the top of this category, because the right answer genuinely depends on what you value.
The Capital One Venture X earns 2x miles on all purchases with no caps and no foreign transaction fees. At my valuation of 1.7 cents per mile, that is a 3.4% return on every dollar. Miles can be redeemed toward the cost of any travel purchase at one cent each, or transferred to nearly 20 airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio for potentially greater value. The $395 annual fee is offset by a $300 annual Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, making the card effectively neutral to hold in year two and beyond. This is the card I default to for non-bonused personal spending.
The Citi Double Cash earns 2x ThankYou points on all purchases through its structure of 1x when you make a purchase and 1x when you pay, all with no annual fee. On its own, those points are worth one cent each as cash back. But if you also hold the Citi Strata Premier® Card, you can transfer those points to airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio, unlocking the same 3.4% return as the Venture X, at a lower annual fee. For someone building a Citi ThankYou Points balance, the Double Cash is the best complement card in the ecosystem.
Link: Learn more about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Link: Learn more about the Citi Double Cash® Card
Honorable mention: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
For cardholders with at least $1,000,000 in qualifying balances across Bank of America and Merrill accounts, the Bank of America Premium Rewards card earns 2.625% cash back on non-bonused spending through the BofA Rewards™ program. That is the highest flat cash back rate available on any personal card, but it requires the asset relationship to unlock. If you have those assets, it is worth a look.
Link: Learn more about the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
Verdict
The Venture X wins if you want a premium card that covers its own fee and earns transferable miles. The Citi Double Cash wins if you want no annual fee and maximum flexibility to earn cash back or transfer to partners. Both deliver the same 3.4% return on non-bonused spending at my valuations, and they are the two cards I personally split my non-bonused spending across.
7. No annual fee credit card
No annual fee cards have become significantly more competitive in recent years. You no longer have to pay an annual fee to earn meaningful rewards.
Top pick: Citi Double Cash® Card
The Citi Double Cash is the best no annual fee card for most people, because it delivers the highest flat-rate return on all spending without any caps, rotating categories, or annual fees to track. The card earns 1x ThankYou points when you make a purchase and an additional 1x when you pay, for an effective 2x on everything. On a standalone basis, those points are worth one cent each as cash back, making it a true 2% cash back card with no strings attached.
The bigger opportunity is using the Double Cash as a complement to the Citi Strata Premier or Citi Strata Elite. With either of those cards in your wallet, the points earned on the Double Cash become transferable to airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio, which is where the real value comes from. That combination gives you 2x transferable points on all non-bonused spending with no annual fee, which is the best no-fee earn rate available anywhere.
Link: Learn more about the Citi Double Cash® Card
Runner-Up: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5x points on everything and 3x on dining and drugstores, all with no annual fee. Like the Double Cash, those points are most valuable when paired with a premium Chase card: holding the Sapphire Reserve or Preferred unlocks the ability to transfer Freedom Unlimited points to Chase’s airline and hotel partners. The lower base earn rate compared to the Double Cash is the main drawback, but for anyone already in the Chase ecosystem, this is the natural complement to a Sapphire card.
Link: Learn more about the Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Verdict
The Citi Double Cash is the best standalone no annual fee card for everyday spending, and it becomes even more powerful paired with any premium Citi ThankYou card. If you are already a Chase cardmember, the Freedom Unlimited is worth having as a complement to your Sapphire card. There is no reason not to have at least one of these in your wallet.
How to think about your card strategy
You probably need more than one card
No single card wins in every category, which means the most efficient strategy almost always involves two or three cards. A natural starting point is pairing a category card like the Amex Gold for dining and supermarkets with a flat-rate card like the Capital One Venture X or Citi Double Cash for everything else. That combination captures high earn rates on your biggest spending categories while ensuring non-bonused spending earns at least 2x.
Transferable points beat cash back at scale
Several of the cards above offer what look like cash back rewards but are actually transferable points currencies in disguise. The Citi Double Cash earns ThankYou points that can be transferred to airline partners for potentially 2x or more the cash value. The Capital One Venture X earns miles that transfer to Air Canada Aeroplan and Turkish Airlines Miles and Smiles, among others. For anyone willing to put in a small amount of research on redemption options, transferable points almost always outperform straight cash back.
Annual fees are not automatically bad
Every card on this list with an annual fee more than offsets it with the value it delivers, either through credits, bonus earn rates, or perks like lounge access. The question is not whether a card has an annual fee but whether you can personally extract more value than the fee costs. The Amex Gold, Sapphire Reserve, and Venture X all have annual fees, and all three are cards that most people who apply for them will come out ahead on annually.
Point valuations matter
All return percentages in this post are based on my own point valuations: 1.7 cents per point for Ultimate Rewards, ThankYou points, Membership Rewards, and Capital One miles. Your actual return depends on how you redeem your points. If you redeem Membership Rewards points as statement credits at less than a penny each, the Amex Gold’s 4x earn rate becomes much less compelling. These valuations assume you are transferring to airline or hotel partners and using the points for aspirational travel. If you plan to cash out, factor in the lower redemption value when evaluating each card.
Bottom Line
Maximizing credit card rewards does not require a complicated strategy or a wallet full of cards. The most important thing is to make sure you are not leaving money on the table with your two or three biggest spending categories. If you eat out frequently and shop at the grocery store, the Amex Gold is a card you should be using. If you spend a significant amount on non-bonused purchases, the Capital One Venture X or Citi Double Cash should be your default. And if a large purchase or new card application is coming up, take a few minutes to think about which card and which strategy will get you the most value before you swipe.
The eight categories in this post cover the situations that come up most frequently for most people. I have dedicated posts going deeper on each one, and the links throughout this post will take you there if you want the full picture on any individual category. But if you are looking for a starting point, the cards on this page are where I would begin.
Everyday spending credit card FAQs
The following links will direct you to the rates and fees for mentioned American Express Cards. These include: American Express® Gold Card (Rates & Fees), and Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (Rates & Fees).
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