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Reena Thomas has been a credit cards editor for Bankrate since 2023. Her focus is on rewards cards and how to best maximize rewards. She also holds a doctorate in English Literature.
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When choosing a credit card for everyday spending, consider bonus categories, annual fees and rewards strategy.
Consider how you want to redeem or use your rewards — for travel? cash back? statement credits?
Some of the top credit cards for everyday purchases include the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, Discover it® Cash Back and Bilt Mastercard®.
Why use a credit card for everyday spending?
Using a rewards credit card for your day-to-day purchases means you’ll automatically earn points, miles or cash back for each and every purchase you make in person or online. As you rack up rewards on daily purchases, like groceries and gas, you can redeem those rewards for travel, a statement credit or other options depending on the card you have.
How do you choose a credit card for everyday spending?
Choose a card that matches your everyday spending and financial goals. If you travel a lot, for instance, you might consider a travel card that also has everyday bonus categories so you can use your rewards to help book your next vacation. Otherwise, a general cash back card might work better for you.
Check out these three features when you’re shopping around for an everyday credit card.
Look over your monthly budget. Choose a card where you’ll earn high rewards on what you spend the most each month.
For example, if your grocery bill tops the list, then a card that offers bonus rewards at grocery stores or wholesale clubs might be a good choice. You could earn hundreds of dollars in cash back or travel rewards every year.
Decide if you want an annual fee or a no annual fee card. Annual fee cards come with better rewards rates and perks. But if you opt for one, make sure you’ll earn enough rewards or you can take advantage of the card’s perks, like discounts or credits, to offset the cost every year and make the annual fee worth it.
Perhaps you prefer not to think about your card too much but still want to enjoy some rewards. Consider a flat-rate rewards card that earns the same rewards rate on all purchases, whether it’s rewards for gas or booking a hotel.
If you don’t mind putting in some effort, a rotating bonus or tiered card can offer greater earning potential. However, you’ll need to keep track of any restrictions, such as spending caps or bonus categories that rotate every quarter (or both).
You can also pair multiple cards and pool points from the same issuer for even more benefits and rewards.
Need extra help choosing a credit card for everyday spending? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool where you can get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.
Bankrate’s take:
Some rewards cards, like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card, allow you to customize your bonus category, so if you’re going on a road trip you can switch your top bonus category to “gas” and earn extra rewards.
What are the top credit cards for everyday spending?
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice.
Earn 3% cash back after the first year from account opening in your choice category.
Earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.
Earn 5% cash back rewards on gas at Costco and earn 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging purchases for the first $7,000 combined spend per year, and then 1% thereafter.
3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases and eligible travel, including Costco Travel.
2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
1% cash back on all other purchases
$0 (you do need to have a Costco membership, which has a yearly cost)
*Information about the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi has been collected independently by Bankrate. Card details have not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.
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APA:
Thomas, Ph.D., R. (2025, August 01). How to choose a credit card for everyday spending. Bankrate. Retrieved September 15, 2025, from https://venture-ascend.live/credit-cards/advice/how-to-choose-everyday-spending-card/
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MLA:
Thomas, Ph.D., Reena. "How to choose a credit card for everyday spending." Bankrate. 01 August 2025, https://venture-ascend.live/credit-cards/advice/how-to-choose-everyday-spending-card/.
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Chicago:
Thomas, Ph.D., Reena. "How to choose a credit card for everyday spending." Bankrate. August 01, 2025. https://venture-ascend.live/credit-cards/advice/how-to-choose-everyday-spending-card/.
