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Below is my attempt to put together a master list of the best credit cards to use for each spending category. Aside from earning bonus points, miles, or cash back, some credit cards also offer travel benefits and insurance protection when you use the card to pay.
This master list post is a work in progress. I’ll update it more frequently to include more categories.
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| Photo Credit: Chase |
Car Rentals With Insurance
Credit Cards
|
Earning
|
Notes
|
| Capital One Venture X Credit Card |
Up to 10X |
- 10X on car rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
- Unlimited 2X on all other purchases, including car rentals
- No foreign transaction fees
- Primary rental car insurance
|
|
|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card |
Up to 10X |
- 10X on car rentals purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel
- 3X on car rentals
- No foreign transaction fees
- Primary rental car insurance globally
|
|
|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card |
Up to 5X |
- 5X on car rentals purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel
- 2X on car rentals
- No foreign transaction fees
- Primary rental car insurance globally
|
|
|
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card |
Up to 5X |
- 5X on car rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
- Unlimited 2X on all other purchases, including car rentals
- No foreign transaction fees
- Primary rental car insurance
|
|
|
| Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card |
3X |
- The first $150k spent in combined purchases each anniversary year
- No foreign transaction fees
- Primary rental car insurance for businesses globally
|
|
|
| Chase United Quest Credit Card |
2X |
- No foreign transaction fees
- Primary rental car insurance globally
|
|
|
| Capital One Spark Miles Business Credit Card |
2X |
- No foreign transaction fees
- Primary rental car insurance
|
|
|
| Capital One Spark Cash Plus Business Card |
2X |
- No foreign transaction fees
- Primary rental car insurance
|
|
|
| American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card |
2X |
|
|
|
| Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card |
1.5X |
- 3% foreign transaction fees
- Primary rental car insurance for businesses globally
|
|
|
| Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card |
1X |
- 3% foreign transaction fees
- No annual fee
- Primary rental car insurance for businesses globally
|
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Cell Phone Bill With Insurance Protection
- The most important about this category is that you must use the card to pay for your cell phone bill each month to qualify for claims against cell phone insurance protection.
Credit Cards
|
Earning
|
Notes
|
| Choice Privileges Select Mastercard Credit Card |
5X |
|
|
|
| Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card |
3X |
- The first $150k spent in combined purchases each anniversary year
- Phone services are one of the eligible categories to earn 3X
- Up to $1,000 per claim for theft or damage
- Maximum 3 claims in a 12-month period
- $100 deductible
- Covers employees only if listed on the bill
- Call the number on the back of the card or submit a claim online.
- The claim must be made within 60 days of the incident
- Secondary insurance
|
|
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| Choice Privileges Mastercard Credit Card |
3X |
|
|
|
| Capital One Venture X Credit Card |
2X |
- Reimbursed up to $800 for stolen or damaged
- Maximum 2 claims per 12-month period
- $50 deductible
- Call 1-844-288-2140 to file the claim within 90 days of the incident
|
|
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| American Express Platinum Card |
1X |
- Reimbursed up to $800 per claim for damage or theft
- Maximum 2 claims per 12-month period
- $50 deductible
- Call 1-833-784-1467 to file a claim within 90 days of the incident
- More information
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|
|
| American Express Business Platinum Card |
1X |
- $10 monthly wireless telephone service credit
- Reimbursed up to $800 per claim for damage or theft
- Maximum 2 claims per 12-month period
- $50 deductible
- Call 1-833-784-1467 to file a claim within 90 days of the incident
- More information
|
|
|
| Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card |
1X |
- Offered by Mastercard
- Reimbursed up to $800 per claim for damage or theft
- Maximum 2 claims per 12-month period
- $50 deductible
- Learn more about the benefits and file a claim online
|
|
|
| American Express Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card |
1X |
- Reimbursed up to $800 per claim for damage or theft
- Maximum 2 claims per 12-month period
- $50 deductible
- Call 1-833-784-1467 to file a claim within 90 days of the incident
- More information
|
|
|
| American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card |
1X |
- Reimbursed up to $800 per claim for damage or theft
- Maximum 2 claims per 12-month period
- $50 deductible
- Call 1-833-784-1467 to file a claim within 90 days of the incident
- More information
|
|
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| BILT Rewards Credit Card |
1X |
|
|
|
Dining and Restaurants
Credit Cards
|
Earning
|
Notes
|
| American Express Hilton Honors Aspire Credit Card |
7X |
- No limits
- U.S. restaurants only
|
|
|
| American Express Hilton Honors Business Card |
6X |
- No limits
- U.S. restaurants only
|
|
|
| Citi Custom Cash Credit Card |
5% |
- Top spent dining category, up to $500 each billing cycle
- Worldwide
- 3% foreign transaction fees
|
|
|
| American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business Card |
4X |
- Restaurants worldwide
- No foreign transaction fees
|
|
|
| American Express Gold Card |
4X |
- No limits
- Worldwide
- No foreign transaction fees
|
|
|
| American Express Business Gold Card |
4X |
- In the 2 select categories where you spend the most
- Up to $150,000 in combined purchases each year
- U.S. restaurants only, including takeout and delivery
|
|
|
| Capital One Savor Rewards Credit Card |
4% |
- No caps
- Worldwide
- No foreign transaction fees
|
|
|
| Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card |
3% |
|
|
|
| Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card |
3% |
- No caps
- Restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery
- 3% foreign transaction fees
|
|
|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card |
3X |
- No caps
- Restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery
- No foreign transaction fees
|
|
|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card |
3X |
- No caps
- Restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery
- No foreign transaction fees
|
|
|
| Citi Premier Credit Card |
3X |
- No caps
- Worldwide
- No foreign transaction fees
|
|
|
| American Express Green Card |
3X |
- No caps
- Restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery
- No foreign transaction fees
|
|
|
| Capital One SavorOne Rewards Credit Card |
3% |
- No caps
- Worldwide
- No foreign transaction fees
|
|
|
| BILT Rewards Credit Card |
3X |
- No caps
- Worldwide
- No foreign transaction fees
- Have at least 5 posted transactions per billing cycle to qualify
|
|
|
| Chase Aeroplan Credit Card |
3X |
- Restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery
- No foreign transaction fees
|
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|
Entertainment
- Not many credit cards offer bonus points in the Entertainment category.
- Entertainments include movie theatres, concert tickets, sports/game tickets, activity bookings such as Viator, GetYourGuide, tour companies, theme park tickets, etc.
Credit Cards
|
Earning
|
Notes
|
| Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card |
Up to 5% |
|
|
|
| Capital One Venture X Credit Card |
2X |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
|
|
|
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card |
2X |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
|
|
|
| Citi Double Cash Credit Card |
2X |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
- 1% when you buy and 1% as you pay
- No annual fee
|
|
|
| American Express Blue Business Plus Credit Card |
2X |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
- No annual fee
|
|
|
| Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card |
1.5% |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
- No annual fee
|
|
|
| Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card |
1.5% |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
- No annual fee
|
|
|
Gas
Credit Cards
|
Earning
|
Notes
|
| Barclays Wyndham Rewards Business Credit Card |
8X |
- No limits
- Worldwide
- No foreign transaction fees
|
|
|
| Barclays Wyndham Rewards Plus Credit Card |
6X |
- No limits
- Worldwide
- No foreign transaction fees
|
|
|
| American Express Hilton Honors Surpass Card |
6X |
- No limits
- U.S. gas stations only
|
|
|
| Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card |
5% |
|
|
|
| Citi Custom Cash Credit Card |
5% |
- Top spent category, up to $500 each billing cycle
- Worldwide
- 3% foreign transaction fees
|
|
|
| American Express Business Gold Card |
4X |
- In the 2 select categories where you spend the most
- Up to $150,000 in combined purchases each year
- U.S. gas stations only
|
|
|
| American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business Card |
4X |
- No caps
- U.S. gas stations only
|
|
|
| Citi Costco Anywhere Credit Card |
4% |
- Cashback on the first $7,000 per year
- Globally, including Costco gas station
- No foreign transaction fees
|
|
|
| Citi Costco Anywhere Business Credit Card |
4% |
- Cashback on the first $7,000 per year
- Globally, including Costco gas station
- No foreign transaction fees
|
|
|
| Citi Premier Credit Card |
3X |
- No caps
- Worldwide
- No foreign transaction fees
|
|
|
| Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card |
3% |
- Choose the 3% of your choice of categories, including gas
- $2,500 capped at each quarter in the combined choice category
|
|
|
| American Express Blue Cash Everyday Credit Card |
3% |
- Cashback on the first $6,000 per year, then 1%
- U.S. gas stations only
|
|
|
| American Express Blue Cash Preferred Credit Card |
3% |
- No caps
- U.S. gas stations only
|
|
|
Groceries
Credit Cards
|
Earning
|
Notes
|
| American Express Blue Cash Preferred Credit Card |
6% |
|
|
|
| Citi Custom Cash Credit Card |
5% |
- Top spent category, up to $500 each billing cycle
- Worldwide
- 3% foreign transaction fees
|
|
|
| Choice Privileges Select Mastercard Credit Card |
5X |
- Includes grocery stores, supermarkets, delis and bakeries
- Worldwide
- No foreign transaction fees
|
|
|
| American Express Gold Card |
4X |
|
|
|
| American Express EveryDay Preferred Credit Card |
Up to 3.5X |
|
|
|
| Citi Premier Credit Card |
3X |
- No caps
- Worldwide
- No foreign transaction fees
|
|
|
| Capital One Savor Rewards Credit Card |
3% |
- No caps
- Worldwide
- No foreign transaction fees
|
|
|
| Choice Privileges Mastercard Credit Card |
3X |
- Includes grocery stores, supermarkets, delis and bakeries
- Worldwide
- No foreign transaction fees
|
|
|
| American Express Blue Cash Everyday Credit Card |
3% |
|
|
|
Gym Membership
Credit Cards
|
Earning
|
Notes
|
| Chase World of Hyatt Credit Card |
2X |
- On fitness clubs or gym memberships
|
|
|
| Capital One Venture X Credit Card |
2X |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
|
|
|
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card |
2X |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
|
|
|
| Citi Double Cash Credit Card |
2X |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
- 1% when you buy and 1% as you pay
- No annual fee
|
|
|
| American Express Blue Business Plus Credit Card |
2X |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
- No annual fee
|
|
|
| Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card |
1.5% |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
- No annual fee
|
|
|
| Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card |
1.5% |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
- No annual fee
|
|
|
Rideshares: Uber & Lyft
Credit Cards
|
Earning
|
Notes
|
| Capital One SavorOne Rewards Credit Card |
10% |
- 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases
- Free monthly Uber One membership fee through November 14, 2024
- More Information
|
|
|
| Capital One Savor Rewards Credit Card |
10% |
- 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases
- Free monthly Uber One membership fee through November 14, 2024
- More Information
|
|
|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card |
Up to 10X |
- 10X on Lyft through March 31, 2025
- 3X on Uber
- Complimentary 2-year Lyft Pink All Access membership
|
|
|
| BILT Rewards Credit Card |
Up to 5X |
- Must link Bilt and Lyft accounts
- Bilt members earn 2x on Lyft
- Bilt card members earn 5x on Lyft
|
|
|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card |
Up to 5X |
- 5X on Lyft through March 31, 2025
- 2X on Uber
|
|
|
| Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card |
Up to 5X |
- 5X on Lyft through March 31, 2025
- 3X on Uber
|
|
|
| Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card |
Up to 5% |
|
|
|
| Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card |
Up to 5% |
- 5% on Lyft through March 31, 2025
- 1.5% on Uber
|
|
|
| American Express Blue Cash Preferred Credit Card |
3% |
- Transits include Uber and Lyft
|
|
|
| American Express Platinum Card |
1X |
- Up to $200 Amex Uber Credits annually
|
|
|
| American Express Gold Card |
1X |
- Up to $120 Amex Uber Credits annually
|
|
|
Streaming Services
Credit Cards
|
Earning
|
Notes
|
| American Express Blue Cash Preferred Credit Card |
6% |
|
|
|
| Capital One Savor Rewards Credit Card |
4% |
|
|
|
| Capital One SavorOne Rewards Credit Card |
3% |
|
|
|
| BILT Rewards Credit Card |
3X |
- No caps
- Worldwide
- No foreign transaction fees
- Have at least 5 posted transactions per billing cycle to qualify
|
|
|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card |
3X |
- On select streaming services
|
|
|
| American Express Platinum Card |
1X |
- Up to $20 in monthly statement credits for select streaming services:
- Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM
- Also includes Walmart+, offers free Paramount+
|
|
|
Travel: Airline Tickets
- If you have a co-branded airline credit card, you may want to use it to book an airline ticket for the benefits such as free checked bags, priority boarding, etc. and bonus points earning.
- Otherwise, below are the best credit cards for airline tickets purchases:
Credit Cards
|
Earning
|
Notes
|
| American Express Hilton Honors Aspire Credit Card |
7X |
|
|
|
| American Express Platinum Card |
5X |
|
|
|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card |
Up to 5X |
- 5X on flights purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel
- 3X on flights purchased directly with airlines
- No foreign transaction fees
- Includes comprehensive travel protection benefits
|
|
|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card |
Up to 5X |
- 5X on flights purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel
- 2X on flights purchased directly with airlines
- No foreign transaction fees
- Includes travel protection benefits
|
|
|
| Capital One Venture X Credit Card |
Up to 5X |
- 5X on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
- Unlimited 2X on all other purchases, including airline tickets
- No foreign transaction fees
- Includes travel protection benefits
|
|
|
| Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card |
5X |
- 5X on flights purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel
- 5% rotating quarterly categories, if offered for travel/airfare
- 3% foreign transaction fees
- Includes travel protection benefits
|
|
|
| Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card |
5X |
- 5X on flights purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel
- 1.5X on flights purchased directly with airlines
- 3% foreign transaction fees
- Includes travel protection benefits
|
|
|
| American Express Business Gold Card |
4X |
- In the 2 select categories where you spend the most
- Up to $150,000 in combined purchases each year
- No foreign transaction fees
- Includes trip delay insurance
|
|
|
| American Express Green Card |
3X |
- Limited-time offer: $200 statement credits on travel welcome offer
- Book directly with airlines or through Amex Travel
- No foreign transaction fees
- Includes trip delay insurance
|
|
|
| American Express Gold Card |
3X |
|
|
|
| Citi Premier Credit Card |
3X |
- No foreign transaction fees
- NO travel protection benefits
|
|
|
| Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card |
3X |
- The first $150k spent in combined purchases each anniversary year
- No foreign transaction fees
- Includes travel protection benefits
|
|
|
| Citi Costco Anywhere Credit Card |
3% |
- Unlimited 3% cash back on travel, including airline tickets
- Including Costco travel
- No foreign transaction fees
- NO travel protection benefits
|
|
|
| Citi Costco Anywhere Business Credit Card |
3% |
- Unlimited 3% cash back on travel, including airline tickets
- Including Costco travel
- No foreign transaction fees
- NO travel protection benefits
|
|
|
Travel: Hotel Booking
- If you have a co-branded hotel credit card, you may want to use it for extra bonus points earning and other benefits.
- Otherwise, below are the best credit cards to use for booking a hotel stay:
Credit Cards
|
Earning
|
Notes
|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card |
Up to 10X |
- 10X on hotels purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel
- 3X on all other travel, such as hotels
- No foreign transaction fees
- Includes comprehensive travel protection benefits
|
|
|
| Capital One Venture X Credit Card |
Up to 10X |
- 10X on hotels purchased through Capital One Travel
- Unlimited 2X on all other purchases, including hotels
- No foreign transaction fees
- Includes travel protection benefits
|
|
|
| Citi Premier Credit Card |
Up to 10X |
- 10X on hotels purchased through Citi ThankYou Travel through June 30, 2024
- Worldwide 3X on hotels purchased directly with hotels
- No foreign transaction fees
- NO travel protection benefits
|
|
|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card |
Up to 5X |
- 5X on hotels purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel
- 2X on all other travel, such as hotels
- No foreign transaction fees
- Includes travel protection benefits
|
|
|
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card |
Up to 5X |
- 5X on hotels purchased through Capital One Travel
- No foreign transaction fees
- Includes travel protection benefits
|
|
|
| American Express Platinum Card |
Up to 5X |
|
|
|
| American Express Green Card |
3X |
- Limited-time offer: $200 statement credits on travel welcome offer
- Book directly with hotels or through Amex Travel
- No foreign transaction fees
- Includes trip delay insurance
|
|
|
| Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card |
3X |
- The first $150k spent in combined purchases each anniversary year
- No foreign transaction fees
- Includes travel protection benefits
|
|
|
| Citi Costco Anywhere Credit Card |
3% |
- Unlimited 3% cash back on travel, including hotel bookings
- Including Costco travel
- No foreign transaction fees
- NO travel protection benefits
|
|
|
| Citi Costco Anywhere Business Credit Card |
3% |
- Unlimited 3% cash back on travel, including hotel bookings
- Including Costco travel
- No foreign transaction fees
- NO travel protection benefits
|
|
|
Utility Bills
Credit Cards
|
Earning
|
Notes
|
| Barclays Wyndham Rewards Business Credit Card |
5X |
- Unlimited 5X on utility purchases
|
|
|
| Capital One Venture X Credit Card |
2X |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
|
|
|
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card |
2X |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
|
|
|
| Citi Double Cash Credit Card |
2X |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
- 1% when you buy and 1% as you pay
- No annual fee
|
|
|
| American Express Blue Business Plus Credit Card |
2X |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
- No annual fee
|
|
|
| Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card |
1.5% |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
- No annual fee
|
|
|
| Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card |
1.5% |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
- No annual fee
|
|
|
Non-Category Spend
Credit Cards
|
Earning
|
Notes
|
| Capital One Venture X Credit Card |
2X |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
|
|
|
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card |
2X |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
|
|
|
| Citi Double Cash Credit Card |
2X |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
- 1% when you buy and 1% as you pay
- No annual fee
|
|
|
| American Express Blue Business Plus Credit Card |
2X |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
- No annual fee
|
|
|
| Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card |
1.5% |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
- No annual fee
|
|
|
| Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card |
1.5% |
- Unlimited on all purchases with no categories
- No annual fee
|
|
|
Hi there, my name is Phly (pronounced as Fly). I am a dedicated travel enthusiast with a deep passion for miles and points. Always willing to share my expertise, I possess a wealth of knowledge on miles and points, extensively researching and staying up-to-date with the latest strategies for maximizing travel rewards through credit cards and loyalty program promotions.
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