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Best Credit Cards For Each Category in 2023

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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. 
Best Credit Cards To Use For Each Category
Photo Credit: Chase
Table of Contents  [show/hide]

    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

    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
    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
    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
    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
    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

    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%
    • Cashback
    Capital One SavorOne Rewards Credit Card 3%
    • Cashback
    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

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