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You don't have to be a world traveler or big spender to reap credit card rewards. Some of the best rewards credit cards are those you keep in your wallet for everyday use, because they reward you for spending you're going to do anyway.
Having a great everyday rewards card is how I've gotten valuable cash back, gift cards, and free travel over the years. Each of the cards included in this roundup offers lucrative rewards that don't require much effort on your part because the rewards programs are so straightforward.
Cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express are two of our top choices, but all of the cards on our list give you great benefits. Let's dive into the specifics of these great everyday use
How we rate products
All of the credit cards we’ve selected for daily use provide valuable earnings, though some reward specific everyday use categories more than other purchases.
For this roundup, we focused primarily on credit cards that pay an elevated reward rate on everyday spending, such as groceries and gas.
Travel is a high-earning rewards category for some of these cards, but that was not a criterion in our research. Rather, these cards made the cut because of their flexible rewards programs and the opportunity to earn rewards on daily spending.
Most of the cards here don’t charge an annual fee, but those that do offer benefits such as welcome bonuses and/or travel protection, which you can compare to the cost of the fee.
Compare the best cards for daily use
| Credit Card | Rewards Rate | Welcome Bonus | Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 award winner
Best for Dining Out
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Apply Now
Chase Freedom Unlimited® 4.7
|
1.5% - 5%
Cash Back
|
$200
Bonus
|
Balance Transfer:
0%, 15 months
Purchases:
0%, 15 months
|
18.49% - 27.99% Variable
|
$0
|
/images/2024/12/16/amex_blue_cash_everyday.png)
Learn How to Apply
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express 4.9
|
1% - 3%
Cash back
|
$200
Statement credit
|
Balance Transfer:
0%, 15 months
Purchases:
0%, 15 months
|
19.74% - 28.74% Variable
|
$0
|
|
2025 award winner
Best for Groceries
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Learn How to Apply
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express 5.0
|
1% - 6%
Cash back
|
$250
Statement credit
|
Balance Transfer:
0%, 12 months
Purchases:
0%, 12 months
|
19.74% - 28.74% Variable
|
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter
|
/images/2025/11/13/bofa_customized_cash_.png)
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Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card 4.5
|
1% - 6%
Cash back
|
$200
|
Balance Transfer:
0%, 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Purchases:
0%, 15 billing cycles
|
17.74% - 27.74% Variable
|
$0
|
|
2025 award winner
Best for Simple Travel Rewards
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Apply Now
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card 4.7
|
2X - 5X
Miles
|
75,000 Miles
|
Balance Transfer:
N/A, N/A
Purchases:
N/A, N/A
|
19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
|
$95
|
|
2025 award winner
Best for 0% Intro APR and Rewards
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Apply Now
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card 4.9
|
1% - 8%
Cash Back
|
$200 Cash Bonus + $100 Capital One Travel credit
|
Balance Transfer:
0%, 12 months
Purchases:
0%, 12 months
|
18.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
|
$0
|
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
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- Intro Offer: 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 choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.49% - 27.99%.
- 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
The Chase Freedom Unlimited is great for someone looking for easy cash back on common everyday categories without rotating categories to keep track of. This is one of my go-to rewards cards because it always gives me significant rewards, not just on travel.
With up to 5% cash back and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases outside of bonus categories, the Chase Freedom Unlimited offers solid earning potential. That's why we consider it one of the best cash back credit cards.
You can also benefit from additional perks, such as purchase protection and extended warranty protection for eligible items you buy using the Chase Freedom Unlimited. The best part is that it has a $0 annual fee.
If all of this sounds good but you don't mind paying an annual fee to do better on travel, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card instead. This card offers similar benefits and perks as the Freedom Unlimited, but your point value could be higher when redeemed through Chase Travel℠. This card has a $95 annual fee.
- No annual fee
- High base rewards rate
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- You can earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Foreign transaction fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
- No elevated earnings on groceries
Apply now or find out more in our Chase Freedom Unlimited® review.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
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- $0 annual fee, but still pays healthy bonus rewards
- Makes gas purchases more affordable
- Great welcome offer that you can earn with everyday spending
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a respectable no-annual-fee card for someone who wants to earn cash back and redeem it for money.
Even though the top earning rate of 3% cash back on U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year on eligible purchases in each category, then 1%) isn't unlimited, this card offers a lot of ongoing value. In fact, we estimate it provides up to $1,019 in value in the first year and $819 in the second, according to our FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model. Since some rewards cards only reward you on a single spending area, it's helpful that three everyday spending categories — gas, groceries, and online retail purchases in the U.S. — qualify for the higher rate.
- Car rental loss and damage insurance
- Disney Bundle credit
- You can earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 19.74% - 28.74% Variable) and 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 19.74% - 28.74% Variable)
- 3% cash back earnings capped
- Foreign transaction fee: 2.7% (after U.S. dollar conversion)
Learn how to apply or find out more in our Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express review.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
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- High cashback rates at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, eligible transit, and U.S. streaming subscriptions (cash back is in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit)
- Introductory APR for purchases and balance transfers
- Up to $10 monthly statement credit toward an eligible Disney bundle subscription (subject to auto renewal; enrollment required)
If your spending is a bit more diversified across various categories, you may want to consider the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express.
The caveat to this card is that it comes with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter. But while no-annual-fee credit cards can be easier to justify getting, the math on this card's fee is easy. If you spend $500 a month or $6,000 a year at U.S. supermarkets, you'll earn $360 in cash back from this card. My family would easily meet this and more than make up for the annual fee.
- Very high rate on U.S. supermarkets and select U.S. streaming services
- 3% cash back on U.S. gas stations and transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more)
- You can earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months
- Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter
- Foreign transaction fee: 2.7% (after U.S. dollar conversion)
Learn how to apply or find out more in our Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express review.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
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- Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice: gas and EV charging stations; online shopping, including cable, internet, phone plans and streaming; dining; travel; drug stores and pharmacies; or home improvement and furnishings. You’ll automatically earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
- 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, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- With the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program, members can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means the 3% choice category could go up to 3.75%-5.25%. The Preferred Rewards bonus is not applied to the 3% first-year bonus.
- No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.74% - 27.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a great daily driver because of its flexible categories and earning potential, which you can enjoy with a $0 annual fee.
You can earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, you'll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category. 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, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum. So it can take a little strategizing.
- Elevated rewards on grocery spending
- Elevated rewards on one monthly bonus category of your choice
- You can earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
- 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases (then 17.74% - 27.74% Variable) and 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (then 17.74% - 27.74% Variable)
- Can increase rewards potential as a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member
- Elevated rewards are capped at $2,500 per quarter combined
- Must activate your bonus category if you don't want the default of gas and EV charging
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%
Apply now or find out more in our Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card review.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
If you want to earn valuable miles on all your purchases, the Capital One Venture Rewards is a great everyday card for travel rewards.
While you might not use just any travel card daily, the fact that you earn an unlimited 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day makes it more straightforward to use than many alternatives. Flat-rate rewards like this are ideal for people who only travel a couple of times a year, while a travel rewards card with higher rates but more bonus categories to keep track of might be more appealing to frequent travelers.
When it's time to use your rewards, you have a lot of flexibility. You can redeem miles for free flights and book hotel stays, rental cars, rideshare services, and more. This card is also one of only two we've included on this list without foreign transaction fees.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck reimbursement up to $120 every four years
- Foreign transaction fees: None
- You can enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- $95 annual fee
- Rewards rate isn't as high as some more premium cards
- Not as beneficial if you don't travel
Find out more in our Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
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- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn $300 in welcome bonuses. Enjoy a $100 credit to use towards flights, stays and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel during your first cardholder year. Plus, earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months; 18.99% - 28.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
If you like the Capital One Venture Rewards card but don't want to pay an annual fee, consider the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards card. This card rewards you in cash back that you can redeem for travel and a host of other purchases, as well as cash or statement credits.
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards card offers a nice 3% cash back on grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services. Many households spend more on groceries than any other category, so this is likely to be a card you reach for at least weekly.
- Solid rewards at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets
- Cash back unlimited in every category
- You can enjoy a $100 credit to use towards flights, stays and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel during your first cardholder year. Plus, earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening (limited time offer)
- Annual fee: $0
- Foreign transaction fees: None
- Grocery purchases at Walmart and Target don't earn the elevated rate
- Certain streaming services are ineligible for the elevated rate (Prime Video, AT&T TV, and Verizon FIOS On Demand)
Learn more in our Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card review.
Cards that didn't make our list
These are a couple of other top everyday-use credit cards that didn't quite make the cut, but they might still work well depending on your spending habits.
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
We've kept this on our list of "alternates" because you have to be a Costco member to qualify. However, if you're paying for a Costco membership to save on everyday purchases anyway, having the Costco Anywhere Visa offers you elevated rewards, particularly on gas purchases.
This card is a terrific option since there's no annual fee and rewards are valuable, but only if you shop at Costco and already pay for membership.
Rewards: 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% on restaurants and eligible travel purchases; 2% on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com; and 1% on all other purchases.
Learn more in our Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi review.
Citi Double Cash® Card
The Citi Double Cash Card is an excellent all-around rewards card due to its simple rewards system. You can earn up to 2% on all purchases (1% when you buy, and 1% when you pay for your purchases). This isn't as high as some of the cards included above, but if you prefer to avoid rotating categories, this might be a good alternative. We also recommend this one if you need motivation to pay your credit card bills on time.
Rewards: Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
Learn more in our Citi Double Cash® Card review.
How to choose the best credit cards for daily use
The best credit card for daily use is one that will earn you high rewards on your day-to-day purchases. Whether it be filling up your car, grabbing a quick cup of coffee, or buying materials for a home project, everyone needs a card they can turn to that will reward them regardless of the purchase.
Here are some essential factors to consider:
- Type of rewards: Consider whether you want to earn cashback or miles and how it affects your redemption options. Do you want cashback rewards to put money back into your monthly budget? Or is redeeming travel rewards to help fund your next vacation more appealing?
- Ease of rewards redemption: With any rewards card, it's crucial that you can not only maximize earning but redeem your points or cash easily. Some reward programs are more complicated than others. For example, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card is pretty limited in redemptions (statement credits or deposits into your account). But Capital One Venture Rewards has quite a few additional redemption options from Amazon and PayPal purchases to travel bookings to gift cards. They're all valuable, but if you don't feel like learning the ins and outs, stick to a card with a simpler redemption program.
- Annual fee: Some credit cards charge annual fees, which isn't on its own a negative aspect. But you should make sure that you get enough benefits from the card when you pay for an annual fee. You can do some simple math. Look through the perks of the cards you're considering and determine their value.
- Welcome offers: Many rewards cards boost your earnings soon after account opening through welcome offers that you can earn through certain qualifying activities, (usually reaching a minimum spend amount). Your goal is to choose a card for everyday use that has an attainable welcome bonus (if you have to spend more than your budget allows, you won't receive any bonus cash or points).
- Your other credit cards: You may hold multiple credit cards, which can be a smart way to stack your rewards. You may have one card intended for travel purchases with your favorite rewards program, but you want to add a solid card for everyday spending. Look for any gaps in your current credit card benefits to find your next card.
FAQs
Which is better, cards with a flat cashback rate or bonus categories?
Either one can be beneficial. If you'll pay attention to rotating categories and you're likely to spend regularly in the highlighted categories, a bonus cashback card can be a good way to go. On the other hand, if you're not interested in keeping track and just want to earn cash back without fuss, a flat-rate card might work better for you.
Is it good to use a credit card for everyday purchases?
In my opinion, yes, though you still want to be mindful of spending and not overshoot your budget. Rewards cards are fabulous for everyday purchases that you have to make anyway. Just make sure you pay off your balance in full at the end of each month to avoid paying interest charges that can offset any rewards you earn from your spending.
What credit score do you need for a top cash back or travel card?
Card issuers will consider your creditworthiness when you apply for a new card. To get approved for one of the best cash back or travel rewards credit cards, you will likely need a credit score of at least 700 to qualify for the best credit card offers. If your credit score isn't up to snuff, you might look into one of these credit cards for no credit (or low credit scores).
Bottom line
Credit cards for everyday use offer rewards on purchases everyone needs to make on a regular basis. The rewards cards included here offer cash or points back on grocery, gas, dining, and other common purchases.
Be sure to consider your preferred type of rewards and redemptions and which of your daily spending categories you're already well covered for. You can choose a flat-rate rewards card or one with an elevated rate for specific expenses. All of the ones we've chosen for this list offer ongoing value, competitive earn rates, and flexible redemptions.
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Current Offer
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases