The 7 Best Credit Cards for Daily Use [2024]: Turn Your Expenses into Rewards

The best credit cards you can use on a daily basis are ones that help you earn cash back or other forms of rewards across common everyday categories. This includes the Chase Freedom Unlimited^®, the Citi Double Cash^® Card, and the Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express.

By using the right credit card for daily purchases, no matter how small they are, you ensure that you’re earning something in return. This is a perk you can’t really have when you use cash or most debit cards.

Let’s explore the rewards and benefits our top daily-use credit cards can offer.

Key takeaways

• Using a credit card that earns rewards on common everyday expenses gives you an edge over using cash.
• A credit card that helps you earn valuable 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, is the Chase Freedom Unlimited^®.
• You can elevate your earnings to 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (for first $6,000 per year, after that 1%) and on select U.S. streaming services using the Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express. Cash back comes in the form of Rewards Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
• People who want simple and straightforward cash back may prefer the Citi Double Cash^® Card for its flat cashback rate of 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.

The 7 best credit cards for daily use

• Chase Freedom Unlimited^®
• Citi Double Cash^® Card
• Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express
• Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express
• Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
• Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Compare the best credit cards for daily use

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

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 card helps you earn 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.

With an elevated 1.5% base rewards rate on all other purchases, the Chase Freedom Unlimited offers solid cashback earning potential. That’s why we consider it one of the best cashback credit cards out there.

You can redeem your rewards for statement credits, travel, Amazon purchases, and more.

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.

Apply now or find out more in ourChase Freedom Unlimited^® review.

Citi Double Cash^® Card

The Citi Double Cash^® Card makes it easy to earn cash back using a simple rewards system. You can earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.

You can also benefit from this card’s 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers within 18 months of account opening (then 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)). Keep in mind that there is a balance transfer fee of 3% of each balance transfer ($5 minimum) within 4 months of account opening; then 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) after the 4 month intro period ends.

The Citi Double Cash^® Card has an annual fee of $0, making it easy to keep this card year after year.

Apply now or find out more in our Citi Double Cash^® Card(Rates and fees) review.

Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express is a respectable $0-annual-fee card for someone looking for cashback opportunities. Terms apply.

With this card, you can earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year on purchases in each category, then 1%); and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

The Amex Blue Cash Everyday also offers 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases, then 19.24% - 29.99% Variable and 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% - 29.99% Variable.

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

If your spending is a bit more diversified across various categories, you may want to consider the Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express.

This card helps you earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (for first $6,000 per year, after that 1%) and on select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on eligible transit, and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

However, the caveat to this card is that it comes with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter. Terms apply. While that might not be as appealing as a card that always has a $0 annual fee, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred is well worth it when you consider the earning potential on your grocery shopping alone.

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

The Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a great daily-use card because of its flexible categories and earning potential, which you can enjoy while paying an annual fee of $0.

It can earn you 3% cash back in the category of your choice and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and 1% on all other purchases.

Since you can change your 3% category up to once a month, you’ll be able to plan out your purchases ahead of time to maximize your cashback potential. Between your 3% category and 2% category, you’re capped at $2,500 in purchases each quarter. All purchases made after the $2,500 threshold in those categories will go back to earning 1% cash back.

You can also benefit from an introductory 0% APR offer on new purchases for 15 billing cycles (then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable) and an introductory 0% APR offer for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable).

Apply now or find out more in our Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards credit card review.

Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi

If you’re as much of a Costco fan as I am, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card is a must-have credit card.

With this card in hand, you can earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 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.

There are an incredible amount of perks that come with having a Costco membership, but arguably the best one is the discounted gas at Costco gas stations. The Costco Anywhere Visa Card helps you benefit even more from your membership by earning 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter.

This card has a $0 annual fee. However, you do need to have a Costco membership to qualify for this card, which has its own annual fee.

Find out more in our Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi review.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

If you want to earn valuable miles on all your purchases, the Capital One Venture Rewards is a travel rewards card that's worth considering.

With this card, you can earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day, 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5 miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25.

The points you earn can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, rental cars, rideshare services, and more. If you’re looking for lifestyle perks, the card comes with exclusive access to premier culinary experiences, must-see music events, and big-time sports events.

Find out more in our Capital One Venture Rewards Credit 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?
• Rewards rates: While different cards may earn different types of rewards, the rates they earn also matter. You may find cards that earn twice or three times as much as other cards in certain categories, which can really boost your earning potential.
• Welcome offers: Some of the best rewards credit cards can help you get a boost of earnings soon after account opening by offering a welcome offer that you can earn through certain qualifying activities, such as reaching a specific amount of spending.
• 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.

Best cards for daily use FAQ

The best credit cards for daily use: bottom line

Credit cards for daily use are necessary for any type of spender:

• If you’re looking for simplicity, daily-use credit cards can make a significant difference in your monthly budget through cashback savings. Or they can put a large dent in the cost of your next vacation with points earnings on purchases that you were going to make anyway, like gas, groceries, streaming subscriptions, or takeout from your favorite restaurant.
• Even if you enjoy maximizing every single one of your purchases with multiple credit cards, you still may want a daily-use credit card to cover any remaining expenses.

And finally, as using cash earns no rewards and debit cards are becoming more commonly compromised by fraudsters, a daily-use credit card could be both more convenient and safer for all levels of spenders alike.

Methodology

All of the cards listed above provide valuable earnings without restrictive spending categories. Everyday spending cards are meant to give you great returns based on purchases you make on a regular basis.

For example, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card has spending categories, but they’re designed for qualifying purchases made on a regular basis, such as gas and Costco purchases. Or if you’re looking for even more simplified daily rewards, the Citi Double Cash Card will earn you cash back on every single purchase, regardless of what it is.

In summary, the best credit card for daily use is the one that will give you the best returns with the least amount of stress. So if you’re looking for worry-free rewards for your daily spending, simply use one of the above cards to swipe away and earn yourself cash back or points without the hassle.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

5.0

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

Apply Now

Rates and fees

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
• Intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
• $0 annual fee

Drawbacks

• Has foreign transaction fee
• No bonus categories

Card Details

• Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
• 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
• $0 annual fee.
• No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.

Author Details

Brett Holzhauer Brett Holzhauer is a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. He writes about using points & miles for travel, travel industry news, utilizing credit cards as financial leverage, and investing for the future. He has been featured in publications such as The Points Guy, Million Mile Secrets, The Money Manual, Recruiter, Travel Pulse, and Bald Thoughts. He is a full-time digital nomad with his wife, Kiersten.

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Yahia Barakah, CEPF Yahia Barakah, CEPF, is a Senior Editor at FinanceBuzz and has created finance-focused content since 2011. As a Certified Educator of Personal Finance, he has a background in institutional investment and asset management, as well as a deep passion for financial literacy.

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