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In the world of points, we’re always trying to get as many of the best points possible. And trying to figure out the best card to use for each bonus category can drive you crazy. In an ideal world, you’d just have 1 credit card that covers every type of expense you’ll ever have.
But it rarely ever works like that. Sure, you might have a go-to card like the American Express® Gold Card if you tend to eat out or go grocery shopping a lot, but what about all the other purchases in life?
Importantly, there is plenty of day-to-day spending and expenses that don’t fit into a specific bonus category. That’s why you need to have a credit card for everyday purchases, also known as miscellaneous purchases.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the aspects of a rewarding credit card for everyday purchases, and then we’ll split up our favorite picks into a section for personal cards and a section for business cards.
Let’s get started!
You may already know that the Amex Gold card is one of the best credit cards for dining or that the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is one of the best business credit cards out there, especially for advertising purchases. But when you look for a credit card for your everyday purchases, you’re specifically looking for a rewarding credit card for the non-categorized purchases out there.
You’re looking for the most rewarding credit card for other transactions like car maintenance, retail stores, clothes, medical bills, gyms, utilities, online shopping, movie theaters, and events. These types of purchases don’t fit perfectly into any single bonus category out there, and collectively, these purchases can really add up in the long run.
That’s why it’s so important to have the best credit card possible for everyday purchases. A rewarding credit card for everyday purchases will provide the highest return on spend (ideally 2 points per dollar), low annual fees, a great credit card bonus offer, and the most miscellaneous perks.
So with all that being said, let’s talk about our favorite credit card picks for everyday purchases. We’ll start with personal cards, then we’ll move into the best business credit cards for everyday purchases.
| Card | Welcome Bonus and Annual Fee | Benefits for Everyday Purchases |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® |
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| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card |
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| Citi Double Cash® Card |
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| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express |
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| Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express |
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This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.
When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.
The Freedom Unlimited card is our top recommended personal credit card for everyday purchases.
This credit card earns you at least 1.5% cash-back on all purchases. You will also earn 3% cash-back on dining and drugstore purchases, as well as 5% cash-back on travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal.
By itself, earning 1.5% cash-back is great — however, if you also have an Ultimate Rewards credit card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or Ink Business Preferred card, you can convert your cash-back into Ultimate Rewards points.
That means your 1.5%, 3%, and 5% cash-back would be equivalent to 1.5x, 3x, and 5x Ultimate Rewards points respectively. You would earn a minimum of 3% back on your spending, according to our points and miles valuations!
Furthermore, this card has no annual fee and comes with a 0% introductory APR period as shown in the table above, which is an awesome perk.
Other benefits of the Freedom Unlimited card include purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, zero liability protection, secondary auto rental collision damage coverage, travel coverage, fraud protection, and more.
If you only have the Freedom Unlimited card, your points are redeemable at a 1 cent per point value for cash-back, Shop at Amazon, gift cards, and travel through the Chase travel portal.
However, with an Ultimate Rewards credit card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you can dramatically increase the value of your points.
That’s because your cash-back is convertible to Ultimate Rewards points at a 1% to 1x ratio. You can transfer your points to numerous great Chase airline and hotel partners and then redeem them for incredible travel experiences like business and first class flights.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesGet 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
As a frequent traveler with excellent credit, you’re always on the lookout for a credit card that comes with all the bells and whistles. And the easier it is to understand, the better!
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great sign-up bonus, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.
The Capital One Venture card is our next favorite card option for everyday purchases.
In the past, Capital One was more focused on offering cash-back rewards and products for those with lower credit scores, but in recent years, Capital One unveiled a new rewards program, Capital One Miles, with transferable partnerships that have added yet another awesome rewards ecosystem to the mix.
Today, the Capital One Venture card is our runner-up for the best personal credit card for everyday purchases, and you’ll enjoy a generous welcome bonus. Earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
You’ll also earn an unlimited 2x Capital One miles on all non-bonus purchases you make with no caps! In addition, you’ll get a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, as well as no foreign transaction fees and a low annual fee. You can even visit Capital One Lounges or Plaza Premium Lounges twice per year using your card.
Uniquely, this credit card offers great travel protections and benefits, including lost luggage insurance, roadside dispatch, and travel assistance services.
You can also shop with peace of mind with the purchase security and extended warranty perks. Lastly, you’ll enjoy zero fraud liability and a fabulous rewards program.
We love Capital One miles because they’re one of the major flexible rewards currencies. You can redeem your Capital One miles for statement credits for travel purchases, experience, gift cards, and more. We value Capital One miles at 1.8 cents each.
But our favorite way to redeem Capital One miles is to transfer them to airline partners for some awesome flights like Lufthansa first class and Etihad first class.
Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!
The Citi Double Cash® Card has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!
This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points. This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.
Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.
One of the most misunderstood credit cards is the Double Cash card. This card offers some of the best rewards in the world with no caps. And as you become busier and busier, this card will be one of the best companions you can have for unfussy rewards.
The Double Cash card earns 2% cash-back (1% when you purchase and 1% when you pay it off, earned as ThankYou Points) which can be redeemed in many ways.
Other unique features include flexible pay dates, access to Citi Private Pass for event tickets, fraud protection, zero liability for unauthorized purchases, and a late fee pass.
We love earning Citi ThankYou Points because these points are one of the largest transferable currencies out there.
Normally, your rewards from the Double Cash card can be redeemed for cash-back, gift cards, travel through the Citi Travel Portal, or transferred to Choice, Wyndham, or JetBlue.
However, if you have a premium ThankYou Rewards credit card such as the Citi Premier® Card or the Citi Prestige® Card, you can access all of Citi’s transfer partners to redeem for jaw-dropping flights like Emirates first class and ANA first class.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesThis card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a stellar cash-back credit card for those looking to maximize every purchase they make.
With bonus categories like U.S. supermarkets, select streaming services, U.S. gas stations, and transit purchases, this card rewards you for the items you spend the most on in a big way! For those looking to earn up to 6% cash-back on their purchases, this could be the card for you!
Redeem cash-back through your American Express account
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card is yet another excellent choice for those interested in great rewards and who want to maximize cash-back.
This card earns:
Getting the ability to earn 6% cash-back on any card is an achievement by itself, but this card offers that and much more.
Hot Tip: Despite being a card with an annual fee, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card even has a 0% introductory APR perk (rates & fees)!
In addition to a hefty statement credit welcome bonus, you’ll find that this card also offers several benefits like a $10 monthly Equinox credit, $7 monthly credit after spending $9.99 per month or more on The Disney Bundle, return protection, fraud protection, and secondary car rental coverage.
The Bank of America Premium Rewards card is a great travel rewards card for those looking for a simple approach to earning and redeeming rewards.
The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is a great option for anyone looking for a travel rewards card with a simple approach to how you earn and redeem your rewards.
From travel and purchase protections to airline incidental and Global Entry credits, there is plenty to love about the Bank of America Premium Rewards card.
Plus, those that hold status in the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program can get even more value from the card by boosting their rewards by 25% to 75%!
The Bank of America Premium Rewards card has the potential to be a lucrative credit card if you have large banking relationships with Bank of America.
This card earns 2x points on travel and dining and 1.5x points everywhere else. However, if you are an elite member of Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program, you’d earn up to 75% in bonus points, which could elevate your earnings to 3.5x points on travel and dining and 2.625x points everywhere else.
You’ll also get up to $100 as an airline incidental credit, up to $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit, and travel protections like trip delay, trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage delay, baggage loss, emergency evacuation, transportation, and travel, emergency assistance, and rental car coverage.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesThis cash-back card offers a capped 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases!
When it comes to cash-back credit cards, there are dozens of options to choose from. So what sets the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express apart from the rest?
This card is excellent at earning cash-back on your everyday purchases at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases. So if you regularly spend money on everyday purchases, this could be the perfect card to add to your wallet.
The Amex Blue Cash Everyday card is unique because it has a special bonus category — online shopping! This card earns 3% cash-back at U.S. online retailers (up to $6,000 in purchases each year). This is a broad category that includes the following types of online stores:
Additionally, this card earns 3% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases each year) and 3% cash-back at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 in purchases each year). All other purchases earn 1% cash-back.
The Amex Blue Cash Everyday card comes with additional perks like:
Now that we’ve combed through our favorite personal credit cards for everyday purchases, let’s take a deep dive into the best business cards for everyday purchases.
| Card | Welcome Bonus | Benefits for Everyday Purchases |
| The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express |
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| Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card |
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| Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card |
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| Capital One Spark Miles for Business |
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| The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card |
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| Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card |
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Terms Apply / Rates & FeesEarn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.
As a business owner, getting a credit card that maximizes each dollar you spend does not have to be complicated or expensive. Especially when you opt for The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express.
With the Amex Blue Business Plus card, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases throughout the year (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter) and receive purchase protections and no-additional-charge employee cards all for no annual fee (see rates and fees).
The simple and straightforward earning structure makes it a great fit for those looking to earn flexible rewards, without having to fixate on which purchases earn the most points.
Let’s take look at all that the Amex Blue Business Plus card has to offer.
The Amex Blue Business Plus card is our favorite business card for everyday purchases. You’ll seamlessly maximize your everyday purchases without having to pay an annual fee.
Specifically, you’ll earn 2x points on everyday business transactions, up to $50,000 per calendar year. You’ll also be able to utilize an introductory APR, as mentioned in the table above, on purchases. If you max out the 2x points, your earnings will drop to 1x points. With this card, you’ll also enjoy additional employee cards with no additional cost (rates & fees), purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and access to Membership Rewards.
The Amex Blue Business Plus card is one of the only credit cards out there that allows you to access transferable points without paying an annual fee.
Amex points are among the easiest to redeem, but they are, according to our valuations, the most valuable transferable points there are.
You can redeem your Amex points for statement credits, gift cards, Amazon purchases, and travel bookings through Amex Travel, but these options don’t yield the most value.
Instead, the best way to redeem your Amex Membership Rewards points is to transfer them to one of the Amex travel partners.
Remember, you don’t need any other credit cards to access transfer partners — this no-annual-fee business credit card is all you need!
Earn up to 5% cash-back for your business without complex bonus earning categories!
Chase has introduced the Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card to its business credit card lineup. With straightforward cash-back earnings on everyday purchases and large expenses, tools to help you monitor your business, and multiple ways to redeem your rewards, this is a great card option to consider.
One of Chase’s newest cards is the Ink Business Premier card, and it currently has a welcome bonus, plus almost unbeatable cash-back rewards for high-spending businesses.
Your purchases will earn according to 2 rewards structures:
These cash-back rewards cannot be converted to Ultimate Rewards points, so just keep that in mind.
The Ink Business Premier card is a Pay In Full card that has no preset spending limit but also cannot carry a balance. But even then, some purchases are eligible to be carried over time with interest through the card’s Flex for Business feature.
You can use your cash-back for statement credits, online shopping, Chase travel purchases, gift cards, and more.
This card also has fantastic travel insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, cell phone protection, no foreign transaction fees, and fee-free employee cards.
The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.
As a business owner, you likely keep pretty busy and probably prefer a credit card that just keeps things simple.
If so, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card might be just the card for you. From zero annual fee to a flat cash-back rate, the card is a no-frills option that you don’t have to think twice about.
Don’t forget too, 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
The Ink Business Unlimited card is our runner-up business credit card because it will earn you simple rewards with no bonus categories.
Similar to the Freedom Unlimited card mentioned above, earn 1.5% cash-back on all your purchases with no caps.
In addition, you’ll get a 0% introductory APR as detailed in the table above, which should help you with avoiding interest fees during the intro period.
This card has no annual fee and allows you to add unlimited employee cards with no fees. Also, you’ll get zero liability fraud protection, purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, primary rental car coverage, and other benefits!
Remember, if you have an Ultimate Rewards card like the Ink Business Preferred card, you can convert your 1.5% cash-back to 1.5x Ultimate Rewards points, effectively doubling the value of your rewards.
The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every $1 you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business is a great option for business owners looking for an uncomplicated rewards card that earns double miles on every purchase they make and offers access to transfer partners, all for a low annual fee.
Our next business credit card is an excellent choice for everyday purchases. Specifically, the Capital One Spark Miles card is great for business owners looking to earn unlimited 2x Capital One miles on every purchase with no blackouts or seat restrictions and no minimum to redeem.
You’ll first get a 1-time welcome bonus. You’ll also enjoy 5x miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel, in addition to your 2x miles elsewhere.
This card offers up to $100 credit for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fees, no-additional-cost employee cards, no foreign transaction fees, roadside assistance, zero fraud liability, extended warranty, purchase protection, and much more.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesTake control of your cash-back with the Amex Blue Business Cash card, and earn 2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in purchases each year.
Looking for a way to keep tabs on your office supply costs and business travel expenses while earning cash-back? Then The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card could be a good fit.
This card offers expense management solutions that are designed to give companies more control, along with a much clearer picture of their business spending. In doing so, the more you spend, the more cash-back you can earn.
The Amex Blue Business Cash card earns great cash-back rewards without needing to worry about bonus categories. If you’re looking for an organized way to manage business expenses while earning cash-back rewards, this card is an excellent choice.
Earn 2% cash-back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% thereafter. Also, any cash-back earned is automatically credited to your statement so you don’t have to worry about redeeming your rewards — they’re redeemed automatically for you!
This card also comes with a 0% introductory APR (rates & fees), as detailed in the table above, to help you grow your business and defer interest accrual.
Other worthwhile benefits include purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus card offers an unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases and helpful features for business owners. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card is great for business owners looking to improve their bottom line by earning 2% cash-back on all purchases without a high annual fee. Further, with no preset spending limit, the ability to get your $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000, and free employee cards, there is something that every business owner will love.
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus card is the last business credit card for everyday purchases that we’ll review — and it’s one worth considering because you can earn an unlimited 2% cash-back on all purchases. It also has no preset spending limit!
You’ll earn a 1-time new cardmember offer to start, and you’ll also get zero fraud liability, free employee cards, roadside assistance, no foreign transaction fees, extended warranty, and purchase protection.
When you’re making everyday purchases that don’t fit neatly into a bonus category, it’s unreasonable to expect to earn 4x or 5x points like you could on dining, groceries, and airfare.
However, with the right personal or business credit cards, you can still make the most out of these purchases, earning up to 2x points per dollar spent!
Be sure to do your homework and choose the cards that best fit your needs, whether it be low annual fees, transfer partnerships, or card benefits.
We hope that you’ve found this guide useful to help you figure out the best credit cards for everyday purchases.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Enrollment required through Capital One website or mobile app. Upon enrollment, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
For the return protection benefit of the Blue Cash Preferred® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/
For the purchase protection and extended warranty benefits of the Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, and The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
The information regarding the Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information for the Citi Prestige® Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
Information regarding the Capital One Spark Miles for Business was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, click here.
Our best personal cards for everyday purchases are the Freedom Unlimited card, Capital One Venture card, Double Cash card, Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, Bank of America Premium Rewards card, and Amex Blue Cash Everyday card.
Our best business cards for everyday purchases are the Ink Business Unlimited card, Amex Blue Business Plus card, Capital One Spark Miles card, Amex Blue Business Cash card, and Capital One Spark Cash Plus card.
Yes! You should absolutely use a credit card for all the purchases you can, provided you can pay them all off in full without accruing any interest or late fees.
Yes, it is! These everyday purchases can add up to a lot of money over the course of a year, so it makes a lot of sense to maximize your spending by using the right credit card.
Pretty much any responsible usage of credit will build credit. If you consistently make payments, avoid maxing out your credit cards, and pay all of your bills on time, you’ll build your credit very quickly.
Charge cards have no preset spending limit, but this doesn’t mean that you can spend an unlimited amount of money.
It means that instead of a traditional credit limit, your spending limit gets adjusted based on your spending habits, your payment history, and other factors made available to the card issuer.
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Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used by hundreds of clients.
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