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The 8 Best Credit Cards for Pharmacies & Drugstores [2024]

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The 8 Best Credit Cards for Pharmacies & Drugstores [2024]

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If you’re finding yourself frequently visiting the pharmacy or drugstore to make purchases, you should think twice before swiping any random credit card in your wallet.

The truth is that it’s possible to earn lots of generous rewards by using the right credit card for these purchases.

Whether you’re purchasing over-the-counter medications, getting your prescriptions filled, or are just frequently buying wellness-related supplies, having the right credit card in your hand could get you closer to your dream vacation!

In this post, we’ll show you how to pick the best credit card for your pharmacy and drugstore purchases. We’ll then walk you through the best choices that we’ve identified with the best rewards.

What To Look for in a Credit Card for Pharmacies and Drugstores

Credit card rewards are a complex topic. One of the biggest misconceptions about earning bonus points is that you’ll earn extra points wherever you shop just because you think your purchase qualifies.

The truth is that merchants and stores categorize themselves as a certain type of seller, and this decision is finalized way before you make your purchase.

For example, many consumers consider Costco to be a grocery store and/or supermarket, but in the eyes of credit card companies, Costco is almost always a warehouse club, which automatically excludes Costco purchases from earning bonus points under the grocery store category.

The same principle applies to pharmacies and drugstores — to max out your rewards, you’ll need to make sure that the credit card issuer you’re using (e.g. Visa) considers your local pharmacy or drugstore as an actual pharmacy or drugstore in its system.

For example, if you look at purchases made with a Visa credit card, one of the easiest ways to confirm that your purchase will code correctly is to use the Visa Supplier Locator.

Once you’ve confirmed that your purchase is an eligible pharmacy or drugstore transaction, you’ll need to figure out which credit cards offer the best possible rewards for these purchases.

The 8 Best Credit Cards for Pharmacies and Drugstores

Card Summary

SCROLL FOR MORE
CardWelcome Bonus and Annual FeeBenefits at Pharmacies and Drugstores
Chase Freedom Flex℠
  • Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months.
  • Annual fee of $0
  • 5% cash-back in rotating quarterly bonus categories (up to $1,500 in spending per quarter)
  • 3% cash-back on drugstore purchases
Citi Custom Cash® Card
  • Earn $200 cash-back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.
  • Annual fee of $0
  • 5% cash-back on your top eligible spending category (which may include drugstores)
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
  • Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
  • Annual fee of $0
  • 3% cash-back on drugstore purchases
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
Citi Double Cash® Card
  • Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months.
  • Annual fee of $0
  • 2% cash-back on purchases — 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay off your bills (earned as ThankYou Points)
AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays
  • Earn a $100 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months.
  • Annual fee of $0
  • 3% cash-back on drugstore purchases (excluding Target and Walmart)
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
  • Earn $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
  • Annual fee of $0
  • 3% cash-back in the category of your choice (includes drugstores)
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
  • Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
  • Annual fee of $95 (rates & fees)
  • 2x miles on all purchases
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
  • Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months.
  • Annual fee of $0 (rates & fees)
  • 3% cash-back at U.S. online retailers, including drugstores (up to $6,000 in purchases yearly)

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Chase Freedom Flex℠

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
$200
$0
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ sure does pack quite a punch — especially for a no-annual-fee card.

The Freedom Flex card is an incredible option for those looking for a well-rounded cash-back card, or a powerful point-earner when paired with a premium card in the Ultimate Rewards family.

Pros

  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
  • Powerful cash-back earner: 5% back on quarterly categories and travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases
  • No annual fee
  • Excellent cell phone insurance
  • Ability to pool points
  • Mastercard World Elite benefits

Cons

  • 3% foreign transaction fees in U.S. dollars
  • Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
  • 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
  • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 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 unlimited 1% cash back 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!
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
  • No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex℠ card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Freedom Flex card is one of Chase’s newest credit cards, and this phenomenal no-annual-fee credit card is built with the consumer in mind.

To start, you’ll earn a cash-back welcome bonus on this credit card. Then, you will earn according to this accrual structure:

  • 5% cash-back in rotating quarterly bonus categories (up to $1,500 in spending per quarter)
  • 5% cash-back on travel purchases made through Chase Travel portal
  • 5% cash-back on Lyft purchases through March 2025
  • 3% cash-back on dining
  • 3% cash-back on drugstore purchases
  • 1% cash-back on all other purchases

As you can tell, this immensely attractive card is marketed as offering cash-back rewards, but the story actually gets even better. If you also have an Ultimate Rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you can actually convert your cash-back rewards into transferable Ultimate Rewards points.

And when you convert your cash-back into Ultimate Rewards points, you open up a completely new world of possibilities to redeem your points, which is why you’d double your return on spending.

Your 5%, 3%, and 1% cash-back would then be equal to 5x, 3x, and 1x Ultimate Rewards points earned, respectively. 3% cash-back at drugstores is convertible to 3x Ultimate Rewards points, which, by our valuations, is equal to a return on spend of 6%!

When you hold this credit card, you also get access to fantastic benefits like cell phone protection (up to $800 per claim, up to 2 claims every 12-month period, with a $50 deductible per claim, and up to $1,000 per year), trip cancellation and interruption insurance, secondary rental car coverage, extended warranty, purchase protection, zero liability protection, and fraud alerts.

Why We Like Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

By itself, the Freedom Flex card does not earn Ultimate Rewards points. Therefore, your rewards would only be redeemable at a 1 cent per point value for cash-back, gift cards, travel through the Chase travel portal, and for Shop at Amazon.

But if you pair the Freedom Flex card with an Ultimate Rewards credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you can then increase the value of your points by making use of the Chase airline and hotel transfer partners for luxury travel experiences.

Citi Custom Cash® Card

Citi Custom Cash® Card

Citi Custom Cash® Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Earn big on purchases in your top eligible spend category, up to the first $500 each billing cycle, with no annual fee!

Learn More(at our partner's secure site)

Citi Custom Cash® Card

Earn big on purchases in your top eligible spend category, up to the first $500 each billing cycle, with no annual fee!
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
$200
$0
0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%.
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Fair to Excellent (580-850)

The Citi Custom Cash® Card is inventive when it comes to cash-back credit cards. Instead of earning a set amount of cash-back on predetermined bonus categories, the Citi Custom Cash card earns 5% cash-back on your highest eligible spend category each billing cycle, without an annual fee.

Thanks to that unique perk, you’ll never need to worry about whether you’re using the right card for the right purchase, as your Citi Custom Cash card will always pay you 5% back on whichever category you end up spending the most on each month.

Pros

  • 5% cash-back (on up to $500 each billing cycle) from your largest purchase category, including restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment
  • No annual fee
  • Multiple redemption options
  • No redemption minimums

Cons

  • Your 5% category is limited to $500 in spend ($25 in cash-back) each month
  • Not particularly rewarding for any purchases outside of your top 5% cash-back category
  • Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked via the Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.
  • No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash® Card account per person.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%

Card Categories

The Citi Custom Cash card is our runner-up because it allows you to earn up to 5x points on drugstore purchases!

Although this no-annual-fee card is marketed as earning 5% cash-back on your top eligible spending category, your rewards can actually be converted to Citi ThankYou Points.

Before we get into that, though, let’s talk about the card’s features. To begin, you can get a welcome bonus by signing up for this product. But on an ongoing basis, you’ll earn 5% cash-back on purchases in your top eligible spending category, up to the first $500 spent (1% cash-back thereafter).

Citi’s eligible spending categories are:

  • Drugstores (including purchases made at pharmacies in grocery stores, general merchandise/discount superstores, and wholesale/warehouse clubs if those merchants submit purchases made in their pharmacy with the drug store and pharmacy merchant category code)
  • Fitness clubs
  • Gas stations
  • Grocery stores
  • Home improvement stores
  • Live entertainment
  • Restaurants (excluding delivery services)
  • Select travel (includes airlines, hotels, cruise lines, and travel agencies)
  • Select transit (includes taxis/rideshares, subways, car rentals, and more)
  • Select streaming services (includes Disney+, HBO Max, Netflix, Spotify, and more)

Also, this card doesn’t have any rotating bonus categories you need to sign up for — your highest-spending bonus categories are adjusted each billing cycle automatically!

So if you spend up to $500 on drugstores every billing cycle, you could earn 5% cash-back or even 5x Citi ThankYou Rewards Points, which is equal to a maximum of $25 or 2,500 points every month — an 8% return on spending!

Why We Like Earning Citi ThankYou Rewards Points

As we mentioned above, we are big fans of Citi ThankYou Points because these transferable points are some of the most valuable and useful available.

But if you didn’t have a ThankYou Rewards credit card, your rewards would be redeemable for cash-back, direct deposit payments, checks, gift cards, and extremely limited redemption options with ThankYou Points.

However, if you also have a ThankYou Rewards card like the Citi Premier® Card or the Citi Prestige® Card, you can transfer your rewards to travel partners and book incredible award travel using these points.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!
Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
Up to $300 cash back
$0
0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

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.

Pros

  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
  • 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
  • 1.5% back on all other purchases
  • No annual fee
  • Earn big on travel purchased through Chase Travel
  • Everyday bonus on dining and drugstores
  • Straightforward cash-back on all other purchases
  • Ability to pool points

Cons

  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
  • Enjoy 6.5% 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; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
  • After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 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.
  • 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 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • 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

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Freedom Unlimited card is our third-favorite option because it shares a lot of the same characteristics as the Freedom Flex card with a few notable differences between the 2.

A decently-sized welcome offer is currently offered on the Freedom Unlimited card to help you jumpstart your rewards.

You’ll also notice a very similar rewards structure:

  • 5% cash-back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
  • 5% cash-back on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
  • 3% cash-back on dining
  • 3% cash-back on drugstore purchases
  • 1.5% cash-back on all other purchases

Both the Freedom Unlimited card and the Freedom Flex card earn 3% cash-back on drugstore purchases. There are 2 main differences in rewards between these 2 cards:

  • The Freedom Unlimited card offers an elevated 1.5% cash-back on all other purchases compared to the Freedom Flex card’s 1%
  • The Freedom Flex card offers 5% cash-back on rotating quarterly bonus categories, while the Freedom Unlimited card does not

Just like the Freedom Flex card, the Freedom Unlimited card earns rewards that are convertible to Ultimate Rewards points if you have an eligible Ultimate Rewards card, including the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, Chase Sapphire Reserve card, or Ink Business Preferred card.

That means your drugstore purchases earn 3% cash-back is convertible to 3x Ultimate Rewards points, and with a value of 2 cents apiece, your drugstore purchases will earn you a return on spend of 6%.

Other crucial perks you’ll have by holding this card are secondary rental car coverage, travel insurance including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, zero liability protection, purchase protection, extended warranty protection, and fraud alerts.

Hot Tip: We offer a detailed comparison of the Freedom Flex card and the Freedom Unlimited card to help you decide which card might be best for your situation.

Citi Double Cash® Card

Citi Double Cash® Card

Citi Double Cash® Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

Learn More(at our partner's secure site)

Citi Double Cash® Card

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!
Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.
$200 cash back
$0
0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Fair to Excellent (580-850)

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.

Pros

  • Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
  • Flexible redemption options
  • No annual fee

Cons

  • No bonus categories
  • 3% foreign transaction fees
  • Lack of premium travel benefits
  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
  • To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
  • If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
  • There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

The no-annual-fee Double Cash card is issued by Citibank, and it happens to be one of our favorite credit cards for everyday purchases.

Unlike many of the most popular rewards credit cards, this product doesn’t currently offer a welcome bonus in terms of points.

However, it does offer the ability to earn up to 2% cash-back on purchases — 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay off your bills (earned as ThankYou Points). There are no caps on earning rewards. These points can be redeemed for cash-back, travel through the Citi travel portal, or they can be transferred to Choice, JetBlue, or Wyndham.

But, if you have a card like the Citi Premier card or the Citi Prestige card, you can access Citi’s full list of transfer partners.

When you can transfer your points, your 2x points can get a return on spending that’s equal to an estimated 3.2%!

You may also find an introductory 0% balance transfer offer when you open this card.

Other benefits of this credit card include zero liability for unauthorized purchases, fraud protection, flexible pay dates, a late fee pass, and access to Citi Private Pass for event tickets.

AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays

The AARP Essential Rewards card is one of Barclays’ newest credit cards available, and it’s an incredibly relevant option for this article.

To start with, this credit card offers a small welcome bonus when you sign up for the card. You can then earn unlimited cash-back on the following purchases:

  • 3% cash-back on gas and drugstore purchases (excluding Target and Walmart)
  • 2% cash-back on medical expenses
  • 1% cash-back on all other purchases

There’s also usually a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers offered upon sign-up. This credit card offers fraud liability protection, complimentary online access to your FICO credit score, rewards that never expire, and more.

Your rewards are redeemable for cash-back, an AARP membership, and more at BarclaysUS.com.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card allows you to maximize your cash-back in your choice category each month.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card allows you to maximize your cash-back in your choice category each month.
Earn $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
$200
$0
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and balance transfers. Variable rate of 18.24% - 28.24% applies thereafter.
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

If you’re looking to the rake in the cash-back rewards, then the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great option. Not only do you get to choose the 3% category for the card, but you can also boost the cash-back you earn by being a member of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program.

Pros

  • 3% cash-back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings (your category can be changed each month)
  • 2% cash-back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
  • 1% cash-back on all other purchases
  • No annual fee
  • Boost your rewards rate with the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program

Cons

  • 3% and 2% cash-back categories are limited to the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter, then you’ll earn 1%
  • Charges a foreign transaction fee
  • $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
  • Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
  • If you’re a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
  • No annual fee and no expiration on rewards.
  • 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24%-28.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers in the first 60 days your account is open. After the intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for all future balance transfers is 4%.
  • 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.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and balance transfers. Variable rate of 18.24% - 28.24% applies thereafter.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%

Card Categories

One of Bank of America’s best cash-back rewards credit cards is the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card, which offers you the ability to earn cash-back rewards without an annual fee.

In addition, you can earn up to 3% cash-back as follows:

  • 3% cash-back in the category of your choice — choose between gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores, and home improvement and furnishings
  • 2% cash-back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
  • 1% cash-back on all other purchases

In total, you can earn 3% and 2% cash-back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter.

You can make changes to your chosen category once each calendar month, too.

And if you pair this with Bank of America Preferred Rewards, you can actually earn up to 75% more cash-back on every purchase! If you’re a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25% to 75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75% to 5.25% cash back on purchases in your chosen category.

Other card features include access to your FICO score online, contactless chip technology, zero fraud liability, overdraft protection, and more.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
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.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$95
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

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 welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros

  • 5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
  • No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)
  • Access to Capital One transfer partners

Cons

  • 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 and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • 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 $100 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
  • Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

The Capital One Venture card is one of Capital One’s flagship credit cards.

This credit card offers the highest welcome bonus of all the cards on the list, as well as access to a transferable rewards program in Capital One Miles, and the ability to earn an unlimited 2x Capital One miles on purchases.

Earning 2x Capital One miles on your spending is equal to a return on spend of approximately 3.6%, according to our valuations.

This card offers more travel benefits than the other options on this list, including a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit, MasterRental Insurance, lost or damaged baggage reimbursement, travel assistance services, and more.

Shopping-related perks include purchase assurance, and no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees).

Why We Like Earning Capital One Miles

Capital One Miles is one of the main transferable currencies available — according to our valuations of around 1.8 cents per point, earning 2x Capital One miles is equal to a return on spend of 3.6%.

Capital One miles can be redeemed for luxury award travel or statement credits, gift cards, travel purchases booked via Capital One Travel, and more.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This 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!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

This 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!
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$200
$0
19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 15 months
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

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.

Pros

  • 3% back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
  • 3% back on purchases at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
  • 3% back on purchases on online retail purchases on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
  • Monthly credit towards The Disney Bundle
  • Monthly credit towards Home Chef

Cons

  • Rewards are not flexible and can only be redeemed for cash-back. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
  • Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
  • No Annual Fee.
  • Balance Transfer is back! Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
  • 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
  • Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
  • Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
  • Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 15 months
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

Card Categories

The Amex Blue Cash Everyday card may often go overlooked since it’s a simple cash-back card, but it’s got a bonus category that makes it a powerful earner — online retailers! This card earns 3% cash-back at U.S. online retailers, including drugstores, on up to $6,000 in purchases each year.

Additionally, it also earns 3% cash-back in the following categories:

  • U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases each year)
  • U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 in purchases each year)

Other benefits of this card include monthly credits for Home Chef and Disney Bundle subscriptions:

  • Up to $7 back monthly after using your Amex Blue Cash Everyday card to spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription to The Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Enrollment required.
  • Earn up to $15 back monthly — an annual savings of up to $180 — when you order online at Home Chef. Enrollment required.

Other Cards for Pharmacy and Drugstore Purchases

All of our recommendations so far were focused on spending at merchants classified as pharmacies or drugstores.

But what if you get your prescriptions filled at Walmart, Whole Foods, or even supermarkets like Kroger or ShopRite?

If your pharmaceutical purchases are made at Amazon or Whole Foods, the Prime Visa Card is a great option, as it earns 5% cash-back.

Similarly, the Capital One Walmart Rewards™ card will fulfill your pharmacy needs with 5% back as long as you make your purchase at walmart.com or the Walmart app.

Lastly, if your pharmacy shopping occurs at a grocery store or supermarket, the absolute best card is the American Express® Gold Card which earns:

  • 4x points per $1 spent at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year (1x thereafter), and at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
  • 3x points per $1 spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or at AmexTravel.com
  • 1x points per $1 spent everywhere else

It also offers a slew of different benefits that make this card a no-brainer!

BEST FOR DINING
American Express® Gold CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express® Gold Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
60,000 points
$1,320
$250
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The American Express® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros

  • 4x points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
  • 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
  • 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
  • Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
  • Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash: get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
  • No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
  • Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
  • Access to American Express transfer partners

Cons

  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
  • Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
  • Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $250.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Final Thoughts

When it comes to the best credit cards for pharmacy and drugstore purchases, it’s impossible to make a general recommendation without understanding your shopping tendencies.

For example, if you make your purchases at a traditional drugstore like CVS or Rite-Aid, the best cards to use are the Freedom Flex card, Citi Custom Cash card, and Freedom Unlimited card.

If you are interested strictly in cash-back rewards, you would probably benefit from the AARP Essential Rewards card, Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card, or Amex Blue Cash Everyday card.

But on the off-chance that you can put these purchases at a grocery store or supermarket like Kroger, the best card beyond a shadow of a doubt is the Amex Gold card.

Whatever the case, there’s a terrific choice for you!

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.

The information regarding the AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays and Capital One Walmart Rewards™ card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

The information regarding the Chase Freedom Flex℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Bank of America® Customized Cash 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.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.

Featured Image Credit: Authentic Images via Pikwizard

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best card for pharmacies and drugstores?

We believe that the Freedom Flex card, the Freedom Unlimited card, and the Citi Custom Cash card provide the best rewards for purchases at drugstores.

With the Chase cards, you’ll earn 3% cash-back with the option to convert your rewards to 3x Ultimate Rewards points, which is equal to a return on spend of 6%.

With the Citi Custom Cash card, you’ll earn 5% cash-back with the option to convert your rewards to 5x ThankYou Rewards Points, which is equal to a return on spend of 8%!

Which credit card gives the most cash-back on drugstores and pharmacies?

The credit card that gives the most cash-back on drugstore purchases is the Citi Custom Cash card.

The Citi Custom Cash card offers 5% cash-back on your first $500 in purchases on your top eligible spending category every billing cycle (of which drugstores are an eligible spending category).

What counts as drugstore for Chase?

According to Chase, “Merchants in the drugstores category specialize in selling prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines, supplements, and various health-related items. These merchants may also sell cosmetics, toiletries, greeting cards, and various household items such as cleaning supplies and packaged foods and drinks. Some merchants that sell a wide variety of goods including these items, and which may contain an onsite pharmacy, for example, warehouse clubs, discount stores, or grocery stores, are not included in this category.”

Can you pay for prescriptions with credit card?

Yes! You can almost always pay for your prescriptions using a credit card. However, the final say is given by your specific pharmacy.

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About Stephen Au

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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