The right credit card can earn you bonus rewards in common spending categories, such as groceries, dining, gas, and travel, which can add up to hundreds of dollars in rewards each year. However, more than half (55%) of rewards credit card holders who pay their bills in full each month are missing out on rewards, according to a new Bankrate survey, because they are opting to use cash or debit instead.
Cardholders are most likely to favor cash or debit over credit cards when buying groceries (44%) and paying for a meal at a restaurant (43%). On the contrary, airfare (85%), hotel (84%) and gas (63%) purchases are most likely to be charged to a credit card.
How rewards cardholders pay for these purchases
| Rewards category | Credit card | Debit card or cash |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries | 56% | 44% |
| Restaurants | 57% | 43% |
| Gas | 63% | 37% |
| Airfare | 85% | 15% |
| Hotel | 84% | 16% |
If you use a debit card or cash to pay for everyday expenses, you're missing out on rewards that can help offset the cost of groceries or dining out at your favorite restaurant. Rewards cards can offer up to 6% cash back in common spending categories, allowing you to benefit from paying with credit over cash or debit.
Rewards credit cards may also provide additional perks including travel insurance, purchase protection and annual credits that can add up to more savings and security.
CNBC Select recommends some of the best credit cards for groceries, restaurants, airfare, hotels and gas so you can maximize rewards.
Credit cards for groceries
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Rewards
6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, 3% cash back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more and 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a $300 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months from account opening
Annual fee
$0 introductory annual fee for one year, then $95
Intro APR
0% for the first 12 months on purchases, N/A for balance transfers
Regular APR
13.99% to 23.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
2.7%
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees, terms apply.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
Rewards
5% cash back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market; 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores; 1% back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
$100 Amazon.com gift card upon approval
Annual fee
$0 (but Prime membership is required)
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
14.24% to 22.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
5%, $5 minimum
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
Credit cards for restaurants
Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card
Rewards
4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
0% for the first 12 months on purchases; N/A on balance transfers
Regular APR
15.99% to 24.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
3% for promotional APR offers; none for balances transferred at regular APR
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
American Express® Gold Card
Rewards
4X Membership Rewards® points on restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery, plus, Uber Eats purchases) and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months from account opening
Annual fee
$250
Intro APR
Not applicable
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Balance transfer fee
See rates and fees
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees, terms apply.
Credit cards for airfare
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Rewards
10X points on Lyft rides through March 2022, 3X points on travel worldwide (immediately after earning your $300 annual travel credit), 3X points on dining at restaurants including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out, 1X point per $1 on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening — worth up to $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Annual fee
$550
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
16.99% to 23.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
5%, minimum $5
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent
Terms apply.
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
Rewards
5X miles on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel℠, 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase
Welcome bonus
60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within 3 months of account opening
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
N/A for purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
17.24% to 24.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers
Balance transfer fee
3% for promotional APR offers; none for balances transferred at regular APR
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
Credit cards for hotels
Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Rewards
5X points on Lyft rides through March 2022, 2X points on travel and dining worldwide, 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Plus earn a $50 statement credit towards grocery store purchases.
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
15.99% to 22.99% variable on purchases and balance transfers
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card
Rewards
5X miles on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel℠, 1.25X miles per dollar on every purchase
Welcome bonus
20,000 bonus miles once you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% APR for 12 months on purchases
Regular APR
15.49% to 25.49% variable
Balance transfer fee
3% for promotional APR offers; none for balances transferred at regular APR
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
Credit cards for gas
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card
Rewards
3X points on dining out and ordering in; gas, rideshares and transit; flights, hotels, homestays and car rentals; and popular streaming services. 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% APR for 12 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Regular APR
14.49% to 24.99% variable on purchases and balance transfers
Balance transfer fee
Introductory fee of 3% ($5 minimum) for 120 days, then 5% ($5 minimum)
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
Citi Premier® Card
Rewards
3X points per $1 spent at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and on hotels and air travel, 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
15.99% to 23.99% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Balance transfer fee
3%, $5 minimum
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Good/Excellent
Terms apply.