Always on rewards

Alphabetical listing of Top 8 general purpose (non-store brand) personal credit card issuers with always-on rewards accelerators

When we have multiple cards, we sometimes don’t remember which card has accelerated rewards on a certain category. We have listed them here, so you can quickly find out which card you should use to maximize your credit card rewards. Note: Card Issuers regularly make updates to their rewards programs. We try to keep it updated but cannot guarantee accuracy. Respective issuers’ Terms and Conditions apply. This list is not an endorsement of any card. The idea is that if you have some of these cards, then which one you should use at a particular merchant? If a card does not have an accelerator for any category and only has a flat earn, then we are not listing that card here because you already know your earn rate.

American Express

  • The Platinum Card from American Express (base 1 point per $1 spent):
  • American Express Gold Card (base 1 point per $1 spent)::
    • 4x points at Restaurants worldwide, on takeout and delivery in the US,
    • 4X points on groceries at US Supermarkets up to $25,000 in purchases per year,
    • 3X points on flights directly booked with airlines or on http://www.amextravel.com
  • The American Express Green Card (base 1 point per $1 spent):
  • American Express Everday Credit Card (base 1 point per $1 spent):
    • 2X points on groceries at US Supermarkets (up to $6,000 spent per year):
    • Note: You’ll earn 20% extra points in the billing cycle when you use the card 20 times or more
  • AmEx Everday Preferred Credit Card (base 1 point per $1 spent):
    • 3X points on groceries at US Supermarkets (up to $6,000 spent per year),
    • 2X points on gas at US Gas Stations
    • Note: You’ll earn 50% extra points in the billing cycle when you use the card 30 times or more
  • Blue Cash Everyday from American Express (base 1% cash back):
    • 3% cash back on groceries at US Supermarkets (up to $6,000 spent per year),
    • 3% cash back on US online retail purchases (up to $6,000 spent per year),
    • 2% cash back on gas at US Gas Stations (up to $6,000 spent per year),
  • Blue Cash Preferred from American Express (base 1% cash back):
  • American Express Cash Magnet Card: Base 1.5% cash back.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: (1X miles on all other purchases)
    • Base 3X miles on Delta purchase directly made with Delta.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: (1X miles on all other purchases)
    • 3X miles on Delta purchases directly made with Delta
    • 3X miles on hotels directly made with hotels,
    • 2X miles on dining at restaurants including takeout and delivery in the U.S.,
    • 2X miles on groceries purchases at US Supermarkets.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (base 1 mile per $1 spend):
    • 2X miles on Delta purchases,
    • 2X miles on Dining at restaurants,
    • 2X miles on Groceries at US Supermarkets.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card (base 1 mile per $1 spend):
    • 2X miles on Delta,
    • 2X miles on Dining at restaurants including takeout and delivery.
  • Hilton Honors Card (base 3X points on every $1 spend):
    • 7X on Hotels and Resorts in Hilton portfolio,
    • 5X on Dining at restaurants, including takeouts and delivery,
    • 5X on Groceries at US Supermarkets,
    • 5X on Gas at US gas stations,
  • Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card (base 3X points on every $1 spend):
    • 12X on Hotels and Resorts in Hilton portfolio,
    • 6X on Dining at US restaurants, including takeouts and delivery,
    • 6X on Groceries at US Supermarkets,
    • 6X on Gas at US gas stations,
  • Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (base 3X points on every $1 spend):
    • 14X on Hotels and Resorts in Hilton portfolio,
    • 7X on Select Travel (Including flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com and car rentals booked with select car rental companies)
    • 7X on Dining at US restaurants, including takeouts and delivery,
  • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card (base earn 2X for every $1 spend):
    • 6X on Hotels for eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels,
    • 3X on Dining at US restaurants, including takeouts and delivery
    • 3X on flights booked directly with airlines

Bank of America

  • Bank of America Cash Rewards: 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter). Your choice categories include gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings.
  • Bank of America Premium Rewards: 2 X points on travel and dining.

Capital One

  • Venture X:
    • 10X miles on hotels & rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
    • 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
    • 2X miles on all other qualified purchases
  • Savor(R) Rewards: 4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% at grocery stores
  • SavorOne Rewards:  3% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% at grocery stores.

Chase

  • Chase Sapphire Reserve (1x base rewards): 3X on Travel and Dining
  • Chase Sapphire Preferred (1x base rewards): 2X on Travel and Dining
  • United Club Infinite Card (Base Earn 1 mile per $1 spend):
    • 4x miles per $1 spent on purchases from United, including tickets, Economy Plus®, inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, and other United charges,
    • 2x miles per $1 spent on all other travel purchases, including airfare, trains, local transit, cruise lines, hotels, car rentals, taxicabs, resorts, rideshare services, and tolls.,
    • 2x miles per $1 spent on dining including eligible delivery services.
  • United Quest Card (base 1 mile per $1):
    • 3x miles per $1 spent on United purchases immediately after earning your $125 annual United purchase credit,
    • 2x miles per $1 spent on all other travel, including airfare, trains, local transit, cruise lines, hotels, car rentals, taxicabs, resorts, rideshare services, and tolls,
    • 2x miles per $1 spent on dining, including eligible delivery services
    • 2x miles per $1 spent on select streaming services
  • United Explorer Card (1 mile per $1 base):
    • 2 miles per $1 spent on purchases from United, including tickets, Economy Plus®, inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, and other United charges
    • 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, including eligible delivery services
    • 2 miles per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel
  • United Gateway Card (base earn 1 mile per $1 spend):
    • Earn 2 miles for each $1 spent on purchases from United, including tickets, Economy Plus®, inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, baggage service charges and other United purchases
    • Earn 2 miles for each $1 spent at gas stations.
    • Earn 2 miles for each $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including ride share services, taxicabs, train tickets, tolls, and mass transit
  • Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5% base cashback):
    • 5% cashback on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
    • 3% cashback on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
    • 3% cashback on drugstore purchases
  • Chase Freedom Flex (1% base cashback):
    • Earn 5% cashback on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
    • Earn 3% cashback on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.
    • Earn 3% cashback on drugstore purchases.
  • Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card ( base 1 point per $1 rewards): 2 points for every $1 you spend on Southwest purchases
  • Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card (base 1 point per $1 rewards): 2 points for every $1 you spend on Southwest purchases
  • Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card ( base 1 point per $1 rewards): 2 points for every $1 you spend on Southwest purchases
  • British Airways Visa Signature Card ( base 1 avios per $1 spend):
    • 3 avios per $1 spent on British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia flight purchases.
    • 2 avios per $1 spent on Hotels accommodations
  • Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card ( base 1 avios per $1 spend):
    • 3 avios per $1 spent on British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia flight purchases.
    • 2 avios per $1 spent on Hotels accommodations
  • Iberia Visa Signature Card ( base 1 avios per $1 spend):
    • 3 avios per $1 spent on British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia flight purchases.
    • 2 avios per $1 spent on Hotels accommodations
  • Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card (base 2 points per $1 spent):
    • Up to 17 X per $1 spent at Marriott
  • Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card (base 2 points per $1 spent):
    • Up to 14 X per $1 spent at Marriott
  • World of Hyatt Credit Card (base 1X points per $1 spent):
    • Up to 7 X per $1 spent at Hyatt
    • 2X points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit and commuting as well as fitness club and gym memberships
  • Disney® Premier Visa® Card (base: 1% cash back per $1 spent):
    • Earn 2% in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases at grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and most Disney locations.
  • Disney® Visa® Card (base: 1% cash back per $1 spent).
  • IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card (base: 1X point per $1 spent):
    • Up to 25X Reward Points Total per dollar at IHG
    • 2X points on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants
  • Starbucks® Rewards Visa® Card (base: 1 star per $4 spent):
    • Up to 3 Stars per $1 spent at Starbucks stores: 1 Star per $1 when digitally loading your Starbucks Card (excludes money added at the register) and 2 Stars per $1 spent at Starbucks store
    • 1 Star per $2 spent at grocery stores, on local transit and commuting, and on internet, cable, and phone services
  • Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card (base: 1% cash back per $1 spent):
    • 5% at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership
    • 2% Back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores.

Citi

  • Citi Double Cash: 2% Cash back on all qualifying purchases
  • Citi Premier® Credit Card:
    • 3X ThankYou® Points on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, and hotels 
    • 1X ThankYou® Point on all other purchases
  • Citi Custom Cash Card:
    • 5% cash back on the highest eligible spend category each billing cycle up to $500 spent 
    • 1% cash back thereafter or on all other purchases
  • Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Credit Card:
    • 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at restaurants, gas stations, and eligible American Airlines purchases.
    • 1 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent everywhere else
    • 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible mile earned from purchases
  • Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive Credit Card
    • 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airline purchases
    •  1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
    • 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
    • 10,000 additional Loyalty Points after you spend $40,000 in purchases during the qualifying status year.
  • Costco Anywhere Visa:
    • 4% on eligible gas and EV charging for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
    • 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel, including Costco travel
    • 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com
    • 1% cash back everywhere else
  • American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Mastercard® Credit Card
    • 2 AAdvantage® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services
    • 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
    • 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases
    • 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
  • AT&T Points Plus℠ Card
    • 3 ThankYou® Points for every $1 spent at gas stations
    • 2 ThankYou Points for every $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services
    • 1 ThankYou Point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

 

Discover

  • Discover It(R) , NHL® Discover it® Credit Card and Discover It (R) Student: Discover cards offers 5% cash back on purchases on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter on specific spend categories. You have to opt-in each quarter to earn this accelerator reward. 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Discover It (R) Secured: Discover IT card offers 2% cash back on purchases at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. You DO NOT have to opt-in each quarter to earn this accelerator reward. 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Discover It (R) Student Chrome: Discover IT card offers 2% cash back on purchases at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. You DO NOT have to opt-in each quarter to earn this accelerator reward. 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Discover It (R) Miles: Discover It miles card offers unlimited 1.5 miles on purchase all the time.
  • Discover It (R) Chrome Gas & Restaurant Credit Card: This card offers 2% cash back on purchases at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. You DO NOT have to opt-in each quarter to earn this accelerator reward. 1% cash back on all other purchases.

US Bank

  • U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™:
  • U.S. Bank Altitude Go
    • 4X points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery
    • 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, streaming services, gas stations and EV charging stations
    • 1X points everywhere else
  • U.S. Bank Cash+
    • 5% cash back on the first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two customer-selected categories (categories are: Fast food, Utilities, TV, Internet, Streaming, Department stores, Cell phone, Electronic stores, Sporting goods stores, Gym and fitness centers, Ground transportation, Movie theaters, Furniture stores, Select clothing stores)L
    • 2% cash back on one everyday category ( categories are: grocery stores, grocery delivery, restaurants, gas stations, and EV charging stations)
    • 1% cash back everywhere else
    • To get the up-to-date categories, go to https://www.usbank.com/credit-cards/cash-plus-visa-signature-credit-card.html
  • U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect
    • 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center
    • 4X points on travel, gas stations and EV charging stations
    • 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, dining and streaming services
    • 1X points on everywhere else
  • U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve
    • 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center
    • 3X points on travel and mobile wallet purchases
    • 1X points everywhere else
  • U.S. Bank Flexperks® Gold American Express®
    • 5X FlexPoints on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the FlexPerks Rewards Center
    • 3X FlexPoints on dining, takeout and restaurant delivery
    • 2X FlexPoints at airlines, gas stations and EV charging stations
    • 1X FlexPoints everywhere else

Wells Fargo

  • Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card – Earn 2% cash back everywhere
  • Bilt Mastercard®
    • 1X points on rent payments
    • 2X points on travel
    • 3X points on dining
    • 1X points on other qualifying purchases
    • Earn double points on the first of each month, except on rent
  • Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
    • Earn 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans
    • 1X points on other qualifying purchases
  • Choice Privileges® Mastercard® Credit Card
    • 5X points on stays at participating Choice Hotels® properties or on Choice Privileges point purchases
    • 3X points on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plan services
    • 1X points on all other qualifying purchases
  • Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® Credit Card
    • 10X points on stays at participating Choice Hotels® properties or on Choice Privileges point purchases
    • 5X points on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plan services
    • 1X points on all other qualifying purchases