Citi is no longer accepting applications for the Citi Custom Cash® Card product as of May 28, 2026.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
As long as you can pay off your balance on time and in full each month, it can be beneficial to use a credit card when shopping for the basics. Using a credit card that offers cash back, points or miles on your daily purchases can make your rewards balance balloon even more quickly.
While many popular cards are geared towards rewarding those who travel often, there are a number of great cards that are more centered on rewarding everyday purchases, such as grocery runs, gas fill-ups and online shopping.
To help you out on your next spending, CNBC Select details the best credit cards for shopping the essentials and maximizing those everyday purchases.
Best credit cards for everyday spending
- Best for groceries: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Best for travel rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (See rates and fees)
- Best for dining: American Express® Gold Card
- Best for cash back: Citi Double Cash® Card
- Best for gas: Citi Custom Cash® Card
- Best for online shopping: Prime Visa (See rates and fees)
- Best for rotating bonus categories: Chase Freedom Flex®
Best for groceries
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a low-fee card with generous cash-back rewards and useful ongoing benefits, such as a monthly Disney Bundle credit. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $300 cash back* after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $3,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.49%-28.49%.
- Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don't have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you'll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
- Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars
Who's this for: Amex's Blue Cash Preferred Card is a cash-back card ideal for someone who wants to earn a respectable return across a range of common spending categories.
As you spend on the card, you'll earn cash back in the following categories:
- 6% cash back on groceries and purchases at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%)
- 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% cash back on transit including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more
- 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Terms apply.
Additionally, the card comes with a lucrative welcome offer where you can earn as high as $300 cash back after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $3,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
The card also comes with valuable benefits such as an intro *0% APR offer on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening (after, 19.49% - 28.49% variable APR), the Disney Bundle* credits, and return protection (enrollment required for select benefits). (See rates and fees)
*Subject to auto-renewal. Valid only at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or Stream.ESPN.com in the U.S.
How to redeem rewards: You can redeem your cash back for a statement credit to help reduce your monthly statement. There are no minimums to do this.
Best for earning travel rewards
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections and more.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase TravelSM
- 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Who's this for: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card remains one of the most popular travel rewards credit cards for its broad spending categories and low annual fee.
As you spend on the card, you'll earn:
- 5X points per dollar spent on Lyft rides (Benefit valid through September 30, 2027)
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out
- 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- 3X points on select streaming services
- 2X points on all other travel purchases
- 1X point on all other purchases
New cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
If you enjoy traveling, the card comes with solid travel benefits including a $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, comprehensive travel insurance and no foreign transaction fees.
How to redeem rewards: As you spend on the card, you'll earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. These points can be redeemed for cash back or gift cards at a rate of 1 cent per point. You can potentially get even more value from your points by transferring them to one of Chase's airline or hotel partners, like World of Hyatt and United MileagePlus (see rates and fees).
Best for dining
The American Express Gold Card is great for earning valuable Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You'll know upfront exactly how much you'll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Foreign transaction fee
None
Who's this for: The American Express Gold Card is ideal for foodies who want to rack up Amex Membership Rewards® points.
As you spend, you'll earn:
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- 4X points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X)
- 4X points per dollar spent on groceries at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
- 3X points per dollar spent on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- 1X points per dollar spent on all other purchases
Other benefits, which can help offset the annual fee, include monthly Uber credits, dining credits at select restaurants, travel insurance and special perks when booking hotel stays through The Hotel Collection (enrollment required for select benefits). Cardholders can also participate in Amex Offers, where they'll earn statement credits or bonus points at select retailers (enrollment required).
The Amex Gold Card is currently offering new cardholders a welcome bonus: You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
How to redeem rewards: Amex Membership Rewards points are best used when transferred to one of Amex's various airline and hotel partners, such as Delta Air Lines or JetBlue. You can also redeem them for statement credits, gift cards and when checking out at retailers like Amazon, though you'll usually get a lower value for your points.
Best for earning cash back
The Citi Double Cash® Card is one of the best no-annual-fee cash-back cards thanks to its straightforward rewards structure. Card is one of the best no-annual-fee cash-back cards thanks to its straightforward rewards structure.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- 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.
- 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. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% - 27.49%, 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).
Balance transfer fee
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Who's this for: The Citi Double Cash Card is a no-frills, cash-back credit card that can quickly help you save on your monthly expenses.
As you spend on the card, you'll earn 2% cash back: 1% on all eligible purchases and an additional 1% after you pay your credit card bill. There's no limit to the cash back you can earn.
How to redeem rewards: The cash back you earn is awarded in Citi ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for statement credits, cash back, gift cards, travel or merchandise. And, if you have another Citi ThankYou® Points earning card like the Citi Strata Premier® Card, you can transfer your Citi Double Cash points to various travel partners (see rates and fees).
Best for gas
The Citi Custom Cash® Card is an especially simple and rewarding cash-back card because you'll automatically earn bonus rewards where you spend the most.
Rewards
- 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.
- 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 on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026.
Balance transfer fee
5% of each balance transfer ($5 minimum)
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Who's this for: The Citi Custom Cash Card is a great pick for your gas purchases, along with your other daily purchases.
As you spend on the card, you'll earn:
- 5% cash back on purchases in the top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent (then 1%)
- 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026
- Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
Eligible 5% cash back spending categories include gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment.
This means that you can earn up to $25 cash back each billing cycle if you maximize the gas or other eligible spending category. But if you typically exceed that $500 threshold, you may consider adding another gas rewards credit card like the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card.
In addition, the Citi Custom Cash Card has a simple welcome bonus where you can earn an additional $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 in the first six months of account opening.
How to redeem rewards: You can redeem your points for cash back as a statement credit or direct deposit, gift cards, travel and even on Amazon orders.
Best for online shopping
The Prime Visa is only available to Amazon Prime members ($139 for an annual membership and $14.99 for a monthly membership) but is very rewarding for Amazon purchases.
Rewards
- Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
- Unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
- 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership
- Unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Who's this for: The Prime Visa is a good choice for someone with an eligible Prime membership who regularly shops on Amazon and at Whole Foods Market.
As you spend on the card, you'll earn unlimited:
- 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market
- 5% back on Chase Travel purchases
- Unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
- 1% back on all other purchases
The card also comes with a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members.
How to redeem rewards: The cash back you earn with this card is awarded as points that are worth 1 cent apiece. You can use your points for eligible purchases at Amazon.com or redeem your points through Chase for cash back, gift cards and travel.
Best for rotating bonus categories
The Chase Freedom Flex® is an excellent cash-back card for maximizing your spending in a variety of categories.
Rewards
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate (then 1%)
- 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠
- 3% on drugstore purchases and on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services)
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Balance transfer fee
Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Who's this for: The Chase Freedom Flex allows flexible spenders to earn generous amounts of cash back.
As you spend on the card, you'll earn:
- 5% cash back on the card's rotating categories (these change each quarter and require activation)
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
The card also comes with a 0% intro APR for the first 15 months of card membership (after, 18.24% - 27.74% variable APR).
New cardholders can currently earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in their first three months from account opening.
How to redeem rewards: The cash back you earn can be redeemed for a statement credit, gift card, travel and more. Additionally, if you have another Chase-Ultimate-Rewards-earning card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), you can convert the cash back into transferrable Ultimate Rewards® points and potentially get much more value than 1 cent per point.
FAQs
Is it good to use a credit card for everyday purchases?
By using a credit card for everyday purchases, you can earn valuable rewards fairly quickly. However, it's crucial to keep your spending within your budget and always pay off your bills on time and in full.
How can I maximize my spending on my credit card?
You can maximize your spending by having the right credit card that matches your spending habits. Additionally, if your spending habits change, you may consider switching cards to earn more rewards.
What is the best credit card to use for everyday purchases?
The best credit card for everyday purchases is one that most closely aligns with your purchasing habits and your financial goals.
Bottom line
Everyday essentials have quickly escalated in price, leaving many Americans scrambling to save money on their basic purchases.
While saving money by using a credit card may seem counterintuitive, credit cards provide a solid opportunity to make the purchases you need and earn rewards at the same time. However, it's important to remember that credit cards should work in tandem with your monthly budget. If you're overspending and getting into credit card debt, the rewards you'll earn won't make any tangible difference.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best credit cards.
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For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
*We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through Amazon links.
