Saving is crucial, but spending is unavoidable. Why not earn some money back while doing it? Everyone has specific spending categories that can earn cash back. To maximize your rewards, it's important to know how different cards cater to each category. Here's a quick overview of spending categories and the rewards offered by various cards. While this guide is useful, consider using an app like [Card Pointers](https://cardpointers.com/). It analyzes the reward categories of your cards, helping you select the best card for every purchase. Also, please understand the implication of applying for credit cards, as they can trigger a [[Credit#**Hard Inquiries**|hard inquiry.]] # Bills - U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card - 5 percent cash back in two categories: - My most relevant categories - Home Utilities Category - Rationale to combine services - TV, Internet, and Streaming Services Category - Cell Phone Providers Category - Up to $8000 per year - No annual fee --- # Groceries - Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express - 6 percent cash back at U.S. supermarkets - Up to $6000 per year, then 1 percent - $95 annual fee - Costco Groceries: - Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi - 2 percent cash back - No limit - No annual fee --- # Gas - Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi - 5 percent cash back on gas and EV at Costco - 4 percent at other gas stations with qualifying MCC (merchant )category codes - Qualifiers - Shell - Mobile - Exxon - Chevron - $7000 annual limit - No annual fee ---- # Travel - Priceline Purchases - 5 percent cash back on Priceline purchases - On hotels - Frontier Airlines Bookings - 5 points per dollar, amounting to 5.5 percent to 6 percent cash back on travel - 2 checked bags and 1 carry on bag privileges - Need to generate point accrual activity at least once per year so that points don't expire - 99 dollar annual fee - Amazon - Chase Travel - 5 percent cash back, bookings must be made directly through Chase Travel - Airlines - Aer Lingus AerClub - Air Canada Aeroplan - Air France-KLM Flying Blue - British Airways Executive Club - Emirates Skywards - Iberia Plus - JetBlue TrueBlue - Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer - Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards - United Airlines MileagePlus - Virgin Atlantic Flying Club - Hotels - World of Hyatt - Marriott Bonvoy - IHG One Rewards - Points - Hotels - Hotel reservations made through the Chase Travel portal are often considered third-party bookings. As a result, many hotel chains **do not award loyalty points** or **recognize elite status benefits** for these stays. -  If earning hotel loyalty points and accessing elite benefits are priorities, consider booking directly with the hotel. Alternatively, you can **transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® points** to hotel loyalty programs and book directly through them, which may allow you to retain loyalty benefits. - Airlines - Flights booked via the Chase Travel portal are typically treated as cash bookings by airlines. Consequently, you generally earn frequent flyer miles and qualify for elite status credits on these flights. - To maximize mile accrual and elite status progression, ensure your frequent flyer number is added to your reservation when booking flights through the Chase Travel portal. --- # Dining - AMEX - 4X points at restaurants - 4X points on purchases at U.S. supermarkets - 3X points on flights booked directly through airlines or through AmexTravel.com - Host of other benefits - Points do not expire - $325 per year - 6 people can pool and be authorized users together, thereby splitting the cost --- # Retail - Amazon - Prime Visa - 5 Percent cash back at - Amazon.com - Amazon Fresh - Whole Foods Market - Chase Travel - Unlimited cash back - No annual fee - Target RedCard - 5 percent cash back - $0 annual fee - Lowes - Lowe’s Advantage Card: - Enjoy an unlimited 5% discount on eligible purchases at Lowe’s. - No Annual Fee - General Online Shopping - Blue Cash Everyday® Card - 3 percent cash back on retail shopping - Up to $6000 in purchases - No annual fee