Best Credit Cards for Everyday Spending: Top Picks for Rewards and Savings

If you're looking for a credit card that rewards your everyday spending, you're in luck. The Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers 3% cash back on all purchases in your first year up to $20,000 spent, and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

For those who prefer a rewards program that's not cash back, the Citi Double Cash card is a great option. It offers 2% cash back on all purchases - 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay.

The Blue Cash Preferred card from American Express is another top pick for everyday spending. It offers 6% cash back on groceries, 3% cash back on gas, and 1% cash back on all other purchases, with a $250 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months.

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If you're looking for a credit card that rewards you for everyday spending, consider the Citi Double Cash Card. It offers 2% cash back on all purchases, with no rotating categories or spending limits.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited Card is another great option, offering 3% cash back on all purchases in your first year up to $20,000 spent, and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

The Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card offers 3% cash back on dining, 2% cash back on gas, and 1% cash back on all other purchases, making it a great choice for foodies and commuters.

Some credit cards also offer sign-up bonuses, like the Discover it Cash Back Card, which offers a $150 bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months.

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There are many great credit card options available for everyday spending. If you're looking for a card that earns more than 1% cash back, consider using a flat-rate 2% cash back credit card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card.

Some of the best no-annual-fee credit cards available include the Chase Freedom Unlimited, Chase Freedom Flex, and Wells Fargo Active Cash Card. These cards offer a range of rewards and benefits, including 0% interest and cell phone protection.

Here are some of the top no-annual-fee credit cards, categorized by their benefits:

As a credit card enthusiast, I'm excited to share with you my top picks for no-annual-fee credit cards. These cards offer amazing rewards and benefits without charging you an annual fee.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is my top pick for overall no-annual-fee credit card. It offers 0% interest and cell phone protection, making it a great option for those who want a hassle-free credit card experience.

If you're looking for a card that earns 2% flat rate cashback, consider the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card. It's a great option for those who want a simple and straightforward cashback program.

For rent and international travel, the Bilt Mastercard is a great choice. It offers no annual fee and rewards you with points for your rent payments and international travel expenses.

If you're a fan of spas, gyms, and pet care, the Wells Fargo Attune Card is a great option. It offers rewards in these categories and has no annual fee.

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Here are my top picks for no-annual-fee credit cards, categorized by their benefits:

Keep in mind that while these cards have no annual fee, they may have other fees and requirements, so be sure to read the fine print before applying.

There are many types of credit cards available, each with its own unique features and benefits. Some credit cards offer cash back rewards, which can be a straightforward way to earn money back on your spending.

One type of cash back credit card is the flat-rate card, which earns a fixed percentage of cash back on all purchases. For example, the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card earns 2% cash back on all purchases, making it a great option for those who want a simple and easy-to-understand rewards program.

Other credit cards offer rewards in specific categories, such as groceries, restaurants, or travel. The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, for instance, earns 8% cash back on dining purchases and 4% cash back on gas purchases.

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Some credit cards also offer 0% introductory APRs on purchases and balance transfers, which can be a great option for those who want to avoid interest charges. The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card, for example, offers 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months.

Here are some of the most common types of credit cards:

It's worth noting that some credit cards offer sign-up bonuses or rewards programs that can be combined with other credit cards. For example, the Citi Double Cash Card offers a $100 cash rewards bonus and can be combined with travel rewards credit cards issued by the same bank.

Travel credit cards are a great way to earn rewards on your purchases, especially if you travel frequently. Some cards offer unlimited points per dollar spent on all purchases, like the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card, which earns 1.5 points per dollar.

The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card also has a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, making it a great option for international travel. Additionally, the card offers 25,000 online bonus points after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days, which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.

If you're looking for a card with a higher rewards rate, consider the Platinum Card from American Express. This card earns 5x points on airfare booked directly with airlines and hotels booked through Amex, with a base rewards rate of 1x point per dollar spent. The card also comes with a welcome offer of 80,000 points after spending $8,000 in the first six months.

To get the most out of your travel credit card, use it for all your regular purchases, like groceries, utilities, and phone bills, as Credit Coach Jeanne Kelly does. This way, you can earn points on things you would have paid for anyway, and then redeem them for travel bookings.

Here are some key features to consider when choosing a travel credit card:

Secured credit cards are a type of credit card that requires a security deposit to open, which becomes your credit limit. This unique feature makes them an attractive option for people with poor or no credit.

Secured credit cards are often required for people who have been rejected for a regular credit card. In fact, studies have shown that 75% of people who apply for a secured credit card are rejected for a regular credit card.

Secured credit cards can be a good way to start building credit from scratch. For example, a person with no credit history can apply for a secured credit card and make regular payments to establish a positive credit history.

The interest rates on secured credit cards can be higher than regular credit cards. For instance, the average interest rate on a secured credit card is around 22.99%.

Secured credit cards can be used anywhere that regular credit cards are accepted. However, some secured credit cards may have restrictions on certain types of purchases.

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Bank of America Credit Cards offer a range of rewards options, but one standout card is the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card. This card offers 1-3% cash back on purchases, with a $200 online cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days.

The card also offers 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% on all other purchases. This flexibility makes it a great option for those who want to earn rewards in a specific area.

One notable benefit of the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card is the $200 online cash rewards bonus. This bonus is available after meeting the spending requirement, making it a great incentive for new cardholders.

If you're looking for a simple cash back card, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card is worth considering. It's also worth noting that this card has a $0 annual fee, making it a great option for those who want to earn rewards without paying extra.

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Here are some key features of the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card at a glance:

American Express offers a range of credit cards, each with its own benefits and features.

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is a great option for those who spend a lot on groceries, gas, and streaming services, earning 6% back on the first $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets per calendar year.

However, if you're on a tight budget, the no-annual-fee Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express is still a great option, although it earns a lower cash back rate.

One key difference between American Express credit cards is whether they earn cash back in the form of Reward Dollars or American Express Membership Rewards points.

Reward Dollars are earned on no-annual-fee credit cards like the Blue Cash Everyday Card, but they can't be used for travel rewards.

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If you want to earn American Express Membership Rewards points, you'll need to look at premium credit cards with annual fees, such as The Platinum Card from American Express.

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with a $695 annual fee, but it offers a range of benefits, including annual airline, hotel, and CLEAR Plus credits, making it possible to make up the fee with credits alone.

With The Platinum Card from American Express, you can earn one point on all purchases, plus five points on flights and prepaid hotels booked direct with American Express Travel.

By using the card for everyday purchases and saving up points, you can redeem them for travel bookings, as Credit Coach Jeanne Kelly has done, covering entire trips from New York to Florida using only her Amex points.

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If you're not a fan of credit cards, there are alternatives to consider. You can use a debit card that earns rewards, which won't let you spend more than you have in your account and won't charge an annual fee.

Debit cards typically offer lower reward rates, around 1% cash back on purchases. They also won't come with perks like travel accident insurance.

The key is to treat your credit card like a debit card, paying off your purchases right away and setting up autopay for the full statement balance each month. This will help you avoid interest charges and missed payments.

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To choose the right rewards credit card, start by looking at your spending habits to determine which type of card will offer the best rewards.

If you dine out often, consider a restaurant card that earns higher rewards for dining purchases. This could be a great option if you're someone who enjoys trying new restaurants and eating out regularly.

On the other hand, if your spending is less predictable or if you don't want to strategize to maximize your rewards, a flat-rate rewards card might work better for your lifestyle.

When comparing cards, make sure the benefits you use each year outweigh the card's annual fee. Consider factors like the welcome bonus, introductory APR, and other features that may factor into the card's total value.

If there's a welcome bonus, ensure you can qualify for it through your regular spending without stretching your budget to meet the minimum spending requirement.

You should also consider how you can redeem your rewards, as some cards may offer more lucrative options than others. For example, you can often get more value from each credit card point by transferring the points to an issuer's travel partners.

Ultimately, the right card is one that matches your spending habits and helps you earn rewards on your everyday essential purchases, not one that forces you to change your spending habits or buy things you don't need or can't afford.