5 Credit Cards That Will Help You Earn 5% Back on Nearly Every Purchase

Blog Summary:
  • **Amex Blue Cash Preferredยฎ Card**

Best Credit Cards for Maximizing Cash Back in 2024

Introduction

A few years back, I began to realize my suite of credit cards wasn’t earning the most for my spending. My best credit card at the time earned 3% back on food, while my go-to card for every purchase earned 1.5%. When a friend told me that she was earning 5% back on nearly every purchase, I began to realize I was leaving money on the table — a wake-up call that has helped me build the credit card arsenal I have today.

In my quest to earn 5% back on nearly every purchase, I’ve come across quite a few cards that deserve a permanent place in a 5%-earning wallet. While there are plenty of cards that might deserve mention, the following five are some of my favorites.

1. Amex Blue Cash Preferredยฎ Card

Good for:ย Grocery shopping

Featured offer

Save money while you pay off debt with one of these top-rated balance transfer credit cards.

Card Details

  • 6% Cash Back:ย At U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
  • 6% Cash Back:ย On select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
  • 3% Cash Back:ย At U.S. gas stations.
  • 3% Cash Back:ย On transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more).
  • 1% Cash Back:ย On other purchases.
  • Annual Fee:ย $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
  • Welcome Offer:ย Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.

If you spend at least $6,000 at U.S. supermarkets each year, you would earn $360 in cash back, which becomes $265 after subtracting the annual fee. Meanwhile, a no-fee card that earns 3% back on groceries — like the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card — would have earned just $180 on the same spending.

Ratings Methodology

  • Credit Score:ย Good/Excellent (670-850)
  • Intro APR:ย 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months
  • Regular APR:ย 19.24%-29.99% Variable

Pros/Cons

Pros

  • Big welcome offer
  • U.S. supermarkets rewards
  • U.S. gas stations rewards
  • Streaming subscription rewards
  • Travel and purchase protections

Cons

  • Annual fee
  • Foreign transaction fee

2. Citi Custom Cashยฎ Card

Good for:ย Flexible spending categories

Card Details

  • 5% Cash Back:ย In your top eligible spend category each billing cycle (up to the first $500 spent), 1% cash back on other purchases.
  • Additional 4% Cash Back:ย On hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travelโ„  portal through 6/30/2025.
  • Welcome Offer:ย Earn $200 in 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 ThankYouยฎ Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • Annual Fee:ย None

Ratings Methodology

  • Credit Score:ย Fair to Excellent (580-850)
  • Intro APR:ย 0% on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months
  • Regular APR:ย 19.24% – 29.24% (Variable)

Pros/Cons

Pros

  • Cash back rewards
  • Sign-up bonus
  • No annual fee
  • 0% intro APR offer

Cons

  • Bonus cash back limits
  • Foreign transaction fee

Eligible Categories

  • Drugstores
  • Gas stations
  • Grocery stores
  • Fitness clubs
  • Home improvement stores
  • Live entertainment
  • Restaurants
  • Select streaming services
  • Select transit
  • Select travel

3. U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Visa Signatureยฎ Card

Good for:ย Walmart, Target, retail shopping

Card Details

  • 6% Cash Back:ย On your first $1,500 in combined eligible purchases each quarter from two retailers that you choose.
  • Annual Fee:ย $95 (waived for the first year)

Retailers Include

  • Ace Hardware
  • Apple
  • Amazon.com
  • Anthropologie
  • Bed, Bath, & Beyond
  • Best Buy
  • Chewy.com
  • Crate & Barrel
  • Disney
  • Home Depot
  • Ikea
  • Kohl’s
  • Lowe’s
  • Lululemon
  • Macy’s
  • Menards
  • Nordstrom
  • Pottery Barn
  • QVC
  • Restoration Hardware
  • Target
  • Walmart
  • Wayfair.com
  • Williams Sonoma

Since many grocery credit cards don’t count Walmart or Target as supermarkets, this card could give you a way to earn 6% on those two stores. The card has a $95 annual fee, which is waived for its first year. If you spend $1,583 on any combination of the stores above, the card’s cash back would pay for its fee.

Summary Table

Credit Card Good For Cash Back Rates Annual Fee Welcome Offer
Amex Blue Cash Preferredยฎ Card Grocery shopping 6% at U.S. supermarkets, 6% on select streaming, 3% at U.S. gas stations, 3% on transit, 1% on other purchases $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in first 6 months
Citi Custom Cashยฎ Card Flexible spending categories 5% in top eligible spend category each billing cycle (up to $500), 1% on other purchases None $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in first 6 months
U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Visa Signatureยฎ Card Walmart, Target, retail shopping 6% on first $1,500 in combined eligible purchases each quarter from two retailers of choice $95 (waived for first year) None

Conclusion

These credit cards offer high cash back rates in various spending categories, making them excellent choices for maximizing your rewards. Whether you spend heavily on groceries, need flexibility in your cash back categories, or shop frequently at Walmart or Target, there’s a card here that can help you earn more on your purchases.

Price Based Country test mode enabled for testing United States (US). You should do tests on private browsing mode. Browse in private with Firefox, Chrome and Safari