Best Credit Cards for Everyday Use of 2024

Blue Cash Preferred^® feels like the ultimate powerhouse for families, grocery shoppers, and those who rely on streaming services. With 6% cash back on up to $6,000 spent annually at U.S. supermarkets (then 1%), it almost feels like you’re getting paid to shop. There’s a $95 annual fee ($0 intro the first year), which can be a dealbreaker if your grocery bill isn’t hefty enough to justify it. But for families or anyone who spends big on food, gas, and streaming, this card essentially pays for itself.

SavorOne seems like it was made specifically for those who live for good food and entertainment. No annual fee plus 3% cash back at restaurants, grocery stores, and entertainment make this a great choice for social butterflies and home chefs. However, if you don’t dine out, cook, or enjoy live entertainment regularly, other cards may fit better in your wallet.

For frequent travelers, online grocery enthusiasts, Netflix fans, and dedicated diners, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a must-have. The 3X points on dining, online grocery purchases and select streaming services make it easy to rack up rewards on everyday purchases. On top of that, earning 5X points through Chase Travel is a great rate. This card also comes with various travel perks like an annual hotel credit and anniversary points boost. However, with a $95 annual fee, infrequent travelers may find it difficult to maximize its value.

A no-annual-fee card that still packs a punch with 3% cash back in key categories like U.S. supermarkets, U.S. online retailers, and U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 spent in each category per year, then 1%) is a win in our books. It’s ideal for people who want to earn rewards without worrying about earning enough to cover a fee. Even still, Blue Cash Everyday’s lower cash-back rate on spending at U.S. supermarkets compared to the Preferred version can feel limiting for bigger spenders, but it’s exceptional for light use.

Freedom Unlimited is one of those cards that shine for simplicity. The flat 1.5% cash back means you don’t have to worry much about categories, and its lack of an annual fee is icing on the cake. You can also earn elevated rewards on dining, drugstore, and travel purchases through Chase Travel℠, which may align with some people’s typical spending patterns. But if your purchases are usually on groceries or entertainment, you may be better off with a different card. It also doesn’t have a ton of extra perks, but if you’re all about straightforward rewards, it’s a worthy contender.

The American Express Gold Card could be game-changing if you dine out frequently or enjoy long walks through the supermarket. It earns 4X Membership Rewards points on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year at restaurants worldwide (then 1X) and 4X points on up to $25,000 spent per calendar year at U.S. supermarkets (then 1X), making it ideal for foodies. And the over $400 in yearly credits can provide significant value if you use them. However, the $325 annual fee may give you a bit of sticker shock, especially if you can’t maximize those reward categories and statement credits.

A luxury card with a luxury price tag, Venture X is perfect for people who blend their day-to-day purchases with a healthy dose of travel. Earning 10X miles on hotels and rental cars as well as 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals (all through Capital One Travel), plus 2X miles on everything else is pretty good. The high annual fee can be intimidating unless you travel enough to use the perks, like the $300 travel credit and TSA PreCheck^® or Global Entry fee credit. If you’re a dedicated traveler, it’s probably worth the cost. But if you’re more of a homebody, your money is better spent elsewhere.