What are the best everyday credit cards of 2022?
The best card for you depends on your budget and spending habits. Determine where you spend the most to help you decide which is best for you.
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5+ Best everyday credit cards of 2022
The right card will pay you back handsomely on your day-to-day purchases.
The best credit cards for everyday purchases have the highest earning rate on the most useful categories of everyday purchases for your needs, such as groceries or gas. When comparing the best everyday credit cards, we looked at several features, including eligible reward categories, points or cash back earned per dollar spent, earnings flexibility, annual fees, welcome bonus value, introductory APRs and other reward perks. The cards that stood out in one or several categories were chosen for our top picks.
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Finder rating 4.7 / 5 ★★★★★
The Chase Freedom Flex is an excellent card to maximize cashback rewards on a variety of categories and one of the top performers period in the cashback rewards card space. You can earn accelerated cash back at grocery stores, travel, Lyft rides, dining and more. Plus, cardholders can transfer rewards earned into the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, potentially increasing the value of their rewards. The Chase Freedom Unlimited is also a good choice if you prefer a flat-rate rewards structure.
Pros
- Cash back. Earn 5% cash back in select rotating categories on up to $1,500 each quarter you activate, then 1%. You'll also earn 5% back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on Lyft through March 2022, 3% back at restaurants and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases.
- Signup bonus. Earn $200 cash back after you make $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
- Intro APR. Get a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months from account opening, then 17.24% to 25.99% variable.
Cons
- You'll need to keep track of rotating categories. You won't get the 5% cashback rate on the same categories each quarter. Also, you'll need to activate your cashback categories, or you won't receive the bonus rate.
- Categories not always known. Often, Chase won't reveal the whole year's rotating categories until they're close to launching.
- Foreign transaction fees. You'll pay a 3% fee on transactions made abroad.
| Welcome Offer | $200 |
|---|---|
| Rewards | Up to 5% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Finder rating 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card was once strictly a travel card, but recent changes to the card over the pandemic have shifted this card toward everyday purchases. Not only can it earn big on travel booked through Chase, but cardholders can also earn rewards on dining, takeout, delivery, streaming services and eligible online grocery purchase. Best of all, this card is an excellent entry into the Chase Ultimate Rewards program and can improve your reward redemption value by 25% when redeemed on the Chase travel portal.
Pros
- Signup bonus. 60,000 bonus points. Spend $4,000 within the first 3 months of account opening to earn these points. They are worth $750 when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- Rewards. Up to 5x points. Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel. Earn 1x points on all other purchases. These points are worth 25% more when redeemed through the Chase travel portal.
- Point transfers to select airline and hotel partners. You can transfer your points at a 1:1 ratio to airline and hotel programs like Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy.
Cons
- Annual fee. The card costs $95 annually.
- No intro APR period. You won't get to save money on interest with a 0% intro APR period on purchases or balance transfers.
| Welcome Offer | 60,000 points |
|---|---|
| Rewards | Up to 5x points |
| Annual Fee | $95 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Finder rating 4.4 / 5 ★★★★★
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a strong and consistent rewards rate on all purchases and is a solid travel rewards credit card, especially if you want a simple card. Especially notable is the card's welcome offer, which is quite generous for the card's price.
Pros
- Reward miles. Earn unlimited 2x miles on all purchases. Also earn 5x miles on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
- Signup bonus. Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in your first 3 months of account opening, or still earn miles after you spend in your first. This is up to a $750 value if you earn the full bonus.
- TSA PreCheck and Global Entry fee credit. Get up to $100 statement credit once every four years when you use your card to pay for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
Cons
- Annual fee. You'll pay a $95 annual fee for this card.
- No intro APR period. You don't get a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers or purchases with this card.
| Welcome Offer | 75,000 miles |
|---|---|
| Rewards | Up to 5x miles |
| Annual Fee | $95 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card
Among general-rewards cards, the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card offers the highest rewards rate on gas when you buy at the pump. In fact, this card beats out several other big-name cards for gas rewards, including the Costco Anywhere Visa and Sam's Club Mastercard. The only catch is you'll need to sign up for Pen Fed membership to apply for the card.
Pros
- No intro APR for purchases. The PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card doesn’t offer an intro APR period on purchases. From the start, you’ll get an 16.49% to 17.99% variable APR, depending on your creditworthiness.
- Reward points. Earn 5x points when you pay at the pump, 3x points at supermarkets and 1x points on everything else you buy.
- Signup bonus. Earn $150 in statement credit once you spend $1,500 in your first 90 days of card membership.
- Intro APR period on balance transfers. Get 0% intro APR period on balance transfers you make until a rolling deadline. A variable APR of up to 17.99% applies thereafter.
Cons
- No intro APR for purchases. The PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card doesn’t offer an intro APR period on purchases. From the start, you’ll get an 16.49% to 17.99% variable APR, depending on your creditworthiness.
| Welcome Offer | $150 points |
|---|---|
| Rewards | Up to 5x points |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Finder rating 4.3 / 5 ★★★★★
If groceries are your biggest bill, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has been one of the best picks you can make for several years running. Its grocery rewards are the best on the market, and you'll also earn accelerated cash back on purchases made at U.S. supermarkets on up gas stations. The card also comes with an introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers, which can save plenty on interest when used wisely.
Pros
- Welcome offer. Earn a $350 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases during your first 6 months of card membership.
- Earn cash back. Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year. After that, you'll earn 1% back. You'll also earn 6% on select U.S. streaming services and 3% on transit purchases. At U.S. gas stations, you'll earn 3% back. For all other eligible purchases, you'll get 1% back.
- Intro APR period. Enjoy a 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months of account opening. After that, a variable APR of 16.99% to 27.99% applies.
Cons
- Annual fee. The card comes with a $95 annual fee.
- Cashback cap on groceries. Your 6% cashback rate at U.S. supermarkets is capped on up to $6,000 each year, and 1% after that.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
| Welcome Offer | $350 |
|---|---|
| Rewards | Up to 6% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $95 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
American Express® Gold Card
Finder rating 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★
With 4x points on dining, the American Express® Gold Card is a powerhouse choice if you're a foodie. You'll also earn the same rewards rate at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per year in spending, then 1x points. Another highlight: you can transfer your points to your Amex Membership Rewards account to potentially further increase the value of your points.
Pros
- Reward points. Earn 4x points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, and 1x points after that. Earn 4x points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and 3x points on flights booked directly or via Amex Travel. Other eligible purchases earn 1x points.
- Welcome offer. Earn a 60,000 points welcome offer after you spend $4,000 within your first 6 months following your account opening.
- Travel and dining credits. Earn up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations, after enrollment. Get up to $10 in Uber Cash each month when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account.
Cons
- Annual fee. Pay $250 annually to own the card.
- No intro APR period. You don't get a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers or purchases.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
| Welcome Offer | 60,000 points |
|---|---|
| Rewards | Up to 4x points |
| Annual Fee | $250 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Citi Premier® Card
Finder rating 4.3 / 5 ★★★★★
The Citi Premier® Card is an excellent travel credit card with accelerated rewards on purchases made at restaurants, gas stations and supermarkets. Redeem points for a variety of rewards, including travel purchases, cash, gift cards or use them at Amazon.com.
Pros
- Signup bonus. Earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of opening your account. These points are worth $800 on average based on Finder's valuations.
- Rewards. This card earns a wide variety of rewards on everyday purchases, including 3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, flights and hotels, and 1x points on all other purchases.
- Points transfers. Transfer your points to your choice of eligible airline and hotel loyalty programs such as TrueBlue and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.
Cons
- Annual fee. You'll pay an annual fee of $95.
- No intro APR period. With this card, you won't get a intro APR period on purchases or balance transfers.
Information about this card has been collected independently by Finder.
| Welcome Offer | 80,000 points |
|---|---|
| Rewards | Up to 3x points |
| Annual Fee | $95 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 670 |
Discover it® Secured
Finder rating 4.4 / 5 ★★★★★
The Discover it® Secured is one of the rare secured cards that offers rewards on purchases. If you need to rebuild your credit, this card can help you do that while also earning rewards on everyday purchases at the same time.
Pros
- Signup bonus. At the end of your first year, Discover will match all of the cash back you’ve earned without any limits.
- Cash back. Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on the first $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. After that, and on all other purchases, earn 1% cash back.
- Credit reporting to the three major bureaus. Discover will report your payment history to the three major credit bureaus — TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. With consistent on-time payments, you’ll build your credit score.
- Possible security deposit return after eight months. After eight months, Discover will review your account every month. If they deem you’ve been a responsible cardholder, they may return your security deposit while you continue using your card. This effectively turns your secured card into an unsecured card.
Cons
- It hurts to pay late. Your first late fee is waived, but making subsequent late or returned payments could result in fees as high as $41.
- Time limit for balance transfers. If you want to take advantage of the intro balance transfer APR, your transfers must post to your account within the first months.
| Welcome Offer | Other |
|---|---|
| Rewards | Up to 2% cash back |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 300 |
Methodology
When assessing our best list, we primarily looked at two card features: earning rates and bonus categories. Those with the largest earning rates or most useful bonus categories were considered for our list, though we also looked at other factors, like more niche bonus categories, introductory APRs, travel perks and more. Those that performed the best in a given category were highlighted for our list.
How do I choose the best everyday spending credit card?
It can be difficult to choose the right credit card for everyday use as there are so many options. Here are a couple of factors to consider when making your choice:
- What does your monthly spending look like? Each rewards card offers a different rewards structure and spending categories. Take stock of how you spend and find a card that best rewards you for where you spend the most. Without changing your spending, you can get paid back daily in the form of cash back, points or miles. You’ll also want to check the card details to see what qualifying purchases are included in each category.
- Do you want to pay no annual fee? Many everyday cards have $0 or low annual fees but lack spectacular features. Your main consideration with these products will be the rewards rates. Premium cards are loaded with great benefits, but they come with steep annual fees — often $450 or more.
- How big of a signup bonus do you want? A signup bonus can give you a quick burst of rewards and cover your card’s annual fee several times over. Consider whether you can meet the spending requirement before the signup-bonus window closes. Cards with higher annual fees tend to have more impressive bonuses.
- Do you want an intro APR? An intro APR offer can help you save on interest. But many of the top rewards cards don’t have promotional interest rates.
- Review a card’s loyalty program. Many credit card issuers have their own loyalty programs that can further boost a card’s reward potential. They may offer card members additional value through point transfers, additional reward opportunities or point bonuses when booking travel. If you prefer a particular issuer, it can pay to stick to one or two loyalty programs.
Alternatives to everyday credit cards
Everyday credit cards tend to be great picks for day-to-day purchases such as groceries, gas and the odd purchase here and there. But they’re not always the best if your spending is concentrated in other areas. Here are a few alternatives:
- Premium travel credit cards. While these cards may have a higher annual fee, they can be worth it for the frequent traveler who will enjoy top-notch travel rewards. If that’s you, you might like cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Dining credit cards. The American Express® Gold Card is a dining credit card that happens to give great rewards at U.S. supermarkets as well. For more dining options, consider the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card or Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card.
- Airline and hotel credit cards. If you’re a loyal customer with a certain airline or hotel chain, check if it has a cobranded card. You can earn accelerated rewards with your card, plus get access to special perks you might find on standard cards, like lounge access or the ability to transfer points to travel partners.
Compare everyday credit cards
Explore your options by rewards, purchase APR or annual fee. Select Apply now to start your application for a particular credit card.
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Bottom line
An effective everyday credit card is one that rewards you for your day-to-day spending. Consider your budget and find a product that offers elevated rewards for your top categories.
If you’re not sure an everyday credit card is right for you, consider other rewards products.
Frequently asked questions
Should I get a flat-rate-rewards card or a tiered-rewards card?
This depends on your spending. If you spend relatively evenly throughout many categories, a flat-rate-rewards card might be a good choice. If your spending is concentrated in a few categories, you might earn great rewards from a tiered-rewards card. Consider the annual fee you’ll pay and see how it’ll affect your rewards.
Should I get a cashback card or a card that offers points or miles?
If you want simpler rewards, lean toward a cashback card. Typically, your redemption options are statement credit or a deposit to your bank account.
Travel cards tend to be more complicated, but they can offer more valuable and versatile rewards. Redemption options often include hotel stays, flights, statement credit, cash back, gift cards and merchandise.
What credit score do I need to get an everyday credit card?
If you want a card with rewards, you’ll typically need a good to excellent score to qualify.
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