To maximize rewards:
All-Purpose/Main Spending Card
2% - Fidelity Investment Rewards American Express Card: - Earn 2% on everything. Rewards can be redeemed with minimum redemption of $50.($2500 spend). No annual fee. 1% Foreign currency surcharge. [link ]
1.5%-2% - Fidelity Investment Rewards Visa Signature Card: - Earn 1.5% (first $15,000 annual spend, 2% thereafter) on everything. Rewards can be redeemed with minimum redemption of $50. No annual fee. 3% Foreign merchant use fee (regardless of currency used in transaction.)
1.5% BankAmericard Travel Rewards - 1.5% cash-back, No foreign transaction fees. $100 bonus after spending $500 in first 3 months. Must redeem CashBack on "travel" expenses.
1.5% - Bank of America Privileges with Cash Rewards Must be in privileges program ($50k deposit BofA/Merrill Edge/MLPF&S) AND redeem rewards into BofA/ML/MLPF&S account to get 50% bonus, otherwise 1%. Amounts presume bonus. Gas 3%, Groceries 2% ($1,500 max per quarter). 3% foreign transaction fee. [link ] No new customers resident in KS, MO, NV, SC and WA.
1.5% - Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: - Flat 1.5% cash-back. No foreign transaction fees. $100 bonus after spending $500 in first 3 months. [link ]
1.5% - Northrop Grumman CU Cash Rebates - Flat 1.5%, deposited annually. No foreign transaction fees. Join through Southern California Historical Aviation Foundation. [link ]
1.25%+ Swagbucks Visa - 1.25% CB, more if redeemed for AMZN GC.
1.25% - Dollars Bank Valued Customer Visa - Maximum rebate in any calendar year is $500, distributed semi-annually in January and July. See business** card for no rebate cap version.
1%-1.5% - Navy Federal CashRewards - 1.0% Cash Back on all purchases for first $10,000 on all purchases, 1.5% thereafter.
Gas, Groceries, Drugstores, Department Stores
6% AMEX Blue Cash Preferred: 6% on groceries, 3% on gas and department stores, 1% on everything else - $75 annual fee, $150 free sign-up bonus. 6% on groceries are capped @ $6k/yr. 2.7% Foreign currency surcharge. [link ][FW thread ]
5% Sallie Mae Mastercard: 5% on groceries up to $250/month, 5% on gas up to $250/month, 5% on books up to $750/month and 1% on everything else or over the category limit. [FW Thread ]
4.2% https://www.penfed.org/visasignaturepoints/ : 4.2% on gas, 2.5% at supermarkets, 0.9% on everything else. No annual fee. 1 point = $0.0085 [https://www.penfed.org/visasignaturepoints/ ] [FW Thread ][Point devaluation thread ]
3% https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit-cards/overview.go and https://www.bankofamerica.com/myexpression_banking/pagination.do?pageSize=38%A4tPage=1&segmentid=ALUM 3% on gas, 2% on groceries, 1% everything else - no fee. 10% bonus when redeem into Bank of America account.
3% AMEX Blue Cash Everyday : 3% on groceries, 2% on gas and department stores, 1% on everything else - no fee, $100 free sign-up bonus. 2.7% Foreign currency surcharge. [link ] - fw thread
2% Capital One No Hassle Cash Rewards MC: 2% on gas and groceries, 1% on everything else. No cap on the amount of awards. [link ]
2-4% Citi PremierPass Elite Level - 2 TYP for every $1 spent at gas, supermarkets, drugstores, commuter transportation, and parking merchants plus duplicate with 1 TYP/mile flown, 20K bonus TYP ($200) (PremierPass Elite [link ] [fw thread 1 ] [fw thread 2 ]), $75 annual fee
3% Associated Bank Rewards Visa: 3% on gas, groceries and drugstores, 1% on everything else. Only first $1000 annual spending get 3% [link ]
Airline
4.2% https://www.penfed.org/productsAndRates/creditCards/amex.asp?cmpid=site-128121-AMEX-67451444 : 5x points on Airfare, 1x on everything else :: Now no annual fee :: must be a penfed member
3 MR points per dollar AMEX Premier Rewards Gold Card - 3x on Airfare / 2x on Gas and Groceries / 1x Everything Else (25,000/$250 sign-up bonus, fee waived first year) [link ], [FW thread ]
1%-2$ (miles) Delta Skymiles Gold; 30,000 Skymiles bonus when you spend $500 in 3 months, first bag checked free, priority boarding, fee waives for first year, 1 mile for every dollar spend, 2 miles for Delta purchases. Another version of the card has the same signup bonus AND https://www262.americanexpress.com/apisites/microsite-framedapp/apply/delta-gold-skymiles-credit-card/U7-1000-48? on first delta purchase made in the first three months.
1%-2$ (miles) Delta Skymiles Platinum; 20,000 Skymiles bonus with 1st purchase, 5,000 additional Skymiles for 2 authorized users, 5,000 Medallion Qualification miles free, first bag checked free, priority boarding, $150 annual fee, 1 mile for every dollar spend, 2 miles for Delta purchases
1% (miles) American Airlines Credit Cards; earn miles plus sign up bonuses:: Citi Platinum Select AAdvantage MC (1%; $85 fee; 25k signup miles); Citi AAdvantage Select AMEX (1%; $85 fee; 25k signup miles); Citi Platinum AAdvantage MC (1%; $50 fee; 15k signup miles); Citi AAdvantage AMEX (1%; $50 fee; 15k signup miles);Citi AAdvantage Business MC/Visa (1%; $75 fee; 25k signup miles);
0.5%-2% (points) Airtran Credit Cards; earn points plus earn sign up A Credits (1k pts= 1A credit) :: Barclays A Visa Signature w fee (2% pts Airtran; 1% pts elsewhere; $49 fee) Barclays A Visa Signature w/o fee (1% Airtran; 0.5% elsewhere; no fee)
1-2% (points) JetBlue Credit Cards; Earn points, signup bonuses :: JetBlue AMEX Card (2% Jetblue; 1% elsewhere; $40 fee)
1%-2% (reward dollars) Southwest Credit Cards; earn reward dollars (600 reward dollars=1 RR credit), signup bonuses: Chase Rapid Rewards Visa Signature personal or **business (2% Southwest; 1% elsewhere; $59 fee); Chase Rapid Rewards Visa Classic personal (2% Southwest; 1% elsewhere; $39 fee)
Gas
5% PenFed Cash Rewards Visa, 0.25% on everything else, auto monthly statement credit (must enroll in other PenFed products/services to qualify for 5% rate)[fw thread ] [link ]
5% Fort Knox Visa, also 1.25% on everything else. [link ], [join CU for free but $10 initial membership fee ]
5% Sallie Mae Mastercard: 5% on groceries up to $250/month, 5% on gas up to $250/month, 5% on books up to $750/month and 1% on everything else or over the category limit. (not available for residents of IA or PR)[FW Thread ]
**4% TrueEarnings Business Card from Costco and American Express: : 4% on gas up to 7k per year incl. gas at Costco (then 1%); 2% at restaurants; 2% on travel, incl. at Costco; 1% on everything else. Stackable with OPEN Savings.
3% TrueEarnings Card from Costco and American Express: : 3% on gas up to 4k per year incl. gas at Costco (then 1%); 2% at restaurants; 2% on travel, incl. at Costco; 1% on everything else.
**3% SimplyCash Business Card from American Express: : 3% on gas up to 12k per year excl. warehouse locations such as Costco (then 1%); 5% for office supplies up to 12k per year; 5% for wireless services up to 12k per year; 1% on everything else. Stackable with OPEN Savings.
3% AMEX Blue Cash Preferred: : 6% on groceries, 3% on gas and department stores, 1% on everything else - $75 annual fee, $150 free sign-up bonus [link ] - fw thread ]
2% AMEX Blue Cash Everyday : 3% on groceries, 2% on gas and department stores, 1% on everything else - no fee, $100 free sign-up bonus [link - fw thread ]
**2X UR points - https://applynowdc1.chase.com/FlexAppWeb/renderApp.do?SPID=DWRC - 2X gas, 2X hotel, 5X office supplies, cellular/landline/cable
2% http://www.amazon.com/gp/cobrandcard/marketing.html?source=ins7&type=P&login=NO&pr=con321 - Also gets 2% on restaurants, drug stores, and office supply stores.
Gas - Specific
--NONE-- All offers were dead links.
Hotel Cards
2-10cpp AMEX Starwoods Preferred Guest : 10,000 SPG points with sign-up, first year fee waived. 2.7% Foreign currency surcharge. [link ],
**2-10cpp AMEX Starwoods Preferred Guest Business : 10,000 SPG points with sign-up + 15,000 SPG points after spending $5k in 6 months, first year fee waived [link ],
2-9% (points) HHonors; earn points not $ plus various sign up bonuses:: AMEX HHonors (6% hilton Hotels, 5% Gas, Grocery, Restaurants; 3% everywhere else); AMEX HHonors Surpass (9% hilton Hotels; 6% Drugstore, Gas, Grocery, Phone, TV, CATV & ISP; 3% elsewhere; $75 fee); Citi HHonors (6% hilton Hotels, 3% Grocery, Drugstore, Gas; 2% elsewhere)
1-5% (points) Marriott Rewards; earn points not $ plus various sign up bonuses:: Chase Marriott Rewards (3% Marriott Hotels; 1% elsewhere; $45 fee) Chase Marriott Rewards Premier (5% Marriott Hotels; 2% Dining, Rental Car; 1% elsewhere; $65 fee) Chase Marriott Rewards Business (3% Marriott Hotels; 1% elsewhere; $30 fee)
1-3% (points) IHG Priority Club Rewards; earn points not $ plus various sign up bonuses:: Chase PCR Rewards (3% IHG Hotels; 1% elsewhere; $29 fee) Chase PCR Rewards Business (3% Marriott Hotels; 1% elsewhere; $29 fee); Unadvertised no fee cards also available but only earns 1% everywhere.
2-10% (points) Choice Hotels; earn points not $ plus sign up bonus points:: BOA Choice Privileges Visa (5% or 10% Choice Hotels; 2% elsewhere)
2-3.4% (points) BestWestern earn points not $ plus sign up bonus points:: Barclay Best Western Platinum Mastercard (3.4% Best Western Hotels; 2% elsewhere)
**2X UR points - https://applynowdc1.chase.com/FlexAppWeb/renderApp.do?SPID=DWRC - 2X hotel, 2X gas, 5X office supplies, cellular/landline/cable
Restaurants
3% Chase AARP card 2 versions: Gas/Restaurants or Travel https://creditcards.chase.com/aarp/cardmember
**3% Chase Ink Cash (3% Cash Back on gas, restaurants, home improvement stores, and office supply stores)
2X Dining/Travel - https://applynowdc1.chase.com/FlexAppWeb/renderApp.do?SPID=DWMG - 40,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $3,000 within the 1st 3 months: 2X for categories, 1X otherwise. 7% annual dividend. $95 annual fee waived for 1st year; NO foreign transaction fee
2X Dining/Travel- https://applynowdc2.chase.com/FlexAppWeb/renderApp.do?SPID=DL7T - 25,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $3,000 within the 1st 3 months: 2X for categories, 1X otherwise. $0 annual fee; 3% foreign transaction fee
2% Am.Ex Costco card 2% on restaurants located in the U.S. [http://www.americanexpress.com/costcomemberpg ]
2% http://www.amazon.com/gp/cobrandcard/marketing.html?source=ins7&type=P&login=NO&pr=con321 - Also gets 2% on gas, drug stores, and office supply stores.
Office supplies & wireless services
**5X office supplies, cellular/landline/cable, 2X gas and hotels - https://applynowdc1.chase.com/FlexAppWeb/renderApp.do?SPID=DWRC - 25,000 points after 1st purchase and another 25,000 points after spending $10,000 within the 1st 3 months: 1X UR points for non-category spending. Two free lounge passes/year. $95 annual fee waived for 1st year; NO foreign transaction fee
**5% SimplyCash Business Card from American Express: : 5% for office supplies up to 12k per year (then 1%); 5% for wireless services up to 12k per year; 3% on gas up to 12k per year excl. warehouse locations such as Costco; 1% on everything else. Stackable with OPEN Savings.
2% http://www.amazon.com/gp/cobrandcard/marketing.html?source=ins7&type=P&login=NO&pr=con321 - Also gets 2% on gas, drug stores, and restaurants.
Rotating Categories
5% - Discover It Card: - 5% cash-back for first $1500 in select quarterly categories, 1% otherwise [link ]
5% - Chase Freedom Card: - $300 bonus @ 17.99 APR [FW Thread ] or $250 bonus @ 15.99 APR [FW Thread ]: 5% for first $1500 in select quarterly categories, 1% otherwise
5% - Citi Dividend: - 5% on quarterly categories, 1% otherwise, up to $300 in rewards per year. [FW Thread ]
5% - USBank Cash Plus: - 5% on two categories per quarter, including Sporting Good Stores, Cell Phone, Bookstores, Department Stores, Restaurants, Fast Food, Electronics Stores, Furniture Stores, Hotels, Car Rental, Charity, and Movie Theaters as possible categories, plus 2% on one category (chosen from groceries, gasoline, or drugstores), 1% otherwise. Categories offered should not change every quarter. Bonus of $25 for $100 redemption. [FW Thread ]
College Student Cards
1.25% - Capital One Journey 1.25% Cash rebate if paid on time monthly (includes 25% monthly bonus). No foreign transaction fee. Note: You must have $5,100 pa or $425 monthly minimum income requirement and address must either be in the U.S. or U.S. military location and not be a correctional institution.
1-5% Discover It Student Card - 5% cash-back on first $1,500 spent in rotating quarterly categories, plus up to 1% on all other purchases. No foreign transaction fees. U.S.-based customer service.[link ]
1 ThankYou point per $1 spent everywhere - Citi Forward Visa
(Note: It has been confirmed here Citi Forward and Citi mtvU ThankYou point program is much worse than other ThankYou program which all manage by ThankYou.com. Don't have any good 1 TY point to 1 cent reward. To get better rewards, make sure you have a no annual fee ThankYou MasterCard.)
