Best Rotating Category Credit Cards

Photography by Getty Images; Illustration by Bankrate

If you’re a big spender in certain categories, a rotating categories card can be a valuable one-hit wonder or addition to your wallet. You could earn one of the highest rewards rates out there, 5 percent, on automatic or customized categories that change periodically.

Here are our picks for the best rotating category cards on the market.

Top cards for rotating categories

Best for everyday spending

Cardholder rating

4.4

Bankrate score

4.1

Bankrate review

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Recommended credit score:670 – 850

Apply now

on Discover‘s secure site

See Rates & Fees

18.24% – 27.24% Variable APR

Reward Details

• 5%Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
• 1%Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Bankrate’s view

The Discover it® Cash Back offers 5 percent cash back on activated quarterly rotating bonus categories (up to $1,500 in combined spending, then 1 percent). Discover announces its bonus categories — which in the past have included restaurants, home improvement stores, streaming services, grocery stores, big brand stores, gas stations and more — a few weeks before the quarter starts.

Plus, the Cashback Match welcome offer means new cardholders can have all their cash back matched at the end of the first year. 

Pros

• The first year’s cashback match is unlimited, making it potentially highly lucrative.
• You’ll continue earning a high rewards rate on certain categories for no annual fee in the years after.

Cons

• There are no additional bonus categories outside the rotating categories, limiting the card’s usefulness.
• Discover cards aren’t as widely accepted as those from Visa or Mastercard.

Card Details

• Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.

• Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

• Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.

• Apply and you could get a decision in as little as 60 seconds. No annual fee.

• Start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with your digital card, before your physical card arrives in the mail, if eligible.

• Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.24% to 27.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.

• Terms and conditions apply.

Best for travel, dining and drugstores

Bankrate score

4.8

Bankrate review

Bankrate review

Recommended credit score:670 – 850

18.99% – 28.49% Variable

Reward Details

• 5%5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
• 5%5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
• 3%3% cash back on dining and drugstores.
• 1%1% cash back on all other purchases.

Bankrate’s view

The Chase Freedom Flex® is similar to Discover it Cash Back in that it offers 5 percent cash back on quarterly rotating categories when activated (up to $1,500 combined, then 1 percent). But it goes a step further and also awards 5 percent on Chase Travel, 3 percent on dining and at drugstores and 1 percent on other purchases — making it a versatile card to have in your wallet. Plus, right now you can snag a $200 welcome bonus after spending $500 in the first three months.

You need to activate the bonus categories each quarter, which traditionally feature spending at places like grocery stores, fitness clubs, streaming services, fast food restaurants, gas stations and more. 

Pros

• Multiple rotating and everyday rewards categories make this a highly competitive cash back card.
• The cash back is earned as Ultimate Rewards points, so if you also have a Chase travel card, you can combine rewards for even more value as travel points.

Cons

• You don’t get to choose the rotating categories, which means it could be hard to maximize earning every quarter if the categories don’t align with your regular spending.
• You have to manually activate the bonus earning every quarter.

Best for automatic rewards

Bankrate score

4.4

Bankrate review

Bankrate review

Recommended credit score:670 – 850

18.24% – 28.24% (Variable)

Reward Details

• 5%Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter.
• 4%Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026.
• 1%Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Bankrate’s view

The Citi Custom Cash® Card rewards categories by billing cycle instead of by quarter, offering 5 percent cash back automatically on your top eligible spend category — restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, travel, transit, streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and entertainment — up to $500 spent each billing cycle, then 1 percent. You’ll also get 4 percent for booking hotels, cars and attractions on Citi Travel.

Earn an additional 20,000 points, worth $200 cash back, after spending $1,500 in the first six months. 

Pros

• The high rewards rate is applied automatically to your biggest spending category each billing cycle, with no activation required.
• You can combine rewards with other cards that earnCiti ThankYou points for a higher value through Citi’s transfer partners.

Cons

• The card isn’t a strong standalone card because of the low rewards rate outside the one bonus category.
• The welcome bonus has a higher spending requirement than comparable cards.

Best for customizable rewards

Cardholder rating

4.4

Bankrate score

3.8

Bankrate review

Bankrate review

Recommended credit score:670 – 850

Apply now

on Bank of America‘s secure site

18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

Reward Details

• 6%Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice.
• 3%Earn 3% cash back after the first year from account opening in your choice category.
• 2%Earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.
• 1%Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Bankrate’s view

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card lets you choose one eligible category per month in which you’ll earn 3 percent cash back; eligible categories include gas and EV charging, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores and home improvement/furnishings stores. You’ll also earn 2 percent at grocery stores and wholesale clubs — the latter of which usually doesn’t earn boosted rewards with other cards. Earn 2 percent and 3 percent on a combined $2,500 in bonus categories/grocery store/wholesale club spending, then 1 percent.

As a bonus, you get an extra 3 percent cash back on your choice category in the first year, reaping 6 percent total (the same $2,500 cap applies), as well as a $200 welcome bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can also earn 25 to 75 percent more per transaction based on their tier, earning as high as 5.25 percent. 

Pros

• You can change your bonus category once a month to meet your spending needs.
• There are two ways to earn extra cash back in the first year, so you can rake in a lot of value right away.

Cons

• Depending on how much you spend on groceries and in the bonus category, the spending cap might limit your rewards potential.
• This card, like most cash back cards, charges foreign transaction fees so make sure you have another card on hand for purchases in foreign currency.

Card Details

• New offer! Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice: gas and EV charging stations; online shopping, including cable, internet, phone plans and streaming; dining; travel; drug stores and pharmacies; or home improvement and furnishings. You’ll automatically earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category.

• Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.

• $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

• With the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program, members can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means the 3% choice category could go up to 3.75%-5.25%. The Preferred Rewards bonus is not applied to the 3% first-year bonus.

• No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.

• 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% – 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.

• Contactless Cards – The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.

• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now

Best for multiple categories

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

*Hover to learn more

Bankrate score

3.2

Bankrate review

Bankrate review

Recommended credit score:670 – 850

18.49% – 28.74% Variable

Reward Details

• 5%5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose.
• 5%5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Travel Center.
• 2%2% cash back on one everyday category like Gas Stations and EV Charging Stations, or Grocery Stores (excludes discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs).
• 1%1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.

Bankrate’s view

The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card* lets you earn 5 percent cash back on your choice of two eligible categories per quarter (up to $2,000 spent, then 1 percent), as well as 2 percent on your choice of eligible everyday categories like gas stations and EV charging, groceries or restaurants. Earn 1 percent on other purchases. You can also book travel through the issuer portal to earn 5 percent.

Plus, get a $200 welcome offer after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. 

Pros

• By choosing three categories for boosted rewards, you have a lot of flexibility with how you earn cash back every quarter.
• The card lets you choose home utilities as a bonus category, which isn’t typically rewarded by other cards.

Cons

• You need at least $25 in cash back to redeem your rewards.
• If you don’t hand-select your quarterly categories, you won’t get the bonus rate.

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Comparing the best cards for rotating categories

Rotating category cards typically require a good-to-excellent credit score. If you have bad or fair credit, consider our top picks for cards for bad credit.

How to choose a rotating category credit card

Not all rotating category cards are created equal, so it helps to know what you’re looking for before applying. Consider this.

• Look at your big spending categories. Which rotating category card you choose depends on the everyday purchases you make most. For example, the Discover it Cash Back card and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card could offer an opportunity for boosted rewards on wholesale clubs, while many other cash back cards exclude that type of store for boosted rewards earning. Or, you might pick the Chase Freedom Flex card for its 3 percent rate on dining and at drugstores, in addition to the boosted rewards on everyday rotating categories.
• Decide whether you want to activate, choose or automate your bonus categories. Cards with preset rotating quarterly categories usually require manual activation, or you won’t get the 5 percent rate. Cards with customizable categories require you to hand-select your categories each period. On the other hand, the Citi Custom Cash card automatically picks your top eligible category based on your spending. It depends on how much effort you’re willing to put in.
• Make sure the spending cap works for you. All of these cards have a spending cap for the boosted categories per billing cycle or quarter. Choose a card that lets you get close to or reach the spending cap without overspending. If you hit the cap, consider having another card on hand that earns more than 1 percent on remaining expenses in that category.
• Compare welcome offers and intro APRs. The best rotating category credit cards also offer welcome perks that help you grow your rewards stash, pay off debt or finance large purchases.

3 ways to maximize rewards with rotating category credit cards

Good things don’t come easy, and reaping that boosted rate takes a bit of effort. Here’s how to maximize your credit card rewards with a rotating bonus category card.

1. Align your spending with the bonus categories

Sometimes, it makes sense to spend money sooner or later than planned to earn rewards.

For example, if you’re eyeing a new refrigerator and estimate that your card will offer bonus rewards at home improvement stores next quarter, it’s worth waiting to make the purchase. The same goes for signing up for a new gym or planning a gourmet dinner date. Just keep in mind it’s not a good idea to go into debt to chase rewards.

If you’re going on a big trip next month and have a customizable category card, you might choose travel or dining — or both, if that’s an option — as your categories for that billing cycle.

Rotating categories also tend to align with seasonal spending. During the winter holidays, you could get rewarded for online shopping and charitable giving. In the summer, you might earn more on gas and live entertainment. And again, if your card lets you choose the categories, pick those that match your seasonal expenses.

2. Pair with another rewards card

Outside the bonus categories, your rotating category card probably only earns 1 percent on other purchases. By pairing it with a flat-rate cash back card, you could earn 1.5 to 2 percent on everything else.

Another option is to choose a rewards card that offers boosted rewards in a spending category outside your rotating categories. That could include a travel card, gas card or restaurant card. That way, you’re not limited to earning rewards in only one or two rotating categories.

3. Transfer rewards for better redemption value

Some of the issuers above, like Chase and Citi, let you combine rewards across multiple cards with the same issuer. For example, if you have both the Chase Freedom Flex and a Chase travel card, you can use your “cash back” (technically earned as Chase Ultimate Rewards points) to book travel or transfer them to airline or hotel partners. And travel points tend to be worth more.

What’s next?

The bottom line

A rotating category card can be a powerhouse for cardholders who spend a lot in certain categories and want to earn up to 5 percent cash back. Your card stack will be even more valuable if you pair the card with another rewards card that offers higher rates in other categories.

If you’re still on the fence, here’s how to decide which rewards credit card is best for you.

Frequently asked questions

• What credit score do I need for a rotating category credit card?
  

  You generally need good to excellent credit — between a 670 and 850 FICO score — to qualify for a rewards credit card like a rotating category card. If you don’t have good credit just yet, focus on using a card you can qualify for responsibly by paying your balance on time and keeping your credit utilization low.

• Can I have multiple rotating category credit cards?
  

  Yes, you can have multiple rotating category credit cards from different issuers. But the cards take some upkeep, like activating categories on time, making the right purchases with each card and maximizing spending caps. You might find it simpler to pair a rotating category card with another flat-rate or non-rotating rewards card.

• What happens if I spend more than the rotating category cap?
  

  If you spend beyond the limit for a rotating category with your card, you’ll still earn rewards. It will just be at a lower rate, typically 1 percent. But you won’t be penalized for reaching the spending cap. It’s also a smart idea to have another card with a higher rewards rate to swipe after you’ve reached the cap.

*Information about Chase Freedom Flex®, Citi Custom Cash® Card and U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card has been collected independently by Bankrate and has not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer. Information about the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card was last updated on June 25, 2025.