The best single issuer set up is the Bank of American Preferred Rewards Program at Platinum or higher tiers. So a couple customized cash's, with either the Premium Rewards, Premium Rewards Elite, or Ultimate cash back for you catchall/solo card.
@HRPokerJT wrote:We limit our use to a couple or so.
Probably biggest use would be everyday things like gas, grocery store, eating out, etc.
Currently have a Best Buy Visa that gets me good rewards for Best Buy, but would like to get more of a cash back option instead of just rewards.
If you just want two cards and don't want to pay annual fees, you could go with Savor and Blue Cash Everyday. You'd get 3% in the following categories: gas, groceries, dinning, online purchases, streaming services, and entertainment purchases. And you could probably get $400-$500 in SUB cash, too.
This question has been asked here many times, so I would encourage you to use the search function for your key category words: groceries, gas etc. This will reveal a wealth of information.
I'm also sure that many (much-longer-tenured) members than me (although I did lurk for years) will likely chip in soon with their suggestions. So rather than try to address the plethora of options myself, I will tell you the cards I myself have settled upon.
(Which may be redundant since I also have the same info in my sig.)
Groceries: Many recommend the Amex Blue Cash Preferred for groceries due to its industy-leading 6% back, but factoring in its annual fee effectively brings that down to about 4.5%, and it's $6K yearly cap may also cause less of a return. I chose the Comenity AAA Daily Advantage Visa, which gives 5% on groceries with a yearly cap of $10K, which is within the range that I spend yearly, so I don't worry about the rewards reverting to 1% if the cap is hit.
Gasoline: My gas usage is minimal. so I've got three cards I can get 3% back with, and don't feel the need to find a higher-percentage card. The AAA card I mention above has a brother, the Travel Advantage Visa, that gives 5% on gas.
Dining: I am a member of Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program, which means I get a nearly-unbeatable 5.25% back on restaurants, including fast food. (I believe there are some cards out there that code restaurants and fast food as two different rewards return rates, in which I would not be interested at all.)
I also have a BoA Unlimited Rewards Visa that gives 2.62% across the board for things that don't usually* show up as distinct rewards categories, such as utilities, insurance payments, etc.
*There are some: U.S. Bank's Cash+ Visa has a 5% on utilities category, Wells Fargo BILT gives rewards on rent payments, etc.
@Vinjints wrote:Something like the Navy Fed More Rewards card will give you 3% for all three of those categories. AAA also has two cards that will give you 5% in either grocery or gas, and 3% in 1 or 2 of the other categories. Or break out a card for each category, such as:
- citi Shop Your Way - 5% gas (very popular discussion here)
- AMEX BCP/AAA Daily - 4.5-5% grocery
- citi Custom Cash - 5% dining
COMMON mistake here but Citi SYW and AMEX BCP do NOT give cash back.....Citi gives the rewards in GIFT CARDS not CASH BACK (I think they may have promotions for statement credit but that is not the norm), AMEX does NOT give cash back JUST statement credits.....If you are looking for cash rewards you can put in a HYSA these are NOT the choices you want......if you like gift cards and statement credits then enjoy....just clarifying definitions.....
@odd_dog wrote:COMMON mistake here but Citi SYW and AMEX BCP do NOT give cash back.....Citi gives the rewards in GIFT CARDS not CASH BACK (I think they may have promotions for statement credit but that is not the norm), AMEX does NOT give cash back JUST statement credits.....If you are looking for cash rewards you can put in a HYSA these are NOT the choices you want......if you like gift cards and statement credits then enjoy....just clarifying definitions.....
Regarding BCP statement credit, it's just a cash flow issue that is easily fixed. Instead of paying $25 from your checking to a card balance, just transfer $25 into your savings and then redeem $25 statement cash back. There literally is no difference.