Best Credit Cards for Everyday Purchases: Maximize Your Non-Bonus Spend

Let’s face it: chasing bonus categories—5% on groceries, 3X on dining—is a thrill for points nerds. But what about the rest of your spending? The random Amazon splurge, the utility bill, that weird subscription you forgot to cancel? That’s where a killer everyday card shines. In 2025, with travel goals and wallets in flux, picking the right card for non-bonus spend is key. Here’s our rundown of the best options to rack up rewards when the categories don’t line up.

Why Everyday Spend Matters

Not every purchase fits neatly into “travel” or “gas.” Life’s messy—think vet bills, hardware store runs, or that impulse buy at 2 a.m. A card that delivers solid rewards on this “everything else” stuff can quietly build your stash, whether you’re after cash back, miles, or points. The trick? Match the card to your goals—travel, simplicity, or raw return—and your willingness to pay an annual fee.

Our Top Pick: Capital One Venture Cards

For most folks juggling points and miles, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card tops the list. Both earn 2X miles on every dollar, no cap, no fuss. Here’s the breakdown:

• Venture Rewards ($95 annual fee): Simple and sweet—2X miles everywhere, a $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every four years, and a welcome offer of 75,000 miles plus a $250 travel credit after $4,000 spend in 3 months. That’s $1,000 in travel value out the gate.
• Venture X ($395 annual fee): Premium perks—2X miles, a $300 annual travel credit, 10,000-mile anniversary bonus ($100+ value), and lounge access (Capital One, Priority Pass). Same 75,000-mile bonus after $4,000 spend. If you use the credit, the net cost drops to $95.

Why They Win: Flexibility. Redeem miles at 1¢ each against any travel purchase (think Airbnb, not just flights) or transfer to 19 partners for bigger wins—like 2¢-plus per mile on international business class. The Venture X edges out for travelers; the base Venture keeps it lean.

Best No-Fee Option: Blue Business® Plus from American Express

Want rewards without the annual fee? The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express delivers 2X Membership Rewards points on your first $50,000 spent each year (1X after). No annual fee, just pure value. At a modest 1.8¢ per point, that’s a 3.6% return—nuts for a free card.

Catch: It’s a business card. Got a side hustle, Etsy shop, or freelance gig? You might qualify. Hit the $50K cap (about $4,167/month), and it’s still a champ for smaller spenders.

Best Cash-Back Boost: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card

The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card ($95 annual fee) starts at 1.5X points on non-bonus spend, 2X on travel and dining. Solid, right? But here’s the kicker: if you’ve got $100K+ in Bank of America or Merrill accounts, the Preferred Rewards program boosts that to 2.625% cash back on everything (3.5% on travel/dining). Points are worth 1¢ each, no games.

Why It’s Underrated: That 2.625% is unmatched for flat-rate cash back. Plus, a 60,000-point bonus ($600) after $4,000 spend in 90 days. If you’re already in the BofA ecosystem, this is a no-brainer.

Best for Travel Credits: Capital One Venture X (Again)

Back to the Capital One Venture X. Beyond 2X miles, its $300 annual travel credit (via Capital One Travel) slashes out-of-pocket costs. Redeem miles as statement credits for any travel—hotels, flights, even that random ferry ride. Pair it with transfer partners, and you’re squeezing 2¢+ per mile on premium awards.

Pro Move: Use the credit, then offset extras with miles. It’s cash-back vibes with points upside.

Best Sidekick: Citi Double Cash® Card

The Citi Double Cash® Card ($0 annual fee) earns 2% cash back—1% when you buy, 1% when you pay. Simple. But pair it with a Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, and those 2X ThankYou® Points unlock transfers to 21 partners. Suddenly, it’s a 2X transferable points machine for free.

Why It Rocks: No fee, no cap, and a $200 bonus (20,000 points) after $1,500 spend in 6 months. It’s the perfect wingman to a travel-focused card.

Best for Business: Capital One Venture X Business

The Capital One Venture X Business ($395 annual fee) mirrors the personal Venture X—2X miles on everything, $300 travel credit, lounge access—but adds a hefty 150,000-mile bonus after $30,000 spend in 3 months. Plus, 10X on hotels/rentals and 5X on flights via Capital One Travel.

Sweet Spot: Small biz owners with steady expenses. That 2X baseline keeps the miles flowing, and perks offset the fee.

First-Year Star: Discover it® Miles

The Discover it® Miles ($0 annual fee) earns 1.5X miles on all purchases. Big deal? Yep—Discover matches all miles after year one. Spend $20,000, earn 30,000 miles, get 60,000 total. That’s 3% back ($600 in travel) for a no-fee card.

Heads-Up: Post-year one, it’s just 1.5%. Great starter, less so long-term.

17 Top Cards for Everyday Spend

Here’s a quick-hit table of cards delivering 2%+ returns on non-bonus spend:

Note: Some cards (e.g., Amex EveryDay® Preferred, U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve) aren’t open to new applicants but still pack a punch for existing holders.

What Didn’t Make the Cut

Rotating category cards (Chase Freedom Flex℠, Discover it® Cash Back) shine at 5% in specific quarters but flop at 1% elsewhere. Co-branded airline or hotel cards—like Alaska Airlines Visa or Hilton Surpass—can juice big redemptions, but their everyday rates (1X-3X) don’t hit our 2% bar consistently.

Your Move

The “best” card ties to your vibe. Chasing premium travel? Venture X or Blue Business Plus. Want cash back, no hassle? Citi Double Cash or BofA Premium Rewards with assets. Newbie? Discover it® Miles kills it year one. Don’t overthink it—pick one, spend, and let the rewards roll. Where’s your wallet leaning in 2025?