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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
LendingTree is an advertising-supported comparison service. The site features products from our partners as well as institutions which are not advertising partners. While we make an effort to include the best deals available to the general public, we make no warranty that such information represents all available products.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
August 1, 2022
*Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It may not have been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through a credit card issuer partnership.
This article was last updated August 1, 2022 . Terms and conditions may have changed. For the most accurate information, please consult the issuer website.
If you’re in the market for a new credit card and prefer cashback rewards over points and miles, you’d be wise to consider a card that offers the highest amount of cash back on every purchase you make.
There are several credit cards currently available that offer up to 2% cash back on every purchase. But if you want to earn an even higher cashback rate – and don’t mind keeping track of bonus categories or spending limits – you can earn 3% cash back or more in a number of popular spending categories, including restaurants, hotel stays and transit.
Based on our research of cards available through LendingTree, as well as top cards offered by major issuers, here are the best credit cards that offer 3% cashback in the following categories.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is perhaps best known for offering one of the highest cashback rates currently available at U.S. supermarkets. However, the card also offers a generous rewards rate on transit and U.S. gas station purchases.
Cardholders earn 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more), 1% Cash Back on other purchases. Terms apply.
New cardholders can earn a $350 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months. You will receive cash back in the form of statement credits.
Plus, there’s an intro APR of 0% on purchases for 12 months, then a 16.24%-26.24% variable APR will apply.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express charges an annual fee of $95. Also, if you plan to use the card when traveling outside of the U.S., you will be subject to foreign transaction fees of 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
To see the rates and fees for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
Along with offering one of the highest cashback rates available at U.S. supermarkets, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers a generous cashback rate on U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit and at U.S. gas stations.
If you max out the $6,000 spend threshold at U.S. supermarkets each year, you’ll earn $360 back annually on those purchases alone — which more than covers the card’s annual fee each year.
You receive cash back on the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express in the form of reward dollars that you can redeem as a statement credit. You can redeem reward dollars for statement credits in increments of $25 whenever your total balance is $25 or more, at a credit of $1 for every reward dollar redeemed.
Unlike other rewards credit cards, you can’t transfer your reward dollars to an airline or hotel loyalty program. You have to redeem your cash back at American Express’ rewards website rather than the more popular Membership Rewards portal.
To see the rates and fees for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express benefits include:
*Terms apply
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is perhaps best known for offering one of the highest cashback rates currently available at U.S. supermarkets. However, the card also offers a generous rewards rate on transit and U.S. gas station purchases.
Cardholders earn 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more), 1% Cash Back on other purchases. Terms apply.
New cardholders can earn a $350 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months. You will receive cash back in the form of statement credits.
Plus, there’s an intro APR of 0% on purchases for 12 months, then a 16.24%-26.24% variable APR will apply.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express charges an annual fee of $95. Also, if you plan to use the card when traveling outside of the U.S., you will be subject to foreign transaction fees of 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
To see the rates and fees for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
Along with offering one of the highest cashback rates available at U.S. supermarkets, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers a generous cashback rate on U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit and at U.S. gas stations.
If you max out the $6,000 spend threshold at U.S. supermarkets each year, you’ll earn $360 back annually on those purchases alone — which more than covers the card’s annual fee each year.
You receive cash back on the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express in the form of reward dollars that you can redeem as a statement credit. You can redeem reward dollars for statement credits in increments of $25 whenever your total balance is $25 or more, at a credit of $1 for every reward dollar redeemed.
Unlike other rewards credit cards, you can’t transfer your reward dollars to an airline or hotel loyalty program. You have to redeem your cash back at American Express’ rewards website rather than the more popular Membership Rewards portal.
To see the rates and fees for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express benefits include:
*Terms apply
See additional details for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express.
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card may be the best fit if you dine out on a regular basis or frequently attend entertainment events. The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers 3% Cash Back on dining and entertainment; 3% Cash Back on popular streaming services; 3% Cash Back at grocery stores; 1% Cash Back on all other purchases. Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and tickets at Vivid Seats.
The dining category includes purchases at restaurants, cafes, bars, lounges, fast-food chains and bakeries. Note, food trucks, food carts and merchants that sell food and beverages and are located within larger establishments (like hotel restaurants and grocery store food counters) may not qualify for the higher cashback rate.
The entertainment category includes ticket purchases made at movie theaters, sports promoters, theatrical promoters, amusement parks, tourist attractions, aquariums, zoos, dance halls, record stores, pool halls and bowling alleys.
However, golf courses, country clubs (including membership fees), collegiate sporting events, amusement park tickets purchased on third party sites and non-industry entertainment merchants, such as cable, digital streaming and membership services, are excluded from this category.
Cash back can be redeemed for statement credits, checks, previous purchases, gift cards and more.
For new cardholders, earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
If you’re looking for a cashback card and happen to do a good amount of spending on dining and entertainment, the 3% rewards rate for spending in those categories are attractive, especially considering that this card has a $0 annual fee. Plus, there’s no cap on earnings.
There are similar cards out there that offer higher rewards for dining and entertainment, but most either have an annual fee, rotating cashback spending categories or they require you to crunch numbers to figure out the best redemption values. The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card keeps it simple with its three flat cashback rates and easy redemption.
Capital One® rewards never expire as long as the card is open and active, and you can redeem in any amount at any time. You can also choose to redeem your cash back for gift cards or apply it as a statement credit for previous purchases.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card benefits include:
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card may be the best fit if you dine out on a regular basis or frequently attend entertainment events. The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers 3% Cash Back on dining and entertainment; 3% Cash Back on popular streaming services; 3% Cash Back at grocery stores; 1% Cash Back on all other purchases. Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and tickets at Vivid Seats.
The dining category includes purchases at restaurants, cafes, bars, lounges, fast-food chains and bakeries. Note, food trucks, food carts and merchants that sell food and beverages and are located within larger establishments (like hotel restaurants and grocery store food counters) may not qualify for the higher cashback rate.
The entertainment category includes ticket purchases made at movie theaters, sports promoters, theatrical promoters, amusement parks, tourist attractions, aquariums, zoos, dance halls, record stores, pool halls and bowling alleys.
However, golf courses, country clubs (including membership fees), collegiate sporting events, amusement park tickets purchased on third party sites and non-industry entertainment merchants, such as cable, digital streaming and membership services, are excluded from this category.
Cash back can be redeemed for statement credits, checks, previous purchases, gift cards and more.
For new cardholders, earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
If you’re looking for a cashback card and happen to do a good amount of spending on dining and entertainment, the 3% rewards rate for spending in those categories are attractive, especially considering that this card has a $0 annual fee. Plus, there’s no cap on earnings.
There are similar cards out there that offer higher rewards for dining and entertainment, but most either have an annual fee, rotating cashback spending categories or they require you to crunch numbers to figure out the best redemption values. The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card keeps it simple with its three flat cashback rates and easy redemption.
Capital One® rewards never expire as long as the card is open and active, and you can redeem in any amount at any time. You can also choose to redeem your cash back for gift cards or apply it as a statement credit for previous purchases.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card benefits include:
See additional details for Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card.
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card offers a unique opportunity to earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
Choice categories include gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores and home improvement and furnishings. When you open your Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card account, your choice category will automatically be set to gas. However, you have the option to change the category online or through the mobile app one time each month.
You can redeem cashback rewards for statement credits or deposits made directly into a Bank of America checking or savings account, or for credit to an eligible account with Merrill.
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card limits the amount of cash back you can earn at the 3% rate. But if you max out the $2,500 spend cap on your choice category each quarter, you can earn $300 cash back on those purchases each year.
There is a signup bonus of $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening and $0 annual fee.
Additionally, the card charges foreign transaction fees of 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each transaction.
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a good option for those who don’t want to be locked into pre-selected bonus categories that earn a higher cashback rate as the card allows you to select from six of the following categories every month: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings.
It’s also a good choice for frequent spenders at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, as you’ll earn a decent cashback rate on purchases in those categories.
This card isn’t for people who don’t spend a lot in the bonus categories, as you’ll earn a subpar rate on all other purchases. You would be better off with a flat-rate card that earns you a consistently high rate on all purchases like the Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer or a rewards card that is more aligned with your spending.
If you have a balance on an existing high-APR card or plan on making a large purchase, there is also a good 0% intro period for transfers and purchases — 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days and 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. After both intro periods end, a 16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR will apply. These 0% intro APR periods can save you a tidy sum on interest charges.
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card offers a unique opportunity to earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
Choice categories include gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores and home improvement and furnishings. When you open your Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card account, your choice category will automatically be set to gas. However, you have the option to change the category online or through the mobile app one time each month.
You can redeem cashback rewards for statement credits or deposits made directly into a Bank of America checking or savings account, or for credit to an eligible account with Merrill.
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card limits the amount of cash back you can earn at the 3% rate. But if you max out the $2,500 spend cap on your choice category each quarter, you can earn $300 cash back on those purchases each year.
There is a signup bonus of $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening and $0 annual fee.
Additionally, the card charges foreign transaction fees of 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each transaction.
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a good option for those who don’t want to be locked into pre-selected bonus categories that earn a higher cashback rate as the card allows you to select from six of the following categories every month: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings.
It’s also a good choice for frequent spenders at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, as you’ll earn a decent cashback rate on purchases in those categories.
This card isn’t for people who don’t spend a lot in the bonus categories, as you’ll earn a subpar rate on all other purchases. You would be better off with a flat-rate card that earns you a consistently high rate on all purchases like the Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer or a rewards card that is more aligned with your spending.
If you have a balance on an existing high-APR card or plan on making a large purchase, there is also a good 0% intro period for transfers and purchases — 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days and 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. After both intro periods end, a 16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR will apply. These 0% intro APR periods can save you a tidy sum on interest charges.
See additional details for Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card.
The Citi Premier® Card, issued by our partner Citi, offers an elevated rewards rate on travel, gas station, dining and entertainment purchases, as well as a generous sign-up bonus.
For a limited time, earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, earn 3x points per $1 spent at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels and 1x per $1 spent on all other purchases.
One nice perk of the Citi Premier® Card is that you can transfer your points to numerous airline partners at a 1:1 ratio, including JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic, Aeromexico, Qantas, and more.
The Citi Premier® Card does come with an annual fee of $95.
If you’re in the market for a cashback travel rewards card, the Citi Premier® Card is hard to beat. It offers a generous sign-up bonus, an elevated rewards rate on travel purchases, 0% foreign transaction fees and numerous travel transfer partners. There’s no cap on the number of points you can earn and points don’t expire as long as the card account remains open. You’ll earn a generous 3x rate on air travel, travel agencies and hotels, plus you can take advantage of the annual $100 statement credit for a hotel stay costing over $500 booked with thankyou.com.
Citi Premier® Card benefits include:
The Citi Premier® Card, issued by our partner Citi, offers an elevated rewards rate on travel, gas station, dining and entertainment purchases, as well as a generous sign-up bonus.
For a limited time, earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, earn 3x points per $1 spent at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels and 1x per $1 spent on all other purchases.
One nice perk of the Citi Premier® Card is that you can transfer your points to numerous airline partners at a 1:1 ratio, including JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic, Aeromexico, Qantas, and more.
The Citi Premier® Card does come with an annual fee of $95.
If you’re in the market for a cashback travel rewards card, the Citi Premier® Card is hard to beat. It offers a generous sign-up bonus, an elevated rewards rate on travel purchases, 0% foreign transaction fees and numerous travel transfer partners. There’s no cap on the number of points you can earn and points don’t expire as long as the card account remains open. You’ll earn a generous 3x rate on air travel, travel agencies and hotels, plus you can take advantage of the annual $100 statement credit for a hotel stay costing over $500 booked with thankyou.com.
Citi Premier® Card benefits include:
See additional details for Citi Premier® Card.
Ultimately, the right card for you depends on where you spend the most each month. For example, if you spend a large amount on gas, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card could be a great fit. But if you also spend a large amount on groceries, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express may be more ideal, thanks to its generous rewards rate at U.S. supermarkets and solid cashback rate at U.S. gas stations.
To see rates & fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express please click here.
Tracy Brackman is a senior editor and credit card expert at LendingTree, where she writes and edits educational pieces on credit card-related topics and personal finance using her 12+ years of experience in the field.
Before joining LendingTree in 2019, Tracy worked as a products editor for CreditCards.com, where she developed the credit card products section and created content focused on breaking credit card news.
Prior to that, she worked as a product information manager for Bankrate, where she managed the financial and credit card product details and maintained compliance for two affiliate networks, as well as Bankrate-owned and operated sites.
She began working in the credit card space in 2009 as the editorial department manager for FlexOffers, an affiliate marketing company.
Tracy studied marketing at the Ohio State University and Florida International University.
Read MoreThe above offers and/or promotions may have since changed, expired, or is no longer available. Check the Issuers’ website for more details.