We’ve all had moments when chasing a credit card welcome bonus isn’t the priority. Maybe you’re working to lower the number of recent accounts on your record or giving your credit score some time to stabilize before diving into new applications.
Even so, you can still make your travel rewards work harder for you. That’s why we’ve gathered the most rewarding bonus categories available this quarter—perfect for the cards you already have in your lineup.
Some cards stick with the same bonus categories year-round, while others like to keep things fresh by rotating them every few months. With this guide, we’ll help you choose the right card for your everyday spending, making those purchases work a little harder for you.
Getting the Most Out of Flights
When was the last time you thought about how much value you’re getting from those flight purchases? If you’re paying cash for tickets, it’s a good idea to make sure your card is giving you the best possible rewards. Why leave easy points on the table, right?
This quarter, there are plenty of cards offering generous bonuses on airfare. Some are designed for direct bookings with airlines, while others reward you for using travel portals.
Here are some of the best options for flights:
| U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card: Earn 4X points on all travel purchases, with no portal restrictions. |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Collect 5X points on flights booked through Chase Travel℠ and 3X on other travel after the first $300 in annual travel spending. |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 5X Membership Rewards points on airfare booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, up to $500,000 annually (see rates and fees). |
| Citi Strata Premier Card: Receive 3X ThankYou Points on airfare purchases and enjoy travel protections like trip delay insurance. |
| American Express® Green Card: Get 3X Membership Rewards points on all travel expenses (see rates and fees). |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Score 5X miles on flights booked via Capital One Travel. |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Freedom Flex®: Earn 5% cash back or 5X points for airfare purchased through Chase Travel℠. |
| Citi Prestige Card: Accumulate 5X ThankYou Points on flights (note: this card is no longer available for new applicants). |
| Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card: Enjoy 4X points on flights and a $50 annual statement credit for qualifying airline purchases. |
| American Express® Gold Card: Collect 3X Membership Rewards points when booking flights directly with airlines or through Amex Travel. |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 5X points on airfare booked through Chase Travel℠ and 2X on all other travel purchases. |
Making Groceries Rewarding
Grocery shopping might be unavoidable, but the good news is that you can make every trip to the store more rewarding. With the right credit card, you can turn your supermarket runs into a steady source of points, miles, or cashback, helping to offset the rising cost of food.
This quarter, several cards offer impressive bonuses for grocery purchases, whether you’re shopping at traditional supermarkets or specialty stores.
Here are some standout options:
| Citi Strata Premier℠ Card: Earn 3X ThankYou Points on groceries, making it a great pick for both local and international supermarket purchases. |
| American Express® Gold Card: Collect 4X Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 annually. It’s a solid choice for families or anyone who spends heavily on groceries. |
| Prime Visa: Perfect for Whole Foods shoppers, offering 5% cashback on all purchases made at the store. |
| Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Enjoy 3% cashback on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000 annually, with cashback redeemable as statement credits or on Amazon.com. |
| Citi Custom Cash® Card: Earn 5% cashback on your top monthly spending category, up to $500, making it easy to maximize rewards if groceries dominate your budget. |
| Chase Freedom Flex®: This card delivers 5% cashback or 5X Ultimate Rewards points at grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target), perfect for earning rewards while stocking up. |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: One of the best for frequent grocery shoppers, it offers 6% cashback at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000 per year, and 1% after that. |
Maximizing Rewards While Cruising
Planning to set sail soon? Don’t miss the chance to turn your cruise expenses into valuable rewards. Co-branded cruise cards might seem like an obvious choice, but they often lack the flexibility and benefits offered by other travel-focused cards. Instead, using a card that earns bonus points across broader travel categories can help you make the most of your spending—and protect you with perks like trip insurance if your plans hit a snag.
This quarter, several credit cards stand out for cruise-goers:
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Freedom Flex®: Earn 5% cash back or 5X Ultimate Rewards points when booking travel through Chase Travel℠, including purchases with Norwegian Cruise Line. |
| American Express® Green Card: Collect 3X Membership Rewards points on all travel-related purchases, including cruise bookings. |
| U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card: Earn 4X points on travel purchases, giving you solid returns no matter how you book. |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 5X points on travel reserved via Chase Travel℠ and 2X points on other travel expenses. |
| Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card: Score 3X points on all travel, making it a straightforward option for cruise spending. |
| Citi Prestige Card: Enjoy 3X ThankYou Points on cruise purchases, ideal for those who want to rack up flexible rewards while sailing. |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Collect 3X Ultimate Rewards points on all travel purchases and take advantage of premium protections like trip cancellation insurance. |
| Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Designed with small business owners in mind, this card offers 3X points on travel expenses, including cruises. |
Getting the Most Out of Your Hotel Bookings
When you’re paying cash for a hotel stay, why not make your spending work harder for you? Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a luxurious retreat, choosing the right credit card can help you earn valuable rewards and unlock useful perks like travel credits or free nights. This quarter, we’ve rounded up some of the best cards for maximizing your hotel bookings.
Here are some standout options:
| Citi Prestige Card: Rack up 10X ThankYou Points on hotel stays booked through Citi Travel, partnered with Booking.com. Plus, you’ll enjoy 3X points on all other hotel purchases and can take advantage of a fourth night free on qualifying bookings twice a year. |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 5X Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels booked via Amex Travel. This card also offers a $200 credit when staying at Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection properties. |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Enjoy 5X miles on hotels and vacation rentals reserved through Capital One Travel. |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 10X Ultimate Rewards points on hotels booked through Chase Travel℠ (after the first $300 in annual travel expenses) and 3X points on other hotel stays. |
| Citi Strata Premier Card: Collect 10X ThankYou Points for hotel bookings made through Citi Travel and 3X points on other hotel expenses. Cardholders also receive a $100 annual credit when booking a single stay of $500 or more through the Citi portal. |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn an impressive 10X miles on hotels booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on vacation rentals, making this card a go-to for maximizing travel rewards. |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Score 5% cash back or 5X Ultimate Rewards points on hotel bookings made through the Chase Travel portal. |
| American Express® Green Card: Earn 3X Membership Rewards points on all travel expenses, including hotel stays. |
| Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Designed for small businesses, this card offers 3X Ultimate Rewards points on travel, including hotels. |
| Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card: Earn 5X points on hotel bookings, giving you straightforward rewards on your stays. |
Maximizing Rewards on Dining
With the correct credit card, dining out, or even ordering takeout, may be a tasty way to earn more benefits. You may earn points and cash back on anything from your daily coffee run to a casual lunch with pals to a romantic evening.
Here are some of the best options to consider.
| Citi Custom Cash Card: Earn 5% cashback on your top monthly spending category, which could easily be dining, on up to $500 each month, then 1% after that. |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Collect 10X Ultimate Rewards points on prepaid dining reservations made through Chase Dining and 3X points on all other dining expenses. |
| American Express Gold® Card: Enjoy 4X Membership Rewards points on dining worldwide, up to $50,000 in purchases annually (then 1X after that). |
| Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card: Earn a straightforward 4% cashback on dining, making it a solid choice for foodies. |
| Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card: Get 3X points on all dining expenses, whether it’s a quick bite or a full-course meal. |
| Citi Prestige Card: Score 5X ThankYou Points at restaurants, perfect for earning big rewards with every meal. |
| Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card: Receive 5% cashback at restaurants on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter when this category is active. |
| American Express Green Card: Earn 3X Membership Rewards points on dining worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Enjoy 3% cashback or 3X Ultimate Rewards points on restaurant purchases, including eligible delivery services. |
| Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card: Another solid choice, offering 3X points on all dining expenses. |
| Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: Get 3% cashback at restaurants, a useful perk for Costco members who dine out often. |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Collect 3X Ultimate Rewards points on all dining purchases, whether at home or abroad. |
| Citi Strata Premier Card: Earn 3X ThankYou Points at restaurants, making it a dependable option for dining rewards. |
Maximizing Rewards on Food Delivery
Food delivery has become a go-to convenience for many of us, and the right credit card can make it even more rewarding. With bonus points and monthly credits, you can offset delivery costs while earning valuable rewards.
Here are some of the best options to consider.
| Citi Prestige Card: Earn 5X ThankYou Points on delivery services like DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats, making it a strong choice for frequent users. |
| American Express® Gold Card: Collect 4X Membership Rewards points on U.S. takeout and delivery orders. Plus, enjoy a $10 monthly Grubhub credit and a $10 monthly Uber Cash credit, perfect for offsetting delivery expenses (enrollment required). |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Chase Freedom Flex®: Earn 3% cashback or 3X Ultimate Rewards points on eligible delivery services. |
| Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card: Receive 3X points on takeout, delivery, and dining, making it a straightforward option for earning rewards on all food-related purchases. |
| Citi Strata Premier Card: Get 3X ThankYou Points when using popular delivery apps like DoorDash, Grubhub, or Uber Eats. |
| American Express Green Card: Earn 3X Membership Rewards points on U.S. takeout and delivery orders. |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Collect 3X Ultimate Rewards points on dining, which includes eligible delivery services. |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 3X Ultimate Rewards points on all dining purchases, including takeout and delivery. |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express: Enjoy a $15 monthly Uber Cash credit ($25 in December), which can be applied to Uber Eats orders. Be sure to use it before it expires, as these credits don’t roll over (enrollment required). |
Making the Most of Ride-Hailing Rewards
How often do you plan your ride-hailing trips to get the most out of your rewards? Some credit cards can help you earn points or cash back on daily rides, like taking Lyft to the airport or Uber for a night out. Let’s explore some of the best options available:
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 5X Ultimate Rewards points on Lyft rides (until March 31, 2025) and 2X points on other ride-hailing services. |
| Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card: Earn 3X points on all travel-related expenses, including ride-hailing. |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Freedom Flex®: Collect 5% cashback or 5X points on Lyft rides and 1% cashback on other ride services. |
| Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Get 5X Ultimate Rewards points on Lyft rides (until March 31, 2025) and 1X points on other services. |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Enjoy 3% cashback on transit expenses, which include ride-hailing trips. |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Maximize your Lyft rides with 10X Ultimate Rewards points (until March 31, 2025) and earn 3X points on all other ride-hailing services. |
| American Express Green Card: Earn 3X Membership Rewards points on travel, including ride-hailing services. |
| Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: Both cards reward you with 5% cashback on Lyft rides (until March 31, 2025) and 1% on other ride services. |
| Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card: Get 3X points on transit-related purchases, perfect for frequent riders. |
Maximizing Rewards on Rental Cars
Have you ever thought about how much more value you could get from your rental car bookings? For example, some cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, offer primary insurance coverage, letting you skip the extra fees rental companies charge.
Here are some of the best cards to help you get more from every mile.
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Card: Earn 10X miles on rentals booked through Capital One Travel or Turo, perfect for frequent travelers. |
| Citi Prestige Card: Accumulate 10X ThankYou Points for car rentals reserved via the Citi Travel portal, turning every trip into a points bonanza. |
| U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card: Collect 4X points on travel expenses, including rental cars, making it a solid all-around option. |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Rack up 10X Ultimate Rewards points on rentals made through Chase Travel℠, plus enjoy 3X points on other travel-related purchases. |
| Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Earn 3X points on all travel, including rental cars—an excellent choice for business owners. |
| American Express Green Card: Get 3X Membership Rewards points on all travel, so your car rental expenses always work harder for you. |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Freedom Flex®: Enjoy 5% cashback or 5X Ultimate Rewards points on car rentals booked through Chase Travel℠. |
| Citi Strata Premier Card: Maximize your rentals with 10X ThankYou Points when booked via Citi Travel. |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 5X miles for bookings through Capital One Travel or Turo. |
| Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card: A straightforward choice, offering 3X points on all travel, including rental cars. |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 5X Ultimate Rewards points on rentals booked via Chase Travel℠ and 2X points on other travel. |
| U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card: Collect 5X points on car rentals booked through the Altitude Rewards Center, adding a nice boost to your trips. |
Making Every Payment and Event More Rewarding
How often do you grab your phone to make a payment or treat yourself to a movie or concert? Mobile pay and entertainment spending are great opportunities to earn rewards with the right credit card.
Let’s start with mobile pay. Tapping your phone at checkout is convenient, but it’s also a smart way to earn rewards when paired with the right card:
| U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card: Earn 3X points on purchases made through mobile pay platforms like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. |
| Apple Card: Get 3% cashback when using Apple Pay at select merchants such as Panera Bread, Walgreens, and Uber, and 2% cashback on other Apple Pay transactions. |
Let’s talk about the Apple Card. While it’s often praised for its mobile payment features, we wouldn’t rank it as the smartest choice for most of your spending.
Here’s why
Plenty of other cards reward you with bonus points in specific categories, even when you’re using mobile pay.
Take dining, for example. If you’re grabbing a meal, a card that’s built for restaurant rewards can easily outshine the Apple Card. It’s all about finding the card that fits your spending habits and gives you the most value back, whether you’re paying at the counter or tapping your phone.
Now, let’s talk about entertainment. Whether it’s concert tickets, streaming subscriptions, or a night at the movies, here are the best cards to make your fun activities more rewarding:
| Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card: Earn 4% cashback on entertainment expenses, making it ideal for frequent event-goers. |
| Citi Custom Cash Card: Get 5% cashback on your highest spending category each month (including entertainment), up to $500, and 1% thereafter. |
For instance, paying for movie tickets or concert passes with a mobile payment app and using a rewards card like the Capital One Savor® or Citi Custom Cash lets you benefit from both categories without extra effort.
Maximizing Rewards on Streaming Services
For many of us, streaming services have taken the place of traditional cable, and with so many platforms to subscribe to, those monthly payments can add up quickly. The good news? The right credit card can help you earn meaningful rewards on your subscriptions while keeping your budget in check.
Here are some of the best credit cards for streaming services:
| Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card: Earn 5% cashback on eligible streaming services, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per quarter when streaming is the active category. |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Enjoy a generous 6% cashback on streaming services, one of the highest rates available. |
| U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card: Choose streaming as one of your top two categories to earn 5% cashback on up to $2,000 in combined purchases per quarter. |
| Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card: Get 4% cashback on popular streaming platforms, making it a solid option for steady rewards. |
| Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card: Collect 3X points on streaming services, ideal for straightforward, no-frills earning. |
| Citi Custom Cash Card: Earn 5% cashback on your highest spending category each month, which can include streaming, on up to $500 in purchases, and 1% after that. |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Accumulate 3X Ultimate Rewards points on eligible streaming services, perfect for building flexible travel rewards. |
Making the Most of Quarterly Bonus Categories
Now, about rotating bonus categories. They’re like a little surprise every three months—a chance to earn extra rewards on expenses you’re already planning. For Q1 2025, there are plenty of ways to maximize your spending in some surprisingly useful categories. Let’s dive in.
Cards Offering Big Bonuses This Quarter
- Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card: Earn 5% cashback at restaurants, home improvement stores, and select streaming services. It applies to up to $1,500 in combined purchases this quarter—perfect if you’re dining out, fixing up your space, or catching up on your favorite shows.
- Chase Freedom Flex®: Enjoy 5% cashback or 5X Ultimate Rewards points at grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target), Norwegian Cruise Line, fitness clubs and gym memberships, and even hair, nails, and spa services. This also covers up to $1,500 in spending.
Most of us already spend a good chunk at grocery stores, and if you’re tackling New Year’s fitness goals, gym memberships are a no-brainer. Then there are the fun extras like spa visits or cruises, which don’t typically pop up as bonus categories, so it’s a great chance to earn rewards on those splurges.
For Discover users, this quarter’s dining and home improvement categories are equally appealing. Planning to host friends or upgrade your living space? You’ll be rewarded for it. And if streaming is part of your routine, those rewards will keep flowing in while you enjoy your favorite shows.
Don’t Skip Activation
You won’t earn those bonus rewards unless you activate them first. It only takes a second, but it’s easy to forget. Set a reminder or take care of it now—Chase and Discover both make it simple to click and confirm.
Let’s Make This Quarter Count
When you think about it, earning rewards is like a little extra win for spending on things you’re already going to buy. This quarter, the lineup of bonus categories is pretty exciting—whether it’s earning on your morning coffee, streaming your favorite shows, or booking that long-overdue getaway.
We know, keeping track of all the different cards and categories can feel like a bit much sometimes. That’s why we’ve put everything together here, so you don’t have to memorize it all. When in doubt, just check back and see which card gives you the most bang for your buck.
You don’t have to overthink it. Start with what you know you’ll spend on—groceries, dining, entertainment—and pair it with the right card. Those double or triple points will add up faster than you think.
