Summary
Many rewards cards offer a higher rewards rate on a specific kind of purchase, making them fixed bonus category cards. Here’s how to decide which fixed bonus category card is right for you.
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Many rewards cards offer a higher rewards rate on a specific kind of purchase, making them fixed bonus category cards. Both travel and cash back cards often employ this structure, but travel cards will offer points or miles while cash back cards offer much more flexible cash rewards – usually redeemable for a statement credit or direct deposit into your bank account.
If you prefer the flexibility of cash back to points or miles – and think a bonus category card might be best for you – you have plenty of great options. Whether you spend more on groceries, gas or eating out, there is a rewarding cash back card out there.
What kind of spender is a fixed bonus category card best for?
Cash back cards with fixed bonus categories are best suited for two specific kinds of cardholder:
- Cardholders who spend a significant amount of their budget in a particular category, such as groceries or dining out.
- Cardholders juggling more than one rewards card who are looking to boost their combined rewards rate.
If either of these situations apply to you, then a bonus category card can be a very lucrative addition to your wallet.
Because bonus categories cards offer higher rates of cash back in specific areas of spending, the best way to choose one of these cards is by identifying which area in your budget could be earning great rewards. When it comes to bonus category cash back cards, the most rewarding options typically offer bonus cash back on groceries, gas or dining.
Best bonus category cash back cards for grocery shopping
Since fixed categories offer the most cash back in one type of purchase, you should choose a card based on where you spend the most money – and therefore can earn the most cash back. For many cardholders, groceries make up a significant part of their budget. Here are some of our most popular bonus category cash back cards that reward grocery shopping.
See related: Best credit cards for grocery shopping
Card | Rewards rate | Annual fee |
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express |
| $95 |
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express |
| $0 |
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature card |
| $0 ($119 Amazon Prime membership required) |
Best bonus category cash back cards for gas
If you have a long commute and spend a lot of money on gas, several cash back cards reward you for filling up. Surprisingly, co-branded cards from Costco and Sam’s Club are some of the most lucrative for these kinds of purchases, even if you don’t fill up at their station. If you are looking to skip out on an annual fee, the Discover it® chrome also offers an inflated rate on gas station purchases.
See related: 5 great credit cards to save on gas now
Card | Rewards rate | Annual fee |
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi |
| $0 ($60 Costco membership required) |
Discover it® chrome |
| $0 |
Sam’s Club Mastercard |
| $0 ($45 Sam’s Club membership required) |
Best bonus category cash back cards for dining out
For foodies who prefer dining out to cooking at home, there are also some great bonus category cash back cards that reward restaurant purchases above all else. One fan favorite is the Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card, though its annual fee is a bit pricey for some spenders. Luckily, the Savor card is not the only rewarding bonus category cash back card for fans of eating out, and there are plenty of other rewarding options.
See related: Choosing a dining rewards card: Dining in vs. eating out
Card | Rewards rate | Annual fee |
Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card |
| $95 |
Capital One® SavorOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card |
| $0 |
Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card |
| $0 |
Final thoughts
Cash back cards with fixed bonus categories offer a unique opportunity to bring home substantial rewards in an area where you spend more money. By choosing the right card (or cards) that aligns with your budget, you can often bring home more rewards than you would with a flat-rate card.
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