Best Credit Cards for Restaurants of August 2025
Updated: Jul 22, 2025
+ 2 more+ 2 more
Turn restaurant meals, including takeout and delivery, into serious rewards by paying with a credit card that offers extra cash back or points on spending at restaurants. Federal data says the average household spent about $70 a week on "food away from home" in 2022, the most recent year available. When paying for those meals with a card that earned 3% on restaurant spending, the rewards would top $100 — enough for a few more meals.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards.
Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today,
The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America"
and many other national, regional and local media outlets.
Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Show More
Turn restaurant meals, including takeout and delivery, into serious rewards by paying with a credit card that offers extra cash back or points on spending at restaurants. Federal data says the average household spent about $70 a week on "food away from home" in 2022, the most recent year available. When paying for those meals with a card that earned 3% on restaurant spending, the rewards would top $100 — enough for a few more meals.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Turn restaurant meals, including takeout and delivery, into serious rewards by paying with a credit card that offers extra cash back or points on spending at restaurants. Federal data says the average household spent about $70 a week on "food away from home" in 2022, the most recent year available. When paying for those meals with a card that earned 3% on restaurant spending, the rewards would top $100 — enough for a few more meals.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Turn restaurant meals, including takeout and delivery, into serious rewards by paying with a credit card that offers extra cash back or points on spending at restaurants. Federal data says the average household spent about $70 a week on "food away from home" in 2022, the most recent year available. When paying for those meals with a card that earned 3% on restaurant spending, the rewards would top $100 — enough for a few more meals.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Show SummaryHide Summary
NerdWallet's Best Credit Cards for Restaurants of August 2025
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for 3% dining rewards + high rate on other spending
American Express® Gold Card: Best for Travel rewards
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for Travel rewards
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for Travel rewards
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for 3% dining and grocery rewards
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card: Best for 3X on dining and much more
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card: Best for 6% cash back in the first year
American Express® Business Gold Card: Best for Small business
Best Credit Cards for Restaurants From Our Partners
| Credit card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardApply Nowon Chase's website on Chase's website | Best for Travel rewards | $95 | 1x-5x | 75,000 points | Apply Nowon Chase's website on Chase's website |
 Chase Freedom Unlimited®Apply Nowon Chase's website on Chase's website | Best for 3% dining rewards + high rate on other spending | $0 | 1.5%-5% | $200 | Apply Nowon Chase's website on Chase's website |
 Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit CardApply Nowon Capital One's website on Capital One's website | Best for 3% dining and grocery rewards | $0 | 1%-8% | $200 | Apply Nowon Capital One's website on Capital One's website |
 Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit cardApply Nowon Bank of America's website on Bank of America's website | Best for 6% cash back in the first year | $0 | 1%-6% | $200 | Apply Nowon Bank of America's website on Bank of America's website |
 American Express® Business Gold CardApply Nowon American Express' website on American Express' website | Best for Small business | $375 | 1x-4x | 100,000 points | Apply Nowon American Express' website on American Express' website |
 Wells Fargo Autograph® CardApply Nowon Wells Fargo's website on Wells Fargo's website | Best for 3X on dining and much more | $0 | 1x-3x | 20,000 points | Apply Nowon Wells Fargo's website on Wells Fargo's website |
 American Express® Gold CardApply Nowon American Express' website on American Express' website | Best for Travel rewards | $325 | 1x-4x | As High As 100,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer. | Apply Nowon American Express' website on American Express' website |
 Chase Sapphire Reserve®Apply Nowon Chase's website on Chase's website | Best for Travel rewards | $795 | 1x-8x | 100,000 Points + $500 Travel Credit | Apply Nowon Chase's website on Chase's website |
Find the right credit card for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Our pick for: Travel rewards
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
- 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Member FDIC
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card can make up for its annual fee through triple rewards on dining, plus valuable perks that recur annually.
Earn 3x points per $1 on dining, including eligible delivery services and takeout; select streaming services; and online grocery purchases.
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Points are worth more when used to book travel through Chase.
Rewards can be transferred to one of Chase’s travel partners for greater redemption flexibility and potentially higher value.
$50 annual credit on hotel stays purchased through Chase.
Primary rental car coverage.
$95 annual fee.
No 0% intro APR offer.
The card’s many bonus categories may require some maintenance.
Our pick for: 3% dining rewards + high rate on other spending
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% - 28.49%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of the few cards that earns 3% cash back at restaurants and 1.5% on non-bonus-category spending (rather than the standard 1%).
$0 annual fee.
Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards can be transferred to one of Chase’s Sapphire cards for greater redemption flexibility and potentially higher value.
Solid 0% intro APR period for purchases and balance transfers.
Has foreign transaction fee.
Higher reward rates are possible with other credit cards for restaurants.
If you prefer to cook at home as much as dine out, note that groceries earn only the base rate of 1.5% cash back.
Our pick for: 3% dining and grocery rewards
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card pays an unlimited 3% cash back on dining as well as other popular spending categories including grocery stores, entertainment and some streaming services. You get 1% back on other purchases.
$0 annual fee.
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards are transferrable to Capital One’s Venture cards.
Solid 0% intro APR period for purchases and balance transfers.
No foreign transaction fee.
Higher reward rates are possible with other credit cards for restaurants, though you may have to pay an annual fee for those.
This card ordinarily pays 3% cash back in a category you choose (terms apply), with dining being one of those categories. In the first year, however, that top rate DOUBLES to 6% cash back. See details below.
Our pick for: 6% cash back in the first year
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- New offer! Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice: gas and EV charging stations; online shopping, including cable, internet, phone plans and streaming; dining; travel; drug stores and pharmacies; or home improvement and furnishings. You’ll automatically earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
- Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- With the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program, members can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means the 3% choice category could go up to 3.75%-5.25%. The Preferred Rewards bonus is not applied to the 3% first-year bonus.
- No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now
NerdWallet's take
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card lets you choose which purchases earn 3% cash back, which doubles to 6% in the first year. Restaurants are among the options. Terms apply.
$0 annual fee.
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Earn 3% cash back (6% in the first year) in a category you choose from a list and 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, on up to $2,500 per quarter in combined spending in those categories. (All other purchases earn 1% cash back.)
3% options are dining, gas, travel, online shopping, drugstores, or home improvement and furnishings.
Solid intro APR period.
Preferred Rewards members can earn 25% to 75% more rewards.
Complicated rewards structure.
Rewards are capped on a quarterly basis. After you hit the cap, purchases earn just 1% back.
Our pick for: Small business
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
- 0% Intro APR ¤ for 6 months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time, then a 18.49% to 29.24% variable APR.*
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.*
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.*
- Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.*
- Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.*
- The Business Gold Card comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and White Gold. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
- *Terms Apply
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
For entrepreneurs with clients to wine and dine, the American Express® Business Gold Card could be an ideal fit.
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
Earn 4x Membership Rewards points on the two eligible categories where your business spent the most each month, including restaurants, up to a combined annual spend of $150,000.
Monthly statement credits for FedEx, Grubhub, Walmart+ and office supply stores. (Enrollment required.)
No preset spending limit.
No foreign transaction fee.
Rewards can be transferred to one of American Express’ travel partners for greater redemption flexibility and potentially higher value.
Terms apply.
$375 annual fee.
Bonus categories may not suit everyone’s spending habits.
Terms apply.
Our pick for: 3X on dining and much more
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
- Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
- $0 annual fee.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% variable APR thereafter.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card earns an unlimited 3x points on restaurants and other popular spending categories including streaming and phone plans.
Earn unlimited 3x points per $1 on dining, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans.
$0 annual fee.
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
Several redemption options, including transferring to Wells Fargo’s travel partners.
Decent 0% intro APR period for purchases.
No foreign transaction fee.
Cell phone insurance.
Higher reward rates are possible with other credit cards for restaurants.
Little in the way of premium perks you’d find on more expensive travel cards.
Wells Fargo’s list of travel partners is limited.
Our pick for: Travel rewards
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
The American Express® Gold Card offers big rewards on restaurants and various dining statement credits to make up for its sizable annual fee.
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4x Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1x points in that category for the rest of the year.
No foreign transaction fee.
Rewards can be transferred to one of American Express’ travel partners for greater redemption flexibility and potentially higher value.
Up to $120 in annual dining credits with select merchants. (Enrollment required.)
Up to $120 a year in Uber Cash, which can be used with Uber Eats. (Enrollment required.)
Up to $100 in Resy credit. (Enrollment required.)
Up to $84 in Dunkin’ credit. (Enrollment required.)
Terms apply.
$325 annual fee.
Dining-related statement credits are doled out in “use it or lose it” monthly increments.
No intro APR offer.
Terms apply.
Our pick for: Travel rewards
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music - all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 - a value of $250 annually
- Member FDIC
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
Restaurant connoisseurs will appreciate earning 3 points per $1 spent on dining with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Points are worth more when used to book travel through Chase.
Rewards can be transferred to one of Chase’s travel partners for greater redemption flexibility and potentially higher value.
No foreign transaction fees.
Annual $300 travel credit that’s automatically applied to eligible purchases.
Lounge access.
Primary rental car coverage.
Statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS.
$795 annual fee.
No dining credits.
No 0% intro APR offer.
FULL LIST OF EDITORIAL PICKS: BEST CREDIT CARDS FOR RESTAURANTS
Click the card name to read our review. Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
Our pick for: High rewards rate + no annual fee
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card is perhaps the most cost-effective restaurant card on the market, earning a whopping 4 points per dollar on dining purchases including takeout and delivery. You can find higher rates on dining, but not on cards with no annual fee. Read our review.
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Our pick for: Up to 5% cash back
The Citi Custom Cash® Card offers a lot of value for a $0 annual fee: 5% back automatically in your eligible top spending category on up to $500 spent per billing cycle (1% back on other spending). The list of eligible 5% categories is varied and includes biggies like restaurants, grocery stores and more. And unlike with its competitors, there's no activation schedule or bonus calendar to keep track of. Read our review.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: 3% dining rewards
Some credit cards reward you well for going out, others for staying in. The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is the rare card that does both. It offers a terrific cash-back rate not only on dining and entertainment but also at grocery stores and on popular streaming services. Toss in a good bonus offer and intro APR period, and this card is a winner. (see rates and fees). Read our review.
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
Our pick for: 3X on dining and much more
The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card offers so much value, it's hard to believe there's no annual fee. Start with a great bonus offer, then earn extra rewards in a host of common spending categories — restaurants, gas stations, transit, travel, streaming and more. Read our review.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Our pick for: 3% dining rewards
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card gives you a little more control over your credit card rewards by letting you choose which category earns the highest cash-back rate, from a list that includes gas stations, restaurants, travel, home improvement and more. You also get bonus rewards at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, plus a great new-cardholder bonus offer. Read our review.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Our pick for: 3% dining rewards
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® was already a fine card when it offered 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Now it's even better, with bonus rewards on travel booked through Chase, as well as at restaurants and drugstores. On top of all that, new cardholders get a 0% introductory APR period and the opportunity to earn a sweet bonus. Read our review.
Chase Freedom Flex®
Our pick for: 3% dining rewards
The Chase Freedom Flex® offers bonus cash back in quarterly categories that you activate, as well as on travel booked through Chase, at restaurants and at drugstores. Category activation can be a hassle, but if your spending matches the categories — and for a lot of people, it will — you can rack up hundreds of dollars a year. There's a fantastic bonus offer for new cardholders and an intro APR offer, too. Read our review.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Our pick for: Customizable rewards
If you don't mind putting some work into your rewards, check out the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card. It might be the most customizable cash back card available. You pick which categories earn the most cash back — you get two 5% categories and a 2% category — and you can change those options every quarter. There's a good bonus offer for new cardholders, too. Read our review.
American Express® Gold Card
Our pick for: Travel rewards
The American Express® Gold Card can earn you a pile of points from everyday spending, with generous rewards at U.S. supermarkets, at restaurants and on certain flights booked through amextravel.com. Other benefits include hundreds of dollars a year in available dining and travel credits and a solid welcome offer for new cardholders. There's an annual fee, though, and a pretty substantial one, so it's not for smaller spenders. Read our review.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Our pick for: Travel rewards
For a reasonable annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns bonus rewards on travel, dining, select streaming services, and select online grocery purchases. Points are potentially worth more when you redeem them for travel booked through Chase, or you can transfer them to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. The sign-up bonus is stellar, too. Read our review.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Our pick for: Travel rewards
The high annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® gives many potential applicants pause, but frequent travelers should be able to wring enough value out of this card to more than make up for the cost. Cardholders get bonus rewards on dining and travel, a fat bonus offer, annual credits, airport lounge access, and potentially a sizable boost in point value when redeeming points for travel booked through Chase. Points can also be transferred to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. Read our review.
DoorDash Rewards Mastercard®
Our pick for: DoorDash delivery
If you're regularly ordering from DoorDash and its sibling service Caviar, the DoorDash Rewards Mastercard® could deliver significant value, with up to 4% cash back and special offers that can save you even more. Read our review.
OTHER OPTIONS
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
If you like your shopping carts like your dining rewards — extra large — the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is your card. It offers bonus rewards in several categories, including:
5% cash back on gas at Costco and 4% back on other gas and EV charging (up to $7,000 per year, then 1% after that).
3% back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases.
2% back at Costco stores and Costco.com.
1% back on all other purchases.
It doesn’t have a sign-up bonus. Its annual fee is $0, but it requires a Costco membership, which starts at $65 per year.
Sam's Club® Mastercard®
After using this card to fill up on gas at the pump, you'll want to tap it to fill up on daily specials at your favorite restaurant. The Sam's Club® Mastercard® gets you:
5% cash back on gas bought at Sam's Club, Walmart and other gas stations (on up to $6,000 per year).
3% back on dining.
1% back on all other purchases.
Extra rewards for Sam's Club purchases if you have a "Plus" membership.
The annual fee is $0. It requires a Sam's Club membership, which costs at least $45 a year.
• • •
To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, see this page.
The information related to the DoorDash Rewards Mastercard® and the Citi Custom Cash® Cardhas been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.
Last updated on July 22, 2025
Methodology
NerdWallet's credit cards team selects the best credit cards in each category based on overall consumer value. Factors in our evaluation include fees, promotional and ongoing APRs, and sign-up bonuses; for rewards cards, we consider earning and redemption rates, redemption options and redemption difficulty. A single card is eligible to be chosen as among the "best" in multiple categories. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.
About the author
Jae Bratton
Lead Writer & Content StrategistAbout the reviewer
Caitlin Mims
Editor & Content StrategistAbout the editor
