Which 5% Rotating Bonus Category Card Is Right for Me? Bankrate Caret RightMain Menu Mortgage Mortgages Financing a home purchase Refinancing your existing loan Finding the right lender Additional Resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Bank Banking Compare Accounts Use calculators Get advice Bank reviews Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Credit Card Credit cards Compare by category Compare by credit needed Compare by issuer Get advice Looking for the perfect credit card? Narrow your search with CardMatch Caret RightMain Menu Loan Loans Personal Loans Student Loans Auto Loans Loan calculators Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Invest Investing Best of Brokerages and robo-advisors Learn the basics Additional resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Home Equity Home equity Get the best rates Lender reviews Use calculators Knowledge base Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Loan Home Improvement Real estate Selling a home Buying a home Finding the right agent Additional resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Insurance Insurance Car insurance Homeowners insurance Other insurance Company reviews Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Caret RightMain Menu Retirement Retirement Retirement plans & accounts Learn the basics Retirement calculators Additional resources Elevate your Bankrate experience Get insider access to our best financial tools and content Advertiser Disclosure
Advertiser Disclosure
We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with confidence.
Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. SHARE: nimis69/E+/Getty Images November 04, 2022 Checkmark Bankrate logo How is this page expert verified? At Bankrate, we take the accuracy of our content seriously. "Expert verified" means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose objective is to ensure that our content is always objective and balanced. Their reviews hold us accountable for publishing high-quality and trustworthy content. Holly Johnson writes expert content on personal finance, credit cards, loyalty and insurance topics. In addition to writing for Bankrate and CreditCards.com, Johnson does ongoing work for clients that include CNN, Forbes Advisor, LendingTree, Time Magazine and more. Claire Dickey is a product editor for Bankrate, and . Before joining Bankrate, Claire worked as a copywriter for brands within the telecommunications industry as well as a hybrid marketing and content writer. Cathleen's stories on design, travel and business have appeared in dozens of publications including the Washington Post, Town & Country, Wall Street Journal, Marie Claire, Fodor’s Travel, Departures and The Writer. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate, we have a mission to demystify the credit cards industry — regardless or where you are in your journey — and make it one you can navigate with confidence. Our team is full of a diverse range of experts from credit card pros to data analysts and, most importantly, people who shop for credit cards just like you. With this combination of expertise and perspectives, we keep close tabs on the credit card industry year-round to: Meet you wherever you are in your credit card journey to guide your information search and help you understand your options. Consistently provide up-to-date, reliable market information so you're well-equipped to make confident decisions. Reduce industry jargon so you get the clearest form of information possible, so you can make the right decision for you. At Bankrate, we focus on the points consumers care about most: rewards, welcome offers and bonuses, APR, and overall customer experience. Any issuers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide to consumers at each of these levels. At each step of the way, we fact-check ourselves to prioritize accuracy so we can continue to be here for your every next. Bankrate logo Editorial integrity
Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. Key Principles
We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers. Editorial Independence
Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information. Bankrate logo How we make money
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. The best 5 percent rotating bonus category cards offer an exceptional earning rate in everyday categories that change each quarter, plus some other major perks you can enjoy. However, you’ll still earn a base rate (usually 1 percent back) on all other purchases you make, and a few rotating category cards have additional bonus categories, to boot. Some cards even let you earn a generous sign-up bonus when you meet a minimum spending requirement in the first few months. That said, you’ll want to compare cards that offer 5 percent back based on their fees, intro APR offers and bonus rewards caps. An overview of 5% rotating category card options
The following chart highlights the best 5 percent cash back credit cards on the market today: Card Bonus offer Rewards rate Rewards cap Annual fee Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent in activated rotating bonus categories each quarter (then 1% back); 1% back on all other purchases $1,500 quarterly cap on the 5% category $0 $200 cash bonus after spending $500 within your first three months 5% cash back on activated bonus category purchases each quarter (up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1%) and on Chase Ultimate Rewards travel purchases; 5% back on Lyft rides (through March 2025); 3% back on dining and drugstore purchase; 1% back on all other purchases $1,500 quarterly cap on the 5% category $0 20,000 ThankYou points after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months 5% cash back (on up to $500 each billing cycle, then 1%) on your top eligible spending category each billing cycle $500 cap each billing cycle $0 * $200 rewards bonus after you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days 5% cash back on purchases in two categories of your choice (up to $2,000 in combined purchases per quarter, then 1%); 5% back on prepaid airfare, hotel stays and car rentals through the Rewards Travel Center; 2% back on one choice everyday category; 1% back on all other purchases $2,000 cap per quarter on the 5% choice categories $0 Discover it Cash Back
The lets cardholders earn 5 percent back on up to $1,500 spent in activated rotating quarterly bonus categories (then 1 percent back) and 1 percent back on all other spending. There’s no annual fee, and Discover will even match all the rewards you earn after the first year. Additionally, the Discover it Cash Back card gives cardholders access to a 0 percent intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, followed by a variable APR of 14.99 percent to 25.99 percent. Pros
The intro APR offer helps you save money when you carry a balance or transfer high-interest debt No annual fee No foreign transaction fees Cons
3 percent intro balance transfer fee that raises up to 5 percent on future balance transfers (see terms) Discover it bonus rewards categories for 2022
The shares some promising rewards categories for the rest of the year. Cardholders can rack up bonus rewards based on the following schedule in 2022: January through March: Grocery stores, fitness clubs and gym memberships April through June: Gas stations and Target July through September: Restaurants and PayPal October through December: Amazon.com and digital wallets Chase Freedom Flex
The is unique in the fact that it offers so many bonus categories. Cardholders can earn 5 percent cash back on up to $1,500 spent in quarterly activated bonus categories (then 1 percent back), but they also earn 5 percent back on travel booked through , 5 percent back on Lyft rides through March 2025 and 3 percent back on dining (including restaurants, takeout and eligible delivery services) and drugstore purchases. All regular, non-bonus spending earns 1 percent back. There’s no annual fee, and Chase sweetens the pot with a $200 cash bonus for new cardholders who spend $500 within three months of account opening. You can also qualify for a 0 percent intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, followed by a variable APR of 17.99 percent to 26.74 percent. Pros
Exceptional earning rates, even outside of the generous rotating categories No annual fee Solid intro APR offer on both purchases and balance transfers Extra benefits like purchase protection against damage or theft, extended warranties and cellphone protection Cons
Chase reveals 5 percent bonus categories one at a time, so it’s difficult to plan ahead 3 percent foreign transaction fee Balance transfer fee jumps from 3 percent (minimum $5) to 5 percent after the first 60 days Chase Freedom bonus rewards categories for 2022
are announced on a quarterly basis. While the first quarter of the year offered bonus rewards at grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target) and eBay, Chase recently announced that the current quarter’s categories (April through June 2022) include Amazon.com and select streaming services. Citi Custom Cash
The rewards your top spending category each billing cycle. It’s easy to claim your 5 percent category because it automatically rewards your top eligible category. You earn 5 percent cash back on up to $500 each billing cycle (then 1 percent) in your top eligible category each billing cycle. You also earn 1 percent on your other purchases. The Citi Custom Cash takes the spot of one of the easiest 5 percent cards to use since you don’t have to remember to activate your bonus category each cycle. This Citi card has no annual fee and offers a welcome bonus of 20,000 ThankYou Points—worth $200 in cash back—when you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months. Additionally, you can enjoy a 0 percent intro APR for the first 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers, followed by a variable APR between 16.99 percent to 26.99 percent. Pros
Top eligible category is automatically rewarded with 5 percent back each billing cycle (no activation needed) Intro APR offers on both purchases and balance transfers No annual fee Cons
5 percent category is capped at $500 in spending each billing cycle 3 percent foreign transaction fee Citi Custom Cash bonus rewards categories for 2022
Your bonus category isn’t pre-determined, nor does it need to be activated. The categories eligible to reward you at the 5 percent rate are restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment. U S Bank Cash Visa Signature
The works a little differently compared to other 5 percent back cards on this list. Once you sign up, you get to earn 5 percent back on up to $2,000 in combined spending in two categories of your choosing each quarter (then 1 percent back). You’ll also get 2 percent back on one everyday category of your choosing (grocery store purchases, gas station purchases and restaurants) and 1 percent back on all other spending. Cardholders can also earn an initial bonus of $200 after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within 120 days of account opening and take advantage of a 0 percent intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles (18.24 percent to 28.24 percent variable APR after). Pros
You get to pick your 5 percent categories each quarter, as well as your everyday spending category Intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers No annual fee Cons
Balance transfers must be made in the first 60 days in order to receive the introductory offer 2 percent fee for each foreign purchase charged in U.S. dollars; 3 percent foreign transaction fee for purchases made in other currencies U S Bank Cash bonus rewards categories for 2022
The U S Bank Cash Visa Signature lets you select two 5 percent bonus categories each quarter, as well as a 2 percent category focused on everyday purchases. Here’s a rundown of the bonus category options you can choose from. 5 percent cash back categories: TV, internet and streaming services Home utilities Ground transportation Select clothing stores Cellphone providers Electronics stores Gyms and fitness centers Fast food Sporting goods stores Department stores Furniture stores Movie theaters 2 percent cash back categories: Gas and EV charging stations Restaurants Grocery stores How to choose a 5% rotating bonus category card
Choosing the right 5 percent cash back credit card isn’t rocket science, but you should keep a few factors in mind. For example, it helps to look at a card’s 5 percent rewards calendar upfront (for the issuers that make them available), since doing so gives you the chance to see which categories you can use for bonus rewards in the future. If a specific rewards credit card offers several quarterly categories you can easily spend in, there’s a chance that card could be a good fit. In the meantime, you should also look at these features: Credit card sign-up bonuses that can help you earn $200 or more within a few months of account opening Bonus rewards caps that can limit the amount of cash back you earn Rewards redemption options that may include cash back, statement credits, gift cards, merchandise and more Introductory APR offers that can help you save money on interest when it comes to purchases, balance transfers or both Credit card fees that can add up and eat away at your rewards Tips for maximizing your rewards earnings with a rotating bonus category card
No matter which 5 percent cash back credit card you choose, you can boost your rewards haul with the right moves. Here are some strategies to consider if you want to maximize your efforts: Make sure to activate your 5 percent cash back bonus rewards every quarter. Cash back credit cards with rotating categories typically require you to “opt in” to bonus rewards each quarter. Make sure you remember this task so you don’t miss out on heightened rewards. Pair multiple cards with different bonus categories. If you like more than one 5 percent cash back credit card due to its unique bonus categories, consider them all. You can use each one to maximize rewards in its respective 5 percent categories throughout the year, and most cards in this niche do not charge annual fees. Pair a 5 percent cash back card with a flat-rate cash back card. Most 5 percent back credit cards only give you 1 percent back on regular purchases, so consider pairing it with a that gives you 2 percent back on regular spending. Pay your credit card bill in full each month. Finally, remember to pay your credit card bill in full each month for the best results. If you carry a balance for a long time, the credit card interest you pay will quickly wipe out your rewards. The bottom line
Rewards credit cards that give 5 percent back in can be a useful tool, and that’s especially true if you pick up a card with categories that match your spending. If you’re able to earn a sign-up bonus and get a few credit card perks along the way, even better. Still, you should take the time to , including ones that dole out rewards differently. The best credit card for you is the one that aligns with your spending style and has perks you’ll use, so don’t give up until you find it. SHARE: Holly Johnson writes expert content on personal finance, credit cards, loyalty and insurance topics. In addition to writing for Bankrate and CreditCards.com, Johnson does ongoing work for clients that include CNN, Forbes Advisor, LendingTree, Time Magazine and more. Claire Dickey is a product editor for Bankrate, and . Before joining Bankrate, Claire worked as a copywriter for brands within the telecommunications industry as well as a hybrid marketing and content writer. Cathleen's stories on design, travel and business have appeared in dozens of publications including the Washington Post, Town & Country, Wall Street Journal, Marie Claire, Fodor’s Travel, Departures and The Writer. Related Articles