By KBC Associate 
There’s not just one way to go about earning credit card rewards. Some cards provide the same earning rate, no matter the purchase. Meanwhile, others offer bonus rewards for popular purchases like gas, groceries and dining. These two types of cards are the most common, and there are seemingly endless options in each category.
If you can’t decide between the two, there’s a good middle ground: customizable rewards cards. These cards provide bonus rewards on one or two of your most common purchases every month. Some of these cards let you pick your purchase categories, while others automatically adapt to your spending.
Let’s look at my top picks for credit cards with customizable rewards and who they’re best suited for.
Best credit cards with customizable rewards
The information for the Citi Custom Cash card, U.S. Bank Cash+ card, Discover It Cash Back card and U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Comparison of the best cards for customizable rewards
| Card | Welcome offer | Earning rate | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Business Gold Card | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership. |
|
$375 (see rates and fees) |
| Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card | Earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days from account opening. Plus, earn 6% cash back (for the first year, then 3%) in one of the following categories for the first year:
|
*On up to $2,500 in purchases per quarter, then 1% cash back |
$0 |
| Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard | Get a $300 online statement credit after making at least $3,000 in purchases within 90 days from account opening. |
*On up to $50,00 in purchases per year, then 1% cash back |
$0 |
| Citi Custom Cash Card | Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months from account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. |
|
$0 |
| Chase Freedom Flex | Earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
|
$0 |
| U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card | Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days from account opening. |
|
$0 |
| Discover it Cash Back | Unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year from account opening. |
*On up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter, then 1% |
$0 |
| U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card | Earn $250 cash back after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 120 days from account opening. |
*On your first $1,500 in eligible purchases each quarter, then 1.5% cash back  |
$0 annual fee the first year, then $95 |
Card details for the best cards for customizable rewards
American Express Business Gold: Best for high-spending businesses
If you have an established business, you should consider the Amex Business Gold.
Annual fee: $375 (see rates and fees)
Welcome offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.
Why we like it: This card rewards businesses handsomely for their most common purchases, including advertising, computer software, gas and other ordinary business expenses. While the card has a high $375 annual fee, you can offset it with the bonus points you earn and various statement credits included with the card.
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Amex will tally up your purchases each billing cycle and reward you with 4 points per dollar spent in your top two spending categories from this list:
- U.S. online, TV and radio advertising
- U.S. computer hardware, software and cloud systems from select technology providers
- U.S. gas stations
- U.S. transit purchases, including trains, taxicabs, ride-hailing services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses and subways
- U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery
- Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
Your rewards can be outstanding if your business maximizes the $150,000 spending threshold on ongoing expenses. TPG values Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each as of its June 2025 valuations, so earning 600,000 bonus points is like earning $12,000 in value.
Since the card earns transferable Membership Rewards points, it’s a good option for businesses that want to cover travel expenses with points. For example, you can book business-class flights to Europe for just 60,000 points each way (plus taxes and fees) when you transfer Membership Rewards points to Air France-KLM Flying Blue.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Business Gold.
Apply here: American Express Business Gold
Bank of America Customized Cash: Best for shopping at wholesale clubs
If your business takes advantage of places like Costco or Sam’s Club for inventory, check out the Bank of America Customized Cash.
Annual fee: $0
Welcome bonus: Earn 6% cash back in an eligible purchase category you choose for the first year, plus a $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days from your account opening.
Why we like it: The Bank of America Customized Cash offers a unique earning scheme catered to families with large grocery bills and those who want to earn bonus rewards on household purchases. Here’s how much cash back you’ll earn:
- 6% in the category of your choice (for the first year, then 3%): Gas and EV charging stations, online shopping (including cable, streaming, internet and phone services), dining, travel, drugstores, or home improvement/furnishings
- 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
- 1% cash back on all other purchases; note that you’ll only earn the elevated rates on the first $2,500 in the combined choice category, grocery and wholesale club purchases each quarter (then 1%)
Earning 2% cash back on groceries and at wholesale clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club can add up quickly if you’re buying for a large family. However, you should run the numbers before you apply to see if you’ll come out ahead.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Bank of America Customized Cash.
Apply here: Bank of America Customized Cash
Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash: Best for small businesses and freelancers
If you’re just getting started with your business or doing a simple side hustle, you may not need a premium business card. In that case, the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash may be right up your alley.
Annual fee: $0
Welcome bonus: Get a $300 statement credit after spending $3,000 within 90 days from account opening.
Why we like it: Whether you’re a freelancer or have a small business, you should separate your business and personal finances to make tax time easier. If you want to do this without paying an annual fee, the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards can be a terrific choice.
Here’s how much cash back the card earns:
- 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas and EV charging stations (default), office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom and wireless, computer services, or business consulting services (on the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year; 1% thereafter)
- 2% cash back on dining (on the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year; 1% thereafter)
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
It’s worth considering if your business spends in one of the supported 3% cash-back categories like telecom, office supplies or gas. Run the numbers to see if this card is a good fit for your business needs.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash.
Apple here: Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash
Citi Custom Cash: Best for the utmost flexibility
The Citi Custom Cash flies under many card enthusiasts’ radars, but it should definitely be on yours.
Annual fee: $0
Welcome bonus: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months from account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Why we like it: The Citi Custom Cash is a cash-back card that offers 5% back on your top spending category per billing cycle, on up to the first $500 spent, then 1% back. There are a whopping 10 eligible categories that will make it easy for most people to maximize the $500 monthly threshold:
There’s little to no legwork for cardholders since the card automatically applies the 5% earning rate where they spend the most each month. In turn, you’ll maximize your earnings whether you’re on a road trip and buying lots of gas or stocking up on groceries for a party.
Plus, if you have a premium Citi ThankYou Rewards points-earning credit card like the Citi Strata Premierâ„ Credit Card, (see rates and fees) you can combine points earned with your Citi Custom Cash.
Then, you can transfer them to partners like Avianca LifeMiles, JetBlue TrueBlue, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and others. This makes it possible to get outsize value from your rewards.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Citi Custom Cash.
Chase Freedom Flex: Best for rotating quarterly categories
The Chase Freedom Flex is a staple in many Chase fans’ wallets. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, it’s worth considering.
Annual fee: $0
Welcome bonus: Earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Why we like it: The Chase Freedom Flex earns 5% back on rotating quarterly categories (on up to the first $1,500 spent) designated by Chase. You can check out the rotating category calendar here. Right now, the quarterly categories are Amazon; select streaming services; and internet, cable and phone services (until June 30).
This makes the card less flexible than the Citi Custom Cash, and you’ll have to be diligent about activating categories each quarter on your Chase account. If you don’t register, you won’t earn the elevated 5% rewards rate.
The card has some other interesting bonus categories too:
- 5% on rotating purchase categories
- 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel
- 3% on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and drugstore purchases
- 1% on all other purchases
If you have a premium Chase Ultimate Rewards credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), you can transfer cash back earned with the Chase Freedom Flex to that card. This converts your cash back to transferable Ultimate Rewards points, which can be transferred to partners like World of Hyatt and United MileagePlus.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex.
Apply here: Chase Freedom Flex
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card: Best for 5% cash back across top spending categories
If cash back is your game, the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature can be a powerful addition to your wallet.
Annual fee: $0
Welcome bonus: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days from account opening.
Why we like it: You can spend in various categories that you can change regularly, making the U.S. Bank Cash+ card a good choice for those with spending habits that change frequently. Cardholders can earn 5% cash back on the first $2,000 per quarter in the following categories:
- Fast food
- Home utilities
- TV, internet and streaming
- Department stores
- Cellphone services
- Electronic stores
- Sporting goods stores
- Movie theaters
- Gyms/fitness centers
- Furniture stores
- Ground transportation
- Select clothing stores
Further, cardholders can select a category to earn 2% cash back on everyday purchases, while all other purchases earn 1%. You can change your 2% categories every quarter and pick from the following:
- Gas stations
- EV charging stations
- Grocery stores and grocery delivery
- Restaurants
You’ll earn 1% back on all other purchases. Earnings on the 2% and 1% categories are unlimited, so it’s a good option for those spending on gas, EV charging, dining or groceries.
To learn more, check out our full review of the U.S. Bank Cash+.
Discover it Cash Back: Best for increased quarterly cash-back earnings
Beginners to the credit card world may have an easier time getting approved for the Discover it Cash Back versus other cards.
Annual fee: $0
Welcome bonus: Unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year from account opening.
Why we like it: Like the Chase Freedom Flex, this card earns 5% cash back on rotating purchase categories that change each quarter. Pay attention to Discover’s cash-back calendar and make sure to enroll every quarter to earn 5% on eligible purchases.
Discover’s 5% cash-back categories for the second quarter (ending June 30) include grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and we’ve seen Amazon and other popular merchants make appearances in years past. You earn 5% cash back on up to the first $1,500 in purchases in these categories, meaning you’ll earn $75 cash back if you maximize it.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Discover it Cash Back card.
U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card: Best for shopping
If you’re loyal to a particular brand, the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards may be able to provide you with outsize value for your expenses.
Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $95
Welcome bonus: Earn $250 cash back after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 120 days from account opening.
Why we like it: You’ll earn 6% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter (then 1.5%) at two merchants of your choice. This list includes popular merchants that don’t tend to earn bonus rewards with other cards, like Apple and Home Depot. Maximizing this would give you $90 in cash back per quarter.
You can pick from the following merchants:
- Ace Hardware
- Amazon
- Apple
- Anthropologie
- Bed Bath & Beyond
- Best Buy
- Chewy
- Crate & Barrel
- Disney
- Home Depot
- Ikea
- Kohl’s
- Lowe’s
- Lululemon
- Macy’s
- Menards
- Nordstrom
- Pottery Barn
- QVC
- Restoration Hardware
- Target
- Walmart
- Wayfair
- Williams Sonoma
Additionally, you’ll earn 3% cash back on up to $1,500 per quarter (then 1.5%) in purchases in one category of your choice. You can pick from the following:
- Gas stations and EV charging stations
- Bills and home utilities
- Wholesale clubs
All other purchases earn 1.5% cash back. This makes the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards one of the best cards for earning cash back, as you can earn a mixture of 6% and 3% back at merchants or on categories of your choice and an elevated 1.5% cash back everywhere else. Just ensure you’ll earn enough cash back to justify the $95 annual fee.
Bottom line
Whether it’s your first or fifth, a credit card with customizable rewards can offer many benefits for those looking to maximize rewards on everyday purchases. The beauty here is that you can choose the card that best aligns with your spending habits — after all, how and where we spend varies significantly from person to person and business to business.
If you’re looking for ease, you may want to earn cash back instead of points and miles. But if you want to earn travel rewards that you can use to book high-end travel like business-class flights abroad, consider a card like the Amex Business Gold that earns transferable points.
Related: The best credit cards with annual fees under $100
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold, click here.