5 Rotating Category Credit Cards for 5% Cash Back

Using multiple rotating category credit cards can provide you with a steady stream of 5% cash back on your most frequent purchases throughout the year. Below are the top rotating category credit cards to help you choose the right combination of cards for you.

Credit Card	Best for
Citi Custom Cash® Card	Automatic bonus categories based on spending patterns
Discover It® Cash Back Credit Card	No foreign transaction fee
Chase Freedom Flex®	Elevated rewards on everyday purchases like dining and drugstores
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card	Largest selection of 5% cash back categories
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card	Bank of America Preferred Rewards members

5 Rotating Category Credit Cards for 5% Cash Back

Citi Custom Cash® Card

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Our Rating: 4.7

★★★★★☆

Citi Custom Cash® Card

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 in cash back

Est. Value

$200

Annual Fee

APR

18.24% – 28.24% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good 670 – 739, Excellent 740 – 850

Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Earn 1% cash back on other purchases.

The Citi Custom Cash® Card earns 5% cash back on revolving spending categories of up to $500 spent in each billing cycle. Eligible categories include restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel and transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment. Spending over $500 per billing cycle is eligible for 1% cash back.

The 5% categories can change each billing cycle based on where you spend the most. For example, you may spend more on groceries during one cycle, and on gas stations the next month. Your top eligible spending category will earn the 5% cash back.

Citi is even sweetening the pot. You can earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on the Citi Travel^SM portal through 6/30/2026.

Rewards points are generally paid in the month following the billing cycle when earned. Points can be redeemed as a statement credit, direct deposit, check, gift card, travel, or through Amazon.com.

The card offers a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then 18.24% - 28.24% variable APR. Purchases and balance transfers must be completed within four months of account opening. Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.

1% cash back

On all other eligible purchases

Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

4% cash back

Select Categories

Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel(SM) portal through 6/30/2026.

5% cash back

Select Categories

Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter.

Pros

Welcome offer
No annual fee
Up to 5% cash back

Cons

High APR
Foreign transaction fee

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	02/06/2023	748	Experian	$3,800
Approved	02/06/2023	759	TransUnion	$3,800
Approved	02/06/2023	761	Equifax	$3,800
Approved	10/04/2023	784	Experian	$5,300
Approved	10/04/2023	801	TransUnion	$5,300
Approved	10/04/2023	811	Equifax	$5,300
Approved	03/26/2024	741	TransUnion	$3,800
Approved	03/26/2024	742	Experian	$3,800
Approved	03/26/2024	751	Equifax	$3,800
Approved	09/13/2023	800	Not Provided	$11,600
Approved	01/17/2024	762	TransUnion	$6,800
Approved	10/24/2023	720	Equifax	$8,000
Approved	07/17/2023	790	Equifax	$3,000
Approved	01/17/2023	800	TransUnion	$5,300
Approved	05/10/2024	735	Equifax	$6,800
Approved	07/09/2024	743	Experian	$6,900
Approved	07/09/2024	751	TransUnion	$6,900
Approved	07/09/2024	765	Equifax	$6,900
Denied	05/12/2023	800	Not Provided	---
Denied	05/19/2024	762	Not Provided	---

Discover It® Cash Back Credit Card

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Our Rating: 4.4

★★★★★☆

Discover It® Cash Back Credit Card

Welcome Offer

Unlimited Cashback Match the first year

Est. Value

Cashback Match the first year

Annual Fee

APR

18.74% to 27.74% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good to Excellent 670 – 850

Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases when you activate. Earn 1% cash back on other purchases.

The Discover It® Cash Back Credit Card may be the credit card best known for 5% cash back on rotating spending categories. The 5% reward applies to purchases of up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter, after which you earn an unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Cash back rewards never expire and can be redeemed at any time. They can be taken as cash, directly deposited into your bank account, applied as a statement credit, or used at checkout at Amazon.com and PayPal.

Discover is also offering a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then 18.74% to 27.74% variable APR. However, there is an Intro fee of 3% of the amount of each transfer for transfers that post to your account by February 10, 2025 with the 0% intro APR balance transfer offer. After that, 5% of the amount of each transfer.

1% cash back

On all other eligible purchases

Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.

5% cash back

Rotating Categories

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases when you activate.

Pros

Welcome offer
No annual fee
No foreign transaction fee
Up to 5% cash back

Cons

High APR
Requires good credit

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	09/24/2021	786	Equifax	$3,000
Approved	08/06/2021	705	Experian	$9,000
Approved	06/21/2022	673	Experian	$11,500
Approved	06/21/2022	677	TransUnion	$11,500
Approved	06/21/2022	684	Equifax	$11,500
Approved	11/24/2021	672	Experian	$1,100
Approved	05/01/2021	666	Experian	$6,500
Approved	09/24/2021	746	TransUnion	$3,000
Approved	09/24/2021	772	Experian	$3,000

Chase Freedom Flex®

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Our Rating: 4.7

★★★★★☆

Chase Freedom Flex®

Welcome Offer

$200

Est. Value

$200

Annual Fee

APR

19.49% to 28.24% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good to Excellent 670 – 850

Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate and 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel^SM. Earn 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, and on drugstore purchases. Earn 1% cash back on other purchases.

The Chase Freedom Flex® offers 5% cash back on revolving quarterly bonus categories. These include gas stations, grocery stores, and select online merchants for up to $1,500 in combined quarterly purchases when you activate.

Freedom Flex’s 3% cash back on restaurants and drugstores sets it apart. You can also earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel^SM, giving you plenty of ways to earn extra rewards with this card.

Rewards do not expire and can be redeemed at any time. You can redeem them for a statement credit or direct deposit into your bank account. You can also redeem rewards for gift cards, travel booked with Chase Travel^SM, or purchases made through Amazon.com.

There’s also a 0% intro APR offer for the first 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then 19.49% to 28.24% variable APR. There is a balance transfer Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

1% cash back

On all other eligible purchases

1% cash back on all other purchases

3% cash back

Drugstores

3% cash back on drugstore purchases

3% cash back

Dining

3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services

5% cash back

Rotating Categories

5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate

5% cash back

Travel

5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel(SM)

Pros

Welcome offer
No annual fee
Up to 5% cash back
Earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points

Cons

Foreign transaction fee
Requires good credit
Keeping track of quarterly bonus categories

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	04/02/2023	741	TransUnion	$14,000
Approved	04/02/2023	748	Experian	$14,000
Approved	08/02/2023	800	Not Provided	$19,000
Approved	10/24/2023	800	Not Provided	$8,600
Approved	09/03/2023	795	Experian	$22,500
Approved	09/03/2023	847	TransUnion	$22,500
Approved	07/08/2024	800	Not Provided	$23,000
Approved	06/02/2023	789	TransUnion	$12,000
Approved	06/02/2023	791	Experian	$12,000
Approved	04/12/2024	772	Not Provided	$20,000
Denied	07/16/2024	780	Experian	---

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

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Our Rating: 4.8

★★★★★☆

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

Welcome Offer

$200 bonus

Est. Value

$200

Annual Fee

APR

18.49% to 28.74% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good to Excellent 670 – 850

Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose. Earn 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotels, and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center. Earn 2% cash back on one everyday category, like Gas Stations and EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants. Earn 1% cash back on other purchases.

The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card has an enhanced rewards setup that is more complicated but potentially valuable than most others. That’s because the card has three different reward categories.

Each quarter, you’ll choose two of 12 spending categories to earn 5% cash back on $2,000 in combined eligible purchases. You can choose between cell phone providers, department stores, electronic stores, fast food, furniture stores, ground transportation, gym/fitness centers, home utilities, movie theaters, select clothing stores, sporting goods stores, and TV, Internet, and streaming services.

Next, you’ll choose a quarterly spending category for 2% cash back rewards. You can choose between gas stations, EV charging stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.
Once you reach the rewards limit for each quarter, you’ll earn 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.

That’s not all! You can also earn 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotels, and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center.

Like other cards, there’s a 0% introductory APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for the first Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater, then 18.49% to 28.74% variable APR. There is a balance transfer fee: Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater.

1% cash back

On all other eligible purchases

1% cash back on all other purchases

2% cash back

Rotating Categories

2% cash back on one everyday category, like Gas Stations and EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants

5% cash back

Rotating Categories

5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose

5% cash back

Airfare

5% cash back on prepaid air booked directly in the Rewards Center

5% cash back

Hotels

5% cash back on prepaid hotels booked directly in the Rewards Center

5% cash back

Rental Cars

5% cash back on prepaid car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center

Pros

Welcome offer
No annual fee
Up to 5% cash back

Cons

High APR
Foreign transaction fee
Requires good credit

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	09/01/2023	780	Not Provided	$10,000
Approved	02/06/2023	778	Experian	$10,000
Approved	02/06/2023	809	Equifax	$10,000
Approved	02/06/2023	820	TransUnion	$10,000
Approved	01/11/2024	797	Experian	$17,000
Approved	09/21/2023	800	Experian	$500
Approved	01/09/2023	809	Experian	$9,000
Approved	10/21/2024	810	Not Provided	$10,000
Approved	08/05/2023	749	Not Provided	$500
Approved	08/05/2023	803	Not Provided	$500
Approved	08/05/2023	808	Not Provided	$500
Approved	08/05/2023	829	Not Provided	$500
Approved	06/19/2023	663	TransUnion	$600
Approved	04/24/2024	838	TransUnion	$20,000
Approved	05/30/2023	744	Experian	$6,500
Approved	05/30/2023	752	Equifax	$6,500
Approved	05/30/2023	772	TransUnion	$6,500
Denied	10/02/2023	791	Experian	---
Denied	10/02/2023	811	Equifax	---

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

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Our Rating: 4.4

★★★★★☆

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Welcome Offer

$200

Est. Value

$200

Annual Fee

APR

18.74% to 28.74% Variable

Credit Req’d

Good to Excellent 670 – 850

Rewards: Earn 3% cash back 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. Earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. Earn 3% 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 1% thereafter. Earn 1% cash back on other purchases.

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card works differently than other cards on this list. You can choose a 3% cash back category – plus earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. You can earn 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1% cash back.

The 3% categories include gas and EV charging stations, online shopping, cable, Internet, phone plans, streaming services, dining, travel, drug stores, pharmacies, home improvement, and furnishings.

If you are a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25% to 75% more cash back on every purchase. Rewards don’t expire and can be redeemed anytime for statement credits, deposits into a Bank of America bank account, or credit to an eligible Merrill account.

The card has a 0% introductory APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then 18.74% to 28.74% variable APR. There is a 3% Intro balance transfer fee for the first 60 days your account is open. After the intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for all future balance transfers is 4%.

1% cash back

On all other eligible purchases

1% cash back on all other purchases

2% cash back

U.S. supermarkets

2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. Earn 3% 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.

3% cash back

Select Categories

Get 3% cash back 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. Earn 3% 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.

Pros

Welcome offer
No annual fee
up to 3% cash back

Cons

High APR
Foreign transaction fee
Requires good credit
Spending cap

App Status	Date	Credit Score	Bureau	Credit Limit
Approved	01/23/2024	748	Experian	$19,000
Approved	03/06/2023	679	Experian	$10,000
Approved	03/06/2023	699	Equifax	$10,000
Approved	03/06/2023	713	TransUnion	$10,000
Approved	03/06/2023	665	Experian	$4,000
Approved	11/29/2023	764	Experian	$10,000
Approved	02/02/2024	800	Not Provided	$24,000
Approved	07/10/2023	802	Experian	$24,000
Approved	03/01/2024	720	Experian	$500
Approved	12/26/2023	715	Experian	$14,000

How to Best Use Rotating Category Credit Cards

On the surface, the potential to earn 5% or more on rotating categories is attractive. However, you are also bound to a limited number of purchase categories during any given month or quarter. There may be months or quarters when the rotating categories are not relevant to your spending patterns.

The key to selecting the right rotating category credit card is to make sure it matches your preferred spending patterns. For example, groceries, gasoline, restaurant meals, and retail items are common purchase categories. But more specific categories, like streaming services or home improvement stores, may not figure significantly in your spending—at least not enough to maximize the full 5% rewards.

The best strategy for maximizing the use of rotating category credit cards may be to have two or more. Under the best circumstances, relevant categories will apply at any given time during the year.

Having multiple cards provides another benefit. Most rotating category credit cards limit category spending. For example, you may receive 5% cash back on groceries up to $1,500 per quarter. What if you spend $3,000 per quarter on groceries? If two or more cards provide the same offer, you can maximize the cash back you earn on groceries.

You may need to set up a spreadsheet detailing each card’s offers, and while that might be tedious, it has the potential to increase your rewards by hundreds of dollars per year.

Pros & Cons of Rotating Category Credit Cards

Pros:

Opportunity to earn above-average rewards on everyday purchases.
Many revolving category credit cards provide valuable additional benefits.
None of the cards on this list have annual fees.

Cons:

The highest reward categories are limited to specific dollar amounts.
Rotating category credit cards require good to excellent credit.
Not all categories are consistent with your personal spending preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are rotating categories on a credit card?

Rotating categories on credit cards is a reward offered by certain credit cards that provide enhanced benefits for particular spending categories. A card may offer 5% cash back rewards, but the categories will change continuously. Perhaps this is so that the credit card company can minimize the amount of rewards, often by including categories consumers are less likely to spend heavily on.

Is there a credit card that gives you 5% cash back?

Yes, and there are five included on this list. Not only does each offer at least 5% cash back on rotating categories, but many also provide enhanced benefits. These include cash back greater than 1% on specific spending categories throughout the year.

How many revolving credit cards should I have?

You should have as many revolving credit cards as needed to get the maximum benefit from your spending habits. For example, a credit card with enhanced travel rewards can provide hundreds of dollars in cash and discounts if you travel frequently. At the same time, you can maintain a more generic cash back credit card for more ordinary purchases.

Final Thoughts

By analyzing the rotating categories and how frequently they’re offered, it’s clear that a rotating category credit card may not be the only card you need to have in your wallet. A better strategy may be to have two or more rotating category credit cards in combination with one or two rewards cards that specialize in a specific spending category you use frequently.

There is no one-credit-card-fits-all, so maintaining something of a portfolio is an excellent strategy. Choose the right mix of cards, and you can save or earn hundreds of dollars each year.