In some cases, a store-brand card can help save money. They typically offer 5% back year-round (as a discount or cash back) on transactions at that store. But store cards aren’t always good options, and they’re limited to only one store at a time. It’s often a better idea to get a credit card which can work at multiple stores. Cards with flexible usage and flexible rewards usually beat narrow-use cards.
Two of the below options are even more flexible due to earning cash back on any mobile wallet transactions (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, etc). This is good not just for retail stores, but categories like groceries and gas too.
This is a list of credit cards which can work at multiple stores and earn decent cash back. Outside of these top options, view our list of the best cards for everyday spending.
1. US Bank Cash+
The Cash+ Visa earns 5% back for two categories each quarter. You choose the categories you want to use, which includes:
- Department Stores (Bon-Ton, Kohl’s, Macy’s, etc.)
- Clothing Stores (American Eagle, Banana Republic, Express, etc.)
- Electronics Stores (Apple Store, Best Buy, Newegg, etc.)
- Sporting Goods Stores (Bass Pro, Cabela’s, Dick’s, etc.)
- Furniture Stores (Ashley, Ethan Allen, Ikea, etc.)
The downside is a combined $2,000 quarterly spending limit, and U.S. Bank has regional restrictions. You’re limited to $400 cash back per year, after which Cash+ only earns 1% cash back.
An alternative to the regional restrictions is the Max Cash Preferred. It’s functionally the same as the Cash+ card and has wider availability.
2. M1 Finance Owner’s Rewards
The M1 Finance Visa earns up to 10% cash back at dozens of stores. Unlike category-specific cards, the earn rates are limited to individual stores. The earning potential of this card depends heavily on personal preferences.
10% cash back tier includes:
- AMC, Chewy, GameStop, Bath & Body Works, Victoria’s Secret, Lululemon, Purple, Ulta, Wayfair, etc.
5% cash back tier includes:
- Dollar General, Etsy/Reverb, Converse, Nike, HomeGoods, HomeSense, Marshalls, Sierra, TJ Maxx, etc.
2.5% cash back tier includes:
- Apple, Best Buy, Costco, Home Depot, Lowe’s, eBay, Target, Walgreens, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Zappos, etc.
The main downside of the M1 card is that it isn’t fee-free after the first year. Cardholders have to pay either $95 or $125 each year to keep it open and active. Setting up the card to earn cash back is a little more convoluted than some other options, although it’s worthwhile if you can maximize the card. Cash back is nearly unlimited.
3. Kroger Family of Companies
Kroger cards earn 5% cash back on all mobile wallet transactions. There’s a spending limit of $3,000 per year, which is a maximum of $150 annual cash back. This limit might be overly restrictive for some people, although it’s a very flexible 5% cash back. You’ll only run into trouble otherwise if you shop at a store which doesn’t support mobile wallets. Most major retail locations do however support technology like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
4. U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve
The Altitude Reserve earns up to 4.5% cash back when using mobile wallets. Although it’s 0.5% less than the Kroger/Cash+ cards, Altitude Reserve doesn’t have any spending limits. Points are unlimited. The main downside of the Altitude Reserve is a hefty annual fee, although it’s worthwhile for many people. This is a flexible and easy-to-use card which can outdo other options. Most major stores support mobile wallet transactions, so this can be an excellent everyday card, even for gas and groceries.
Other than the annual fee, the usual U.S. Bank restrictions apply. Plus, this card is only available to current bank customers who’ve been U.S. Bank customers for at least 35 days.
5. Huntington Voice
This is similar to the Cash+ card, although it’s only 3% cash back on a single quarterly category. It does have a higher spending limit of $8,000 per year ($2,000 per quarter). That’s a maximum of $240 in cash back each year.
You choose the categories you want to use, which includes:
- Discount and Warehouse Stores
- Utilities and Office Supply Stores
- Electronics, Computer, and Camera Stores
- Department Apparel, and Sporting Goods
- Auto Part and Service Stores
- Home Improvement Stores
Huntington Bank may also have regional restrictions (YMMV).
Honorable mentions
- Citi Custom Cash can earn 5% cash back for drugstores/pharmacies and home improvement stores
- Venmo Visa earns 3% cash back for select stores in the “Entertainment” category (“Movie theaters, theatrical and concert promoters, video rental and game stores, books and newsstands, amusement parks, music stores, and toy and hobby stores.”)
- Venmo Visa earns 3% cash back for stores in the “Health and Beauty” category which includes drug stores, pharmacies, beauty supply stores, cosmetic stores, etc.
- Coinbase Debit isn’t a credit card, but it can earn up to 4% cash back on everything, without category restrictions or annual fees. The downside is, since it’s a debit card, there aren’t any purchase protections. If you’d like an extended warranty benefit or a similar perk, a debit card won’t cover you.
- Rotating-category cards like the Chase Freedom Flex and Discover It may give 5% cash back at certain stores (especially Amazon, Target, and Walmart). Discover will have 5% cash back for mobile wallets in Q4 2022.
- AOD Federal Credit Union Visa Signature earns 3% cash back on everything, although it’s likely limited to Alabama only (YMMV)
- For Wisconsin (Marinette or Green Bay only) there’s the PCMCU Platinum Rewards Mastercard. It gets 5% cash back on everything ($1000 monthly spending limit) and has a waivable annual fee.
- The Capital One Venture X Visa Infinite can potentially earn more than 3% cash back on everything (with good utilization of their transfer partners)