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If you are a large spender in a particular category, the spinning category card can be a mysterious or addictive one-hit to your wallet. Earn one of the best 5% reward rates in automatic or customized categories that change regularly.
Below are some recommendations for the best spinning category cards on the market.
Top cards in the spinning category
Compare the best cards for the spin category
Card name | It’s perfect for | Annual fees | Credit score range | Rewards in the spin category | Rotating Category Expense Cap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Discover IT® Cashback | Daily expenses | $0 | Good, great (670 – 850) |
|
$1,500 per quarter |
ChaseFreedomFlex® | Travel, food, drugstores | $0 | Good, great (670 – 850) |
|
$1,500 per quarter |
City Custom Cash® Card | Automatic rewards | $0 | Good, great (670 – 850) |
|
$500 per billing cycle |
Bank of America® Customized Cash Reward Credit Card | Customizable Rewards | $0 | Good, great (670 – 850) |
|
$2,500 per quarter for total spending in the 2% and 3% category |
US Bank Cash+®VisaSignature® Card | Multiple Categories | $0 | Good, great (670 – 850) |
|
$2,000 per quarter |
Rotating category cards usually require a good Experent Credit Score. If you have bad or fair credit, consider the top picks of your card for bad credit.
How to choose a credit card in the spinning category
Not all rotating category cards are created equal, so it helps you know what you’re looking for before applying them. Take this into consideration.
- Look at your big spending categories. The category cards you choose will depend on the most common daily purchases you create. For example, Discover IT Cashback Cards and Bank of America’s customized cash reward cards may offer the opportunity to boost rewards at wholesale clubs, while many other cashback cards rule out that type of store. Alternatively, in addition to boosted rewards for the daily spinning category, you can also choose Chase Freed Freed Card at a 3% rate at dining and drugstores.
- Decide whether to activate, select, or automate bonus categories. Cards with preset spin quarter categories usually need to be manually activated. Otherwise you won’t get a 5% rate. For cards with customizable categories, you must hand select a category for each period. Meanwhile, Citi Custom Cash Card automatically selects the top eligible categories based on your spending. It depends on how much effort you want to put in.
- Make sure your spending cap works for you. These cards have expenditure caps in the billing cycle or quarterly boosted category. Get closer to the spending cap without overexpenditure, or choose a card that can reach the spending cap. If you hit a cap, consider having another card on hand that earns 1% or more for the remaining expenses in that category.
- Compare welcome offers and intro APR. The best revolving category credit cards also offer welcome perks that will help you grow your rewards stash, pay off your debts, or fund your large purchases.
3 Ways to Maximize Rewards with Credit Cards in the Rotation Category
Good things aren’t easy, and mowing that rising rate requires a bit of effort. Here’s how you can maximize your credit card rewards with a spinning bonus category card:
1. Fit your spending to the bonus category
Sometimes it makes sense to spend your money earlier than you plan to earn a reward.
For example, if you’re looking at a new fridge and estimate that your card will offer bonus rewards at home improvement stores next quarter, it’s worth waiting for your purchase. The same goes for signing up for a new gym or planning a gourmet dinner date. Keep in mind that taking out debt to chase your reward is not a good idea.
If you have a big trip next month and have a customizable category card, you can choose travel, meals, or both as your billing cycle category.
Rotation categories also tend to match seasonal spending. During the winter holidays, you may be rewarded for online shopping and charitable contributions. In the summer, you may earn more with gas and live entertainment. Again, if you can select categories on your card, choose the category that suits your seasonal expenses.
2. Pair with another reward card
Outside of the bonus category, the spinning category card probably only earns 1% on other purchases. By combining it with a flat rate cashback card, you can earn 1.5-2% on everything else.
Another option is to choose a reward card that offers boosted rewards in spending categories other than the spin category. This includes travel cards, gas cards or restaurant cards. This way you are not limited to earning rewards in just one or two rotation categories.
3. Transfer rewards to improve redemption value
Some of the above issuers, such as Chase and Citi, can combine rewards across multiple cards with the same issuer. For example, if you have both Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Travel Card, you can use “Cash Back” (technically earned as Chase Ultimate Rewards points) to book a trip or forward it to your airline or hotel partner. And travel points tend to be more valuable.
What’s next?
Conclusion
Rotating category cards can be a great power for cardholders who spend a lot in a particular category and want to earn up to 5% cashback. The card stack is even more valuable when pairing your card with another reward card that offers a higher fee in other categories.
If you’re still on the fence, here’s how to decide which reward credit card is best:
FAQ
*Information regarding ChaseFreedom Flex®, CitiCustiCash® Cards, and US Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Cards is collected independently by the Bankrate and is not reviewed or approved by the card issuer. Information about Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit cards was last updated on June 25th, 2025.