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Points Frog guide

Which credit card earns the most on my spending?

Enter what you spend each month and see 14 popular rewards cards ranked by what they'd earn you in a year, minus their annual fees. On average US spending of $2,832 a month, the Capital One Venture comes out on top at $1,128 a year.

Credit card rewards calculator

What you spend a month on each:

Restaurants, takeout and delivery.

Supermarkets, in store.

Flights and hotels booked directly.

Gas stations.

Netflix, Spotify and the like.

Bills, shopping and the rest.

$2,832 a month, $33,984 a year

Earns the most on your spending

Capital One Venture

$1,128 a year after its $95 annual fee: 67,968 Capital One miles worth $1,223 at 1.8¢ each, or 3.6% back on what you spend. That's $47 more than the next best, the Amex Gold Card.

Rewards a year
$1,223
Annual fee
−$95
Net value a year
$1,128
Net value of each card a year · rewards minus annual fee
Card-by-card table
CardRewardsRewards a yearFeeNet
Capital One VentureCapital One miles · 1.8¢$1,223$95$1,128
Amex Gold CardMembership Rewards points · 2.1¢$1,407$325$1,082
Citi Strata PremierThankYou points · 1.75¢$1,122$95$1,027
Chase Sapphire PreferredUltimate Rewards points · 2¢$1,020$95$925
Wells Fargo AutographWells Fargo Rewards points · 1.6¢$856$0$856
Citi Double CashThankYou points · 1.22¢$833$0$833
Capital One Venture XCapital One miles · 1.8¢$1,223$395$828
Wells Fargo Active CashCash back$680$0$680
Amex Blue Cash PreferredCash back$734$95$639
Chase Freedom UnlimitedCash back$569$0$569
Capital One SavorCash back$562$0$562
Amex Blue Cash EverydayCash back$508$0$508
Chase Sapphire ReserveUltimate Rewards points · 2¢$987$795$192
Amex Platinum CardMembership Rewards points · 2.1¢$818$895−$77

Where the rewards come from

Capital One miles valued at 1.8¢ each.

CategorySpend a yearValue
Dining2x$3,948$142
Groceries2x$6,228$224
Travel2x$2,484$89
Gas2x$2,412$87
Streaming2x$912$33
Everything else2x$18,000$648
Rewards3.6% back$33,984$1,223
Annual fee−$95
Net value$1,128

Earn rates and fees from each issuer, checked October 18, 2026. Points valued at Points Frog's estimates; cash back at 1 cent. Spending caps are applied; welcome offers, statement credits and rates for booking through a card's travel site are left out. An educational estimate, not financial advice.

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On average US spending

Earns the most
Capital One Venture
Its net value a year
$1,128
Best with no annual fee
Wells Fargo Autograph
Cards compared
14

$2,832 a month: $329 dining, $519 groceries, $207 travel, $201 gas, $76 streaming, $1,500 everything else. Food, gas and travel are US household averages from the BLS Consumer Expenditures in 2024 (December 19, 2025); streaming is the average from the Deloitte Digital Media Monitor (October 15, 2026); everything else is an assumption.

What's the best credit card for my spending?

For a household with average US spending, about $2,832 a month on a card, the Capital One Venture earns the most: $1,128 a year after its $95 annual fee, or 3.6% back before the fee. The Amex Gold Card is next at $1,082. The best card with no annual fee is the Wells Fargo Autograph, at $856 a year. Which card wins for you depends on where your money goes, so enter your own spending above.

Yearly value of each card on average US spending of $2,832 a month
CardRewardsFeeNet a year
1. Capital One Venture$1,223$95$1,128
2. Amex Gold Card$1,407$325$1,082
3. Citi Strata Premier$1,122$95$1,027
4. Chase Sapphire Preferred$1,020$95$925
5. Wells Fargo Autograph$856$0$856
6. Citi Double Cash$833$0$833
7. Capital One Venture X$1,223$395$828
8. Wells Fargo Active Cash$680$0$680
9. Amex Blue Cash Preferred$734$95$639
10. Chase Freedom Unlimited$569$0$569
11. Capital One Savor$562$0$562
12. Amex Blue Cash Everyday$508$0$508
13. Chase Sapphire Reserve$987$795$192
14. Amex Platinum Card$818$895−$77

Which credit card earns the most in each spending category?

Valued at Points Frog's estimates, the richest rates are dining: the Amex Gold Card (8.4¢ per dollar); groceries: the Amex Gold Card (8.4¢ per dollar); travel: the Chase Sapphire Reserve (8¢ per dollar); gas: the Chase Sapphire Preferred (6¢ per dollar); streaming: the Chase Sapphire Preferred (6¢ per dollar); everything else: the Capital One Venture (3.6¢ per dollar). A rate in points is worth the points times what each point is worth, so 4x at 2 cents a point is 8 cents back per dollar.

The richest earn rate in each category, valued in cents back per dollar
CategoryCardBack per dollar
DiningAmex Gold Card8.4¢
GroceriesAmex Gold Card8.4¢
TravelChase Sapphire Reserve8¢
GasChase Sapphire Preferred6¢
StreamingChase Sapphire Preferred6¢
Everything elseCapital One Venture3.6¢

Which card is best for different spenders?

The same cards rank differently as spending shifts. Each row below starts from the average household and changes one thing.

Best card and best no-fee card by spending pattern, net of fees
SpendingEarns the mostBest with no fee
Average householdUS averages for food, gas, travel and streamingCapital One Venture, $1,128Wells Fargo Autograph, $856
Eats out a lot$1,000 a month on diningAmex Gold Card, $1,758Wells Fargo Autograph, $1,242
Big grocery bill$1,200 a month on groceriesAmex Gold Card, $1,768Citi Double Cash, $1,033
Frequent traveler$1,000 a month on flights and hotelsCiti Strata Premier, $1,527Wells Fargo Autograph, $1,313
Long commute$500 a month on gasCapital One Venture, $1,258Wells Fargo Autograph, $1,028
Light spender$1,000 a month, mostly everyday purchasesCapital One Venture, $337Citi Double Cash, $294

Is a credit card with an annual fee worth it?

Only if its extra rewards beat a no-fee card by more than the fee. At average spending, 4 of the 8 cards with a fee come out ahead of the best no-fee card (the Wells Fargo Autograph, $856 a year) after paying it, and the Amex Platinum Card loses $77 a year on spending alone. Premium cards make up the difference with travel credits, lounge access and other perks this calculator doesn't count, which are worth it only if you'd use them anyway.

How the calculator works

  • Each category's monthly spending is multiplied by 12 and by the card's earn rate there, in points or percent back per dollar.
  • Points are valued at Points Frog's estimates for each rewards currency, mostly what they get transferred to airline and hotel partners. Cash back, and points a card can only cash out, count at 1 cent each.
  • Net value is a year of rewards minus the annual fee. Cards are ranked by it.
  • Spending caps are applied: past a yearly cap, spending in that category earns the card's lower rate.
  • Travel means flights and hotels booked directly with the airline or hotel; where a card pays differently on the two, travel counts as half each. Higher rates for booking through a card's own travel site are left out, and so are welcome offers, statement credits, anniversary bonuses and foreign transaction fees.
  • Co-branded airline and hotel cards are left out, since their best rates are on that one airline or hotel chain.

The cards, their earn rates and fees

From each issuer's own card page, checked on the date shown. Rates are points per dollar (x) or percent back (%).

CardFeeDiningGroceriesTravelGasStreamingEverything else
Chase Sapphire PreferredUltimate Rewards points$953x1x2x3x3x1x
Chase Sapphire ReserveUltimate Rewards points$7953x1x4x1x1x1x
Chase Freedom UnlimitedCash back$03%1.5%1.5%1.5%1.5%1.5%
Amex Gold CardMembership Rewards points$3254x*4x*2x1x1x1x
Amex Platinum CardMembership Rewards points$8951x1x3x1x1x1x
Amex Blue Cash PreferredCash back$951%6%*1%3%6%1%
Amex Blue Cash EverydayCash back$01%3%*1%3%*1%1%
Capital One Venture XCapital One miles$3952x2x2x2x2x2x
Capital One VentureCapital One miles$952x2x2x2x2x2x
Capital One SavorCash back$03%3%1%1%3%1%
Citi Strata PremierThankYou points$953x3x3x3x1x1x
Citi Double CashThankYou points$02x2x2x2x2x2x
Wells Fargo Active CashCash back$02%2%2%2%2%2%
Wells Fargo AutographWells Fargo Rewards points$03x1x3x3x3x1x

* On spending up to a yearly cap, then a lower rate; see each card below.

Chase Sapphire Preferred · $95 annual fee

Rewards: Ultimate Rewards points, valued at 2¢ each (valuation).

Groceries: 1x in store; online grocery orders earn 3x, except at Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs.

Gas: 3x at gas stations and EV charging, added June 15, 2026.

Streaming: 3x on top streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Spotify and YouTube TV.

Not counted: 5x on Chase Travel; 3x on online groceries and on vacation homes such as Airbnb and Vrbo; a $100 Chase Travel hotel credit each year.

Source: Chase, checked October 18, 2026.

Chase Sapphire Reserve · $795 annual fee

Rewards: Ultimate Rewards points, valued at 2¢ each (valuation).

Travel: 4x on flights and hotels booked directly; other travel, such as car rentals and cruises, earns 1x.

Not counted: 8x on Chase Travel; a $300 travel credit, up to $500 at The Edit hotels, $300 in dining and $300 StubHub credits, airport lounge access and other perks.

Source: Chase, checked October 18, 2026.

Chase Freedom Unlimited · $0 annual fee

Rewards: Cash back, at 1 cent a point.

Tracked as Ultimate Rewards points, each worth 1 cent in cash. Moved to a Sapphire card, they can be transferred to airline and hotel partners; this calculator compares one card at a time, so it counts them as cash.

Not counted: 5% on Chase Travel and 3% at drugstores.

Source: Chase, checked October 18, 2026.

Amex Gold Card · $325 annual fee

Rewards: Membership Rewards points, valued at 2.1¢ each (valuation).

Dining: 4x at restaurants worldwide. Up to $50,000 a year, then 1x.

Groceries: 4x at US supermarkets; superstores, warehouse clubs and convenience stores don't count. Up to $25,000 a year, then 1x.

Travel: 3x on flights booked directly with airlines, 1x on hotels booked directly; counted as 2x, half flights and half hotels.

Not counted: 5x on prepaid hotels and 3x on flights booked through Amex Travel; up to $120 a year in dining credits, $120 in Uber Cash, $100 at Resy and $84 at Dunkin'.

Source: American Express, checked October 18, 2026.

Amex Platinum Card · $895 annual fee

Rewards: Membership Rewards points, valued at 2.1¢ each (valuation).

Travel: 5x on flights booked directly with airlines (on up to $500,000 a year), 1x on hotels booked directly; counted as 3x, half flights and half hotels.

Not counted: 5x on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel; airport lounge access and the card's many statement credits.

Source: American Express, checked October 18, 2026.

Amex Blue Cash Preferred · $95 annual fee

$0 for the first year, then $95; the calculator uses $95.

Rewards: Cash back, at 1 cent a point.

Groceries: 6% at US supermarkets; superstores such as Target and Walmart, warehouse clubs and convenience stores don't count. Up to $6,000 a year, then 1%.

Streaming: 6% on select US streaming subscriptions, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Spotify and YouTube TV.

Not counted: 3% on transit (rideshares, trains, tolls, parking); a Disney streaming credit of up to $120 a year.

Source: American Express, checked October 18, 2026.

Amex Blue Cash Everyday · $0 annual fee

Rewards: Cash back, at 1 cent a point.

Groceries: 3%. Up to $6,000 a year, then 1%.

Gas: 3%. Up to $6,000 a year, then 1%.

Not counted: 3% on US online retail purchases (up to $6,000 a year), counted here at 1% as everything else; Disney streaming credits of up to $84 a year and Home Chef credits of up to $180.

Source: American Express, checked October 18, 2026.

Capital One Venture X · $395 annual fee

Rewards: Capital One miles, valued at 1.8¢ each (valuation).

Not counted: 10x on hotels and rental cars and 5x on flights booked through Capital One Travel; a $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 bonus miles each year; airport lounge access.

Source: Capital One, checked October 18, 2026.

Capital One Venture · $95 annual fee

Rewards: Capital One miles, valued at 1.8¢ each (valuation).

Not counted: 5x on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Source: Capital One, checked October 18, 2026.

Capital One Savor · $0 annual fee

Rewards: Cash back, at 1 cent a point.

Groceries: 3% at grocery stores; superstores such as Walmart and Target, warehouse clubs and convenience stores earn 1%.

Streaming: 3% on popular streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu and Disney+.

Not counted: 3% on entertainment; 5% on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 8% on Capital One Entertainment.

Source: Capital One, checked October 18, 2026.

Citi Strata Premier · $95 annual fee

Rewards: ThankYou points, valued at 1.75¢ each (valuation).

Groceries: 3x at supermarkets; superstores, warehouse clubs and specialty food markets don't count.

Travel: 3x on airlines, hotels and travel agencies; car rentals, cruises and rail earn 1x.

Gas: 3x at gas stations and EV charging.

Not counted: 10x on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel; $100 off one hotel stay of $500 or more a year, booked through Citi Travel.

Source: Citi, checked October 18, 2026.

Citi Double Cash · $0 annual fee

Rewards: ThankYou points, valued at 1.22¢ each (valuation).

1 point when you buy and 1 when you pay. On its own the card transfers to Citi's airline and hotel partners at 1,000 points to 700 (the full rate needs a Strata card), so its points count at 70% of Points Frog's ThankYou estimate, and never below the 1 cent they're worth as cash.

Not counted: 5x on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel.

Source: Citi, checked October 18, 2026.

Wells Fargo Active Cash · $0 annual fee

Rewards: Cash back, at 1 cent a point.

Not counted: Nothing: it earns 2% on everything, with no categories or caps.

Source: Wells Fargo, checked October 18, 2026.

Wells Fargo Autograph · $0 annual fee

Rewards: Wells Fargo Rewards points, valued at 1.6¢ each (valuation).

Transfers to Wells Fargo's airline and hotel partners on its own, generally 1 to 1.

Travel: 3x on airlines, hotels, car rentals, cruises and travel agencies, and on transit.

Gas: 3x at gas stations and EV charging.

Streaming: 3x on streaming services.

Not counted: 3x on phone plans. Wells Fargo says bonus points may not be earned through mobile wallets, online marketplaces or third-party payment accounts; the calculator assumes they are.

Source: Wells Fargo, checked October 18, 2026.

Credit card rewards questions

Are welcome bonuses included?

No. Welcome offers change often, differ from person to person and pay out once, while this calculator compares what each card earns year after year. A big welcome offer can make a card the best choice for its first year; compare it separately, along with the spending it requires.

Do annual statement credits count?

No. Credits for dining, travel, rideshares or streaming are worth their face value only if you'd have spent that money anyway, and they often come with conditions. The card list on this page names each card's main credits so you can add the ones you'd really use.

Should I use more than one credit card?

Pairing cards can earn more than any single card: one for dining and groceries and a flat 2% card for everything else, for example. Some no-fee cards also earn transferable points only when you hold the same bank's premium card. This calculator compares one card at a time, so treat its answer as the best single card.

Why are points from different cards worth different amounts?

Points Frog values each rewards currency by what it typically gets when transferred to airline and hotel partners, and cash back at 1 cent. Points you redeem for cash or gift cards are usually worth less than these estimates, and an outstanding award flight can be worth more.

Does Points Frog get paid for these card recommendations?

No. There are no affiliate links on this page, and the ranking is only the arithmetic: each card's published earn rates and fee, with points valued at Points Frog's estimates.

Is this credit card calculator financial advice?

No. It is an educational estimate. Approval depends on your credit, card terms change, and carrying a balance costs far more in interest than any card earns in rewards. Check the issuer's current terms before you apply.