Credit Card Points: Understanding Category Multipliers to Unlock Travel Potential
There are more ways to earn credit card points than just with sign up bonuses. Our family takes advantage of category multipliers, also known as bonus categories, which can help us earn 2X, 3X, 4X, or more points in certain categories if we use the right card. Whether you’re ordering takeout, booking flights, or buying groceries, knowing which cards to use for specific purchases can help you maximize points and make your dream trip a reality.
What are category multipliers?
Category multipliers are credit card points bonus rates offered on certain spending categories. For example, a card may offer 3X points on dining or 5X points on travel bookings. Instead of earning the standard one point per dollar, you earn significantly more in specific categories.
Why They’re Valuable:
- Faster Rewards: Multipliers let you rack up points quickly without spending extra money.
- Maximizing Everyday Spending: By using the right card for each purchase, you earn more credit card points on the money you’re already spending.
- Boost for Big Purchases: Categories like travel and dining are often major expenses, so getting more points back on your spend easily amplifies your earning potential. And don’t forget that ordering takeout often counts as dining, in addition to dining inside a restaurant, so that weekly Friday pizza night could be a big points earner for your family!
Most Valuable Credit Cards by Spending Category
Here are some of the top credit cards for earning points in popular spending categories. It’s a great idea to have one in your wallet that corresponds with the areas where your family might spend the most.
1. Dining
Chase Sapphire Preferred®
- Category Multiplier: 3X points on dining.
- Why It’s Valuable: Perfect for foodies or families dining out or ordering takeout, with points transferable to popular travel partners like Hyatt, Southwest, and United.
American Express® Gold Card
- Category Multiplier: 4X points at restaurants.
- Why It’s Valuable: Great for those who prioritize dining experiences, with access to Amex Membership Rewards. Popular transfer partners for Amex Membership Rewards include Marriott, Hilton, and the Air France-KLM Flying Blue program—a favorite for American families who want to visit Europe via Paris.
2. Groceries
American Express® Gold Card
- Category Multiplier: 4X points at US supermarkets (up to $25,000 annually).
- Why It’s Valuable: Ideal for families, turning everyday grocery runs into significant travel rewards, because we all know that our main role as parents is snack man/lady.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Category Multiplier: 6% cashback on U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 annually).
- Why It’s Valuable: Great for cashback enthusiasts looking to offset grocery bills. Keep in mind that cashback from American Express cannot be converted into points, as it can with a Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points, so this one is just to get more money back in your hands.
Chase Freedom Flex℠
- Category Multiplier: 5% cashback on rotating quarterly categories (often includes groceries), on up to $1,500 in combined purchases.
- Why It’s Valuable: This card is versatile for maximizing rewards during quarters when groceries are featured.
In past years, the Chase Freedom Flex® offered the following 5% cashback categories by quarter:
- Q1 (January – March): Grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target), fitness clubs, and self-care services such as spas.
- Q2 (April – June): Amazon, Whole Foods, hotel bookings directly or via Chase Travel, and restaurants.
- Q3 (July – September): Gas stations, EV charging, live entertainment, and movie theaters.
- Q4 (October – December): McDonald’s, PayPal, pet shops and vet services, and select charities including organizations like UNICEF, Feeding America, and Habitat for Humanity.
Each quarter, you could earn 5% cashback or 5X points: cashback can be converted to Ultimate Rewards® points when paired with a premium card (Chase Saphhire Preferred®, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or Ink Business Preferred®). But keep in mind that you have to register each quarter to activate the bonus categories and strategically plan spending within these categories to maximize rewards. If you’re someone who wants more of a set it and forget it approach, this card isn’t for you.
3. Travel
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Category Multiplier: 3X points on travel (after using the $300 annual travel credit).
- Why It’s Valuable: Excellent for frequent travelers with premium perks like lounge access and travel insurance.
Capital One Venture Rewards Card
- Category Multiplier: 2X miles on every purchase, including travel.
- Why It’s Valuable: A straightforward option for earning miles with no category restrictions. This card is great for anyone who wants to earn extra points without having too think too much about rotating cards. Popular Capital One transfer partners include Wyndham and Choice hotels and British Airways.
4. Gas Stations
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
- Category Multiplier: 3X points on gas.
- Why It’s Valuable: Perfect for road trippers or commuters who spend heavily on fuel. Citi ThankYou points can be transferred to Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines, and Choice and Wyndham hotels, among others.
Citi Custom Cash® Card
- Category Multiplier: Automatically earns 5% cashback (in the form of ThankYou points) on your highest spending category each billing cycle, up to $500 spent.
- Why It’s Valuable: If gas is your top monthly expense, this card adapts to reward you without requiring a dedicated gas card. It’s perfect for those with fluctuating spending habits.
5. Office Supplies and Internet
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
- Category Multiplier: 5X points on office supplies, internet, and phone services (up to $25,000 annually).
- Why It’s Valuable: Designed for small businesses, but sole proprietors can use it for side hustles or freelancing. Pro tip: also use this card to buy gift cards from office supply stores to get 5X on stores or brands where you may spend a lot but don’t have a category multiplier in your wallet—like Amazon. You can typically also find Airbnb, airline, and Disney gift cards, which can be used at Disney parks, at office supply stores and get 5X on those purchases.
Best Cards for “Everything Else” Spending
Not every purchase fits neatly into a bonus category, but that doesn’t mean you should miss out on earning rewards. Here are some top credit cards for everyday, uncategorized spending:
1. Citi® Double Cash Card
- Earning Rate: 2% back on all purchases (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay).
- Why It’s Valuable: Simple, flat-rate rewards with no need to track categories.
2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Earning Rate: 2X miles on all purchases.
- Why It’s Valuable: Flexible rewards that can be redeemed for travel, statement credits, or transferred to partners, like airlines and hotels. I hold this card, and it’s a favorite of mine for how easy it is to get 2X on everything I buy.
3. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Earning Rate: 1.5% back on all purchases, plus bonus rates for travel, dining, and drugstores through Ultimate Rewards®.
- Why It’s Valuable: Combine these points with a Sapphire card to maximize travel redemptions. I also hold this card and use it often for those everyday spending categories, especially if we’re strategically trying to earn Ultimate Rewards® points for a specific redemption.
4. American Express Blue Business® Plus Credit Card
- Earning Rate: 2x Membership Rewards® points on the first $50,000 of annual spending (1x after that).
- Why It’s Valuable: Perfect for those with everyday expenses that don’t fit into other bonus categories, especially for those who are frequent travelers on Amex transfer partners.
5. Discover it® Miles
- Earning Rate: Unlimited 1.5x miles on all purchases.
- Why It’s Great: New cardholders get their rewards matched at the end of the first year. Discover doesn’t have any airline or hotel transfer partners, making it a less popular option with rewards travelers, but you can “erase” travel purchases with your points on their website.
Why These Cards Shine
Flat-rate earning cards are ideal for uncategorized expenses, large one-off purchases, or times when you’re unsure which card to use. They’re perfect for simplifying your strategy while still earning valuable rewards.
How to Remember Which Card to Use for Each Purchase
Maximizing credit card points rewards means trying to always using the right card in the right situation—but keeping track can be tricky! Here are a few tips to make it easier.
1. Use the CardPointers App
The CardPointers app is a lifesaver for organizing your credit cards. It tracks your cards and spending categories, sending reminders about which card to use for maximum rewards based on your location and purchase type. I started with the free version but ended up upgrading to a lifetime membership since it was so useful.
2. Add Credit Card Stickers
Use Credit Card Categories Stickers to label your cards with spending categories. For example, a sticker might say “Dining” or “Groceries,” helping you remember at a glance which card is best for each purchase when you look in your wallet.
3. Create a Cheat Sheet
Write a simple cheat sheet listing your cards and their bonus categories. Keep it in your wallet or save it on your phone for easy reference.
4. Organize Your Wallet
Arrange your cards in your wallet by spending categories. For instance, keep dining cards in one section and grocery cards in another to quickly grab the right one.
5. Set Notifications
Many card apps allow you to set spending reminders or alerts. Use these to nudge yourself when making a purchase in a specific category.
6. Leverage Habit Stacking
Make a habit of reviewing your cards each time you check your budget or pay your bills. Over time, this can help you remember the best card for each category.
Tips for Maximizing Credit Card Points with Category Multipliers
- Track Spending Habits: Know where you spend most, whether it’s dining, groceries, gas, or something else.
- Match Cards to Categories: Use a card optimized for each purchase category.
- Combine Points: Pair a no-annual-fee card with a premium card for transfer options (e.g., Chase Sapphire Preferred® and Ink Business Unlimited®).
- Time Big Purchases: Plan significant expenses to align with multiplier benefits, such as holiday travel or home upgrades.
Final Thoughts
Category multipliers are one of the simplest ways to supercharge your points-earning strategy. By using credit cards that align with your spending habits, you can stretch your budget and earn rewards faster. Whether you’re stocking up on groceries, enjoying a family meal out, or booking flights, there’s a card that can maximize every dollar.
Now’s the time to start stacking your points—and bring your travel dreams to life!
If you have any questions or need further advice feel free to email me or send me a message on Instagram. I’m always happy to share more tips and insights to help you improve your family’s adventures.
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