As a seasoned travel credit card enthusiast, I’m always on the hunt for the best ways to maximize my rewards. Fixed-rate cards are great for simplicity, and bonus rewards cards focusing on common categories like gas and groceries are fantastic, but I’ve discovered that cards with customizable rewards offer a sweet spot. These gems let you tailor your rewards to your specific spending habits, essentially turning everyday purchases into opportunities to earn more. So, let’s dive into my top picks for credit cards with customizable rewards.

#

Why Customizable Rewards Credit Cards Are a Game Changer

Many people find themselves torn between the simplicity of flat-rate rewards and the potentially higher earnings of bonus category cards. Customizable rewards cards bridge this gap beautifully. They let you earn bonus rewards on your most frequent purchases, providing flexibility that aligns perfectly with your lifestyle. Some allow you to choose your categories, while others adapt automatically to your spending patterns. In essence, these cards empower you to personalize your rewards strategy, maximizing your returns on everyday expenses. I find this approach incredibly valuable because my spending fluctuates, and these cards adapt with me.

#

My Top Customizable Rewards Credit Card Picks

After extensive research and personal experience, here are the customizable rewards credit cards that consistently stand out in my wallet:

* American Express® Business Gold Card: Ideal for businesses with significant spending in specific categories. * Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card: A smart choice for shoppers at wholesale clubs. * Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card: An excellent option for small businesses and freelancers. * Citi Custom Cash® Card: Unmatched flexibility for those seeking effortless optimization. * Chase Freedom Flex®: Perfect for those who enjoy maximizing rotating quarterly categories. * U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card: Offers a compelling 5% cash back on popular spending categories. * U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card: Excellent for shopping.

#

Side-by-Side Comparison of Customizable Rewards Cards

To help you compare these cards, here’s a breakdown of their key features:

| Card | Welcome Offer | Earning Rate | Annual Fee | | :——————————————————————————————————————————————————

| [American Express Business Gold Card](https://thepointsguy.com/apply-now/american-express-business-gold-card/?tid=post) | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership. | \ Earn 4 points per dollar spent on the two eligible categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle, on the first $150,000 in combined purchases per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar). \ Earn 3 points per dollar spent on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com. \* Earn 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases. | $375 | | [Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card](https://thepointsguy.com/apply-now/bank-of-america-cash-rewards-credit-card/?tid=post) | Earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days from account opening. Plus, earn 6% cash back (for the first year, then 3%) in one of the following categories for the first year: Gas and electric vehicle charging stations, online shopping (including cable, streaming, internet and phone services), dining, travel, drugstores, or home improvement/furnishings | \ Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice. \ Earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. \ Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. \On up to $2,500 in purchases per quarter, then 1% cash back | $0 | | [Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard](https://thepointsguy.com/apply-now/bank-of-america-cash-rewards-for-business-mastercard-credit-card/?tid=post) | Get a $300 online statement credit after making at least $3,000 in purchases within 90 days from account opening. | \ Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice. \ Earn 2% cash back on dining. \ Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. \On up to $50,00 in purchases per year, then 1% cash back | $0 | | [Citi Custom Cash Card](https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/reviews/citi-custom-cash-review/) | Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months from account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. | \ Earn 5% on your top eligible spending category, on up to $500 spent each billing cycle (then 1%). \ Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. \* Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel. | $0 | | [Chase Freedom Flex](https://thepointsguy.com/apply-now/chase-freedom-flex/?tid=post) | Earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. | \ Earn 5% on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. \ Earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. \ Earn 3% on dining, including takeout. \ Earn 3% at drugstores. \* Earn 1% on all other eligible purchases. | $0 | | [U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card](https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/reviews/us-bank-cash-plus-review/) | Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days from account opening. | \ Earn 5% cash back on the first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter in two categories of your choice. \ Earn 2% cash back on another category of your choice each quarter. \* Earn 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases. | $0 | | [U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card](https://www.usbank.com/credit-cards/shopper-cash-rewards-visa-signature-card.html) | Earn $250 cash back after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 120 days from account opening. | \ Earn 6% cash back at two retailers of your choice from a list of 24. \ Earn 3% cash back on one everyday category of your choice. \ Earn 1.5% cash back on all other eligible. \On your first $1,500 in eligible purchases each quarter, then 1.5% cash back | $0 annual fee the first year, then $95 |

#

In-Depth Look at the Best Customizable Rewards Cards

Let’s delve deeper into each of these cards, examining their pros, cons, and ideal user profiles:

##

American Express Business Gold: For High-Spending Businesses

For those with established businesses, the American Express Business Gold Card is a powerhouse. It offers a generous welcome bonus and rewards businesses handsomely for common expenses. While the $375 annual fee might seem steep, the potential rewards and statement credits can easily offset it. I particularly appreciate the 4x points on the top two spending categories, which include advertising, computer software, gas, and restaurants. For my business, this is a goldmine since online advertising and software subscriptions are substantial expenses. If you can maximize the $150,000 spending threshold, you could earn a substantial number of Membership Rewards points, which can be used for travel or other valuable redemptions. I value Membership Rewards points highly because of their flexibility and transferability to airline and hotel partners.

##

Bank of America Customized Cash: Wholesale Club Champion

If you frequent wholesale clubs like Costco or Sam’s Club, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a solid choice. It offers 2% cash back at these stores and grocery stores, making it ideal for stocking up on essentials. The card also lets you choose a 3% cash-back category from gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores, or home improvement/furnishings. In the first year, this category earns 6%! I usually choose online shopping since my streaming services, internet and phone bills qualify, boosting my rewards. Keep in mind that the elevated rates apply to the first $2,500 in combined choice category, grocery and wholesale club purchases each quarter, so factor that into your spending strategy.

##

Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash: Small Business Starter

The Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard is an excellent no-annual-fee option for freelancers and small business owners. It allows you to separate your business and personal finances while earning rewards on relevant expenses. The card offers 3% cash back in a category of your choice: gas and EV charging stations (default), office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom and wireless, computer services, or business consulting services. I find this card beneficial for tracking business spending without the pressure of a high annual fee.

##

Citi Custom Cash: The Ultimate Flexibility Card

The Citi Custom Cash Card is a standout for its unmatched flexibility. It automatically rewards you with 5% back on your top spending category each billing cycle (on up to the first $500 spent). With a wide range of eligible categories, including restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment, it’s easy to maximize your earnings. There’s no need to activate categories or track spending; the card does the work for you.

Moreover, if you also carry a premium Citi ThankYou Rewards card like the Citi Strata Premier℠ Credit Card, you can combine the points you earn with the Custom Cash and transfer them to travel partners, unlocking even greater value.

##

Chase Freedom Flex: Rotating Quarterly Rewards Ace

The Chase Freedom Flex is a popular choice for its rotating quarterly bonus categories. Each quarter, Chase designates specific categories where you can earn 5% back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases. I enjoy the challenge of planning my spending around these categories, and the card also offers 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel and 3% on dining and drugstore purchases. Don’t forget to activate the categories each quarter on your Chase account to earn the elevated rewards rate. Also, if you have a premium Chase Ultimate Rewards card, you can transfer the cash back earned with the Freedom Flex to that card and convert it into transferable Ultimate Rewards points for enhanced travel benefits.

##

U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature: Maximizing Cash Back Across Categories

The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card is a cash-back powerhouse, allowing you to earn 5% cash back on the first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter in two categories of your choice. The selection of categories is diverse, including fast food, home utilities, TV/internet/streaming, department stores, and more. You can also choose a 2% category from gas stations, EV charging stations, grocery stores and grocery delivery, or restaurants. This card is ideal for those who want to target specific spending areas and maximize their cash-back earnings.

##

U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Visa Signature: Shopping Focused Rewards

This card offers 6% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter at two merchants of your choice from a list of 24, including Amazon, Apple, Best Buy, Home Depot, Target, and more. You also get 3% cash back on one everyday category of your choice (gas stations/EV charging, bills/home utilities, or wholesale clubs) up to $1,500 per quarter, and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. I find this particularly appealing for those loyal to specific brands.

#

Making the Right Choice: Tailoring Your Rewards

Choosing the right customizable rewards card depends on your individual spending habits and preferences. If you have a business with high expenses in specific categories, the American Express Business Gold Card could be a lucrative option. If you frequent wholesale clubs, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card might be a good fit. For those who prefer maximum flexibility, the Citi Custom Cash Card is a clear winner. The Chase Freedom Flex offers rotating quarterly rewards, while the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card allows you to target specific spending areas for optimal cash back. Lastly, the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards card is ideal if you are loyal to certain brands.

Consider your spending patterns, annual fees, and redemption options when making your decision. I personally use a combination of these cards to maximize my rewards across different spending categories.

#

Final Thoughts

Credit cards with customizable rewards are powerful tools for optimizing your spending and earning more. By understanding the benefits and nuances of each card, you can choose the perfect option to align with your unique needs and unlock a world of rewards. Whether you prefer cash back or travel rewards, a customizable rewards card can help you achieve your financial goals and make the most of your everyday purchases. So go ahead, explore your options, and start tailoring your rewards today!