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What's the Best Everyday Credit Card?

5 min read

Last Updated: January 17, 2025

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Key Takeaways

Using a credit card for everyday spending could help you build your credit history and earn rewards.
To find the best everyday credit card for you, compare the rewards, interest rates, and fees for different credit cards.
If you want to use an everyday credit card to improve your credit score, keep your credit utilization low and pay bills on time each month.

Using a credit card for everyday purchases has some advantages. It could make tracking expenses a little easier, and with responsible use, it can help you build your credit score. Some credit cards may even offer rewards for the kinds of purchases you usually make. When it comes to everyday spending, the best credit card for you should match your credit needs. Here are a few things to consider while you select the best credit card for everyday spending for you.

Consider your spending habits

Before you choose an everyday credit card, review your expenses. You could track your spending to learn about your credit card needs. Different credit cards offer different benefits and features, so you may have to shop around to find the card that best fits your spending habits. For example, consider credit cards with alerts and built-in expense-tracking tools if you're worried about overspending.

The best credit card for everyday spending could be a rewards card that rewards you for the types of purchases you usually make. So, if you spend a lot of time on the road, a gas and restaurant credit card may help you make the most of your everyday spending.

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Review the interest rates

Knowing your credit card’s interest rate is important, but how much it impacts you depends on your financial behaviors and preferences. You won't owe interest if you repay your credit card statement balance in full before the due date. A credit card’s interest rate may not be as important to you as the other card features if you usually pay off your statement balance every month. On the other hand, if you sometimes carry a balance from one month to the next, your card could accrue interest. If you think you may occasionally carry a balance, a credit card with a low-interest rate could minimize your costs.

Think about your credit history

Your credit history impacts the credit cards you qualify for. If you’ve worked to develop a good or excellent credit score, you may qualify for a rewards card that rewards you for your daily spending. If you’ve never had a credit card before or want to improve a low credit score, a secured credit card, which requires a refundable deposit, may better fit your needs. Using a secured card for everyday spending and then paying your statement balance each month could positively impact your credit score.

Check for fees

Some credit card issuers charge an annual fee. But you can keep more in your pocket with no annual fee. Discover has no annual fee on any of our cards. So you have more money to spend where it matters. Before choosing a rewards credit card, ensure the rewards exceed any annual fees associated with the card. Otherwise, you could spend more on annual fees than you earn in rewards.

Plus, some credit cards assess fees for certain charges, like foreign transaction fees. If you often travel internationally, a card with foreign transaction fees could cost you more. Before applying for a credit card, check the terms and conditions for fees. Note: Discover has no foreign transaction fee.

Should you use a credit card for everyday purchases?

Credit cards have many valuable uses. Some people may want a credit card for emergencies or only use it to cover specific purchases. However, responsibly using a credit card for everyday expenses like gas, groceries, and even your morning coffee could help you build your credit history.

Building credit history with everyday credit card use

If you want to build your credit history or improve your credit score, using your credit card regularly and paying it off every month could help, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. To build your credit this way, keep track of your spending, and avoid spending more than you can afford. You should also maintain a low credit utilization ratio since using more than 30% of your available credit limit may hurt your credit score. For the best results, pay your bills on time each month and try to repay your monthly statement balance in full.

The best rewards credit card for everyday spending

Are you looking to earn rewards for everyday purchases? A rewards credit card with benefits like cash back for eligible purchases may be a good fit.

Some credit cards offer a fixed-rate cash reward. A fixed-rate cash back credit card means you earn at the same rate on any eligible purchase you make.

Other credit cards offer rewards in certain categories, like groceries or restaurants, or bonus categories that rotate monthly or quarterly. You could earn the most rewards by choosing a card that rewards your purchases in a bonus category that matches your spending habits.

Did you know?

Travel rewards credit cards allow you to earn Miles on eligible purchases. With the Discover it^® Miles credit card, you get an unlimited Mile-for-Mile match of all the Miles you earn at the end of your first year, automatically. There is no limit to how much we’ll match.²

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A great everyday credit card could help you build a credit history, improve your credit score with responsible use, and even earn rewards. To find the best card for you, look for an everyday card that meets your financial needs and matches your spending habits. You could make the most of your daily credit card purchases by keeping your balance low and paying your bill on time each month.

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