Maximize Your Rewards: Top 10 Bonus Categories for Earning Points and Miles

If you’re looking to earn more travel rewards points or miles, bonus categories are a great way to do it. Bonus categories are specific spending categories that offer elevated earning rates for points or miles on certain credit cards. These bonus categories change quarterly or annually and can be incredibly lucrative if you use the right cards at the right time.

Here are some of the most popular bonus categories for earning points/miles:

1. Dining

Dining is one of the most common bonus categories across many credit card issuers. Typically, these bonuses apply to restaurants and fast-food establishments, but some cards also include bars and cafes as well. For example, Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 2X points on dining while Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers 4% cashback on dining purchases.

2. Groceries

Grocery spending can also earn you extra points or miles with select credit cards. Some card issuers may only offer bonuses for groceries purchased from supermarkets while others include all grocery stores like Walmart and Target too! The American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card offers 6% cashback on up to $6,000 in U.S supermarket purchases per year.

3. Gas Stations

Frequent road trippers will love this category! Many credit card companies offer expanded earning potential when paying for gas at gas stations – just be sure to check out what types of gas stations qualify beforehand because it varies by issuer sometimes! For instance, Discover It Chrome offers 2% cashback on up to $1k in combined purchases at gas stations & restaurants each quarter (then 1%).

4. Travel Expenses

Travel expenses such as flights, hotels, car rentals etc., tend to have higher purchase amounts which makes them perfect candidates for rewarding bonuses offered by many travel rewards credit cards! The Chase Sapphire Reserve provides triple points per $1 spent on all travel expenses including airfare/hotels/cars/rideshares/etc!

5. Department Stores

While not as common as other categories, some credit cards offer bonus rewards for purchases made at department stores. These bonuses usually apply to general merchandise and apparel but can vary by issuer. Examples include the Citi Rewards+ Card which offers 2x points on purchases at grocery stores & gas stations plus 1x points on all other purchases (up to $6k spent annually)!

6. Streaming Services

As more people shift towards online streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu, some credit card companies have started offering bonus rewards for these expenses! The American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card offers a whopping 6% cashback on select streaming subscriptions like Netflix/Hulu/Spotify etc.

7. Internet/Cable/Phone Bills

Another category that has become popular in recent years is internet/cable/phone bills because of how much people rely on them nowadays! Some issuers may also include utilities or insurance payments too! The U.S Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card awards 5% cashback up to $2k in combined spending per quarter in two chosen categories including home utilities!

8. Rotating Quarterly Categories

Some credit cards offer rotating quarterly categories with varying bonuses each quarter – this means it’s important to stay up-to-date with your card issuer’s specific calendar so you don’t miss out on any potential earnings opportunities! One example of a card that does this is Discover It where they provide revolving categories each quarter that award increased earning rates depending upon what type of purchase(s) are being made during said period.

9. Office Supply Stores

Business owners who frequently shop for office supplies should take advantage of the many bonus rewards offered by various credit cards – the Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card provides 5% cashback at office supply stores (up to $25k per year).

10. Entertainment Expenses

Entertainment expenses such as concerts, sporting events etc., when purchased through certain merchants can also qualify for bonus rewards! The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers 4% cashback on entertainment expenses including movies, plays, concerts and more!

In conclusion, earning points/miles through bonus categories is a great way to maximize your spending and get the most out of your credit cards. Whether it’s dining out or buying groceries, there are plenty of bonus categories available to earn extra rewards points/miles. Just remember to check the terms and conditions of each credit card before making any purchases so you can take full advantage of the bonuses available.