If you’ve spent any amount of time looking for a rewards credit card, you’ve quickly noticed that many of the best offers are for frequent travelers. But the good news is that there are plenty of rewards credit cards designed for those who like to stay closer to home. Rewards credit cards that don’t focus on travel benefits can offer ways to stretch your budget further in the form of cash back.

                By                    Sarah Sharkey
  • Groceries and Streaming
  • Everyday Spending
  • Dining and Entertainment
  • Rotating Categories
  • Straightforward Rewards
  • Which Is Best

Picking out the right credit card rewards opportunity as someone who doesn’t travel often comes down to your spending categories. You’ll want to find a credit card that offers the most bang for your buck in terms of how you spend your money.

5 Best Rewards Credit Cards for People Who Don’t Travel

Here’s a quick guide to the best credit card rewards for people who don’t travel.

Best for: Groceries and streaming

The American Express® Blue Cash Preferred Card comes with an annual fee after the first year. But even with the fee, the card opens the door to worthwhile credit card rewards. For starters, you can earn 6% cash back on up to $6,000 in purchases at U.S. supermarkets, then 1% thereafter. Although this category doesn’t include warehouse stores or superstores, you could still rack up plenty of rewards. All of your cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit.

  • Features: Earn 6% cash back on up to $6,000 in grocery purchases at U.S. supermarkets, then 1% after; earn 6% cash back on select streaming services; earn 3% cash back on transit costs; earn 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redemption options: You receive this cash back in the form of Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed as a statement credit.
  • Bonus: Earn $300 after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months.
  • APR: 0% APR for 12 months; APR of after the intro period.
  • Annual fee:

Best for: Everyday spending

The Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card is a popular option among those looking for a rewards credit card that doesn’t focus on travel perks. The card’s benefits kick off with a $200 welcome bonus after you spend $500 in the first three months. From there, the cash-back rewards continue with rewards of 5% cash back on grocery store purchases of up to $12,000 for the first year. Importantly, the grocery store category doesn’t include Walmart or Target. Plus, there’s no annual fee to keep up with.

Capital One SavorOne Rewards Credit Card

Best for: Dining and entertainment

The Capital One SavorOne Rewards Credit Card is an ideal option for those who enjoy dining out closer to home. You’ll earn unlimited 3% cash back on all of your dining purchases. With that, you can stretch your dining dollars farther. A $0 annual fee is the icing on this impressive cake.

  • Features: Earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, select streaming services and grocery purchases; earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redemption options: You can redeem these rewards, which won’t expire as long as your account is open, through PayPal purchases, check, gift card or a statement credit.
  • Bonus: Earn $200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months.
  • APR: 0% APR for 15 months; APR of after the intro period.
  • Annual fee: $0

Credit Card

Best for: Rotating cash-back categories

Best for: Straightforward rewards

The Citi Double Cash Credit Card offers a somewhat interesting way to get your cash-back rewards. First, you’ll earn 1% cash back on all purchases made with the credit card. But you’ll double your cash back when you make pay off the purchase. In order to get the second 1% cash back, you’ll need to make at least your minimum payment on time.

Which Card Is Right For You?

When selecting a rewards credit card, the first choice people tend to make is between a cash-back rewards credit card and a travel rewards credit card. If you don’t travel on a regular basis, then staying away from travel rewards credit cards is a no-brainer. However, there are still other considerations to keep in mind.

First, you’ll need to keep a close eye on the annual fees. If you don’t spend enough the justify an annual fee, then it’s best to stick to a card that doesn’t have one of these fees attached. Also, take a look at how your spending stacks up to the rewards opportunities. If a particular credit card doesn’t offer rewards for your most frequent purchases, then it’s likely not the best fit.

Additionally, consider your goals for the credit card. If you are planning to make a major purchase, then consider credit cards with a 0% introductory APR to avoid overpaying in interest. And finally, make sure to read the fine print about your redemption options. Some credit cards only offer rewards in the form of statement credits, but others will send you a check.

Ultimately, you have plenty of excellent options. But take a close look at your choices before moving forward with any one option.

Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of Oct. 18, 2022.

  • Are travel credit cards worth it if you don’t spend much?

  • Whether a travel card is worth it depends on the card. If you don’t travel much but want to earn points when you do, consider a card that offers a variety of rewards categories or a travel-specific card that doesn’t have an annual fee.

  • What credit card can be used globally?

  • Many cards are accepted worldwide, especially Visa and Mastercard. For the best cards to use internationally, look for one with no foreign transaction fees, like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card or Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card.

  • Which airline credit card does not have an annual fee?

  • Most airline credit cards do have an annual fee, but the Chase United Gateway card and Delta Skymiles Gold from American Express® are both solid airline cards with no annual fee.

  • Which Capital One credit card is the best for international travel?

  • Capital One has four solid travel rewards cards. If you can earn enough rewards to justify the annual fee, the Venture X offers the most perks and rewards, but if you’d rather not pay an annual fee, the VentureOne Rewards card is also an excellent choice.

  • Whether a travel card is worth it depends on the card. If you don’t travel much but want to earn points when you do, consider a card that offers a variety of rewards categories or a travel-specific card that doesn’t have an annual fee.

  • Many cards are accepted worldwide, especially Visa and Mastercard. For the best cards to use internationally, look for one with no foreign transaction fees, like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card or Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card.

  • Most airline credit cards do have an annual fee, but the Chase United Gateway card and Delta Skymiles Gold from American Express® are both solid airline cards with no annual fee.

  • Capital One has four solid travel rewards cards. If you can earn enough rewards to justify the annual fee, the Venture X offers the most perks and rewards, but if you’d rather not pay an annual fee, the VentureOne Rewards card is also an excellent choice.

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