Does it count?

Card bonuses follow how a store codes the purchase, not what you bought. That's why groceries from Walmart usually don't earn a grocery bonus. Here are plain answers to the questions people ask most.

The rule of thumb: Walmart, Target and other superstores, warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam's Club, BJ's) and most convenience or specialty stores don't count as groceries for most cards. Several cards cap grocery bonuses (e.g. up to $25,000 a year on the Amex Gold).

Does Walmart count as groceries?

Walmart codes as a superstore, so most cards pay only their base rate here — even on groceries. The OnePay CashRewards card earns 3% at Walmart (5% with Walmart+); a flat 2% card is the usual best pick otherwise.

Best card for Walmart →

Does Target count as groceries?

Target codes as a superstore, not groceries, for most cards — including food. Target's own Circle Card saves 5% at Target; otherwise a flat-rate card or a rotating 5% quarter featuring Target wins.

Best card for Target →

Does Costco count as groceries — and which cards does Costco accept?

Costco is a warehouse club: purchases don't count as groceries for most cards. The Costco Anywhere Visa earns 2% here (5% on Costco gas).

Best card for Costco →

Does Walmart Neighborhood Market count as groceries?

Walmart Neighborhood Market stores are grocery stores and often code as groceries, unlike Walmart Supercenters — check your statement to confirm with your card.

Best card for Walmart Neighborhood Market →

Does Sam's Club count as groceries?

Sam's Club is a warehouse club — not groceries for most cards. Unlike Costco, it accepts all major card networks.

Best card for Sam's Club →

Does BJ's count as groceries?

BJ's is a warehouse club — not groceries for most cards. It accepts all major card networks.

Best card for BJ's Wholesale Club →

Does Costco gas count as a gas station?

Costco gas codes as a gas station for most cards; the Costco Anywhere Visa earns 5% here. Pumps take only Visa credit cards.

Best card for Costco Gas →

Does Whole Foods count as groceries?

Whole Foods codes as a grocery store; the Amazon Prime Visa earns 5% here with Prime.

Best card for Whole Foods Market →

Does Instacart count as groceries?

Instacart can code as groceries or as delivery depending on the card — Sapphire Preferred counts it as online groceries (3x).

Best card for Instacart →

Does Amazon count as online shopping?

Amazon codes as online shopping. The Amazon Prime Visa earns 5% with an eligible Prime membership; cards with a U.S. online retail bonus also earn extra here.

Best card for Amazon.com →

Does DoorDash count as dining?

DoorDash codes as food delivery; many cards count delivery as dining.

Best card for DoorDash →

Does Uber Eats count as dining?

Uber Eats codes as food delivery; many cards count delivery as dining.

Best card for Uber Eats →

Does Uber count as travel or transit?

Uber rides code as rideshare/transit for most cards.

Best card for Uber →

Does Lyft count as travel or transit?

Lyft rides code as rideshare/transit for most cards.

Best card for Lyft →

Does Starbucks count as dining?

Starbucks codes as dining, and reloading the Starbucks app usually counts as dining too.

Best card for Starbucks →

Does CVS count as a drugstore?

CVS codes as a drugstore — except CVS locations inside Target, which code as Target.

Best card for CVS Pharmacy →

Does YouTube TV count as streaming?

YouTube TV is on most streaming-bonus lists (e.g. Blue Cash Preferred 6%); billing through Apple or Google may not count.

Best card for YouTube TV →

Does Netflix count as streaming?

Netflix codes as streaming; if you pay through Apple, Google or a bundle, it may not count.

Best card for Netflix →

Does Airbnb count as travel?

Airbnb codes as travel/lodging for most cards.

Best card for Airbnb →

Does Expedia count as travel?

Expedia codes as travel (an online travel agency). Hotel and airline cards often pay more when you book direct.

Best card for Expedia →

Does Best Buy count as an electronics store?

Best Buy codes as an electronics store — a bonus category on cards like U.S. Bank Cash+ (if chosen).

Best card for Best Buy →

Does Home Depot count as home improvement?

The Home Depot codes as a home improvement store.

Best card for The Home Depot →

Does IKEA earn any bonus category?

IKEA codes as a furniture store — usually base rate, except cards with a home furnishings option like Bank of America Customized Cash.

Best card for IKEA →

Does TJ Maxx earn any bonus category?

TJ Maxx codes as a discount clothing store — usually base rate, so a flat 2% card wins.

Best card for TJ Maxx →

Can I earn rewards on car insurance?

Insurance premiums earn only base rate on almost every card — a flat 2% card is the best you can do.

Best card for GEICO →

Does Xfinity count as internet & cable?

Xfinity internet and TV codes as internet/cable — a bonus category for cards like Ink Business Cash and U.S. Bank Cash+.

Best card for Xfinity →

Should I pay utility bills with a credit card?

Utility bills often carry a card convenience fee; check before paying by card.

Best card for PG&E →

Can I earn points on rent?

Bilt lets you pay rent by card without the usual 3% fee and earn Bilt points on housing payments.

Best card for Bilt (rent payments) →

Does GoFundMe count as charity?

GoFundMe donations may not code as charity with every card.

Best card for GoFundMe →

Which card earns the most at Apple?

Apple purchases earn 3% with the Apple Card (when paid with Apple Pay or the card).

Best card for Apple →

Paying somewhere else? Look up any store.