8. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards — Best flexible category choice

Why it’s great: This card lets you choose a 3% category (gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or select others), 2% at groceries & wholesale clubs, and 1% on everything else—all up to combined quarterly caps. If your spending pattern is lopsided in one category, this customization can beat flat-rate cards. Preferred Rewards members can earn significantly higher effective returns.

Who should get it: Bank of America customers who can take advantage of Preferred Rewards or those who have a single dominant spending category.

Tip: Revisit your 3% choice periodically (monthly/quarterly) if your issuer allows changes, so the card matches seasonal spending.