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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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7 types of purchases you should make with your Capital One Venture Rewards card
Katie Genter is a digital nomad who has traveled full time since June 2017. She writes and edits stories about points and miles, and loyalty programs, often letting her personal experiences color these stories.
September 24, 2026 • 8 min read
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Quick summary
Many purchases fall outside typical bonus categories, resulting in only base rewards with most cards.
Everyday spending cards can help maximize rewards on purchases that do not qualify for bonus categories.
Such cards offer a consistent elevated earning rate on all eligible purchases, regardless of merchant coding.
This approach provides flexibility and simplicity, especially for those who prefer using a single card for various expenses.
What to consider
Some cards with rotating or customizable categories may offer higher rewards on select purchases.
Always compare potential bonus rewards from other cards before using an everyday spending card for a specific purchase.
For certain expenses like taxes, tuition or utilities, consider whether any processing fees outweigh the value of earning rewards.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of which everyday expenses typically do not earn bonus rewards and how to strategically use an everyday spending card to maximize returns.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
It’s easy to earn bonus rewards on most purchases. For example, most of my purchases fall into the travel, gas, dining and grocery bonus categories offered by many of the best rewards credit cards.
However, you may occasionally need to make a purchase that doesn’t fall into a bonus category on any of your cards. You don't have to settle for earning just 1 point per dollar (or 1% cash back) on these purchases, though. Instead, you can use one of the best credit cards for everyday spending.
One of our favorite everyday spending cards here at The Points Guy is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. So, I decided to see just how many types of purchases I could come up with that wouldn’t earn bonus rewards on most of the best rewards credit cards, but would earn at least 2 miles per dollar spent with the Capital One Venture Rewards. Here's what I found.
Why the Capital One Venture Rewards is good for all types of purchases
Since the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns at least 2 miles per dollar spent on every eligible purchase, you don’t have to worry about how each purchase will be coded.
This makes it an appealing option if you prefer to consolidate to a single card, or if you simply need an everyday spending card for purchases that don't earn more bonus rewards when made with other cards.
You can earn bonus rewards when fueling up if you use one of the best cards for gas purchases. And you can often snag bonus rewards on tolls, parking and rental cars when you use one of the best cards for travel purchases. But you generally won’t earn bonus rewards on other automotive expenses, including:
Automotive repairs
Body repair shops, tire repair shops and paint shops
Car washes
Motor vehicle parts and supplies
Towing services
Vehicle purchases, including cars, trucks, boats, campers, trailers, motorcycles, motorhomes and snowmobiles
Since I’m a digital nomad, I don’t have any home improvement or furnishing expenses. But I know many people who have moved recently who seem to be racking up costs on home repairs and furniture. And unfortunately, the following types of purchases usually don’t earn bonus rewards:
Carpet and upholstery cleaning services
Drapery and fabric stores
Furniture and carpet stores
Furniture reupholstering shops
Glassware and crystal stores
Home repairs, including general contractor services
Landscaping and horticultural services
Purchases from nurseries and lawn or garden supply stores
Swimming pool sales and services
Granted, a card like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card can earn 6% cash back (for the first year, then 3%) with select online shopping merchants or home improvement and furnishings merchants if you choose either of these as your category (on up to $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter; then 1%).
TOM WERNER/GETTY IMAGES
The Customized Cash Rewards card can offer a stronger return on eligible purchases, especially during the first year. But its bonus categories are capped, whereas the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns at least 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible purchases, with no cap.
It can be challenging to determine how specialty stores will code. So, I generally assume I won’t earn bonus rewards and instead use an everyday spending card when shopping at the following types of stores:
Art and craft shops
Art dealers and galleries
Bicycle shops
Bookstores
Camera and photo supply stores
Cosmetic stores
Duty-free stores
Hobby, toy and game shops
Music stores
Newsstands
Pet stores
Shops that primarily sell precious stones, metals or jewelry
Specialty clothing stores
Sporting goods stores
Stationery stores
Used merchandise stores
The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card might earn better on some of these purchases, depending on what you've selected as your two 5% cash-back categories (on up to $2,000 in combined purchases each quarter). However, if you use the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you know you’ll earn at least 2 miles per dollar spent on all your eligible purchases.
The information for the U.S. Bank Cash+ has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
As such, if you incur frequent healthcare costs, you should use an everyday spending card such as the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. By doing so, you can earn more rewards on these unavoidable expenses.
Miscellaneous services
Many other services aren’t classified as bonus category purchases on most rewards cards. In particular, I generally don’t expect the following services to earn bonus rewards:
Catering services
Cleaning services
Clothing and costume rental services
Courier services
Dating services
Detective and protective services
Exterminating and disinfecting services
Florist services
Funeral services and crematoriums
Hair salons and barbers
Health and beauty spas
Laundry and dry cleaning services
Legal and attorney services
Management, consulting and public relations services
Of course, these services may earn bonus rewards in some situations. For example, photography services offered at a hotel may earn bonus rewards for travel. And catering services done by a restaurant may earn bonus rewards for dining.
Even if you maximize bonus categories, you'll inevitably have purchases that don't earn extra rewards on any of your cards. That's where an everyday spending card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card can be useful, since eligible purchases earn at least 2 miles per dollar regardless of how the merchant is coded.
Just be sure to check whether another card offers a bonus for your specific purchase. And, for expenses like taxes, tuition and utilities, check whether any credit card fee outweighs the rewards you'll earn.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
