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.
Advertiser disclosure
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.
Ryan is a former TPG credit cards writer who has been around points and miles for several years and has published content at Miles to Memories, AwardWallet and The Points Guy. His wife joins him on many of his trips, and they enjoy snowboarding, diving, and seeing animals in the wild. When not traveling, Ryan is probably answering questions from his family about how he travels so much and whether this points & miles stuff is illegal.
May 23, 2025 • 18 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Comments
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.
Related stories
Quick summary
Several credit cards offer elevated rewards for commuting expenses, including transit, ride-hailing and parking.
Some products define travel or transit categories broadly, covering a wide range of everyday transportation costs.
Cards with flexible bonus categories or customizable rewards can help maximize returns on commuting, especially for those with varied spending patterns.
TPG’s May 2025 valuations provide guidance on the value of points or cash back earned through these cards.
What to consider
Certain cards cap bonus earnings by category or spending limit each quarter or billing cycle.
Definitions of eligible commuting expenses may vary, so reviewing each card’s terms is important.
Some offers mentioned in the article are no longer available.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of the top cards for commuting, including which types of transit and expenses qualify for bonus rewards.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Credit cards compete for the top spot in your wallet by offering high-value bonus multipliers for purchases in various categories, including travel, dining and groceries.
But even if you spend the bulk of your budget in these categories, you probably aren’t going grocery shopping or buying plane tickets every single day. Not as many cards step up to the plate to offer bonus points on the one thing a lot of us have to do every single day: commute to and from work or school.
If you’re looking to earn bonus points on this often unavoidable expense, here are the top cards you should consider.
The best credit cards for commuting expenses
Card name
Earning rate on commuting
Value of points or cash back earned per dollar spent*
5% cash back (up to $2,000 across chosen bonus categories each quarter)
5 cents
$0
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey® Card
3 points per dollar
4.8 cents
$95 (see rates and fees)
World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees)
2 points per dollar
3.4 cents
$95
*The value of points is based on TPG’s May 2025 valuations (excluding Amtrak Guest Rewards, which is based on these valuations) and is not provided by the credit card issuers.
The information for the American Express Green, Citi Custom Cash Card, U.S. Bank Cash+ and Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
A closer look at the cards you should use for commuting expenses
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card
Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles plus buy one ticket, get one for just the taxes and fees ($0 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days from account opening
Based on TPG's May 2025 valuations, the miles in this welcome offer are worth $750.
Annual fee: $95
THE POINTS GUY
Why we like it: The Alaska Airlines Visa card earns 2 miles per dollar spent on local transit and ride-hailing expenses as well as 2 miles per dollar spent on gas, electric vehicle charging stations, cable and select streaming services. You’ll also earn 3 miles per dollar spent on Alaska Airlines purchases and 1 mile per dollar spent on other purchases.
Welcome offer: The card is no longer accepting applications, therefore it does not have a welcome offer.
Annual fee: $150
THE POINTS GUY
Why we like it: American Express defines “travel” pretty broadly on the Amex Classic Green. This card earns valuable Membership Rewards points, which can be used with some great transfer partners.
With this card, you’ll earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel and transit; the points you earn on commuting expenses represent a 6% return on spending, according to our valuations. You’ll also earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on the card within the first three billing cycles of account opening.
Annual fee: $99
THE POINTS GUY
Why we like it: Cardholders earn 3 points per dollar spent with Amtrak (including onboard purchases) and 2 points per dollar spent on dining, travel, transit and ride-hailing purchases. This covers numerous types of transit, and Amtrak points can be quite valuable.
Additionally, cardholders receive valuable perks at account opening and on each account anniversary, including one-class upgrade awards, a round-trip companion coupon and a station lounge pass.
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Welcome bonus: Earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee: $0
THE POINTS GUY
Why we like it: The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card has no annual fee and earns 6% cash back (for the first year, then 3%) in a category of your choice from the following list:
You'll also earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 per quarter on combined spending in both the elevated earning categories, then 1% back). All other purchases earn 1% cash back. BofA Rewards™ program customers can earn up to 10%-75% more cash back, though this is not applied to the 3% first-year bonus.
Apply here: Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 online bonus points after spending at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee: $95
THE POINTS GUY
Why we like it: The Bank of America Premium Rewards earns 2 points per dollar spent on travel and dining, plus 1.5 points per dollar spent on everything else. Points are worth a flat 1 cent apiece.
Those numbers alone are not impressive and don’t merit a spot on our list of the best cards for commuting. The reason this card enters the list is for those who can maximize the BofA Rewards program.
Depending on your tier in BofA Rewards, you could earn up to 3.5 points per dollar spent on travel with this card, which includes commuting expenses.
Apply here: Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Welcome bonus: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95
THE POINTS GUY
Why we like it: You’ll earn 3% cash back on transit, which includes taxis, ride-hailing apps, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more.
You’ll also earn 6% cash back on up to $6,000 of purchases at U.S. supermarkets each year (then 1% cash back), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
Given that the transit category is defined very broadly and doesn’t have annual earning/spending limits, this card is a great option for people who use multiple forms of transportation and don’t want to pay a high annual fee.
Apply here: Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Based on TPG's May 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $1,388.
Annual fee: $95
THE POINTS GUY
Why we like it: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns 2 Capital One miles per dollar spent on everyday purchases. The simplicity of that is the card’s bread and butter. You’ll also earn 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
The Venture Rewards card also offers a few great travel protections and reimbursement for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Based on TPG's May 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $1,388.
Annual fee: $395
THE POINTS GUY
Why we like it: Like the Venture Rewards card above, the Venture X card earns 2 miles per dollar spent on everyday purchases. You’ll also earn 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals booked through this portal.
The Venture X also offers several travel protections and perks like reimbursement for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, $300 in annual credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel and 10,000 bonus anniversary miles each account anniversary.
Learn more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Based on TPG's May 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $1,538.
Annual fee: $95
THE POINTS GUY
Why we like it: The Sapphire Preferred defines travel broadly and earns valuable Ultimate Rewards points. With this card, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar spent on most travel, including commuting expenses.
You’ll also earn 5 points per dollar spent on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3 points per dollar spent on select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 3 points per dollar spent on dining and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else. Plus, through Sept. 30, 2027, you'll earn 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides.
The Sapphire Preferred has strong earnings on a broad range of categories beyond just commuting expenses, making it a great everyday card for your wallet. Plus, points are transferable to Chase's transfer partners.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Based on TPG's May 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $1,230.
Annual fee: $550
THE POINTS GUY
Why we like it: You’re not going to find the word “commute” anywhere in the fine print on this card, but the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s beloved 3 points per dollar spent on most travel purchases will extend to your morning commute.
You’ll earn bonus Ultimate Rewards points for all the conventional things like airfare and hotels, but you’ll also earn for ride-hailing services like Uber, public transit, toll bridges, highways and even some parking fees.
Chase also has a partnership with Lyft through Sept. 30, 2027, allowing you to earn 5 points per dollar spent on these purchases.
This makes the Sapphire Reserve a great choice for your day-to-day life and your vacations as well. Plus, its annual fee is largely offset by a $300 annual travel credit. This credit is automatically applied to any eligible purchases you make (though note you won’t earn points for the travel this credit reimburses).
So you might even find yourself getting a statement credit for your commute if you pay with a Sapphire Reserve.
Welcome bonus: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.
Annual fee: $0
THE POINTS GUY
Why we like it: You’ll earn 5% back in your top spending category each billing cycle (without the need to choose a category in advance) on the first $500 spent, then 1% back after that.
The nice thing about this is that you can earn elevated cash back on expenses you didn’t foresee, given that it applies automatically to whichever category you spent the most money in during that billing cycle. Categories include select travel and select transit (separate categories), restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment.
If you spend more than $500 per month on transit and commuting, this might not be the right card for you, but if you don't this could be the card for you.
Welcome bonus: Earn a $200 rewards bonus after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee: $0
THE POINTS GUY
Why we like it: The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card has no annual fee and allows you to choose two categories for 5% cash-back earnings and one category for 2% earnings, while all other purchases earn 1% back. Note that your 5% earning is capped at $2,000 in combined spending each quarter in your two chosen categories. Ground transportation is one of the eligible categories.
So, as long as your spending on that category and your other chosen category doesn’t surpass $2,000 in a given quarter, you’ll earn 5% back on all of your daily commuting expenses. That's better than most other cards on the market, especially no-annual-fee cards.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
Based on TPG's May 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $960.
Annual fee: $95
THE POINTS GUY
Why we like it: The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey has impressive earning rates, earning 5 points per dollar spent on hotels, 4 points per dollar spent on airfare, 3 points per dollar spent on travel and dining and 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases.
This card also comes with a $50 annual airfare credit when you spend a minimum of $50 on airline purchases. Your points can be redeemed in a number of ways, including transferring them to Wells Fargo's hotel and airline partners.
Welcome bonus: Earn up to 60,000 points: 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening and up to 30,000 more bonus points by earning 2 bonus points total per $1 spent in the first six months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 point, on up to $15,000 spent.
Annual fee: $95
THE POINTS GUY
Why we like it: The World of Hyatt card offers commuters 2 points per dollar spent on all local transit and commuting expenses, which is great whether you’re heading to a vacation spot or just to work or school. Eligible expenses include taxis, mass transit and ride-hailing services.
The card’s benefits extend to your stays at Hyatt as well. You receive automatic Discoverist status, which is good for travelers who don’t frequent Hyatt. You’ll also receive five elite night credits from the card automatically and two additional night credits for every $5,000 you spend on the card in a calendar year. And best of all, when you renew the card, you’ll receive a Category 1-4 free night each year.
Of course, the cards mentioned above are primarily geared toward transit purchases. In smaller cities (or for those without public transportation options), you may find yourself driving to work or school. In that case, you may be better off selecting a great credit card for gas purchases. While this won’t help with transit purchases, it could be a great option for filling up your tank.
Commuting to and from work can make a long day even longer. While you can’t cut your commute time by carrying the right credit cards, you can get a good amount of points or cash back on transit expenses.
Some of the cards with the best “travel” bonus categories include very broad definitions that will cover your morning commute, no matter how many wheels are on the vehicle helping you get there.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred card, click here.
Updated 08/03/2026.
Comments
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.
