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Best Credit Cards That Offer Customizable Rewards in 2025
February 6, 2025
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When it comes to credit card rewards, one size doesn’t always fit all. Customizable rewards credit cards give you the power to choose your bonus categories or automatically reward you in the categories where you spend most. Instead of being stuck with preset rewards like 3% on groceries or gas only, these cards offer flexibility – you might earn 5% on your top spending category this month, or pick a category like travel or dining to get extra cash back each quarter.
This flexibility can translate to serious rewards if used wisely, though it may require a bit more effort. Why now? Customizable rewards are gaining popularity as banks roll out new offers. Clearly, card issuers see value in letting customers tailor rewards. Should you get in on the trend? Let’s break down what these cards are and which ones rise to the top.
What Are Customizable Rewards Credit Cards?
Customizable rewards cards are a middle ground between flat-rate cards and traditional bonus category cards. With customizable cards, the bonus categories can change according to your spending habits or personal selection.
In practice, there are two main types:
- Choose-Your-Category Cards: You actively select one or more categories from a list (e.g. gas, dining, online shopping) to earn a higher reward rate. Selection is usually done per quarter or month.
- Automatically Adaptive Cards: The card’s rewards system automatically applies the highest reward to whatever category you spent the most on in a period.
How is this different from rotating category cards? Traditional 5% rotating cards have bonus categories that change each quarter, but the bank decides those categories, not you. In contrast, customizable rewards put you in control – you choose the categories. This means you can consistently earn extra rewards in areas that matter to you, rather than hoping the quarterly category aligns with your spending.
Best Customizable Rewards Credit Cards
Now, let’s look at some of the top credit cards with customizable rewards and what each offers. Each of these cards lets you earn extra rewards your way, but they have different strengths. (All information current as of June 2025.)
Citi Custom Cash® Card
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Highlights: 5% cash back on up to $500 in your highest spend category each billing cycle (from a list including groceries, dining, gas, travel, and more), automatically applied – no activation required. All other purchases earn 1% back. No annual fee.
Why It’s Great: Citi Custom Cash is ultra-flexible. You don’t have to remember to choose a category – whatever you spent the most on in a given month earns 5% back. This is ideal if your spending varies. It also comes with a sign-up bonus and charges no annual fee, making it a high-reward card with low commitment. Some 5% categories here are uncommon and lucrative.
Keep in Mind: The 5% is capped at $500 of spending per cycle – that’s $25 max rewards each month in your top category, or $300 per year. After hitting the cap (or on all other spending) you only earn 1%, so big spenders may want a secondary card for overflow. Also, while the auto-adjusting feature is convenient, optimizers might pair this with another card to cover categories beyond the top one.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
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Highlights: 3% cash back in one category of your choice and 2% at grocery stores/wholesale clubs, on the first $2,500 combined quarterly spend in those bonus areas. All other purchases 1% back. No annual fee.
Why It’s Great: This card is a long-standing favorite for its pick-your-category feature and solid everyday rewards. You can switch your 3% category each month via the BoA app or website to align with upcoming expenses – planning a road trip? Choose gas; holiday shopping? Choose online shopping. The flexibility is yours. BoA’s Preferred Rewards clients can get 25–75% extra rewards on top, which can turn that 3% into up to 5.25% for loyal bank customers. There’s also a nice $200 sign-up bonus and that limited-time 6% first-year offer making it very enticing for new applicants.
Keep in Mind: The $2,500 quarterly cap on 3% + 2% categories means this card is best for moderate spending in bonus areas. If you max out $2,500 each quarter, any further spend in those categories drops to 1% until the next quarter. Also, you must proactively select or confirm your 3% category, or it remains whatever you last chose. Forgetting to update could mean missed rewards – so mark your calendar to review it monthly.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
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Highlights: 5% cash back in two categories of your choice on up to $2,000 combined each quarter, plus 2% in one everyday category of your choice with no cap, and 1% on everything else. No annual fee.
Why It’s Great: The Cash+ is all about customization – more so than most cards. Every quarter, you get to pick two 5% categories, which is rare. For example, you might choose Home Utilities and Streaming Services for summer, then Department Stores and Electronics for the holiday season – tailoring rewards to upcoming spending. The $2,000 quarterly limit at 5% is fairly high relative to some cards, and having an uncapped 2% category on top gives ongoing value. It’s a favorite for those willing to strategize their categories each quarter for maximum benefit.
Keep in Mind: Activation is required – you must select your 5% and 2% categories each quarter before the start of that quarter. If you don’t, you earn only 1% by default on everything, which would be a big lost opportunity. Set reminders every three months to log in and choose. Also, unlike some cards above, it doesn’t adapt automatically – the onus is on you to pick the right categories based on your spending forecast. But if you’re attentive, the payoff is great.
U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3361", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Cash Back Seekers", "headerHint": "1.5% Cash Back Everywhere"} ]]
Highlights: 6% cash back on your first $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter at two retailers of your choice, 3% on your first $1,500 each quarter in one everyday category of choice, and 1.5% on other purchases. Comes with a sign-up bonus; $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 thereafter.
Why It’s Great: This unique card is a powerhouse if you frequently shop at certain big retailers. It essentially lets you “boost” two favorite stores by earning 6% back there. That’s extremely high cash back for store spending, potentially saving $360/year per retailer at the cap. The everyday 3% category and a modest welcome bonus add value. It’s like a customizable mash-up of a store card and a general card.
Keep in Mind: The 6% benefit is capped to $1,500/quarter for each chosen retailer, and you need to re-select retailers quarterly. There’s also the $95 annual fee after year one – which is worth it if you maximize the 6% categories. But if your spending at those stores wanes, you might downgrade to a no-annual-fee alternative. Also, since this card’s value is very retailer-focused, it works best as a supplement to a more general rewards card.
Venmo Credit Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3361", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Cash Back Seekers", "headerHint": "1.5% Cash Back Everywhere"} ]]
Highlights: 3% cash back in your top spending category each month, 2% back in your second-highest category, and 1% on all else. No annual fee. Requires a Venmo account.
Why It’s Great: The Venmo Credit Card brings a modern twist: it automatically calculates where you spent the most and gives you 3% back there, and 2% in the next category – no guessing or manual selection needed.
Keep in Mind: There’s no sign-up bonus on this card and no special 5%/quarter categories – it’s about ongoing simplicity. Also, the categories are broad but some purchases might not neatly fit. Since the 3%/2% are automatic, you have less ability to plan or “game” the system – which is fine for a casual user, but serious maximizers might still prefer choosing categories on another card.
Unsure which spending category gives you the most bang for your buck? Track your expenses for a month. Better yet, use a tool like Kudos Dream Wallet – it analyzes your actual spending patterns to highlight which bonus category (and card) could earn you the most rewards. This way, you can confidently pick a customizable reward card that fits your lifestyle.
Tips to Maximize Customizable Rewards
Choosing the right card is only half the battle – to really maximize your rewards, keep these tips in mind:
Match Categories to Your Budget
Review your last few months of spending by category. Pick a card that aligns with where your money goes. For example, if you spend heavily on groceries and dining, a card that lets you boost one of those categories will outperform a card that rewards a category you seldom use. Always choose the bonus category that you spend the most on, not what you wish you spent on.
Mind the Caps and Calendars
Nearly all customizable rewards cards have limits or time frames. Mark your calendar for any quarterly category selection deadlines or rotations. For instance, set a reminder on the last week of each quarter to log in and select new categories for U.S. Bank Cash+. Also, track your spending towards caps – if you’re nearing that $500 monthly max on Citi Custom Cash, perhaps switch some spending to a different card after hitting it, or plan large purchases early in the next cycle.
Pair with a Flat-Rate Card
These customizable cards shine for bonus categories, but many only give 1% on other purchases. To ensure you’re always earning decent rewards, consider pairing your customizable card with a good flat-rate cashback card. As one expert nerdily puts it: if your spending is all over the place, you might even be “better off with a flat-rate cash-back card that doesn't require category tracking”. Using a flat-rate card for “other” purchases and your customizable card for its bonus categories is a winning combo.
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FAQ: Customizable Rewards Cards
What does it mean if a credit card has “customizable rewards”?
It means the card’s rewards program is flexible and can adapt to your spending. Typically, it lets you choose which purchase categories earn higher rewards, or the card automatically gives higher rewards in the categories you spend most on. For example, instead of a fixed 3% on groceries always, a customizable rewards card could let you pick groceries this month and gas next month, or just automatically reward whichever you spent more on. This gives you more control over earning the maximum cash back or points where you personally spend the most.
How is this different from 5% rotating category cards?
Rotating category cards have bonus categories that change periodically, but the card issuer decides those categories in advance. With customizable rewards cards, you get to decide the categories. In short: rotating cards = bank chooses the 5% category for everyone; customizable cards = you choose your bonus category. Both require a bit of management, but customizable cards offer personalization to fit your unique spending habits.
What kinds of bonus categories can I usually choose from?
It varies by card, but common choose-your-own categories include: gasoline/EV charging, groceries, dining/restaurants, travel, online shopping, drugstores, home improvement, and sometimes entertainment or streaming services. For instance, Bank of America’s card has 6 category options. Some cards go beyond: U.S. Bank’s programs include niche categories like utilities or furniture stores, and the Citi Custom Cash’s automatic categories range from live entertainment to transit. Always check the card’s category list – pick a card that offers categories you actually spend in!
Are there any limits or catches to these customizable rewards?
Usually yes, there are limits. Most of these cards cap the amount of spending eligible for the highest reward rate. For example, 5% might apply only to the first $500 you spend in that category per month, or the first $2,500 per quarter, etc. After that, the rate drops. Also, many require you to opt in or choose categories in advance for each period – if you forget, you may earn a lower rate by default. And don’t forget annual fees if applicable. The “catches” are usually just to prevent unlimited high rewards, but with a bit of planning, these cards can still be extremely rewarding.
Who would benefit most from a customizable rewards credit card?
Strategic maximizers and people with non-traditional spending patterns. If your spending doesn’t neatly fit into the usual bonus card mold, a customizable card lets you boost what matters to you. Also, deal-savvy folks who don’t mind a little homework each month or quarter can squeeze a lot of value by switching categories or using multiple cards in tandem. On the other hand, if you find all this too much hassle, you might be happier with a simple flat-rate card – there’s no shame in that. It really comes down to whether you’re willing to engage a bit more in managing your rewards in exchange for higher returns in specific areas.
Conclusion: Customize Your Rewards, Maximize Your Value
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In a world where rewards programs can feel one-size-fits-all, customizable rewards credit cards put the power back in your hands. They’re perfect for those who want their card to fit their life – not the other way around. By choosing a card that aligns with your spending and leveraging its flexibility, you can unlock significantly more cash back or points over the year than you would with a generic rewards card.
Finally, remember that the best card for customizable rewards is the one that best matches your habits. If you’re unsure which to pick, consider giving Kudos a try. Kudos can analyze your spending and even remind you which card to use for which purchase, ensuring you never miss out on rewards. With the right card and a little strategy, you’ll be well on your way to maximizing rewards – on your terms.
Happy customizing!
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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