Guide
Credit card category bonuses explained (2026)
Category bonuses are elevated earn rates for specific purchase types — like 4× on dining or 6% at supermarkets. They only apply when the store is categorized the way your card issuer expects.
Quick comparison
| Card | Best for | Earn rate | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Gold | Dining | 4× points | $250 |
| Blue Cash Preferred | Supermarkets | 6% cash back | $95 |
| Sapphire Preferred | Travel | 3–5× points | $95 |
Why most people pick the wrong card
Category bonuses look simple on marketing pages — but how stores are categorized at Walmart, Costco, and delivery apps constantly surprises people.
How Pikt routes smarter than guesswork
Pikt links the cards you already carry, weighs your offers and category earn rates, and tells you the best card to use — with a plain-English explanation and dollar estimate for every purchase. Pikt Checkout names your best card before you click pay. You still pay with your own card. Coming next: Pikt Nearby will name your best card on your lock screen when you're ready to pay in stores. Pikt maps your cards' category rules against actual store data — not assumptions.
Frequently asked questions
- How do stores get categorized?
- Card networks assign each business a spending category — like restaurant, grocery, or gas — that determines which bonus applies.
$49 at Blue Bottle → Amex Gold earns $3.88 (+$3.39 vs default card)
See your personal best cards
Generic advice assumes average spend. Tell us what you spend on, how you redeem, and which cards you carry — we'll name the best one you already hold for each area.
Where does your money go?
Pick your top spending areas and we'll show which of your cards earns most for each.
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