The best credit cards for your commuting expenses

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

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

*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 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 within the first 90 days of opening your account. Plus, after account opening, receive a 30% flight discount code for a future qualifying flight.

Based on TPG’s May 2025 valuations, the miles in this welcome offer are worth $900.

Annual fee: $95

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.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature.

Apply here: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature

American Express Green Card

Welcome offer: Earn 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.

Based on TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $800. 

Annual fee: $150

Why we like it: American Express defines “travel” pretty broadly on the Amex 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.

To learn more, check out our full review of the American Express Green Card.

Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard

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

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

Why we like it: The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card has no annual fee and earns 3% cash back in a category of your choice from the following list:

• • Gas and EV charging stations
  • Online shopping/cable/internet/phone plans/streaming
  • Dining
  • Travel
  • Drugstores/pharmacies
  • Home improvement/furnishings

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 3% and 2% categories, then 1% back). All other purchases earn 1% cash back. Bank of America Preferred Rewards® customers can earn up to 25%-75% more cash back.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards.

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

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 Bank of America Preferred Rewards program.

Depending on your tier in Preferred Rewards, you could earn up to 3.5 points per dollar spent on travel with this card, which includes commuting expenses.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Bank of America Premium Rewards card.

Apply here: Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

Welcome bonus: Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership.

Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee, then $95

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 or 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.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Blue Cash Preferred Card.

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 within the first three months of account opening.

Based on TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $1,388. 

Annual fee: $95

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.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Venture Rewards.

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 within the first three months of account opening.

Based on TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $1,388. 

Annual fee: $395

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.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Venture X.

Learn more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $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: $95

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.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Based on TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $1,230.

Annual fee: $550

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.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Citi Custom Cash Card

Welcome bonus: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.

Annual fee: $0

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.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Citi Custom Cash.

U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card

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

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.

To learn more, check out our full review of the U.S. Bank Cash+.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey

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

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.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey.

Apply here: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey

World of Hyatt Credit Card

Welcome bonus: Earn up to 60,000 bonus points: 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months, plus up to an additional 30,000 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 bonus point, on up to $15,000 spent.

According to TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth up to $1,020.

Annual fee: $95

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.

To learn more, check out our full review of the World of Hyatt card.

Apply here: World of Hyatt Credit Card

What if your commute is a drive?

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.

Related: 5 ways to save at the pump

Bottom line

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.

Related: 5 things to know before the next time you use a ride-hailing service at the airport

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.