Earn bonus rewards on gift card purchases with these top cards
The article highlights several credit cards that offer elevated rewards when buying gift cards at specific merchants, such as office supply stores and supermarkets. Recommended options include the Ink Business Cash, American Express Gold, and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards, each with different bonus structures. The goal is to help consumers maximize points or cash back on everyday gift card spending.
The Ink Business Cash card offers 5% cash back at office supply stores on up to $25,000 in annual spending, making it a strong option for small business owners who regularly buy gift cards at retailers like Staples. The American Express Gold card provides 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, capped at $25,000 per calendar year.
Meanwhile, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card lets users select a bonus category, earning 6% cash back for the first year (then 3%) on up to $2,500 per quarter. The Costco Anywhere Visa and Citi Double Cash offer simpler structures: 2% at Costco and 2% on all purchases, respectively. Each card carries no annual fee except the Amex Gold, which costs $325.
This guidance could influence how consumers approach everyday spending, potentially shifting more gift card purchases toward bonus-earning cards. Shoppers may become more strategic about which cards they use at specific merchants, possibly increasing rewards accumulation for travel or cash back. However, the capped spending limits and category requirements mean only certain consumers—particularly those with high office supply or supermarket spending—would see meaningful gains. Casual gift card buyers may find the complexity outweighs the modest rewards.