5 Rewards Cards That Let You Pick Your Own Bonus Categories

The hardest part of maximizing your credit card rewards is finding the perfect card for each purchase category. Many cards offer overlapping bonus categories -- every card seems to have a dining category these days -- which can make it hard to find fits for your unique needs.

That's why I absolutely love credit cards that let me choose my own categories. You can find several cards that offer a variety of categories to choose from, letting you create a bespoke rewards experience. Here are a few great examples.

1. U.S. Bank Cash+

The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is one of my favorite cash back rewards cards thanks to its highly customizable -- and very rewarding -- 5% bonus categories. You get to choose not one, but two 5% cash back bonus categories from a list that includes:

• Cellphone providers
• Department stores
• Electronics stores
• Fast food
• Furniture stores
• Ground transportation
• Gyms/Fitness centers
• Home utilities
• Movie theaters
• Select clothing stores
• Sporting goods stores
• TV, internet, and streaming services

You can see a lot of less-common categories here that can easily adapt to nearly any rewards strategy. Even better, you'll activate your categories every quarter, giving you the chance to choose new ones if your needs change.

Keep in mind that you're capped at $2,000 in combined category purchases each year for the 5% cash back. (After that, you earn 1%.) But the 2% category, which you also get to pick, is unlimited.

2. Citi Custom Cash Card

This card doesn't require you to lock in your bonus category. Instead, Citi will automatically figure out your top spending category each month, then apply your 5% cash back to that category. (You're capped at $500 in category purchases per month.) 

The list of eligible categories includes a lot of great options -- I use mine at the hardware and home improvement store -- so you can fill those vital gaps in your rewards strategy.

3. Amex Business Gold Card

Choose your own adventure cards aren't limited to consumers. The American Express Business Gold Card is a small business card that offers 4x Membership Rewards points per $1 on your top two spending categories each billing cycle. (Terms apply.) The eligible categories include:

• Purchases at US media providers for advertising in select media (online, TV, and radio)
• U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
• U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
• U.S. purchases at gas stations
• Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
• Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.

You'll earn 4X points per $1 on the first $150,000 in combined bonus category purchases each calendar year (then you earn 1x). The card also comes with a variety of credits and perks to help offset its admittedly steep $375 annual fee (terms apply, see rates and fees). And of course, you're earning Membership Rewards points, which are my favorite travel rewards.

4. Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards

This card may not have the high rates of some of the other picks on this list, but it has some broad bonus categories to choose from for both the 3% and 2% cash back options. (I mean, who can't use 3% back on their online shopping purchases?) 

Plus, you get to choose a new category every month if you want. Just note that you're capped at $2,500 in combined 2% and 3% bonus category purchases per quarter.

5. Venmo Credit Card

The Venmo Credit Card is surprisingly versatile for a cobranded card, giving you 3% cash back in your top spend category and 2% back in your next-highest spending category each statement period. The categories are quite broad and include:

• Bills and utilities
• Dining and nightlife
• Entertainment
• Gas
• Grocery
• Health and beauty
• Transportation
• Travel

Perhaps the most intriguing part is that this is the only card on the list that won't cap your bonus rewards. You can earn 3% on your top spend category purchases with no limit on how much you can earn. Not bad for a card with no annual fee.

Finding your perfect card fit

A good rewards strategy should cover all of your major purchases, which can be hard when it doesn't fit neatly into a popular category. These cards offer tons of room for customization, so you can create your perfect rewards team.