Best Catchall Credit Cards: Simplify Your Rewards Strategy
A catchall card earns strong rewards on every purchase—no categories to track, no spending caps to worry about. Here's how the top options compare.
In This Article
What Is a Catchall Card?
A catchall card (also called a "flat-rate" or "everywhere" card) is a credit card that earns the same rewards rate on all purchases, regardless of category. While category cards might offer 3-5x on dining or travel, a catchall card provides consistent returns on everything from groceries to gas to random Amazon purchases.
The magic number for catchall cards is 2% (or 2x points). Any card earning less than 2% on non-bonus spending is leaving money on the table compared to the best flat-rate options available today.
Why You Need a Catchall Card
- • Fill the gaps: Even the best category cards only cover certain spending
- • Simplicity: No need to remember which card to use where
- • No caps: Most catchall cards have no spending limits on rewards
- • Backup option: Perfect when merchants don't accept Amex or when bonus categories don't apply
Our Top Picks Compared
| Card | Rewards Rate | Annual Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Visa Signature | 2% cash back | $0 | Simple cash back, no-fee option |
Citi Double Cash® Mastercard | 2% cash back 1% on purchase + 1% on payment | $0 | ThankYou Points flexibility |
Capital One Venture X Visa Infinite | 2x miles 10x on hotels/cars via portal | $395 | Travel rewards + lounge access |
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Visa | 1.5% / 1.5x 3% dining & drugstores | $0 | Chase trifecta building |
Amex Blue Business Plus American Express | 2x MR points Up to $50k/year | $0 | Amex MR points collectors |
Apple Card Mastercard | 2% via Apple Pay 3% at Apple & select merchants | $0 | Apple ecosystem users |
Detailed Card Breakdown
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
The simplest and most straightforward 2% cash back card on the market. No gimmicks, no categories, no caps—just 2% on everything.
Pros
- • True 2% cash back, no payment requirement
- • $0 annual fee forever
- • $200 welcome bonus (spend $500 in 3 months)
- • 0% intro APR for 12 months
- • Cell phone protection included
Cons
- • 3% foreign transaction fee
- • Cash back only (no transfer partners)
- • Requires Wells Fargo relationship for best experience
Best for: Anyone wanting simple, no-nonsense 2% cash back with no annual fee and domestic-only spending.
Citi Double Cash® Card
The original 2% card that started the flat-rate revolution. Earns 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay—now with ThankYou Points transfer option.
Pros
- • 2% effective rate on all purchases
- • Convert to ThankYou Points for transfers
- • $0 annual fee
- • Long 0% balance transfer intro APR
- • Mastercard benefits included
Cons
- • Must pay balance to earn full 2%
- • 3% foreign transaction fee
- • No welcome bonus currently
- • Need Citi Premier for transfer partners
Best for: Those who want flexibility to redeem as cash OR convert to ThankYou Points for airline/hotel transfers (with Citi Premier).
Capital One Venture X Rewards
A premium travel card that doubles as an excellent catchall. Earn 2x miles on everything, 10x on hotels/cars booked through Capital One Travel, plus lounge access.
Pros
- • 2x miles on everything (effectively 2%)
- • $300 annual travel credit via portal
- • 10,000 bonus miles each anniversary
- • Priority Pass & Capital One Lounges
- • No foreign transaction fees
- • Transfer partners (airlines & hotels)
Cons
- • $395 annual fee
- • Must use travel portal for best credits
- • Fewer transfer partners than Amex/Chase
Best for: Travelers who want 2x on everything PLUS premium perks. The $300 credit + 10k anniversary miles effectively make it a $95/year card.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The cornerstone of the famous "Chase Trifecta." Earns 1.5x on everything, but becomes 2.25% or more when paired with Sapphire Preferred or Reserve.
Pros
- • 1.5x UR points on everything
- • 3x on dining and drugstores
- • 5x on travel via Chase portal
- • Points worth 1.5-2¢ with Sapphire cards
- • $0 annual fee
- • Strong welcome bonus
Cons
- • Only 1.5% standalone (below 2%)
- • Needs Sapphire card for full value
- • 3% foreign transaction fee
Best for: Chase Sapphire holders who want to maximize their Ultimate Rewards earning on non-bonus spending.
American Express Blue Business Plus
The secret weapon of points enthusiasts. Earns 2x Membership Rewards on everything up to $50,000/year—the best no-fee way to earn MR points.
Pros
- • 2x MR points on everything
- • $0 annual fee
- • MR points transfer to 20+ airlines/hotels
- • 0% intro APR for 12 months
- • Expense management tools
Cons
- • $50,000/year cap on 2x earnings
- • Business card (need business/side income)
- • Amex not accepted everywhere
- • Need MR-earning card for transfers
Best for: Business owners or side-hustlers who want to earn valuable Amex Membership Rewards at 2x with no annual fee.
Apple Card
Apple's sleek titanium card earns 2% Daily Cash on all Apple Pay purchases and 3% at Apple and select partners like Uber, Walgreens, and Nike. The catch? Only 1% on physical card swipes.
Pros
- • 2% on all Apple Pay purchases
- • 3% at Apple, Uber, Walgreens, Nike, T-Mobile & more
- • Daily Cash paid out immediately
- • No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
- • Beautiful titanium card design
- • Easy expense tracking in Wallet app
- • No late fees (though interest still applies)
Cons
- • Only 1% when using physical card
- • Requires iPhone for application & management
- • Apple Pay not accepted everywhere
- • No transfer partners or travel perks
- • Cash back only (no points program)
Best for: iPhone users who frequently use Apple Pay and shop at Apple or partner merchants. Ideal for those who value simplicity and instant rewards.
Who Needs a Catchall Card?
You Should Get One If...
- ✓You have spending outside bonus categories
- ✓You want simplicity—one card for most purchases
- ✓You're building a multi-card rewards strategy
- ✓You hate tracking rotating categories
- ✓You want a backup when Amex isn't accepted
You Might Skip It If...
- ✗All your spending fits existing bonus categories
- ✗You prefer maximizing specific categories
- ✗You only use one card for everything anyway
- ✗You're churning welcome bonuses primarily
The Verdict
Our Recommendations
🏆 Best Overall No-Fee Catchall
Wells Fargo Active Cash — Simple 2% on everything, $0 annual fee, no gimmicks.
✈️ Best for Travel Rewards
Capital One Venture X — 2x miles + premium perks. Effective $95 annual fee after credits.
🔗 Best for Points Ecosystems
Amex Blue Business Plus (MR) or Chase Freedom Unlimited (UR) — Feed your preferred loyalty program.
📱 Best for Apple Users
Apple Card — 2% via Apple Pay everywhere, 3% at Apple & partners, instant Daily Cash, no fees.
The Bottom Line
Every well-optimized rewards strategy needs a catchall card. Even if you have cards earning 3-5x on dining, travel, and groceries, you'll have spending that doesn't fit those categories—online shopping, utilities, services, subscriptions, and random purchases.
A 2% catchall ensures you never earn less than 2% on any purchase. For most people, the Wells Fargo Active Cash is the simplest choice. If you're building a points strategy, pick the card that feeds your preferred ecosystem: Freedom Unlimited for Chase, Blue Business Plus for Amex, or Citi Double Cash for ThankYou points. And if you're deep in the Apple ecosystem and use Apple Pay everywhere, the Apple Card delivers seamless 2% rewards with instant Daily Cash.
Ready to Apply?
Compare all our featured catchall cards and find the one that fits your spending style.