Best Credit Cards in Texas: Get the Most Rewards & Perks on Spending
The best credit cards are the ones that align with your spending style and needs. But where you live geographically can also play a part in choosing a card.
For example, the best credit cards in Texas can reward you with cash, miles or points on everyday spending, entertainment and travel purchases.
We reviewed more than 30 credit cards from the biggest U.S. credit card issuers to find the best options for Texans to maximize the rewards and perks based on how they spend.
Best Credit Cards in Texas
- Citi Double Cash: Best for general spending
- Blue Cash Preferred from American Express: Best for groceries
- Chase Sapphire Preferred: Best for dining and travel rewards
- Chase Freedom Flex: Best for bonus cash back categories
- Costco Anywhere Visa: Best for gas rewards
Consumer Spending Trends for Texas
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) collects spending information for every state, including Texas.
So to put the best credit cards for Texas in perspective, here's how that average spending adds up (according to the Burea of Labor Statistics):
- Groceries: $3,849
- Dining/takeout: $3,601
- Gas: $2,293
- Apparel and services: $1,931
- Entertainment: $3,229
Those numbers are what the typical Texan household spends in a year.
The average spending can be more or less, depending on whether you live in a bigger city like Dallas or a smaller Texas town.
As cost of living goes up, for example, you may need to charge more to your credit card. But if you live in a cheaper city, you may spend less to maintain your lifestyle.
Wondering which credit cards are standouts if you live in the Lone Star State?
Here are some of the best credit cards for Texas residents to consider now.
Citi Double Cash: Best for general spending
Card Highlights
- Earn 1% cash back on purchases as you make them
- Earn 1% cash back on purchases as you pay them off
- No cash back caps and no rotating bonus categories
- No annual fee
The Citi Double Cash Card could be a great fit for Texans who want a simple way to earn cash back. This card pays 1% cash back when you make purchases and 1% cash back as you pay them off.
You need to at least pay the minimum payment due on time to qualify for cash back. But there are no restrictions or limits on the amount of cash back you can earn.
Cash back can be redeemed for statement credit, direct deposit or a check. And you can also convert them to Citi ThankYou points.
Blue Cash Preferred from American Express: Best for groceries
Card Highlights
- Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchase per year, then unlimited 1% back
- Earn cash back on all other purchases made with the card
- Cash back is received as Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credit
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express could make sense for Texans who spend heavily on groceries.
This card allows you to earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 in purchases per year. After that, you continue earning unlimited 1% cash back on supermarket purchases.
You can also earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscription services, 3% cash back on transit, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and 1% cash back on other purchases. This card has a $95 annual fee(see Rates & Fees; terms apply).
Chase Sapphire Preferred: Best for dining and travel rewards
Card Highlights
- Rewards program caters to those who travel and dine out frequently
- Get 25% more redemption value when you redeem points for
- travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- $95 annual fee
If you consider yourself a connoisseur of Texas cuisine and love dining out, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card could be right for you.
Given that you're likely to go through major Texas airports like Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), you're at a travel hub that offers convenient flights throughout the world.
What's even more enticing about this card is what happens when you use your points for travel.
When you use points to book through Chase Ultimate Rewards, you get 25% more value. For example, 60,000 points can be redeemed for $750 worth of travel credit.
That's a plus if you dine out or travel regularly in Texas or outside the state. Just keep in mind this card does have a $95 annual fee.
Chase Freedom Flex: Best for bonus cash back categories
Card Highlights
- Earn 5% on up to $1500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate
- Earn cash back on all other purchases with the card
- Cash back rewards do not expire and there's no minimum to redeem
- No annual fee
The Chase Freedom Flex Card could be a good choice for Texans who want some flexibility with how they earn and redeem rewards.
This card features rotating bonus categories that allow you to earn 5% back on up to $1500 in combined purchases each quarter. So you may earn 5% back on gas one quarter and 5% back on cellphone bills the next.
You can also earn 5% back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Dining and drugstore purchases earn 3% back. All other purchases earn 1% back.
Your cash back won't expire as long as your account is open. And there's no minimum to redeem and no annual fee.
Costco Anywhere Visa Card: Best for gas rewards
Card Highlights
- Earn 4% on eligible gas for the first $7,000 per year then 1%
- Earn 2% back at Costco stores and Costco.com
- No foreign transaction fees
- No annual fee with a paid Costco membership
If you take frequent road trips or commute in a major city like Dallas or Houston, then a card that pays rewards on gas might be ideal.
The Costco Anywhere Visa offers 4% back on eligible gas purchases for the first $7,000 per year. After that, you keep earning 1% back on gas purchases.
You can also earn 3% back on restaurants and eligible travel. Costco purchases earn 2% back. And you'll earn 1% back anywhere else Visa is accepted.
Your paid Costco membership stands in for an annual fee. Rewards are issued once per year in the form of a reward certificate you can use at Costco.
How to Choose the Right Credit Card(s) for You
So far, you've learned about the best credit cards in Texas. But how do you decide which card is best for you?
These tips can help.
1. Review your spending
It helps to know how you typically spend when choosing a rewards credit card.
So review your last year of card spending (or debit card purchases) to see which categories you spent the most money in. For example, that might include:
- Gas
- Groceries
- Paying bills
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Travel
- Shopping
Next, look at how much you spent in each category. This can clue you in to the type of card you need.
For instance, if you spent the most on groceries then a grocery rewards card could make sense.
But if you spend more on gas, then a gas or travel rewards card could be better.
2. Compare the best credit cards in Texas
We've already made this step easier by rounding up our picks for the top rewards cards in Texas.
But you can also do your own research. As you compare cards, pay attention to:
- Rewards categories (i.e. gas, dining, entertainment, etc.)
- Rewards rates
- Annual fees
- Annual percentage rates
A simple way to decide if a rewards card is right for you is calculating how much you could earn in rewards per year, based on your typical spending.
This is especially helpful if the card has an annual fee.
So, say you find a card that offers 5% back on groceries. It has a $95 annual fee.
At that rewards rate, you'd need to spend at least $2,000 a year on groceries to earn back the fee. If you typically spend $5,000 a year on groceries then you could earn back the fee and then some.
3. Consider more than one card to maximize rewards
There's no rule that says you can only have one rewards credit card.
If you're like most Texans and spend money in lots of different categories, it could make sense to have more than one card.
For example, say you spend the most on groceries. You could choose a card that offers the most cash back on that category.
Then, you could pick up another card that offers cash back on gas or everyday purchases to fill the gap.
Just be sure to consider any annual fees you might pay, since those can nibble away at your rewards. Also be aware of what you may pay in interest if you carry a balance month to month.
Final Verdict
The cards we've included here rate as some of the best for Texas spenders, based on their rewards program and fees.
When comparing cards, look at how you spend monthly and annually first. Then try to match the card to your spending, rather than trying to make your spending fit a particular card.
Also, consider checking your credit before you apply. This can help you get an idea for which Texas credit cards you're most likely to qualify for.
See the rates & fees for the mentioned American Express cards: Blue Cash Preferred from American Express (Rates & Fees; terms apply).
