Why there is no single “best” card
Credit card rewards are paid out by MCC code — the four-digit Merchant Category Code attached to every transaction. Two cards with the same headline rate can pay very differently on the same purchase if one bonuses the merchant's MCC and the other excludes it.
Before you apply, check three things on the card's guide page: the bonus MCC categories, the monthly cap per category, and the minimum-spend rule that unlocks the top rate. Issuers also change terms — the guides note each card's last-checked date, and you should confirm the current terms with the bank.
- Not sure which MCC a merchant uses? Browse the MCC database.
- Want cards matched to one merchant? Try the card finder.
- Collecting KrisFlyer miles? The miles hub has the calculators.