CVS is one of the top-10 retailers in the United States and if you frequently shop at CVS, getting a card that offers increased rewards at CVS can boost your points or cash back balances.
Here are the best cards to use at CVS. All of these cards can earn more than 2% rewards on your purchases at CVS.
Annual fee: $0
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Highest rate of uncapped rewards on drugstore purchases.
3% cash back on drugstore purchases. (Awarded as Ultimate Rewards points.)
Annual fee: $0
Chase Freedom Flex®
Highest rate of uncapped rewards on drugstore purchases.
3% cash back on drugstore purchases. (Awarded as Ultimate Rewards points.)
Annual fee: $0
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Best for up to 5% back at drugstores.
5% on the first $500 spent in your top eligible category each statement cycle. Eligible categories include drugstores.
Annual fee: $0
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Best for Bank of America relationship clients.
Up to 3% on on drug store/pharmacy purchases. (Up to 5.25% with Preferred Rewards with Platinum Honors.)
Annual fee: $0
AAA Daily Advantage Visa Signature® Credit Card
Best for 3% drugstore rewards, combined with other category rewards.
3% on pharmacy purchases until you reach $500 of cash back in bonus categories in a calendar year, then 1%
What to consider: Finding the best credit card for your CVS spending
What you buy at CVS may vary widely. You could use CVS as an emergency-only convenience store, picking up Band Aids or milk in a pinch—or it could be your primary grocery store, where you buy most of your household consumables, and the easiest place to buy small electronics.
If CVS doesn’t represent a significant amount of your spending, you probably want a card that earns good cash back at CVS, but it also usable outside the chain. On our list, we’ve included cards that earn more than what you’ll earn on a 2% cash back everywhere credit card that are also usable outside of CVS.
But if you spend a lot at CVS, you might prefer to get maximum cash back. Depending on how much you spend at the retailer, you might run into rewards caps, so we included both cards that offer maximum cash back (with a cap) and cards that offer great cash back with no caps.
Finally, consider the value of extended warranty, return protection, and purchase protection. You’re probably not going to be buying a new laptop from CVS, but you might buy an electric toothbrush, a wireless mouse, or a phone charger. Having these consumer benefits can be a nice-to-have for these purchases.
Editor’s pick: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of the few credit cards with no annual fee that offers 3% cash back rewards at drug stores, so naturally it’s one of our top picks for the best cards to use at CVS.
The card is also a great pick for your card to use “everywhere else” for its 1.5% cash back rewards. Sure, that’s not 2% cash back rewards that you can get with some other cards, but the fact that the Freedom Unlimited includes an extended warranty benefit and purchase protection means you don’t have to juggle a dozen cards to have the benefits you need when you need them.
Who it’s best for: Most people who occasionally shop at CVS. You’ll enjoy 3% cash back at CVS (and other drugstores) and have a card that can be used as your “everywhere else” card with no annual fee.
Sign up bonus: EARN A $250 BONUS after spending $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Learn how to apply.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® at a glance
The [freedom_unlimited] is a great card to have as your “default” card to use everywhere and its 3% cash back rewards at drugstores, including CVS, are a nice perk.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® welcome offer
Welcome offer: EARN A $250 BONUS after spending $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
This bonus is marketed as cash back, but is awarded as Ultimate Rewards points.
Chase often offers better in-branch bonuses on this card that you won’t see online.
Annual fee: $0
Rewards
- 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
- 3% on dining at restaurants, including eligible takeout and delivery services.
- 3% drugstore purchases.
- 1.5% on other purchases.
Rewards are marketed as cash back, but earned as Chase Ultimate Rewards® points.
Ultimate Rewards® can be combined across cards you hold. If you hold a premium Ultimate Rewards card, you can transfer your points to Chase’s transfer partners or use your points for increased value when you book travel through Chase Travel℠. For more about using Ultimate Rewards, check out our guide on the Ultimate Rewards program.
Benefits
Consumer insurance benefits
Travel insurance benefits
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance.
- Auto Rental Coverage.
- Roadside Assistance.
- Travel and Emergency Assistance.
Partner benefits and statement credits
- 6 months of complimentary access to DashPass.
Subject to auto-renewal at the current monthly rate. Activate by December 31, 2027.
Rates and Fees
- Annual fee: $0
- Foreign transaction fee: 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
Read more about the Chase Freedom Unlimited card in our card overview.
Chase Freedom Flex®
Who it’s best for: Rewards maximizers who enjoy chasing after 5% rotating category rewards. You’ll always get 3% cash back at drugstores like CVS, plus additional rewards on dining, but the card only earns 1% cash back on general purchases.
Sign up bonus: EARN A $200 BONUS after spending $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Learn how to apply.
Chase Freedom Flex® at a glance
The Chase Freedom Flex® offers 5% rewards on up to $1,500 in purchases in rotating categories each quarter when you activate.
Chase Freedom Flex® welcome offer
Offer: EARN A $200 BONUS after spending $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
This link is a referral link. Someone from our team or community may earn a referral bonus if you are approved through this link
Annual Fee: $0
Rewards
- 5% in quarterly rotating categories
on up to $1,500 in total combined purchases each quarter when you activate. - 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3% on dining, including eligible takeout and delivery services.
- 3% on drugstore purchases.
- 1% on other purchases.
Rewards are marketed as cash back, but earned as Chase Ultimate Rewards® points.
Ultimate Rewards® can be combined across cards you hold. If you hold a premium Ultimate Rewards card, you can transfer your points to Chase’s transfer partners or use your points for increased value when you book travel through Chase Travel℠. For more about using Ultimate Rewards, check out our guide on the Ultimate Rewards program.
Benefits
Consumer insurance benefits
- Purchase Protection.
- Extended Warranty Protection.
- Cell Phone Protection.
Travel insurance benefits
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance.
- Auto Rental Coverage.
- Travel and Emergency Assistance.
Partner benefits and statement credits
- 6 months of complimentary DashPass.
Requires enrollment and is subject to auto-renewal. Activate by Dec 31, 2027.
Rates and Fees
- Annual fee: $0
- Foreign transaction fee: 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
Learn more about the Chase Freedom Flex® and its signature perk: 5% rewards in rotating quarterly categories.
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Who it’s best for: People collecting ThankYou Points® or who want maximum cash back at CVS. While Citi will only let you have one Custom Cash card directly, it is possible to get multiple Custom Cash cards through product conversions.
Sign up bonus: Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. Learn how to apply.
Citi Custom Cash® Card at a glance
If you use the card mostly at drugstores, the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card can get you 5% cash back on up to $500 spent each statement cycle.
Citi Custom Cash® Card welcome offer
Welcome offer: Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
This bonus is marketed as cash back, but earned as Citi ThankYou® Points. This card enables cash back redemptions at 1 cent per point.
Annual fee: $0
Rewards
- 5% cash back on your top eligible spend category each billing cycle on up to $500 spent.
- 5% on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked with Citi Travel®.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Rewards are marketed as cash back, but earned as Citi ThankYou® points.
5% eligible categories
5% eligible categories include:
- Restaurants
- Gas stations
- Grocery stores
- Select travel
- Select transit
- Select streaming services
- Drugstores
- Home improvement stores
- Fitness clubs
- Live entertainment
Benefits
- Extended warranty
- Citi merchant offers
- Virtual account numbers
- Free FICO score
Rates and Fees
- Annual fee: $0
- Foreign transaction fee: 3% of each purchase transaction in US dollars.
Learn more about the Citi Custom Cash® in our card overview.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Who it’s best for: If you have $100k+ in combined balances in Bank of America deposit and Merrill investment accounts and spend a lot at drugstores, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card can offer you the most rewards. Thanks to the Preferred Rewards program, you can earn up to a 1.75x credit card reward multiplier, which turns the card’s 3% rewards category into a 5.25% cash back category. Select drugstores as your category and you’ll earn 5.25% cash back at CVS.
Welcome offer: Earn 6% cash back for the first year from account opening in your choice category. Plus, get a $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening. Learn how to apply.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card at a glance
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card offers up to 3% cash back rewards in a category you choose—and up to 5.25% cash back if you’re a Preferred Rewards member with Platinum or higher status.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card welcome offer
Welcome offer: Earn 6% cash back for the first year from account opening in your choice category. Plus, get a $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
This bonus is earned as cash back rewards.
Annual fee: $0
Rewards
- 3% in the category of your choice.
- 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs.
- 1% on all other purchases.
You’ll earn 3% and 2% rewards on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each calendar quarter in the 3% and 2% bonus categories. Earn 1% cash back on these purchases thereafter.
Rewards are earned as cash back. If you have Bank of America Preferred Rewards, you’ll receive additional rewards based on your rewards multiplier of up to 1.75. Your rewards multiplier is based on your relationship with Bank of America and Merrill.
3% choice categories
Choose one of the following categories to earn 3% cash back:
- Gas and EV charging stations.
- Online shopping, including cable, internet, phone plans, and streaming.
- Dining.
- Travel.
- Drug stores and pharmacies.
- Home improvement and furnishings.
You can change your choice category once each calendar month. You’ll earn 3% and 2% rewards on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each calendar quarter in the 3% and 2% bonus categories. Earn 1% cash back on these purchases thereafter.
Benefits
Consumer insurance benefits
- Extended Warranty Protection.
Travel insurance benefits
- Travel and Emergency Assistance Services.
- Roadside Dispatch.
Rates and fees
- Annual fee: $0
- Foreign transaction fee: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each transaction
Learn more: Read more about the Preferred Rewards program or check out our review of the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards.
AAA Daily Advantage Visa Signature® Credit Card
The AAA Daily Advantage Visa Signature® Credit Card doesn’t get talked about much, but its rewards on drugstores like CVS, paired with its rewards at gas stations, grocery stores, and wholesale clubs can put more cash back in your pocket if you’re willing to pick up the card.
AAA Daily Advantage Visa Signature® Credit Card welcome offer
Welcome offer: Receive a $100 statement credit after you spend $1,000 on your card in the first 90 days of account opening.
This bonus is awarded as a statement credit.
Annual fee: $0
Rewards
After earning $500 cash back in the following categories in a calendar year, you will earn 1% cash back in these categories for the remainder of the calendar year:
- 5% on grocery store purchases.
- 3% at gas stations.
- 3% at wholesale clubs.
These categories are not subject to reward caps:
- 3% on electric vehicle charging.
- 3% on pharmacy purchases.
- 3% on AAA purchases.
- 1% on other purchases.
Rewards are earned as cash back.
Benefits
The AAA Daily Advantage Visa Signature® Credit Card does not have any benefits of note.
Rates and fees
- Annual fee: $0
- Foreign transaction fee: 0%
The card I use at CVS for most purchases: Chase Freedom Flex®
There was a short while when I used my Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for CVS (and other drugstore) purchases, but I quickly realized that the card was much more valuable to me as a general online shopping card. (I don’t buy that much at CVS.)
Nowadays, I use my Chase Freedom Flex® for all of my CVS purchases. (I don’t current have a Chase Freedom Unlimited®, but I consider that card an equivalently good choice.) I earn 3% cash back rewards without thinking about it and I’m happy with that.
I do have a Citi Custom Cash, so I could probably use that to get more on my CVS purchases. But like the Bank of America customized cash, it is more profitable for me to use that card in other categories.
Bottom line: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Chase Freedom Flex® is best for most
We expect that most people won’t spend enough at CVS to get an additional credit card solely for rewards at CVS. Rather, most will pick from among credit cards that they currently hold, or that make sense in the context of their other spending. If that sounds the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Chase Freedom Flex® will offer you a great rate of cash back on a card with no annual fee that is useful for a wide swath of your everyday spending.
