How does SwipeCaddy pick the best card at CVS?

We rank each card by its reward rate times a conservative cash value of its points or miles — no inflated transfer valuations — and apply CVS's card-acceptance rules, so the "best" card is one you can actually use at the register.

Is the myWalgreens Mastercard worth using at CVS?

Yes, more than you might expect for a card that carries another brand's name. At CVS it earns 3x, which works out to roughly 2.7% in cash-equivalent value, with no annual fee. That trails the 5% leader and a straight 3% card, so use it if you already carry it, but there is no reason to pick it up just for CVS runs.

What's the catch with the 5% rate at CVS?

The 5% comes from Discover it Cash Back and takes upkeep: you have to activate it each quarter, the earnings share a combined cap, and the rate drops once you pass that cap. If you will not remember to activate, Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 3x here with no conditions, which is often the better real-world result.

Best cards at CVS

Discover it Cash Back earns the most at CVS right now at 5%.

Rankings use issuer rates verified as of August 16, 2026.

In store

1
#15%
Discover it Cash Back
Discover · Discover · No annual fee · up to $1,500/qtr (combined) · Lower rate after the cap
5%
2
#23%
AAA Daily Advantage Visa Signature Card
Bread Financial · Visa · No annual fee
3%
3
#33%
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards
Bank of America · Visa · No annual fee · Choose this category · up to $2,500/qtr (combined) · Lower rate after the cap
3%
4
#43x
Chase Freedom Flex
Chase · Mastercard · No annual fee
3x
5
#53x
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Chase · Visa · No annual fee
3x
6
#63x
Robinhood Gold Card
Coastal Community Bank · Visa · No annual fee
3x
7
#72%
Apple Card
Goldman Sachs · Mastercard · No annual fee · Pay with the mobile wallet
2%
8
#82%
Blue Business Cash Card from American Express
American Express · Amex · Business · No annual fee · up to $50,000/yr
2%
9
#92x
The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express
American Express · Amex · Business · No annual fee · up to $50,000/yr
2x
10
#102%
Citi Double Cash Card
Citi · Mastercard · No annual fee
2%

Online

Good to know at CVS

CVS accepts cards on every major network, in store and online, so acceptance is not the question here — the order of the table is. Discover it Cash Back leads at 5%, ahead of two 3% options, Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards and Chase Freedom Unlimited. Seven of the eight cards listed charge no annual fee, so this ranking comes down to rates and fine print, not fees.

The two highest rates come with homework. Discover it Cash Back needs activation each quarter, and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards only earns 3% if you choose this category; both have a combined cap and drop to a lower rate once you pass it. Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 3x with no caveats attached, which makes it the steadier pick if you would rather not manage anything.

If none of the leaders is in your wallet, the 2% floor is easy to reach. Blue Business Cash Card from American Express and The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express both pay 2% on up to $50,000 a year, and Apple Card pays 2% when you pay with the mobile wallet. The ranking is identical in store and online, so one decision covers both.

The math

Spend $100 a month at CVS and Discover it Cash Back returns about $60 a year at our valuations — a flat 2% card returns $24.

Common questions

What is the best credit card at CVS?: Discover it Cash Back earns the most at CVS right now at 5%.
How does SwipeCaddy pick the best card at CVS?: We rank each card by its reward rate times a conservative cash value of its points or miles — no inflated transfer valuations — and apply CVS's card-acceptance rules, so the "best" card is one you can actually use at the register.
Is the myWalgreens Mastercard worth using at CVS?: Yes, more than you might expect for a card that carries another brand's name. At CVS it earns 3x, which works out to roughly 2.7% in cash-equivalent value, with no annual fee. That trails the 5% leader and a straight 3% card, so use it if you already carry it, but there is no reason to pick it up just for CVS runs.
What's the catch with the 5% rate at CVS?: The 5% comes from Discover it Cash Back and takes upkeep: you have to activate it each quarter, the earnings share a combined cap, and the rate drops once you pass that cap. If you will not remember to activate, Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 3x here with no conditions, which is often the better real-world result.

Rates reflect each card's best case at this merchant and can change; check the issuer's terms before applying.