AAA's New Credit Card Duo: Which One Fits Your Spending?

If you're a AAA member, you might have noticed your old Bank of America credit card is gone, replaced by two new options from Comenity Bank. It's not just a simple switch—they've completely redesigned the rewards, creating a 'Daily' card for homebodies and a 'Travel' card for road trippers. Both come with a nice sign-up bonus and no annual fee, but the devil, as always, is in the details. Let's break down which card might work for your wallet and what you need to know before applying.

The Grocery Getter: AAA Daily Advantage

This card is built for your regular errands. The headline is 5% back at grocery stores, which is a fantastic rate. You'll also get 3% back on a surprisingly broad mix: gas stations, EV charging, wholesale clubs like Costco, streaming services, pharmacies, and any AAA purchase.

But here's the crucial part: that 5% and 3% have a shared annual limit. Once you've earned a combined $500 cash back from grocery stores, wholesale clubs, and gas stations in a calendar year, those categories drop to just 1% for the rest of the year. For a big family spending $1,000 a month on groceries, you'd hit that cap in about ten months.

A Major Change to What Counts as 'Grocery'

Pay very close attention here. The bank has explicitly stated that, effective May 15, 2026, purchases at discount stores, superstores, and convenience stores will NOT qualify for the 5% grocery rate.

This is a direct response to people getting 5% back at places like Walmart or Target when those stores' payment systems used a 'grocery' merchant code. Going forward, you'll likely need to shop at dedicated supermarkets to get the top rate. Always check your statement to see how a merchant is coded.

The Road Warrior's Pick: AAA Travel Advantage

If you drive a lot, this card flips the script. Here, you earn 5% back on gas and EV charging—a category where great rewards are harder to find. The cap is lower, at $350 per year on the 5% tier. Once you hit it, gas and charging earn just 1%.

You then get 3% back at grocery stores, restaurants, on travel purchases, and AAA. There's no stated cap on this 3% tier, which is a plus. Everything else gets 1%.

Which Card Should You Choose?

It comes down to your biggest monthly expense. Do you spend significantly more at the supermarket than at the pump? The Daily Advantage is your card. Is filling the tank or charging your EV a major budget line? The Travel Advantage will likely earn you more.

Don't get distracted by the 3% categories; focus on where you'll get that top 5% rate. Also, consider that the $100 bonus is identical and requires the same $1,000 spend, so that doesn't sway the decision.

• Pick the Daily Advantage if: Your grocery bill dwarfs your fuel costs.
• Pick the Travel Advantage if: You have a long commute, take road trips, or drive for work.

Practical Advice & Things to Watch

First, you can check if you're prequalified on the AAA site without a hard credit pull. It's always wise to do this.

Remember, the rewards are managed by Comenity Bank. While they're a major issuer, their customer service experience can be different from larger banks. Redeeming your cash back is flexible—you can get it as a statement credit, direct deposit, or use it at AAA locations.

The APRs are on the higher side, so this card is best for those who pay their balance in full each month. Carrying a balance would quickly wipe out any cash back gains.

• Use the prequalification tool first.
• Mark your calendar: The grocery category exclusions start May 15, 2026.
• Track your 5% category spending to know when you'll hit the cap.
• Plan to pay the statement balance monthly to avoid high interest.

Bottom Line

• Two distinct cards target different spenders: one for groceries, one for gas/charging.
• Major change coming: Walmart, Target, etc., will NOT get 5% grocery cash back after May 2026.
• Annual caps limit high earners; know the $500 (Daily) and $350 (Travel) limits.
• The $100 bonus is an easy win for $1,000 in spend over three months.
• Always prequalify and only carry this card if you pay it off monthly.

Common Questions