Best Credit Cards for Cash Back: 10 Top Choices to Boost Your Savings
Finding the right credit card can make a big difference in your everyday spending.
With so many options available, it can be hard to figure out which one is the best for you.
Credit cards with cash back rewards are especially popular because they provide a straightforward benefit: getting money back on your purchases.
Choosing the best cash back credit card means you can earn rewards every time you swipe. Whether you spend a lot on groceries, dining out, or online shopping, there’s likely a card that fits your lifestyle perfectly.
In this article, we’ll look at the top choices to help you find the best cash back credit card for your needs.
1) Citi Double Cash Card
The Citi Double Cash Card is all about simplicity.
You get 2% cash back on everything—1% when you make a purchase and another 1% when you pay it off.
It’s a no-annual-fee card which means you don’t have to worry about extra costs.
A neat feature of this card is the intro APR offer.
You get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months.
After that, the APR ranges from 19.24% to 29.24%, depending on your creditworthiness.
The cash back you earn comes in the form of ThankYou® Points, which you can redeem in various ways.
This means you can get rewards even if you don’t always spend a lot.
There’s a bonus offer too.
Spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months, and you’ll get $200 cash back.
It’s an easy way to boost your rewards right from the start.
Using the card is straightforward.
You don’t have to think about which category to spend in to maximize your rewards.
Just use the card and pay it off to earn your cash back.
Whether you’re making big purchases or small ones, this card keeps things hassle-free.
It’s perfect for anyone who wants a simple and rewarding card without the extra fees.
If you like keeping things easy, the Citi Double Cash Card might just be for you.
2) Chase Freedom Unlimited
The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is great for anyone looking to earn cash back without the hassle of tracking rotating categories.
You earn 1.5% cash back on all your purchases.
Plus, you get higher rates for specific spending, such as 3% on dining and drugstore purchases and 5% on travel through Chase’s travel portal.
A standout feature is the 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.
After the introductory period, the APR becomes variable at 20.49%.
This card doesn’t have an annual fee, which makes it an easy choice for everyday use.
It’s also great for travel and dining, making it perfect for both homebodies and adventurers.
With so many ways to earn cash back and the ease of use, the Chase Freedom Unlimited is a solid card that’s both flexible and rewarding.
3) American Express Blue Cash Preferred
The American Express Blue Cash Preferred card is great if you spend a lot on groceries and streaming.
You get 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year.
After that, you earn 1% cash back.
You also get 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
For transportation, the card offers 3% cash back on transit like subways, ride-hailing apps, parking, and tolls.
You also earn 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations.
All other purchases earn you 1% cash back.
The card comes with an annual fee, which can be worth it if you make use of the high cash back rates.
Keep in mind that the card earns Membership Rewards points instead of cash back.
If you make 30 or more transactions in a billing cycle, you get a 50% boost on your points.
This card can be quite valuable if you spend a lot on everyday essentials.
Be sure to consider whether the annual fee makes sense for your spending habits.
For more information, check out the full review on The Points Guy or Bankrate’s evaluation to see if this card fits your needs.
4) Discover it Cash Back
The Discover it Cash Back card is a great choice for anyone looking to earn cash back on everyday purchases.
It offers 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter, up to $1,500 in spending.
These categories often include things like groceries, gas stations, and restaurants.
All other purchases earn 1% cash back.
This makes the Discover it Cash Back card versatile for various spending habits.
Another standout feature is that Discover matches all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
This means if you earned $200 in cash back, Discover will automatically match it, giving you a total of $400.
No annual fee is another plus.
You can take advantage of all the rewards without worrying about extra costs.
The card also comes with 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.
After that, the variable APR ranges from 17.24% to 28.24%.
You can also access your FICO credit score for free.
This helps you keep track of your credit health easily.
If you ever need help, Discover offers 100% U.S.-based customer service.
You can contact them any time by calling 1-800-DISCOVER.
For more details, you can visit Discover’s Cash Back Credit Cards page to learn more.
5) Capital One SavorOne
The Capital One SavorOne credit card is a great option if you love dining out and entertainment.
It offers unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery stores.
There’s no annual fee with this card, which makes it a smart choice if you’re looking to save money.
You also get a one-time $200 cash bonus after spending $500 in the first three months.
If you often spend on dining or entertainment, this card can be a big money saver.
Plus, it offers special deals like 10% cash back on select purchases through November 14, 2024.
Adding to its appeal, the SavorOne card often has promotional offers, such as discounts on handcrafted beverages.
This could be an added perk if you frequently buy these items.
If you need more information, check out the reviews on Forbes Advisor or NerdWallet.
You can also visit the official Capital One SavorOne page for the latest updates.
Overall, the Capital One SavorOne is a solid choice for cash back without an annual fee.
If you focus on dining, groceries, and entertainment, this card can offer substantial rewards.
6) Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is a great choice if you want a simple cash back credit card.
You earn an unlimited 2% cash back on purchases.
This flat rate means you don’t have to worry about spending categories.
New cardholders can also get a $200 cash rewards bonus.
To get this bonus, you need to spend $500 in purchases within the first three months.
It’s a nice extra perk for signing up.
There are no annual fees with this card.
So, you won’t have to worry about a yearly cost eating into your rewards.
The card also provides a 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months.
This can help if you need to manage your budget.
After the intro period, the variable APR will be 19.99%, 24.99%, or 29.99%.
You can redeem your cash rewards easily.
Options include a Wells Fargo ATM, statement credits, or direct deposit.
Flexibility in how you redeem your rewards is a plus.
For more details, check out the Wells Fargo Active Cash Credit Card.
This card is perfect for those who want straightforward rewards and don’t want to track spending categories.
To read more about it, visit NerdWallet’s review and Forbes’ review.
7) U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card
The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card is a great option if you love flexibility.
You get to choose your own bonus categories, which is pretty rare.
With this card, you can earn 5% cash back on up to $2,000 in combined purchases each quarter in your chosen bonus categories.
You also get 2% cash back on an everyday category you select, like gas stations or grocery stores.
All other purchases earn 1% cash back.
Another cool feature is the intro APR.
You can enjoy a 0% intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles.
After that, the standard APR ranges from 19.49% to 29.74% variable.
This card does not carry an annual fee, which is a big plus.
You can also earn unlimited 1% cash back on purchases that don’t fall into your chosen categories.
Keep in mind, you’ll need a good credit score to get approved.
Having a score of at least 670 is recommended.
If you want flexibility in your spending, the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card is worth checking out.
You can find more details on the official U.S. Bank website.
Got travel plans? This card also offers 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel, and car reservations booked directly.
That can save you a lot on your next vacation.
Remember to activate your bonus categories each quarter to maximize your rewards.
8) Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards
The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card is a great choice for those who love flexibility in their cash back options.
You can earn 3% back on a category of your choice.
Categories include gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement.
Additionally, you get 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs.
Both the 3% and 2% categories apply to the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter.
After hitting the $2,500 limit, you still earn 1% back on all other purchases.
This card also has no annual fee, making it easy on your wallet.
Preferred Rewards members can boost earnings even more.
They earn an extra 25% to 75% on every purchase, making the cash back even sweeter.
You can also earn a $200 cash back bonus by spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening.
It’s a simple way to get extra cash in your pocket.
Payment due dates and staying on top of your spending is simple with their online and mobile banking tools.
This helps you manage your account with ease.
The card has an intro APR offer of 0% for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers.
This can save you interest if you’re planning a big purchase or need to transfer a balance.
With the flexibility of choosing your own categories and strong rewards, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card offers excellent value for many spenders.
9) Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express is a solid option for anyone looking to get cash back on daily purchases.
This card has no annual fee, which is great for saving money.
You get 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases.
After that, you get 1%.
You’ll also earn 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, including taxis, ride-shares, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more.
For other purchases, you’ll earn 1% cash back.
This makes it a good all-around card if your spending is diverse.
There’s a 0% intro APR for the first 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, helping you save on interest.
The Blue Cash Everyday Card also offers some nice perks.
You can get over $250 in credits each year.
This includes an $84 Disney Bundle Credit, which covers Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+.
You’ll also get a $180 Home Chef Credit that gives you $15 in monthly statement credits.
These perks add extra value to your everyday spending.
Plus, American Express is widely accepted, so you won’t have trouble using your card at most places.
It’s important to keep in mind that making the most out of this card requires you to use it for purchases that give higher cash back rates.
For more details, you can check out this review by Nerdwallet or this one by Forbes.
10) Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Card
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Card is great for those who want a simple, no-fuss cash back card.
You earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day.
There’s no need to worry about rotating categories or signing up for quarterly bonuses.
One of the best features is the $0 annual fee.
You can earn rewards without paying for the privilege.
There’s also a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 within the first three months of opening your account.
This is a nice boost to get you started.
You’ll enjoy a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months.
After that, the variable APR will apply.
This can be helpful if you need to make a big purchase or transfer a balance from another card.
Keep in mind, while the 1.5% cash back rate is solid, some other cards offer higher rates in specific categories.
If you spend a lot in certain areas, you might find more value with another card.
If simplicity and no annual fee are high on your list, this card is worth considering.
You’ll be able to earn rewards consistently without any extra effort.
For more details, check out the Quicksilver Cash Rewards Card.
Understanding Cash Back Credit Cards
Cash back credit cards offer various ways to earn back a percentage of what you spend.
They can help you save money on everyday purchases and special spends alike.
What Is a Cash Back Credit Card?
A cash back credit card is a type of rewards card.
It allows you to earn back a small percentage of what you spend on purchases.
This percentage can vary based on the card and the spending category.
Some cards have fixed rates, offering the same cash back percentage on all purchases.
Others have rotating categories that provide higher rewards in specific areas like groceries or gas.
Key features:
- Fixed-rate cards: Consistent cash back on all purchases.
- Category-based cards: Higher cash back in specific or rotating categories.
Choosing the right cash back card depends on your spending habits and where you spend the most money.
How Cash Back Rewards Work
When you use a cash back credit card, a percentage of your spending gets credited back to you.
Different cards use various structures for rewards.
With fixed-rate cards, you earn a set percentage, like 1.5% on every purchase. Tiered cards offer different cash back rates for categories like groceries, restaurants, or gas.
For example:
- Groceries might earn 3%.
- Gas could earn 2%.
- Everything else might earn 1%.
Some cards have quarterly rotating categories, changing every few months.
You usually need to activate these categories to earn the higher rate.
Important tips:
- Understanding the rewards structure is crucial to maximize earnings.
- Keep track of when to activate rotating categories.
This way, you can get the most value from your cash back credit card.
Maximizing Cash Back Rewards
Making the most of your cash back rewards can mean some extra savings throughout the year.
Focus on knowing the best tips to earn more cash back and understanding common categories to maximize your benefits.
Tips for Earning the Most Cash Back
Use your cash back card for daily purchases like groceries and gas where you earn higher percentages.
Some cards offer higher cash back rates for specific categories, so take advantage when you shop.
Track rotating categories on cards like the Chase Freedom Flex that change every quarter.
Activate them to earn more cash back in those areas.
Combine cards to cover more categories.
For instance, pair a flat-rate card like the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card with another card offering bonus cash back in particular categories.
Enroll in special promotions or bonuses, and use referral programs if your card offers these benefits.
Every bit can add up over time!
Common Cash Back Categories
Many cards have popular categories like groceries, dining, and gas stations.
These categories often offer higher cash back rates, such as 3% or more.
Entertainment categories, including streaming services and concert tickets, can also offer higher reward rates with some cards, like the Blue Cash Preferred Card.
Travel expenses, including flights and hotels, are other common categories.
Some cards even offer cash back on flights, making them ideal for frequent travelers.
Retail categories like department stores and online shopping platforms are also rewarded by certain cards.
Always check your card’s terms to maximize deals in these areas.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Cash Back Card
When you’re picking a cash back credit card, it’s important to think about what you’ll get out of it and what it will cost you.
Look closely at fees, interest rates, and any limits on earning cash back.
Annual Fees
Some cash back cards come with annual fees, while others do not.
A card with no annual fee can be a good choice if you don’t use the card often or if the cash back you earn wouldn’t cover the fee.
Cards with annual fees often offer higher reward rates or additional perks, so weigh the benefits against the cost.
For example, a card that offers 6% cash back on grocery purchases but has a $95 annual fee might be worthwhile if you spend a lot on groceries.
However, if you spend less, a no-fee card with a lower cash back rate might be a better fit for you.
Interest Rates
Interest rates can make a big difference in how much your card actually costs you, especially if you don’t pay off your balance each month.
Look at the APR (Annual Percentage Rate) for both purchases and balance transfers.
Some cards offer an introductory 0% APR for a specified period, which can be helpful if you plan on making a big purchase or need to transfer a balance.
After the intro period ends, the rate will go up to the standard rate, so make sure you’re aware of what that will be.
Cash Back Limits and Restrictions
Not all cash back programs are the same.
Some cards offer unlimited cash back, while others have a cap on how much you can earn.
For example, you might get 5% cash back on certain categories up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter, after which you earn only 1%.
Additionally, some cards only offer higher cash back rates in specific categories like groceries, gas, or dining.
Make sure these categories match your spending habits.
Watch out for restrictions that might reduce your earning potential or make it harder to redeem your rewards.
By thinking about these factors, you can find a cash back card that fits your financial situation and helps you get the most out of your spending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s what you need to know about some of the best cash back credit cards, including options for those wanting high rewards, no annual fees, and more.
What’s the scoop on credit cards that offer 5% cash back?
Cards like the Discover it Cash Back offer 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter.
You’ll need to activate the categories, and the bonus is typically capped at a certain amount each quarter.
Can you tell me which credit cards will give me a cool 6% cash back?
For 6% cash back, the American Express Blue Cash Preferred is your best bet.
It offers 6% cash back on U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year) and select streaming services.
Hey, are there any cards out there with a generous 2.5% cash back option?
While 2.5% cash back isn’t as common, the PayPal Cashback Mastercard offers 2% cash back on all purchases, making it a solid contender for high returns.
Which credit cards are offering the highest no-annual-fee cash back?
The Citi Double Cash Card is a strong choice, offering 2% cash back on every purchase (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay).
Another great option is the Chase Freedom Unlimited, which offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
Got any ideas about the best flat-rate cash back credit cards right now?
Flat-rate cash back cards like the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards offer 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
If you want a bit more, the Citi Double Cash Card gives you a total of 2% cash back.
Looking for a credit card with $200 cash back – what should I consider?
Many cards offer a $200 sign-up bonus if you meet spending requirements.
For example, the Chase Freedom Flex offers a $200 bonus if you spend $500 in the first 3 months.
This card also gives you 5% cash back on rotating categories.
