Best Cash Back Credit Cards of October 2021

All information about the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, U.S. Bank Cash+™️ Visa Signature®️ Card and Alliant Visa®️ Signature Credit Card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com. The issuer did not provide the content, nor is it responsible for its accuracy.

A guide to cash back credit cards

It’s clear that Americans love cash back, according to a recent survey by Bankrate. Of those rewards cardholders surveyed, 56% said they redeemed for cash back versus only 15% who redeemed for travel.

With so many credit card offers on the market, it can be tough to decide which cash back card is going to give you the most value. To make it easier for you, our experts at CreditCards.com have pulled together the best cash back credit cards for every lifestyle. Choosing a credit card is an important financial decision, so we lay out the pros and cons for you all in one place.

Best cash back credit cards compared

Editor’s picks: Cash back credit card details

Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card: Best for 2% cash rewards

Why we picked it: The Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card lets you maximize earnings on everyday spending with its unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. That’s pretty high for a card with no annual fee. And unlike similar cards in this space, the Wells Fargo Active Cash℠  Card offers an introductory bonus of $200 cash rewards when you spend $1,000 within the first three months. Another reason to consider this card: qualifying balance transfers and purchase APR are set at a 0% introductory rate for 15 months from account opening, then 14.99% to 24.99% variable APR.

Pros: There are no rotating categories to keep track of and no enrollments required. Cash rewards never expire so long as your account remains in good standing. The card includes perks like cellphone protection and Visa Signature Concierge benefits at select hotel properties worldwide.

Cons: Those who fall at the higher end of the variable APR could be stuck with hefty interest charges if carrying a balance at the end of the introductory APR period. Ancillary benefits and card perks are limited compared to other cards.

Who should apply? Anyone looking for an uncomplicated way to earn rewards on routine spending will appreciate this unlimited cash rewards card from Wells Fargo.

Read our Wells Fargo Active Cash℠  Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card: Best for automatically maximizing cash back

Why we picked it: This brand new no annual fee credit card from Citi lets you earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent (after that, 1% cash back). You also earn unlimited 1% cash back on general purchases. You don’t have to enroll in rotating bonus categories or guess which category you might spend the most in to maximize your rewards. Instead, as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earnings adjust automatically. Eligible categories include restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment.

Pros: The card touts a generous sign-up bonus: Earn $200 in cash back (paid out in ThankYou points) after you spend $750 in your first three months of account opening. Plus, there’s a 15-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases (variable 13.99% to 23.99%, after that).

Cons: The $500-per-billing cycle cap on your 5% cash back (then 1%) limits the card’s value. (It’s comparable to the $1,500 quarterly cap associated with popular rotating cash back credit cards that don’t charge an annual fee like the Discover it Cash Back or Chase Freedom Flex.) You’ll pay a steep 5% balance transfer fee (or $5, whichever is greater) if you take advantage of that offer.

Who should apply? If your spending habits tend to change from month to month and you don’t want to worry about strategically using different credit cards to earn extra cash back, this Citi card is an option.

Read our Citi Custom Cash Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for introductory APR on purchases

Why we picked it: It’s safe to say you have plenty of opportunities to earn cash back with the Chase Freedom Unlimited. You’ll earn a standard 1.5% on all purchases, plus boosted rewards in practical everyday categories, including 5% cash back on grocery store purchases on up to $12,000 spent in the first year (excluding Target and Walmart), 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% cash back on dining, 3% cash back on drugstores and 5% cash back on Lyft purchases (through March 2022). As a welcome bonus, you can earn $200 after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months of opening an account.

Pros: A newly spruced-up rewards model and a favorable cash back rate on general purchases make it easy to rack up rewards. Plus, there are no caps on cash back and rewards don’t expire. There’s also a lengthy 15-month 0% introductory APR on purchases (then variable 14.99% to 23.74%).

Cons: There’s no annual bonus, though that may not deter many considering the lack of rewards limits and the competitive return rate.

Who should apply? This is a solid rewards card for anyone hoping to earn cash back on everyday purchases, with generous bonus opportunities on Ultimate Rewards travel, dining and drugstore spending.

Read our Chase Freedom Unlimited® review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for dining and entertainment

Why we picked it: Capital One recently sweetened the rewards associated with both of its popular Savor cards. The SavorOne now offers a hefty 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Target® and Walmart®), 1% cash back on all other purchases plus, earn 8% cash back on tickets at Vivid Seats through January 2023 and a $200 welcome bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months of opening an account.

Pros: The card doesn’t charge an annual fee. Rewards don’t expire for the life of the account and there are no limits on cash back.

Cons: Depending on how much you spend, you might be better served by the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, which offers higher rewards to the tune of 4% cash back on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, 3% cash back at grocery stores and 1% cash back on other purchases, but charges a $95 annual fee. (Learn how to decide what Capital One Savor card is right for you.)

Who should apply? Foodies will like the SavorOne for its generous cash back on dining, grocery store purchases and entertainment purchases. Big spenders will appreciate the lack of spending caps for these categories.

Read our Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for U.S. supermarkets

Why we picked it: Offering supreme cash back rates (6% for up to $6,000 each year, then 1%) for purchases at U.S. supermarkets as well as 6% back on select U.S. streaming services, this card is a fantastic option for those who prefer their dinner-and-a-movie at home. The introductory offer of a $300 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in the first six months of card membership is a great way to help pay for some of those groceries.

Pros: The 6% cash back rate at U.S. supermarkets (for up to $6,000 each year, then 1%) is incredibly high. Plus, there are no rotating categories or enrollment to worry about, and rewards can be redeemed on past purchases. There’s also a 12-month 0% introductory APR on purchases (then variable 13.99% to 23.99%).

Cons: Some may find the annual fee of $95 ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year) a tad steep, but it’s worth remembering the high rewards rates. We estimate a Blue Cash Preferred cardholder needs to spend $3,200 per year on groceries (or $267 per month) to beat the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, which offers lower rewards in exchange for no annual fee. (Learn how to decide which Blue Cash card is right for you.)

Who should apply? Families, foodies, and anyone with a daily commute can benefit from this card’s excellent cash back rates on groceries and gas.

Read our Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Discover it® Cash Back: Best for rotating categories

Why we picked it: With the Discover it Cash Back, you’ll have the opportunity to earn a generous 5% cash back bonus on everyday, useful categories (up to $1,500 upon enrollment each quarter, then 1%) that rotate each quarter.

Pros: Discover will automatically match all of your cash back earnings at the end of the first year. There’s a 14-month 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers (then variable 11.99% to 22.99%). Discover has a few consumer-friendly policies attached to its popular credit cards, including no foreign transaction fees, a free FICO credit score and no fee for a first missed payment (up to $40 for any payment missed after that).

Cons: The 5% cash back rate is limited to $1,500 in combined purchases per quarter (then 1%). (If you anticipate spending more than that, consider a flat-rate cash back card like the Citi® Double Cash Card.) You don’t get to choose bonus categories; Discover sets them each year. (See the Discover it Cash Back 2021 calendar.) You must remember to enroll each quarter in order to earn that bonus cash back.

Who should apply? If you’re strategic enough in your spending to take advantage of its rotating bonus categories, the Discover it® Cash Back offers a lot of potential to maximize rewards.

Read our Discover it® Cash Back card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card: Best for flexible cash back categories

Why we picked it: The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card, you have the freedom to change your bonus category once per calendar month, allowing you to tailor your rewards to your spending habits. That’s especially handy when your summer budget may skew more heavily toward gas or travel, but you spend more on online shopping during the holidays. Bonus categories include gas, online shopping, travel, drug stores, dining and home improvement/furnishings. If you plan ahead, this card can be exceptionally valuable, especially since there’s no annual fee.

Pros: Cardholders earn 3% cash back on the category of their choice, plus 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then earn 1%). There’s a competitive sign-up bonus: Earn $200 if you spend $1,000 in your first 90 days. That amount matches the highest current cash back bonus, though some cards, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, have a lower required spend ($200 if you spend $500 in your first three months.) Bank of America customers with at least $20,000 across checking or savings accounts can qualify for a 25% to 75% rewards boost through the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program.

Cons: Rewards are limited to cash back. There’s also a $2,500 combined spend cap on 2% and 3% reward categories for each quarter. Frequent travelers may be put off by the 3% foreign transaction fee and lack of travel benefits.

Who should apply? This straightforward cash back card offers plenty of flexibility for moderate spenders who prefer to change up their bonus categories every so often. Bank of America account holders should also consider this card, given the potential for a rewards boost.

Read our Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Chase Freedom Flex℠: Best for cash back on eligible travel

Why we picked it: The 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® can really add up. You can also earn 5% cash back on eligible purchases in rotating categories (up to $1,500 per quarter with quarterly activation required, then 1%), 5% cash back on grocery store purchases on up to $12,000 spent in the first year (excluding Target and Walmart) and 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants.

Pros: Reward rates are relatively high for a card with no annual fee. There’s a lucrative sign-up bonus: earn $200 when you spend $500 in your first three months, a nice return for meeting a low spending threshold. You can also take advantage of a lengthy 15-month 0% introductory APR on purchases (then variable 14.99% and 23.74%).

Cons: If the idea of keeping track of all of the cash back categories and the rules that come with each makes your head spin, you might want to look for a different cash back card. That, along with remembering to enroll in the 5% bonus category each quarter, requires some attention and may not be ideal for everyone. If you’re looking for something more low-maintenance, consider a flat-rate cash back card, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited. (Learn how to decide between the Chase Freedom cards.)

Who should apply? Frequent travelers can really benefit from the high cash back rate on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Read our Chase Freedom Flex℠ review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for unlimited rewards

Why we picked it: For those who prefer to keep it simple, this great gimmick-free card has no annual fee and offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

Pros: Rewards remain valid for the life of the account and there are no caps on how much you can earn. There’s also no minimum you have to meet to start redeeming cash back. You can earn $200 if you spend $500 in your first three months of card membership. There’s also a 15-month 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers (then variable 14.99% to 24.99%).

Cons: While unlimited rewards are an attractive offer, note that the Citi Double Cash earns a higher flat-rate cash back at 2% (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay off the purchase) without charging an annual fee (though that card doesn’t include a welcome offer).

Who should apply? While there are plenty of other cards out there offering much higher cash back rates, the unlimited 1.5% back on every purchase has the potential to offer major value for anyone in the market for a pared-down cash back card.

Read our Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Citi® Double Cash Card: Best for flat-rate cash back

Why we picked it: Offering 1% on general purchases (excluding gift cards) and then an additional 1% cash back as you pay off those purchases, the Citi Double Cash boasts one of the most competitive rewards rates of all cash back cards and is a clear standout among flat-rate cash back cards that don’t charge an annual fee.

Pros: Cash back rewards can be converted to ThankYou points, which can be redeemed for travel purchases, gift cards and more for a rate of $1 cash back to 100 ThankYou points. Plus, there’s a lengthy 18-month 0% introductory APR on balance transfers (then variable 13.99% to 23.99%).

Cons: There’s no sign-up bonus. Also, the rewards expire if the card isn’t used in more than 12 months. You’ll pay a balance transfer fee of 3% or $5, whichever is greater.

Who should apply? This uncomplicated flat-rate cash back card would be a good match for someone who values flexibility, particularly for existing Citi customers already earning ThankYou points. The 18-month intro APR is also a solid option for anyone mulling over the idea of a balance transfer.

Read our Citi® Double Cash Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card: Best for unlimited cash back for Preferred Rewards Members

Why we picked it: If you’re an existing Bank of America customer with assets in savings, checking or investment accounts, you could come out ahead with this new cash back credit card, which offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases, plus a potential 25% to 75% rewards boost for Preferred Rewards members (actual value of the boost varies, depending on how much is in your Bank of America accounts).

Pros: On top of the base rewards, you can earn $200 online cash rewards after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. You can also take advantage of an introductory APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers made in the first 60 days for 15 billing cycles, then 13.99% to 23.99% variable APR.

Cons: You’ll need at least $20,000 across Bank of America and/or Merrill accounts to be eligible for any Preferred Rewards boost.

Who should apply? Bank of America customers with at least $20,000 across accounts may want to take advantage of the rewards boost the bank offers through its membership rewards program.

Read our Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for tiered cash back

Why we picked it: This card offers 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases annually, then 1%), 2% at U.S. gas stations and at select U.S. department stores and then 1% on general purchases.

Pros: As a welcome offer, you’ll earn $200 in statement credits if you spend $2,000 with your card during your first six months of card membership. There’s also a 15-month 0% introductory APR on new purchases (then variable 13.99% to 23.99%).

Cons: The yearly $6,000 limit on the 3% purchase category could cut into your potential earnings. Depending on your spending habits, you could earn more with the Blue Cash Preferred, which offers higher rewards, but charges a $95 annual fee ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year).

Who should apply? The Blue Cash Everyday is all about rewarding essential purchases, which is why it’s a great addition to nearly anyone’s wallet.

Read our Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Discover it® Student Cash Back: Best for students

Why we picked it: This product is a top-notch student credit card: There is no annual fee and you can earn 5% cash back on rotating categories (then 1%; activation required each quarter and $1,500 limit each quarter), up to $300 a year on the 5% offer.

Pros: At the end of your first year, Discover matches your earnings to get up to $600. Plus, there’s no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.

Cons: For students who are new to credit cards, the rotating categories may be too confusing to use to their full potential.

Who should apply? This card is an ideal match for students hoping to establish credit while also earning cash back rewards.

Read our Discover it® Student Cash Back review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®: Best for home improvements

Why we picked it: People with fair credit could potentially earn rewards with this card, which offers unlimited 3% cash back on eligible home, auto and health payments. Its big draw, however, is the unique payment structure, which lets you convert your remaining balances at the end of the month to a fixed-rate loan with a potentially low interest rate.

Pros: The card doesn’t charge an annual fee, foreign transaction fees, late fees or a penalty APR.

Cons: You could wind up with a low interest rate … or you could wind up with a high interest rate, depending on your credit, given the card’s wide APR range (variable 8.99% to 29.99% APR).

Who should apply? Anyone who spends frequently on home improvement projects can earn a best-in-category return on that spending (after making payment on those purchases). This card could also be a good fit for people with fair credit who are trying to improve their scores by demonstrating responsible use, given the unique payment structure and lack of common fees.

Who should skip? If you’ve got good credit, you could qualify for more favorable financing in the form of a 0% introductory APR offer on purchases or balance transfers, and you’re likely to qualify for a more lucrative rewards program, though that will at least partially depend on your personal spending habits.

Read our Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® review or jump back to this card’s offer details.