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Cash back credit cards are a useful tool to get paid back for the things you buy every day. Many cards offer flat cash back for all purchases, while others offer higher cash back across rotating categories like dining, groceries and shopping. We researched 682 cash back card offers and narrowed them down to our top recommendations. Browse our editor's picks for the 10 best cash back offers from our partners and find a card that fits your spending habits.
Cash back credit cards are a useful tool to get paid back for the things you buy every day. Many cards offer flat cash back for all purchases, while others offer higher cash back across rotating categories like dining, groceries and shopping. We researched 682 cash back card offers and narrowed them down to our top recommendations. Browse our editor's picks for the 10 best cash back offers from our partners and find a card that fits your spending habits.
Back to topEditorial disclosure: All reviews are prepared by CreditCards.com staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review. Check the data at the top of this page and the bank's website for the most current information.
Updated: August 21, 2019
Our experts at CreditCards.com have pulled together the best cash back credit cards for you in various spending categories. Each card has different rewards and fees, but we make it easy for you to decide on which is best for your spending habits. Choosing a credit card is an important financial decision, so we lay out the pros and cons for you all in one place. We evaluated over 600 credit card offers using the criteria below to come up with our list of the top cards for cash back. Here are our findings.
Whether you want to know what to look for in a cash back card or how to use it, we can help.
The best credit card for you will depend on your personal needs and preferences. Here's our take on 2019's best cash back cards with pros and cons to consider for each offer. Feel free to email us at editors@creditcards.com if you have any questions!
If you like the idea of working towards maximum rewards, this card is a good choice for you, because you could potentially earn up to $600 at year end by earning 5% back on select rotating categories for up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter (activation required) and the cash back match at the end of the first year. 5% categories can include Amazon.com and grocery stores. You can also receive free Social Security number alerts, a special feature of Discover cards.
While competitive, Discover as a network is not as robust as Mastercard and Visa and is accepted at fewer locations abroad. Also, you'll need to decide if rotating categories are for you as they require a bit more legwork than a flat-rate cash back card. Finally, there's no sign-up bonus.
Other cards chase the Freedom Unlimited's first-year and ongoing cash back rewards, but this card is a tough one to beat. It offers 3% back the first year for the first $20,000 spent – in fact, we found that Americans love 3% cash back the best of rewards, at 31%. The Freedom Unlimited can be partnered with a Chase Sapphire card to take advantage of the travel boost those cards offer through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
The Freedom Unlimited may not be the best choice for world travel, with its 3% foreign transaction fee. Also, the balance transfer fee is high, at 3% or $5, whichever is higher. The go-to rate also starts out high.
If you're looking for a card with all the boxes checked, you'll want to eye the Capital One Quicksilver Card. It has competitive ongoing rewards as well as a decent sign-up bonus. With the 1.5% back on all purchases, you don't have to deal with the hassle of rotating categories or quarterly sign-ups. Also, you won't have to choose between an introductory APR and rewards, because this card has both. Finally, there is no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee.
The sign-up bonus isn't the highest, with the BofA Cash Rewards card now offering $200 back with a $1,000 spend within the first 90 days, while some luxury cards offer even larger sums. And the required credit of good to excellent is a high bar for someone whose credit isn't the best.
The Bank of America Cash Rewards credit card recently switched its 3% back offer at gas stations to a monthly option of one of 6 categories, which frees things up considerably. (That's with a $2,500 maximum quarterly spend when combined with the 2% categories.) This card has a nice little sign-up bonus, and there's also a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles (it's 16.24%-26.24% variable after that).
The tiered rewards can be beaten by other cards, if you know in advance how you tend to spend. Also, because of the varied tiers, this card takes a little organization, including changing your 3% category each month if you want to maximize your earnings.
The SavorOne is the little brother of the Savor card. While it comes with some lower cash back and a smaller sign-up bonus, the SavorOne still packs a mighty punch and is great for daily use.
The SavorOne offers a hearty 3% cash back on dining and entertainment, as well as 2% back at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases. It's ideal if you lead an outgoing lifestyle and are looking for a card without an annual fee. It also has no foreign transaction fee, which makes it suitable for use abroad.
The sign-up bonus and cash back rate on dining and entertainment are lower than its big brother, the Savor card, but this is to be expected in exchange for no annual fee.
The Blue Cash Preferred Card has recently introduced some unique new cash back categories like 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions (including Netflix, Hulu and Spotify, among others), and 3% cash back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, buses and more. Not to mention, this card offers an unprecedented 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 annual, then 1%).
This is the one of the few cards on our list of top cash back cards that requires an annual fee, and it is not waived the first year, unlike the Capital One Savor.
With competitive rotating categories and a nice little sign-up bonus, this card is a good choice for the cardholders who like positioning their purchases strategically to maximize cash back.
Unfortunately, the Chase Freedom has foreign transaction fees, making it an unfortunate option for international travel or making purchases that go through a foreign bank.
This card is exceptional in a number of ways, from its ongoing rewards offer to its balance transfer offer. Be sure to include this card in your lineup of cards to eye before making a decision.
The Double Cash's unique ongoing rewards offer pays you 1% back when you purchase, then another 1% back when you pay your bill, which beats many of the other cash back cards out there. There's also no annual fee, as with most other cash back cards.
There's no sign-up bonus, and while there's a 0% APR balance transfer offer for 18 months (it's 15.99%-25.99% variable after that), no such luck with purchases.
The Savor card from Capital One is one of our favorite cash back cards. Not only does it offer high percentages in desirable categories, but it also comes with a competitive intro bonus offer.
The Savor's sign-up bonus of $300 for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months is one of the best offers in the cash back card category. Additionally, if you frequently find yourself eating at restaurants or ordering food to dine in, you'll love the Savor's 4% back on dining. That 4% also extends to entertainment purchases such as movies, concerts, sporting events, and more. There's also 2% back at grocery stores.
Although it is waived for the first year, you'll be looking at a $95 annual fee after that.
This card's sign-up bonus is competitive, and it comes with the standard 1.5% back on all purchases of many cash back cards. There's also a higher cash back rate of 1.8% on qualified digital wallet purchases during the first 12 months on account opening. (Alternatively, the Apple Card offers 2% back on Apple Pay.) With the Cash Wise, you can get protection for your cellphone, and excellent credit may not be necessary, which means you might be accepted with a score as low as 670. Finally, there's no hassle of quarterly sign-ups or changing categories.
The 0% intro APR offer is 15 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then variable APR of 15.99% - 27.99% applies), the latter of which must be made within 120 days to enjoy the low 3% balance transfer fee. There's also a foreign transaction fee of 3%, which may not be the best choice for overseas travel. And there are cards that offer a better cashback rate on everyday purchases, such as the Blue Cash products from American Express.
| Credit Card | Best For: | Cash Back % | CreditCards.com Rating | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discover it® Cash Back | Everyday spending | 5% on rotating categories each quarter* | 4.3 / 5 | $0 |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | No annual fee | 3% first year (up to $20,000), then 1.5% | 3.8 / 5 | $0 |
| Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card | Your first cash back card | 1.5% | 3.4 / 5 | $0 |
| Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card | Choice of cash back category | 3% on a chosen category | 3.4 / 5 | $0 |
| Capital One® SavorOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card | Dining and entertainment | 3% on dining and entertainment | 3.7 / 5 | $0 |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | U.S. supermarket purchases | 6% at U.S. supermarkets** | 4.3 / 5 | $95 |
| Chase Freedom® | Rotating cash back categories | 5% on up to $1500 in bonus categories | 3.1 / 5 | $0 |
| Citi® Double Cash Card | Flat-rate cash back | 2% (1% as you buy, 1% as you pay) | 3.8 / 5 | $0 |
| Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card | Sign-up bonus | 4% on dining and entertainment | 4.8 / 5 | $0 first year, then $95 |
| Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card | Cell phone protection | 1.5% | 3.8 / 5 | $0 |
*On up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter after enrollment, then 1%
**For the first $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1 point per dollar
Cash back credit cards analyzed: 682
Criteria used: Cash back rate, other rewards, redemption options, redemption flexibility, cash back categories, credit needed, miscellaneous benefits and features, security, ease of application, sign-up bonus, customer service, rates and fees
After analyzing 600+ card offers, we've hand-selected the 10 best cash back credit cards. The Discover it Cash Back card offers generous cash back and is our top pick due to its high rewards value and flexibility in redeeming cash back.
Cash back cards are pretty straightforward – they allow you to earn cash for spending on your favorite card. Once you build your credit and know how to manage your credit cards, it's time to think about rewards. And cash back rewards can be among the most straightforward of the rewards cards out there, making them a great starter product.
Whether you choose a card with a flat rate or a product with rotating categories, this is a great way to earn cash while making purchases. Here's how it works: Let's say you spend $500 a month and the cash back rate is 5% on specific categories. That means you are earning $25 a month just for card loyalty. There are sometimes spending requirements and sign-up rules, though.
Cash back cards will usually also have a sign-up bonus of up to $300 back, so be sure to shop around. However, as with all rewards cards, you need to be sure to pay in full each month, because otherwise, you'll pay interest charges on the balance each month, and that would defeat the purpose of having a rewards card.
It's clear that Americans love their rewards cards, according to our July 2019 poll, which notably shows a jump in cash back from 43% last year to 49% this year. Also notable is that the number of consumers holding a business credit card has more than doubled from 8% in 2018 to 18%.
CreditCards.com July 2019 Favorite Cards Survey
We found that cash back cardholders were the most likely to redeem rewards (88% did so at least once, including 30% at least monthly and 13% weekly).
We also learned that:
"The math says that transferable travel rewards are the most valuable, but it takes time and effort to maximize them, whereas cash back offers simplicity and universal appeal," said CreditCards.com industry analyst Ted Rossman. "At the end of the day, the best reward for you is one that you’re going to use and enjoy. I’m pleased that the vast majority of rewards cardholders took advantage of their points and miles over the past year."
With so many options to choose from in the way of cash back cards, it helps to know how to compare them. Here, we look at the Blue Cash Preferred from American Express and the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa, each with their own advantages.
Rewards can vary widely, sometimes with maximum spends and sometimes unlimited. For example, the Cash Wise Visa offers 1.5% back on all spending, while the Blue Cash Preferred has boosted rewards at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and more (for the U.S. supermarkets, it's up to $6,000 a year, then 1%). The Cash Wise Visa also offers 1.8% cash rewards on qualified digital wallet purchases, like Apple Pay or Google Pay, during the first 12 months from account opening.
Most have a welcome bonus, typically of $150 after a set amount of spend, however, cash back cards with an annual fee may have a higher offer. For example, the Blue Cash Preferred offers $250 after a $1,000 spend within the first 3 months, while the Cash Wise Visa offers $150 after a $500 spend within the first 3 months.
Annual fees can stop you in your tracks, but they don't have to. Sometimes, they are worth the cost, whether there are certain benefits or particularly rich rewards. While the Blue Cash Preferred's annual fee of $95 is not waived the first year, the rewards at U.S. supermarkets can be unbeatable for the large family. Meanwhile, many of the cash back cards on the market have no annual fee, such as the Cash Wise Visa.
Here we put it all together.
| Card | Welcome bonus | U.S. supermarkets | U.S. gas stations | Select U.S. streaming | Digital wallet purchases | Other spending | Annual fee | Total first year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cash Preferred | $250 after $1,000 spend/3 mths | $500*12 mths*6%=$360 | $200*12 mths*3%=$72 | $100*12 mths*6%=$72 | $100*12 mths*1%=$12 | $200*12 mths*1%=$24 | $95 | $695 |
| Cash Wise Visa | $150 after $500 spend/3 mths | $500*12 mths*1.5%=$90 | $200*12 mths*1.5%=$36 | $100*12 mths*1.5%=$18 | $100*12 mths*1.8%=$21.60 | $200*12 mths*1.5%=$36 | $0 | $351.60 |
As you can see, if you are a big spender on groceries, the Blue Cash Preferred is best, but if you favor all types of spending, the Cash Wise Visa might be the right choice. Here are other factors to consider when choosing a cash back card.
Some cards have features like damage and loss insurance on cellphones, such as the Cash Wise, which will reimburse you for up to $600 (with a $25 deductible) if you pay your bill each month with your card. Other cards offer auto rental insurance, price protection and more. Look at your lifestyle and see if there is a benefit that makes the card worth your while.
If you are looking for a cash back card with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases, some of the cash back products offer that. For example, while the Blue Cash Preferred's 0% offer for purchases and balance transfers is 12 months (it's 14.99%-25.99% variable after that), the Cash Wise Visa has a 0% offer for 15 months on balance transfers and purchases (it's 16.24%-28.24% variable after that).
Several card issuers offer products with some stand-out qualities, such as:
Cash back cards can be a little confusing when you are shopping around, because each one has a slightly different rewards plan. The best plan for you is the one that matches your past spending habits. Here are some different types:
The best cash back card for you depends on how you'll use the card, but here are some of the favorite categories and the top credit cards in those groups.
When we asked consumers in November 2018 what their favorite rewards categories are, we were a little surprised to find that time and again, they turn to groceries overall, with travel following close behind.
Consumers have figured out that they can really earn with groceries: Spend $500 a month for a year with 3% cash back and earn $180 back – enough to pay for a week's groceries!
Interestingly, each region dominates a different category: While the Midwest is at the top with groceries, consumers in the West like travel, gas stations are most popular in the South, and the Northeast goes for dining.
Our own CreditCards.com analyst, Ted Rossman, reminds us that you want to make sure the card you choose matches your lifestyle. "Whether you're planning a family vacation, stocking up at the grocery store, enjoying a dinner out with friends, or refueling your car on the way home, credit cards can reward you for things you're planning to purchase anyway."
All cash back cards are not created equal. While certain kinds are more popular, the choices can include:
There are also business cash back cards, which reward you for spending on advertising, utilities, software and hardware, travel, and more.
According to our annual cash back survey, the average cash back card offers a cash back rate of around 1.25 percent per dollar. Here is the spread of cards that we found:
Cash back cards appeal to customers for a number of reasons, but mainly due to their ease and flexibility: Because they offer cash back rewards, there’s no need to convert points and miles to dollar values. In fact, polls show that people prefer cash back cards by a ratio of 3-to-1.
While many people prefer cash back cards because of their simplicity, the cards also have their drawbacks, so we've compiled a shortlist of the advantages and disadvantages of using a cash back rewards card. If you’ve ever contemplated whether a cash back card can help you, here are some key considerations to keep in mind as you make a decision.
Whether you are treating your new cash back card as a starter card or if you want redemption options, a cash back product has a number of benefits:
Easy to work with – Cash back cards may be the simplest way to earn rewards since cardholders know exactly how much they will earn back from each purchase without having to convert a point or mile into an equivalent cash value.
Lots of redemption choices – Cash back rewards can be redeemed in a variety of ways, including statement credits, checks, bank deposits, gift cards and charitable donations.
Sign-up bonuses – More than 60 percent of the cards surveyed offered sign-up bonuses – of up to $200 cash back – after spending a certain amount within a specific timeframe. Some of the best sign-up bonuses on the market are offered by cash back cards.
Good cards for everyday spending – These are good cards for earning rewards on restaurants, groceries, gas and other everyday expenditures.
Can keep building credit – If you pay in full and on time each month, you can continue to build your credit, allowing you to eventually graduate to a premium rewards card.
Makes for good practice – These cards are a great way to practice using a simpler rewards card until you feel ready to move on to a more ambitious rewards product.
No annual fee – Most cash back cards have no annual fee, yet they often have sign-up bonuses of $150 and more. Out of the 52 cards polled in our yearly cash back survey, only four had annual fees.
Choice in benefits – Increasingly, cash back cards offer such benefits as purchase protection and extended warranty.
Limited expiration dates – Although some cards place restrictions on the amount of time you have to redeem your cash back rewards, the vast majority do not. Only eight out of 52 cards had expiration dates.
Added bonus – If you load your cash back rewards back onto your credit card, it will earn its own cash back when you spend it.
Cash back cards aren't for everyone. For example, the world traveler may want to look elsewhere, and some cash back cards can have onerous rules.
Lack of travel benefits – When you choose a cash back card over a travel rewards card, you typically lose out on such features as airport lounge access and annual travel credits. Also, cash back cards often have foreign transaction fees, making them not ideal for foreign travel or shopping online with companies that use foreign banks.
Not ideal for travel – Unlike many travel rewards cards, cash back cards often have foreign transaction fees, making them not ideal for foreign travel or shopping online with companies that use foreign banks.
Cash back may expire – Some issuers may require you to redeem within a specific amount of time.
Maximum spend requirements – Most cards with rotating categories cap you with a maximum spend.
Sign-ups required – Some cards require you to sign up each quarter to qualify for the increased rewards.
Minimum spend requirement – To earn cards' sign-up bonuses, you are typically required to spend a minimum of up to $1,000 within a set amount of time.
1. Use credit cards for most of your spending
To quickly bulk up rewards earnings or meet the minimum spend requirement for a sign-up bonus, you should use your cash back cards for as many of your everyday purchases as possible. A large purchase – such as furniture or another major purchase – can help you meet a spending threshold and score a large amount of cash back in one swoop.
However, using cards for your everyday spending – including groceries, gas and utility bills – is the best way to go if you want to earn a large amount of cash back over time. Note that you need to watch out for merchants that tack on a convenience fee, since this can negate the value of your cash back.
2. Use multiple cash back cards
If you sign up for multiple cash back cards that offer bonuses in different spending categories and rotate them to earn bonuses in each of the spending categories, you can increase the rate of cash back that you earn.
3. Keep a close eye on deadlines and fees
You need to take care to pay your card by the due date, since the late fees and penalties from a missed payment can quickly negate any cash back that you earn. For instance, a late payment on a $500 balance can add up to more than $40 in penalties and interest.
4. Never carry a balance
Even if you make your minimum payment on time, the interest that you have on a rotating balance can easily outmatch the cash back that you earn. Over time, you may find yourself owing more than you earn.
5. Pick a sign-up bonus you can meet
Cards that offer sign-up bonuses usually have a minimum spend requirement that needs to be met within a certain amount of time. So, with the Chase Freedom cards, you have to spend $500 within the first 3 months of card membership to get the $150 bonus. Make sure you pick a card that has a requirement you can meet.
6. Earn more cash back
Some cards reward for signing on an authorized user or referring new cardholders, so check for that.
7. Choose cards that match your spending
Look at your spending before choosing your card. If you find that you spend a disproportionate amount on, say, groceries or restaurants, let that inform your decision. If you love to shop at Amazon, then a card that rewards for shopping there may be best.
8. Maximize your cards’ spending categories
If you have a card with 5 percent rotating quarterly categories – such as the Discover it Cash Back card or the Chase Freedom card – there are a few tricks you can use to reach the $1,500 spending cap each quarter:
9. Call your card issuer
After your first year of card membership, if there is an annual fee, consider calling your card issuer and asking if they'll waive the annual fee a second year. Our study shows that when cardholders ask for better terms on their cards, chances are they'll get it.
The most common redemption options for cash back cards are statement credits, checks mailed to you, bank deposits, prepaid gift cards and charitable donations. To redeem your cash back, you can go online or call the issuer directly to specify in what form you want to receive the cash back. Some issuers will allow you to opt to have the rewards automatically applied each month, while others require you to request the rewards each time you want to use them.
The amount of cash back needed to redeem your rewards varies depending on the specific card and the redemption option. Read on to see what options are available for Discover, Citi, Chase and American Express cardholders.
Discover allows the following redemption options:
Discover rewards never expire; however, if your account is closed or not used within 18 months, Discover will credit your account with your rewards balance.
Once your Citi rewards balance equals $25 or more, you can redeem your cash rewards as follows:
Your cash rewards balance will expire if you have not earned cash back from purchases or payments for 12 months. If you close or convert your card account, you must redeem any eligible cash rewards prior to account closure to avoid forfeiting your rewards. If your card account is closed by Citi, you cannot redeem cash rewards and you will forfeit any accumulated cash rewards.
Chase cardholders can redeem cash back rewards at a 1:1 value for gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Your cash back will not expire as long as your account remains open. However, if Chase closes your account due to fraudulent activities, failure to pay or other reasons, you will immediately lose all rewards.
American Express offers cash back in the form of Blue Cash Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed in the following ways:
We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions of your credit card’s rewards program. To avoid losing any rewards, be sure to use rewards before they expire or prior to closing your credit card account and pay your bill on time each month.
Interested in learning more about each card? We’ve reviewed several cash back credit cards – check them out in our reviews section.
† All information about The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express has been collected independently by CreditCards.com. The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express is no longer available through CreditCards.com.
Robin Ratcliff is the managing editor for reviews on CreditCards.com. Before CreditCards.com, she worked as a analyst and editor, and still brings that same analytical rigor to her card recommendations today. You can reach Robin at robin.ratcliff@creditcards.com.
Tracy Brackman is a credit card news editor at CreditCards.com, writing breaking news stories on card updates and new card launches. You can reach Tracy at editors@creditcards.com.
Laura Mohammad is an editor and writer at CreditCards.com. She regularly covers the best credit cards and works to bring you the most up-to-date analysis and advice. You can reach Laura at laura.mohammad@creditcards.com.
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