Cash Back Credit Cards - Reviews
Cash back credit cards let you pocket earnings on eligible purchases and spend your rewards anywhere you like. To earn the most cash back rewards, you need to pick the best cash back credit card for your spending habits. Some pay a 1% to 2% flat rate on all of your purchases. Others offer cash back rates as high as 5%, but only on eligible purchases like travel or dining.
Many cash back credit cards have generous welcome offers that give you a hefty rewards balance from day one. Along with cash back perks, some cash back credit cards also offer 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers upon application approval, plus nifty benefits like flexible payment plans for large purchases and discounts at select stores.
Our CreditCards.com experts reviewed hundreds of cash back credit card offers based on several factors. Cash back rates, welcome offers, redemption simplicity and interest rates are the key criteria we used. In our cash back credit card reviews below, you can compare our experts’ top picks from our partners for 2021 and find recommendations on the best cash back credit cards for your spending habits.
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa®
Last reviewed: January 30, 2026
While this isn’t the best Visa card Credit One has to offer, the Credit One Bank Platinum Visa still offers cardholders a fairly good value. With a decent cash back rewards program and modest annual fee, this card may be the best option for customers with average credit who face more limited options.
Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®
Last reviewed: March 19, 2026
This card offers one of the higher cash back rates you can find in niche categories like home, health and auto purchases. But based on the average person’s spending habits, it’s unlikely to be particularly rewarding in the long term.
The Ultimate Cash Back card from Santander Bank
Last reviewed: July 2, 2025
With a run-of-the-mill earning scheme and sign-up bonus, plus limited redemption options, the rewards program on the Santander Ultimate Cash Back Mastercard is far from impressive.
Synchrony HOME Credit Card
Last reviewed: February 12, 2026
The Synchrony HOME Credit Card could be a useful financing tool if you’re facing a lot of expenses related to home goods or services. But deferred financing offers can be risky, and the card’s restrictive cash back scheme limits its long-term value.
USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card
Last reviewed: March 2, 2026
The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases, no category restrictions and no caps. Terms and Restrictions apply. See the Reward Terms and Conditions on USAA’s website for details.
Information about this card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com. The issuer did not provide the content, nor is it responsible for its accuracy.
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Last reviewed: February 12, 2026
The Costco Anywhere Visa excels as a card for Costco and gas purchases, though you’ll have to contend with an annual membership fee for Costco and only redeeming your cash back once a year.
Venmo Credit Card
Last reviewed: July 2, 2025
The Venmo Credit Card should offer refreshing flexibility thanks to its unique cash back program that lets you earn rewards in your biggest spending categories. However, there’s no guarantee your spending habits will line up with the card’s eligible categories.
PayPal Extras Mastercard
Last reviewed: February 12, 2026
The PayPal Extras Mastercard is burdened by cumbersome redemption tiers, poor redemption value and restrictions galore, making it a hard sell even for frequent PayPal users.
Credit One Bank® Platinum Rewards Visa® with No Annual Fee
Last reviewed: January 30, 2026
Despite its higher-than-average APR, the Credit One Bank Platinum Rewards Visa with No Annual Fee is a solid starter card for people with fairly good credit scores.
Rakuten Cash Back Visa Credit Card
Last reviewed: February 12, 2026
Stacking the Rakuten Cash Back Visa with Rakuten’s cash back offers could get you double-digit cash back when you shop online, but the card is far from the only way for Rakuten users to score big savings.
Blue Cash card from American Express
Last reviewed: February 12, 2026
Better suited for well-heeled families than cardholders on a budget, the Blue Cash card offers a generous cash back bonus on everyday purchases; but to get it, you have to clear an exceptionally high spending threshold that may be unrealistic for some families. This offer is no longer available.