We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.
Cash back credit cards are the easiest way to earn rewards for all your purchases. Whether you're buying groceries, gas, or enjoying a meal out, using a cash back card means money back in your bank account.
There are dozens of cash back cards to choose from when you're looking for the best credit cards. The key is picking one (or two, or three) that align with your spending habits and personal finance goals, then using your cards responsibly. We've narrowed down the choices for you — all of these cards offer competitive cash back, many with generous welcome bonuses and no annual fee.
Our picks for the best cash back cards
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card(Rates and fees)
- U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
- Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Citi® Double Cash Card
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Rewards Rate
Earn 2% cash rewards on purchases
Why We Like It
If you love earning cash rewards but prefer to avoid the hassle of tracking spending categories, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card could be a good option for you. Cardmembers can earn 2% cash rewards on purchases.
This card also offers a 0% intro APR on qualifying balance transfers and purchases for 15 months from account opening, then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR. Those looking for straightforward rewards and an introductory APR will likely find value in this card.
Card Details
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
- 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5
- $0 annual fee
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open
- Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at a selection of the world's most intriguing and prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge
- Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible).
- Select “Apply Now” to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
Current Offer
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Rewards Rate
1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day; and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
Why We Like It
If you want a rewards credit card and don’t want to worry about rotating spending categories, consider the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card. It’s a simple, easy-to-use card that offers a flat 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make, with no limit on how much you can earn.
The Capital One Quicksilver card also offers a competitive 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a 19.99% - 29.99% (variable) APR. There is a 3% fee for the first 15 months. No fee for amounts transferred at the Transfer APR.
The card also has a welcome bonus for new cardmembers, an unexpected perk for a card that has no annual fee.
Card Details
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Current Offer
Earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening
Rewards Rate
5% cash back on two categories you choose (up to $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter) and on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center; 2% cash back on one everyday category, like gas stations/EV charging stations, grocery stores, or restaurants; and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
Why We Like It
For anyone who wants a powerful rewards card without paying an annual fee, check out the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card.
You’ll earn 5% cash back on two categories you choose (up to $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter) and on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center; 2% cash back on one everyday category, like gas stations/EV charging stations, grocery stores, or restaurants; and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases. This card allows you to tailor the rewards to your own spending habits, maximizing your cash back.
This card has an introductory 0% APR offer for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases and balances transfers (then 19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)). If you transfer over high-interest credit card debt, this offer could give you over a year to pay down the balance without paying interest charges, allowing you to save money.
Card Details
- $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
- 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose
- 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center
- 2% cash back on one everyday category, like Gas Stations/EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants
- 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
- 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 19.74 - 29.74%
- No Annual Fee
- Terms and conditions apply.
Why We Like It
Easy, unlimited cash back without categories or caps on how much you can earn.
Competitive, introductory 0% APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 billing cycles (then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR), with no annual fee.
Card Details
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 1.87%-2.62% cash back on every purchase with Preferred Rewards.
- No annual fee.
- No limit to the amount of cash back you can earn and cash rewards don’t expire.
- 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Current Offer
Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards Rate
5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year; 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year; and 1% cash back on all other purchases
Why We Like It
If you’re a freelancer, independent contractor, or small business owner in need of a business credit card that offers valuable rewards, consider the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card. It has no annual fee, a valuable welcome offer for new cardmembers, and rewards for common business purchases.
You don’t even need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to apply; sole proprietors and people who run side hustles can take advantage of this card’s benefits, too.
With the Ink Business Cash card, you’ll earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. You’ll also earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year.
Card Details
- Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
- Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
Why We Like It
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a fantastic card for anyone who loves earning cash back on everyday purchases.
Earn 3% cash back on the category of your choice — dining, drugstores, gas, home improvement/furnishings, online shopping, or travel; 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter); and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Cardholders also benefit from a long introductory APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
Card Details
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice - now with expanded categories, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
- Newly expanded categories based on Bank of America customer feedback! 3% cash back on Gas (to now include Electric Vehicle Charging (EVC) Stations) and Online Shopping (to now include Cable, Streaming, Internet and Phone Services).
- If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
- No annual fee and no expiration on rewards.
- 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Current Offer
Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 per year thereafter
Rewards Rate
6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (for first $6,000 per year, after that 1%) and on select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on eligible transit, and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases
Why We Like It
If you’re looking for a powerful rewards card, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express allows you to earn up to a whopping 6% cash back in select categories.
You’ll earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (for first $6,000 per year, after that 1%) and on select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on eligible transit, and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
The card does have a generous welcome offer and is a great card for large purchases and balance transfers.
Card Details
- Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (for first $6,000 per year, after that 1%) and on select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on eligible transit, and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases
- Intro purchase 0% APR offer: 0%
for 12 months then 19.24% - 29.99% Variable
- Intro balance transfer 0% APR offer: 0%
for 12 months
then 19.24% - 29.99% Variable
Terms apply
Current Offer
Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness
Rewards Rate
2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases
Why We Like It
The Citi® Double Cash Card lets you earn cash back twice. Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, just be sure to pay at least the minimum due on time.
In addition to unlimited cash back on all your purchases with no confusing categories, this card also offers 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) APR, and no annual fee.
Card Details
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
- To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Current Offer
Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back
Rewards Rate
5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
Why We Like It
With no annual fee, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card is a powerful rewards credit card. It has an easy-to-earn and potentially lucrative welcome offer for new cardholders.
When spending with this card, you can earn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
It's a fantastic everyday use card - you'll earn at least 1.5% cash back whenever you shop.
Card Details
- INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
- No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Current Offer
Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months
Rewards Rate
3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year on purchases in each category, then 1%); and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases
Why We Like It
If you have good to excellent credit and want a rewards credit card that allows you to earn valuable cash back on your most common purchases, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express may be a good match for you.
You’ll earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year on purchases in each category, then 1%); and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit. There’s also a welcome bonus, which is a nice perk for a card that has a $0 annual fee.
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is also good for large purchases with a 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months, then 19.24% - 29.99% Variable APR after that.
Card Details
- Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months
- 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year on purchases in each category, then 1%); and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases
- Intro purchase 0% APR offer: 0%
for 15 months then 19.24% - 29.99% Variable
- Intro balance transfer 0% APR offer: 0%
for 15 months
then 19.24% - 29.99% Variable
Terms apply
How to pick the right cash back card for you
When shopping for a credit card, you should always look to see whether the benefits of a card provide value to you. You can get started learning about a card by reading credit card reviews and comparisons.
Bonus categories and rewards
If you routinely spend money on takeout and travel purchases, a category card that gives you higher rewards (upon activation) for these specific type of purchases could be a good choice. A card that offers bonus rewards on groceries or gas might not provide as much value if those are lower spending categories for you. There are even a few cards that let you pick your highest earning rate for rewards in the category of your choice.
If you spend a lot on travel each year, then you might also want to consider travel credit cards that earn points or miles that you can redeem for travel.
To evaluate different credit card offers, read through the card details so you can fully understand what benefits the card is offering, what your obligations are, what to expect in terms of rewards rate, how you can use the rewards you can earn, and what interest and fees are associated with the card.
Fees
Many cards come with foreign transaction fees, cash advance fees, and balance transfer fees. Do your due diligence so you know what to expect.
Some cards will charge an annual fee, while others will not. If you don't think you'll get the best rewards to justify a card's annual cost, then you'll want to pick from the no-annual-fee cards.
0% intro APR and balance transfer cards
In addition to earning cash rewards, some cash back cards also offer a 0% intro APR on purchases or balance transfers for a set time period, usually a number of months or billing cycles. If you're interested in transferring a balance to a new card to save on interest, make sure you review the fine print about balance transfer fees, which typically cost around 3-5% of the amount of each transfer.
Whether you're planning to do a balance transfer or make a large purchase with your new 0% APR card, ensure you pay off the entire balance of your card before the introductory APR offer ends and the regular variable APR kicks in. Doing so can help you save on costly interest charges.
Note: There are also cash back business credit cards with rewards categories tailored to typical small business expenses.
FAQs
How do cashback credit cards work?
When you use a cashback credit card, the issuer gives you back a percentage of what you spend on qualifying purchases but there are different types of cashback credit cards. For example, if you have a flat-rate cash back card that offers 1.5% back on all purchases and you buy a $10 birthday cake, the card issuer will give you 15 cents back. Certain cash back cards also offer rotating bonus categories, which typically vary from quarter to quarter. One quarter, bonus cashback categories might include eligible purchases while online shopping on Amazon, Target, or Walmart, and the next, you might earn bonus cash at a wholesale club or home improvement store, or on a streaming subscription. As an added bonus, some issuers will even match the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, up to a certain amount.
The rewards structure will vary from card to card, though redemption options may be similar across cards. Cash back is typically offered to you in either statement credits, direct deposits to your checking account, mailed checks, or credits you can use to purchase gift cards. Some issuers even let you donate your cash back to a charity.
What credit card gives the most cash back?
That’s a complicated question, as different people value different things with cash back cards. A card that offers a 5% cashback rewards rate on dining and entertainment won’t be as valuable to a family who doesn’t go out to eat much. However, a card that gives them 3% back at select U.S. grocery stores may greatly appeal to them, even though the percentage is lower.
What’s important is deciding what matters most to you and what your spending habits are, so you can look for cards that offer high cashback rates for the purchases you make most. High percentages are generally anything above 2%, as most cash back cards offer 1% or 1.5% on select purchases. And don't forget to pay attention to spending caps for certain categories, which are most often limits on your annual spending.
Here are some excellent cards for earning cash back in different categories:
Why do credit cards offer cash back?
Competition among credit card issuers is fierce and any kind of incentive program, such as rewards or cash back, can make one card more appealing than others. In a way, it’s all about getting your business.
The money you get back typically comes from transaction fees that merchants pay every time they process a charge. The issuer takes a percentage of those fees and passes it on to customers with cash back cards.
Getting a percentage of money back encourages consumers to swipe more, which results in more transaction fees collected from merchants by the issuer. You may also find that cash back cards often have higher interest rates than those without rewards. Because these cards are so popular, issuers can set their APRs higher and still gain new customers.
Is it better to get cash back or rewards?
Whether cash back or miles are better really depends on you and what you value most. Big travel spenders might appreciate rewards that can be traded in for airline tickets, statement credits, and hotel stays may be worth more than cash back. However, some credit cards offer cashback rewards that can save customers a lot of money annually, which may be more important for someone else. In the end, it’s up to you to decide which is better for your situation.
If you'd prefer more flexibility, certain cashback rewards cards also allow you to use your cash back to book travel. This can give you the best of both worlds if you're on the fence about which type of card to choose. For instance, if you have the Chase Freedom Unlimited, you can convert your cashback earnings into travel rewards and use them to book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.
What credit score do you need to get approved for a cashback credit card?
Every issuer will likely consider your creditworthiness when you apply for a new cash back card, though credit requirements will vary. Some issuers may require excellent credit for approval, while others may approve your application even if you have a credit score on the low side, or a more limited credit history. Approval is at the issuer's discretion. To increase your options when it comes to credit cards, it's a good idea to learn more about how FICO Scores work and how to improve your credit score.
Methodology: How we chose these cards
To select the best cashback credit cards, we looked for cash rewards credit cards from our partners that offer bonus cash back-earning opportunities in popular spending categories, as well as strong welcome offers. We looked at these benefits in relation to each card's annual fee to determine which cards to include on our list. We did not include all cards available.
/static-assets/production/static-066dfd9f43fe91eea86a4f6985c6cc6286409e19/images/financebuzz.png)
/images/2018/01/23/navina-side-hustle-mid_MPfEDfV.jpg)
/images/2019/12/06/smart_strategies_to_save_money_on_car_insurance.jpg)
/authors/fbz-fb-profile-180x180.png)
/images/2021/12/22/wells-fargo-active-cash-dec-2020.png)
/images/2017/04/21/capital-one-quicksilver-rewards-card-image_289.png)
/images/2022/12/08/us_bank_cash_plus.png)
/images/2023/08/22/bank-of-america-unlimited-cash-rewards-credit-card_1.png)
/images/2021/07/29/chase-ink-business-cash-072921.jpg)
/images/2023/08/22/bank-of-america-customized-cash-cc.jpg)
/images/2019/05/10/amex-blue-cash-preferred-5-2019.jpg)
/images/2023/02/23/citidoublecash.png)
/images/2019/04/05/chase-freedom-unlimited-card.png)
/images/2022/07/15/american-express-blue-cash-everyday.png)
/images/2021/12/22/wells-fargo-active-cash-dec-2020.png)