4 Simple Ways to Earn Cash Back on a Debit Card

While using a debit card can be convenient, especially if you're worried about ending up in debt, you’re missing out on lucrative credit card rewards if you frequently swipe your debit card instead of using credit.

It is possible to earn cash back on a debit card purchase so you can get the best of both worlds — rewards points without worrying about paying interest. Unfortunately, debit card rewards programs aren't very common and usually aren't very generous.

Debit card rewards programs used to be much more prevalent and offered a better bang-for-your-buck in the past, when there were fewer regulations and banks could charge merchants larger fees for debit card purchases. But the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act put a cap on those fees and many of the best banks responded by discontinuing their programs or scaling down rewards offered after the reforms went into effect in 2010.

While it's still possible to find rewards debit cards that provide points or cash back, you're likely better off with a rewards credit card — as long as you can control your spending and make sure you pay your bill on time.

4 options to earn cash back on a debit card

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1. Discover® Cashback Debit Card

Discover's cashback debit card can be used anywhere Discover cards are accepted and provides 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in purchases made with your card each month.

That translates to a maximum of $30 in monthly rewards, which are automatically deposited in a Discover® Savings Account each month.

Your debit card can also be used to access more than 60,000 ATMs throughout the United States with no ATM withdrawal fees — but there's no cash back provided for money withdrawn from an ATM.

To start using your Discover debit card to earn cash back, you'll first need to sign up for a Discover® online banking account. You can do this right online at Discover.com.

The account truly aims to provide fee-free banking, with no monthly maintenance charges, no fees for standard checks, online bill pay at no cost, and no charge for stop payment orders, insufficient funds, or closing your account. If you lose your debit card, Discover even provides you with a replacement for free with expedited delivery.

A fee-free checking account plus the chance to earn cash back with a large spending limit makes Discover's debit card cash back program one of the best available.

2. Bank of America Debit Card

Bank of America's debit card rewards work differently than other cash back rewards programs on this list. With the Bank of America card, you earn cash back only on special deals that you pay for with your Bank of America debit card or credit card.

To be eligible to earn cash back through BankAmeriDeals, you need to sign in to your online bank account or use your mobile app. After signing in, check out the available deals (note that the amount of cash back you can earn will likely vary) and activate the ones you're interested in — then pay for qualifying items with your debit card to earn cash back, which will be automatically credited back to your account.

Anyone with a Bank of America checking account can take advantage of AmeriDeals, so just sign into your account and click "View all Cash Back Deals." Other terms and conditions of your account, including monthly fees and ATM access, will vary depending on which Bank of America account you choose.

While you don't have the flexibility to earn cash back on any purchase that other cards on this list provide, the chance to take advantage of these deals that provide cash back can be attractive for existing Bank of America customers.

3. Axos Cashback Checking

Axos provides up to 1% cash back on all signature transactions made with your debit card. To score 1% back though, you'll need to maintain at least a $1,500 average daily balance. If you can't maintain this average balance, your cash back for the month will be just 0.50%.

With the Axos debit card, you can get a maximum of $2,000 in cash back each month. You can earn this cash back if you have a debit card linked to an FDIC-insured checking account.

As one of the best checking accounts, Axos Cashback Checking also comes with no monthly maintenance fees and unlimited reimbursements for ATM fees at any domestic ATMs. And while you'll need at least $50 to open an account, there's no monthly minimum balance requirement once your account is open. Still, because you need a high balance to earn the maximum 1% cash back for debit card purchases, this account is the best choice only for those who tend to keep a large sum of cash in their account.

4. American Express Serve Cash Back Prepaid Debit Card

American Express Serve Cash Back is not a traditional debit card, but instead is a prepaid debit card that provides 1% back on all purchases with no limits.

The Amex card is different because you can spend only up to the amount you load onto your Serve card. But there are numerous free ways to transfer money to your account, including direct deposit and transfers from a bank account.

This card isn’t perfect, though. Adding cash to your card at a retailer comes at a cost of up to $3.95 per transaction, depending on which store you choose. In most states, you'll also have to pay a $6.95 monthly fee for the Serve Cash Back card.

If you can't open a traditional bank account or don't want to, the Amex Serve Cash Back might be a good option for you. But the monthly fees and costs associated with adding cash to your account can be expensive, so many may prefer other alternatives on this list.

4 credit card options to use for cash back

While it is possible to get cash back with a debit card, you're usually limited to getting just a small percentage back on a finite number of purchases per month.

If you want to maximize the rewards you earn for spending, you're likely far better off with a cashback credit card instead. Many of these cards offer more than 1% back — at least on some purchase categories — and don't limit your rewards to just a few thousand dollars in monthly spending. You'll also have way more choices when it comes to cashback credit cards, so you should be able to find a card well suited to your spending style.

Credit cards typically also come with other benefits that debit cards don’t offer, including better fraud protections, travel or shopping perks, sign-up bonuses for new cardmembers, and the chance to improve your credit score through responsible repayment.

If you're open to using a credit card to get more cash back, the following cards offer competitive rewards with no annual fee.

	Chase Freedom Flex℠	Chase Freedom Unlimited®	Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card	Citi Double Cash® Card
Annual fee	$0	$0	$0	$0
Rewards rate	Up to 5% cash back	Up to 5% cash back	1.5% cash back	Up to 2% cash back
Welcome offer	Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening	Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year)	Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening	Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back

Unlimited Cash Back

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

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Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

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Current Offer

Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 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

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year)
• Bonus rewards on eligible travel, dining, and drugstores
• No annual fee
• Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers

Drawbacks

• Has foreign transaction fee

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 Travel, 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 travel purchased through Chase Travel, 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, alerts, and more.
• Member FDIC

FAQs

Debit cards do provide cash back — but credit cards are more generous

If you want to maximize the rewards you earn, it makes sense to pay for as many purchases as possible using a credit card. But you do need to pay off your balance in full each month or the interest you'll pay will far exceed the value of any rewards.

If you aren't confident you'll be able to be responsible with credit or if you can't qualify for a credit card, you may decide a debit rewards card is better for you. Fortunately, now you know what some of your options are for debit cards that offer rewards and you can find a card that's right for your needs.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

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Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

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Rates and fees

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
• Intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
• $0 annual fee

Drawbacks

• Has foreign transaction fee
• No bonus categories

Card Details

• Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• 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. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter; 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.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.