Best Cash Back Credit Cards of December 2024:
Get Up to 5% Cash Back

Last updated Dec. 21, 2024 | By FinanceBuzz Editors

Earn up to 5% cash back while locking in other perks—no annual fees, 0% Intro APR promos, and hefty welcome offers. Check out these featured card offers from our partners below.



Compare Today's Top Cash Back Credit Cards

Excellent for high flat-rate cash rewards

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

5.0
info

on Wells Fargo’s secure website

Reward Rate info
2% Cash rewards
Intro Offer info
$200 Cash rewards
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Regular APR
19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable
Annual fee
$0

Why We Like It

Card Details

Excellent for cash back on traveling and dining

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

4.7
info

on Chase’s secure website

Reward Rate info
1.5% - 6.5% Cash Back
Intro Offer info
Up to $300 Cash Back
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular APR
19.74% - 28.49% Variable
Annual fee
$0

Why We Like It

Card Details

Excellent for cash back + intro balance transfer perks

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

4.5
info

on Capital One’s secure website

Reward Rate info
1.5% - 5% Cash back
Intro Offer info
$200
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months; Balance transfer fee applies
Regular APR
19.49% - 29.49% (Variable)
Annual fee
$0

Why We Like It

Card Details

Excellent for high-rate cash back categories

Discover it® Cash Back

4.7
info

on Discover’s secure website

Reward Rate info
1% - 5% Cash back
Intro Offer info
Cashback Match™
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular APR
18.49% - 27.49% Variable *Rates as of December 12, 2024
Annual fee
$0

Why We Like It

Card Details

Excellent for high flat-rate cash back rewards

Citi Double Cash® Card

5.0
info

on Citi’s secure website

Reward Rate info
2% - 5% Cash back
Intro Offer info
$200
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A, N/A
Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months
Regular APR
18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Annual fee
$0

Why We Like It

Card Details

Excellent for cash back at U.S. gas stations

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

4.9
info
See rates and fees | Terms Apply
Reward Rate info
1% - 3% Cash back
Intro Offer info
$200 Statement credit
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular APR
18.24% - 29.24% (variable)
Annual fee
$0

Why We Like It

Card Details


Bottom Line

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card(Rates and fees) is a great choice for almost everyone. Cardholders can benefit from a generous welcome bonus, earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, and 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers and new purchases — all without an annual fee.

  • Intro APR: Enjoy a 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening then 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR thereafter. You also get a 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers then 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR thereafter.
  • No annual fee: The Active Cash card has a $0 annual fee, which is perfect for someone looking to pay down debt, not add to it.
  • Welcome bonus: $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
  • Cash rewards: Cardmembers earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. If you love earning cash rewards but prefer to avoid the hassle of tracking spending categories, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card card could be a good option for you.
  • Access to FICO score: When you’re trying to pay down debt and build credit, it’s important to know where you stand. With Wells Fargo Credit Close-Up℠ cardholders own the skills to help understand and track their FICO Score, raise it, or maintain it.
  • Cell phone protection: 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).

» Click here to apply now and pay no interest into 2025

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

Benefits

Card Details

  • Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
  • Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
  • Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
  • Apply Now
  • 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 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% 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.
Wells Fargo Active <span class='whitespace-nowrap'>Cash<sup>®</sup></span> Card
5.0
info
Apply Now

on Wells Fargo’s secure website

Read Card Review

Intro Offer

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

Annual Fee

$0

+

Why we like it



Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about cash back credit cards? We've answered the most common ones below to help you choose the right card for you.

How do cash back credit cards work?

When you use a cash back credit card, the issuer gives you back rewards as a percentage of what you spend on qualifying purchases. You can usually redeem these rewards for statement credits, and sometimes for other things, like gift cards.

What types of cash back rewards can I receive?

There are different types of cash back 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 online shopping purchases on sites like Amazon, Target, or Walmart. The next quarter, 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 exact rewards structure will vary from card to card, though redemption options may be similar across credit cards. Some typical cashback redemption options include statement credits, direct deposits to your checking account, mailed checks, or credits you can use to purchase gift cards.

Which categories are eligible for cash back?

There are many categories of cash back cards. Some offer general flat-rate cash back, while others offer rotating categories. In general, here are some of the most common cash back categories:

  • U.S. Supermarkets
  • Gas Stations
  • Restaurants
  • Travel
  • Rotating categories
Is it better to get cash back or rewards?

Whether cash back or points/miles are better depends on what you value most. Big travel spenders might appreciate rewards that can be traded in for airline tickets, statement credits, and hotel stays. These points may be worth more than cash back depending on how you earn and redeem them.

However, some credit cards offer cashback rewards that can save customers a lot of money annually, which may be more important for you. In the end, it’s up to you to decide which is better for your lifestyle.

If you'd prefer more flexibility, certain cashback rewards cards 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.



How we chose these cards

FinanceBuzz evaluated a selection of cards from our partners, looking at various criteria including the annual fee, travel benefits, and bonus offers. We did not review all cards in the category and compensation was considered when evaluating and ordering the cards.