Stop Leaving Money on the Table: Earn Up to 5% Cash Back With These Top Cards

Last updated June 26, 2025 | By FinanceBuzz Editors

Without the right cash back credit card, you could be missing out on hundreds, potentially even thousands of dollars every year in cash rewards.

Don't worry though, our experts found these leading options from our trusted partners that offer great reward rates, welcome bonuses, 0% intro offers, and more — all at a low or $0 annual fee.



Today's Top Cash Back Credit Cards

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2025 award winner Best Overall Cash Back Credit Card

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

5.0
info

on Wells Fargo’s website

Welcome Bonus
$200 info
Cash rewards
Rewards Rate
2% info
Cash rewards
Annual Fee
$0
Why We Like It
  • Flat-rate unlimited cash rewards on eligible purchases

  • Intro APR offers on purchases and qualifying balance transfers to help avoid interest

  • Redemption perks for eligible Wells Fargo accounts, including loan or mortgage credits or cash via an ATM

on Wells Fargo’s website

Recommended Credit info
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
Show All Card Details

Excellent for high-rate cash back categories

Discover it® Cash Back

4.7
info

on Discover’s website

Welcome Bonus
Cashback Match™ info
Rewards Rate
1% - 5% info
Cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Why We Like It
  • Ability to earn a high reward rate on common rotating spending categories each quarter

  • Generous welcome offer that effectively doubles all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year

on Discover’s website

Recommended Credit info
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
Show All Card Details

Excellent for customized rewards rates

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

4.5
info

on Bank of America’s website

Welcome Bonus
$200 info
Rewards Rate
1% - 6% info
Cash back
Annual Fee
$0
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 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice (then 3% cash back after the first year from account opening in your choice category) — categories include gas and EV charging stations, online shopping, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishing; 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.

on Bank of America’s website

Recommended Credit info
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
Show All Card Details

Excellent for cash back at U.S. gas stations

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

4.9
info
Welcome Bonus
$200 info
Statement credit
Rewards Rate
1% - 3% info
Cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Why We Like It
  • Earn a great rate on common spending categories with no annual fee.

  • Finance a large purchase or pay down high-interest debt thanks to a long 0% intro APR period.

  • Extra benefits rare for a $0 annual fee card, like up to $84 a year in statement credits for a Disney Bundle subscription (enrollment required).

Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Show All Card Details

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®

4.7
info

on Chase’s website

Welcome Bonus
$200 info
Bonus
Rewards Rate
1.5% - 5% info
Cash Back
Annual Fee
$0
Why We Like It
  • Solid flat-rate rewards on most purchases, with elevated rates on select travel, drugstore, and dining purchases

  • Impressive intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers, great for covering large purchases or paying down debt

  • Good purchase protections and coverage, all for no annual fee

on Chase’s website

Recommended Credit info
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
Show All Card Details

Excellent for high flat-rate cash back rewards

Citi Double Cash® Card

5.0
info

on Citi’s website

Welcome Bonus
$200 info
Rewards Rate
2% - 5% info
Cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Why We Like It
  • Simple unlimited cash back rewards on every purchase with no annual fee

  • Lengthy intro APR offer on balance transfers, great for tackling high-interest debt

  • Includes access to Citi Entertainment, which offers exclusive presales to thousands of events

on Citi’s website

Recommended Credit info
Fair to Excellent (580 - 850)
Show All Card Details

Excellent for cash back + intro purchase and balance transfer perks

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

4.5
info

on Capital One’s website

Welcome Bonus
$200 info
Cash bonus
Rewards Rate
1.5% - 5% info
Cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Why We Like It
  • Simple flat-rate cash back rate on every purchase, every day

  • Long intro APR period to help fund your next purchase or tackle debt

  • No annual or foreign transaction fee

on Capital One’s website

Recommended Credit info
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
Show All 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 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR thereafter. You also get a 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers then 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% 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).

Recommended Credit Score info
Good
670-739
Excellent
740-850


» Click here to apply now and pay no interest into 2026

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2025 award winner Best Overall Cash Back Credit Card

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
  • Apply Now to take advantage of this 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. 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% 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.