Stop settling for the same old perks when the right credit card could get you so much more. Whether you're looking to crush your monthly expenses with cash back or stack points for your next big getaway, these top picks for 2025 from our partners are designed to put more value in your wallet – and maybe even surprise you with a few perks you didn't know you could get.
| Credit Card | Rewards Rate | Welcome Bonus | Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 award winner
Best Overall Cash Back Credit Card
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Apply Now
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card 5.0
|
2%
Cash rewards
|
$200
Cash rewards
|
Balance Transfer:
0%, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Purchases:
0%, 12 months from account opening
|
18.99%, 23.99%, or 28.99% Variable
|
$0
|
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Apply Now
Citi Double Cash® Card 5.0
|
2% - 5%
Cash back
|
$200
|
Balance Transfer:
0%, 18 months
Purchases:
N/A, N/A
|
17.99% - 27.99% (Variable)
|
$0
|
|
2025 award winner
Best for Dining Out
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Apply Now
Chase Freedom Unlimited® 4.7
|
1.5% - 5%
Cash Back
|
$200
Bonus
|
Balance Transfer:
0%, 15 months
Purchases:
0%, 15 months
|
18.99% - 28.49% Variable
|
$0
|
Today's Top Cash Back Credit Cards
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- 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. 18.99%, 23.99%, or 28.99% 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.
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases with this card, including on gas!
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- Earn $200 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.
- 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. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.99% - 27.99%, 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).
Use this card to earn up to 2% on everything — including gas purchases!
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.
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.
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.
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
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.