The Best Cash Back Credit Cards of 2022
Save time searching with MoneyGeek's top picks for the best cash back credit card offers of 2022 and tips for finding the best card for cash back rewards.
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The best cash back credit cards offer simple, flexible rewards to match your spending habits. Cash back rewards come in the form of something everyone loves — cash. These cards often come with other benefits and redemption options, but their primary purpose is to provide cash back rewards on all of your card purchases.
You may earn more cash back for certain types of spending like travel, dining, or at the fuel pump. Some cards feature rotating spending categories that you choose each quarter. Other cards offer one rewards rate for all purchases across the board.
To help you find the best card for you, MoneyGeek has researched over 106 credit cards to find the best cash back offers for the month. Keep reading to see our top picks, learn more about cash back credit cards, check out handy card comparison charts and find answers to common questions about cash back cards.
Use the links below to find the information you’re looking for quicker:
- I am a current credit card or cash back cardholder looking for better deals based on my purchasing habits.
- I am a first-time card or novice card owner looking to find a good cash back option for me.
"Nearly all consumers can benefit from a cash back credit card. Saving money on your day-to-day purchases is universal. However, if you enjoy traveling, consider that those same purchases could earn you more valuable rewards on a travel rewards credit card." -- Brett Holzhauer, personal finance writer for MoneyGeek and other publications.
MoneyGeek’s Take: Cash Back Cards You Can't Go Wrong With in 2022
At MoneyGeek, we’ve chosen the best cash back credit cards for you based on extensive research, not what is best for us. Our team compared 106 credit cards and consulted industry experts to find the absolute best cards for our readers. Our mission is to help you make the most informed credit card choice so you can maximize your rewards earning and gain access to credit card benefits and perks that make sense for you.
Quick Summary:
Cash back credit cards are a great way to ‘be rewarded’ on every day spending, but they are not the only cards to do so. Depending on your or your business’s travel habits, a co-branded airline or hotel credit card or general travel rewards card may earn you more in the long run. Note: These links will open in a new window to our partner site, CardRatings.com.
Best Cash Back Card Offers for May 2022
Not all cash back credit cards are created the same. Some are designed specifically for individuals or groups with varying needs. We’ve broken our list of the best cash back credit cards into categories to help you identify the right one for you. We’ve found the very best cards, whether you are an individual looking for the best rewards rates or a business owner who wants to take advantage of monthly expenditures to earn rewards.
>>MORE: BEST CREDIT UNION CREDIT CARDS FOR CASH BACK IN 2022
Best Cash Back Business Credit Cards
We chose the following cards because they reward small business owners for the items and services they purchase the most. We also know that access to other features, like low APR or introductory offers, can pay off in the long run.
FEATURED
Chase Ink Business CashBest cash back business card sign-up bonus- Excellent, GoodCredit Needed
- 5%*Cash Back Rate
- $0Annual Fee
- 13.24% - 19.24%APR
The Chase Ink Business Cash card is one of the best for cash back, but Chase's Ink Business Preferred card offers a great intro bonus for travel points. Compare these two Chase cards along with other business credit cards at our partner site, CardRatings.com.
Best Cash Back Credit Cards for Students
Student cash back credit cards are a way to start building your credit while earning valuable cash back rewards. We looked at factors like fees, rates and rewards to find the cards that make the most sense for college-age individuals with limited credit history. Remember that you will need some form of income to qualify for a cash back card and pay your monthly bill.
FEATURED
Deserve EDU Mastercard for StudentsBest student cash back card for limited credit history- Limited, NoneCredit Needed
- 1%Cash Back Rate
- 0$Annual Fee
- 18.74%APR
The Deserve EDU Mastercard is a great cash back card for students, but there are others like the Chase Freedom Student Credit Card that offer similar cash back rewards but may have lower APR or other benefits better suited for your spending habits.
You can learn more about student credit cards on our page, the Best Student Credit Cards of 2022, or compare these two cards and apply for one at our partner site, CardRatings.com.
Best Cash Back Credit Cards for People With Fair to Average Credit
Having less than stellar credit doesn’t mean you should miss out on valuable cash back rewards. Cash back credit cards for those with fair to average credit can help you earn rewards while building your credit history and improving your credit score.
FEATURED
Credit One Bank Platinum VisaBest cash back card for those with fair credit- FairCredit Needed
- 1%Cash Back Rate
- $39Annual Fee
- 23.99%APR
How We Rate Cash Back Cards
We independently collected information on credit card issuers, based on issuers listed in the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau's credit card agreement database. This allowed us to collect the information for approximately 2,500 credit cards. Learn more about our data collection and ranking process.
Top Rating Criteria for Cash Back Cards
4 Tips for Comparing Cash Back Credit Card Offers
Cash back credit cards are not all created equal, and the right card for someone else may not be the right one for you. Here are some tips to simplify the process and find the best cash back credit card for you.
Know Your Score
Knowing your credit score will help you quickly narrow down the field to only cards you qualify for right now. Having access to credit scores and understanding the factors that make up your score will help you now and in the long run.
Know Your Spending
Having a good sense of where you spend your money will also lead you to the right card. Cash back cards offer several reward structures. Some cards offer flat cash back rewards on all purchases. Other cards offer bonus rewards in select spending categories like travel, dining, groceries and gas. Look for a card with a rewards structure that matches your spending habits.
Factor in Fees
Of course, you can’t forget about fees when calculating potential card earnings. That doesn’t mean cards without annual fees are better. But you should consider how you will use the card and whether the perks and rewards the card offers justify the annual fee.
Look at Other Benefits Included
Once you’ve looked at the cash back rewards, take time to consider other benefits included with the card. Some cards offer extra features like cell phone protection, free credit score access, travel perks and purchase protection.
Cash Back Cards at a Glance
Compare some of the top cash back credits cards by their reward rates and approximate credit scores needed to get approved. The links in the table below will take you to our partner’s site, CardRatings.com, where you can compare and apply for a selected credit card.
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- Card NameCredit NeededCash Back RateAnnual Fee
- Excellent, Good5%*$0
- Limited, None1%$0
- Fair1%$39
MoneyGeek’s Take: Finding the Right Cash Back Credit Card for You
A cash back credit card is a valuable tool. You earn back a percentage of your card purchases, typically as a statement credit or direct deposit. Unlike other forms of rewards, what you see is what you get with cash back rewards. For instance, the value of miles earned with an airline rewards credit card can change depending on how they are redeemed, and you often get more value when using them for international travel.
However, there are other rewards credit cards, like Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred, that earn valuable rewards that are redeemable in several ways, including for cash back and travel.
Not all cash back cards work the same either. For example:
- The Ink Business Cash card is specifically for business owners, and its reward structure is geared towards the spending needs of a business.
- The Deserve EDU is for college students with little to no credit.
- Individuals with good to excellent credit can qualify for cash back cards that offer much higher rewards and other benefits.
- If you like to travel, one of the top travel rewards credit cards might be a better fit.
- If you’re planning on making a large purchase in the near future or have existing credit card debt racking up interest charges, a good balance transfer card or rewards card with an intro APR offer might make more sense.
Your best bet is to determine your credit card needs and then find the right fit for you.
Who Should Consider a Cash Back Card?
You might be wondering why you should consider getting a cash back credit card. Unlike other rewards credit cards, there’s no guessing when it comes to the card’s value. You’ll earn a percentage back on your card purchases based on the card’s set rewards rates. Your rewards come back to you as cash, usually as a statement credit or a deposit to your bank account. Some cards reward you the same no matter the purchase, while others offer higher rewards rates in specific categories.
That doesn’t mean everyone should get a cash back card. For example, if you’re an avid traveler, you might find more value in a travel rewards credit card that comes with a large sign-up bonus, earns points or miles towards free travel and comes with extra perks like hotel status, waived airline fees and more.
>>MORE: WHAT IS CREDIT CARD CHURNING
Expert Advice for First-Time or Newer Cash Back Cardholders
We continue to help your research, by gathering advice from financial, credit counselors and other credit card experts and answering common questions related to cash back cards and reward programs.
- What mistakes do people make with credit cards, and specifically rewards programs?
- What are the "gotchas" about credit cards and rewards programs that are not well understood by consumers?
- What advice can you give consumers about managing their cash back rewards cards?
Top Cash Back Cards FAQs Answered by The Geeks
Cash back credit cards come in many different forms, and having the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about cash back cards and rewards will help you find the best card for you.
Tips for People Looking to Maximize Cash Back Rewards
Perhaps you already have experience using a cash back or other rewards credit card under your belt. Like anything in life, there are always new things to learn when it comes to cash back rewards.
Maximizing Your Cash Back Rewards
To maximize cash back rewards, you’ll want to be in tune with your spending habits. Do a deep dive into your past spending to see where you spend money the most. Then, align your cash back cards with your spending so that you earn the best rates.
Having more than one credit card can also help you take advantage of increased rewards rates from both cards. If you have a card that offers a higher cash back rate for grocery purchases but only 1% cash back for other purchases, you can pair it with a flat-rate cash back card that earns more than 1% to earn more cash back.
Comparing Cash Back Rates to Find the Right Card
It’s also wise to check your card’s cash back rates so that you’re aware of any restrictions or limitations. Some cash back cards, like Chase Freedom Flex, offer rotating bonus categories that you have to activate each quarter. Keeping track of details like that every few months is often hard to do.
Some cash back credit cards have maximum spending limits. The Ink Business Cash Credit Card, for example, caps several spending categories at the first $25,000 spent each year. Personal cash back cards will have lower annual limits. You can maximize your cash back rewards by at least hitting spending limits or finding a cash back card without any limitations, depending on your needs.
Comparing Cash Back to Points and Miles Deals
Typically, rewards points and miles carry more value than cash rewards. They are also often more complicated to understand, earn and use than cash back rewards.
The real value is in understanding your own credit card needs. Rewards credit cards that earn points and miles make sense if you travel often. If you only travel a couple of times a year, your rewards could go to waste and possibly expire. A card like Chase Sapphire Preferred offers more flexibility with redemptions, even as a card that earns points. You can use Chase Ultimate Rewards points towards flights, hotels, gift cards, and yes — cash. Knowing how you want to use your rewards will lead you towards the right type of rewards credit card.
Maximizing Your Cash Back Rewards FAQs
Below are answers to common questions on how to maximize cash back credit cards.
Cash back credit cards reward you for your everyday spending, unlike using a debit card. Always use cash back cards responsibly, making sure not to spend more than you can afford to pay. Interest charges cause your account balance to skyrocket and quickly negate the rewards you earned.
If you prefer earning cash to travel rewards, take time to compare the best cash back credit cards to find the right one for you.
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About the Author
sources
- Intuit TurboTax. "Are Cash Back Rewards Taxable Income?." Accessed March 18, 2021.
- Better Money Habits. "What is a credit card cash advance?." Accessed March 18, 2021.
- Chase. "Chase Ink Business Cash Card." Accessed March 18, 2021.
- Chase. "Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card." Accessed March 18, 2021.
- Chase. "Chase Ultimate Rewards." Accessed March 18, 2021.
- Chase. "Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card." Accessed March 18, 2021.
- Chase. "Chase Sapphire Reserve." Accessed March 18, 2021.
- Deserve. "Deserve EDU." Accessed March 18, 2021.
- Deserve. "Deserve® EDU Cardholder Agreement." Accessed March 18, 2021.
- Credit One Bank. "Platinum Visa." Accessed March 18, 2021.
- Credit One Bank. "Choosing a Credit Card." Accessed March 18, 2021.
- American Express. "Blue Cash Preferred Card." Accessed March 18, 2021.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.