Whether you seek flat-rate rewards or category-specific cash back, MoneyGeek's picks for the best cash back cards stand out for the cash back they deliver. MoneyGeek's experts collected 32 data points for each of the 60 cash back cards in our data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, card issuer websites and our various partners to build our ratings. We assessed each card based on the cash back you earn on purchases as well as for other factors, including annual fees, issuer satisfaction, acceptance rates, penalties and fees and 0% APR introductory periods.
Best Cash Back Credit Cards for September 2024
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card scores 5 out of 5 in our cash back credit card ranking, thanks to its high cash back rate, strong 0% interest introductory offer and no annual fees.
Doug Milnes, CFA
Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets. Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
Brett Holzhauer, CPFC
Personal Finance Journalist
Brett Holzhauer is a Certified Personal Finance Counselor (CPFC) and a personal finance reporter at MoneyGeek. He has written for several leading publications, including Forbes Advisor, LendingTree, CNBC and ValuePenguin. Holzhauer has a journalism and mass communications degree from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University.
Casie McCoskey
Content Editor
Casie McCoskey is a professional editor passionate about providing people with accessible information on personal finance. Before MoneyGeek, she worked in the legal field, drafting and editing briefs and motions.
Doug Milnes, CFA
Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets. Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
Brett Holzhauer, CPFC
Personal Finance Journalist
Brett Holzhauer is a Certified Personal Finance Counselor (CPFC) and a personal finance reporter at MoneyGeek. He has written for several leading publications, including Forbes Advisor, LendingTree, CNBC and ValuePenguin. Holzhauer has a journalism and mass communications degree from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University.
Casie McCoskey
Content Editor
Casie McCoskey is a professional editor passionate about providing people with accessible information on personal finance. Before MoneyGeek, she worked in the legal field, drafting and editing briefs and motions.
Updated: September 27, 2024
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MoneyGeek partners with leading industry experts and advertisers to help you get to your financial happy place. Our content is accurate when posted but offers may change over time. We may receive compensation for partner advertisements, but our editorial team independently reviews and ranks products. Learn more about our editorial policies.
The Best Cash Back Cards
Best All Around: Wells Fargo Active Cash
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash is the best cash back card for its high flat 2% cash back on all purchases. It's great if you want to maximize cash back without tracking categories or are looking for a cash back card to cover spending in a category that's not bonused on your other cards.
The card beats out other flat-cash back cards with it's 2% cash back rate, $200 welcome bonus after spending $500 in the first three months and 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months.
- PROS
- No annual fee
- Welcome bonus
- Unlimited cash rewards on all purchases
- 0% intro APR offer
- Rewards don't expire with an active account
CONS- Potentially high APR
- No bonus reward categories
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months.
- Unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases.
- Enjoy a 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 12 months from account opening. After that, a variable APR of 20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% applies.
- Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and a 3% fee. After that, a balance transfer fee of up to 5% (minimum $5) applies.
- No annual fee
- No categories to track, and cash rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open.
- Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge.
- Earn up to $600 in 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).
Runner Up: Citi Double Cash
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
The Citi Double Cash is one of the best cash back cards, thanks to its 2% cash back, 1% cash back on all purchases and 1% when you pay off your balance. It offers no annual fee and a longer 0% APR intro balance transfer offer than the Wells Fargo Active Cash.
- PROS
- Easy 2% cash back on all purchases
- Lengthy 0% intro APR on balance transfers
- No annual fee
- Accepts fair credit
CONS- No intro 0% APR for purchases
- Penalty APR
- Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of account opening. This bonus is awarded as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- 2% on every purchase, with 1% cash back when you buy and an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
- 5% total cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel℠ portal until December 31, 2024.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, a variable APR of 19.24% to 29.24% applies, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers do not earn cash back, and the intro APR does not apply to purchases. 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% (minimum $5) for each transfer completed within the first four months of account opening. After that, the fee is 5% (minimum $5) for each transfer.
Best Cash Back on Dining and Groceries Combined: Capital One SavorOne
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
The SavorOne card is one of the best cash back cards for those looking for high cash back in dining, entertainment, and groceries. With unlimited 3% cash back on these categories it's one of the best bonus category cash back cards. Note that, like other cards with bonus cash back on groceries, you won't earn cash back on purchases at superstores like Walmart and Target.
The upgrade card, Capital One Savor, provides a 1% higher cash back rate than SavorOne on dining and entertainment for a $95 annual fee. The annual fee is actually more than what most people would earn from the extra 1% cash back rate.
- PROS
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming services and at grocery stores
- Earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel
- Receive a $200 welcome offer
- Offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
CONS- Use of Capital One Travel required to get high cash back rate
- Excludes cash back at superstores like Walmart and Target
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening your account.
- Unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), and 1% on all other purchases.
- 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get the best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply.
- Enjoy earning cash rewards without rotating categories or sign-ups. Your cash back won't expire for the life of the account, and there's no limit to how much you can earn.
- Benefit from a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; after that, a variable APR of 19.99%–29.99% applies. A 3% fee applies to amounts transferred within the first 15 months.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- No annual fee.
Best Cash Back With Zero APR Offer: Capital One Quicksilver
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
The Quicksilver card earns a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases. The 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months sets Quicksilver apart from the Wells Fargo Active Cash, which has a shorter intro APR. It's a great cash back card if you're looking for both a longer 0% intro period and competitive cash back.
Just don't confuse it with its sister, the QuicksilverOne card, which has higher acceptance rates but comes with an annual fee and does not have an intro APR offer.
- PROS
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- Low required spend for welcome bonus
- 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee
CONS- Requires excellent credit
- Limited bonus categories
Introductory Offers
- $200 cash bonus after spending $500 in the first three months.
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; after that, a variable APR of 20% to 30% applies.
Rewards
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day.
- Get 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
APRS, Fees, and Penalties
- Pay a 3% fee on balance transfers within the first 15 months, then 4% afterwards.
Perks & Benefits
- No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
- Cash back rewards do not expire, and no sign-ups are needed to earn rewards.
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Best for High Flat Cash Rate and Dining: Chase Freedom Unlimited
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
The Freedom Unlimited makes our best list by offering high flat cash back and bonus categories. It earns 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases and 1.5% on all other purchases. In addition, it offers 15 months of 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases.
However, the sign-up bonus of 1.5% cash back on up to $20,000 spent in the first year isn't compelling. It's equivalent to a cash bonus of $150 after you spend $10,000. Compared to Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, the Freedom Unlimited falls short on grocery rewards and issuer satisfaction with Chase versus Capital One.
- PROS
- No annual fee
- Intro offer allows you to earn 1.5% cash back on up to $20,000
- Enjoy the intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
- Potentially high cash back for certain categories
- Cash back doesn’t expire and is redeemable at any amount
CONS- Requires Good to Excellent credit score
- 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℠, the 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 on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening, followed by a variable APR of 20.49% to 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.
Best 5 Percent Cash Back: Citi Custom Cash
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
In our opinion, Citi Custom Cash is the best 5% cash back card. You earn 5% cash back on up to $500 monthly in your highest spend category and 1% on all other purchases. While some 5% cards have narrow 5% categories, the eligible ones for Custom Cash can be quite compelling, including airfare, restaurants, groceries, gyms and streaming services.
The spending cap holds this card back, putting it behind a flat cash card like the Quicksilver. But if you have a predictable spending category under $500 per month, like the gym or streaming subscriptions, this card could be just the thing.
- PROS
- 5% cash back on top spending category
- 0% intro APR offer
- No annual fee
CONS- Cap on bonus cash back rate
- Comes with penalty APR
- $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of account opening, fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points redeemable for $200 cash back.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, a variable APR between 19.24% and 29.24% applies, based on your creditworthiness.
- Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, then 1% cash back afterward. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No need to sign up for rotating bonus categories. Your rewards automatically adjust based on your spending each billing cycle in any eligible categories.
- No annual fee.
- Citi allows only one Citi Custom Cash® Card account per person.
Best Grocery Cash Back: Amex Blue Cash Preferred
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
The Blue Cash Preferred is one of the best cash back cards, especially for families and heavy commuters. It offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% at U.S. gas stations and 3% on transit.
However, it does come with an annual fee of $95 after the first year. Compared to SavorOne, which offers a 3% cash back on groceries and dining without caps, the Blue Cash Preferred scores lower because its higher grocery rewards are capped and come with an annual fee after the first year.
- PROS
- High cash back on supermarkets and streaming
- Unlimited cash back on gas and transit
- Intro APR for purchases and transfers
CONS- Annual fee after first year
- Spending caps and exclusions on supermarket purchases
Introductory Offer Details
- Enjoy a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 after that.
- Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months.
- Benefit from 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from account opening. After that, a variable APR of 18.74% to 29.74% applies.
Cash Back Details
- Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
- 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 3% cash back on transit, including taxis/rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Cash back is provided as Reward Dollars, redeemable as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
Other Benefits
- Earn a $84 Disney Bundle Credit: Spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription with your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card to receive a $7 monthly statement credit. Valid only at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
- Terms apply.
- See rates and fees
Best Custom Cash Back: Bank of America Customized Cash
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
The BofA Customized Cash offers a flexible rewards structure, making it one of the best pick-your-category cash back cards. It offers 3% cash back in a category of your choice. It allows you to change your bonus category each month, but we recommend you pick a category and leave it unchanged. It also offers 2% on Groceries and Wholesale clubs, which is a bit different as many cards won't cover wholesale clubs like Costco or Sam's Club.
In comparison, the potential 3% categories offered by the Customized Cash are fewer than the Citi Custom Cash but it does come with a higher spend cap.
If you're a Bank of America customer, the 3% rewards can be as high as 5.25% for Preferred Rewards members. Preferred Rewards is Bank of America's loyalty program based on investments and cash you keep at BofA and Merrill Lynch. However, the amount of cash and investments needed to get higher cash back rates is quite high.
- PROS
- No annual fee
- Attractive new cardholder bonus
- High cash back in customizable categories
- Extra rewards for preferred members
- Introductory 0% APR offer
CONS- Requires high credit score
- Complex rewards structure
- Limits on high-yield cash back
- Relatively high regular APR
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
- 3% cash back in the category of your choice, up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter.
- 2% cash back automatically at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter.
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Bank of America Preferred Rewards® members can earn 25%–75% extra cash back on every purchase, potentially earning 3.75%–5.25% back in the chosen category.
- No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Enjoy a 0% introductory APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made within the first 60 days. After that, a variable APR of 19.24%–29.24% applies. A fee of 3% for balance transfers within the first 60 days, then 4% thereafter.
- Regular APR ranges from 19.24% to 29.24% (variable) for both purchases and balance transfers.
- Use contactless cards for secure, convenient transactions with a simple tap.
Best Rotating 5 Percent Category Card: Discover it Cash Back
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
The Discover it Cash Back is one of the best 5% cash back cards. Upon activation, it offers 5% cash back on categories like groceries and gas each quarter. Discover matches all the cash back you earn in the first year, effectively doubling your rewards. Some people love this offer, but it's often less than a $200 bonus cash back deal.
Compared to Citi Custom Cash, which offers 5% on your top spending category, Discover it Cash Back's rotating categories give you less control but provide a longer intro APR period.
- PROS
- Earn 5% cash back on rotating categories
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
- Cash back match in the first year
CONS- Bonus categories have a quarterly cap and require activation
- Rotating bonus categories
- Low regular cash back rate
- $0 annual fee.
- Discover automatically matches all cash back earned in the first year.
- No minimum spending is required, and there's no cap on rewards for the cash back match.
- Earn 5% cash back on rotating categories like groceries and gas each quarter upon activation.
- All other purchases earn an unlimited 1% cash back.
- Discover assists in minimizing online exposure of your personal data on certain sites, activated via the mobile app.
- Every dollar in cash back you earn is a dollar you can use.
- Enjoy a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24%–28.24% after that.
- Standard APR ranges from 18.24%–28.24% (variable).
Best Fair Credit Cash Back Card: Upgrade Cash Rewards
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
The Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa is our pick for the best cash back card for fair credit. It offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, providing straightforward rewards. What's not as straightforwad, is that this card is a hybrid between personal loan and a credit card. Each month your balance is packaged into a loan with a fixed payback schedule. The benefits is a lower interest rate, but the drawback is that you can't just pay the minimum balance one month if things are tight. It's a good option for building credit, and it is unsecured so no upfront deposit required.
- PROS
- No annual fees
- Cash bonus with account opening and usage
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on payments
- Accepts fair credit
- Comes with security features
CONS- High APR range
- Requires account opening for bonus
- No bonus categories
- No annual fees
- Earn a $200 bonus by opening a Rewards Checking Plus account and completing three debit card transactions within 60 days
- Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on card purchases with each payment
- Experience seamless payments using built-in contactless technology
- Check eligibility in minutes with no impact on your credit score
- Merge credit card flexibility with the predictability of a personal loan
- Ideal for substantial purchases with manageable, budget-friendly payments
- Access your account on the go with a user-friendly mobile app
- Benefit from $0 fraud liability for added security
- Regular APR range between 14.99% – 29.99%
- Accepts fair to good credit
Best Cash Back For Target or Walmart: U.S. Bank Shopper
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
The U.S. Bank Shopper offers 6% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter at two selected retailers and 3% cash back on up to $1,500 each quarter in a chosen everyday category. For the 6% cash back retailers, that's comparable to Amex Blue Cash Preferred's rate on U.S. Supermarkets. Since the selected retailers can include Walmart and Target, this card can be great if you're looking for high cash back on superstores.
However, the $95 annual fee after the first year and the need to activate your bonus retailers and categories each quarter lower our overall score for the card.
- PROS
- High cash back at selected retailers
- Bonus offer for new cardholders
- Cash back on everyday categories
- No annual fee for the first year
- Flexible redemption options
CONS- $95 annual fee after the first year
- Cash back cap on purchases
- Potentially high APR
- Earn 6% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter at two selected retailers, including options like Amazon.com™, Walmart® and Target®.
- Earn a $250 bonus after spending $2,000 within the first 120 days of opening your account.
- Earn 3% cash back on up to $1,500 each quarter in a chosen everyday category, such as wholesale clubs, gas stations, EV charging stations and home utilities.
- Enjoy 1.5% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
- Benefit from 5.5% cash back on prepaid car and hotel reservations made through the Rewards Center.
- Access increased cash back opportunities at over 1,100 online stores via U.S. Bank's Rewards Center Shopping Deals.
- Choose from flexible cash back redemption options, including statement credit, rewards card, merchant gift cards or direct deposit into a U.S. Bank checking or savings account.
- No annual fee for the first year, followed by a $95 annual fee after that.
- Regular APR: 19.74%–29.74% (variable).
Best Warehouse Club Cash Back Card: Costco Anywhere
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
This card is one of the best cash back cards, but it requires a Costco membership. With 4% cash back on gas, 3% on travel and dining and 2% on Costco purchases, it offers some of the highest cash back rates in these categories available. However, an active membership is required to get and use the card, though there's no annual fee, and redemptions are limited to once a year.
It's clear that Costco Anywhere is designed to deliver long-term value for its customers, who value stocking up to get lower prices. The card has no 0% APR offer, no sign-up bonus and recommends applicants have high credit scores. These factors and the redemption restrictions lower our overall score for the card even though the rewards rates in its bonus categories are very competitive.
- PROS
- High cash back on gas, travel and dining
- 2% cash back on Costco purchases
- No annual fee
CONS- Limited reward redemption options
- Requires Costco membership
- No 0% intro APR period
- Discover a top-tier cash back rewards card from Citi, exclusively for Costco members.
- Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 annually, then 1% after that.
- 3% cash back on dining and eligible travel expenses.
- Enjoy 2% cash back on all purchases from Costco and Costco.com.
- Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Enjoy no annual fee with your paid Costco membership and benefit from no foreign transaction fees.
- Obtain an annual reward certificate redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico.
How To Compare and Choose the Best Cash Back Card
Choosing a cash back card depends on your spending habits and making smart comparisons. If you prefer simplicity, a flat-rate card might be best. If you spend heavily in certain categories, a bonus category card could offer more rewards. If you're willing to adapt to changing categories, a rotating category card might provide the highest rewards. The steps below outline how to compare cards.
Understand your spending habits
Do you spend more on groceries, dining out or travel? Knowing where you spend the most can help you choose a card that maximizes your rewards.
Know your credit score
Most cash back cards require good to excellent credit scores, but there are options for those with lower scores.
Compare rewards rates
Some cards offer flat-rate cash back on all purchases, while others provide higher rates in specific categories. Depending on how you spend will make certain cards more or less appealing. Using a cash back calculator can help you estimate your cash back.
Consider additional benefits
Look beyond the cash back rates and consider additional benefits like introductory 0% APR offers, welcome bonuses and other perks.
Check fees and rates
Consider the fees and interest rates associated with each card. Some cards have annual fees that can offset the rewards earned, while others might have penalty APRs and late fees that kick in if you miss a payment. Liz Frazier Peck, financial planner and author of Beyond Piggy Banks and Lemonade Stands: How to Teach Young Kids About Finance, advises, "Make sure the amount you pay in interest and fees is worth the cash or rewards you are receiving."
What is a Good Cash Back Card?
Every cash back card rewards you with a percentage of your purchases back in cash. The best cash back cards have high cash back rates, low or no fees, introductory offers like 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers, offer sign-up bonuses, good acceptance rates for applications and are issued by companies with a reputation for good customer service. In fact, that's how we scored all of the cards on our list.
What is a Good Cash Back Rate?
In a study of cash back rates of all cash back cards in our database, we found that the average cash back rate is 1.48% across all cash back cards regardless of whether it had flat cash, bonus categories or even rotating 5% cards. For this calculation, we calculated the effective rewards rate for each card using a median Amercian spending profile based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey.
Types of Cash Back Credit Cards
There are three main types of cash back credit cards to consider: flat-rate, bonus category, rotating category, and custom category cards. Each type has its own set of benefits and potential drawbacks.
Flat-Rate Cash Back Cards
Flat-rate cash back cards offer a consistent cash back percentage on all purchases. These cards are straightforward and easy to use, making them ideal for those who prefer simplicity. The main advantage is that you don't have to worry about tracking spending categories. However, they might not offer the highest rewards for specific spending categories. Look for cash back rates at 1.5% or higher to make sure you've got a good rate.
Bonus Category Cash Back Cards
Bonus category cards provide higher cash back rates on specific categories like groceries, dining or gas. For instance, the SavorOne Cash offers 3% cash back on dining, entertainment and grocery stores.
These cards can be very rewarding if your spending aligns with the bonus categories. However, they often come with spending caps and may exclude certain stores — Walmart and Target, for instance, are often excluded for grocery purchases. Look for bonus category cash back rates of at least 3%, and make sure you're getting higher rates if the card has annual fees or spending caps.
Rotating Category Cash Back Cards
Rotating category cards or 5% cards offer high cash back rates on categories that change every quarter. The Freedom Flex is a good example, offering 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories that rotate every three months.
These cards can be lucrative if you adapt your spending to maximize your cash back rewards. However, they require more effort to track and activate the categories each quarter.
Custom Category Cards
Similar to bonus and rotating categories, some issuers provide high rewards rates on spending in custom categories. You're typically only allowed to pick one at a time and the categories may be narrower, such as fast food but not all restaurants. For these cards, pay close attention to what the custom categories and spending caps are both as you sign up and then as you use them.
Look for cash back rates near or above 5%. One exception is the BofA Customized Cash card which pays a 3% cash back rate, but the categories are quite broad such as dining and groceries and there's no spending cap. In this case, it's more like a bonus category card.
Flat rate cash back credit cards are simply more rewarding and should be your first cash back card. Coming in at rates between 1% and 2%, they make up for their seemingly lower rates, by earning cash back on everything. There aren't bonus category cash back rates for car repairs, for example. Make a high flat rate cash back credit card your first priority and then pair it up with cards that offer higher rates on your highest spend categories.
Cash Back Card Categories
Cash back credit cards often feature bonus categories that allow cardholders to earn extra rewards on specific purchases. Knowing these common categories can help you choose a card that best aligns with your spending habits.
Groceries
Many cash back cards offer additional rewards for grocery store purchases. This category is particularly beneficial for families or individuals who spend a significant portion of their budget on food and household items.
Gas and Transit
For those who commute or travel frequently, some cards provide higher cash back rates on gas and transit expenses, including public transportation, rideshares and parking fees.
Dining and Entertainment
If you enjoy dining out or spending on entertainment, look for dining credit cards that offer extra cash back in these categories. This can include restaurants, bars, movie theaters and concert venues.
Travel
Travel-related purchases — including hotel stays and airline tickets — often earn higher rewards with certain cash back cards, making them ideal for regular travelers.
Online Shopping
As online shopping becomes more prevalent, some cards offer additional cash back for purchases made through specific online retailers or e-commerce platforms.
Expert Advice on Maximizing Your Cash Back Cards
Once you've selected the cash back card that's best for you, using it responsibly will help you maximize your rewards and avoid common pitfalls of cash back credit cards. Here are some expert tips to help you manage your cash back cards effectively.
Purchase what you need, not what your bonus categories tell you to When it comes to cash back cards, match the card bonuses to your spending and not the other way around. "The pursuit of points can lead to unmanageable debt, and so can the process of redeeming rewards," cautions Bruce McClary, the vice president of communications at the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. To help make sure you can pay off your balance, don't treat your credit cards as free money or get so caught up in the game of earning rewards that you overspend. Callie Renner, a wealth advisor at Beacon Pointe Advisors, recommends that you "only use credit cards on purchases you can afford."
Pay for everything with your card, and pay it off each month. If you put everything on your cards, you'll earn rewards on everything, but you have to pay it off each month. With typical credit card interest rates currently between 19% and 29%, interest charges on a month of spending can easily wipe out the 1% to 5% of cash back rewards you’ve earned. Missing a payment is even worse — some cards charge late fees and levy a penalty APR if you miss a payment. McClary warns, "A trap cash back cardholders often fall into is carrying a balance on their card. That's not the ideal situation with any credit card, but because cash back cards often have a higher APR than non-rewards-based credit cards, it's a really bad idea."
Pair a flat cash card with a bonus category card. By focusing on a few cards that offer the best cash back for your spending habits, you can maximize your cash back without complicating your finances. "For my household, that means using two primary cards," says Ethan Pew, Ph.D., assistant professor of marketing at the University of Texas at Austin, "One of them is a flat-rate card, while the other one has restaurant bonus categories."
Keep track of your bonus and rotating categories. If you do opt for cards with more complex cash back schemes, make sure you know what you're getting and when. These cards usually pay below average cash back rates of 1% on non-bonused categories. One notable exception is the Chase Freedom Unlimited which offers a base rate of 1.5%.
Read the full article: How To Maximize Your Cash Back Rewards
Are Cash Back Cards Better Than Other Cards?
Cash back cards come with trade-offs for their rewarding simplicity. They often have shorter introductory 0% APR periods than the best balance transfer cards, which are designed to help you work down existing balances. And although cash back cards are more straightforward, points cards can sometimes be worth more when you redeem points for travel or transfer to loyalty programs.
Many people ask whether cash back or points are better when it comes to rewards. The short answer is that you should pick the rewards system based on how it makes you feel and how much work you want to put into managing your credit cards. Cash back is simpler to manage, but it lacks the thrill of the deal that a points redemption can provide.
Cash Back Credit Card FAQs
MoneyGeek answers some of the most common questions about the best cash back credit cards, to aid you in making an informed decision.
The best cash back credit cards offer high cash back in categories where you spend the most, coupled with low fees and attractive sign-up bonuses.
Choosing a cash back card that's best for you is not difficult, but does require some work. You want to align the card with your needs. Start with which cards are likely to accept your application and take it from there. However, the reality is that a combination of cards that cover different categories or needs may be what's best for you.
Cash back cards essentially provide a rebate on purchases, which can be redeemed as a statement credit, check or direct deposit. Although it's not immediate cash at the point of sale, it's a monetary return on your spending that can offset future expenses or add to your savings. Don't worry; it's not taxable in almost every instance.
Cash back cards can still be worthwhile for frugal spenders, especially cash back cards without annual fees. Even modest spending can accumulate rewards over time. It's about finding a card that complements your spending level and patterns.
Yes, in most cases, you can use your cash back rewards as a statement credit to offset part of your credit card bill. This method effectively reduces your balance, making it a practical way to use your rewards.
Ask an Expert
- What mistakes do people make with credit cards, and specifically rewards programs?
- What are the "gotchas" about credit cards and rewards or cash back programs that are not well understood by consumers?
- What advice can you give consumers about managing their cash back rewards cards?
Methodology
Comparing cash back credit cards apples-to-apples can be tricky due to the variety of rewards schemes available. One card might offer 2% cash back on all purchases, whereas another offers 5% on groceries but only 1% on everything else.
To cut through the noise, we estimated the effective rewards rate for each card and made it the core of our scoring system. This rate estimates the cash back you can earn from a card based on its rewards structure and the spending profile of the median American household. By calculating this rate, we were able to compare cards more objectively.
MoneyGeek then collected and reviewed 32 data points for the top 60 cash back credit cards. We scored each card based on several factors, with the following weights applied:
- Effective Rewards Rate (50%): Measures the estimated cash back from the card based on its rewards structure and the spending profile of the median American household.
- Annual Fee (10%): Evaluates the cost of the card. The highest rating goes to cards with no annual fees.
- Offer ROI (10%): Measures the return on investment from the card's introductory offer.
- Balance Transfer Offer (5%): Evaluates the attractiveness of the balance transfer offer.
- Introductory Purchase APR (5%): Measures the appeal of the introductory APR on purchases.
- Recommended Credit (5%): Assesses the accessibility of the card based on recommended credit scores. A higher rating was given if the card is available to almost all credit scores.
- Issuer Satisfaction (5%): Measures customer satisfaction with the card issuer based on J.D. Power studies.
- Penalties (5%): Evaluates the penalty rates and fees, giving the highest rating to cards with none.
- Regular APR (5%): Measures the regular APR of the card, with higher ratings for lower APRs.
- Foreign Transaction Fees (5%): A high rating indicates no foreign transaction fees.
We follow this methodology to ensure our ratings are objective, comprehensive and trustworthy. In the end, you should match a card with your spending habits to determine which will provide the most value for you.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
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About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
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. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
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