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Cash-back credit cards are popular because they offer tangible, understandable rewards. Who doesn’t like getting a credit on their monthly credit card statement or, better still, cash deposited into their preferred account? Cash-back credit cards may be more popular than our top-rated gas cards and travel rewards cards.
However, not all cashback credit cards are created equal.
Some provide the same cash-back rate for all purchases. Others charge higher rates for specific spending categories, such as food or gas, and reduced prices for everything else. Others provide additional cash back on different spending categories each quarter. A few people earn cash back on both purchases and monthly payments. Here are 5 Best Cash-back credit cards.
Top Cash-Back Credit Cards
Each card on this list excels at something, whether it’s delivering a particularly high cash-back rate or an excellent interest-free balance transfer deal. Our top overall option is the one we believe will provide the most value to the biggest amount of potential consumers. here are Top Cash-Back Credit Cards
Best Overall: Chase Freedom Unlimited®.
Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card Chase Freedom Unlimited is the finest overall cash-back credit card, thanks to its diverse cash-back rewards program, long 0% intro APR on purchases and debt transfers, and hefty sign-up bonus. This might increase your redemption rate by as much as 20% and allow you to potentially transfer to more than ten Chase TravelTM reward partners, each of whose loyalty currencies may be worth considerably more. Chase Freedom is one of the Top Cash-Back Credit Cards
- Sign-up Bonus: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (up to $20,000 in the first year), up to $300 in cash back!
- After the first year, you can receive 5% cash back on Chase Travel℠ purchases, 3% on drugstore and restaurant purchases (including delivery), and 1.5% on all other qualified expenditures.
- Redeeming Rewards: Use the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal to get statement credits, bank account deposits, gift cards, general items, Amazon.com purchases, travel, and other benefits.
- Introductory APR: For the first 15 months after account opening, there is no interest on purchases or balance transfers. The standard APR is therefore variable, currently ranging from 20.49% to 29.24%.
- Annual fee: $0
Pros
- Longer-than-average 0% intro APR for purchases and debt transfers
- No international transaction fees
- No annual fee
Cons
- Chase cards that allow for travel partner transfers incur yearly fees.
- Baseline cash-back rate is moderate.
The best rotating cash-back Credit cards is the US Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card.
U.S. Bank Cash Card Art 4-4-22 The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card boasts the most generous rotating cash-back rewards scheme of any card on this list. Each quarter, you receive 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined qualified purchases across two categories of your choice.
Your options may evolve over time, but current categories include gyms and fitness centers, retail stores, fast-food restaurants, and movie theaters. See prices and fees for further details.
- Sign-up Bonus: Receive a $200 bonus when you make qualifying purchases totaling at least $1,000 within 120 days of opening your account.
- Reward Accumulation: Beyond gaining 5% cash back in your selected rotating categories, you’ll also receive 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel, and car reservations when booked directly through the Rewards Travel Center. Additionally, enjoy 2% cash back on purchases within a chosen everyday category like Gas Stations/EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores, or Restaurants, and 1% cash back on all other qualifying purchases.
- Redeeming Rewards: Redeem for statement credits, deposits into a connected U.S. Bank account, or good-as-cash gift cards.
- Introductory APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. Then variable regular APR applies, currently 19.74% – 29.74%. Balance transfers must complete within the first 60 days.
- Annual Fee: $0
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash back in every additional purchase category you choose.
- Long 0% introductory APR period.
- Above-average sign-up bonus
Cons
- You must manually activate your bonus categories every quarter.
- Overly specific 5% categories
Citi® Double Cash Card is the best flat-rate cash-back card.
Citi Double Cash Credit Card The greatest flat-rate cash-back program available is found on the Citi® Double Cash Card. However, to fully benefit from it, you must pay your account each month in full. You will always receive 1% cash back on all qualifying transactions as long as you have the card and are in good standing.
If you make the minimum payment each month, you will receive an additional 1% back on your balance payments. Consequently, in order to obtain the effective 2% cash-back rate—which is recommended regardless—you must pay off your entire balance.
- Sign-up Bonus: None.
- Earning Rewards: Get 1% cash back on all eligible purchases and 1% cash back on all balances paid by the statement due date. When you pay your account in full every month, you’ll receive 2% cash back.
- Redeeming Rewards: With $25 in accrued rewards, you can redeem for statement credits or direct deposit to a linked bank account.
- Introductory APR: 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for the first 18 months after account opening, after which a variable regular APR applies (currently 18.99% to 28.99%). The purchase APR ranges from 18.99% to 28.99% from day one.
- Annual fee: $0
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Longer-than-average introductory balance transfer APR Offer
- No international transaction fees
Cons
- There is no way to earn more than 2% cash back.
- No sign-up bonus.
- No introductory APR on purchases.
The Best Credit Card for Supermarket Purchases is the American Express
Blue Cash Preferred® Card. AMEX Credit Card Preferred Blue Cash 1 For those with modest to large grocery purchases, American Express’s Blue Cash Preferred® Card is the finest cash-back credit card. Up to a $6,000 yearly spending cap, it receives 6% cash back on all supermarket transactions made in the United States. You continue to receive 1% back on U.S. supermarket purchases once you reach $6,000.
- Welcome Bonus: Get $250 back after spending at least $3,000 on purchases in the first six months. Cash back is calculated as Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed for statement credits.
- Get Rewards: Get a hefty 6% cash back when you make eligible purchases on digital media and streaming services like Netflix and HBO. Enjoy a solid 3% cash back for every dollar spent at petrol stations and transportation providers within the United States, including popular ridesharing services such as Lyft and Uber. For all other purchases, receive a standard 1% cash back.
- Redeeming Rewards: Redeem accrued Reward Dollars for statement credits against purchases or at the Amazon.com checkout.
- Introductory APR: 0% APR on purchases for 12 months, after which variable normal APR applies (currently 19.24% to 29.99%).
- Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee in year one, then $95 (see rates and fees)
Pros
- Earn up to 6% cash back on other popular categories, such as digital media and streaming services.
- Longer-than-average 0% introductory APR on purchases.
- Above-average welcome offer for new cardholders.
- Balance transfers requested within 60 days of account opening are eligible for a 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months.
Cons
- There is a $95 yearly cost after the first year.
Top Pick for Ease: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
When it comes to cash-back credit cards, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is incredibly straightforward. Every purchase you make with this card earns 1.5% cash back, except for eligible hotel and car rental bookings made through Capital One Travel, which earn 5% cash back.
Furthermore, there are no restrictions on the amount of cash back you can earn, and you can redeem your rewards without any minimum threshold.
- Early Spending Incentive: Spend a minimum of $500 within the first three months after opening your account to receive a $200 cash bonus.
- Reward Earning: Get unlimited 1.5% cash back on most purchases. Additionally, eligible hotel and rental car bookings made through Capital One Travel earn unlimited 5% cash back. Terms and conditions apply.
- Redeeming Rewards: You can use your rewards to get statement credits for past purchases in any amount.
- Introductory annual percentage rate (APR): Enjoy a 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months. Following this period, a variable regular APR will apply (currently ranging from 19.99% to 29.99%).
- Annual Fee: There is no yearly charge with this card.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Generous intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- Baseline cash-back rate is moderate.
- Book via Capital One to get 5% back on qualified travel.