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June 30, 2022
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It earns a flat cash back rate on every purchase, offers a generous sign-up bonus, charges a $0 annual fee and comes with solid intro APR periods on both purchases and balance transfers.
Cash back credit cards are incredibly popular and for good reason. They offer straightforward rewards and can help you earn anywhere from 1% to 6% back when you make a purchase with the card.
We’ll examine our top pick, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, in greater detail, as well as consider eight other cash back cards that excel in various categories.
With the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, you’ll earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, which can be redeemed as a statement credit, as a credit to a qualified Wells Fargo loan, mortgage or other credit account, or in $20 increments at a Wells Fargo ATM or for gift cards.
There’s also a sign-up bonus — earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. And if you pay your monthly cellphone bill with this card, you’ll get up to $600 worth of cellphone protection (subject to a $25 deductible).
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is an excellent choice if you want to earn flat-rate rewards without worrying about different categories. It also comes with strong intro APR periods on both purchases and balance transfers — so whether you need to finance a big purchase and pay it off over time, or transfer a balance from another card, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card can help you do that.
Enjoy a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening. After, a 16.49%, 21.49%, or 26.49% Variable APR applies.
And when it comes to transferring debt from a non-Wells Fargo card, this card also has a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers. After that, a 16.49%, 21.49%, or 26.49% Variable APR applies. There’s a balance transfer fee of 3% intro for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; min: $5.
Just know that if you opened a Wells Fargo credit card in the past 15 months and received an intro APR and/or a bonus, you might not qualify for intro APR and/or a bonus on this card. And if you opened another Wells Fargo credit card in the past six months, your application for this card might be denied.
Also, if traveling abroad, beware the 3% foreign transaction fee.
With the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, you’ll earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, which can be redeemed as a statement credit, as a credit to a qualified Wells Fargo loan, mortgage or other credit account, or in $20 increments at a Wells Fargo ATM or for gift cards.
There’s also a sign-up bonus — earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. And if you pay your monthly cellphone bill with this card, you’ll get up to $600 worth of cellphone protection (subject to a $25 deductible).
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is an excellent choice if you want to earn flat-rate rewards without worrying about different categories. It also comes with strong intro APR periods on both purchases and balance transfers — so whether you need to finance a big purchase and pay it off over time, or transfer a balance from another card, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card can help you do that.
Enjoy a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening. After, a 16.49%, 21.49%, or 26.49% Variable APR applies.
And when it comes to transferring debt from a non-Wells Fargo card, this card also has a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers. After that, a 16.49%, 21.49%, or 26.49% Variable APR applies. There’s a balance transfer fee of 3% intro for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; min: $5.
Just know that if you opened a Wells Fargo credit card in the past 15 months and received an intro APR and/or a bonus, you might not qualify for intro APR and/or a bonus on this card. And if you opened another Wells Fargo credit card in the past six months, your application for this card might be denied.
Also, if traveling abroad, beware the 3% foreign transaction fee.
Cardholders with the Citi® Double Cash Card earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. This is a great flat rate on all purchases and provides an incentive to pay your bill on time.
You can redeem cash back for checks, statement credits, or deposits to a bank account, or you can convert your cash back to Citi ThankYou® points (which can be redeemed for gift cards, travel, purchases at select retailers and more).
However, if you want a card that gives you all your cash back up front (that is, upon making a purchase), competing 2% cash back cards include the Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Card, the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® and the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card.
The Citi® Double Cash Card offers a lengthy intro APR of 0% for 18 months on balance transfers, after which an APR of 15.49% - 25.49% (variable) applies. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
If you’re carrying high-interest debt on a non-Citi card, transferring it to the Citi® Double Cash Card could help you get out of debt.
Plus, this card is also a standout choice to keep on hand after paying off your transferred debt. It earns a flat cash back rate on all purchases, so you know what you’re going to earn without worrying about different rates for different categories.
The annual fee is $0. However, there’s a 3% foreign transaction fee, so this isn’t the best card to take when traveling abroad.
This card also lacks a sign-up bonus, so it might not be the best choice if you’re looking to make a big purchase and are hoping to earn a bonus on your new card to offset the purchase cost.
Cardholders with the Citi® Double Cash Card earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. This is a great flat rate on all purchases and provides an incentive to pay your bill on time.
You can redeem cash back for checks, statement credits, or deposits to a bank account, or you can convert your cash back to Citi ThankYou® points (which can be redeemed for gift cards, travel, purchases at select retailers and more).
However, if you want a card that gives you all your cash back up front (that is, upon making a purchase), competing 2% cash back cards include the Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Card, the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® and the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card.
The Citi® Double Cash Card offers a lengthy intro APR of 0% for 18 months on balance transfers, after which an APR of 15.49% - 25.49% (variable) applies. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
If you’re carrying high-interest debt on a non-Citi card, transferring it to the Citi® Double Cash Card could help you get out of debt.
Plus, this card is also a standout choice to keep on hand after paying off your transferred debt. It earns a flat cash back rate on all purchases, so you know what you’re going to earn without worrying about different rates for different categories.
The annual fee is $0. However, there’s a 3% foreign transaction fee, so this isn’t the best card to take when traveling abroad.
This card also lacks a sign-up bonus, so it might not be the best choice if you’re looking to make a big purchase and are hoping to earn a bonus on your new card to offset the purchase cost.
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. Check out the 5% cash back categories for 2022.
Plus, the sign-up bonus is generous for having such a low spending requirement: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening! And if you need to pay off a big purchase over time, you’ll appreciate the 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months, after which a 15.74% - 24.49% variable APR applies.
There is also a 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months. After, the regular APR will be 15.74% - 24.49% variable . The balance transfer fee is either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days. Then, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Finally, get cell phone protection of up to $800 per claim and $1,000 per year. Note that there’s a maximum of two claims per 12-year period and each claim is subject to a $50 deductible.
If you want a solid ongoing cash back rate on dining and drugstore purchases, and your spending also lines up well with the rotating categories, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers the chance to earn generous cash back. Just remember to activate the new bonus category every quarter, and be aware that after spending $1,500 in the quarterly category, your earning rate for such purchases will drop to 1% (meaning you can earn up to $75 cash back at the elevated rate each quarter).
Examples of Chase’s bonus categories have included:
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ does charge a 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars foreign transaction fee, so leave it at home if traveling outside the country. Also, before applying, make sure you’re aware of the Chase 5/24 rule — an unwritten rule that essentially means Chase will deny your application for a card if you’ve opened five or more cards from any issuer in the past 24 months.
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. Check out the 5% cash back categories for 2022.
Plus, the sign-up bonus is generous for having such a low spending requirement: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening! And if you need to pay off a big purchase over time, you’ll appreciate the 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months, after which a 15.74% - 24.49% variable APR applies.
There is also a 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months. After, the regular APR will be 15.74% - 24.49% variable . The balance transfer fee is either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days. Then, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Finally, get cell phone protection of up to $800 per claim and $1,000 per year. Note that there’s a maximum of two claims per 12-year period and each claim is subject to a $50 deductible.
If you want a solid ongoing cash back rate on dining and drugstore purchases, and your spending also lines up well with the rotating categories, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers the chance to earn generous cash back. Just remember to activate the new bonus category every quarter, and be aware that after spending $1,500 in the quarterly category, your earning rate for such purchases will drop to 1% (meaning you can earn up to $75 cash back at the elevated rate each quarter).
Examples of Chase’s bonus categories have included:
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ does charge a 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars foreign transaction fee, so leave it at home if traveling outside the country. Also, before applying, make sure you’re aware of the Chase 5/24 rule — an unwritten rule that essentially means Chase will deny your application for a card if you’ve opened five or more cards from any issuer in the past 24 months.
This card earns an unlimited 3% Cash Back on dining and entertainment; 3% Cash Back on popular streaming services; 3% Cash Back at grocery stores; 1% Cash Back on all other purchases. Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and tickets at Vivid Seats. That’s one of the highest cash back rates on dining and entertainment that you’ll find on a card with a $0 annual fee.
Plus, the sign-up bonus offers great value for a low spending requirement: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Finally, enjoy an intro APR of 0% intro on purchases for 15 months, after which an APR of 16.49% - 26.49% (variable) will apply.
Avid foodies will love the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card’s rewards for dining and grocery store purchases, while those who enjoy events such as going to a movie or a sports event can appreciate earning cash back on entertainment expenses.
Plus, the foreign transaction fee is none. That means if you’re planning a trip abroad and want to experience all the culinary goodies your vacation destination has to offer, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent card to keep in your wallet.
This card earns an unlimited 3% Cash Back on dining and entertainment; 3% Cash Back on popular streaming services; 3% Cash Back at grocery stores; 1% Cash Back on all other purchases. Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and tickets at Vivid Seats. That’s one of the highest cash back rates on dining and entertainment that you’ll find on a card with a $0 annual fee.
Plus, the sign-up bonus offers great value for a low spending requirement: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Finally, enjoy an intro APR of 0% intro on purchases for 15 months, after which an APR of 16.49% - 26.49% (variable) will apply.
Avid foodies will love the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card’s rewards for dining and grocery store purchases, while those who enjoy events such as going to a movie or a sports event can appreciate earning cash back on entertainment expenses.
Plus, the foreign transaction fee is none. That means if you’re planning a trip abroad and want to experience all the culinary goodies your vacation destination has to offer, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent card to keep in your wallet.
With the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, you can 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 and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more), 1% Cash Back on other purchases. Terms apply.
Cardholderss also earn a $350 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months.
Cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit. The card comes with a $95 annual fee.
To see rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
For consumers whose budgets include a significant amount of grocery shopping, streaming, and gas or transit costs, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is well worth paying a $95 annual fee. It takes $1,584 in spending per year on categories that earn 6% back to recoup the amount of the annual fee.
Be aware that the elevated rate on U.S. supermarket purchases is capped at $6,000 spent per year, after which your rate will drop to 1%. Still, if you max that out (which would require spending $500 a month), that’s $360 in cash back.
If you’re thinking about taking this card abroad with you, however, know that there’s a foreign transaction fee of 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
To see rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
With the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, you can 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 and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more), 1% Cash Back on other purchases. Terms apply.
Cardholderss also earn a $350 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months.
Cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit. The card comes with a $95 annual fee.
To see rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
For consumers whose budgets include a significant amount of grocery shopping, streaming, and gas or transit costs, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is well worth paying a $95 annual fee. It takes $1,584 in spending per year on categories that earn 6% back to recoup the amount of the annual fee.
Be aware that the elevated rate on U.S. supermarket purchases is capped at $6,000 spent per year, after which your rate will drop to 1%. Still, if you max that out (which would require spending $500 a month), that’s $360 in cash back.
If you’re thinking about taking this card abroad with you, however, know that there’s a foreign transaction fee of 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
To see rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases. Categories you can choose from to earn 3% cash back on include the following:
You have the option to change your 3% cash back category each month.
There’s also a solid sign-up bonus — earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
This card also comes with solid intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers: See Terms, after which a See Terms applies. And See Terms, after which a See Terms applies. The balance transfer fee is either $10 or 3% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
This card charges a $0 annual fee.
If you’re a road warrior who’s looking to offset some fuel costs, or if you want a flexible card that lets you choose your 3% category, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a great card to have in your wallet. It’s even better if you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member — you’ll earn 25% to 75% more cash back on every purchase.
Just be aware of the quarterly spending cap on the higher rewards rates. If you max out the $2,500 spending cap on purchases earning 3% back, you can earn $75 in cash back per quarter.
Beware there’s a 3% foreign transaction fee, so there are better cards to take with you if you’re planning to travel internationally.
Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases. Categories you can choose from to earn 3% cash back on include the following:
You have the option to change your 3% cash back category each month.
There’s also a solid sign-up bonus — earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
This card also comes with solid intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers: See Terms, after which a See Terms applies. And See Terms, after which a See Terms applies. The balance transfer fee is either $10 or 3% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
This card charges a $0 annual fee.
If you’re a road warrior who’s looking to offset some fuel costs, or if you want a flexible card that lets you choose your 3% category, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a great card to have in your wallet. It’s even better if you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member — you’ll earn 25% to 75% more cash back on every purchase.
Just be aware of the quarterly spending cap on the higher rewards rates. If you max out the $2,500 spending cap on purchases earning 3% back, you can earn $75 in cash back per quarter.
Beware there’s a 3% foreign transaction fee, so there are better cards to take with you if you’re planning to travel internationally.
Earn 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases. Plus, get a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval.
The annual fee is $0 and the APR is 14.99% to 22.99% variable.
If you do much of your online shopping at Amazon, getting the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card could be a no-brainer — it charges a $0 annual fee and earns cash back at a generous rate. For those who already have an Amazon Prime membership, it’s hard to think of a downside. But if you don’t have a Prime membership, you’d only qualify for the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card , which earns cash back at a lower rate.
To decide if this card is worth the cost of a Prime membership ($139 for a regular annual membership, $69 for an annual membership at the college student rate), note that you’d need to spend $2,780 on purchases earning 5% back to recoup the cost of a regular membership and $1,380 to recoup the cost of a student membership.
Earn 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases. Plus, get a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval.
The annual fee is $0 and the APR is 14.99% to 22.99% variable.
If you do much of your online shopping at Amazon, getting the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card could be a no-brainer — it charges a $0 annual fee and earns cash back at a generous rate. For those who already have an Amazon Prime membership, it’s hard to think of a downside. But if you don’t have a Prime membership, you’d only qualify for the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card , which earns cash back at a lower rate.
To decide if this card is worth the cost of a Prime membership ($139 for a regular annual membership, $69 for an annual membership at the college student rate), note that you’d need to spend $2,780 on purchases earning 5% back to recoup the cost of a regular membership and $1,380 to recoup the cost of a student membership.
Earn a flat rate of 2% cash back on eligible purchases. Plus, there’s a sign-up bonus of $200 if you spend $3,000 in the first 90 days. The spending requirement is a little steep compared to other cash back card bonuses.
With the $0 annual fee and $0 foreign transaction fee, you can confidently reach for the SDFCU Premium Cash Back+ Credit Card whether spending close to home or while traveling abroad.
The APR is also quite reasonable at 9.49% - 15.49% variable.
With a solid flat-rate cash back rate and a $0 foreign transaction fee, the SDFCU Premium Cash Back+ Credit Card is a great card for frequent travelers and expats. It’s also a Visa card, meaning you’re likely to find wide acceptance wherever your travels take you.
Note that you have to join State Department Federal Credit Union in order to apply for the card. Some ways to qualify for membership include:
Earn a flat rate of 2% cash back on eligible purchases. Plus, there’s a sign-up bonus of $200 if you spend $3,000 in the first 90 days. The spending requirement is a little steep compared to other cash back card bonuses.
With the $0 annual fee and $0 foreign transaction fee, you can confidently reach for the SDFCU Premium Cash Back+ Credit Card whether spending close to home or while traveling abroad.
The APR is also quite reasonable at 9.49% - 15.49% variable.
With a solid flat-rate cash back rate and a $0 foreign transaction fee, the SDFCU Premium Cash Back+ Credit Card is a great card for frequent travelers and expats. It’s also a Visa card, meaning you’re likely to find wide acceptance wherever your travels take you.
Note that you have to join State Department Federal Credit Union in order to apply for the card. Some ways to qualify for membership include:
Earn 5% cash back on your first $3,000 in gas and military base purchases annually on these categories combined. Earn 2% on your first $3,000 on supermarket purchases per year. Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. There’s no sign-up bonus, but this card’s cash back rate on gas purchases is excellent. If you max out the $3,000 spending cap each year, that’s $150 in cash back.
The annual fee is $0 and the APR is 11.90% - 25.90% variable.
The USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card offers among the top cash back rates on gas purchases that we’re aware of. It’s true there’s a spending cap on the 5% rate, but it would take spending around $250 a month on gas to hit that cap. If you’re on the road frequently, this card can reward you well for it.
Note that you must join USAA to be able to apply for the card. Folks who are eligible for USAA membership include:
Earn 5% cash back on your first $3,000 in gas and military base purchases annually on these categories combined. Earn 2% on your first $3,000 on supermarket purchases per year. Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. There’s no sign-up bonus, but this card’s cash back rate on gas purchases is excellent. If you max out the $3,000 spending cap each year, that’s $150 in cash back.
The annual fee is $0 and the APR is 11.90% - 25.90% variable.
The USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card offers among the top cash back rates on gas purchases that we’re aware of. It’s true there’s a spending cap on the 5% rate, but it would take spending around $250 a month on gas to hit that cap. If you’re on the road frequently, this card can reward you well for it.
Note that you must join USAA to be able to apply for the card. Folks who are eligible for USAA membership include:
With this card, you’ll earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day; 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through capital one travel (terms apply).
There is a $39 annual fee, but you can recoup that in cash back by spending $2,600 in a year.
The APR is high at 26.99% (variable), so avoid carrying a balance.
You don’t have to worry about a foreign transaction fee if you take this card abroad; it charges none.
Many cash back credit cards require good to excellent credit, but the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is available to applicants with average/fair/limited credit. Typically, fair credit is considered a FICO Score between 580 and 669.
If you’re looking for a card that earns cash back, is accessible if you have average/fair/limited credit and can help you improve your credit score with responsible use, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card fits that description.
Plus, you can be automatically considered for a higher credit limit in as little as six months.
With this card, you’ll earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day; 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through capital one travel (terms apply).
There is a $39 annual fee, but you can recoup that in cash back by spending $2,600 in a year.
The APR is high at 26.99% (variable), so avoid carrying a balance.
You don’t have to worry about a foreign transaction fee if you take this card abroad; it charges none.
Many cash back credit cards require good to excellent credit, but the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is available to applicants with average/fair/limited credit. Typically, fair credit is considered a FICO Score between 580 and 669.
If you’re looking for a card that earns cash back, is accessible if you have average/fair/limited credit and can help you improve your credit score with responsible use, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card fits that description.
Plus, you can be automatically considered for a higher credit limit in as little as six months.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically. There’s also a unique sign-up bonus for new cardmembers: Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
While the annual fee is $0, you will have to submit a security deposit between $200 and $2,500 to Discover. The issuer will review your account on a monthly basis after you’ve had the card for seven months, and you might get the opportunity to graduate to an unsecured card.
Beware of the high 24.49% Variable APR.
As for foreign transaction fees, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card charges none.
If you have poor/limited credit, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card is one of the best credit cards available to help you improve your score (as long as you always pay on time and don’t max it out). It’s a secured credit card, meaning you must submit a security deposit to the issuer in the amount of your desired credit limit. This protects Discover in case you don’t pay back what you charge to the card.
Where the Discover it® Secured Credit Card stands head and shoulders above the competition is guaranteed monthly reviews to see if you qualify to get your deposit back. Other cards may offer the chance to graduate from a secured card to an unsecured one, but don’t typically offer such transparency on when account reviews are conducted. But know that your behavior on other financial accounts, not just accounts with Discover, can also impact your eligibility.
You can also get your deposit refunded if you pay off your card in full and close the account.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically. There’s also a unique sign-up bonus for new cardmembers: Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
While the annual fee is $0, you will have to submit a security deposit between $200 and $2,500 to Discover. The issuer will review your account on a monthly basis after you’ve had the card for seven months, and you might get the opportunity to graduate to an unsecured card.
Beware of the high 24.49% Variable APR.
As for foreign transaction fees, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card charges none.
If you have poor/limited credit, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card is one of the best credit cards available to help you improve your score (as long as you always pay on time and don’t max it out). It’s a secured credit card, meaning you must submit a security deposit to the issuer in the amount of your desired credit limit. This protects Discover in case you don’t pay back what you charge to the card.
Where the Discover it® Secured Credit Card stands head and shoulders above the competition is guaranteed monthly reviews to see if you qualify to get your deposit back. Other cards may offer the chance to graduate from a secured card to an unsecured one, but don’t typically offer such transparency on when account reviews are conducted. But know that your behavior on other financial accounts, not just accounts with Discover, can also impact your eligibility.
You can also get your deposit refunded if you pay off your card in full and close the account.
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card lets cardholders earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn. Additionally, earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards can be redeemed for cash back as statement credits to apply to your balance, direct deposits into an eligible checking or savings account, gift cards or travel. Rewards can also be used to pay for all or part of your Apple purchases through Ultimate Rewards.
The $0 annual fee Ink Business Cash® Credit Card also offers a 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months. After that, a regular APR of 13.99% - 19.99% variable applies.
If you are a small business owner who spends a large amount on office supply store purchases and internet, cable and phone services each year, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card could be a good fit. If you max out the $25,000 annual spending cap in combined purchases for those categories, you can earn $1,250 back each year.
Additionally, if you max out the $25,000 cap in combined gas station and restaurant purchases each account anniversary year, you’ll get $500 back.
Just know, if your business primarily spends on travel, this card won’t be a good fit for you since it does not offer an accelerated cash back rate on travel purchases, and it charges foreign transaction fees.
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card lets cardholders earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn. Additionally, earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards can be redeemed for cash back as statement credits to apply to your balance, direct deposits into an eligible checking or savings account, gift cards or travel. Rewards can also be used to pay for all or part of your Apple purchases through Ultimate Rewards.
The $0 annual fee Ink Business Cash® Credit Card also offers a 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months. After that, a regular APR of 13.99% - 19.99% variable applies.
If you are a small business owner who spends a large amount on office supply store purchases and internet, cable and phone services each year, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card could be a good fit. If you max out the $25,000 annual spending cap in combined purchases for those categories, you can earn $1,250 back each year.
Additionally, if you max out the $25,000 cap in combined gas station and restaurant purchases each account anniversary year, you’ll get $500 back.
Just know, if your business primarily spends on travel, this card won’t be a good fit for you since it does not offer an accelerated cash back rate on travel purchases, and it charges foreign transaction fees.
| Credit card | Best for | Cash back rate | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card | Overall | Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. | $0 |
| Citi® Double Cash Card | Intro APR on balance transfers | Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. | $0 |
| Chase Freedom Flex℠ | Rotating 5% categories | 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. | $0 |
| Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | Dining out, entertainment and groceries | 3% Cash Back on dining and entertainment; 3% Cash Back on popular streaming services; 3% Cash Back at grocery stores; 1% Cash Back on all other purchases. Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and tickets at Vivid Seats. | $0 |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | U.S. supermarket spending | 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 and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more), 1% Cash Back on other purchases. Terms apply. | $95 |
| Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card | Customizing categories | 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases | $0 |
| Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card | Amazon shopping | 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases. | $0 |
| SDFCU Premium Cash Back+ Credit Card | No foreign transaction fee | 2% cash back. | $0 |
| USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card | Military members | Earn 5% cash back on your first $3,000 in gas and military base purchases annually on these categories combined. Earn 2% on your first $3,000 on supermarket purchases per year. Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. | $0 |
| Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | People with fair credit | 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day; 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through capital one travel (terms apply). | $39 |
| Discover it® Secured Credit Card | Secured card | 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically. | $0 |
| Ink Business Cash® Credit Card | Small business owners | Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn. | $0 |
To see rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
If you pay your balance off in full every month, then yes — cash back credit cards are worth using. For example, if you spend $1,000 per month on a card that earns a flat 2% cash back, that’s $20 in cash back. However, know that if you carry a balance, interest charges will likely outweigh any cash back you earn, especially because some cash back cards have higher APRs than simple, no-frills credit cards.
It’s also important to consider whether or not the card you’re thinking about applying for charges an annual fee, and how much you’d have to spend on the card to recoup the amount of the annual fee in rewards. For instance, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express charges a $95 annual fee. If you spend at least $132 a month on purchases that earn 6% cash back, you’ll recoup the amount of the annual fee after year one.
To see rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
To maximize the cash back you earn, we recommend pairing two or more cash back credit cards. First, choose a card based on your typical spending patterns. For example, those who spend heavily on gas could consider the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card. Then, if you add a flat-rate card, you can use that for purchases that don’t earn an elevated rate on the first card, such as the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card or the Citi® Double Cash Card .
Also, make sure you understand any circumstances where your cash back might expire. If there are, you should plan to redeem it before then, otherwise you’re leaving money on the table. For consumers who don’t like to redeem credit card rewards frequently, a card with rewards that don’t expire as long as your account is open and in good standing will be the best choice.
A credit card that earns rewards in the form of cash back — in the form of a percentage of your purchase amount — is a cash back credit card. By contrast, some credit cards earn rewards in the form of points or miles, and some don’t earn rewards at all.
There are different rewards structures for cash back cards, with some earning a flat rate on every purchase, others earning elevated rates for purchases in certain categories and still others offering higher cash back rates on rotating bonus categories that change every quarter.
One nice thing about cash back cards is the simplicity of the rewards you earn. When you earn points or miles, you have to evaluate what each point or mile is worth for different redemption options. But if you earn a certain percentage of cash back, you know immediately what that cash back will be worth when you redeem it.
Typically, you can redeem cash back for checks, statement credits, deposits into an eligible bank account or gift cards. Some cards allow you to redeem cash back in any amount, while others have a minimum redemption amount of $25.
There are cards that offer cash back with no spending limits. Other cards set a limit on how much cash back you can earn at higher rates, then drop you down to a 1% cash back rate once you hit quarterly or annual spending maximums.
While it’s possible to find credit cards that earn 3% or more on certain spending categories, if you want a flat-rate card that offers 2.5% or 3% back on all purchases, you’re mostly out of luck. There is the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card, which lets cardholders earn up to 2.5% cash back on your first $10,000 of qualifying eligible purchases (1.5% for purchases over $10,000). But you have to bank with Alliant Credit Union and meet certain requirements to qualify for the 2.5% rate. For other flat-rate cards, the most you’re likely to earn is 1.5% or 2% back.
The credit card that will allow you to earn the most cash back depends on your spending patterns and whether you prefer a flat-rate card that offers 1.5% to 2% cash back on every purchase, a card that earns 5% cash back in rotating categories (up to a quarterly maximum) or a card that offers a higher cash back rate in popular spending categories, such as gas, dining or supermarkets.
For example, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns 6% cash back in certain categories — but if your budget doesn’t include much spending in those categories, you might prefer a card that earns 2% back on all purchases, like the Citi® Double Cash Card .
That depends on what you want to get out of the card. For example, if you want to earn rewards to help offset the cost of travel, a card that offers points or miles may be the better choice. But if you don’t travel much, you’ll most likely have an easier time tracking the value of your rewards with a cash back credit card.
Typically, cash back earned on a credit card is not taxable because the IRS considers it a rebate on what you’ve spent. However, if you receive a bonus without having to do any spending to earn it, that’s considered taxable income.
We selected the best cash back credit cards through a review of cards available on LendingTree and from top issuers. Factors included cash back rates, cash back program structure and sign-up bonuses.
Additional factors included whether or not cards charge a foreign transaction fee and/or an annual fee — most of the cards on this list charge no annual fee or charge a reasonable fee that can be easily recouped by spending in cash back categories.
Introductory APRs also factored into our selection, with many of the cards on this list offering interest-free periods that can help finance a big purchase or pay off a transferred balance. Finally, useful benefits such as cellphone protection and extended warranty protection influenced our choices as well.
To see rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
The above offers and/or promotions may have since changed, expired, or is no longer available. Check the Issuers’ website for more details.
