We’ve analyzed dozens of cash rewards cards to create this list of the best cash back credit cards. These offers include cash back of up to 6%, double cash back rewards, and cards with cash back bonuses.
Best Cash Back Credit Cards
Cash back credit cards are one of the best ways to put extra money in your pocket. With the top cash rewards giving you 2% or more on every purchase, and many offering bonus cash for new card members, the time is never been better to get a credit card that pays you to use the card. With some of the best cash back credit cards, you can even get 0% on purchases or balance transfers.
As the offers continue to improve, cash back credit cards are becoming more lucrative and currently, there are close to a dozen solid cash back credit card offers. Should you find a card you feel belongs on this list, let us know, and we’ll add it!
1. Chase Freedom Visa
1% cash back on all purchases + 5% cash back on rotating categories every quarter and a $150 cash bonus.
The Chase Freedom Visa is a credit card I’ve had in my wallet for a long time. The 5% cash back categories are always in line with my spending and the upfront bonus makes this a very attractive card for first-time credit card holders.
- Bonus: New cardmembers will earn a $150 cash bonus after spending $500 in purchases during the first three months.
- Cash Back Rewards: 1% cash back on all purchases + 5% cash back on purchases from select categories every quarter. $1,500 is the max that can be spent per quarter on 5% cash back categories (after which, 1% cash back is earned)
- Fees: Nope. No annual fee on the Chase Freedom Visa.
- Credit Needed: Good/Excellent credit.
- Introductory APR: 0% intro APR on balance transfers for the first 15 months. After that, the standard APR is 16.74% – 25.49% variable
Bottom Line: One of my favorite cash back credit cards that I always seem to use a little too much around the holidays.
2. Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card
Earn 1.5% on every purchase + $200 cash bonus
The Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card is an excellent choice for an everyday credit card. Here’s a summary:
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash rewards on purchases
- Enjoy 1.8% cash rewards on qualified mobile wallet purchases, like Apple Pay® or Android Pay™, during the first 12 months from account opening
- Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card
- No annual fee
In addition, it offers a 0% APR introductory offer on both balance transfers and purchases for 12 months.
Bottom Line: A good all-purpose card with excellent cash back rewards, a cash bonus, and a nice 0% intro APR for 12 months.
Learn how to apply here.
3. Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card
Earn 1.5% on all purchases + a one-time cash bonus. No annual fee
The Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card pays a solid 1.5% on all purchases. The card also offers a one-time $150 bonus and a 0% APR introductory offer on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, with no annual fee.
- Bonus: $150 one-time bonus when you spend $500 in purchases in the first three months.
- Cash Back Rewards: Earn 1.5% on all purchases.
- Fees: No annual fee. No foreign transaction fees.
- Credit Needed: Excellent credit required.
- Introductory APR: 0% introductory APR on both purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
Bottom Line: An excellent choice if you do not want to hassle with rotating categories and you have excellent credit.
Learn how to apply for this and similar cards here
4. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Earn up to 6% cash back + a $200 statement credit
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers one of the highest cash back rewards available of up to 6% and a signup cash bonus. There is an annual fee.
- Welcome offer: Get a $200 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. You will receive $200 back in the form of a statement credit.
- Cash Back Rewards: Earn Cash Back: 6% U.S. supermarkets up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 3% U.S. gas stations and at select department stores, 1% other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.
- Fees: $95
- Credit Needed: Excellent credit required.
- Introductory APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months, then a variable rate.
Bottom Line: An excellent cash back card that is well worth the annual fee.
Learn how to apply here.
5. Blue Cash EveryDay® Card from American Express
Earn up to 3% cash back + a $150 statement credit
The Blue Cash EveryDay® Card from American Express is ideal for those who hate paying an annual fee. You get a great cash back rewards card, a bonus offer, and a lengthy 0% introductory rate.
- Welcome offer: Get a $150 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. You will receive $150 back in the form of a statement credit.
- Cash Back Rewards: Earn Cash Back: 3% U.S. supermarkets up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 2% U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores, 1% other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.
- Fees: $95
- Credit Needed: Excellent credit required.
- Introductory APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then a variable rate.
Bottom Line: An excellent cash back card that is well worth the annual fee.
6. Chase Freedom Unlimited
1.5% cash back on all purchases + $150 cash bonus
One of the newer cash back credit cards available, the Chase Freedom Unlimited scraps the 5% cash back categories and offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases, all the time.
- Bonus: Earn a $150 cash bonus after spending $500 in the first three months. Available to new cardholders only.
- Cash Back Rewards: Cardmembers earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases. No tiers, spending limits or hurdles. Cashback never expires and there is no limit to the amount of cash back that can be earned.
- Fees: There is no annual fee attached to the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
- Credit Needed: Excellent credit required.
- Introductory APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then a variable rate of 16.74% – 25.49%.
Bottom Line: For people not interested in using different cards for different types of purchases, the Chase Freedom Unlimited is a great option.
7. Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® card
A great everyday card with 2% cash back rewards on every single purchase and flexible redemption options.
One of very few 2% cash back earners, the Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® card enables its users to rack up points on everything they spend, regardless of the category. No need to remember to sign up for monthly categories or remember gas percentages versus groceries– you’ll earn 2% back whether you buy plane tickets or toilet paper. Depending on your goals, the redemption options are flexible: you have the choice to redeem reward points, like a standard card (travel, merchandise, gift cards, or statement credit) OR deposit cash back funds directly into your Fidelity accounts. Getting 2% back on your monthly expenses and then automatically depositing those earnings into your child’s 529 Plan is a great way to kill two birds with one stone, for example.
- Bonus: Get $100 after you spend $1000 in the first 90 days.
- Cash Back Rewards: Earn 2% cash back on every purchase you make, without worrying about categories. Accumulated cash back can then be deposited directly into as many as 5 of your existing Fidelity account(s), including brokerage, Cash Management, Fidelity-managed 529 College Savings Plan, or retirement accounts. If you meet your contribution limits for the year or would rather use your rewards elsewhere, you can opt for points instead, redeemable for travel, merchandise, gift cards, or a statement credit. Points never cap or expire.
- Fees: No annual fee.
- Introductory APR: No introductory APR is offered.
Bottom Line: An excellent card for everyday use with predictable rewards and flexible redemption options. Its balance transfer and foreign transaction fees make it less beneficial for world travelers but is great for all of your domestic expenses.
8. HSBC Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
The HSBC Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card is new to our list and it packs a lot of nice punches for new cardholders. First, everyone that signs up can earn a $150 cash rewards bonus after spending $2,500 in the first three months. That’s a moderate spend hurdle for a nicely sized intro bonus. Next, this card offers up a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months; with a standard APR of 14.99%, 18.99% or 24.99% variable.
- Bonus: Earn a $150 cash bonus after spending $2,500 in the first three months. Available to new cardholders only and also included is a 10% anniversary bonus on all the cash back you’ve earned!
- Cash Back Rewards: Cardmembers earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases. No tiers, spending limits or hurdles. Cashback never expires and there is no limit to the amount of cash back that can be earned.
- Fees: There is no annual fee to own the HSBC Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
- Credit Needed: Excellent credit required.
- Introductory APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then a variable rate of 14.99%, 18.99% or 24.99%
- See rates and fees
Bottom Line: Tack on a 1.5% cash back rewards rate and a 10% rewards anniversary bonus, and you have a pretty solid cash back credit card!
Bonus Offer: This credit card offers up to 5% cash back on select categories of purchases. And it matches your cash back rewards at the end of the first year.
The card also offers a 0% APR introductory rate on purchases and balance transfers and free access to your FICO score. And it does this without charging an annual fee.
Get more details here.
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Cash Back Spending Comparison Table
If you’re having trouble picking the best cash back credit card for your needs, perhaps a few nifty tables will help. I’ve taken three sets of data from the most recent 2016 Bureau of Labor Statistics survey; all representing what the average household spent:
- at the grocery store – $4,049
- at restaurants – $3,154
- on gasoline – $1,909
Let’s take a look at the six consumer cards on our best cash back credit card list and figure out what each of them would save if you spent the exact amount annually you see above.
Cash Back on Grocery Spending
Cash Back on Restaurant Spending
Cash Back on Gas Spending
*Editors Note–Please note that for the tables above, I’ve made the assumption that the Discover it® Cashback Match™ offers a 5% cash back quarterly category for gas, groceries and restaurants every calendar year (which they have for the last five years). I’ve also assumed that quarterly spending is the same across all four quarters.
Lastly, I did not take into consideration the double cash back the Discover it® Cashback Match™ gives cardholders in the first year. To get an accurate reading on what the average family household would save in the first year, all other cars cash back remains the same, and the Discover it® Cashback Match™ is doubled.
Topics: Credit Cards
Mr. Berger,
I read your article titled, “The 8 Best Cash Back Credit Cards – June 2015”, and wanted to take a minute to write to you.
As an official spokesperson at U.S. Bank, we were thrilled to see the U.S. bank Business Edge Cash Rewards Card on the list. However, I wanted to make you aware that we do offer an annual bonus feature of 25% based on the prior year’s Cash Rewards, up to $250 (if the account is open, current and otherwise in good standing following the Cash Rewards Enrollment Anniversary Date).
Furthermore, the rewards never expire and there’s no limit on what can be earned.
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards credit card is my favorite simply because there’s no rotating/specific categories to follow and earning 1.5% cash back on every purchases every day works for me. The $100 cash bonus makes it even better.
Hello All: we have the Barclay Arrival+ MC and are very pleased so far. Personnel on the phone have been pleasant and responsive, and we earn extra points for posting travel stories on their auxiliary site — which is fun to do anyway! Have not yet hit the one-year mark so don’t know how we will feel about that $89 fee. We have always held cards that charge no annual fee, but this one might actually be worth it.
I am interested in a card that will not expire rewards after 5 years. Am being squeezed by wells fargo to use or lose points after 5 years.any suggestions? I am leaning toward barclays mc. I have costco am ex and am very happy with their cash back program. Please advise. . .
Nancy, with the Barclaycard MasterCard, your miles never expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.
It is pretty awesome to do research on all of the major credit cards and what type offers they can have.
The Citi ThankYou Premier and Preferred cards are both currently offering between $100-$300 in gift cards for new apps (I know, it’s not cash but close!)
Also the Citi World Mastercard is giving $200 in cash after spending $500 with the card
While cash back sounds great, it isn’t an open invitation to spend loosely on credit. Also, for frequent flyers, the flyer miles cards quickly make a difference in what you spend on airfare. Analyze your spending to discover the best option for you.
Plus, being part of a credit union you get better interest rates on car loans and other loans
We have the Amex Costco card and the Citi dividend platinum card. The Costco card is great for 3% on restaurants and 3% on gasoline. The Citi card has the 5% rotating deals so we use that sometimes to maximize the rewards, like one quarter they had 5% on restaurants and another quarter it was 5% at department stores. I’m quite happy with both companies. Of course we pay off our balance in full every month.
The PERKSTREET Financial Debit Card recommended above is EVEN BETTER with special reference code below – 3% CASH (Or GIFT CARD) REWARD On All Debit Card Purchases For 90 Days – NO minimum checking account balance. You will earn regular perks after the 3-month period (90 days). Regular Perks are 2% for all debit card (non-pin) transactions any day your checking account balance is $5000 or more & 1% on days when your balance is under $5000 to start the day. There is no minimum balance. The Cash is awarded in the form of prepaid VISA gift cards ranging from $25-$100. If you choose store gift cards, redemptions start in increments of $5.
Note that PerkStreet is no longer available. The bank closed its doors in 2013.
Actually for the Pen Fed card you can get admitted to the credit union after you put $5 in a savings account and make a donation to a military families charity.
This card is the best I have run across! Highly recommend it. Walmart counts as a supermarket no matter what you purchase there, so you get 2% back.
Plus, being part of a credit union you get better interest rates on car loans and other loans.
This is the best card out there folks…it is a Visa so is accepted everywhere!
Two problems with the Pen Fed card:
1. They no longer pay one-to-one on your points. A $50 gift card used to cost 5000 points. Now it costs 5880 points. No notification to the customers, they just devalued our points because they could. Do you really want to do business with such a dishonest bunch of people?
2. They charge the customers to send statements! If you want a bill, you have to PAY for it! I, for one, remember to pay my bills because I receive them in the mail. Because Penfed stopped sending the bill, I always forget to pay it. It seems to me that issuing a bill is part of the credit card business. To charge the customer for the PRIVILEGE of receiving a bill is unbelievable!
You left out American Express Clear. It’s very straight forward, 1% back on everything. No gimmicky multiple tiers that promise “up to” some percentage, but start out at only 0.25% Every $2,500 in spending, you get another $25 American Express gift/debit card. Not quite as convenient as just getting plain cash back but almost as good as long as you’re attentive to the expiry dates on the gift/debit cards (which are typically well out into the future)
I wonder what Warren Buffet thinks about “cash back” credit cards?
He probably wants to be taxed on it. We just got a sweet offer in the mail from Citi.. 5% cash back, 0% intro APY for 21 months!
I love rewards cards that give you cash back for things you buy every week, like groceries and gas. I’m a big fan of the Discover More card for this reason. I find it pretty hard to beat.
The wife and I love our True Earnings Card from Costco! Not only do we get a check from American Express at the end of the year, but we also get a check from Costco as well, you can’t beat that.
I have the card too, but I didn’t list it here for one reason–you have to wait until the end of the year to get your cash back rewards.