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
- Navy Federal CashRewards Card
- Chase Freedom
- Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card
- Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Blue Cash EveryDay® Card from American Express
- Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card
- Chase Freedom Unlimited
- HSBC Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
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. Navy Federal CashRewards Card
$250 bonus + 1.5% cash back on all purchases + NO FEES
The Navy Federal CashRewards Card touches every box for the consumer in need of a terrific offer. It offers a $250 cash bonus after meeting the spend hurdle, 1.5% cash back on all purchases and has no annual fees, no foreign transaction fees, no cash advance fees and no balance transfer fees.
- Bonus: A $250 cash bonus is awarded after spending $2,500 in the first three months of card ownership.
- Cash Back Rewards: 1.5% cash back on ALL purchases. There are no opt-ins every quarter and you don’t have to worry about select categories each quarter. There is also no limit to the amount of cash back you can earn.
- Fees: None. No annual fee, no balance transfer fees, no cash advance fees and no foreign transaction fees.
- Credit Needed: Good/Excellent credit.
- Pricing Details: A variable APR of 11.90% – 18.00% applies. Easily the lowest of all cards on our list.
Bottom Line: The up-front bonus is too hard to ignore. Look at the rest of our list and you won’t find a card that can reach $250; let alone one without cash advance fees or foreign transaction fees (not to mention no annual fees).
2. 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 17.24% – 25.99% variable
Bottom Line: One of my favorite cash back credit cards that I always seem to use a little too much around the holidays.
3. 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.
4. 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
5. 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% at U.S. gas stations, 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.
6. 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.
7. Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card
$200 bonus + 3% cash back in the category of your choice + 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs + 1% cash back on all other purchases ($2,500 max combined spend in 3% + 2% categories each quarter)
The Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card offers you a $200 signup bonus and great bonus cash back.
- Bonus: A $200 cash bonus is awarded after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of card ownership.
- Cash Back Rewards: 3% cash back in a category you choose, including gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings. You also get 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on up to $2,500 spent per quarter in both 3% and 2% categories combined) and 1% elsewhere.
- Fees: No annual fee.
- Credit Needed: Good/Excellent
- Introductory APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles. After that, the standard APR is 16.24% – 26.24% variable. Balance transfers must be made within the first 60 days to qualify for the intro rate.
Bottom Line: This cash rewards card is great because you get to choose the category that will earn you the most bonus cash back. It also offers a strong $200 sign-up bonus and valuable interest free financing for 12 billing cycles.
8. Chase Freedom Unlimited
1.5% cash back on all purchases + 3% cash back bonus year #1 (Up to $20,000 spent)
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 3% cash back on all purchases for the first $20,000 spent in year #1. 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 17.24% – 25.99%.
Bottom Line: For people not interested in using different cards for different types of purchases, the Chase Freedom Unlimited is a great option.
9. 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 3% cash back the first year, up to $10,000 spent. 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 12 months; with a standard APR of 15.24%, 19.24% or 25.24% variable.
- Bonus: Earn 3% cash back the first year, up to $10,000 spent. 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 12 months, then a variable rate of 15.24%, 19.24% or 25.24%
- See rates and fees
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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.