The Best Cash Back Credit Cards of 2022

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 has 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!

Best Cash Back Credit Cards From Our Partners

1. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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 $200 cash back 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 for 15 months, then a variable rate of 14.99% - 24.74%.

Bottom Line: For people not interested in using different cards for different types of purchases, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great option.

2. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Apply Now

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card pays a solid 1.5% cash back on all purchases. The card also offers a one-time $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first three months and an introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then the standard APR of 15.24% - 25.24% Variable will apply after that.

• Bonus: $200 one-time bonus when you spend $500 in purchases in the first three months.
• Cash Back Rewards: Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
• Fees: $0 annual fee. No foreign transaction fees.
• Credit Needed: Excellent credit required.

3. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers one of the highest cash back rewards available of up to 6% and a new applicant welcome bonus. There is a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.

• Welcome offer: Earn up to $300 back as a statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months.
• Cash Back Rewards: Earn cash back: 6% U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% at U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% other purchases.
• Annual Fee:$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Credit Needed: Excellent credit required.
• Introductory APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then a variable rate of 14.74% - 24.74%applies.
• Terms Apply.

Bottom Line: An excellent cash back card that is well worth the annual fee.

4. Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

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: Earn up to $200 back as a statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months.
• Cash Back Rewards: Earn Cash Back: 3% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), 2% at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores, and 1% on all other purchases. Terms apply.
• Annual Fee: None (*See Rates and Fees).
• Credit Needed: Excellent credit required.
• Introductory APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months, then a variable rate of 14.74% - 24.74% APR applies.
• Terms Apply.

Bottom Line: An excellent cash back card that is well worth the annual fee.

5. Chase Freedom Flex℠

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ 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 $200 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 Flex℠.
• Credit Needed: Good/Excellent credit.

Bottom Line: One of my favorite cash back credit cards that I always seem to use a little too much around the holidays.

6. Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card

Earn 1.5% on every purchase + $150 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.
• $150 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in the first three months.
• Enjoy 1.8% cash rewards on qualified mobile wallet purchases, like Apple Pay® or Google 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 15 months.

Bottom Line: A good all-purpose card with excellent cash back rewards, a cash bonus, and a nice 0% intro APR for 15 months.

Learn how to apply HERE.

7. Petal 2 Visa Credit Card

Apply Now

The Petal 2 credit card—issued by WebBank, Member FDIC— is ideal if you’ve got little to no credit history but still want to earn cash back on your purchases. Petal uses a unique “Cash Score” to help make a decision on your application if you don’t have a credit history. You’ll link your bank account using a secure portal. Petal will look at your income and expenses — like your regular paychecks and the bills you pay — to help decide if you’re approved for the credit card. If approved, you’ll earn 1% cash back right away. Make your payments on time each month and Petal will increase your cash back to 1.5% after 12-months of on time payments. With no fees and the chance to earn up to 10% cash back from select merchants, this card is a good fit for someone with a steady income but no credit history.

• Welcome Bonus: Petal 2 doesn’t come with a welcome bonus offer, but you can earn extra cash back on special offers in the Petal app.
• Cash Back Rewards: You start with 1% cash back after your application is approved. After making on-time payments each month, Petal will increase your cash back to 1.25% after 6-months and eventually 1.5% after 12-months.
• Fees: No fees — no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, and no late payment or returned fund fees.
• Credit Needed: You don’t need a credit history, but you will likely have to link your bank account for approval. You’ll need steady income and relatively low expenses to get approved.
• APR: Variable between 13.24%-27.24%

Bottom Line: The Petal 2 card is a good cash back option if you don’t have a credit history. You’ll earn cash back while building your credit so you can eventually take advantage of higher cash back offers.

Learn more about this card HERE

Listen to the podcast of this article

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