Best Cash Back Credit Cards
Earning While You Spend: Find out which cards offer the best cash-back rates for everyday purchases, dining out, or specific categories.
Apple Card
Features
- Annual Fee: $0, ensuring cost-effectiveness for users.
- Rewards Rate: Earn 3% cash back at Apple and select merchants, 2% on purchases using Apple Pay, and 1% with the physical card.
- Intro Offer: None, focusing instead on everyday value.
- Regular APR: 19.24%-29.49% Variable APR, offering competitive rates.
Apple Card Review: Maximizing Rewards for Apple Enthusiasts
Ideal for Apple fans, offering 2-3% back on purchases, with no fees.
Rickie C. Keys, Ph.D., MPH
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Features
- Annual Fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $95, making it accessible for those testing its value.
- Rewards Rate: Earn 3% cash back in a category of your choice and 2% at grocery stores/wholesale clubs (on up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases), plus 1.5% on all other purchases.
- Sign-Up Bonus: $250 bonus after spending $2,000 within the first 120 days, offering immediate value.
- Intro APR: 0% for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, followed by a Variable APR of 18.24%-28.24%.
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Review: Tailor Your Rewards
Customize your rewards with BofA’s card, plus a $250 bonus and 0% APR.
Rickie C. Keys, Ph.D., MPH
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card
Features
- Annual Fee: $0, making it a cost-effective choice for any spender.
- Rewards Rate: An uncomplicated 1.5% cash back on all purchases, ensuring rewards on every dollar spent.
- Sign-Up Bonus: Offers a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days, adding immediate value.
- Intro APR: Enjoy a 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, offering a reprieve from interest.
Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Review: Simple Yet Rewarding
Customize your rewards with BofA’s card, plus a $250 bonus and 0% APR.
Rickie C. Keys, Ph.D., MPH
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Features
- Annual Fee: $0, ensuring cost-efficiency for all users.
- Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, providing temporary relief from interest costs.
- Regular APR: A variable rate of 19.24%-29.99%, catering to various credit profiles.
- Cash Back Rewards:
- 3% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%).
- 3% at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%).
- 3% on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%).
- 1% on all other purchases.
- Bonus Offer: Earn a $200 statement credit after $2,000 in purchases within the first 6 months.
AmEx Blue Cash Everyday Review: Maximizing Everyday Spending
Earn 3% back on essentials with AmEx Blue Cash Everyday, no annual fee.
Rickie C. Keys, Ph.D., MPH
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Features
- Annual Fee: $0, ensuring cost savings over time.
- Rewards Rate: Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases, up to $6,000 per year in each category, then 1%.
- Sign-up Bonus: A $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 within the first 6 months.
- Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, transitioning to a variable APR of 19.24%-29.99% afterward.
- Recommended Credit Score: 690-850 (Good to Excellent), ensuring the card is targeted towards users with a solid credit history.
AmEx Blue Cash Everyday Card Review: Maximize Rewards with No Annual Fee
Earn 3% back on essentials, plus $200 bonus and 0% APR, all with no annual fee.
Rickie C. Keys, Ph.D., MPH
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Features
- No Annual Fee: Enjoy the benefits of a credit card without the burden of an annual fee.
- Cash Back Rewards: Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no categories to track or limits on how much you can earn. Additionally, earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
- Low-Security Deposit: You will start with a refundable security deposit of $200, which sets your credit limit. This deposit is fully refundable and makes the card accessible.
- Credit Building: This card is ideal for individuals with limited credit history or bad credit. It reports to all three major credit bureaus, improving credit scores.
- Additional Benefits: Up to 6 months complimentary Uber One membership, $0 Fraud Liability, automatic consideration for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months, and access to CreditWise from Capital One to monitor your credit score.
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card Review
Earn rewards and build credit with $0 annual fee using Capital One Quicksilver Secured.
Rickie C. Keys, Ph.D., MPH
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Features
- Annual Fee: $0, making it an economically sound choice for everyday use.
- Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, offering a period of financial flexibility.
- Regular APR: Post-introductory period, a variable APR of 19.99%-29.99% applies.
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after spending $500 within the first 3 months.
- Rewards Rate:
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®).
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Special rates include 10% cash back on Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership credits through 11/14/2024, and 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
Capital One SavorOne Card Review: Feast on Cash Back Rewards
SavorOne: 0% APR, 3% back on dining/streaming, $0 fee.
Rickie C. Keys, Ph.D., MPH
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Features
- Annual Fee: $0, making it accessible to many users.
- APR: 20.49%-29.24% Variable APR, with a 0% intro APR on purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months.
- Recommended Credit Score: 690-850 (Good - Excellent).
- Rewards:
- Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on all purchases (up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- Travel: 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel.
- Dining and Drugstores: 3% cash back.
- Lyft Services: 5% back on qualifying rides through March 31, 2025.
- All Other Purchases: 1.5% cash back, with no minimum redemption amount.
Chase Freedom Unlimited Review: A Comprehensive Look
Chase Freedom Unlimited: $0 annual fee, high rewards on travel, dining, and more, plus flexible redemptions.
Rickie C. Keys, Ph.D., MPH
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Features
- Annual Fee: $0, making it an economical choice for all users.
- Rewards Rate: Versatile earning with 1.5% cash back on all purchases, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases, and 5% on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Intro APR: Offers 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, providing a window of financial flexibility.
- Sign-Up Bonus: An attractive offer of an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (up to $20,000 spent) in the first year, potentially adding up to $300 cashback.
Chase Freedom Unlimited Review: Your Ticket to Uncomplicated Cash Back
Freedom Unlimited: 0% APR, 1.5% back on all, $0 fee.
Rickie C. Keys, Ph.D., MPH
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Features
- Annual Fee: $0, making it a budget-friendly option.
- Rewards: Earn 5% cash back in your highest spending category each billing cycle (on up to $500 spent, 1% thereafter), plus an unlimited 1% back on all other purchases.
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months. The bonus is fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, redeemable for $200 cash back.
- Intro APR: 0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, after which a variable APR of 19.24%-29.24% applies.
- Recommended Credit Score: 630-850 (Fair to Excellent).
Citi Custom Cash® Card Review: Automatic 5% Rewards in Your Top Category
Automatic 5% back in your top category, $200 bonus, 0% APR, no fee.
Rickie C. Keys, Ph.D., MPH
Citi Double Cash® Card
Features
- Annual Fee: $0, offering value without cost.
- Rewards Rate: 2% cash back on all purchases: 1% when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
- Intro APR: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months, then a Variable APR of 19.24%-29.24%.
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months. The bonus is awarded as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, redeemable for $200 cash back.
- Special Offer: 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel℠ portal until 12/31/24.
Citi Double Cash Card Review: Unbeatable 2% Cash Back for Everyday Spending
Earn 2% on every purchase, a $200 bonus, and 5% on travel, with no annual fee.
Rickie C. Keys, Ph.D., MPH
Discover it® Cash Back
Features
- Annual Fee: $0, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious users.
- Rewards Rate: Earn 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories up to the quarterly maximum when you activate, plus unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, providing flexibility for new purchases or debt consolidation.
- Sign-Up Bonus: An innovative Unlimited Cashback Match for the first year, where Discover matches all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, with no limit.
Discover it Cash Back Review: Maximize Your Rewards with a Bit of Planning
5% rotating rewards, 0% intro APR, $0 fee, cashback match.
Rickie C. Keys, Ph.D., MPH
Prime Visa
Features
- Annual Fee: $0, making it cost-effective for cardholders.
- Rewards Rate: Unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with a Prime membership.
- Sign-Up Bonus: Instant $100 Amazon Gift Card upon approval for Prime members.
- Additional Rewards: Earn 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting; 1% back on all other purchases.
- APR: Variable 19.49%-27.49%, depending on creditworthiness.
Amazon Prime Visa Review: A Must-Have for Amazon and Whole Foods Shoppers
Earn 5% at Amazon/Whole Foods, $100 bonus, and versatile rewards, no fee.
Rickie C. Keys, Ph.D., MPH
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Features
- Annual Fee: $0, eliminating cost concerns for cardholders.
- Rewards: Select two categories each quarter for 5% cash back (up to $2,000 in combined purchases), plus one category for unlimited 2% cash back.
- Sign-Up Bonus: $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 120 days.
- Intro APR: 0% for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, then 19.49%-29.74% Variable APR.
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card Review: Tailor Your 5% Rewards
Customize 5% rewards to fit your spending, plus a $200 bonus and 0% APR.
Rickie C. Keys, Ph.D., MPH
U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card
Features
- Annual Fee: There is a $0 intro fee for the first year and then $95, making it a solid choice for those who maximize their rewards.
- Rewards Rate: Earn up to 6% cash back on select shopping categories, 3% on a category you choose, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- Sign-Up Bonus: A generous $250 bonus after spending $2,000 within the first 120 days.
- Special Cash Back Rates: 5.5% on prepaid car and hotel reservations booked through the Rewards Center.
U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card Review: A Game-Changer for Savvy Shoppers
Earn up to 6% back at significant retailers, a $250 bonus, and choice-driven rewards.
Rickie C. Keys, Ph.D., MPH
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Features
- Annual Fee: $0, making it an economical choice for all users.
- Rewards Rate: Unlimited 2% cashback on all purchases, simplifying the rewards system.
- Sign-up Bonus: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases within the first 3 months.
- Intro APR: Enjoy a 0% intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months from account opening, followed by a Variable APR of 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99%.
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%, applicable on purchases made outside the U.S.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
2% cash back on all purchases, $200 bonus, 0% intro APR, and no annual fee.
Rickie C. Keys, Ph.D., MPH