Cash Back Offers
Top Cash Back Credit Cards: Discover the Best Options for Rewarding Spending
Sep
Cash back credit cards are an excellent way to get rewarded for your everyday spending. Whether you’re paying for groceries, gas, or online shopping, the best cash back cards let you earn a percentage of your spending back in the form of cash rewards. With so many options available, it’s essential to choose a card that fits your spending habits and maximizes your rewards. In this guide, we’ll help you discover the top cash back credit cards that offer the best perks, rewards, and benefits for your spending needs.
1. Citi® Double Cash Card: Earn 2% Cash Back on Every Purchase
The Citi® Double Cash Card is one of the most straightforward cash back cards available, offering a consistent cash back rate on all purchases.
- Key benefits:
- Earn 2% cash back on every purchase: 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay your bill.
- No categories to track, making it an easy card for everyday spending.
- No annual fee.
- Why it’s great: The Citi Double Cash Card is ideal for those who want a simple cash back card without rotating categories or spending caps. It offers one of the highest flat-rate cash back rewards in the market.
Pro tip: Pair the Citi Double Cash Card with a rewards card that offers bonus cash back in categories like dining or travel to maximize your rewards.
2. Chase Freedom Flex℠: Up to 5% Cash Back in Bonus Categories
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ card offers a combination of rotating bonus categories and fixed bonus categories, making it a versatile option for maximizing your rewards.
- Key benefits:
- Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in rotating bonus categories each quarter (requires activation).
- Earn 5% cash back on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases.
- Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No annual fee.
- Why it’s great: The Chase Freedom Flex is perfect for those who want to take advantage of both rotating categories and bonus categories like dining and drugstores, while also earning elevated rewards on travel.
Pro tip: Set calendar reminders to activate the 5% bonus categories each quarter so you don’t miss out on extra rewards.
3. Discover it® Cash Back: 5% Cash Back with a First-Year Match
The Discover it® Cash Back card is a standout for its 5% cash back in rotating categories and its first-year bonus, which can significantly boost your rewards.
- Key benefits:
- Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases in rotating quarterly categories (requires activation).
- Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year (for new cardmembers).
- No annual fee.
- Why it’s great: The Discover it Cash Back card is especially valuable for new cardholders due to the first-year cash back match, which can double your rewards for the first 12 months.
Pro tip: Check Discover’s calendar for rotating categories, which often include groceries, gas, and dining, to align your spending with the bonus categories.
4. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for Groceries and Gas
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers some of the highest cash back rates available, particularly in categories like groceries and transit.
- Key benefits:
- Earn 6% cash back on up to $6,000 per year at U.S. supermarkets (then 1%).
- Earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services.
- Earn 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (e.g., taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains).
- Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Why it’s great: For heavy grocery and gas spenders, the Blue Cash Preferred card offers one of the best cash back rates in these categories, making it perfect for families and commuters.
Pro tip: If your grocery and gas spending is more modest, consider the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, which offers 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets with no annual fee.
5. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for Dining and Entertainment
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great choice for foodies and entertainment lovers, offering high cash back rates in dining and entertainment categories.
- Key benefits:
- Earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target).
- Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No annual fee.
- Why it’s great: This card is ideal for those who spend a lot on dining out, concerts, movies, and streaming services, as it consistently rewards these categories without rotating limits.
Pro tip: Capital One SavorOne also includes no foreign transaction fees, making it a great option for travelers who frequently dine out or enjoy entertainment abroad.
6. Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card: Unlimited 2% Cash Back on All Purchases
The Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card offers a generous 2% cash back on all purchases with no categories or caps, making it a top choice for everyday use.
- Key benefits:
- Earn unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases.
- No annual fee.
- Introductory 0% APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months (then a variable APR of 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99%).
- Why it’s great: This card is perfect for those who want a simple, no-fuss cash back card that offers strong rewards on all spending with no tracking of bonus categories required.
Pro tip: Use the Wells Fargo Active Cash card for large purchases to take advantage of the 0% intro APR period while earning cash back on every dollar spent.
7. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card: Flexibility with Bonus Categories
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card offers flexibility by letting you choose your 3% cash back category from a list of options that best fit your spending habits.
- Key benefits:
- Earn 3% cash back in a category of your choice (gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores, or home improvement/furnishings).
- Earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on up to $2,500 in combined purchases per quarter in 3% and 2% categories, then 1%).
- Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No annual fee.
- Why it’s great: The flexibility to choose your 3% category makes this card ideal for those whose spending habits change throughout the year, such as seasonal travel or home improvement projects.
Pro tip: Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase, making this card even more rewarding for those who bank with them.
Conclusion
The best cash back credit cards offer a wide range of rewards that can suit different spending habits, from groceries and gas to dining and entertainment. Whether you prefer a simple, flat-rate cash back option or you want to maximize rewards in rotating categories, there’s a card to match your lifestyle. By choosing the right card, you can earn significant cash back on your everyday purchases, helping you save money and get more from your spending. Compare these top options to find the best cash back card for your financial goals and enjoy the rewards that come with smart credit card usage.
