12 Best Cash Back Credit Cards in December 2024

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The Best Cash Back Cards

Whether you seek flat-rate rewards or category-specific cash back, MoneyGeek's picks for the best cash back cards stand out for the cash back they deliver. MoneyGeek's experts collected 32 data points for each of the 60 cash back cards in our data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, card issuer websites and our various partners to build our ratings. We assessed each card based on the cash back you earn on purchases as well as for other factors, including annual fees, issuer satisfaction, acceptance rates, penalties and fees and 0% APR introductory periods.

Best All Around: Wells Fargo Active Cash

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Rewards

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 Cash Back

Regular APR

19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable

Annual Fee

Recommended Credit

670-850 (Good to Excellent)

The Wells Fargo Active Cash is the best cash back card for its high flat 2% cash back on all purchases. It's great if you want to maximize cash back without tracking categories or are looking for a cash back card to cover spending in a category that's not bonused on your other cards.
The card beats out other flat-cash back cards with it's 2% cash back rate, $200 welcome bonus after spending $500 in the first three months and 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months.
Read our Wells Fargo Active Cash review.
PROS
- Unlimited 2% cash back
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months, then a variable APR of 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% after
CONS
- Foreign transaction fees
Introductory Offers
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 within the first three months.
- Enjoy a 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 12 months from account opening. After that, a variable APR of 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% applies.
Rewards
- Unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases.
- No categories to track and cash rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open.
APRs, Fees, and Penalties
- Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and a 3% fee. After that, a balance transfer fee of up to 5% (minimum $5) applies.
- No annual fee.
Perks & Benefits
- Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge.
- Earn up to $600 in cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card, subject to a $25 deductible.

Runner Up: Citi Double Cash

Citi Double Cash® Card

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Rewards

Earn 1%–5% cash back

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 Cash Back

Regular APR

18.49% - 28.49% variable

Annual Fee

Recommended Credit

670-850 (Good to Excellent)

The Citi Double Cash is second on our list, thanks to its 2% cash back, 1% cash back on all purchases and 1% when you pay off your balance. It offers no annual fee and a longer 0% APR intro balance transfer offer, but not on new purchases, than the Wells Fargo Active Cash.
Read our Citi Double Cash review.
PROS
- 2% cash back on all purchases
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers
- No annual fee
- Accepts fair credit
CONS
- Penalty APR
- No intro APR on purchases
- Introductory Offers
  - Enjoy a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After this period, the APR will range from 18.49% to 28.49%, depending on your creditworthiness.
  - Earn 20,000 ThankYou Points, equivalent to $200 cash back, after spending $1,500 within the first six months.
- Rewards
  - Earn 2% cash back on every purchase: 1% when you buy and an additional 1% when you pay off the purchase.
  - Earn 5% cash back on hotel, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel portal until December 31, 2025.
- APRs, Fees, and Penalties
  - Balance transfers do not earn cash back.
  - If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on purchases unless the entire balance, including transfers, is paid by the due date each month.
  - There is an introductory balance transfer fee of 3% (minimum $5) for transfers made within the first four months. After that, the fee is 5% (minimum $5).

Best Cash Back on Dining and Groceries Combined: Capital One Savor

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Rewards

Earn 1%–8% cash back

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 cash bonus

Regular APR

19.49% - 29.49% variable

Annual Fee

Recommended Credit

670–850 (good to excellent)

The Savor card is one of the best cards for those looking for high cash back in dining, entertainment, and groceries. With unlimited 3% cash back on these categories it's one of the best bonus category cash back cards. Note that, like other cards with bonus cash back on groceries, you won't earn on purchases at superstores like Walmart and Target.
Read our Savor review.
PROS
- High cash back on dining, groceries and travel
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR for 15 months
- $200 intro offer
CONS
- Bonus cash back excludes superstores
- Requires good to excellent credit
- Introductory Offers
  - Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Rewards
  - Earn 3% cash back on grocery stores, dining, entertainment, and streaming services.
  - Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
  - Earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
  - Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- APRs, Fees and Penalties
  - 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.49% - 29.49% variable APR after that.
  - No foreign transaction fee.
  - No annual fee.
- Perks and Benefits
  - No rotating categories or sign-ups are needed for rewards.
  - Cash back rewards do not expire for the life of the account.

Best Cash Back With Zero APR Offer: Capital One Quicksilver

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Rewards

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 Cash Back

Regular APR

19.49% - 29.49% variable

Annual Fee

Recommended Credit

670-850 (Good to Excellent)

The Quicksilver card earns a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases. The 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months sets Quicksilver apart from the Wells Fargo Active Cash, which has a shorter intro APR. It's a great card if you're looking for both a longer 0% intro period and competitive reward rate.
Just don't confuse it with its sister, the QuicksilverOne card, which has higher acceptance rates but comes with an annual fee and does not have an intro APR offer.
Read our Capital One Quicksilver review.
PROS
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.49% to 29.49% after that
- No foreign transaction fees
CONS
- Requires good to excellent credit
- No bonus cash back categories
- Introductory Offers
  - Earn a $200 cash bonus after spending $500 within the first three months of opening your account.
  - Enjoy a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. After that, the variable APR ranges from 19.49% to 29.49%. A balance transfer fee applies.
- Rewards
  - Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day.
  - Earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
- APRs, Fees, and Penalties
  - No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
- Perks & Benefits
  - Cash back rewards do not expire for the life of the account.
  - No rotating categories or sign-ups are needed to earn cash rewards.

Best for High Flat Cash Rate and Dining: Chase Freedom Unlimited

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Rewards

Earn 1.5–5% cash back

Welcome Offer

Up to $300 cash back

Regular APR

19.74% - 28.49% variable

Annual Fee

Recommended Credit

670–850 (good to excellent)

The Freedom Unlimited makes our best list by offering high flat cash back and bonus categories. It earns 3% on dining and drugstore purchases and 1.5% on all other purchases. In addition, it offers 15 months of 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases.
However, the sign-up bonus of 1.5% cash back on up to $20,000 spent in the first year isn't compelling. It's equivalent to a cash bonus of $150 after you spend $10,000. Compared to Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, the Freedom Unlimited falls short on grocery rewards and issuer satisfaction with Chase versus Capital One.
Read our Chase Freedom Unlimited review.
PROS
- 3% cash back on dining and drugstores
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- No annual fee
- Welcome bonus
- 0% intro APR offer
CONS
- Requires good to excellent credit
Key Features
- Card Uses: Cash Back, Balance Transfer, Zero Interest
- Annual Fee: $0
- Introductory Offer: Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That’s 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
- Rewards: 5% cash back on travel through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining and drugstores and 1.5% on all other purchases.
APR and Fees
- Introductory APRs: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74%–28.49% after that.
- Regular APRs: 19.74%–28.49% variable
- Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% variable
- Balance Transfer Fees: Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- Late Fees: Up to $40
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Perks and Protections
- Zero Liability Protection
- Extended Warranty Protection
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
- Travel and Emergency Assistance Services
- DashPass Membership
- $10 Off Quarterly on DoorDash Non-Restaurant Orders
- Chase Pay Over Time

Best 5 Percent Cash Back: Citi Custom Cash

Citi Custom Cash® Card

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Rewards

Earn 1%–5% cash back

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 Cash Back

Regular APR

18.49% - 28.49% variable

Annual Fee

Recommended Credit

670-850 (Good to Excellent)

In our opinion, Citi Custom Cash is the best 5% cash back card. You earn 5% on up to $500 monthly in your highest spend category and 1% on all other purchases. While some 5% cards have narrow 5% categories, the eligible ones for Custom Cash can be quite compelling, including airfare, restaurants, groceries, gyms and streaming services.
The spending cap holds this card back, putting it behind a flat cash card like the Quicksilver. But if you have a predictable spending category under $500 per month, like the gym or streaming subscriptions, this card could be just the thing.
Read our Citi Custom Cash review.
PROS
- 5% cash back on top spending category
- 0% intro APR offer
- No annual fee
CONS
- Cap on bonus cash back rate
- Comes with penalty APR
- Introductory Offers
  - Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 within the first six months. This is fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou Points.
  - Enjoy 0% Introductory APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months.
- Rewards
  - Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, then 1% cash back thereafter.
  - Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  - Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel portal until June 30, 2026.
- APRs, Fees, and Penalties
  - After the introductory period, the variable APR will be 18.49% - 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
  - No annual fee.
- Perks & Benefits
  - No rotating bonus categories to sign up for; your earn adjusts automatically based on your spending.
  - Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash Card account per person.

Best Grocery Cash Back: Amex Blue Cash Preferred

Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Rewards

Earn 1%–6% cash back

Welcome Offer

Earn $250 statement credit

Regular APR

18.24%–29.24% variable

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95*

Recommended Credit

670–850 (Good to Excellent)

The Blue Cash Preferred is one of the best cards for bonus categories, especially for families and heavy commuters. It offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% at U.S. gas stations and 3% on transit.
However, it does come with an annual fee of $95 after the first year. Compared to Savor, which offers a 3% on groceries and dining without caps, the Blue Cash Preferred scores lower because its higher grocery rewards are capped and come with an annual fee after the first year.
Read our Blue Cash Preferred review.
PROS
- High cash back on supermarkets and streaming
- Unlimited cash back on gas and transit
- Intro APR for purchases and transfers
- High customer satisfaction
CONS
- Annual fee after first year
- Spending caps and exclusions on supermarket purchases
Introductory Offer Details
- Enjoy a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 after that. See rates and fees
- Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months.
- Benefit from 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from account opening. After that, a variable APR of 18.24% to 29.24% applies. See rates and fees
Cash Back Details
- Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
- 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 3% cash back on transit, including taxis/rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Cash back is provided as Reward Dollars, redeemable as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
Other Benefits
- Earn a $84 Disney Bundle Credit: Spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription with your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card to receive a $7 monthly statement credit. Valid only at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms apply.

Best Custom Cash Back: Bank of America Customized Cash

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Rewards

Earn 1%–3% cash back

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 online cash rewards

Regular APR

18.74% - 28.74% variable

Annual Fee

Recommended Credit

670–850 (Good to Excellent)

The BofA Customized Cash offers a flexible rewards structure, making it one of the best pick-your-category cash back cards. It offers 3% in a category of your choice. It allows you to change your bonus category each month, but we recommend you pick a category and leave it unchanged. It also offers 2% on Groceries and Wholesale clubs, which is a bit different as many cards won't cover wholesale clubs like Costco or Sam's Club.
In comparison, the potential 3% categories offered by the Customized Cash are fewer than the Citi Custom Cash but it does come with a higher spend cap.
If you're a Bank of America customer, the 3% rewards can be as high as 5.25% for Preferred Rewards members. Preferred Rewards is Bank of America's loyalty program based on investments and cash you keep at BofA and Merrill Lynch. However, the amount of cash and investments needed to get higher cash back rates is quite high.
Read our BofA Customized Cash review.
PROS
- 3% cash back in customizable categories
- No annual fee
- Welcome bonus
- Extra rewards for Preferred Rewards members
- Introductory 0% APR offer
CONS
- Complex rewards structure
- Spending cap on high cash back
- Requires good/excellent credit score
Introductory Offers
- Earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days.
Rewards
- Earn 3% cash back in a category of your choice, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter), and 1% on all other purchases.
- Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase.
APRS, Fees, and Penalties
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After that, a variable APR of 18.74% - 28.74% applies.
- A 3% Intro balance transfer fee applies for the first 60 days; after that, the fee is 4%.
Perks & Benefits
- No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Use contactless cards for secure and convenient transactions.

Best Rotating 5 Percent Category Card: Discover it Cash Back

Discover it® Cash Back Card

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Rewards

Earn 1%–5% cash back

Welcome Offer

Matches cash back at the end of your first year

Regular APR

18.49% - 27.49%variable

Annual Fee

Recommended Credit

670–850 (good to excellent)

The Discover it Cash Back is one of the best 5% cards. Upon activation, it offers 5% cash back on categories like groceries and gas each quarter. Discover matches all the cash back you earn in the first year, effectively doubling your rewards. Some people love this offer, but it's often less than a $200 sign-up bonus that many other cards offer.
Compared to Citi Custom Cash, which offers 5% on your top spending category, Discover it Cash Back's rotating categories give you less control but provide a longer intro APR period.
Read our Discover it Cash Back review.
PROS
- Earn 5% cash back on rotating categories
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
- Cash back match in the first year
CONS
- Bonus categories have a quarterly cap and require activation
- Rotating bonus categories
- Low regular cash back rate
- Introductory Offers
  - Discover matches all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, doubling your rewards without any spending minimums or maximums.
- Rewards
  - Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different locations each quarter, such as grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to a quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- APRS, Fees, and Penalties
  - Enjoy a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. After that, a standard variable APR of 18.49% to 27.49% applies, based on your creditworthiness.
  - No annual fee.
- Perks & Benefits
  - Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  - Start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with our digital card, if eligible.
  - Discover helps reduce your personal information exposure online by removing it from select people-search sites, free of charge.

Best Fair Credit Cash Back Card: Upgrade Cash Rewards

Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Rewards

Earn 1.5% cash back

Welcome Offer

N/A

Regular APR

14.99%–29.99%

Annual Fee

Recommended Credit

580–740 (Fair to Good)

The Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa is our pick for the best cash back card for fair credit. It offers unlimited 1.5% on all purchases, providing straightforward rewards. What's not as straightforwad, is that this card is a hybrid between personal loan and a credit card. Each month your balance is packaged into a loan with a fixed payback schedule. The benefits is a lower interest rate, but the drawback is that you can't just pay the minimum balance one month if things are tight. It's a good option for building credit, and it is unsecured so no upfront deposit required.
Read our Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa review.
PROS
- No annual fee
- Accepts fair credit
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back
- Reports to all major credit bureaus
- Unique payment structure supports responsible credit use
CONS
- No intro offer
- No intro APR
- Unique payment structure is harder to manage
Fees
- Annual Fee: $0
- Regular APRs: 14.99% – 29.99%
- Penalty APR: None
- Balance Transfer Fees: Not specified
- Late Fees: Not specified
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Rewards
- Rewards Rate: 1.5% unlimited cash back on card purchases with each payment
Introductory Offers
- Introductory Offer: None
- Introductory APRs: No intro APR period available

Best Cash Back For Target or Walmart: U.S. Bank Shopper

U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Rewards

Earn 1.5%–6% cash back

Welcome Offer

Earn a $250 bonus

Regular APR

18.99% – 28.99% variable

Annual Fee

$95

Recommended Credit

670–850 (Good to Excellent)

The U.S. Bank Shopper offers 6% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter at two selected retailers and 3% on up to $1,500 each quarter in a chosen everyday category. For the 6% retailers, that's comparable to Amex Blue Cash Preferred's rate on U.S. Supermarkets. Since the selected retailers can include Walmart and Target, this card can be great if you're looking for high cash back on superstores.
However, the $95 annual fee after the first year and the need to activate your bonus retailers and categories each quarter lower our overall score for the card.
Read our U.S. Bank Shopper review.
PROS
- High cash back at selected retailers
- Bonus offer for new cardholders
- Cash back on everyday categories
- No annual fee for the first year
- Flexible redemption options
CONS
- $95 annual fee after the first year
- Cash back cap on purchases
- Potentially high APR
- Earn 6% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter at two selected retailers, including options like Amazon.com™, Walmart® and Target®.
- Earn a $250 bonus after spending $2,000 within the first 120 days of opening your account.
- Earn 3% cash back on up to $1,500 each quarter in a chosen everyday category, such as wholesale clubs, gas stations, EV charging stations and home utilities.
- Enjoy 1.5% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
- Benefit from 5.5% cash back on prepaid car and hotel reservations made through the Rewards Center.
- Access increased cash back opportunities at over 1,100 online stores via U.S. Bank's Rewards Center Shopping Deals.
- Choose from flexible cash back redemption options, including statement credit, rewards card, merchant gift cards or direct deposit into a U.S. Bank checking or savings account.
- No annual fee for the first year, followed by a $95 annual fee after that.
- Regular APR: 18.99% – 28.99% (variable).

Best Warehouse Club Cash Back Card: Costco Anywhere

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Rewards

Earn 1%–4% cash back

Welcome Offer

No current offer

Regular APR

19.74% - 27.74% variable

Annual Fee

Recommended Credit

740-850 (Excellent)

This card is one of the best cash back cards, but it requires a Costco membership. With 4% cash back on gas, 3% on travel and dining and 2% on Costco purchases, it offers some of the highest rewards rates rates in these categories available. However, an active membership is required to get and use the card, though there's no annual fee, and redemptions are limited to once a year.
It's clear that Costco Anywhere is designed to deliver long-term value for its customers, who value stocking up to get lower prices. The card has no 0% APR offer, no sign-up bonus and recommends applicants have high credit scores. These factors and the redemption restrictions lower our overall score for the card even though the rewards rates in its bonus categories are very competitive.
Read our Costco Anywhere review.
PROS
- High cash back on gas, travel and dining
- 2% cash back on Costco purchases
- No annual fee
CONS
- Limited reward redemption options
- Requires Costco membership
- No 0% intro APR period
- Rewards
  - Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 each year, then 1% thereafter.
  - Get 3% cash back on dining and eligible travel purchases.
  - Receive 2% cash back on all purchases from Costco and Costco.com.
  - Enjoy 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Perks & Benefits
  - No annual fee with your paid Costco membership.
  - No foreign transaction fees on purchases.
  - Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico.

How To Compare and Choose the Best Cash Back Card

Choosing a cash back card depends on your spending habits and making smart comparisons. If you prefer simplicity, a flat-rate card might be best. If you spend heavily in certain categories, a bonus category card could offer more rewards. If you're willing to adapt to changing categories, a rotating category card might provide the highest rewards. The steps below outline how to compare cards.

1
Understand your spending habits
Do you spend more on groceries, dining out or travel? Knowing where you spend the most can help you choose a card that maximizes your rewards.
2
Know your credit score
Most cash back cards require good to excellent credit scores, but there are options for those with lower scores.
3
Compare rewards rates
Some cards offer flat-rate cash back on all purchases, while others provide higher rates in specific categories. Depending on how you spend will make certain cards more or less appealing. Using a cash back calculator can help you estimate your cash back.
4
Consider additional benefits
Look beyond the cash back rates and consider additional benefits like introductory 0% APR offers, welcome bonuses and other perks.
5
Check fees and rates
Consider the fees and interest rates associated with each card. Some cards have annual fees that can offset the rewards earned, while others might have penalty APRs and late fees that kick in if you miss a payment. Liz Frazier Peck, financial planner and author of Beyond Piggy Banks and Lemonade Stands: How to Teach Young Kids About Finance, advises, "Make sure the amount you pay in interest and fees is worth the cash or rewards you are receiving."

What is a Good Cash Back Card?

Every cash back card rewards you with a percentage of your purchases back in cash. The best ones have high cash back rates, low or no fees, introductory offers like 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers, offer sign-up bonuses, good acceptance rates for applications and are issued by companies with a reputation for good customer service. In fact, that's how we scored all of the cards on our list.

What is a Good Cash Back Rate?

In a study of cash back rates of cards in our database, we found that the average cash back rate is 1.48%. This is regardless of whether the card had flat cash, bonus categories or even rotating 5% cards. For this calculation, we calculated the effective rewards rate for each card using a median Amercian spending profile based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey.

Types of Cash Back Credit Cards

There are three main types of cash back credit cards to consider: flat-rate, bonus category, rotating category, and custom category cards. Each type has its own set of benefits and potential drawbacks.

Flat-Rate Cash Back Cards

Flat-rate cash back cards offer a consistent cash back percentage on all purchases. These cards are straightforward and easy to use, making them ideal for those who prefer simplicity. The main advantage is that you don't have to worry about tracking spending categories. However, they might not offer the highest rewards for specific spending categories. Look for cash back rates at 1.5% or higher to make sure you've got a good rate.

Bonus Category Cash Back Cards

Bonus category cards provide higher cash back rates on specific categories like groceries, dining or gas. For instance, the Savor Cash offers 3% cash back on dining, entertainment and grocery stores.

These cards can be very rewarding if your spending aligns with the bonus categories. However, they often come with spending caps and may exclude certain stores — Walmart and Target, for instance, are often excluded for grocery purchases. Look for bonus category cash back rates of at least 3%, and make sure you're getting higher rates if the card has annual fees or spending caps.

Rotating Category Cash Back Cards

Rotating category cards or 5% cards offer high cash back rates on categories that change every quarter. The Freedom Flex is a good example, offering 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories that rotate every three months.

These cards can be lucrative if you adapt your spending to maximize your cash back rewards. However, they require more effort to track and activate the categories each quarter.

Custom Category Cards

Similar to bonus and rotating categories, some issuers provide high rewards rates on spending in custom categories. You're typically only allowed to pick one at a time and the categories may be narrower, such as fast food but not all restaurants. For these cards, pay close attention to what the custom categories and spending caps are both as you sign up and then as you use them.

Look for cash back rates near or above 5%. One exception is the BofA Customized Cash card which pays a 3% cash back rate, but the categories are quite broad such as dining and groceries and there's no spending cap. In this case, it's more like a bonus category card.

MAKE YOUR FIRST CASH BACK CREDIT CARD A FLAT RATE CARD

Flat rate cash back credit cards are simply more rewarding and should be your first cash back card. Coming in at rates between 1% and 2%, they make up for their seemingly lower rates, by earning rewards on everything. There aren't bonus categories for car repairs, for example. Make a high flat rate card your first priority and then pair it up with cards that offer higher rates on your highest spend categories.

Cash Back Card Categories

Cash back credit cards often feature bonus categories that allow cardholders to earn extra rewards on specific purchases. Knowing these common categories can help you choose a card that best aligns with your spending habits.

Groceries

Many cash back cards offer additional rewards for grocery store purchases. This category is particularly beneficial for families or individuals who spend a significant portion of their budget on food and household items.

Gas and Transit

For those who commute or travel frequently, some cards provide higher cash back rates on gas and transit expenses, including public transportation, rideshares and parking fees.

Dining and Entertainment

If you enjoy dining out or spending on entertainment, look for dining credit cards that offer extra cash back in these categories. This can include restaurants, bars, movie theaters and concert venues.

Travel

Travel-related purchases — including hotel stays and airline tickets — often earn higher rewards with certain cash back cards, making them ideal for regular travelers.

Online Shopping

As online shopping becomes more prevalent, some cards offer additional cash back for purchases made through specific online retailers or e-commerce platforms.

Expert Advice on Maximizing Your Cash Back Cards

Once you've selected the cash back card that's best for you, using it responsibly will help you maximize your rewards and avoid common pitfalls. Here are some expert tips to help you manage your cards effectively.

Purchase what you need, not what your bonus categories tell you to When it comes to cash back cards, match the card bonuses to your spending and not the other way around. "The pursuit of points can lead to unmanageable debt, and so can the process of redeeming rewards," cautions Bruce McClary, the vice president of communications at the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. To help make sure you can pay off your balance, don't treat your credit cards as free money or get so caught up in the game of earning rewards that you overspend. Callie Renner, a wealth advisor at Beacon Pointe Advisors, recommends that you "only use credit cards on purchases you can afford."

Pay for everything with your card, and pay it off each month. If you put everything on your cards, you'll earn rewards on everything, but you have to pay it off each month. With typical credit card interest rates currently between 19% and 29%, interest charges on a month of spending can easily wipe out the 1% to 5% of cash back rewards you’ve earned. Missing a payment is even worse — some cards charge late fees and levy a penalty APR if you miss a payment. McClary warns, "A trap cash back cardholders often fall into is carrying a balance on their card. That's not the ideal situation with any credit card, but because cash back cards often have a higher APR than non-rewards-based credit cards, it's a really bad idea."

Pair a flat cash card with a bonus category card. By focusing on a few cards that offer the best cash back for your spending habits, you can maximize your cash back without complicating your finances. "For my household, that means using two primary cards," says Ethan Pew, Ph.D., assistant professor of marketing at the University of Texas at Austin, "One of them is a flat-rate card, while the other one has restaurant bonus categories."

Keep track of your bonus and rotating categories. If you do opt for cards with more complex cash back schemes, make sure you know what you're getting and when. These cards usually pay below average cash back rates of 1% on non-bonused categories. One notable exception is the Chase Freedom Unlimited which offers a base rate of 1.5%.

Read the full article: How To Maximize Your Cash Back Rewards

Are Cash Back Cards Better Than Other Cards?

Cash back cards come with trade-offs for their rewarding simplicity, so they aren't definitively better than other types of cards. They often have shorter introductory 0% APR periods than the best balance transfer cards, which are designed to help you work down existing balances. And although cash back cards are more straightforward, points cards can sometimes be worth more when you redeem for travel or transfer to loyalty programs.

Many people ask whether cash back or points are better when it comes to rewards. The short answer is that you should pick the rewards system based on how it makes you feel and how much work you want to put into managing your credit cards. Cash back is simpler to manage, but it lacks the thrill of the deal that a points redemption can provide.

Cash Back Credit Card FAQs

MoneyGeek answers some of the most common questions about the best cash back credit cards, to aid you in making an informed decision.

What are the best cash back credit cards?

The best cash back credit cards offer high cash back in categories where you spend the most, coupled with low fees and attractive sign-up bonuses.

Which of these cash back cards is best for me?

Choosing a cash back card that's best for you is not difficult, but does require some work. You want to align the card with your needs. Start with which cards are likely to accept your application and take it from there. However, the reality is that a combination of cards that cover different categories or needs may be what's best for you.

Do any of these cash back cards actually give you cash?

Cash back cards essentially provide a rebate on purchases, which can be redeemed as a statement credit, check or direct deposit. Although it's not immediate cash at the point of sale, it's a monetary return on your spending that can offset future expenses or add to your savings. Don't worry; it's not taxable in almost every instance.

Are the best cash back credit cards different for low-spenders?

Cash back cards can still be worthwhile for frugal spenders, especially cash back cards without annual fees. Even modest spending can accumulate rewards over time. It's about finding a card that complements your spending level and patterns.

Can I use cash back to pay my credit card bill?

Yes, in most cases, you can use your cash back rewards as a statement credit to offset part of your credit card bill. This method effectively reduces your balance, making it a practical way to use your rewards.

Methodology

Comparing cash back credit cards apples-to-apples can be tricky due to the variety of rewards schemes available. One card might offer 2% cash back on all purchases, whereas another offers 5% on groceries but only 1% on everything else.

To cut through the noise, we estimated the effective rewards rate for each card and made it the core of our scoring system. This rate estimates the cash back you can earn from a card based on its rewards structure and the spending profile of the median American household. By calculating this rate, we were able to compare cards more objectively.

MoneyGeek then collected and reviewed 32 data points for the top 60 cash back credit cards. We scored each card based on several factors, with the following weights applied:

Effective Rewards Rate (50%): Measures the estimated cash back from the card based on its rewards structure and the spending profile of the median American household.
Annual Fee (10%): Evaluates the cost of the card. The highest rating goes to cards with no annual fees.
Offer ROI (10%): Measures the return on investment from the card's introductory offer.
Balance Transfer Offer (5%): Evaluates the attractiveness of the balance transfer offer.
Introductory Purchase APR (5%): Measures the appeal of the introductory APR on purchases.
Recommended Credit (5%): Assesses the accessibility of the card based on recommended credit scores. A higher rating was given if the card is available to almost all credit scores.
Issuer Satisfaction (5%): Measures customer satisfaction with the card issuer based on J.D. Power studies.
Penalties (5%): Evaluates the penalty rates and fees, giving the highest rating to cards with none.
Regular APR (5%): Measures the regular APR of the card, with higher ratings for lower APRs.
Foreign Transaction Fees (5%): A high rating indicates no foreign transaction fees.

We follow this methodology to ensure our ratings are objective, comprehensive and trustworthy. In the end, you should match a card with your spending habits to determine which will provide the most value for you.

Explore Topics

How Do Cash Back Credit Cards Work?

Explore Topics

Cash Back vs. Points: Which Is Better?

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card From American Express, please click here.

About Doug Milnes, CFA

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.

Read Full Bio »

*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.

Best Cash Back Credit Cards for December 2024

The Best Cash Back Cards

Best All Around: Wells Fargo Active Cash

Runner Up: Citi Double Cash

Best Cash Back on Dining and Groceries Combined: Capital One Savor

Best Cash Back With Zero APR Offer: Capital One Quicksilver

Best for High Flat Cash Rate and Dining: Chase Freedom Unlimited

Best 5 Percent Cash Back: Citi Custom Cash

Best Grocery Cash Back: Amex Blue Cash Preferred

Best Custom Cash Back: Bank of America Customized Cash

Best Rotating 5 Percent Category Card: Discover it Cash Back

Best Fair Credit Cash Back Card: Upgrade Cash Rewards

Best Cash Back For Target or Walmart: U.S. Bank Shopper

Best Warehouse Club Cash Back Card: Costco Anywhere

How To Compare and Choose the Best Cash Back Card

Understand your spending habits

Know your credit score

Compare rewards rates

Consider additional benefits

Check fees and rates

What is a Good Cash Back Card?

What is a Good Cash Back Rate?

Types of Cash Back Credit Cards

Flat-Rate Cash Back Cards

Bonus Category Cash Back Cards

Rotating Category Cash Back Cards

Custom Category Cards

Cash Back Card Categories

Groceries

Gas and Transit

Dining and Entertainment

Travel

Online Shopping

Expert Advice on Maximizing Your Cash Back Cards

Are Cash Back Cards Better Than Other Cards?

Cash Back Credit Card FAQs

What are the best cash back credit cards?

Which of these cash back cards is best for me?

Do any of these cash back cards actually give you cash?

Are the best cash back credit cards different for low-spenders?

Can I use cash back to pay my credit card bill?

Methodology