12 best cash back credit cards: Up to 5% back

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Back in 1986, Sears, Roebuck & Co launched a radical new product called the Discover Card. Unlike other credit cards of its era, the Discover Card actually paid you for using it. In the words of the Discover Card’s 30-second Super Bowl XXI commercial: 

“Why should I pay with just any credit card when this one pays me money back?”

Naturally, the idea of a “cash back rewards credit card” spread like wildfire, and 38 years of competition mean today’s cash back cards have become more rewarding than ever. From welcome bonuses topping $1,000 to up to 5% cash back on everyday purchases, the rewards potential is enormous. 

But which cash back rewards card is best? Which one rewards foodies, travelers, and everyday spenders the most? Which card is ideal if you have imperfect credit or no credit history at all? 

Let’s explore the best cash back credit cards of 2024.

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• More than 50 years of industry experience
• Featured speaker at over a dozen industry events
• 4 levels of fact checking
• More than 50 cash back cards considered

Best cash back credit cards of July 2024

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Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Intro Bonus

Earn $200 as a one-time cash bonus once you spend $500 within 3 months from account opening.

Annual Fee	$0
0% Intro APR	15 months
Rewards	1.5% cash back on all purchases

Best no annual fee: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

The Active Cash keeps it simple with 2% cash back on all purchases with no categories to track or spending caps to hit. You’ll also get a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months, 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months and $600 in cell phone protection to round out a stellar overall package.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Intro Bonus

Earn $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months

0% balance transfer term	15 months
Balance transfer fee	3% or $5 first 120 days, then 5%
Annual fee	$0
Regular APR	20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR

Why we like this card: The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card may be the best cash back card on the market and for one simple reason: it offers a blanket 2% cash rewards on purchases. That objectively beats out the 1.5% you’ll see most other general-use rewards cards offer. 

In terms of overall value, the Active Cash Card definitely doesn’t stop there. You’ll also get a generous $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months, 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months and even $600 in cell phone protection (which covers damage and theft) with a minimal $25 deductible (so the next time you crack your screen, Wells Fargo may help with the repair bill). 

As for drawbacks, the card lacks any form of travel protection beyond basic rental car insurance. Plus, its 3% foreign transaction fee will nullify your 2% cash rewards on purchases as soon as you land overseas. As a net result, it’s not much of a travel companion (the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, detailed below, is a far better option). 

But for daily usage—especially for someone who doesn’t have the mental space to track rotating bonus categories, and just wants maximum cash back on each purchase—the Wells Fargo Active Cash is the no-fee card to beat.

Learn more: See our Active Cash review and learn how to choose a cash-back credit card.

Pros

• 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
• $0 annual fee
• Earns rewards

Cons

• Foreign transaction fee
• High balance transfer fee after first 120 days

Wells Fargo Rewards

The official Wells Fargo Active Cash Card webpage makes countless mentions of the term “cash back rewards,” which sounds a lot like you’ll be getting straight cash back. But in reality, you’ll be earning points that are redeemable in multiple ways: 

• Statement credit
• Covering existing purchases
• Getting literal cash from an ATM (in $20 increments)
• Gift cards
• Booking travel via Wells Fargo Travel 
• Shopping with one of Wells Fargo’s retail partners

Wells Fargo also has a small (but growing) list of transfer partners that accept Wells Fargo Rewards points at various ratios. However, only two Wells Fargo rewards cards currently offer the ability to transfer points: the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card and the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card.

So if you have an Active Cash card, you’ll probably be redeeming most of your points for cash back at a rate of 1 cent per point. Still, you should be able to rack up points pretty quickly given the card’s generous welcome bonus and rewards structure. 

Wells Fargo Active Cash Benefits

• $0 annual fee
• 2% cash rewards on purchases
• $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months
• 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
• $600 in Cell Phone Protection covering damage and theft ($25 deductible)
• Rental car insurance
• Emergency Cash Disbursement and Card Replacement

Best for those who want the most value: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

We’re big fans of the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, especially for its ease of pairing with other cards in the Chase ecosystem. With the Unlimited and the Freedom Flex in hand, you’ll maximize your cash-back earnings. Or pair it with a Sapphire Preferred and use those points for travel at an elevated rate. The choice is yours.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Intro bonus

An additional 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year), worth up to $300 cash back.

Intro 0% balance transfer term	15 months
Balance transfer fee	$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.
Annual fee	$0
Regular APR	20.49%–29.24% Variable

Why we like this card: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® frees your mind from having to consider which card to use at checkout. You’ll receive, at minimum, 1.5X cash back on all eligible purchases, plus 3X on dining and drugstores, and 5X on travel booked through Chase Travel. 

The Freedom Unlimited also offers Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty Protection, rental car insurance and even Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, which is a rarity for a non-travel rewards card. 

So, while the Freedom Unlimited card’s base earnings rate of 1.5X falls a pinch behind the 2X that some rivals offer, the card makes up the difference with 3X and 5X categories, beaucoup purchase and travel insurance and the ability to transfer points to your Chase Sapphire Preferred account for even more value.

Learn more about the card with our Freedom Unlimited review or see how to combine Ultimate Rewards for maximum value.

Pros

• $0 annual fee
• Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
• Earns at least 1.5% cash back

Cons

• Foreign transaction fee
• Other cash-back cards offer 2% cash back

How to combine Ultimate Rewards points

In the above sections, I made multiple references to how you can actually transfer points from a Chase Freedom Unlimited account to a Chase Sapphire Preferred account to instantly boost their value. Here’s how it all works. 

When you go to your Chase Ultimate Rewards dashboard and choose your Chase Freedom Unlimited account, you’ll see an option under Rewards Details called Combine Points. This feature allows you to move points from one card account to another, meaning you could pool all of the points you just earned with your Chase Freedom Unlimited into your Chase Sapphire Preferred account. 

Why would you want to do this?

Well, for one thing, points in your Chase Sapphire Preferred account get an instant 25% bonus when redeemed through Chase Travel. That means 30,000 points is worth $375 towards airfare, hotels and more. 

Plus, unlike points in your Freedom Unlimited account, points in your Chase Sapphire Preferred account can be transferred to one of Chase’s 14 transfer partners at a minimum 1:1 ratio. You’ll often see promos, too, such as an 80% transfer bonus to IHG. 

In summary, the Combine Points feature allows you to earn points with your Chase Freedom Unlimited, then spend them with your Chase Sapphire Preferred for maximum travel value. 

Chase Freedom Unlimited Benefits

• $0 annual fee
• 1.5X on all eligible purchases, 3X on drugstores and dining, 5X on Chase Travel
• Get additional 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year), worth up to $300 cash back
• 0% intro purchase APR for 15 months from account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 20.49%–29.24%)
• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty protection
• Rental car insurance
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance

Best for rotating bonus categories: Chase Freedom Flex℠

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ shines for its maximized earning rate of 5% on a series of categories that change every quarter. Used properly, the card is a workhorse for rewards.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Intro bonus

$200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within your first three months

0% balance transfer term	15 months
Balance transfer fee	3%
Annual fee	$0
Regular APR	20.49%–29.24% Variable

Our take

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ card has $0 annual fee, and users can earn a hefty 5% cash back on activated bonus category purchases each quarter (up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1%). With additional benefits like an extended introductory annual percentage rate (APR) period, cell phone protection, and car rental collision coverage, this card is packed with perks.

Rewards

Rewards Rates

• 5% 5% cash back on activated bonus category purchases each quarter (up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1%)
• 5% 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 3% 3% cash back on dining (including restaurants, takeout and eligible delivery services)
• 3% 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
• 1% 1% cash back on all other purchases
• 5% 5% cash back on Lyft rides (through March 2025)

Card details

• Additional perks: Purchase protection, extended warranty protection, trip cancelation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, cell phone protection, complimentary Doordash and Instacart+ membership






• Foreign transaction fee: 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Why we like this card 

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ card’s hallmark feature is the 5% cash back on activated bonus category purchases each quarter (up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1%) that change out every three months of the calendar year. At the time of this writing (Q3 2024), the current 5X rewards categories are Gas Stations, EV Charging, Select Live Entertainment and Movie Theaters. Prior to that was Amazon, Hotels and Restaurants in Q2, and Q1 featured  Grocery Stores and Fitness Clubs. 

Outside of the 5X categories (which are capped at $1,500 worth of spending aka $75 cash back), you’ll earn an unlimited 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% cash back on dining (including restaurants, takeout and eligible delivery services), 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and 1% cash back on all other purchases. There’s also a $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within your first three months, 0% intro purchase APR for 15 months from account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 20.49%–29.24%) and up to $800 per claim in Cell Phone Protection (with a $50 deductible). 

Put it all together and you have a 5X rewards card that probably isn’t strong enough on its own (especially given the $75 cap on rewards each quarter), but will pair extremely well with your other general-use rewards card. The cherry on top—and why it dominates other rotating rewards cards—is the ability to transfer points you earn with the Flex to your Chase Sapphire Preferred account for 25% bonus redemption value via travel.

To dig deeper, see our Freedom Flex review.

Learn more: Why I switched from travel rewards to cash back, and how to know if you should, too

Pros

• $0 annual fee
• Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
• Earns up to 5% cash back on activated bonus category purchases each quarter (up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1%)

Cons

• Foreign transaction fee
• Must activate bonus categories every quarter
• 5% categories are capped

What are the Chase Freedom Flex bonus categories?

Here’s a quick recap of the Chase Freedom Flex’s bonus categories from the past four quarters: 

• October – December 2023: Wholesale Clubs (e.g. Costco, Sam’s Club), Select Charities and PayPal
• January – March 2024: Grocery Stores (excluding Wal-Mart and Target), Fitness Clubs & Gym Memberships and Self-Care and Spa Services
• April – June 2024: Amazon.com, Hotels and Restaurants
• July – September 2024: Gas Stations, EV Charging, Select Live Entertainment and Movie Theaters

How to activate quarterly 5% bonus categories

For reasons we’re not privy to, Chase requires you to manually “activate” your rewards each quarter when you have the Flex card. If you miss the deadline to activate, you won’t receive 5X rewards that quarter. 

The good news is that the deadline isn’t toward the end of the quarter (e.g. September 14th for Q3 2024), so even if it slips your mind for a month or two, you’ll still have plenty of time. Plus, activating just takes a single click – you can do so from the reminder email Chase sends you, from your main account dashboard or from Chase.com/bonus.

Chase Freedom Flex benefits

• $0 annual fee
• 5% cash back on activated bonus category purchases each quarter (up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1%), 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases, 3% cash back on dining (including restaurants, takeout and eligible delivery services), 1% cash back on all other purchases
• $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within your first three months
• 0% intro purchase APR for 15 months from account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 20.49%–29.24%)
• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty protection
• Rental car insurance
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance
• Cell Phone Protection (up to $800 per claim, $50 deductible)

Best travel credit card for cash back: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Despite rising competition, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card remains our favorite travel cash back card due to its generous 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. You also get numerous 2X to 5X rewards categories, and sweet 25% multiplier for points redeemed via Chase Travel. Toss in 14 transfer partners and a cornucopia of travel insurance and you have a sweet metal card that deserves a spot next to your passport.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Intro bonus

60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Annual fee	$95
Regular APR	21.49%–28.49% variable

Why we like this card: It’s rather appropriate that the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card card aka “CSP” comes in thick metal form since the card is so (figuratively) dense with travel benefits. Right off the bat, you’ll get 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. (That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠). 

Beyond that, the card generates 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ (excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit), 3x points on dining, 3x points on select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2x points on travel purchases and 1x points on other purchases. There’s also a $50 annual hotel credit, free DashPass and a metric ton of travel insurance and purchase protection. 

In addition to the 25% redemption bonus, having a Chase Sapphire Preferred account also unlocks the ability to transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to one of the bank’s 14 transfer partners. Transfer ratios are all 1:1, so if you move your points to a program with exceptionally high individual point values (*cough* World of Hyatt), you can make your Chase points go even further towards your next trip. 

But even if you don’t have any upcoming travel plans and just need to pay the bills, the CSP’s generous welcome bonus and 2X to 5X categories can net some serious cash back. 

To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Pros

• Valuable welcome bonus
• Extensive list of transfer partners
• Extra value on travel redemptions

Cons

• No premium travel perks (e.g. lounge access)
• No instant status with any airline or hotel
• $95 annual fee

What is the Chase Trifecta?

As you shop around for the right credit credit cards, you may see mention of something called the “Chase Trifecta.” 

The Chase Trifecta comprises the Chase Freedom Unlimited, Freedom Flex and Sapphire Preferred. Having this strategic combination of cards in your wallet is so effective at maximizing points that it scored its own nickname. 

As you may have surmised, the idea is to alternate between your no-fee Freedoms so that you’re always earning between 1.5X and 5X on everyday purchases. Then, when it’s time to book travel, you can use the Combine Points feature to move your Chase Ultimate Rewards points over to your Sapphire Preferred account where you’ll get an extra 25% in redemption value or have the ability to transfer to travel partners for even more value. 

If you travel for work, you might consider swapping out the Sapphire Preferred for the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, which offers the same 25% travel redemption bonus plus a 120k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,200 cash back or $1,500 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠. And if you travel multiple times per month, either for work or business, you might even pair the Freedom Flex and Unlimited with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, which ups the redemption bonus from 25% to 50%. 

Speaking of Chase Ultimate Rewards, let’s touch on the program a bit more before moving on to our next card. 

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Ultimate Rewards may be the best overall rewards card program on the market due to its flexible redemption options, high point values and frequent promotional bonuses. 

For starters, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are always worth at least a penny each via statement credit. That instantly gives the program a leg up against its chief rival Amex Membership Rewards, which only offers 0.6 cents per point in statement credit. You can also redeem points through Chase Travel, cash out for gift cards (often with a 10% bonus multiplier) and donate points to charity. 

Holders of the Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve and Ink Business Preferred cards also have the option of transferring points to one of Chase’s 14 transfer partners including Southwest, United, Hyatt and more. While most ratios are 1:1, you’ll sometimes see temporary promotional rates which can stretch your point values even further (e.g. 80% bonus with IHG at the time of writing). 

Learn more about why we think it’s the program to beat in our full review of Chase Ultimate Rewards. 

Chase Sapphire Preferred card benefits

• $95
• 5x points on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025 (that’s 3x points in addition to the 2x points you already earn on travel), 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ (excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit), 3x points on dining, 3x points on select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2x points on travel purchases, 1x points on other purchases
• 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. (That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠)
• 25% bonus multiplier on all points redeemed through Chase Travel
• $50 Annual Hotel Benefit good towards hotels booked through Chase Travel
• Complimentary DoorDash DashPass
• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty protection
• Rental car insurance
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance
• Trip Delay Reimbursement
• Baggage delay insurance

Best cash back credit card for foodies: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card gives extra rewards for both dining and groceries, meaning that everything you eat can earn extra cash back. The SavorOne is also the rare card that offers entertainment as a bonus category so even your movie popcorn will earn more points.

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Intro Bonus

Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening

0% intro balance transfer term	15 months
Balance transfer fee	3%
Annual fee	$0
Regular APR	19.99%–29.99% variable APR

Why we like this card 

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card ensures you get plenty of value out of your card right away with one of the highest earning rates on both dining and groceries for a card with a $0 annual fee. The card is especially rewarding if you are a food delivery fan as you get a whopping 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber and Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through November 14, 2024.

The appropriately-named Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is our favorite foodie card for numerous reasons. For starters, it offers unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®). So whether you’re ordering takeout to watch Hulu at home or you’re sipping margaritas at Madison Square Garden, you’ll be racking up 3X points. 

The card also offers 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 29.99%), a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, and a whopping 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber and Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through November 14, 2024. It’s not a half-bad travel card, either, since there is a 0% foreign transaction fee, Travel Accident Insurance is included and you’ll get 50% off handcrafted beverages at all 55 Capital One Café locations nationwide. 

All told, those are better food-related benefits than most premium rewards cards can offer, and the SavorOne Rewards card has a $0 annual fee.

For more info on the SavorOne card check out our full review.

Learn more: Should you get a cash-back credit card or a travel credit card?

Pros

• $0 annual fee
• Generous rewards on dining out or eating in
• 0% foreign transaction fee

Cons

• Grocery store category doesn’t include superstores like Walmart and Target
• Streaming category only includes selected services

SavorOne Card Benefits

• $0 annual fee
• Get unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (Terms apply), unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), 1% on all other purchases
• Get a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening
• 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 29.99%)
• 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber and Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through November 14, 2024
• 0% foreign transaction fee
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Extended warranty protection
• 50% off handcrafted beverages at Capital One Café locations nationwide

Learn more: Should you get a cash-back credit card or a travel credit card?

Best for groceries: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) and a generous $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in n eligible purchases on your new card within the first 6 months. The card’s $95, but it may still be worth keeping since 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%) is $360 each year.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

See Rates and Fees

Intro Bonus

Earn $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in n eligible purchases on your new card within the first 6 months

0% offer	0% introductory APR for the first 12 months
Balance transfer offer	0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months
Balance transfer fee	$5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Annual fee	$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Regular APR	19.24%–29.99% Variable

Modern rewards cards tend to offer cash back on a mix of absolute essentials (e.g. groceries) but also nice-to-haves like dining and airfare. But sometimes, you just want maximum cash back on basic needs, and that’s where the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express shines. 

For starters, you’ll get an astounding 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%) which tops out at $360. You’ll also get 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more), and the card offers a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in n eligible purchases on your new card within the first 6 months to further put a dent in your overall budget for essentials. 

The key drawback to the Amex Blue Cash Preferred is the $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 after year one. But if you’re currently spending $500 a month on groceries and $250 on gas, your total cash back within those categories alone would amount to $450 per year alone.

Pros

• Massive rewards potential on groceries and gas
• Solid $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in n eligible purchases on your new card within the first 6 months
• 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months from the date of account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 19.24%–29.99%)

Cons

• Grocery and gas categories don’t include superstores (e.g. Costco, Walmart)
• 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to U.S. dollars

Amex Blue Cash Preferred benefits

• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
• 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 and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more), 1% cash back on other eligible purchases
• $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in n eligible purchases on your new card within the first 6 months
• 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months from the date of account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 19.24%–29.99%)
• $84 Disney Bundle Credit
• Rental car insurance 
• Purchase protection
• Return protection 
• Extended warranty protection

To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express see this page

Best cash back card for people new to credit: Chase Freedom Rise® credit card

If you’re worried about qualifying for this card with little to no credit, know that the Chase Freedom Rise® is designed for those who are new to managing credit.

Chase Freedom Rise®

Intro Bonus

Earn a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account (with automatic payments, just pick a date and dollar amount to make sure your Credit Card gets paid on time)

Annual Fee	$0
My Chase Plan Fee	1.72%
Foreign Transaction fee	3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Regular APR	26.99% variable

Why we like this card: For those who are new to credit, the ideal “starter card” will a) be easy to get, b) encourage responsible spending and c) offer a clear pathway to a full-fledged rewards card. The Chase Freedom Rise® card manages to offer all three features, and amazingly, includes cash back rewards and a welcome bonus to boot. 

To start things off, Chase hints that you can “improve your likelihood of approval” by having at least $250 in your Chase checking account(s), so the application criteria are relatively straightforward. Once you’re approved, the card instantly encourages healthy spending by offering $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account and automatically evaluating you after year one for a Chase Freedom Unlimited card. 

Until then, you’ll still be getting 1.5% cashback on all purchases (Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back) as you monitor and build your credit. You won’t have to worry about a lack of consumer protection, either, since the Freedom Rise comes loaded with purchase protection, extended warranty protection and even Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance. All told, it’s a shockingly robust and rewarding card for newbies

To dig deeper, check out our Freedom Rise review.

Pros

• Great for building credit
• $0 annual fee
• Earns rewards

Cons

• 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars foreign transaction fee
• Strongly encourages banking relationship with Chase to be approved

Chase Freedom Rise benefits

• $0 annual fee
• Having $250 in Chase checking account(s) increases likelihood of approval
• 1.5% cashback on all purchases (Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back)
• 5X on Lyft
• $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account
• 3 months of complimentary DashPass plus 50% off for the rest of the year
• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty protection
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance

Learn more: A beginner’s guide to credit cards

Is there a Chase Student credit card? 

Unlike some of its competitors, Chase does not offer a dedicated student credit card like the Discover it® Student Cash Back or the BankAmericard® for Students. Instead, the bank treats the Chase Freedom Rise card as its premier credit-building card for anyone who’s new to building and managing credit,  including students, folks who are new to the U.S. and more. 

Even though the Chase Freedom Rise doesn’t have the word “student” in its name, it’s still well-suited for anyone with a .edu email address. As mentioned above, it’s just a stellar credit-building card overall since it offers 1.5% cashback on all purchases (Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back), numerous credit-building tools, free DashPass, 5X on Lyft and even a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account. 

Sure, it heavily implies that you need $250 in a Chase account before applying – but joining the Chase ecosystem as a student isn’t such a bad thing given the bank’s excellent rewards program and long list of rewards cards to apply for post-graduation. 

Best cash back card for bad credit: Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for anyone looking to rebuild their credit thanks to its generous rewards and general lack of hidden fees. Sure, its $200 minimum security deposit isn’t the lowest we’ve seen, but the card’s 1.5% cash back on every purchase more than makes up for it.

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card

Who is this card good for?

The Capital One Quicksilver Secured card is good for those who are rebuilding from poor or fair credit and want a card that earns rewards with no foreign transaction fee.

Annual fee	$0
APR	29.99% variable
Security deposit	$200–$1,000 to $3,000 (depending on your creditworthiness)

Up until recently, secured cards and rewards cards were two totally separate products. The former lacked any sort of rewards at all, meaning anyone who took, say, a full year to rebuild their credit would be missing out on some serious cash back. 

Thankfully that all changed, and we now have cards like the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card which offers a blanket 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. There’s a $0 annual fee, of course, and the card doesn’t even charge any foreign transaction fees. That’s a bigger deal than it sounds, because if you travel overseas while you’re rebuilding your credit, saving 3% on every single transaction will add up quickly. 

The card does require a minimum $200 security deposit – which certainly isn’t the lowest we’ve seen (the Platinum Secured Credit Card from Capital One goes as low as $49 depending on your creditworthiness), but provided you don’t mind locking up that much cash, you’ll enjoy 1.5% cash back on every purchase until you rebuild your credit enough to apply for a bonafide Capital One rewards card. 

For more, check out our full review of the Capital One Quicksilver Secured card.

What is a secured credit card?

If you’re new to the concept of a “secured” credit card, here’s how they work. 

In a nutshell, a secured credit card is a special type of credit card that requires a refundable cash deposit, just like an apartment. In most cases, the deposit acts as your credit limit. So if you choose to make the minimum security deposit of $200, that’s the most you can spend. Then, if you fail to make on-time payments, your bank simply keeps your security deposit. 

That virtually eliminates the risk for the bank, which is why they’re willing to provide secured credit cards to borrowers with fair to poor credit. The benefit to the cardholder is that the bank reports your payment history to the three major credit bureaus, meaning on-time payments will raise your credit score over time. 

All told, secured credit cards are great win-win inventions: They enable banks to offer credit cards to borrowers who may lack the credit score for a traditional rewards card, while also giving the borrower a way to earn rewards while rebuilding their credit. 

To learn more, check out our running list of the best secured credit cards. 

Capital One Quicksilver Secured card benefits

• $0 annual fee
• 1.5% cash back on every purchase
• $200 refundable minimum deposit (based on creditworthiness)
• Foreign transaction fee: None
• Account alerts, autopay, recurring transaction tracking

Best cash back card for fair credit: Citi® Double Cash Card

As the name implies, the Citi® Double Cash Card offers 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. You’ll also get a $200 cash back when you spend $1,500 on purchases within the first 6 months, 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (after that, the variable APR will be 19.24%–29.24%, based on your creditworthiness), and amazingly, the card accepts fair credit to boot.

Citi® Double Cash Card

Intro Bonus

Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months and get an 18-month 0% introductory APR on balance transfers

0% balance transfer term	18 months
Balance transfer fee	3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first four months of account opening. After that, the fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5)
Annual fee	$0
Regular APR	19.24%–29.24% variable

Why we like this card: Originally launched in 2014, the Citi® Double Cash Card was one of the first rewards cards to offer a net 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Clearly that’s a bar that’s hard to reach, since very few cards have matched it in the decade since (with one exception being our overall top pick, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card card). 

But unlike the Active Cash card, the Citi Double Cash card actually doubles as a superb credit-building card. For starters, it splits up the 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases which encourages you to continue making on-time payments. Plus, you’ll get a $200 cash back when you spend $1,500 on purchases within the first 6 months and 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (after that, the variable APR will be 19.24%–29.24%, based on your creditworthiness), both of which can help you clear out past credit card debt. 

Finally, despite offering excellent cash back rewards, the Citi Double Cash card doesn’t require excellent credit to apply. Citi doesn’t publish the required FICO score for each of its credit scores, but numerous sources indicate that the card accepts fair (580+) or better credit. 

While it does charge a foreign transaction fee and the card is light on perks in general, the Citi Double Cash card’s 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases and low credit requirement make it an overall superb choice for credit-building. 

For more details, check out our Citi Double Cash Card review.

What is fair credit?

In order to define “fair” credit, let’s first recap how credit works in the first place. 

When you borrow money, make payments, take out multiple loan types (e.g. mortgage, credit card) and more, all of that “borrower” activity is reported to the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Those companies then crunch the numbers and assign you a credit score, which is like a GPA (grade point average) for borrowers. 

Since all three bureaus calculate credit a little differently, a company called FICO came along in 1989 and mushed all three together into a FICO score, which is what 90% of top lenders use today. 

As for where the term “fair” came along, FICO scores are grouped into five buckets: 

• <580 = Poor
• 580 – 669 = Fair
• 670 – 739 = Good
• 740 – 799 = Excellent
• 800+ = Exceptional

According to Equifax, borrowers with Fair credit are considered “subprime” and “high-risk” to lenders, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get a loan. For more info, check out What is fair credit, and what does it mean if you have it?

Citi Double Cash benefits

• $0 annual fee
• 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases
• 5X on select Citi Travel bookings
• $200 cash back when you spend $1,500 on purchases within the first 6 months
• 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (after that, the variable APR will be 19.24%–29.24%, based on your creditworthiness)
• Citi Entertainment, Digital Wallets and more

Best for customer experience: Discover it® Cash Back

The Discover it® Cash Back card offers 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined quarterly purchases in various categories throughout the year (then 1%), a unique welcome bonus that doubles your total cash back for the first year and 25 slick card designs to choose from. Discover also scores high marks for customer service and the companion app is well-rated in both the App Store and Google Play.

Discover it Cash Back

Intro bonus

Get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, automatically.

0% balance transfer term	15 months
Balance transfer fee	3%
Annual fee	$0
Regular APR	17.24%–28.24%

Why we like this card: The Discover it® Cash Back card offers 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined quarterly purchases in various categories throughout the year (then 1%), 0% introductory APR for 15 months from account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 17.24%–28.24%) on purchases and balance transfers (plus a low balance transfer fee—3% of the amount of each transfer for transfers that post to your account by April 10, 2024. After that, 5% of the amount of each transfer.) and it even allows you to choose from 25 slick and unique card designs ranging from a rainbow to the Manhattan skyline. 

You’ll also get a unique welcome bonus in the form of Discover’s Unlimited Cashback Match. Whatever you earn in the first year, Discover will double it with no limits. So if you earn the maximum $75 cash back on up to $1,500 in spending each quarter, that’s $300 total for the year, which Discover will then double for a total of $600. 

But no amount of cash back and cool designs would be worth it if the bank didn’t support its customers, and thankfully, Discover has that box checked. In J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Direct Banking Satisfaction Study, Discover ranked #2 overall – right behind Charles Schwab, but well above all other major card issuers. Discover’s 24/7 customer support team is also 100% U.S.-based, and the bank’s smartphone app ranks 4.9 stars in the App Store and 4.5 stars in the Play Store. 

So if you’re looking for a card with high rewards potential and excellent customer support when you need it, the Discover it Cash Back is our top choice. 

Learn more with our Discover it Cash Back card review and dig deeper into how to use a 5% cash-back card.

Discover it Cash Back card benefits

• $0 annual fee
• 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined quarterly purchases in various categories throughout the year (then 1%), 1% cashback on all other eligible purchases
• Unlimited Cashback Match for the first year
• Discover and the Discover Apps rank earn high marks for customer service
• 25 card designs to choose from
• Free overnight shipping for lost cards

Best for big-ticket purchases: U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card has a somewhat complex rewards structure that requires some planning and strategy, but once it clicks, you can easily save 5% cash back on 2 categories of their choice ($2,000 purchase limit per quarter). A generous 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 15 billing cycles, 19.74%–29.74% variable APR thereafter, $250 rewards bonus if you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days and $0 fees for ExtendPay plans can also help you finance a major purchase.

U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature

Intro bonus

Earn a $200 rewards bonus after you apply online and spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening

0% balance transfer term	15 months
Balance transfer fee	3%
Annual fee	$0
Regular APR	19.49% to 29.74%

Why we like this card: While the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card has one of the most complex rewards structures we’ve ever seen, once you understand how it all works you realize the card is excellent for financing big retail purchases. 

To start, the card offers 5% cash back on 2 categories of their choice ($2,000 purchase limit per quarter). The options are: 

• Fast food
• Home utilities
• TV, internet and streaming
• Department stores
• Cell phone
• Electronic stores
• Sporting goods stores
• Gyms/fitness centers
• Ground transportation
• Movie theaters
• Furniture stores
• Select clothing stores

While the absence of any airlines or hotels is a bummer for travelers, getting 5% cash back on home utilities, big electronics (e.g. laptops, TVs) or furniture each quarter could be a big money-saver for families and homeowners. You’ll also get 2% cash back on one everyday category, such as gas stations or grocery stores and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchase. 

When it comes to financing your big purchase, the Cash+ card also offers 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles, 19.74%–29.74% variable APR thereafter on purchases and balance transfers. The card also waives your fee for opening an ExtendPay Plan within 60 days, which allows you to finance your big purchase in fixed, zero-interest monthly installments. Toss in a $250 rewards bonus if you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days, and you’ve got a cash back rewards card that massively rewards anyone who overcomes its learning curve.

To dig deeper, check out our U.S. Bank Cash+ card review.

U.S. Bank Cash+ Card benefits

• $0 annual fee
• 5% cash back on 2 categories of their choice ($2,000 purchase limit per quarter)
• 5X on online shopping purchases made through the Rewards Center or the Rewards Center browser extension
• 5X on prepaid travel booked through the Rewards Center
• 2% cash back on one everyday category, such as gas stations or grocery stores
• 1% cash back on all other eligible purchase
• 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles,19.74%–29.74% variable APR thereafter on purchases and balance transfers
• $0 fee on ExtendPay Plans opened within 60 days

Learn more: What is a 0% APR credit card, and why should you care?

Best small business cash back card: American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Rather than force you into restrictive, mostly old-school rewards categories like “office supplies” and “cable,” the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card simply offers 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year (then 1%). Toss in a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your card in your first 3 months, 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 18.49%–26.49% variable) and a handy box of expense-tracking tools and you have a superb and highly flexible small business rewards card.

American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Intro Bonus

$250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your card in your first 3 months

0% intro offer	0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 18.49%–26.49% variable)
Annual fee	$0
Regular APR	18.49%–26.49% variable

Why we like this card: For years, business rewards cards tended to offer rewards that were, for lack of a better term, “old school.” You might get 3X on office supplies, cable bills and shipping, and for a medium-sized business in a traditional office setting, those rewards categories might work out just fine. 

But most small businesses need far more flexible rewards, which is why we like how the Amex Blue Business Cash card does things. You’ll simply get 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year (then 1%) plus a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your card in your first 3 months. Sure, the 2% only applies to the first $50,000 in spending each year (it drops to 1% thereafter), but most small businesses with fewer than 10 employees probably won’t reach that limit. 

And those that really do spend $50,000+ each year can always pair the Blue Business Cash with a premium-tier business rewards card for maximum rewards. 

Circling back to the Blue Biz Cash, we also like how the card comes with 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 18.49%–26.49% variable) – which can essentially act as a free small business loan – and an Expanded Buying Power feature which allows you to spend beyond your credit limit and adds the surplus to your minimum payment next month. 

Last but certainly not least, the card also comes with a litany of helpful accounting tools like QuickBooks integration, Vendor Pay by Bill.com and a detailed Year-End Summary. It may lack travel rewards or 3X categories, but for straightforward cash back, it’s the business rewards card to beat. 

For more, check out our Amex Blue Business Cash card review.

Amex Blue Business Cash Card benefits

• $0 annual fee
• 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year (then 1%)
• $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your card in your first 3 months
• Employee cards at no extra cost
• QuickBooks integration
• Vendor Pay by Bill.com
• Rental car insurance
• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty protection

To view rates and fees of the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card see this page

Best business cash back card for large purchases: Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is an excellent card for financing a big business purchase since it offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, extended warranty and purchase protection and an unheard-of $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. 

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Intro bonus

Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus 0% introductory purchase APR for 12 months from account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 18.49%–24.49%)

Annual fee	$0
Regular APR	18.49%–24.49% variable APR

Why we like this card: On paper, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card appears to fall short of the Amex Blue Business Cash card since it offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase to the latter’s 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year (then 1%). But the Chase card has two big tricks up its sleeve that give it a major edge and make it the superior choice for big purchases. 

For starters, the Ink Business Unlimited card offers a staggering $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, which is simply unheard of for a rewards card charging a $0 annual fee. To provide some perspective, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers a welcome bonus of “just” 60,000 points – and that card has a $550 annual fee. 

The caveat is that you have to spend $6,000 within three months to earn it, but if you have a big purchase coming up, the spending requirement shouldn’t be too hard to reach. Plus, if you make a big purchase on your Ink Business Unlimited card, it’ll automatically be enshrouded in both Purchase Protection (up to $10,000 per claim) and Extended Warranty Protection, provided the manufacturer’s warranty period is three years or less. 

Once you earn your 75,000-point welcome bonus, the Ink Business Unlimited card’s second big trick comes into play. If you read the section of this article on “How to combine Ultimate Rewards points” above, you’ll know that you can move Chase Ultimate Rewards points from one card to another where they suddenly have more value. Specifically, you could move your 75,000-point welcome bonus to your Chase Sapphire Preferred account where it’s worth $937.50 in travel redemption – or your Chase Sapphire Reserve account where it’s worth an eye-watering $1,125. 

So when you consider the unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, 0% introductory purchase APR for 12 months from account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 18.49%–24.49%), extensive purchase protection and insane welcome bonus, you can see how the Ink Business Unlimited is an excellent choice for the small business owner with a big expense coming up.

Can you get a business card with a side hustle?

Yes. 

To expand on that a bit, one of the most frequently-asked questions about business rewards cards is: what exactly do you need to apply for one? Do you need a legally registered LLC? An S Corporation? A picture of yourself on the cover of Fortune Magazine? 

The answer is: none of the above. In fact, most of the time you don’t need a “business” in the traditional sense at all. Many business rewards cards, the Chase Ink Business Unlimited included, allow you to apply as a sole proprietor by using your full legal name and SSN. So yes, you can get a business card with a side hustle. 

Once you get your business rewards card, one thing to keep in mind is that most cardmember agreements require you to use the card—and even the points you earn with it—for business purposes only. And technically speaking, any violation of your cardmember agreement can be grounds for terminating your account (and all of your points with it).

While we’ve rarely heard of anyone having their business card account terminated for mixing in personal expenses, you may still want to keep business and personal expenses separate to make tracking your budget and filing your taxes much easier come April. 

Chase Ink Business Unlimited Card benefits

• $0 annual fee
• Get unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
• 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2025
• $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• 0% introductory purchase APR for 12 months from account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 18.49%–24.49%)
• Employee cards at no extra cost
• Purchase protection
• Extended Warranty protection

What is a cash back credit card?

A cash back credit card is a type of credit card that allows users to earn a percentage of their spending back in the form of cash rewards. Depending on the card, cash back rewards can be a flat rate (e.g., 1.5% on all purchases) or can vary by purchase category (e.g., 3% on dining, 2% on groceries, and 1% on all other purchases). Some cards may also offer promotional periods with higher cash back percentages or bonuses for spending certain amounts within a specified timeframe. Learn more about how cash back cards work.

Can you get cash back with a credit card?

Yes many credit cards offer cash back, where you earn a percentage of your purchases back as a reward. For example, a card might offer 1% cash back on all purchases. If you spend $100, you’d earn $1 back in rewards. 

Over time, these rewards add up and can be redeemed in various ways, such as a statement credit, check, or deposit into a bank account. However, it’s essential for cardholders to be aware of any potential annual fees, interest rates, and reward expiration or limitations to ensure they maximize the benefits while minimizing costs.

How to choose a cash back credit card

To find the right cash back credit card for maximum rewards, start by asking yourself a few pertinent questions: 

• What is my credit score? More than anything else, your credit score will dictate which cash back cards you can apply for. If your credit score is below 670, you may want to start with a credit-building cash back card like the Capital One Quicksilver Secured or Chase Freedom Rise.
• How much do I plan to put on a credit card each month? This oft-overlooked question helps to ensure that you’ll actually earn your welcome bonus. To illustrate, if you only plan to put ~$500 per month on your new cash back card, you probably shouldn’t apply for a card that requires $6,000 worth of spending within three months to earn its welcome bonus.
  
• What purchase categories (e.g. dining, airfare, gas, groceries) do I spend the most on? It’s always better to make the card fit your spending habits than the other way around. Once you determine where you’re spending the most each month (travel? Groceries? Eating out?) you can find the right cash back card to maximize your rewards. If you don’t really have any big spending categories, a flat rate cash back card might be ideal.
  
• Do I need multiple cash back cards? Finally, it’s worth remembering that it’s totally fine, and frankly, quite advantageous, to have multiple cash back cards in your wallet. The Chase Trifecta (detailed above) is a great example of how multiple cards can work together in tandem for maximum rewards on virtually every purchase. Just keep in mind that applying for multiple cards at once will definitely impact your credit, but we can help you rebuild it.

Pros and cons of cash back credit cards

On paper, a credit card that pays you to use it seems like a pretty flawless invention. Still, cash back cards aren’t perfect and there are numerous caveats to consider before applying for one. 

Here’s a quick recap of things to like—and things to consider—about today’s cash back credit cards. 

Types of cash back credit cards

There are three main types of cash back credit cards: flat rate, bonus category and rotating category. Here’s a quick recap of how each one works and what it’s best for: 

Flat rate

Flat rate cards like the Wells Fargo Active Cash card offer a standard 1.5% or 2% cash back (or 1.5X to 2X points) on all purchases. Cards like these are handy for maximizing rewards on purchases that don’t fall into other bonus or rotating rewards categories. 

They’re also ideal for setting as your default method of payment in most places, as well as those moments when you reach the register and can’t recall which card you “should” use for maximum rewards. In those moments, shrugging and pulling out your flat rate card is a great way to reduce FOMO, since you’ll have the peace of mind knowing you scored at least 2%. 

Bonus category

Bonus category cards like the Capital One SavorOne Rewards typically offer 2% to 5% cash back (or 2X to 5X points) on various static rewards categories, plus 1% cash back on everything else. Some of the most common bonus categories you’ll see are dining, gas, travel, entertainment, streaming, drug stores, Amazon and more. 

Bonus category cards are immensely useful if you’re already spending a lot of money within one of those typical purchase categories. For example, if you’re a foodie who spends $1,000 on dining out each month, a SavorOne card instead of a 1.5% flat rate card could net you an extra $180 cash back each year—just enough to cover steak night. 

Rotating category

Rotating category rewards cards like the Chase Freedom Flex offer 5X or 5% cash back within purchase categories that rotate every quarter (three months) of the calendar year. To illustrate, the Flex currently offers 5X on gas stations, EV charging, select live entertainment and movie theaters from July 1st through September 30, 2024. During Q2 the categories were Amazon.com, Hotels and Restaurants. 

Rotating category rewards cards are a great compliment to your flat rate card since they instantly boost your earnings rate on select purchases to 5X while charging no annual fee. While you’ll typically only earn 5X on the first $1,500 of spending each quarter (aka $75 cash back total), that’s still $52.50 per quarter or $210 per year more than you’d earn with a 1.5% cash back card. 

What is a 0% intro APR?

Let’s break down 0% intro APR piece-by-piece, starting with APR itself. 

APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is a combination of your interest rate plus fees, expressed as a single percentage. The Truth in Lending Act requires lenders to use APR instead of interest rates for transparency – otherwise, sketchy lenders could lure you in with a low interest rate just to pepper you with hidden loan fees later on. 

Since credit cards are forms of unsecured loans, they almost always come with extremely high APRs in the range of 18% to 29.99%. To put those numbers into context, if you have a $5,000 loan at 29.99% APR and are making $125 monthly payments, it’ll take you 27 years and $35,543.53 in interest alone to fully pay off your debt. 

Needless to say, credit card interest can quickly spiral out of control, which is why 0% intro APR has become a common perk with today’s credit cards. With 12 or more months of 0% APR, you can carry a balance on your credit card without any interest piling up. Then, as long as you fully pay off your credit card before the 0% APR period ends, you won’t have to pay a dime in interest. 

In addition to new purchases, some cash back cards also offer 0% APR on balance transfers. This means you can move a balance from your old credit card onto your new one (often for an unavoidable 3-5% or $5 min. fee) and then slowly pay it off without additional interest accruing on the balance. 

While 0% APR can buy you some time to pay off debt, it’s not without its drawbacks. For one thing, carrying a large credit card balance can still negatively impact your credit score. Plus, if you’re unable to pay off your debt before the 0% intro APR period ends, you’ll be hammered by double-digit APR overnight on the remaining balance, which could send you into spiraling debt. 

But with careful planning and a debt repayment strategy in place, 0% intro APR can be a massively helpful tool. Learn more in our full explainer on APR and how it works. 

What is a balance transfer?

In a nutshell, a balance transfer is when you take the statement balance from one credit card account and move it to another. 

A balance transfer makes the most sense when you’re moving debt from a card with regular APR to a card with 0% APR so you can save on interest. To put some numbers on the board, let’s say you have a credit card with a $5,000 balance and 27.49% APR. Since you’re only able to make $300 monthly payments, it will take you 22 months and $1,370.26 in interest alone to pay off the balance. Ouch. 

Alternatively, let’s say you apply for the Citi Double Cash card which offers 0% APR on balance transfers for 18 months. Once you’re approved, you perform a balance transfer of $5,000 for a 3% fee ($150). Sure, the balance transfer fee kinda stings, but consider this: you now have 18 months to pay off your debt without a dime of interest accruing. By making the same $300 monthly payments, you’ll wipe out your debt nearly five months faster and save $1,220.26 total, even after the $150 balance transfer fee. 

Since balance transfers have become such a popular form of debt consolidation, there are now numerous credit cards on the market specifically designed to help facilitate balance transfers. Some even offer up to 21 months of 0% APR to help pay off your debt. 

For a list of our top picks, check out the best balance transfer cards. 

What is a foreign transaction fee?

A foreign transaction fee, sometimes abbreviated as FX, is a fee your bank charges if a transaction involves a non-U.S. bank, a foreign currency or both. Foreign transaction fees can range anywhere from 1% to 5% of the transaction amount, but the most typical FX fee you’ll see is 3%. 

While that may sound like a minor nuisance, FX fees can rapidly add up while you’re traveling and spending overseas. To illustrate, imagine booking a $3,000 hotel in Vienna thinking you’re getting $150 cash back on hotels,  when in reality, you get hit with a $90 FX fee instead. 

That’s why having zero foreign transaction fees is a major, borderline essential perk for a cash back card that you plan to use overseas. For the most part, travel rewards cards with an annual fee attached won’t charge you foreign transaction fees, but there’s a rising number of no-fee cards that waive FX fees as well (e.g. the Capital One SavorOne card, listed above). 

But if you’re traveling next week and there’s no time to get a card with no FX fees, here are two short-term ways to avoid paying them: 

1. Grab cash in the U.S. before you leave, and/or
2. Ask one of your travel companions with a travel rewards card if they don’t mind covering your charges provided you PayPal/Venmo them immediately after. While this involves some trust (and probably isn’t appropriate in a professional setting), some travel companions may relish the chance to earn extra points on your transactions.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Our methodology 

To bring you our top picks for the best cash back credit cards, the Fortune Recommends^TM team compared approximately 40 cash back rewards cards available from major issuers. To learn more about how we rate credit cards, see our credit cards methodology.

We ranked each account in these nine core categories: 

• Annual fee (10%): Some credit cards charge an annual fee, which can range from $50 to several hundred dollars. Usually, the more valuable the rewards and perks associated with a card, the higher the annual fee. However, many cards do not charge a fee at all. Fee-free cards were prioritized in our rankings. 
• Base rewards rate (15%): This is the minimum amount of cash back awarded on everyday purchases, not considering any specific or rotating categories that may earn a higher rewards rate. 
• Welcome bonus (15%): It’s common for credit card issuers to entice new customers by offering a bonus when they spend a certain amount of money within a few months after opening an account.   
• 0% APR intro term (15%): Another feature that some card issuers offer to attract new business is an introductory period when the APR is 0%, meaning you won’t accrue any interest charges on purchases or balance transfers during this time (though balance transfers may be subject to fees). After this period, the interest rate reverts to the regular purchase APR on new charges. 
• Purchase APR (20%): We examined the lowest available rate (10%) and highest available rate (10%) on regular purchases. (The exact interest rate you’re offered within that range will depend on your individual credit and financial profile).
• Foreign transaction fee (5%): Some credit cards charge a fee for transactions made overseas. Cards that charge foreign transaction fees were docked in our rankings. 
• Statement credits (5%): A handful of cash back cards also offer monthly, quarterly, or annual statement credits to offset the cost of certain purchases.
• Customer service (5%): We included the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction rating for all card issuers.
• Consumer benefits (5%): Cards were awarded 0–4 points based on which consumer benefits/protections were included: purchase protection, extended warranty, cell phone insurance, car rental/trip insurance.
• Mobile app rating (5%): We averaged the star rating for each issuer’s mobile app in the Apple Store and Google Play.

Keep in mind that the rewards, interest rates, and fee structures for the cards mentioned are available for limited periods and subject to change, which could impact how much cash back you earn. Additionally, only cards with an explicit cash back rate were considered; cards offering points or other non-cash back rewards were excluded from our rankings. 

Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.