The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

8 Best Money-Back Credit Cards (March 2024)

Best Money Back Credit Cards
Eric Bank

Written by: Eric Bank

Eric Bank
Eric Bank

Eric Bank is an M.B.A. who has covered financial and business topics since 1985, appearing regularly on Credible, eHow, WiseBread, The Nest, Zacks, Chron, BadCredit.org and dozens of other outlets. Eric specializes in taking complex subject matters and explaining them in simple terms for consumer audiences, particularly in the world of personal finance. Eric holds a Master's in Business Administration from New York University and a Master's in Finance from DePaul University.

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Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro
Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience to the CardRates team. She has written and edited for major news organizations, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the New York Times, and she previously served as an adjunct journalism instructor at the University of Florida. Today, Lillian edits all CardRates content for clarity, accuracy, and reader engagement.

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Advertiser Disclosure

If you’re interested in finding the best money-back credit cards, you’ve come to the right spot. Our experts have scoured the internet and come up with the best cards for a range of credit scores and stages of credit-building.

Credit card issuers make products available to individuals, students, and businesses in all credit categories. And no product is more important to consumers than the cash back card.

Money-back credit cards skip the complexities of points and miles. They reward cardmembers with versatile, convenient cash. Every time you purchase something with a cash back card, you earn somewhere between 1% to 5% (or more) in cash refunds, to do with as you wish.

It’s no wonder cash reward cards remain so popular, and we’ve assembled a list of the best, no matter where your FICO score lands you.

Overall | Bad Credit | Fair/Average Credit | Good/Excellent Credit | Students | Businesses | FAQs

Best Overall Cash Back Cards

The following three cash back cards offer industry-leading cash back rates plus plenty of other perks that propel them to the top of the heap.

CASH BACK RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
  • If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
  • There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
0% Intro APR Period 18 months on Balance Transfers
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
$0
Excellent, Good, Fair

Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.

The Citi Double Cash® Card offers cash back when you buy and cash back when you pay, for a market-leading flat rewards rate on everything. If you’re the type to charge everything to a single card, this card can give you the most bang for your buck over time.

The card doesn’t come with a signup bonus and the APR can be high if you don’t have excellent credit, so be sure to pay your balance off each month to avoid interest charges and earn your extra 1% back.

Discover it® Cash Back Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

CASH BACK RATING

★★★★★
4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • No annual fee.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 months
0% Intro APR for 15 months
17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
$0
Excellent/Good

The Discover it® Cash Back delivers generous rewards. It provides bonus cash back on quarterly rotating merchant categories such as restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, and more. Quarterly activation is needed, and purchases that earn the top rate are capped for the period.

The card also provides security and convenience perks like free FICO scores, the ability to switch your account on/off in the event of card loss, and continuous fraud monitoring.

3. Chase Freedom Flex℠

This card is currently not available.

Cash Back Rating

★★★★★
N/A

OVERALL RATING

N/A
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

Additional Disclosure: The information related to Chase Freedom Flex℠ credit card has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Another top cash back card with quarterly rotating merchant categories is the Chase Freedom Flex℠. After activating the rewards each quarter, you earn bonus cash back on purchases at the current merchant promotion, up to a set purchase cap. Enjoy tiered cash back rates on travel, dining, and drugstore purchases, while all other purchases provide 1% cash back. The card has no annual fee and the rewards don’t expire while the account remains open.

You can earn extra cash back each year by recommending up to 10 new cardmembers. The card has a long introductory period of 0% APR. It also delivers fraud protection features, $0 liability protection, extended warranty coverage, and protection against damage or theft of purchased items.

Best Cash Back Cards For Bad Credit (350-600 Credit Score)

You won’t find many cash back cards for consumers with poor credit scores, but these three prove it is possible. Two are secured cards that require you to maintain a security deposit.

BAD CREDIT RATING

★★★★★
4.6

OVERALL RATING

  • No annual or hidden fees, and you can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. See if you're approved in seconds
  • Put down a refundable $200 security deposit to get a $200 initial credit line
  • Building your credit? Using a card like this responsibly could help
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
30.74% (Variable)
$0
Limited, Bad

The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card offers the same cash back rewards as the unsecured version of this card. The difference is that it requires an initial security deposit for approval.

But there’s no annual fee, and you may be able to receive your deposit back over a period of using the card responsibly, such as making on-time payments and keeping your balance low relative to its limit. You’ll also get several benefits being a Capital One cardholder, including $0 fraud liability and access to your credit score for free.

Discover it® Secured Credit Card Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

BAD CREDIT RATING

★★★★★
4.5

OVERALL RATING

  • No credit score required to apply.
  • No Annual Fee, earn cash back, and build your credit history.
  • Your secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit, and your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.
  • Automatic reviews starting at 7 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.
  • Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites. Activate for free.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
10.99% Intro APR for 6 months
28.24% Variable APR
$0
New/Rebuilding

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card allows you to set the amount of the refundable security deposit (a minimum amount applies) to determine your credit limit. Discover will periodically review your payment history and, if possible, upgrade you to an unsecured credit card.

Using the card responsibly can boost your credit score because Discover reports your payments to the three major credit bureaus. This secured card provides cash back rewards on all purchases, something that’s fairly difficult to find in the secured card space.

BAD CREDIT RATING

★★★★★
4.7

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 1% cash back rewards^^ on payments made to your Revvi Credit Card
  • Perfect credit not required
  • $300 credit limit (subject to available credit)
  • Checking account required
  • Opportunity to request credit limit increase after twelve months, fee applies
  • *See Rates, Fees, Costs & Limitations for complete offer details
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
See website for Details
N/A
35.99%
$75.00 1st year, $48.00 after
Fair

The Revvi Card is the lone unsecured card in this lineup of cards for poor credit. As such, it comes with the highest APR, an annual fee, and other fees you should read about in the term and conditions.

But if you’re diligent about paying your bill off each month, you can avoid expensive interest fees and rack up a few bucks just for using your card to make purchases.

Best Cash Back Cards For Fair/Average Credit (600-670)

Credit card APRs start slimming down in this group and the rewards get more generous. Look for a greater number of perks from these unsecured cards.

FAIR CREDIT RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
  • No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account. It's that simple
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
  • Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
30.74% (Variable)
$39
Average, Fair, Limited

The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers unlimited cash back on all purchases. Rewards don’t expire for the life of the account. The variable APR for purchases is competitive, but the card charges an annual fee.

The card’s Credit Step Program will automatically evaluate a higher credit limit if you make your first six monthly payments on time. You can redeem your cash back rewards upon request through a statement credit or a check. You may also specify a redemption date or amount threshold.

Fortiva® Mastercard® Credit Card Review

at Fortiva'ssecure website

FAIR CREDIT RATING

★★★★★
4.7

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 3% Cash Back Rewards* on Gas, Groceries and Utility Bill Payments
  • Earn 1% Cash Back Rewards* on all other eligible purchases
  • Good anywhere Mastercard® is accepted
  • $0 fraud liability**
  • Free access to your VantageScore 4.0 credit score from TransUnion®†
    *See Program Terms for important information about the cash back rewards program.
    **Fraud liability subject to Mastercard® rules.
    † Your credit score will be available in your online account starting 60 days after your account is opened. (Registration required.) The free VantageScore 4.0 credit score provided by TransUnion® is for educational purposes only. This score may not be used by The Bank of Missouri (the issuer of this card) or other creditors to make credit decisions.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
29.99% or 36% Fixed
As low as $85
Fair

The Fortiva® Mastercard® Credit Card delivers generous cash back on purchases of gas, groceries, and select utility payments — all other purchases earn 1% back.

It is an unsecured card that offers a free credit score, transaction alerts, $0 fraud liability, and a simple application with an instant credit decision.

Aspire® Cash Back Reward Card Review

at Aspire Card'ssecure website

FAIR CREDIT RATING

★★★★★
4.7

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 3% Cash Back Rewards* on Gas, Groceries and Utility Bill Payments
  • Earn 1% Cash Back Rewards* on all other eligible purchases
  • Up to $1,000 credit limit subject to credit approval
  • Prequalify** without affecting your credit score
  • No security deposit
  • Free access to your VantageScore 4.0 score from TransUnion®†
    *See Program Terms for important information about the cash back rewards program.
    ** Prequalify means that you authorize us to make a soft inquiry (that will not affect your credit) to create an offer. If you accept an offer a hard inquiry will be made. Final approval is not guaranteed if you do not meet all applicable criteria (including adequate proof of ability to repay). Income verification through access to your bank account information may be required.
    † Your credit score will be available in your online account starting 60 days after your account is opened. (Registration required.) The free VantageScore 4.0 credit score provided by TransUnion® is for educational purposes only. This score may not be used by The Bank of Missouri (the issuer of this card) or other creditors to make credit decisions.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
29.99% or 36% Fixed
As low as $85
Fair

The Aspire® Cash Back Reward Card is the sibling card to the one above and offers the same cash back rewards. The rewards post to your account automatically each month. The APR and the annual fee are determined by your creditworthiness.

You can see whether you prequalify for this card before you officially apply without affecting your credit score.

Best Cash Back Cards For Good/Excellent Credit (670+)

One of the rewards of a creditworthy lifestyle is access to the upper tier of credit cards. Our picks all offer good rewards, low APRs, and plenty of extra benefits.

GOOD CREDIT RATING

★★★★★
4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
  • Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
  • After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months
0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months
20.49% - 29.24% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has no annual fee on top of unmatched cash back rewards earning potential.  Enjoy tiered cash back rewards rates on travel, dining, and drugstore purchases, and unlimited cash back on all other purchases, making this an industry-leading cash back rewards card.

Card features include credit protection through the Credit Journey portal, $0 liability protection, and extended warranty coverage of one extra year on eligible U.S. manufacturers’ warranties. You also get 120 days of purchase protection against theft or damage.

Discover it® Cash Back Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

GOOD CREDIT RATING

★★★★★
4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • No annual fee.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 months
0% Intro APR for 15 months
17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
$0
Excellent/Good

The Discover it® Cash Back can deliver serious cash back rewards, thanks to its rotating bonus categories. Quarterly activation is required. The card provides several convenience and security benefits.

It comes with a feature that allows you to suspend or resume the account in an instant if you misplace your card. You get free access to your FICO scores, and Discover constantly monitors against fraudulent use of your card.

CITI® RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
  • If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
  • There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
0% Intro APR Period 18 months on Balance Transfers
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
$0
Excellent, Good, Fair

Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.

The no-annual-fee Citi Double Cash® Card will earn you 1% cash back on every purchase — and another 1% when you pay for those purchases — effectively offering a flat 2% cash back rewards rate on all qualifying purchases.

It also doesn’t cap your cash back rewards and there are no quarterly rotating bonus categories to keep track of, making this a great card for anyone who values simplicity. The card also offers a nice 0% introductory period on balance transfers for those who qualify.

Best Cash Back Cards For Students (No Credit Score Needed)

Students often set off to college with little or no credit history. The cards in this section accommodate students new to credit cards who might like a little extra spending money in the form of cash back rewards.

Discover it® Student Cash Back Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

STUDENT RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • No credit score required to apply.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 18.24% - 27.24% applies.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 6 months
10.99% Intro APR for 6 months
18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR
$0
Fair/New to Credit

The Discover it® Student Cash Back is our top choice for cash back student credit cards. Students who refer a friend earn a statement credit if the friend is approved.

You can access your FICO score each month for free and a feature that protects you from unauthorized use of the card. You also receive fraud liability protection and 24/7 monitoring against suspicious activity on your account.

Discover it® Student Chrome Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

STUDENT RATING

★★★★★
4.7

OVERALL RATING

  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
  • Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • No credit score required to apply.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 18.24% - 27.24% applies.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 6 months
10.99% Intro APR for 6 months
18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR
$0
Fair/New to Credit

The Discover it® Student Chrome is a tiered rewards credit card that pays cash back on all purchases. It also offers top notch security features to help protect its users against identity theft and other threats.

The card has a relaxed attitude toward fees — it doesn’t charge a fee on your first late payment or for exceeding the credit limit. Your purchase APR depends on your credit score.

Best Cash Back Cards For Businesses

Business owners love to turn a profit, so it makes sense they’d appreciate cash back from their credit cards, too. We’ve selected three top business credit cards that have a lot to admire, including generous cash rewards and valuable benefits.

BUSINESS CARD RATING

★★★★★
4.6

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
  • Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • No Annual Fee
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR on Purchases 12 months
N/A
18.49% - 24.49% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card from Chase offers three reward tiers. The top tier provides 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent annually on cable, internet and phone service, and purchases from office supply stores. The 2% cash back tier rewards you on the first $25,000 you spend yearly at restaurants and gas stations. All remaining purchases earn an unlimited 1% cash back.

Business-friendly perks include employee cards at no additional cost, gift card options, and extended warranty protection. You also get protection against theft or damage to purchased items, up to the claim and account limits.

BUSINESS CARD RATING

★★★★★
4.7

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn a $750 bonus when you spend $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere — with no limits or category restrictions
  • No annual fee
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Rewards won't expire for the life of the account
  • Redeem your cash back rewards for any amount
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
18.49% - 24.49% (Variable)
$0
Excellent

If you prefer a simple rewards scheme, check out the unlimited cash back on all purchases you make with the Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit. Cash back rewards never expire while the account remains open. You can earn a cash bonus by spending the required amount on purchases during the first three months, and there’s no annual fee.

Business owners will appreciate free employee cards, customized spending limits for employee cards, and the ability to see their employees’ transactions as soon as they post.

BUSINESS CARD RATING

★★★★★
4.6

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
  • Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
  • Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.24%-26.24% Variable
$95
Good/Excellent

The rewards you earn from the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card take the form of points redeemable for cash at the rate of 100 points to the dollar. You can earn a large number of bonus rewards by spending the required amount on purchases during the first three months.

The card charges an annual fee but no foreign transaction fees. If you use your points for travel instead of cash back, they are worth 25% more when redeemed through Chase. You can add employee cards at no extra cost, and you receive cellphone protection against damage or theft for you and your employees listed on the monthly phone bill that you pay with the card.

Which Credit Card Gives the Most Cash Back?

The top rate available from this group of cash back cards is 5% on select categories of purchases, including the Discover it® Cash Back. It offers a unique signup offer for new cardmembers that effectively doubles their rewards in the first year. With this card, keep in mind the bonus cash back rate applies to quarterly rotating categories that must be activated and are subject to a spend limit.

However, all cards advertising 5% cash back place limits on the amount spent on purchases that earn this high rate. If you want unlimited earning potential and flat-rate rewards, we like the Citi Double Cash® Card.

Discover it® Cash Back Review Citi Double Cash® Card Review

For businesses, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card from Chase provides 5% cash back on up to $25,000 in annual purchases from office supply stores and providers of cable, cellphone, and internet service. That works out to $1,250 cash back per year at the top rate, in addition to the cash back you’ll earn at lower rates on other purchases.

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Review

If you have fair credit, the Fortiva and Aspire cards provide 3% back on select purchases.

How Do I Redeem Cash Back Rewards?

In most cases, the cards reviewed here automatically post your cash back earnings each month, and those rewards never expire as long as you keep the account open. The simplest way to redeem your cash back is through a statement credit. Some cards make this the default redemption method or allow you to set it as such.

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is the only points card in our recommended list. You can redeem the points for cash, so you can treat it as a cash back card. But it has additional flexibility, and its best rewards are reserved for travel purchases made on its rewards website, where the points are worth an extra 25%.

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card Review

Several cards let you use your cash back on their rewards website to purchase items like travel, gift cards, and other items, often at a discount. For example, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ card lets you redeem cash back at the Chase Ultimate Rewards website to book travel.

Some cards, like those issued by Discover, let you redeem your cash back directly on Amazon.com purchases at checkout.

In general, a card’s website (and in some cases, mobile app) allows you to specify how much you wish to redeem and the method of redemption. Most cards also allow you to request redemptions over the phone.

Some cardmembers like to let cash back rewards accumulate because they have a special purpose in mind for the money once it reaches a set amount. However, it’s a better idea to move the money to an interest-bearing savings account where it can grow and is FDIC insured.

Are Cash Back Credit Cards a Good Deal?

Cash back credit cards can be a great deal. Whether they actually are depends on which one you choose and how you use it.

Many cash back cards charge no annual fee, and this can make a big difference. Consider a card that pays a flat 1.5% cash back. If the card charges a $95 annual fee, you’ll have to make purchases of more than $6,300 just to break even.

However, some cards with annual fees offer benefits that other cards don’t, so you’ll have to evaluate your own needs before deciding.

Cash Back Earnings at 1% and 2%

Another concern is remembering to activate your card each quarter if it has rotating bonus merchant categories. If you forget, you’ll end up earning only 1% on purchases that should have netted you 5%.

If this worries you, you can opt for a tiered rewards card that doesn’t need activation to earn the top cash back rate on certain purchases. Also, a quarterly rotating bonus card is less valuable if it features one or more merchant types you seldom patronize.

Certain introductory features make cash back cards more valuable, at least during the first year. These include dollar-for-dollar Cashback Match, bonus cash back, waived annual fees, and 0% APRs on purchases and balance transfers. After the introductory period is over, you can evaluate whether you want to keep the card or replace it with another.

Remember, however, that closing credit accounts reduces your average account age, which can hurt your credit score.

Cash Back Rewards are Easy to Manage

The nice thing about cash back rewards is that you don’t have to deal with miles. We all understand what money is worth. Can you say the same about an arbitrary number of miles?

The easiest cash back cards to manage are the flat-rate cards since you earn the same cash back rate on every purchase without any quarterly limits. Bonus and tiered cash back cards require more work, but they also can provide greater rewards. And if you’re a business owner, the reports available from a business cash back card can help you maintain your bookkeeping records.

In the end, comparison shopping is the right way to ensure you’re getting the best deal available.

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