Writer: Eric Bank
Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Reviewer: Ashley Fricker
Key Takeaways
Credit cards that let you earn money back on purchases are popular, and there’s a card for just about everyone. Here are the two I recommend most:
-
Discover it® Cash Back: Best overall cash back card for good credit. See rates & fees
-
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card: Best cash back card for flexible earning.
-
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best cash back card for bad credit. See rates & fees
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. Here we’ve assembled a list of the best, no matter where your FICO score lands you.
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.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers; balance transfer fee applies. Then 18.74% to 28.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness
- INTRO OFFER: Receive a $200 statement credit when you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months of account opening
- UNLIMITED CASHBACK MATCH: 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
- Redeem cash back for any amount. No annual fee
- Terms and conditions apply
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.
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice. You’ll automatically earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
- Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.
- No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Turn daily purchases into everyday wins. Simply use your Customized Cash Rewards credit card for the things you already buy – from gifts to groceries – BofA Rewards™ members earn more cash back.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.74% – 27.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 5%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
- This offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.
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.
- 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, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.49% – 28.74%, 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).
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’s 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.
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.
- 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
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It’s free for everyone
- Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you’re all set
- Top rated mobile app
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.
- Earn Cash Back Rewards* – 3% on Eligible Gas, Groceries, and Utilities, and 1% on All Other Eligible Purchases
- Use Anywhere Mastercard is Accepted
- No Security Deposit
- $0 fraud liability**
- Free access to your Credit Score†
*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.
The Fortiva® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard is the sibling card to the Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard 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 hurting your credit score.
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 prove it is possible. One is unsecured, and the other is a secured card that requires you to put down a security deposit.
- 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 at least 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
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It’s free for everyone
- Top rated mobile app
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 of being a Capital One cardholder, including $0 fraud liability and access to your credit score for free.
- Earn Cash Back Rewards* – 3% on Eligible Gas, Groceries, and Utilities, and 1% 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 Credit Score†
- Review Cardholder Agreement for rate and fee information
*See Program Terms for important information about the cash back rewards program.
** Prequalify means that you authorize us to make a soft inquiry into your credit history (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.
The Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard delivers generous cash back on purchases of gas, groceries, and select utility payments, while 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 a quick credit decision.
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.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 16.74% – 25.74% applies
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. 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 $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200
- 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
- Redeem cash back for any amount
- No annual fee
- Terms and conditions apply
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.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 16.74% – 25.74% applies
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. 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 $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. You’ll still earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Redeem cash back for any amount
- No annual fee
- Terms and conditions apply
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 the top business credit cards that have a lot to admire, including generous cash rewards and valuable benefits.
- 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
- Enjoy a 0% APR for the first 9 months of opening
- No annual fee
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
- Rewards won’t expire for the life of the account
- Redeem your cash back rewards for any amount
- Free employee cards, which also earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- $0 Fraud Liability for unauthorized charges
- Top rated mobile app
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. 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.
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- Buy above your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power. Make business purchases over your credit limit with no penalty or enrollments, and still earn cash back on those purchases. Terms apply.
- 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable APR applies
- Get an application decision in as little as 30 seconds
- $0 Annual Fee
The Blue Business Cash® Card from American Express offers two reward tiers. The top tier provides additional cash back on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases per calendar year. All remaining purchases after that cap is reached earn an unlimited 1% cash back.
Business-friendly perks include employee cards at no additional cost and extended warranty protection. You also get protection against theft or damage to purchased items, up to the claim and account limits.
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.
If you have bad or 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.
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. 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.
| Difference in Annual Cash Back Rewards by Total Spend | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Spend | 1% Cash Back | 2% Cash Back | Difference |
| $500 | $5 | $10 | $5 |
| $1,000 | $10 | $20 | $10 |
| $2,000 | $20 | $40 | $20 |
| $3,000 | $30 | $60 | $30 |
| $4,000 | $40 | $80 | $40 |
| $5,000 | $50 | $100 | $50 |
| $6,000 | $60 | $120 | $60 |
| $7,000 | $70 | $140 | $70 |
| $8,000 | $80 | $160 | $80 |
| $9,000 | $90 | $180 | $90 |
| $10,000 | $100 | $200 | $100 |
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.
Editorial Note: Our site content is not provided or commissioned by any credit card issuer(s). Opinions expressed on CardRates.com are the author's alone, not those of any credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by credit card issuers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information; however, all credit card offer details, including information about rewards, signup bonuses, introductory offers, and other terms and conditions, is presented without warranty. Clicking on any offer on CardRates.com will direct you to the issuer's website, where you can review the current terms and conditions of the offer.
About the Author
