The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Saturday, November 9, 2024

3 Steps: Get Cash Back On a Credit Card? (2023)

Can You Get Cash Back On A Credit Card
Adam West

Writer: Adam West

Adam West

Adam West, Managing Editor

Adam has interviewed over 1,000 finance experts since joining the CardRates team in 2016. He spearheads industry news coverage related to helping consumers achieve greater financial literacy and improved credit. He has more than 12 years of storytelling, editing, and design experience in print and online journalism and is most knowledgeable in the areas of credit scores, financial products and services, and the banking industry.

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Lillian Guevara-Castro

Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro, Senior Editor

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience to the CardRates team. She has worked at The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Gwinnett Daily News, Gainesville Sun, and The New York Times, where she covered demographics, consumer issues, and the business and financial sectors. Lillian has a degree in journalism and communications from Georgia State University and brings her fact-checking expertise to ensure Digital Brands content is accurate and engaging.

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Ashley Fricker

Reviewer: Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker, Senior Editor

Ashley Fricker has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism from Florida Atlantic University.

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Advertiser Disclosure

Cash back is one of the most popular forms of credit card rewards on the market today. In fact, 4 in 10 Americans surveyed said cash back is their favorite credit card feature, according to a poll from Bankrate.

So, yes — you can get cash back on a credit card — and, if you play your cards right, you can get a decent sum of money back.

Below are three steps to help you earn this highly sought-after reward and start saving money on all your purchases. If you don’t already have a cash back card, the first step is to get one.

1. Get a Cash Back Credit Card

Credit card issuers pay out billions of dollars each year in rewards. If you regularly use your credit card but don’t currently earn rewards, you’re basically giving up your chance to earn free money.

But each cash back rewards credit card has its own rules. Some offer higher cash back percentages for certain purchases and a lower percentage on everything else. Others offer a modest flat-rate cash back percentage on every purchase you make.

Five of our favorite cash back cards are featured below.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America'ssecure website

CASH BACK RATING

★★★★★
4.9

OVERALL RATING

4.9/5.0
  • $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
  • Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
  • Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishings purchases.
  • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
  • No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 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 18.74% - 28.74% 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 4%.
  • Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%)
18.74% - 28.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

Discover it® Cash Back Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

CASH BACK RATING

★★★★★
4.9

OVERALL RATING

4.9/5.0
  • 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.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • Apply and you could get a decision in as little as 60 seconds. No annual fee.
  • Start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with our digital card, before your physical card arrives in the mail, if eligible.
  • 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 18.74% to 27.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • 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
18.74% - 27.74% Variable APR
$0
Excellent/Good

CASH BACK RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

4.9/5.0
  • 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 19.99% - 28.74%.
  • 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
19.99% - 28.74% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent

CASH BACK RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

4.9/5.0
  • Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
  • No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.74% - 29.74% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% for 15 months
0% for 15 months
19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
$0
Excellent, Good
Citi Custom Cash® Card Review

at the issuer'ssecure website

CASH BACK RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

4.7/5.0
  • 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.
  • 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.74% - 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026.
  • No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash® Card account per person.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% 15 months on Purchases
0% 15 months on Balance Transfers
18.74% - 28.74% (Variable)
$0
Good/Excellent

Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.

Whether you’re looking to save up for a big purchase or grow your savings, a good cash back credit card can add extra utility to the plastic in your wallet. But be cognizant of cards that charge an annual fee. The annual fee will negate some of the cash back earnings, so if you’re not a high spender, find a card that doesn’t charge an annual fee.

2. Use the Card On Qualifying Purchases

Many credit card gurus leverage their purchasing power to net big rewards from their everyday spending. While there are many intricacies involved in maximizing rewards from your spending, the first lesson in mastering your credit card rewards is to learn the different types of rewards offered and which purchases qualify to earn those rewards.

The easiest type of cash back card to understand and utilize is a flat-rate cash back card. These cards pay you an unlimited amount of cash back based on a set percentage — typically between 1% and 2% — of your total credit card purchases each month.

The next type of cash back card has what’s known as tiered rewards. These cards pick specific expenses — such as purchases made at gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores — and offer elevated cash back earnings when you use your card to pay. You may earn between 3% and 5% cash back with these specific purchases and a smaller 1% on all other purchases.

The third type of cash back card changes the top-earning category every three months — known as rotating categories — while others may require you to choose your bonus category for that quarter. If you fail to choose or activate the bonus category, all your purchases revert to the smaller rewards amount. That’s why it’s important to stay on top of these cards so you can maximize your earnings.

Types of Cash Back Credit Cards

If keeping up with rotating rewards categories and signing into your account every three months to activate a new offer seems overwhelming or uninteresting, a flat-rate cash back card probably makes more sense.

Cash back cards usually allow you to redeem your rewards for statement credits that lower your balance, deposit cash directly into your bank account or mail you a check, but we’ll get more into the various redemption options below. As you progress, you can learn more about specialty credit cards that can reward you with travel deals, discounted gas, or free merchandise.

3. Redeem Your Cash Back

The next step in mastering the art of the cash back credit card is understanding how you’ll receive the cash back you earn. Not every card distributes your rewards the same way — and that may be a good thing.

Some cards only allow you to use your rewards as statement credits, meaning the cash back you accrue essentially eliminates part of the balance you owe. Other cards may send you quarterly checks to pay out your earned rewards. Some will deposit the funds directly into your linked checking or savings account, while others allow you to cash out your rewards for gift cards. And some may offer all of the above, so you can choose the redemption method that suits your needs.

How to Maximize Credit Card Rewards

Depending on which method you choose, you could collect your cash back in a matter of minutes or days. Paper checks tend to take longer to arrive, whereas most banks process direct deposit transactions in one business day. Statement credits typically reflect on your available balance by the next day.

If you have a card that pays rewards points instead of a cash back percentage, you may still be able to redeem those points for cash back, among other rewards. Each credit card issuer sets the value of its points and may offer varying redemption values.

Clicking around in your issuer’s rewards portal can usually show you how the value of your rewards may fluctuate if you were to apply them to travel, cash back, merchandise, etc.

But, in the long run, some points cards offer more flexibility than cash back cards because they provide more redemption options and sometimes offer increased values when you transfer them to an issuer’s partner loyalty program.

Additional FAQs About Cash Back Cards

We hear from lots of readers who want to up their credit card rewards game but don’t feel completely confident in taking the next step. Below are a few common questions we’re often asked.

Do I Need a PIN to Get Cash Back on a Credit Card?

You don’t need a PIN to get cash back, just use your card as normal and watch the cash stack up in your online account. But you do need a PIN to withdraw cash from your credit line at an ATM, known as a cash advance.

Cash Advance Graphic

Cash advances charge interest the day the money is withdrawn — there is no interest-free grace period — and generally charge a cash advance fee, a fixed amount or a percentage of the amount withdrawn, whichever is greater. You can obtain an ATM PIN for your credit card by contacting the issuer.

But the cash back you earn for purchases won’t change based on whether you used a PIN or swiped, inserted, or tapped your card to complete the transaction.

Which Stores Offer Cash Back on Credit Cards?

You can get cash back during checkout at select stores, generally grocery stores and gas stations, when you use your debit card to make a purchase, but that won’t fly with a credit card. That would essentially be a cash advance (mentioned above), which is only permitted in a few ways: ATM withdrawals, teller withdrawals, and credit access checks provided to you from your issuer.

Are Cash Back Cards Worth It?

Not only are cash back credit cards worth your time, but you could potentially make a profit from these cards if you use them properly. At the same time, these cards can cost you a lot if you aren’t responsible with your spending.

The average credit card interest rate today is around 17%. Meanwhile, the average cash back rate on most rewards credit cards falls between 1% and 5%.

Cash Back Earnings at 1% and 2%

If you don’t pay your balance in full each month and eventually have to pay interest on your purchases, you’re going to quickly pay well more than you’ll earn through cash back. But, if you pay your balance in full, you can easily come out ahead on your everyday purchases.

And that’s not the only way you can use your cash back card to your advantage. You can invest your cash back returns or even sell your rewards points, among several other creative ways to put that money to work for you.

Cash Back is Free Money if You Avoid Interest Fees

There’s a reason why cash back credit cards are the most popular rewards cards on the market. Cash is still king, and getting some money back from every purchase you make is a great way to save a little money — or a lot of money if you’re a high spender.

Of course, this only works well if you use your card responsibly. Credit cards are a healthy part of your financial portfolio when used wisely. Just as you wouldn’t want to overdo your pizza, soda, and ice cream consumption, you don’t want to swipe or insert your credit card too often.

But if you stick to a budget and pay your balance on time every month, you can add your earned cash back rewards as a passive income stream to help pay bills, grow savings, or just have a little extra spending money.

Advertiser Disclosure

CardRates.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation for referrals for many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across CardRates.com (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.