That, in effect, is what cash back credit cards offer in the form of a percentage of cash back on every qualifying purchase you make. If a credit card offers 1. Some cards offer far more than 1. Unlike travel credit cards , which often reward cardholders with points or miles that have different values depending on how they are redeemed, cash back rewards have a fixed cash value.

You may want to compare the two before you choose. Cardholders can redeem that cash back in the form of statement credits , online purchases and more. Cash back is a form of credit card rewards you earn by making purchases with your credit card.

You redeem those rewards in the future for statement credits, account deposits or purchases. In some cases, you can convert the cash back rewards into points and use them for other types of redemptions.

In fact, getting immediate cash back from a credit card is called a cash advance and will usually incur a fee as well as a high interest rate. Cash back rewards programs vary by credit card.

Some cards offer a flat cash back rate on every purchase. Others offer higher percentages of cash back for certain types of purchases, like travel, dining, groceries or gas. A few cards rotate their highest-earning cash back categories every quarter or allow you to choose and change your bonus categories.

Flat-rate cash back credit cards offer the same cash back percentage on every qualifying purchase. com — you earn the same percentage of cash back per dollar spent. A more common flat-rate amount is 1. Earn a flat 1. Some credit cards offer higher cash back percentages on certain types of purchases.

These cards are called tiered-rate cash back cards because you get a higher rate of cash back, usually between 2 and 3 percent, on purchases in certain categories, like gas or groceries. All other purchases generally earn 1 percent cash back.

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express , for example, lets you earn 3 percent cash back at U. supermarkets, U. gas stations and U. Like tiered-rate cash back cards, rotating category cards offer higher cash back percentages, frequently 5 percent cash back , on certain types of purchases.

These purchase categories rotate every quarter, and cardholders must activate the rotating bonus categories before earning rewards at that higher rate.

These elevated cash back categories could include anything from grocery stores to streaming services and often feature popular online businesses like Walmart. Beyond the Chase Freedom Flex bonus category earning, cardholders earn also 5 percent back on Chase Ultimate Rewards travel purchases, 5 percent back on Lyft rides through March , 3 percent back on drugstore and dining including restaurants, takeout and eligible delivery services purchases and 1 percent cash back on all other purchases.

Lastly, some cards offer the option to select your own bonus cash back category. However, instead of having a fixed category or keeping track of rotating bonus categories, you can select your bonus category from a list of options.

For example, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card lets you choose one of several rewards categories in which to earn 3 percent cash back.

Category options include gas and electric vehicle charging stations , online shopping plus cable, streaming, internet and phone services , dining, travel, drugstores or home improvement and furnishing purchases.

You can change your selection once per calendar month, and you earn 1 percent cash back on all other purchases. The Citi Custom Cash® Card takes the manual selection process out of the equation with an automatically optimized rewards system.

The categories eligible for 5 percent cash back include:. There are many ways to use cash back, with some of the most popular redemption methods being statement credits, online shopping and gift cards.

Certain cards also allow you to deposit your cash back directly into a bank account or use it to make a charitable donation. com, allowing you to cover part or all of your purchase. For example, Chase Freedom Unlimited® earns cash back in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Those points can be combined with points earned through other Chase cards and redeemed for travel or even transferred to travel partners depending on the other cards you hold.

Make sure you understand all the ways your credit card allows you to redeem your cash back rewards. That way, you can put every dollar of cash back to good use.

You may be able to earn even more cash back by pairing your credit card with a cash back app. These apps, browser extensions and websites let you earn a small percentage of cash back on qualifying purchases that you make through the app or website.

They may also let you compare prices, set price drop alerts and search for coupon codes. After you accumulate a certain amount of earnings, you can send the money to a financial service like PayPal or to your bank account.

The rewards will accumulate in different accounts. Popular cash back sites include:. To make the most of these services, use a cash back credit card to pay for your purchases. Cash back credit cards reward cardholders with percentages of cash back on every qualifying purchase.

Some cash back cards offer a flat cash back percentage, while other cards offer higher cash back rewards for certain categories of purchases.

Card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer. How to maximize cash back with your credit card. Flat-rate cash back cards vs. bonus category cash back cards. How to get cash back from a credit card.

Best cash back credit cards for travel. How to choose a cash back credit card. Best Cash Back Credit Cards of For rates and fees of the Discover it® Cash Back, click here.

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Some of the below offers are no longer available. Statement credit: Apply cash back as a credit to your account balance. This helps offset the cost of your bill. However, you still need to make the minimum payment toward your balance.

Direct deposit or check: You can often transfer cash back to a linked bank account or request a paper check. Gift cards: Some cash-back cards may allow you to redeem cash back for various gift cards.

Find the right savings account for you.

Cash rewards: Each cash-back credit card has its own earning scheme, but they all offer the same straightforward, easy-to-use benefit: cash back With a flat-rate cash back card, you earn the same amount of cash back on every purchase—often, % or 2%. In general, a card with a higher If a credit card offers percent cash back on purchases, for example, you'll earn cents per dollar spent. Some cards offer far more than

Cash back credit card advantages - Sign-up bonuses: The primary appeal of a cash back credit card is the cash back reward, and sign-up bonuses usually award cash back Cash rewards: Each cash-back credit card has its own earning scheme, but they all offer the same straightforward, easy-to-use benefit: cash back With a flat-rate cash back card, you earn the same amount of cash back on every purchase—often, % or 2%. In general, a card with a higher If a credit card offers percent cash back on purchases, for example, you'll earn cents per dollar spent. Some cards offer far more than

Credit cards for students offer benefits to help build credit. Learn more about how student credit cards can start your credit journey. There are credit cards designed for those who are brand new to credit.

Learn about key features of starter cards. Financial independence can be achieved with proper planning and savvy credit building strategies. Uncover ways you can retire early. Are you trying to build credit for the first time? Check out our how to guide on establishing and building credit for the first time.

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Credit Card Marketplace. Pros and cons of cash back credit cards minute read. How do cash back credit cards work? Types of cash back credit cards There are three major categories of cash back credit cards: Fixed Tiered Rotating Fixed With this cash back card, you earn a fixed rate of cash back on every eligible purchase.

Tiered This type of cash back credit card offers cash back on certain categories. Rotating Another popular type of cash back rewards card comes in the form of rotating categories. Cash back categories Cash back reward programs are typically flexible and allow you to earn a percentage of money back from everyday spending, travel and shopping through participating retailers.

Here are some common cash back categories: Grocery stores Gas stations Restaurants Travel Drugstores Redeeming cash back rewards The rewards you earn are stored on your account until you choose to redeem them.

Cash back credit card benefits and drawbacks Before you submit any applications, consider these pros and cons of cash back credit cards. Pros Low annual fee: You only pay an annual fee once a year around your account anniversary.

The fee may be worthwhile based on the cash back you earn. Intro APRs: Cash back cards tend to offer an intro APR on purchases for a limited time. Although the time period ranges, incurring no interest charges may help you pay down big purchases or existing debt.

Sign-up bonuses: The primary appeal of a cash back credit card is the cash back reward, and sign-up bonuses usually award cash back. However, you'll have to meet a minimum spending requirement within a certain period. When you do, the sign-up bonus you get maybe a great start to your cash back earnings.

Cons Specific benefits: Cash back credit card benefits focus on cash back. If you're looking for additional benefits, such as free hotel stays or reimbursements on certain services, another type of rewards credit card may be more suitable.

Little redemption variety: Cash back is the primary redemption option for most cash back credit cards. If you're looking to put your rewards towards travel-related expenses, a travel rewards card may be a better choice.

Standard APR: The APR you have to pay after any promotional and intro APRs expire depends on your creditworthiness. If you don't have great credit, you may receive a high APR on your cash back credit card.

Final considerations Is a cash back credit card right for you? Also ask yourself: Is cash back a valuable reward for you? Are the rewards worth the annual fee? Is there a sign-up or new cardmember bonus?

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Access to special card offers from top issuers in our network. You can check out other cards that are a better fit. Credit Cards Cash Back Advertiser Disclosure Advertiser Disclosure Bankrate. Steve Dashiell. Written by Steve Dashiell Arrow Right Editor, Credit cards. Nouri Zarrugh. Edited by Nouri Zarrugh Arrow Right Senior Editor, Credit Cards.

Jason Steele. Reviewed by Jason Steele Arrow Right Former contributor, Credit Cards. Credit Card Search View card list Menu List Table of contents Why choose Bankrate Caret Down User We helped over , users compare cash back cards in Circle Check We valued and compared over 50 cash back programs.

Lightbulb Over 47 years of experience helping people make smart financial decisions. The Bankrate Promise. User We helped over , users compare cash back cards in Why choose Bankrate The Bankrate Promise. The Bankrate Promise At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions.

View card list Collapse Caret Up. Table of contents Collapse Caret Up. Increase your odds of finding the perfect card. Increase your odds of finding the perfect card 1 in 3 people w ho try approval odds find a card they like. See your approval odds. Featured cash back Card.

Apply now Lock on Wells Fargo's secure site. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. Rating: 4. Bankrate review. appOddsOn { aoProduct.

Apply now Lock. Intro offer. Annual fee. Regular APR. Pros This card offers one of the highest flat cash rewards rates available for a no-annual-fee card. In addition to a lengthy intro APR, you can also take advantage of varied redemption options like redeeming cash rewards at a Wells Fargo ATM.

The 3 percent foreign transaction fee could eat into cash rewards if you use this card abroad. Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions. No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card. Apply now Lock on Bank of America's secure site.

Pros You can swap your choice category once per calendar month to maximize rewards based on your spending habits. Cons The spending cap on your highest earning categories could hamper your earning potential.

It carries a high sign-up bonus spending requirement twice as high as some rivals in the cash back card category. That means you could earn 3. 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. Best for restaurants. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card.

Rating: 5 stars out of 5. Apply now Lock on Capital One's secure site. Pros You can earn additional bonus rewards for purchases made through the Capital One Entertainment and Travel portals.

With no spending caps, your earnings are unlimited. Cons Beware of redeeming cash rewards on Amazon. Its ongoing APR is on the high side and could prove pricey if you tend to carry a balance. Citi Double Cash® Card Citi Double Cash® Card. Apply now Lock on Citi's secure site.

Pros If you pair this card with the Citi Premier® Card, you can transfer points to airline and hotel partners and potentially enjoy a higher redemption value.

You don't have to keep track of spending category restrictions or rotating categories. Cons You could earn more with a card that offers a higher rewards rate in your biggest spending categories.

After that, the variable APR will be 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.

Best for groceries. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. Apply now Lock on American Express's secure site. Cons Purchases at wholesale clubs, superstores like Walmart , and specialty stores bakeries, farmers markets, etc.

supermarket bonus category and only earn 1 percent back. You can only redeem cash rewards as a statement credit, so you don't have much flexibility in redemption options. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.

After that, your APR will be a variable APR of Variable APRs will not exceed gas stations. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.

com checkout. com with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. Enrollment required. Terms Apply. Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card. Rating: 3. Rewards details Caret Down 1. The card offers additional features with its intro APR on purchases and balance transfers.

Cons This card is light on benefits and perks compared to other cash back cards. That means you could earn 1. No annual fee. Citi Custom Cash® Card Citi Custom Cash® Card. You likely won't miss out on cash back rewards because you can earn in popular categories like gas and groceries, in addition to more select picks like fitness clubs and live entertainment.

You may need to pair this card with another rewards card since you only earn the elevated cash back rate in one eligible category per month. 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. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card. Terms apply 1. The sign-up bonus has one of the lowest spend requirements around, so it's easy to attain.

Take this card abroad without having to worry about foreign transaction fees. Cons Other cards on the market offer a higher flat cash back rate, with several offering 2 percent back or more. A few no-annual-fee cash back cards offer longer intro APR periods on both purchases and balance transfers.

Discover it® Cash Back Discover it® Cash Back. Apply now Lock on Discover's secure site. Pros Discover matches the cash back you earn at the end of the first year — potentially more valuable than the average no-annual-fee card bonus.

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.

Then Terms and conditions apply. Upgrade Cash Rewards Elite Visa® Upgrade Cash Rewards Elite Visa®. Apply now Lock on Upgrade's secure site. Rewards details Caret Down 2. Cons The high-end APR range is much higher than the average card APR and could prove costly if you end up carrying a balance.

If you previously opened a checking account through Upgrade or do not do so as part of this process, you are not eligible. Payout made within 60 days of meeting the conditions. BEST FOR LOW APR. USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card. Apply now Lock on USAA's secure site.

Pros You don't have to worry about a complicated rewards program or rotating categories. A flat rewards rate makes earning cash back simple and straightforward. It charges no foreign transaction fees and comes with a few key travel protections, making it an especially great companion for USAA members who live or frequently travel abroad.

Several competing cash back cards offer a higher flat rewards rate — 2 percent back or higher — while still charging no annual fee. Must be a USAA member, or become a member, to apply.

USAA proudly offers membership to current and former military, as well as their spouses and dependents. After this time, the variable regular APR of Cash back rewards never expire. Redeem cash back your way, on your schedule.

No foreign transaction fees. See Rates and Fees for details. Card name Best for Cash back highlights Welcome offer Annual fee.

Unsorted Caret Caret Up Caret Down. Bankrate review score. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. Citi Double Cash® Card. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express.

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card. Citi Custom Cash® Card. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card. Discover it® Cash Back. Intro Offer: Cashback Match Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers — only from Discover.

Upgrade Cash Rewards Elite Visa®. USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card. Show 6 more rows. On This Page Compare our top cards What is a cash back credit card? Tips on choosing the best cash back card for you Expert advice on maximizing cash back cards In the news How we assess the best cash back credit cards Frequently asked questions Ask the experts.

A closer look at our top cash back cards. select this. from parent. Simplicity seekers and people planning to make a large purchase. Even better is the fact that you can change your pick once per calendar month to match your spending habits.

People looking for flexibility. If you want the freedom to choose and change your bonus rewards category, this card is a great option. Heavy spenders may earn more with a card that offers an unlimited flat rate on all purchases, such as the Citi Double Cash Card.

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Best for dining and entertainment rewards. Learn more: Why expert Ana Cvetkovic loves the Capital One SavorOne Card.

Read our Citi Double Cash Card review or jump back to offer details. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Best for grocery rewards. Few cash back cards offer rates as high as this card, much less in a rewards category as valuable as U.

If groceries are your top spend every month, the Citi Custom Cash Card could also earn significant cash back in this category without the annual fee. Pair it with another cash back card to help you score as much or more cash back on other everyday essentials like gas and dining.

Learn more: Amex Blue Cash Preferred benefits guide. Read our Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express review or jump back to offer details. Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card Best for Bank of America customers. Citi Custom Cash® Card Best for automatic bonus category. There are 10 eligible bonus categories to choose from and many of them conveniently fit into a cash back or rewards strategy.

Learn more: Is the Citi Custom Cash worth it? Read our full Citi Custom Cash Card review or jump back to offer details. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card Best for 1.

Cash back beginners. With a flat rate and no annual fee, this card is a solid low-maintenance option for someone just getting started earning cash back rewards. Learn more: Is Capital One Quicksilver Worth It?

Read our Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to offer details. Discover it® Cash Back Best for rotating cash back categories. Learn more: Guide to the Discover cash back calendar.

Read our Discover it® Cash Back review or jump back to offer details. Upgrade Cash Rewards Elite Visa® Best for personal loan alternative. Every time you make a payment, you earn one of the highest flat cash back rates on the market.

It also charges fewer fees than the typical credit card and comes with a sign-up bonus not always found on flat-rate cash back cards. You may want to consider a card that offers cash back and an intro APR for new purchases. The Discover it® Cash Back allows you to do just that, so you can finance a large purchase while racking in rewards.

Learn more: Is the Upgrade Cash Rewards Elite Visa worth it? Read our Upgrade Cash Rewards Elite Visa card review or jump back to offer details. USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card Best for USAA members.

USAA members looking for a simple flat-rate cash back card. A few cards also have a high rewards rate in travel and other everyday categories.

For instance, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards card earns bonus rewards on Capital One travel and in several popular everyday categories. Learn more: Why expert Margaret Wack chose the Chase Freedom Unlimited card.

Read our Chase Freedom Unlimited review. Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Best for fair credit. Learn more: Compare Capital One QuicksilverOne vs.

Read our Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card review. Prime Visa Best for online shopping. If you prefer Walmart over Amazon for online shopping, the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® offers 5 percent cash back at Walmart.

Read our Prime Visa review. Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Card Best for 2. This card offers one of the highest flat rates around for Alliant Credit Union account holders — even higher than the Wells Fargo Active cash card.

Learn more: Best flat-rate cash back credit cards. Read our Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card review.

Discover it® Secured Credit Card Best for bad credit. People with bad or no credit who want to earn rewards while they work on their score. Learn more: Discover it® Secured Credit Card benefits guide. Read our Discover it® Secured Credit Card review. Users can pick two high-earning quarterly cash back categories and one everyday category that earns at a slightly lower rate year round.

A flat-rate rewards card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card may be a better fit if you prefer simplicity. Learn more: Best 5 percent cash back credit cards.

Read our full U. What is a cash back credit card? LEARN MORE How does cash back work? Arrow Right. Pros and cons of using cash back credit cards. Checkmark Earn rewards : If you pick a card that fits your spending habits, you can earn some extra cash every month just by using your credit card.

Checkmark Build credit : Used responsibly, a cash back credit card can help you improve your credit score by adding to your credit history. Checkmark Sign-up bonuses : A first-year sign-up bonus or welcome offer can be worth a few hundred dollars if you can meet the spending requirement.

Types of cash back credit card rewards. Top examples include: Wells Fargo Active Cash Card Citi Double Cash Card Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card. Quarterly rotating bonus categories : These cards rotate or change bonus categories every quarter , and typically require you to enroll in or activate categories to receive the bonus rate.

Choose your own category : Some cards let you choose your cash back category every month, which is perfect for people who plan their spending. Auto-optimizing bonus categories : For maximizing rewards, these cards will do the work for you.

Typically, the card will apply the bonus rate to purchases within your top eligible category at the end of each month. Top examples include:. Common categories on cash back credit cards Cash back cards differ in the reward categories they offer, though there are a few common categories you can expect to find.

Groceries: This category usually covers a variety of types of items you can purchase at supermarkets. Many cards exclude purchases from superstores and warehouse stores.

Dining: Most cards include most kinds of dining out at restaurants, though some also allow you to earn cash back on take out and delivery as well. Gas: Some cards allow you to earn cash back at any gas station, though some cobranded cards only allow you to earn at specified locations.

Travel: This category can include a variety of travel methods. Airline and hotel purchases are the most common options. Looking for a particular type of cash-back credit card? Best cards for groceries. Best cards for restaurants. Best cards for gas. Tips on choosing the best cash back card for you.

Document How to choose a cash back credit card Caret Down 1. Check your credit score This should be your starting point. Review your spending habits Evaluate your expenses to determine which cards reward the highest for your top spending categories.

Compare welcome offers A card's sign-up bonus can add significantly to its short-term value. Weigh the costs Factor ongoing costs of keeping the card. Review the perks Cash back cards may come with an assortment of perks that can add value to your wallet, such as statement credits on select subscription services.

Calendar Clock. Enroll or activate your bonus categories each quarter Rotating category cards typically require you to enroll in or activate your bonus cash back categories for the upcoming quarter to earn the higher bonus rate. Earn your welcome bonus Welcome bonuses can deliver a substantial amount of value, and some cards are worth getting for the welcome bonus alone.

Add Card. Combine cards A combination of cards will allow you to maximize your cash back opportunities when making purchases. This card automatically rewards your top spending category each billing cycle, and I only use it for groceries, making that my top category by default. Gas and online shopping : The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express.

Since I use the Custom Cash for groceries, it made sense for me to use the no-annual-fee Blue Cash Everyday to get a solid rewards rate on gas. Online shopping is another key category for me, so this card is quite versatile. Dining : The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card.

Everything else : The Citi Double Cash. I use this card for all purchases that fall outside of groceries, gas, dining, travel and online shopping. A flat rate of up to 2 percent back 1 percent when you buy, 1 percent when you pay off purchases is hard to beat. Bankrate Insight People who spend across a wide variety of categories can often combine cards from the same issuer for greater effect.

Cash back credit cards vs. Cash back vs. rewards credit cards : A rewards credit card earns points or miles instead of cash back. You can redeem these points in various ways, including gift cards, travel and statement credits.

These cards may also come with additional perks, such as annual statement credits for specific retailers or travel benefits. travel credit cards : Travel credit cards are best for frequent travelers who want to redeem their rewards for flights and hotel stays.

You can choose from general travel credit cards, airline credit cards and hotel credit cards. s tudent credit cards : Student credit cards are best for college students new to the credit world who want to improve their credit score and establish good credit habits.

Students may also want to check out low-interest credit cards or balance transfer credit cards to help manage school debts and purchasing needs.

How we assess the best cash back credit cards. cards rated. rewards programs valued. data points analyzed. spending categories analyzed. Here are some of the key factors that we considered:. We break down these tiers as follows: Tier 1 includes fewer features than even standard credit cards for example, an ultra-streamlined card that offers basic utility and next to nothing in the way of ancillary benefits.

With a statement credit, you redeem cash back rewards to lower your credit card bill. For example, if you've accumulated $ in cash back and A cash-back credit card is a rewards card that offers you cash back on your purchases. Generally, you earn the cash-back rewards as a Low annual fee: You only pay an annual fee once a year around your account anniversary: Cash back credit card advantages

Reward amounts can credkt higher than advantzges Cash back credit card advantages rewards cards, advaantages it's up to the card issuer to define the categories advantwges decide which merchants Cash back credit card advantages Minimum loan amount. Rewards cards may make it easy to earn a lot of points, credut or cash back, but how easy is it to use those rewards? For example, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card lets you choose one of several rewards categories in which to earn 3 percent cash back. Apply now Lock on Bank of America's secure site. Cash back cards can be simpler to use and offer more flexibility in how you can earn and redeem rewards, with some allowing you to use rewards for cash back, travel spending and more. Edited by Brooklyn Lowery Arrow Right Senior Editor, Credit Cards.	Brooklyn Lowery is a Senior Editor on the Bankrate credit cards education team where she focuses on helping everyday consumers leverage credit cards as powerful tools in their personal finance toolbox. Rewards DoorDash Rewards Mastercard: How It Could Help You Save Money on Food Delivery May 11, 4 min Read Read more. The fee may be worthwhile based on the cash back you earn. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise. Credit cards for students offer benefits to help build credit.	Cash rewards: Each cash-back credit card has its own earning scheme, but they all offer the same straightforward, easy-to-use benefit: cash back With a flat-rate cash back card, you earn the same amount of cash back on every purchase—often, % or 2%. In general, a card with a higher If a credit card offers percent cash back on purchases, for example, you'll earn cents per dollar spent. Some cards offer far more than	When you make a purchase with your card, you'll earn a rebate for each dollar you spend. Many cash back credit cards offer bonuses when using Cash-back credit cards can allow you to rack up rewards quickly and easily. Some cards offer higher rates of cash back on certain spending categories while Cardholders earn a percentage of their spending back, which can be used to offset your balance. If a card offers 2% cash back and you spend $, you'll receive	Low annual fee: You only pay an annual fee once a year around your account anniversary Intro APRs: Cash back cards tend to offer an intro APR on purchases for a limited time Sign-up bonuses: The primary appeal of a cash back credit card is the cash back reward, and sign-up bonuses usually award cash back
Steven Dashiell is an editor for Cash back credit card advantages Loan application checklist approval CreditCards. Best High Yield Carc Accounts. Checkmark Build credit crsdit Used responsibly, a cash back credit card can help you improve your credit score by adding to your credit history. Interest charges and even late payment fees can easily cancel out any cash-back rewards you receive. How to choose a cash back credit card.	What Is a Settlement Bank? Options to redeem rewards. Hands-off rewards earners. Rotating category cards typically require you to enroll in or activate your bonus cash back categories for the upcoming quarter to earn the higher bonus rate. Cardholders earn a percentage of their spending back, which can be used to offset your balance. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. Create a Financial Plan.	Cash rewards: Each cash-back credit card has its own earning scheme, but they all offer the same straightforward, easy-to-use benefit: cash back With a flat-rate cash back card, you earn the same amount of cash back on every purchase—often, % or 2%. In general, a card with a higher If a credit card offers percent cash back on purchases, for example, you'll earn cents per dollar spent. Some cards offer far more than	Cardholders earn a percentage of their spending back, which can be used to offset your balance. If a card offers 2% cash back and you spend $, you'll receive Cash back refers to a credit card benefit that refunds the cardholder's account a small percentage of the sum spent on purchases. · Cash back rewards are actual With a flat-rate cash back card, you earn the same amount of cash back on every purchase—often, % or 2%. In general, a card with a higher	Cash rewards: Each cash-back credit card has its own earning scheme, but they all offer the same straightforward, easy-to-use benefit: cash back With a flat-rate cash back card, you earn the same amount of cash back on every purchase—often, % or 2%. In general, a card with a higher If a credit card offers percent cash back on purchases, for example, you'll earn cents per dollar spent. Some cards offer far more than
Providers of services often advangages this to let a refinance private loans leave a cash tip. Cash back credit card advantages carv. Dieker also teaches writing, freelancing and publishing classes Cash back credit card advantages Cas one-on-one with authors as a developmental editor and copyeditor. For example, if a card offers 5 percent cash back at Amazon in Q4, you may consider doing most of your holiday shopping through that site. I have found the most difficult part of maximizing rotating category cash-back cards is keeping track of which categories are currently earning bonus cash back.	Learn more: Amex Blue Cash Preferred benefits guide. When you find your odds, you get:. Please try entering your full information again to view your approval odds. What are credit card cash back rewards? Your information is protected by bit encryption.	Cash rewards: Each cash-back credit card has its own earning scheme, but they all offer the same straightforward, easy-to-use benefit: cash back With a flat-rate cash back card, you earn the same amount of cash back on every purchase—often, % or 2%. In general, a card with a higher If a credit card offers percent cash back on purchases, for example, you'll earn cents per dollar spent. Some cards offer far more than	Cardholders earn a percentage of their spending back, which can be used to offset your balance. If a card offers 2% cash back and you spend $, you'll receive A cash-back credit card is a rewards card that offers you cash back on your purchases. Generally, you earn the cash-back rewards as a Low annual fee: You only pay an annual fee once a year around your account anniversary	Cash back cards are so popular because they're easy to understand, and the main benefit comes in the most useful rewards currency: dollars (as opposed to points Cash back refers to a credit card benefit that refunds the cardholder's account a small percentage of the sum spent on purchases. · Cash back rewards are actual Knowing the benefits of your cash-back credit cards can help you capture the most value. · 1. Look for a card with no annual fee · 2. 'Cash back' is different
Cash back credit card advantages may be able to earn even cadd cash back by pairing creditt credit crediy with a Peer-to-peer lending testimonials forum Cash back credit card advantages app. Adcantages Bowl How Much Work Productivity Suffers The Week After the Big Game. Get Started Best Investments Best Mutual Funds Best Stocks for Beginners Cheap Stocks to Buy Now Best Cryptocurrency to Invest In Next Big Cryptocurrency. If a credit card offers 1. Here's how each type works. Our Mission.	The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. Find the right savings account for you. Learn more: Wells Fargo Active Cash benefits guide. Common categories include restaurants, gas stations and grocery stores. Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.	Cash rewards: Each cash-back credit card has its own earning scheme, but they all offer the same straightforward, easy-to-use benefit: cash back With a flat-rate cash back card, you earn the same amount of cash back on every purchase—often, % or 2%. In general, a card with a higher If a credit card offers percent cash back on purchases, for example, you'll earn cents per dollar spent. Some cards offer far more than	Cardholders earn a percentage of their spending back, which can be used to offset your balance. If a card offers 2% cash back and you spend $, you'll receive A cash-back credit card is a rewards card that offers you cash back on your purchases. Generally, you earn the cash-back rewards as a Cash-back credit cards come in different forms. Some credit cards earn a flat rate across all purchases, meaning they'll earn the same rewards	Credit card cash back rewards are bonuses provided to credit card customers when they use their cards to make purchases. Cash back rewards can take the form The biggest pros of cash back credit cards are savings on every purchase, offers with $0 annual fees and 0% introductory APRs Cash-back credit cards come in different forms. Some credit cards earn a flat rate across all purchases, meaning they'll earn the same rewards

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Cash back credit card advantages - Sign-up bonuses: The primary appeal of a cash back credit card is the cash back reward, and sign-up bonuses usually award cash back Cash rewards: Each cash-back credit card has its own earning scheme, but they all offer the same straightforward, easy-to-use benefit: cash back With a flat-rate cash back card, you earn the same amount of cash back on every purchase—often, % or 2%. In general, a card with a higher If a credit card offers percent cash back on purchases, for example, you'll earn cents per dollar spent. Some cards offer far more than

However, cash back cards can still differ in important ways depending on the rewards program and specific card. Here's what you need to know about how cash back cards work. Most rewards cards fall into one of two categories: travel rewards cards and cash back rewards cards. With a cash back card, it's easy to understand how much you'll earn on each purchase.

In contrast, the value of travel programs' points and miles can vary greatly depending on the loyalty program and current cost of travel. All cash back credit cards let you redeem your rewards for cash, often via a check, statement credit or bank transfer.

Some travel cards do as well, but you might receive less value if you choose cash back redemptions instead of using the rewards on travel. With a flat-rate cash back card, you earn the same amount of cash back on every purchase—often, 1. In general, a card with a higher rewards rate will provide the most value.

However, be sure to check whether the card has an annual fee or other fees that will offset the rewards you earn. Flat-rate cards can be a good fit for people who don't want to spend a lot of time managing a credit card rewards program.

It's easy to compare flat-rate cards to each other, and you'll know exactly how much you're earning on every purchase. These cards are sometimes distinguished by their bonus categories.

For example, there are dining cards that give bonus cash back on take out and at restaurants, and gas cards with bonus cash back at gas stations. There may also be a limit to the amount of bonus cash back you can earn each quarter or year. A tiered rewards card can be best when you tend to spend most of your money at particular types of retailers.

They're also helpful if you have several rewards cards and can remember to pick the card that offers the most rewards on each purchase. A rotating cash back rewards card is a type of tiered rewards card that has changing bonus categories. Generally, the categories change every three months.

Also, with some cards, the issuer picks the categories. A rotating rewards card could be a good addition to your wallet if you don't mind keeping track of the changing categories and potentially having to activate them to earn the bonus rewards.

But it might not be as rewarding as a flat-rate or tiered card if it's your only credit card. You may be able to redeem your cash back rewards in several ways, including:. Some cards offer other options as well, such as letting you use your cash back rewards to book travel, donate to charity or make purchases online.

Some cash back cards actually give you points in the issuer's rewards program, which can open up additional options as well.

I still have a co-branded airline card, a rotating category card and a specific online retailer card sitting around, and using them could help me squeeze a little more earnings out of my purchases.

But for now, five cards is plenty to juggle. People who spend across a wide variety of categories can often combine cards from the same issuer for greater effect. For example, by having a Chase Freedom Flex, Chase Freedom Unlimited and a Chase Sapphire card, you can use the Chase Trifecta 's bonus categories to maximize rewards.

Americans are starting off by breaking records, though not the kind we should celebrate. Credit card delinquency remains low, according to the Fed, but carrying a balance for any length of time usually means people are paying more for their purchases than the purchase price.

Pay your balances in full and on time at the end of each statement period to avoid carrying interest on your account. This could help you move towards using your cards as a financial tool and not a crutch. When evaluating the best cash back cards, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards in popular categories to scoring a large sign-up bonus or high-value perks.

Whenever possible, we also feature cards that are available at various credit levels and price points. In other words, we assess whether the card earns rewards at a high rate in the most popular spending categories.

We also estimate the redemption value of points or miles from various rewards programs. With these calculations complete, we assign each card a score based on how its average rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value, rewards rate and redemption value stack up against other rewards cards.

The better these values, the higher its score will be, making it more worthy of inclusion in our list and increasing its potential ranking. We also score cards based on how much it costs to keep them in your wallet or carry a balance. To start, each card is scored based on whether it offers an intro APR and how its ongoing APR compares to the rates available on other rewards cards.

Cards with an annual fee will always be at a slight disadvantage in our scoring system since annual fees inherently cut into your rewards value. However, if a card offers terrific value via its ongoing rewards and perks, it can earn a high score and a spot in our list even if it carries a high annual fee.

After all, the highest rewards rates and most valuable perks are often found on cards with annual fees. With this in mind, we rate a card based primarily on how its ongoing rewards value and ongoing perk value such as annual credits or bonuses stack up against those of other cards in the category when you subtract annual fees.

That said, we strive to include as many no-annual-fee options in our list as possible since many people would rather not worry about offsetting fees, even if a card carries impressive rewards and perks. Rewards cards may make it easy to earn a lot of points, miles or cash back, but how easy is it to use those rewards?

Flexibility factors include whether a card only allows you to earn a high rewards rate on only a small amount of spending or requires you to meet a certain earning threshold before you can redeem rewards.

We also examine whether your points are worth less when you opt for some redemption options over others and whether a card gives you the flexibility to transfer rewards to travel partners. In evaluating the best cards, we tend to favor cards that offer at least Tier 3 benefits, unless they include other unique features that could make up for less-impressive perks.

Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email , find us on Facebook , or Tweet us Bankrate. For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product.

See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

The right credit card for you will depend on your spending habits and the perks that matter most to you.

Travel cards are great for people who know they want to redeem rewards for travel expenses like airline and hotel bookings. Travel cards also make sense if you want perks like hotel or airline elite status, free checked bags , free hotel stays or airport lounge access.

But even some of the best travel credit cards for beginners charge an annual fee, and the fee for premium travel cards that offer luxury perks can be quite high. Cash back cards can be simpler to use and offer more flexibility in how you can earn and redeem rewards, with some allowing you to use rewards for cash back, travel spending and more.

You may not receive cold, hard cash, but issuers offer redemption options like a direct deposit into a checking account, mailed checks, statement credits or gift cards. Perhaps the closest you can get to redeeming rewards for physical cash is through a Wells Fargo card that allows you to redeem for cash withdrawals at eligible ATMs.

It depends on how you plan to redeem your rewards. If you plan to deposit your cash rewards into a high-yield savings account, it's best to redeem often so that you don't lose out on interest.

However, if you prefer to use your rewards for travel, you might save up your rewards to help cut future travel costs. In fact, your cash back might be worth more if you redeem through an issuer's travel portal , like Chase Ultimate Rewards. To maximize your earnings, check your issuer's redemption options and be strategic in how and when you redeem.

Flat-rate cards do not require any pre-planning, which is great. You buy what you buy and earn cash back at the same rate for everything. To make the most of cash back cards that have rotating categories, however, you have to pay a bit more attention.

For example, if a card offers 5 percent cash back at Amazon in Q4, you may consider doing most of your holiday shopping through that site. I like to have both a flat-rate and rotating cash back card in my wallet — particularly a flat-rate card that earns at a higher rate usually 1.

I have found the most difficult part of maximizing rotating category cash-back cards is keeping track of which categories are currently earning bonus cash back.

Setting reminders and keeping a rewards calendar helps, especially if you have multiple cards of each type. Of course, you also want to make sure you are putting the right expense on the right card to maximize the rewards.

Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty.

After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date.

All products or services are presented without warranty. Apply for a credit card with confidence. When you find your odds, you get:.

A personalized list of cards ranked by likelihood of approval. No credit hits. Your personal information and data are protected with bit encryption. That means:. All of your personal information is protected with bit encryption.

Your financial information, like annual income and employment status, helps us better understand your credit profile and provide more accurate approval odds. Your financial information, like annual income and employment status, helps us better understand your credit profile.

Having a clearer picture of your credit profile will help us ensure that your approval odds are as accurate as possible. Your answer should account for all personal income, including salary, part-time pay, retirement, investments and rental properties. You do not need to include alimony, child support, or separate maintenance income unless you want to have it considerd as a basis for repaying a loan.

Knowing your rent or mortgage payments helps us calculate your debt-to-income ratio DTI which is your monthly debt payments divided by your pre-tax monthly income. Why does DTI matter? We need the last four digits of your social security number to run a soft credit pull. We need the last four digits of your Social Security number to run a soft credit pull.

This helps us locate your profile and identify cards that you may qualify for. Your information is protected by bit encryption. A soft credit pull will not affect your credit score. Last step! Once you enter your email and agree to terms:. Your approval odds will be calculated. A personalized list of cards ranked by order of approval will appear.

Your odds will display on each card tile. Enter your email address to activate your approval odds and get updates about future card offers. You instruct Us to do this each time you return to our sites to view product offerings and up to once per month so you can be provided up-to-date results.

You understand that this is not an application for credit and CardMatch offers and Approval Odds do not guarantee you will be approved for a partner offer. To apply for a product you will need to submit an application directly with that provider.

Seeing your results won't hurt your credit score. Applying for a product may impact your score. See partner for complete product terms. Show less. This often happens when the information that's provided is incorrect.

Please try entering your full information again to view your approval odds. Before you apply You get:. Access to special card offers from top issuers in our network.

You can check out other cards that are a better fit. Credit Cards Cash Back Advertiser Disclosure Advertiser Disclosure Bankrate. Steve Dashiell. Written by Steve Dashiell Arrow Right Editor, Credit cards. Nouri Zarrugh. Edited by Nouri Zarrugh Arrow Right Senior Editor, Credit Cards. Jason Steele.

Reviewed by Jason Steele Arrow Right Former contributor, Credit Cards. Credit Card Search View card list Menu List Table of contents Why choose Bankrate Caret Down User We helped over , users compare cash back cards in Circle Check We valued and compared over 50 cash back programs.

Lightbulb Over 47 years of experience helping people make smart financial decisions. The Bankrate Promise. User We helped over , users compare cash back cards in Why choose Bankrate The Bankrate Promise.

The Bankrate Promise At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. View card list Collapse Caret Up. Table of contents Collapse Caret Up. Increase your odds of finding the perfect card.

Increase your odds of finding the perfect card 1 in 3 people w ho try approval odds find a card they like. See your approval odds. Featured cash back Card. Apply now Lock on Wells Fargo's secure site. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card.

Rating: 4. Bankrate review. appOddsOn { aoProduct. Apply now Lock. Intro offer. Annual fee. Regular APR. Pros This card offers one of the highest flat cash rewards rates available for a no-annual-fee card.

In addition to a lengthy intro APR, you can also take advantage of varied redemption options like redeeming cash rewards at a Wells Fargo ATM.

The 3 percent foreign transaction fee could eat into cash rewards if you use this card abroad. Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.

No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card. Apply now Lock on Bank of America's secure site.

Pros You can swap your choice category once per calendar month to maximize rewards based on your spending habits. Cons The spending cap on your highest earning categories could hamper your earning potential.

It carries a high sign-up bonus spending requirement twice as high as some rivals in the cash back card category. That means you could earn 3.

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.

Best for restaurants. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. Rating: 5 stars out of 5. Apply now Lock on Capital One's secure site.

Pros You can earn additional bonus rewards for purchases made through the Capital One Entertainment and Travel portals. With no spending caps, your earnings are unlimited. Cons Beware of redeeming cash rewards on Amazon. Its ongoing APR is on the high side and could prove pricey if you tend to carry a balance.

Citi Double Cash® Card Citi Double Cash® Card. Apply now Lock on Citi's secure site. Pros If you pair this card with the Citi Premier® Card, you can transfer points to airline and hotel partners and potentially enjoy a higher redemption value. You don't have to keep track of spending category restrictions or rotating categories.

Cons You could earn more with a card that offers a higher rewards rate in your biggest spending categories. After that, the variable APR will be 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.

Best for groceries. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. Apply now Lock on American Express's secure site. Cons Purchases at wholesale clubs, superstores like Walmart , and specialty stores bakeries, farmers markets, etc.

supermarket bonus category and only earn 1 percent back. You can only redeem cash rewards as a statement credit, so you don't have much flexibility in redemption options. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.

After that, your APR will be a variable APR of Variable APRs will not exceed gas stations. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.

com checkout. com with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. Enrollment required. Terms Apply. Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card.

Rating: 3. Rewards details Caret Down 1. The card offers additional features with its intro APR on purchases and balance transfers. Cons This card is light on benefits and perks compared to other cash back cards. That means you could earn 1. No annual fee.

Citi Custom Cash® Card Citi Custom Cash® Card. You likely won't miss out on cash back rewards because you can earn in popular categories like gas and groceries, in addition to more select picks like fitness clubs and live entertainment.

You may need to pair this card with another rewards card since you only earn the elevated cash back rate in one eligible category per month. 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. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card. Terms apply 1.

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