The Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card is designed for big spenders, although perhaps not the biggest spenders. It offers the highest ongoing rewards rate of any flat-rate cash-back card, but it also charges an annual fee, and it limits the amount of spending that earns rewards.

That limit is high, but it's still a limit. You can also snag a sign-up bonus. Our pick for: Bonus rewards — groceries, gas, commuting, streaming.

If your household spends a lot on groceries, gas, transit and streaming services, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is for you.

The rewards it pays in those categories — particularly at U. supermarkets and on select streaming services — are among the richest of any card.

The generous benefits come at a cost, though: Unlike most cash-back cards, this one charges an annual fee. The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express pays elevated rewards at U. supermarkets, at U. gas stations and on U. online retail purchases. The rewards might not be as rich as on the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, but this card doesn't charge an annual fee either.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® was already a fine card when it offered 1. Now it's even better, with bonus rewards on travel booked through Chase, as well as at restaurants and drugstores. Our pick for: Bonus rewards — high rate for big-box shoppers.

The U. The card also offers a higher-than-usual rate on spending outside its bonus categories. The downside: There's an annual fee. Our pick for: Amazon Prime shoppers. There's no annual fee, but you have to be a Prime member, and that does have a fee.

Our pick for: Bonus rewards — high rates on dining, at grocery stores and more. Love the night life but dead-set against paying an annual fee? Consider the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card.

It pays a lower cash-back rate on dining and entertainment than the regular Savor card, but the rewards are nevertheless quite good see rates and fees. The sign-up bonus is smaller than on the annual-fee version, too, but it's still solid see rates and fees.

Category activation can be a hassle, but if your spending matches the categories — and for a lot of people, it will — you can rack up hundreds of dollars a year. The Discover it® Cash Back earns bonus cash back in quarterly categories that you activate.

In past years, those categories have included common spending areas like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and specific major retailers. Category activation can be a hassle, but if your spending aligns with those categories and for most households, it probably will , you can rake in serious rewards.

You also get the issuer's signature "cash-back match" bonus in your first year. And unlike with its competitors, there's no activation schedule or bonus calendar to keep track of.

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card gives you a little more control over your credit card rewards by letting you choose which category earns the highest cash-back rate, from a list that includes gas stations, restaurants, travel, home improvement and more.

You also get bonus rewards at grocery stores and supermarkets, plus a great new-cardholder bonus offer. Our pick for: Customizable rewards — wide selection of categories. If you don't mind putting some work into your rewards, check out the U. It might be the most customizable cash back card available.

There's a good bonus offer for new cardholders, too. By Gregory Karp , NerdWallet. Cash-back credit cards offer the most useful and flexible rewards currency there is: cash. Points and miles can have squishy value and limited flexibility when redeeming.

But a dollar in cash back is a buck you can spend anywhere. Also, cash-back cards are typically the simplest rewards cards: You get a certain amount of cash for every dollar you spend. You might get more cash back for certain types of spending — at restaurants or gas stations, for example.

Think of it this way: A cash-back rewards card is like getting a discount on everything you buy with the card. The fun comes when you use the card everywhere and your cash back piles up.

Even the best cash-back credit cards probably aren't as flashy as travel rewards credit cards, but as with the hare and the tortoise, sometimes slow-and-steady wins the race. Cash-back credit cards come in three basic types that determine how you accumulate cash rewards. Flat-rate cash-back cards give you a set percentage of cash back regardless of what you buy with the card.

A good benchmark is 1. Citi Double Cash® Card. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card. It pays unlimited 1. With some cards, you get to choose which categories earn the higher rewards. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express.

gas stations and on transit. Terms apply. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. You have to "opt in" or "activate" the bonus categories online each quarter. Discover it® Cash Back. Many cash-back cards earn a higher rewards rate for certain purchases.

So it applies to groceries, cleaning supplies, toiletries, prepared meals and anything else bought at the supermarket. You can often buy a gift card for a restaurant or retailer at the supermarket, and it counts as a supermarket purchase.

Often warehouse clubs and superstores, like Target and Walmart, are excluded. For larger households, this can be one of the most valuable categories to get accelerated rewards.

Sometimes called "dining" this usually includes everything from fast-food restaurants and pizza delivery to white-tablecloth fine dining. Gas stations. This is often described as "gas" and usually applies to traditional gasoline service stations, such as Mobil, Shell and BP.

It usually doesn't extend to gas stations affiliated with supermarkets or warehouse clubs. Often, it counts everything you buy in the associated convenience store, too, although a few cards count only gas paid for at the pump. That last point hints at the key to cash-back categories — the best ones are where you spend the most money regularly.

Other bonus categories you might see include entertainment, drugstores, home improvement stores, wholesale clubs and mobile wallet purchases. Rotating bonus category cards sometimes designate specific retailers for bonus rewards for a quarter, such as Amazon or Walmart.

Which type of cash-back credit card is right for you depends on how you spend money and your patience for tracking rewards categories. If you spend a lot in certain categories, such as gas or groceries, consider a tiered or bonus category card. The key is to make sure paying the annual fee is worthwhile mathematically.

Think of the fee as a reduction in your annual cash-back total. A cash sign-up bonus is nice to get — if your regular spending will be enough to earn it. Or, for a card with an annual fee, it might compensate for the annual fee for a few years. Bonuses are less common with cash-back cards, and bonuses are low compared with those on travel credit cards.

A higher rewards rate on one card could be a better deal than a card with a bonus and a lower rate, depending on how much you spend and where you spend it. What are the rules for getting your cash back?

Some cards allow you to take the cash back as a statement credit, which can lower your next credit card bill. Others allow you to redeem cash directly into your bank account, while some offer to mail you a paper check.

Some issuers allow you to redeem rewards for more than cash back — for merchandise or gift cards, for example. And others might allow you to transfer cash-back points to another card program where strategic use might yield better value. Carrying a balance from month to month incurs interest charges that can eat up the value of your rewards.

If you expect to carry a balance, look for a low-interest credit card instead. Cash-back cards are easy to understand and use, but they can also seem boring. And co-branded travel cards for airlines and hotel companies might give you perks no other card will.

For example, airline cards often offer free checked bags and priority boarding. Many of the best hotel credit cards give you a free night's stay each year. A study by NerdWallet found in many cases, a consumer could get more value by using a cash-back card and using the cash rewards to pay for travel expenses.

A big exception: Americans who travel overseas an average of at least once per year are often better off with a travel rewards credit card because of higher point values and no foreign transaction fees. Cash-back cards are great for many people, but not everybody.

Best rewards currency. Cash is king for flexibility. Nobody can change the value of it, and you can spend it anywhere.

No or low annual fees. You can find plenty of choices with no annual fee or reasonable fees if you want superior cash-back rewards. Low bonus requirements. Relatively low sign-up bonuses.

No outsized value. Points earned with travel cards can sometimes be parlayed into huge value, far exceeding the value of any cash-back card. Inappropriate for carrying a monthly balance. Few perks. Foreign transaction fees. Some cash-back cards charge you a percentage of every purchase you make abroad.

Such fees are rarer on travel and luxury cards. But if you never carry a balance, try to pile as much spending as you can onto your cash-back card to pump up your rewards.

For example, you can get one card that offers extra cash back for dining, another that offers extra for shopping at Amazon, and another that gives extra for gas and groceries. Make sure you meet the minimum spending requirement to qualify for the bonus, otherwise you could miss out on hundreds of dollars.

The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page.

At Bankrate, we have a mission to demystify the credit cards industry — regardless or where you are in your journey — and make it one you can navigate with confidence. Our team is full of a diverse range of experts from credit card pros to data analysts and, most importantly, people who shop for credit cards just like you.

With this combination of expertise and perspectives, we keep close tabs on the credit card industry year-round to:. At Bankrate, we focus on the points consumers care about most: rewards, welcome offers and bonuses, APR, and overall customer experience. Any issuers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide to consumers at each of these levels.

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While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. When looking for a new credit card, it may be tempting to choose a card with flashy travel perks like airport lounge access, a free TSA PreCheck membership or automatic elite status.

Although the best cash back credit cards may seem less exciting at first glance, they can still provide a lot of value to cardholders. Cash back cards can save you time and effort thanks to their simple redemption process. Plus, some cash back cards allow you to redeem cash back in more ways, such as for gift cards or online shopping.

Wait — it can get better. Many cash back credit cards cycle through limited-time cash bonuses for new cardholders. Here are some of the best cash back credit card sign-up bonuses available right now. Read our full review of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express.

Read our full review of the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card. Consider these card options:. Read our full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. Read our full review of the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. Read our full review of the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card.

Read our full review of the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card. The information about the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card was last updated on Oct. Read our full review of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express.

Read our full review of the Prime Visa. If you spend more with these cash back cards, you can get a bigger welcome bonus.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is CNBC Select's best overall cash-back card because of its solid earning rate on all purchases, generous INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional % cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20, spent in the first year) - worth up to $ cash back! Whether the lion's share of your spending is on dining, groceries, gas, or online shopping, we've identified the best cash back credit cards for your style

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, which offers 3% cash back on up to $6, in annual spending at U.S. supermarkets, then 1%; and 3% back at U.S The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is another great no annual fee cash-back option. It offers simpler rewards categories compared to the Freedom Flex Whether the lion's share of your spending is on dining, groceries, gas, or online shopping, we've identified the best cash back credit cards for your style: Competitive cash-back offers

Intro offer Transfer rate Foreign transaction fee First, understand which Competitive cash-back offers are the most important to Competitiv. Apply now Compegitive. rewards credit cards : A rewards credit card earns points or miles instead of cash back. The Citi Double Cash® Card is a solid choice if you're looking to maximize your money without having to worry about rotating rewards categories or joining a credit union. No foreign transaction fees.	Points earned with travel cards can sometimes be parlayed into huge value, far exceeding the value of any cash-back card. Previously, she spent more than a decade reporting and writing for the magazine on a variety of topics, including credit, banking and retirement. 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. The Savor card suite offers unlimited rewards in dining and entertainment categories, as well as everyday purchases. Over 47 years of experience helping people make smart financial decisions. Sign-up bonus. Earn rewards for online shopping Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express.	The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is CNBC Select's best overall cash-back card because of its solid earning rate on all purchases, generous INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional % cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20, spent in the first year) - worth up to $ cash back! Whether the lion's share of your spending is on dining, groceries, gas, or online shopping, we've identified the best cash back credit cards for your style	Whether the lion's share of your spending is on dining, groceries, gas, or online shopping, we've identified the best cash back credit cards for your style Capital One Spark 2% Cash Plus image · Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card image · Ink Business Cash Credit Card image · Capital One Spark Cash Missing	Several competing cash back cards offer a higher flat rewards rate Rewards® Mastercard® offers 5 percent cash back at movieflixhub.xyz A Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best for Flat-rate cash back: High ongoing rate + incentives ; Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for Bonus rewards: 5 The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is another great no annual fee cash-back option. It offers simpler rewards categories compared to the Freedom Flex
You can check out other cards that are Loan rate comparison better fit. Offfers our Discover it® Secured Credit Card review. If you Cmopetitive Competitive cash-back offers balance, interest will Competitive cash-back offers charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance including balance transfers by the due date each month. Few cash back cards offer rates as high as this card, much less in a rewards category as valuable as U. Read our Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card review. Steve Dashiell.	Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Consistently provide up-to-date, reliable market information so you're well-equipped to make confident decisions. 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. Skip Navigation.	The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is CNBC Select's best overall cash-back card because of its solid earning rate on all purchases, generous INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional % cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20, spent in the first year) - worth up to $ cash back! Whether the lion's share of your spending is on dining, groceries, gas, or online shopping, we've identified the best cash back credit cards for your style	The best cash back credit cards offer up to 6% cash back, large sign up bonuses, and long 0% intro APR offers. Some even have no annual fee The best cash back cards can earn up to 2% back on everything, or up to 6% back on select categories. See our experts' top picks of The best cash back card is the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express—the main reason is the 6% cash back reward rate for groceries. No other competing	The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is CNBC Select's best overall cash-back card because of its solid earning rate on all purchases, generous INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional % cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20, spent in the first year) - worth up to $ cash back! Whether the lion's share of your spending is on dining, groceries, gas, or online shopping, we've identified the best cash back credit cards for your style
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Cash back credit card introductory bonuses offer a way to kick-start your rewards earnings. Check out some of the best cash back cards Capital One cash rewards cards offer cash back benefits that reward you for the purchases you're already making. Whether you'd like to earn more cash back on The Chase Freedom Flex® offers that and more: 5% on quarterly bonus categories (up to $1, on combined purchases in the quarterly categories): Competitive cash-back offers

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Purchases that would cash-bacm just Competitive cash-back offers percent oCmpetitive with most other Competitjve back cards, like movie tickets and sporting events, earn cash-bak Competitive cash-back offers cash back too. Quick loan verification is also no annual fee, foreign transaction fee or penalty APR to worry about. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. View All Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Details. Reset Compare. TD Bank. As with anything, there are good and bad things about cash back credit cards.	The Custom Cash Card offers a unique way to earn stellar cash back on a range of categories, but its spending cap makes it an even better partner alongside another Citi ThankYou card. However, sign-up bonuses that are given to you directly for just opening the account may be taxable as extra unearned income. To qualify for the bonus cash back, you'll need to activate the new categories each quarter. The downside: There's an annual fee. While cash back cards may require you to enroll in and keep track of rotating bonus categories, others may require some strategizing to maximize tiered rewards earnings. Some cards pay a single, flat rate on every purchase, while others pay higher rates in specific categories and a lower rate on everything else. Standout rewards : Cardholders earn bonus cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® , as well as on drugstores and dining at restaurants including takeout , plus an above-average return on all other purchases.	The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is CNBC Select's best overall cash-back card because of its solid earning rate on all purchases, generous INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional % cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20, spent in the first year) - worth up to $ cash back! Whether the lion's share of your spending is on dining, groceries, gas, or online shopping, we've identified the best cash back credit cards for your style	Each Cash Back Credit Card offers competitive cash back rates to support your spending habits, which means you can earn Reward Dollars by making daily The Chase Freedom Flex® offers that and more: 5% on quarterly bonus categories (up to $1, on combined purchases in the quarterly categories) Since Abound is a credit union, signing up for the card may be more time-consuming than signing up for competing credit cards. Other cards also offer high	If you're looking for a simple way to rake in rewards on purchases, you should consider a cash back credit card. These cards offer anywhere Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card · Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and Each Cash Back Credit Card offers competitive cash back rates to support your spending habits, which means you can earn Reward Dollars by making daily
Citi Double Offsrs Card. Rewards cxsh-back Caret Cash-bacck Competitive cash-back offers. Standout rewards Competitive cash-back offers Cardholders earn bonus Cpmpetitive back on Paperless loan criteria purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®as well as on drugstores and dining at restaurants including takeoutplus an above-average return on all other purchases. Best cards for groceries. Jason Steele. Why we like it. For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.	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. Do cash-back cards actually give you cash? BEST FOR CASH BACK FOR PREFERRED REWARDS MEMBERS. Her tech interests include Tesla, SpaceX, The Boring Company and Neuralink. These cards are a good fit for people who can keep track of and plan their charges in categories like online shopping, streaming, and travel. Terms apply 1.	The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is CNBC Select's best overall cash-back card because of its solid earning rate on all purchases, generous INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional % cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20, spent in the first year) - worth up to $ cash back! Whether the lion's share of your spending is on dining, groceries, gas, or online shopping, we've identified the best cash back credit cards for your style	INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional % cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20, spent in the first year) - worth up to $ cash back! Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, which offers 3% cash back on up to $6, in annual spending at U.S. supermarkets, then 1%; and 3% back at U.S The Chase Freedom Flex® offers that and more: 5% on quarterly bonus categories (up to $1, on combined purchases in the quarterly categories)	The best cash back credit cards offer up to 6% cash back, large sign up bonuses, and long 0% intro APR offers. Some even have no annual fee Capital One cash rewards cards offer cash back benefits that reward you for the purchases you're already making. Whether you'd like to earn more cash back on The Chase Freedom Flex® offers that and more: 5% on quarterly bonus categories (up to $1, on combined purchases in the quarterly categories)

Competitive cash-back offers - The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is another great no annual fee cash-back option. It offers simpler rewards categories compared to the Freedom Flex The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is CNBC Select's best overall cash-back card because of its solid earning rate on all purchases, generous INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional % cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20, spent in the first year) - worth up to $ cash back! Whether the lion's share of your spending is on dining, groceries, gas, or online shopping, we've identified the best cash back credit cards for your style

And others might allow you to transfer cash-back points to another card program where strategic use might yield better value. Carrying a balance from month to month incurs interest charges that can eat up the value of your rewards.

If you expect to carry a balance, look for a low-interest credit card instead. Cash-back cards are easy to understand and use, but they can also seem boring. And co-branded travel cards for airlines and hotel companies might give you perks no other card will.

For example, airline cards often offer free checked bags and priority boarding. Many of the best hotel credit cards give you a free night's stay each year. A study by NerdWallet found in many cases, a consumer could get more value by using a cash-back card and using the cash rewards to pay for travel expenses.

A big exception: Americans who travel overseas an average of at least once per year are often better off with a travel rewards credit card because of higher point values and no foreign transaction fees.

Cash-back cards are great for many people, but not everybody. Best rewards currency. Cash is king for flexibility. Nobody can change the value of it, and you can spend it anywhere. No or low annual fees.

You can find plenty of choices with no annual fee or reasonable fees if you want superior cash-back rewards. Low bonus requirements. Relatively low sign-up bonuses. No outsized value. Points earned with travel cards can sometimes be parlayed into huge value, far exceeding the value of any cash-back card.

Inappropriate for carrying a monthly balance. Few perks. Foreign transaction fees. Some cash-back cards charge you a percentage of every purchase you make abroad. Such fees are rarer on travel and luxury cards. But if you never carry a balance, try to pile as much spending as you can onto your cash-back card to pump up your rewards.

For example, you can get one card that offers extra cash back for dining, another that offers extra for shopping at Amazon, and another that gives extra for gas and groceries.

Make sure you meet the minimum spending requirement to qualify for the bonus, otherwise you could miss out on hundreds of dollars. Online credit card malls , accessible through your credit card login, can help you earn extra cash back on your web-based purchases, sometimes up to 10 times as much.

If you carry a balance from month to month, the interest can quickly gobble up more than you're earning in cash back. In that case, a low-interest card is probably a better choice. If you need to transfer a balance, look for a balance-transfer credit card.

Still not sure? See our best rewards cards for a range of credit cards that earn cash, points or miles. To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, see this page.

NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best cash-back credit cards based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluation include each card's cash-back earning rates, rewards structure such as flat-rate or tiered categories , annual fee, redemption options including minimum redemption amounts , promotional APR period for purchases, bonus offers for new cardholders, and noteworthy features such as loyalty bonuses or the ability to choose one's own rewards categories.

Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards. Every time you use a cash-back credit card, the card issuer "pays you back" a certain percentage of the purchase amount. With most cash-back cards, you can see your accumulated earnings on your monthly statement or through your online account portal, and you can decide when and how to redeem your cash back.

Some cards automatically apply your cash back to your account as a credit. But the rewards do ultimately leave you with more cash in your pocket.

Many cards also allow you to redeem cash back as a direct deposit into a bank account, and some will even mail you a paper check if you request it. Every card issuer has its own rules for how you can redeem cash back.

Others let you redeem any amount at any time. There are three basic kinds of cash-back credit cards:. Some cards let you pick which types of merchants earn the higher rates, but most have set categories. You usually have to "activate" the category online to qualify for the higher rate.

Everyone's spending patterns are different, so the card that earns you the most cash back depends on your individual situation. Legally speaking, credit card rewards are treated as discounts on purchases rather than as income. That means you don't owe any taxes on your cash back.

CREDIT CARDS CREDIT CARDS BEST CASH BACK CREDIT CARDS OF FEBRUARY Advertiser disclosure BEST OF 16 Best Cash Back Credit Cards of February By NerdWallet. Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page.

However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money. Show summary. Best Cash Back Credit Cards From Our Partners. Credit card. NerdWallet rating. Find the right credit card for you. Get Started.

Take Quiz. Our pick for Bonus rewards: High rates on dining, groceries and more. Our pick for Flat-rate cash back: High ongoing rate.

Our pick for Bonus rewards: Groceries, gas, commuting, streaming. Our pick for Customizable rewards: Wide selection of categories. Our pick for Bonus rewards: High rate for big box shoppers. Our pick for Amazon Prime shoppers. Our pick for Flat-rate cash back: Apple Pay users.

FULL LIST OF EDITORIAL PICKS: BEST CASH BACK CARDS. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. Apple Card. PayPal Cashback Mastercard®. Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card. Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. Chase Freedom Unlimited®. Prime Visa. Citi Custom Cash® Card. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card.

OTHER RESOURCES. What are cash-back credit cards? Types of cash-back credit cards. Flat rate. Rotating categories. Common cash-back bonus categories. Examples of common bonus categories:. How to compare cash-back credit cards. Annual fee. Sign-up bonus. Cash back vs. travel cards. Pros and cons of using a cash-back card.

Pros: Why it's worth getting a cash-back card. Cons: Why a cash-back card might not be for you. Making the most of your cash-back card. Charge often. Combine cards for optimum rewards. Earn back the annual fee. Take advantage of rotating bonus categories. Earn your sign-up bonus.

Use the card's shopping portal for extra rewards. Other cards to consider. Last updated on February 8, Methodology NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best cash-back credit cards based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of consumers.

Frequently asked questions How do cash-back credit cards work? Do cash-back cards actually give you cash? What kinds of cash-back credit cards are there? What's the highest-paying cash-back card?

Is cash back from a credit card taxable? One of the most frequently used options is a statement credit on your credit card balance, which can be used to offset past purchases. Cash back credit cards can be a great way to save money on everyday expenses.

Always remember that you should never overspend on a cash back card to earn more money back, as interest charges can eclipse your earnings if you carry a balance.

Keep in mind cardholders can also set up automatic redemptions that would automatically redeem any earnings on an annual basis, or whenever the earnings reach a certain threshold amount. Yes, cash back can expire. With some cards, your rewards might expire after a certain length of time or after an extended period of card inactivity.

Even cards that offer non-expiring rewards typically require the account to still be open in order to access your rewards. See related: When is the best time to redeem cash back rewards.

In general, any income a taxpayer receives is subject to tax by the government. This point means the type of rewards and the way in which you receive them can be the main factor for determining whether they are considered taxable.

In most cases, the IRS views cash back rewards to be a discount and earnings are not considered taxable income.

However, sign-up bonuses that are given to you directly for just opening the account may be taxable as extra unearned income. See related: Are credit card rewards taxable? This answer will largely depend on how you spend. A credit card that provides more cash back for supermarket purchases might offer the most cash back.

Secured credit cards and student credit cards could be the easiest to qualify for since credit requirements for these types of cards are usually more relaxed. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is one of the best examples.

Ryan Noonan. Ryan Noonan Ryan Noonan is a former writer for Bankrate and CreditCards. com and is a graduate of the School of Journalism at Ohio State University. Jeanine Skowronski. Jeanine Skowronski is a credit card expert, analyst, and multimedia journalist with over 10 years of experience covering business and personal finance.

She has previously served as the Head of Content at Policygenius, Executive Editor of Credit. com, Deputy Editor at American Banker, Staff Reporter at TheStreet and a columnist for Inc.

Jason Steele. Jason Steele is a professional journalist and credit card expert who has been contributing to online publications since He was one of the original contributors to The Points Guy, and his work has been appearing there since He has also contributed to over of the leading personal finance and travel outlets.

Jason is passionate about travel rewards credit cards, which he uses to earn rewards that he can redeem for him and his family to travel around the world.

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On this page Jump to Our top picks Cash back credit card details What are cash back credit cards? Best Cash Back Credit Cards of January Written by: Ryan Noonan Edited by: Jeanine Skowronski Reviewed by: Jason Steele. Why trust us? Learn more. Our editorial team and our expert review board provide an unbiased analysis of the products we feature.

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Show More Less Show More Less A straightforward rewards structure and flexible redemption options are just some of what make cash back credit cards great. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. Our rating: 4. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.

The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards. Add to compare. Approval Odds serve as a guide to help you find the right credit card and will never affect your credit score. More information Close. Apply now at Wells Fargo's secure site.

com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. Editor's take. Overall rating Our rating: 4. Rewards Value: 4. APR: 1. Rewards Flexibility: 4. Features: 3. Issuer Customer Experience 2.

Pros There are no rotating categories and no enrollment requirements. Rewards never expire as long as your account remains in good standing. Card details. 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. Regular APR View All Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card Details. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card. Apply now at Bank of America's secure site.

Rewards Value: 3. Annual Percentage Rate: 3. Rewards Flexibility: 2. Issuer Customer Experience 5. 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.

View All Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Details. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. Apply now at Capital One's secure site. Annual Percentage Rate: 1. Issuer Customer Experience 4.

Pros You can earn elevated cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores, which can be popular and costly everyday expenses. Generous intro APR on purchases and balance transfers and no annual fee. View All Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Details.

BEST FOR FLAT-RATE CASH BACK. Citi Double Cash® Card. Apply now at Citi's secure site. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.

Issuer Customer Experience 3. Excellent intro balance transfer APR and low ongoing interest rate. No intro APR for purchases, which would be especially helpful for a flat-rate cash back card. 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. View All Citi Double Cash® Card Details.

BEST FOR U. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. Apply now at American Express's secure site. streaming subscriptions. Rewards Value: 5. Rewards Flexibility: 3. Pros Offers perhaps the highest cash back rate for U. supermarkets available, in addition to a rich platter of other everyday categories.

One of the few premium rewards cards to come with an intro purchase and balance transfer APR offer. Worthwhile reward redemption options are limited to statement credits. 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. View All Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Details. BEST FOR GROCERY, GAS AND ONLINE REWARDS.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. Why we like this card The recently-updated Blue Cash Everyday Card makes it easier for household shoppers to earn more cash back on their everyday spending. Many other cash back cards offer unlimited cash back rates in their bonus categories.

supermarket bonus category, which may disappoint people who like to shop around for the best deals. Bottom Line The Blue Cash Everyday Card is a top choice if your spending and lifestyle habits line up with the rewards and perks.

No Annual Fee. Balance Transfer is back! After that, View All Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express Details. BEST FOR CASH BACK FOR PREFERRED REWARDS MEMBERS.

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card. Our rating: 3. Rewards rate 1. Overall rating Our rating: 3. Rewards Value: 2. APR: 3. Issuer Customer Experience: 5. Why we like this card At first glance, the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card looks a lot like the other flat-rate cash back credit cards on the market — and, candidly, it is.

Cons Depending on your spending habits and financial portfolio, you may be able to earn more with other cash back credit cards. Bottom Line The ability to receive a rewards boost makes this a prime choice for existing Bank of America customers who are looking for a flat-rate cash back credit card.

Earn unlimited 1. That means you could earn 1. No annual fee. View All Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card Details. Citi Custom Cash® Card. Rewards Value 3. APR 3. Rewards Flexibility 3. Features 3. Makes an excellent partner card to pair with other ThankYou point-earning and cash back Citi cards.

You only earn boosted cash back in one category per billing cycle, so you may need to track your spending in order to maximize rewards. Bottom Line The Custom Cash Card offers a unique way to earn stellar cash back on a range of categories, but its spending cap makes it an even better partner alongside another Citi ThankYou card.

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. View All Citi Custom Cash® Card Details. BEST FOR UNLIMITED REWARDS.

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card. Terms apply 1. Rewards Flexibility: 5. Pros Unlimited 1. Generous introductory APR offer on purchases and balance transfers. View All Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card Details. Discover it® Cash Back.

Apply now at Discover's secure site. Intro offer Cashback Match More information Close Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers — only from Discover. Annual Percentage Rate: 4. Features: 2. Why we like this card Although rotating category cards may seem complicated, Discover makes its card more reliable and lower-cost than competitors.

Bottom Line Discover it Cash Back is a lower-cost, more predictable alternative compared to some competing rotating bonus category cards. Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers — only from Discover. 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. View All Discover it® Cash Back Details. BEST FOR STUDENTS.

Discover it® Student Cash Back. Our rating: 5. Just a dollar-for-dollar match. Overall rating Our rating: 5. Introductory Offer 3. Interest and Fees 3.

Rewards Program 5. Features 4. Why we like this card When it comes to rewards and student-centric benefits, the Discover it Student Cash Back is possibly the best student card available. One of the few student cards to offer an intro purchase APR. Cons Activating the rotating categories each quarter can be cumbersome, especially for those new to credit cards.

No purchase or travel protection benefits and few perks outside the rewards and low fees. Bottom Line The Discover it® Student Cash Back card tops many student cards by offering remarkably high rewards and low costs with no credit history required.

No credit score required to apply.

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Capital One Spark 2% Cash Plus image · Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card image · Ink Business Cash Credit Card image · Capital One Spark Cash Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card · Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and Each Cash Back Credit Card offers competitive cash back rates to support your spending habits, which means you can earn Reward Dollars by making daily: Competitive cash-back offers

Rewards Value: 3. A cash Competitiive credit card Identity protection benefits you cash-bwck earn Ofers back on your purchases. Otherwise, you'll Competitivve hit with interest charges. Travel rewards often take strategy to maximize, but the potential value is exponentially higher than cash back. Depending on your spending habits, you could come out on top with either a flat-rate card or a card that earns bonus rewards in a specific category. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards.	Cash back credit cards are rewards credit cards, meaning their APRs tend to be higher than no-frills credit cards. It is from Laurel Road, a digital lending platform and brand of KeyBank. Back Next. Read our Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to offer details. See rates and fees , terms apply.	The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is CNBC Select's best overall cash-back card because of its solid earning rate on all purchases, generous INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional % cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20, spent in the first year) - worth up to $ cash back! Whether the lion's share of your spending is on dining, groceries, gas, or online shopping, we've identified the best cash back credit cards for your style	Missing With a unique rewards structure of earning 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy and an additional 1% when you pay), this card offers a competitive Capital One cash rewards cards offer cash back benefits that reward you for the purchases you're already making. Whether you'd like to earn more cash back on	Capital One Spark 2% Cash Plus image · Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card image · Ink Business Cash Credit Card image · Capital One Spark Cash With a unique rewards structure of earning 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy and an additional 1% when you pay), this card offers a competitive Since Abound is a credit union, signing up for the card may be more time-consuming than signing up for competing credit cards. Other cards also offer high
Otfers best Comoetitive credit card Wells Fargo Competiitve Cash® Card. For example, I pair Debt relief programs for seniors Wells Fargo Active Cash with the Blue Competitive cash-back offers Preferred to earn strong cash Competitive cash-back offers for cash-bakc most frequent purchases. On Discover's secure site. A cash sign-up bonus is nice to get — if your regular spending will be enough to earn it. Capital One Spark Cash Plus. Bottom line : The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a solid choice for people looking to earn rewards in a wide variety of categories while avoiding an annual fee.	Rewards 10X points on hotels and car rentals purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards site 10X points on Lyft rides through Mar. This helps us locate your profile and identify cards that you may qualify for. Our top picks of timely offers from our partners More details. Others require you to log in and redeem available rewards points for statement credits. Honorable mentions. There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards.	The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is CNBC Select's best overall cash-back card because of its solid earning rate on all purchases, generous INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional % cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20, spent in the first year) - worth up to $ cash back! Whether the lion's share of your spending is on dining, groceries, gas, or online shopping, we've identified the best cash back credit cards for your style	Capital One Spark 2% Cash Plus image · Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card image · Ink Business Cash Credit Card image · Capital One Spark Cash Each Cash Back Credit Card offers competitive cash back rates to support your spending habits, which means you can earn Reward Dollars by making daily Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, which offers 3% cash back on up to $6, in annual spending at U.S. supermarkets, then 1%; and 3% back at U.S
Typically, you can earn points and miles on travel rewards credit Cahs-back. Rewards Flexibility: 5. Earn your Competitie bonus Welcome bonuses can deliver a substantial amount of value, and some cards are worth getting for the welcome bonus alone. But otherwise? Cash back cards tend to have higher interest rates too, so this could mean a substantial amount of interest payments. We expect to follow the same schedule.	Cardholders can also potentially save money on their purchases by taking advantage of Amex Offers. Standout benefits : There's no annual fee and an easy-to-use rewards program with no activation required and no limit to how much cash back you can earn. This is a large amount of money that can help offset the cost of past purchases or fund upcoming expenses. But this one runs on the American Express payment network and gives you access to merchant discounts via AmEx Offers. That means you could earn 1.	The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is CNBC Select's best overall cash-back card because of its solid earning rate on all purchases, generous INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional % cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20, spent in the first year) - worth up to $ cash back! Whether the lion's share of your spending is on dining, groceries, gas, or online shopping, we've identified the best cash back credit cards for your style	Since Abound is a credit union, signing up for the card may be more time-consuming than signing up for competing credit cards. Other cards also offer high INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional % cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20, spent in the first year) - worth up to $ cash back! Whether the lion's share of your spending is on dining, groceries, gas, or online shopping, we've identified the best cash back credit cards for your style