The best 8 cash back credit cards of 2024

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The best cash back credit cards help you earn rewards on all your everyday purchases. These cards often come with no annual fee, letting you enjoy all the perks of a credit card without worrying about the yearly cost.

There are many types of cash back credit cards, from flat-rate cards to cards with rotating bonus categories. Some cards may come with sign-on bonuses, while others have added perks like travel insurance or purchase protection.

Here are some of our picks for the best cash back credit cards.

The best cash back credit cards

• Best for flat-rate cash back: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
• Best for everyday spending: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Best for online shopping: Prime Visa
• Best for groceries: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express 
• Best rotating bonus categories: Discover it® Cash Back
• Best for balance transfers: Citi® Double Cash Card
• Best for foodies: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Best for customizable cash back: U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

Best for flat-rate cash back: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Rewards: Unlimited flat 2% cash rewards on purchases

Annual fee: $0

This card offers a simple, straightforward way to earn cash back on every purchase. Cardholders earn an unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases, with no categories to track or activate. 

The card also features a generous welcome bonus, 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, and no annual fee, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a no-fuss cash back option.

Best for everyday spending: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Rewards:

• 5% cash back on Lyft purchases (through March 2025)
• 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel
• 3% cash back on dining at restaurants 
• 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
• 1.5% cash back on all other purchases

Annual fee: $0

The Freedom Unlimited is a versatile cash back card that rewards cardholders across a range of popular spending categories. Earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% on all other purchases. 

The card also offers a substantial welcome bonus, 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, and the flexibility to redeem cash back for travel, gift cards, and more through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

Best for online shopping: Prime Visa

Rewards: 

• 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market
• 5% back on Chase Travel℠ purchases
• 2% back at restaurants and gas stations 
• 2% back on local transit and commuting
• 1% back on all other purchases

Annual fee: $0 with Amazon Prime membership

If you're a regular at Whole Foods or shop online on Amazon, this card is hard to beat. Earn 5% back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market purchases, 2% at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. 

Cardholders also receive a generous Amazon gift card upon approval and can take advantage of exclusive Prime member perks. Note that an Amazon Prime membership is required to apply.

Best for groceries: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Rewards rate: 

• 6% cash back on U.S. supermarket purchases (up to $6,000 per year, then 1 percent) and select U.S. streaming subscriptions
• 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
• 3% cash back on transit purchases (including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more)
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Annual fee: $0 introductory fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee after. See rates and fees.

Though this card comes with an annual fee after the first year, if you spend a decent amount on groceries, the cash back savings will easily offset the cost. 

The card also features a welcome bonus, 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, and valuable entertainment credits. 

Best rotating bonus categories: Discover it® Cash Back

Rewards:

• 5% cash back after activation on rotating categories each quarter (up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1 percent)
  1% for all other purchases

Annual fee: $0

This card offers 5% cash back on everyday purchases in activated categories each quarter, including Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations (up to the quarterly maximum). All other purchases earn unlimited 1% cash back. 

Discover will also match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, automatically. The card has no annual fee and features a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers.

Citi® Double Cash Card: Best for 0% APR offer on balance transfers 

Rewards:

• 5% total cash back on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked via the Citi Travel portal through Dec. 31, 2024
• Up to 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy, plus 1% as you pay)

Annual fee: None 

The Citi® Double Cash Card is a top choice for those who want a simple cash back credit card. With its unique "1% when you buy, plus 1% as you pay" rewards structure, cardholders effectively earn 2% cash back on all purchases without having to worry about rotating categories or spending caps.

Additionally, this card features a length 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers. This feature can be beneficial for those looking to pay off high-interest debt from other cards.

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for foodies 

Rewards:

• 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber and Uber Eats (through Nov. 14, 2024) 
• 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
• 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked using Capital One Travel
• 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery stores (excluding superstores)
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Annual fee: $0 

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for those who spend a significant amount on dining, entertainment, streaming services, and groceries. With an unlimited 3% cash back in these categories and 1% on all other purchases, this card offers a compelling rewards structure for everyday spending.

Coupled with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card provides a well-rounded package for cash back enthusiasts.

Best for customizable cash back: U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

Rewards:

• 5% cash back on purchases in two categories of your choice (up to $2,000 in combined purchases per quarter, then 1%)
• 5% back on prepaid air, hotel, and car reservations through the Rewards Center
• 2% cash back on one choice everyday category
• 1% back on all other purchases

Annual fee: $0

The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card stands out for its customizable rewards structure, allowing cardholders to choose their own 5% and 2% bonus categories each quarter. This flexibility enables users to optimize their cash back earnings based on their unique spending patterns.

While the 5% cash back is capped at $2,000 in combined quarterly purchases and requires activation each quarter, the ability to tailor the rewards to one's needs makes this card a solid option. 

How do cash back credit cards work?

Cash back credit cards give you a percentage of cash back on everything you buy. For example, if you had a 2% cash back card and purchased something worth $100, you’d receive $2 in cash back.

The cash back percentage varies depending on the card and type of purchase. Some cards offer a flat rate on all purchases, while others provide higher cash back rates for specific categories like groceries or gas. You can redeem cash back as a statement credit, check, or direct deposit.

Many cash back cards don’t come with annual fees; some may also provide 0% introductory APR offers. While you may be able to carry an interest-free balance for a while, it’s smart to pay off your balance in full each month.

Here’s a closer look at the different types of credit card rewards and how to determine which type is right for you.

Types of cash back credit cards

There are several types of cash back credit cards, each with its own rewards structure: 

• Flat-rate cash back cards: These cards offer a consistent cash back rate (usually 1.5%-2%) on all purchases, regardless of category. 
• Tiered cash back cards: These cards provide higher cash back rates (often 3%-6%) on specific spending categories like groceries, gas, or dining, and a lower rate (typically 1%) on all other purchases. 
• Rotating category cash back cards: These cards offer higher cash back rates (up to 5%) on categories that change quarterly, such as grocery stores, restaurants, or gas stations. Cardholders typically need to activate the categories each quarter and are subject to a quarterly spending cap. 

Pros and cons of cash back credit cards

If you want a simple and easy way to earn rewards on your spending, a cash back card could be a good option. But they aren’t for everyone, especially those who want to earn travel rewards or embrace the flexibility of miles and points.

Here are some advantages and disadvantages of cash back credit cards.

How to choose the best cash back credit card

The best cash back credit cards have different rewards and features, which can make it challenging to narrow down your options. Before you choose a card, there are some important steps to walk through. Here's a rundown of the main factors you'll want to consider before you pick a cash back card.

Cash back rates

Compare the earn rates across different categories on each card. Some offer unlimited flat-rate cash back, while others have bonus categories. You want to match higher rates to your top spending areas.

For example, the Blue Cash Preferred Card earns 6% back on groceries and streaming (up to a $6,000 annual limit). 

It would be a good pick for a household spending $500 per month on those categories — as you can earn $360+ back annually.

Redemption values 

Look at the cash back value when redeemed for statement credits. Ideally, one cent per point or more is best. You should also check if there are other possible redemptions like gift cards or travel, that may increase value.

The Wells Fargo Active Card offers fixed 2% cash back — or two cents per $1 spent. It's a simple and straightforward way to get money back on your spending.

On the other hand, the Chase Freedom Flex offers more redemption possibilities through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, stretching the cash back value further.

Welcome bonus

Most cards offer large one-time welcome bonuses for spending a certain amount within 3-6 months of opening the account. These bonuses can provide huge value, especially if there's no annual fee to factor in.

For example, the Chase Freedom Flex currently offers $200 cash back for spending $500 in the first three months. That's a 20% cash rebate on that initial $500 spend.

Foreign transaction fees 

If you travel internationally, having no foreign transaction fees can save you 3% on purchases abroad. Cards like Wells Fargo Active Cash come with this useful perk. 

How we rated the best cash back credit cards

To determine the best credit cards for cash back, we carefully evaluated a wide range of factors, including the card's sign-up bonus, rewards earning rates on purchases, added perks and benefits, annual fees, and overall value for consumers.

Our team analyzed numerous credit card offers and selected the top contenders based on these key criteria. The options on this list represent the best value, rewards, and benefits available.

Here are some of the key factors we considered:

• Rewards: Rewards are the primary reason many people use cash back credit cards, as they allow you to earn cash back on your everyday spending.
• Redemption flexibility: What good are rewards if they're a hassle to redeem? Flexible redemption options allow you to use your rewards in the way that best suits you, whether that's offsetting your bill with statement credits or booking a dream vacation.
• Benefits: Credit card benefits can provide significant value and make your life easier, from saving you money on checked bags to providing peace of mind with travel insurance.
• Annual fee: The annual fee is a key factor because it's a recurring cost that can eat into your rewards earnings. It's important to make sure you're getting enough value from the card to justify the fee.
• Welcome bonus: A lucrative welcome bonus can give your rewards a massive head start, especially in the first year, making it a great way to kickstart your earnings.
• Rates & other fees: High interest rates and fees can quickly negate the value of any rewards you earn, so it's important to understand these costs and how to avoid them.

Frequently asked questions about cash back cards 

Bottom line

For regular spenders who are looking for an easy way to earn rewards, a cash back card can be worth it.

But, like with any credit card, it’s important to make sure you’re using your card responsibly. This means paying your balance off on time and in full each month. From there, you'll want to compare all the best card options to find the best cash back card for your needs.

[Disclaimer]: *Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visitamericanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.