The best 8 cash back credit cards for September 2024

The best cash back credit cards have generous cash back rates, easy redemption options, and no annual fees.

Author
By Holly D. Johnson
Holly D. Johnson

Written by

Holly D. Johnson

Writer, Fox Money

Holly Johnson has spent more than 10 years covering finance, with bylines at CNN, Forbes Advisor, and Time Magazine.

Updated November 21, 2024, 12:29 PM EST

Edited by Hanna Horvath CFP®
Hanna Horvath CFP®

Written by

Hanna Horvath CFP®

Senior editor

Hanna Horvath is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Red Venture's senior editor of content partnerships.

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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.

Pros
Cons
  • Unlimited 2% rewards rate
  • No annual fee
  • Welcome offer
  • 0% intro APR offer for purchases and balance transfers
  • Cellphone protection
  • Visa Signature® benefits, like concierge services.
  • No elevated rewards categories
  • High APR after intro offer ends
  • Foreign transaction fees
  • Requires good credit
  • Lower redemption value for travel

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 Travel, 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 Chase Travel℠.

Pros
Cons
  • High reward rates in staple spending categories like groceries and dining
  • No annual fee
  • Top-tier welcome bonus
  • 0% intro APR offer for purchases and balance transfers
  • Flexible redemptions for rewards
  • High APR after intro offer ends
  • Requires good credit
  • Lower regular cash back rate (1.5%) compared to other flat-rate cards
  • Limited travel benefits
  • Foreign transaction fees

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.

Pros
Cons
  • 5% back on online purchases at Amazon and Whole Foods
  • Access to exclusive Amazon Prime benefits
  • No annual fee
  • Sign-up bonus offered instantly on approval
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • High APR
  • Requires good credit
  • Amazon Prime membership ($139 per year) required
  • Can’t transfer cash back to travel programs

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. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or on Amazon.com at checkout.

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

Pros
Cons
  • One of the highest cash back rates on groceries and gas
  • Solid welcome offer
  • 0% intro APR offer for purchases and balance transfers
  • Entertainment credits
  • Robust purchase protection
  • Annual fee after the first year
  • High APR after intro offer ends
  • Limited redemption options
  • Spending caps on specific bonus categories
  • Foreign transaction fees
  • Good to excellent credit score required

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.

Pros
Cons
  • Earn up to 5% back on rotating categories
  • No annual fee
  • Top-tier cash back match welcome bonus
  • 0% intro APR offer for purchases and balance transfers
  • Flexible redemption options
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Quarterly activation required for bonus categories
  • Limited cash back outside bonus categories
  • High APR after intro offer ends

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