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Cash-back credit cards earn points on your spending that can be redeemed as cash, either transferred to your bank account or applied as credit to your bill.
Depending on the card you use and the purchase you’re making, cash back credit cards can earn anywhere from 1% to 6% back. Even better, many cash back cards have no annual fee, so you don’t have to pay for the privilege of earning rewards.
The best cash back credit cards in 2021:
| Cash-back credit card | Who is this card best for? | Editors’ rating (out of 5) | Annual fee | Learn more |
| Anyone | 5.0 | Details » | ||
| Lower credit scores | 5.0 | $0 | Details » | |
| Most bonus categories | 4.85 | Details » | ||
| Highest cash back by category | 4.65 | Details » | ||
| Strong intro APR offer | 4.60 | Details » | ||
| Families | 4.30 | Details » | ||
| Cash back on dining | 4.25 | Details » |
If you’re new to rewards credit cards and aren’t interested in earning travel points or miles, a cash back card is the best option for you. With cash back cards, 1% back will always be 1 cent back, no matter what, and you can use your cash back to lower your monthly bill or transfer it to your checking account, among other options.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Citi® Double Cash Card
Best cash back credit card overall
In terms of spending rewards, the
Note that the
Discover it® Secured
Best cash back card for lower credit scores
If you have a lower credit score or a limited credit history, you may not be approved for some of the other cash back credit card options outlined in this article. In that case, the
Since it’s a secured credit card (meaning you put down money as a refundable deposit to “secure” your account), it’s easier to get approved for this card.
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card
Best cash back card for bonus categories
This card from Wells Fargo has one of the more attractive rewards programs you’ll find from a no-annual-fee card. While it’s marketed as earning “points,” those points are worth 1 cent each and can be redeemed for cash, essentially making it a cash back card.
This card is not a travel card, and lacks many travel-centric perks you might see on other cards with an annual fee, like reimbursement for Global Entry or the ability to transfer points to airline or hotel partners.
The welcome bonus, combined with the high 3% earning rate on popular spending categories including all dining and travel (and 1% on everything else), as well as the $0 annual fee, makes this a stellar option for a cash back card.
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Highest cash back card, by category
The
Sometimes there’s just one major category per quarter, while other times there can be a few different ones. Past categories have included gas stations, local commuter transportation, department stores, grocery stores, drug stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and even Amazon.
The
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Best credit card for 0% intro APR
The
If you also have a premium card like the
Plus, there are new bonus categories that can earn up to 5% cash back.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Best cash back card for families
If you’re looking for an American Express cash back card, the
The
The
Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best card for cash back on dining
If dining and cooking are your thing, the
The downside of this card is that it has a $95 annual fee. The earning rate may make up for the fee in some cases, though.
Frequently asked questions
How does earning cash back work?
Cash-back credit cards earn you a percentage of cash back – usually at least 1%- on every dollar you spend (or more with cards that have bonus cash back categories). You can transfer the cash back you earn from these cards to a bank account or use them to wipe charges from your credit card statement.
Credit card issuers also allow you to redeem the cash back you earn for gift cards and merchandise. If you’re trying to put money back in your wallet, our top recommendations are to transfer your cash back to a banking account or use it to reduce the amount owed on your credit card statement.
Do cash back cards actually give you cash?
Cash-back credit cards do give cash, but that’s not to say you’ll necessarily see the physical cash. You’re typically awarded cash back as a credit that you can use to cancel out purchases from your credit card statement, or to redeem for gift cards or merchandise online.
What are the different types of cash back cards?
- Flat rate – These cards earn the same rate of cash back on all purchases. For example, the
Chase Freedom Unlimited® earns 1.5% back on most spending (the Freedom Unlimited also recently started offering bonus cash back on eligible travel, grocery, and drugstore purchases). - Select bonus categories – Many other cash back cards offer bonus cash back (more than 1%) on select spending categories. For example, with the
Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card , you’ll earn 4% back on dining and entertainment, and 2% back at grocery stores. - Rotating categories – A few cards, including the
Chase Freedom Flex℠ , offer bonus cash back on a selection of spending categories that changes every quarter of the year. These cards have a cap on how much bonus cash back you can earn each quarter – with theChase Freedom Flex℠ , you’ll earn 5% back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1%). - Some cards are starting to offer yet a fourth format for delivering cash back rewards: pick your own bonus categories from a list of options. These cards include the Bank of America Cash Rewards credit card and the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card.
What credit card offers the most cash back?
If you don’t want to overthink it, the
That’s not to say you couldn’t earn more cash back with another card, though. The
Is a cash back card better than a travel or rewards card?
It depends on what you want to do with your rewards. If you want to put money back in your bank account, a cash back credit card will help you accomplish just that – and you usually won’t have to pay a very high annual fee, if you have to pay one at all.
On the other hand, if you’re hoping to earn rewards that you can redeem for travel, a card that earns points is more up your alley. Our picks for best points-earning rewards cards earn either Amex Membership Rewards points, Chase Ultimate Rewards points, Citi ThankYou Rewards points, or Capital One miles. You can transfer all three of these currencies to travel partners and redeem them for things like free flights. (Note that while Capital One calls its rewards currency “miles,” they aren’t miles with a given airline program.)
If you’re willing to juggle multiple credit card accounts, there’s value in having both cash back and points-earning cards. If you prefer a single-card strategy, evaluate your goals and consider how much you’re willing to pay in annual fees to make the best decision for your situation.
How to compare cards to find the best one
A good cash back card is one with generous bonus categories, since the goal is to earn as much cash back as possible on your spending. The more bonus categories, the better, and the higher the cash back rate, the better.
That said, the best cash back card is different for everyone. To find the best one for you, you’ll want to look for a few things:
- The cash back rate for your common spending categories. Extra cash back for gas isn’t much use if you don’t drive. Consider how you intend to use this card, and look at the rate for those spending categories.
- How you redeem your cash back. Make sure you’re clear on what you’re earning. Is it statement credit? Cash? Points? If points, can they be combined with or transferred to other cards you have, or brands you like?
- The annual fee. An annual fee may make or break your choice. Are you willing to pay one? And more importantly, can you afford it comfortably – or will it be effectively wiped out by the cash back you’ll earn in a year?
We don’t mention the APR because the rate only applies if you’re carrying a balance on your credit card. We recommend applying for a cash back credit card intending to pay off the balance in full each month. For other categories of credit cards, like balance-transfer cards, the APR might be a more important consideration.
If this all sounds too complicated, you can’t go wrong by using the
Pros and cons of a cash back credit card
Cash back credit cards are often best used in combination with cards that earn points to create a complete credit card portfolio that takes advantage of multiple types of rewards. If you’re trying to decide whether to open a cash back credit card, whether as your first card or one of many, bear these pros and cons in mind:
Pros of cash back credit cards:
- They rarely carry annual fees
- There are no restrictions to how you can redeem and spend the cash
- You can earn airline and hotel status by booking with cash (but not points)
Cons of cash back credit cards:
- They rarely offer large sign-up or welcome bonuses
- Cash back is generally less valuable, dollar for dollar, than points
How to make the most of a cash back credit card
If you have a cash back credit card or are considering opening one, you’ll want to make the most of it. Keep the following steps in mind to get the most value from your card:
Always pay the balance in full. Credit card cash back or points aren’t useful if you’re carrying a balance and paying interest charges each month. To make the most of rewards, use your card responsibly: Spend only money you have and pay your bill in full each month.
Read up on rewards rates for different spending areas. Some cash back cards offer elevated rewards rates on specific spending areas, like restaurants, gas stations, or supermarkets. Some of these cards even change those areas from quarter to quarter, meaning you’ll want to stay on top of where your card earns the most and when. If you’re using this card for every purchase, you don’t need to be as diligent, but if you’re using your card as one of many you’ll want to be sure you know how to maximize rewards.
Make sure to redeem your cash back. It might be tempting to let your cash back pile up just to watch the total tick up, but it’s more useful if you redeem it. You can generally apply the cash to your card balance or get it deposited in your checking account, and either one is a fine option.
Consider opening a “sister” card. In some cases, cash back can be transferred to a points-earning card on which your rewards are worth more. Chase cards are an example of this: If you hold a cash back card like the
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