[UPDATE: Some offers mentioned below have expired and/or are no longer available on our site. You can view the current offers from our partners in our credit card marketplace. DISCLOSURE: Cards from our partners are mentioned below.]
When it comes to earning credit card rewards, you have plenty of options to choose from. Many rewards points can be redeemed for gift cards or travel while others offer perks like airport lounge access and free checked bags. Still, many credit card users prefer a simple cash-back option, in which a percentage of what they spend is paid back.
It may seem easy to choose the best cash-back card — just look for the one that offers the highest rate of return for your spending. But in the highly competitive credit card industry, some card issuers offer high return rates on certain merchant categories in addition to a cash-back rate for all purchases. So the trick is to pick a credit card that offers the best combination of returns for bonus categories and general spending.
Some cards place limits on the amount of rewards you can earn in bonus categories. Yet many credit card users overestimate how much they spend on bonus categories. For example, they may consider gas a major expense. But with gas prices as low as they’ve been in more than a decade, some drivers are spending less than $1,000 a year on gas. For some, a credit card offering 3% cash back on gas will only realize $30 a year in rewards. So it’s important for you to consider your actual spending on bonus categories when choosing a cash-back card.
There also are other aspects to consider. Some of these cards offer generous signup bonuses that can dramatically increase the cash back you earn during your first year as a cardmember. In addition, some of these cards feature 0% APR introductory financing on new purchases, balance transfers or both. It’s also important to consider annual and foreign transaction fees.
Of course, cash-back credit cards aren’t for everyone. And while there are increasingly more options available for those with fair or bad credit, the best rewards credit cards are generally available to those with good or excellent credit. (Not sure where you stand? You can check two of your credit scores for free on Credit.com.)
Here are the the best cash-back credit cards on the market right now, selected by the Credit.com editorial team for high rewards and best overall terms.
Why We Picked It: Citi Double Cash rewards you twice — once with 1% back when you make a purchase, and 1% back after payment. The Citi Double Cash also features strong benefits such as trip cancellation and interruption protection, extended warranty coverage, and a damage and theft purchase protection policy.
Rewards Details: As we mentioned above, this card offers 1% cash back at the time of purchase and another 1% cash back after payment. There is no limit to the amount of cash back you can earn, and you can redeem your rewards as a check, statement credit or gift card.
(Full Disclosure: Citibank advertises on Credit.com, but that results in no preferential editorial treatment.)
Card Details +
Why We Picked It: Chase Freedom offers strong rates of return and a generous signup bonus — new applicants receive $150 after they spend $500 on new purchases within three months of opening an account. This card also offers new applicants and balance transfers.
Rewards Details: Cardholders receive 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent each quarter at merchants in featured categories in addition to 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Why We Picked It: This card offers great cash-back rates on bonus categories and a decent signup bonus — new account holders can earn $150 back after spending $500 within the first three months of opening an account. Plus, this card comes with an intro 15 month 0% APR period. (A APR will apply afterward)
Rewards Details: Capital One SavorOne offers 3% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% cash back at grocery stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
At publishing time, the Citi Double Cash Card, Chase Freedom and Capital One SavorOne cards are offered through Credit.com product pages and Credit.com is compensated if our users apply and ultimately sign up for these cards. However, this relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment.
Note: It’s important to remember that interest rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees and terms with credit card issuers, banks or other financial institutions directly.
This article was updated September 21st, 2017
