We love journey rewards right here at TPG, however generally money again is king.
With a cash-back card, you do not have to fret about maximizing redemption worth or limitations on how you should use your rewards. You can merely use them for something at nearly any time — and generally, that freedom is essentially the most helpful possibility round.
I’ve been within the factors and miles world for nearly 15 years and will write all day concerning the journey I’ve been in a position to expertise due to the credit cards in my pockets. But not too long ago, I moved to a brand new state and realized that I wished my rewards to assist cowl issues like shifting packing containers and late-evening pizza runs as a substitute of aircraft tickets and swanky resort stays. Cash-back cards to the rescue.
If you are in an identical season the place flexibility is the secret, there is a cash-back card (or two or three) on this record for you. And even in case you’re targeted on journey rewards, a few of these cash-back cards can turn out to be journey rewards with the precise card combos.
Here are our high picks for cash-back credit cards.
The finest cash-back credit cards
Comparing the perfect cash-back credit cards
| Card | Best for | Welcome supply | Earning charges | Annual price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express | Earning money again at U.S. supermarkets | Earn a $250 assertion credit after spending $3,000 within the first six months of cardmembership. |
Cash again is acquired within the type of Reward Dollars that may be redeemed as a press release credit or at Amazon.com checkout. |
$0 intro annual price for the primary 12 months, then $95 (see charges and charges) |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | Pairing with a extra premium Chase card | Earn $250 money again after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening. |
|
$0 |
| Capital One Spark Cash Plus | Businesses with excessive spending thresholds | Earn a $2,000 money bonus after spending $30,000 within the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn an extra $2,000 for each $500,000 spent within the first 12 months. | Earn 2% money again on each buy. | $150 |
| Wells Fargo Active Cash Card | Earning money again on all purchases | Earn a $200 money rewards bonus after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening. | Earn 2% money rewards on purchases. | $0 |
| Citi Double Cash Card | Pairing with a extra premium Citi card | Earn $200 money again after spending $1,500 within the first six months of account opening. | Earn 2% money again on all purchases (1% as you purchase and 1% as you pay). | $0 |
| Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card | Earning money again at grocery shops and on eating with no annual price | Earn a one-time $200 money bonus after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening. |
|
$0 |
| Chase Freedom Flex | Rotating quarterly classes | Earn $200 money again after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening. |
|
$0 |
| Capital One Spark Cash | Businesses that need a easy incomes construction | Earn a one-time $750 money bonus after spending $7,500 within the first three months from account opening. | Earn 2% money again on all purchases. | $0 intro annual price for the primary 12 months, then $95 |
| Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card | Businesses which have a extra premium Chase card | Earn $750 money again after spending $6,000 within the first three months from account opening. | Earn 1.5% money again on all purchases. | $0 |
| Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card | Flat-rate money again | Earn a one-time $200 money bonus after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening. | Earn 1.5% money again on all purchases. | $0 |
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Welcome supply: Earn a $250 assertion credit after spending $3,000 within the first six months of cardmembership.
Annual price: $0 intro annual price for the primary 12 months, then $95.
Standout advantages: The Blue Cash Preferred earns 6% money again at U.S. supermarkets (on as much as $6,000 in purchases annually, then 1%), 6% money again on choose streaming subscriptions, 3% money again on transit (together with taxis, experience-hailing companies, parking, tolls, trains and buses), 3% money again at U.S. fuel stations and 1% again on all different purchases. Cash again is acquired within the type of Rewards Dollars that may be redeemed as a press release credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
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Plus, this card comes with as much as $84 yearly in assertion credit towards the Disney Bundle, making it a stable possibility for cash-back followers who additionally pay for streaming platforms like Hulu and Disney+. You’ll rise up to $7 again every month once you spend no less than $9.99 on an eligible routinely renewing subscription to the Disney Bundle together with your card. Enrollment is required, phrases apply.
Think about it like this: If you are in a position to make the most of this perk, it nearly covers the cardboard’s whole annual price.
The Blue Cash Preferred gives a unbelievable return on a variety of bonus classes. When I’m targeted on incomes money again, it is my go-to for U.S. grocery store, U.S. fuel station, U.S. streaming and transit purchases. Pair it with a stable flat-price-incomes card, like one talked about on this information, for a easy total cash-back technique.
Note that, not like lots of our favourite cash-back cards, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred has an annual price ($0 intro annual price for the primary 12 months, then $95). Make certain you may earn sufficient rewards on this card to justify the annual price earlier than including it to your pockets.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full overview of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred.
Apply right here: Amex Blue Cash Preferred
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Welcome supply: Earn $250 money again after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Annual price: $0.
Standout advantages: The Freedom Unlimited earns 5% money again on Chase Travel purchases, 3% money again on eating and at drugstores, and 1.5% money again on all different purchases.
And if in case you have a extra premium Chase card, just like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see charges and charges) or Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and charges), you possibly can mix your rewards to unlock Chase’s full vary of resort and airline companions.
Often, cards will supply bonus classes and simply 1% again on different purchases or a stable flat incomes price. The Freedom Unlimited gives the perfect of each worlds: some nice bonus classes and a better than 1% incomes on all different purchases.
This incomes construction makes it a terrific card by itself however a fair higher a part of a strategic card pairing or trifecta. When I’m targeted on incomes Chase Ultimate Rewards factors, I exploit my Freedom Unlimited alongside my Chase Sapphire Reserve to ensure I’m incomes no less than 1.5 factors per greenback on each buy. And when I’m targeted on a cash-back technique, the Freedom Unlimited is a vital participant due to its bonus earnings on eating and at drugstores.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full overview of the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Apply right here: Chase Freedom Unlimited
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Welcome supply: Earn a $2,000 money bonus after spending $30,000 within the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn an extra $2,000 for each $500,000 spent within the first 12 months.
Annual price: $150.
Standout advantages: The Spark Cash Plus earns 5% money again on lodges and rental automobiles booked by way of Capital One Travel and a couple of% money again on all different purchases. Plus, in case you spend no less than $150,000 yearly, you may get your $150 annual price refunded.
The Spark Cash Plus is a stable possibility for small companies that need a good return on all purchases. With this card, you will not should preserve monitor of bonus spending classes or fear about incomes caps — only a 2% return on all your corporation bills.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full overview of the Spark Cash Plus.
Learn extra: Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
Welcome supply: Earn a $200 money rewards bonus after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening.
Annual price: $0.
Standout advantages: The Wells Fargo Active Cash earns limitless 2% money rewards on purchases. With this card, you may additionally rise up to $600 in cellphone safety (topic to a $25 deductible) — a superb perk for a card with no annual price.
This is the cardboard for final simplicity and adaptability. With it, you will not have any incomes caps or bonus classes to maintain monitor of. No matter what you are shopping for, you may earn a stable 2% return — simply cash in your pocket together with your purchases.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full overview of the Wells Fargo Active Cash.
Apply right here: Wells Fargo Active Cash
Citi Double Cash
Welcome supply: Earn $200 money again after spending $1,500 within the first six months from account opening.
Annual price: $0.
Standout advantages: The Citi Double Cash earns limitless 2% money again on all purchases (1% once you purchase and 1% as you pay).
Unlike most cash-back cards, the Double Cash permits cardholders to switch their rewards to a couple journey companions along with the choice to redeem rewards for money again. You can select to switch your rewards to Choice Privileges, JetBlue TrueBlue, Shop Your Way or Wyndham Rewards.
And in case you even have a extra premium Citi card, just like the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see charges and charges), you possibly can mix your rewards and unlock Citi’s full lineup of resort and airline switch companions.
If you are searching for simplicity and adaptability, the Citi Double Cash is an ideal alternative. Like different cards with a stable flat incomes price, you may earn a great return on all of your purchases (assuming you pay your stability off every month) with out having to fret about bonus classes or spending caps.
When I used to be new to the world of factors and miles and overwhelmed with bonus classes and annual charges to maintain monitor of, I added the Citi Double Cash to my pockets — and it nonetheless stays a go-to for me. When I’m targeted on cash-back rewards, I attain for my Double Cash for any buy that will not earn bonus rewards on any of my different cards. No matter what I’m shopping for, I do know I’ll get no less than a 2% return due to this card.
And whereas another cards supply an identical incomes price, the choice to switch rewards to journey companions makes the Double Cash stand out above the remaining.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full overview of the Citi Double Cash.
Apply right here: Citi Double Cash
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Welcome supply: Earn a one-time $200 money bonus after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening.
Annual price: $0.
Standout advantages: The Capital One Savor earns 8% money again on Capital One Entertainment purchases, 5% money again on lodges and rental automobiles booked by way of Capital One Travel, and three% money again at grocery shops and on eating, leisure and in style streaming companies.
The Savor is a wonderful possibility for individuals who need to earn extra in widespread spending classes with out paying an annual price.
Thanks to its bonus classes, you may earn bonus rewards whether or not you are cooking at residence and streaming your favourite present or headed out to dinner and your favourite present.
Even higher, in case you even have a card that earns Capital One miles, such because the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you possibly can mix your rewards and unlock Capital One’s full vary of 15-plus resort and airline journey companions.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full overview of the Capital One Savor.
Learn extra: Capital One Savor
Chase Freedom Flex
Welcome supply: Earn $200 money again after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening.
Annual price: $0.
Standout advantages: The Freedom Flex earns 5% money again on rotating quarterly classes after activating (on as much as $1,500 in mixed purchases) in addition to 5% money again on Chase Travel purchases, and three% money again on eating and drugstore purchases.
And if in case you have a extra premium Chase card, just like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve, you possibly can mix your rewards to unlock Chase’s full vary of resort and airline companions.
The Freedom Flex means that you can earn a formidable 5% money again on rotating quarterly classes. While there is no approach to know what future classes shall be, previous quarters have provided bonus earnings on in style classes like Amazon, grocery shops, spa companies and residential enchancment shops.
I like utilizing my Freedom Flex alongside my Freedom Unlimited. With this pairing, I can earn 5% again on the Flex’s classes and 1.5% again on all my different purchases. Even higher — since I even have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, I can mix my rewards and switch these bonus earnings into journey rewards.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full overview of the Freedom Flex.
Apply right here: Freedom Flex
Capital One Spark Cash
Welcome supply: Earn a one-time $750 money bonus after spending $7,500 within the first three months from account opening.
Annual price: $0 intro annual price for the primary 12 months, then $95.
Standout advantages: Similar to the Spark Cash Plus, the Capital One Spark Cash earns limitless 2% money again on all purchases. The Spark Cash Plus, nevertheless, makes extra sense for a enterprise with larger overhead because it typically contains a larger spending threshold to earn cash-back rewards.
If you personal a small enterprise with decrease working bills, prioritize cash-back earnings over different credit card reward currencies and don’t need to monitor bonus classes to maximise your spending, the Spark Cash is probably going a greater match on your wants.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full overview of the Capital One Spark Cash.
Learn extra: Capital One Spark Cash
Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card
Welcome supply: Earn $750 money again after spending $6,000 within the first three months from account opening.
Annual price: $0.
Standout advantages: The Ink Business Unlimited earns limitless 1.5% money again on all purchases.
And if in case you have a extra premium Chase card, just like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see charges and charges), you possibly can mix your rewards to unlock Chase’s full vary of resort and airline companions. This is a stable cash-back possibility for companies that need to earn a stable return on purchases with out paying an annual price.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full overview of the Ink Business Unlimited.
Apply right here: Ink Business Unlimited
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Welcome supply: Earn a one-time $200 money bonus after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening.
Annual price: $0.
Standout advantages: The Capital One Quicksilver earns limitless 1.5% money again on all purchases.
This card is a stable alternative for these desirous to keep away from annual charges and earn above the usual 1% on nonbonus spending. Whether you are getting the tab at dinner or ordering a bespoke present, you may earn 1.5% money again due to this card.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full overview of the Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card.
Learn extra: Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
What to contemplate when selecting a cash-back credit card
Spending habits
When it involves cash-back credit cards, the most important distinction is which — if any — purchases earn bonus money again. If eating out is a significant a part of your finances, as an example, you may need to go for a card just like the Chase Freedom Flex or Capital One Savor to earn 3% money again on these purchases. But in case you spend extra on transit and groceries, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred could also be a greater possibility.
Related: Amex vs. Chase cash-back cards
And in case your spending would not match neatly into any card’s bonus classes, you may need to go together with a great flat-price-incomes card, just like the Citi Double Cash or Wells Fargo Active Cash, to make sure you’re incomes a stable return on all of your purchases.
Welcome bonus
Cash-back cards aren’t identified for having profitable welcome gives, however most supply one thing. If you possibly can’t determine between just a few cards, contemplating the worth you will get from every card’s welcome supply will help you determine which to go together with.
Annual price
There are loads of nice cash-back credit card choices that do not cost an annual price. If you are contemplating a card that has one, remember to crunch the numbers and decide whether or not the rewards you earn will make that price value paying.
Rewards potential
Even although we’re targeted on cash-back cards right here, a number of cards can earn journey rewards as part of the precise card pairing. If you realize you intend to get the Chase Sapphire Preferred down the road, as an example, it is smart to go for the Chase Freedom Unlimited now — so that you’re already midway to that nice card pairing when the time comes.
Related: Capital One Savor vs. Capital One Quicksilver: Supercharge your leisure spending, or earn flat money again?
How we selected the perfect cash-back credit cards
We rated the perfect cash-back credit cards based mostly on a number of elements, together with reward incomes charges and perks related to every card in addition to the general worth every card delivers to you, the buyer.
To find out about how TPG evaluates and chooses cards for our roundups, take a look at our methodology.
Redemption choices for cash-back credit cards
The magnificence of getting a cash-back credit card is the simplicity of redeeming your rewards for money. I like saving up my cash-back rewards all year long and utilizing them for vacation purchasing (and the offers I discover for myself) in December. I additionally moved not too long ago and used cash-back rewards to assist ease the ache of that expense.
But my favourite use of my cash-back rewards is commonly to enrich my journey rewards cards. I like utilizing factors and miles to cowl my resort and airfare, after which I exploit cash-back rewards to cowl all the pieces else, like airport snacks and tickets to native sights.
And although these cards are labeled as cash-back cards, they typically have another redemption choices as effectively. Most cards on this record permit you to redeem rewards for present cards or, in lots of circumstances, use them to ebook journey by way of the issuer’s journey portal.
Bottom line
Travel rewards credit cards are nice, however generally the simplicity and adaptability of a cash-back credit card win out. Before including one to your pockets, think about your present spending habits and whether or not you are keen to pay an annual price in your cash-back credit card.
With any of those choices, you may be effectively in your approach to overlaying any type of buy together with your rewards very quickly.
Related: Are cash-back credit cards value it?
For charges and charges of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, click on right here.
