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When discussing rewards cards, premium travel cards typically receive most of the attention. But if you want maximum flexibility, it's hard to look past cash-back credit cards. Rather than earning airline miles, hotel points, or transferable rewards, that can only be used for travel, these cards earn cash back that you can use for anything.
For anyone who's been frustrated by the complexity of award travel or prefers to stockpile rewards for other activities, cash-back cards provide a simple way for cardholders to benefit from everyday expenses.
Cash-back rewards are straightforward to earn and easy to redeem, and there is no need to deal with complex point valuations, blackout dates, or transfer partners.
Page Contents
Overview of the Best 8 Credit Cards for Cash Back
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for grocery spending.
- Chase Freedom Flex℠: Best for earning 5% cash back in rotating bonus categories.
- Citi Custom Cash® Card: Best for 5% back that adjusts to your spending habits.
- Citi Double Cash® Card: Best for earning 2% cash back everywhere and having options for how to use rewards.
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (Rates & Fees): Best for earning 2% cash rewards on a card with cellphone insurance.
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card: Best for customizable 6% bonus earnings (3% after the first year) and extra rewards from your banking relationship.
- U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card: Best for earning 5% and 2% back in categories you choose.
- Discover it® Cash Back: Best for matched cash back in the first year, doubling your earnings.
The Best Cash-Back Credit Card Offers
In this post, we highlight the top cashback credit card offers available right now, and dig into the perks and benefits each card brings to the table, to help you determine which of these cards deserves a spot in your wallet.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Rewards: Earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, plus 6% at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more, and 1% on all other eligible purchases (issued as Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout).
Feature benefits: While American Express is best known for its premium travel cards, everyday workhorse cards like the Blue Cash Preferred can deliver massive value for cardholders. The main focal point in the card's earning categories is the ability to earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets. Despite the $6,000 cap on this category (earning 1% back after this), we still rank the card as one of the best cards for groceries and supermarkets.
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments with a fixed fee. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
- Low Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 20.24% - 29.24%.
- 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- Rates & Fees
- 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%)
- 3% Cash Back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
New Blue Cash Preferred applicants can earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. The card also features an introductory APR of 0% on purchases for 12 months and 0% on balance transfers for 12 months. Afterwards, you'll have a Variable APR of 20.24% - 29.24%. There is a balance transfer fee, however: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. (Rates & Fees)
Related: Blue Cash Preferred review
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Rewards: Earn 5% on rotating bonus categories (up to $1,500 per quarter), 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining at restaurants and drugstore purchases and 1% on other eligible purchases
Feature benefits: The Freedom Flex is the successor to the popular Chase Freedom® card. Both cards have the 5% rotating bonus categories, but only the Freedom Flex offers enhanced earning rates on purchases through Chase Travel, at restaurants, and drugstores. The card also has a 0% introductory APR on purchases for 15 months and 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 15 months. There is a balance transfer fee of $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. After the introductory period, you'll have a Variable APR of 19.24% - 27.99%.
- Earn 5% on up to $1,500 on combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate
- Earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Earn 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
- Earn 3% on drugstore purchases
- Earn 1% on all other purchases
The Freedom Flex charges no annual fee, and if you hold an Ultimate Rewards card that does charge an annual fee, you can convert the cash back you earn on this card into flexible Ultimate Rewards points and transfer them to 14 airline and hotel partners for obtaining outsized value.
Related: Freedom Flex review
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.
Feature benefits: Similar to the Freedom Flex, the Citi Custom Cash® Card is marketed as a cashback credit card, but it earns ThankYou® Points. You can redeem these rewards for 1¢ per point for travel via ThankYou.com or for cash back (delivered as a statement credit). However, if you also hold a premium ThankYou Rewards card like the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card or Citi Prestige® Card, you can combine the rewards earned across the entire ThankYou family of cards and transfer them to any of Citi's 14 airline and five hotel partners.
- Sign-up bonus of $200 in cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening, issued as 20,000 ThankYou® Points
- 5% cash back in your top eligible spend category on up to $500 of purchses each billing cycle
- No rotating bonus categories to sign up for--the top earning category adjusts automatically each month to the eligible category in which you spend the most.
- Excellent intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee
- Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent
- 1% cash back thereafter, plus, you'll earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
- No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
- Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.
- Eligible spending categories are: Restaurants, Gas Stations, Grocery Stores, Select Travel, Select Transit, Select Streaming Services, Drugstores, Home Improvement Stores, Fitness Clubs and Live Entertainment.
Where the Citi Custom Cash differs from the Freedom Flex is how the 5x earning categories are awarded. Rather than rotating quarterly categories, the Citi Custom Cash earns 5% cash back on up to $500 of purchases each billing cycle from your top spending category — automatically. The card also has a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and 0% introductory APR offer on balance transfers for 15 months. Afterwards, you'll pay a Variable APR of 19.24% - 29.24%. Balance transfer fee applies with this offer: 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
Before applying for the Citi Custom Cash® Card, check the eligible bonus categories to ensure they line up with your spending habits and expenses. If you don't think you will max out the 5% earning categories, there is a good chance you will get more value from the Citi Double Cash® Card, which earns 2% cash back (or 2x ThankYou® Points if you also hold a premium Citi card) on every purchase. This is the ultimate low-maintenance card providing a top return on non-bonus spending.
Related: Citi Custom Cash review
Citi Double Cash® Card
Rewards: Earn 2% on every purchase (1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay). To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Feature benefits: The Citi Double Cash is excellent for non-bonus spending on categories not covered by your other cards. It is also great for keeping things simple: No matter what, you are earning at least 2% cash back, which is tough to beat. That makes this one of the best credit cards for everyday spending.
If you're looking to pay down debt or finance a larger purchase, this card also comes with one of the best available introductory APR offers on balance transfers.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- 2% cash back on every purchase - 1% when you buy + 1% when you pay
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the (Variable) APR will be 18.24% - 28.24% based on your creditworthiness
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5)
- No annual fee
- Earn 2% cash back on every purchase—1% when you buy and 1% when you pay. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25. Citi cash rewards now also convert to ThankYou points at 1:1 ($10 = 100 ThankYou points).
The card has a welcome offer of $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. New cardholders also can enjoy an introductory 0% APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then an APR of 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable). There are fees for balance transfers that you should note: There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5)
Alongside the option to redeem rewards as cash back, if you have the Prestige Card (no longer open to new applicants) or Citi Strata Premier, you can extract the most value from your Citi Double Cash with the 21 Citi transfer partners. While redeeming for rewards as cash back provides 1¢ per point, AwardWallet readers typically redeem Citi ThankYou Points at 2.19¢ apiece with transfer partners, more than double the value of getting cash back.
Related: Citi Double Cash review
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Rewards: Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
Feature benefits: The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card has no annual fee, and its welcome offer is a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. Rewards can be redeemed into a Wells Fargo checking account, as credit card statement credit, for a mortgage, or against purchases made on the card.
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
The Active Cash Card also has a generous 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers. Do note that there is a balance transfer fee: 3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%, min: $5. After the introductory period, you'll have a 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR.
The Active Cash Card also can cover damage or theft to your cell phone up to $600. To qualify, use the card to pay your monthly cell phone bill. If you need to file a claim, you can submit the necessary documentation online. There is a $25 deductible, and this supplementary coverage is limited to two claims within a 12-month period.
Related: Active Cash Card review
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Rewards: Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice (then 3%), automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases), and unlimited 1% on all other purchases. If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%–75% more cash back on every purchase.
Eligible 6%/3% categories include:
- Gas and EV charging stations
- Online shopping (includes cable, internet, phone plan, and streaming)
- Dining
- Travel
- Drug stores and pharmacies
- Home improvement and furnishings
Feature benefits: New applicants for the Bank of America Customized Cash Card can earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening, plus earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice. The card also has a 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. Note there's a balance transfer fee of 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%. After the introductory period, there's a Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers of 18.24% - 28.24%.
- 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice: gas and EV charging stations, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy purchase, or home improvement/furnishing purchases, then 3% after the first year of card membership*
- 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs*
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- * You'll earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then earn 1%. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.
The spending categories for the no-annual-fee Bank of America Customized Cash Card are unique, as you can customize them to your spending habits. You can change your 6%/3% category once per month in the Bank of America app or on the website. This could be a great strategy if you have significant purchases coming up in specific categories. It's also worth noting the ability to earn up to 75% extra rewards (meaning you could earn up to 10.5% in your chosen bonus category for the first year) if you qualify for Bank of America Preferred Rewards.
Related: Bank of America Customized Cash Card review
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Rewards: Earn 5% on your first $2,000 in eligible net purchases each quarter on the two categories you choose, 5% on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Travel Center, 2% on one everyday category (like gas or groceries), and 1% on all other eligible net purchases.
Feature benefits: Unlike other cards with rotating bonus categories assigned by the card issuer, the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa lets you choose two categories to earn 5% cash back and one category to earn 2% cash back. This flexibility can make the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa a valuable part of your overall earning strategy and one of the best cash-back credit cards for customizable earnings.
- Earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible net purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
- 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in eligible net purchases each quarter on the two categories you choose, 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Travel Center, 2% cash back on one everyday category (like gas or groceries), 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases
- No annual fee
- 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in eligible net purchases each quarter on the two categories you choose
- 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Travel Center
- 2% cash back on one everyday category (like gas or groceries)
- 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases
The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa comes with a welcome offer of a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. The card also has a 0% introductory APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and 0% introductory APR 15 billing cycles on balance transfers. Balance transfers do have a fee, though: Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater. After the introductory period, there's a Variable APR of 19.24% - 29.24%.
Cash rewards can be redeemed as a statement credit, a rewards card, or directly deposited into your U.S. Bank checking or savings account. There is a minimum redemption amount is $25, however.
Related: U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa review
Discover it® Cash Back
Rewards:Earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter like gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, Amazon.com, or wholesale clubs up to the quarterly maximum each time you activate. Earn 1% unlimited cash back automatically on all other purchases.
Feature benefits: The Discover it® Cash Back earns an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back earned during the first year, effectively doubling the earnings to 10% for 5% bonus category purchases and 2% for all other purchases. This can be very valuable for everyday spending during the first year of card membership.
The Discover it Cash also has a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and 0% introductory APR for 15 months on balance transfers. After the introductory period, there's a Variable APR of 17.24% - 28.24%. There's also a balance transfer fee of 3%.
- 5% cash back at different places each quarter like gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, Amazon.com, or wholesale clubs up to the quarterly maximum each time you activate.
- Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Cash-back rewards can be redeemed for physical or electronic gift cards at a variety of merchants, with a discount of up to 20% at some retailers. All eCertificates and gift cards are subject to a minimum redemption amount. This option can be a great way to extract extra value, thanks to combining your matched cash back with discounts on gift cards to use for future purchases.
Related: Discover it Cash review
Bottom Line
Cash-back credit cards play a crucial role in a balanced rewards strategy, helping to offset the cash costs of award travel, plus, you can redeem cash back for purchases outside of travel if that is your goal.
Moreover, earning cash back can make for a less complicated rewards strategy if you don't have the time or inclination to pursue a complex strategy involving multiple rewards programs and points transfer partners. You know exactly what your return on spending is with cash back, and it is easy to build a high-value cash-back strategy with just a few core rewards cards. Whatever your spending habits, there should be a card for you on our list of the best cash back card offers.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (Rates & Fees)
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