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Offers for the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card are not available through this site. Some offers may have expired. Please see our card marketplace for available offers
Eligibility is limited for the Amex Offers discussed in this post. Enrollment is required in the Amex Offers section of your account before redeeming.
For many of us, the holidays are synonymous with spending money. Whether we're buying gifts for our families or big meals to celebrate, it's easy to watch those dollars add up. However, the holiday season is also the perfect time to earn — or cash in on — extra rewards.
Let's look at all the ways you can maximize your cash-back earnings this season, whether you're shopping in-store or online.
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Swipe a Credit Card That Earns Cash Back
The most straightforward way to return cash to your pocket this holiday season is to use the right credit card when making purchases. There are tons of different cards that earn rewards, but the amount of cashback that you get will vary based on which card you hold.
Some even offer sign-up bonuses with a healthy amount of cash back for new applicants. And holiday shopping is a great way to meet minimum spending requirements.
Use a card optimized for online shopping
Several cards have earning categories that are structured to reward online shopping. Depending on where and how you shop, it's worth using one of these cards:
- Prime Visa (Rates & Fees): Earn 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership, plus 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare).
- U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card: Earn 6% cash back on your first $1,500 in combined eligible purchases each quarter with two retailers you choose, 3% cash back on your first $1,500 in eligible purchases on your choice of one everyday category (like wholesale clubs, gas and EV charging stations, bills, and utilities), and 1.5% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card: Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 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 Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%–75% more cash back on every purchase.
- 3% cash back 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*
- 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs*
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Related: How To Earn 3% (Up to 5.25%) Cash Back in the Category of Your Choice — With No Annual Fee
Use one of the best cards for everyday purchases
There are lots of credit cards that are worth using for your catch-all or everyday spending. If you want to simplify your rewards-earning strategy, consider swiping one of these cash-back cards:
- Citi Double Cash® Card: Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- TD Double Up℠ Credit Card: Earn unlimited 2% Cash Back on all eligible purchases – no rotating Spend Categories, no caps or limits as long as your credit card account is open and in good standing.. This card is available only to residents in select states with a TD branch.
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (Rates & Fees): Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 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
However, for those with savings, the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card offers the best return on everyday spending. By leveraging the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program, you can earn 2.625% cashback on every purchase.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Sign Up for and Click Through Shopping Portals
Shopping portals can be a huge boon when it comes to earning cash back. They're free to use and simply track your purchases, allowing you to earn rewards for (nearly) every dollar that you spend.
Sites such as Cashback Monitor will let you know which shopping portal is offering the highest bonus for your purchase, but common cash-back sites include Rakuten, Capital One Shopping, and TopCashback. Better yet, you can sometimes even score a cash-back bonus for signing up.
The best part about shopping portals is that they can be stacked with the rewards you earn with your credit card. For example, were you to use your Bank of America Customized Cash Card to shop online, you'd be able to earn up to 20% cash back (or more) via Rakuten, plus 3% back when using your card.
Check for Card-Linked Offers for Bonus Cash Back
Several card issuers offer opt-in savings programs for cardmembers. Perhaps the most famous of these is Amex Offers. In addition, Chase offers Chase Offers and Citi has Citi Merchant Offers. These limited-time offers let you save money on eligible purchases. You'll also frequently find options to earn cash back after spending a certain amount of money.
These offers are targeted, meaning not everyone will see the same offer, and you need to add offers to your card before using them for bonus earnings.
Download and Use Cash-Back Apps
Shopping portals may not always offer rewards if you're shopping in person rather than online, but it's worth double-checking before you swipe your card.
Rakuten, for example, offers in-store rewards at a small number of stores, provided you pay with a card linked to your account.
This is also where cash-back apps such as Ibotta come in. This app, in particular, allows you to save money on purchases even when you shop in person. It's beneficial when grocery shopping since the rewards you earn aren't tied to the store you're shopping at. You'll receive cash back based on the products you purchase, which will be verified when you submit your receipt. Think of them as digital coupons.
And like shopping portals, you'll be able to stack the rewards you earn on Ibotta with the ones you'll earn with your card, allowing you to really maximize the cash back that you're earning.
Or, if miles are more your thing, you can earn United miles on in-person shopping through the United MileagePlus X app.
Related: The Critical Points: If You Don't Stack, You're Wasting Money
Bottom Line
The holiday season is upon us, so many are spending more than usual. To maximize your cash back this year, make smart money moves, such as using the right credit card and tracking purchases on shopping portals.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Prime Visa (Rates & Fees)
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