NerdWallet’s Best Cash Back Credit Cards, Spring 2013

Looking for a cash back credit card with no annual fee and stellar rewards? Some of the best cards out there pay out in dead presidents. Whether you’re a family man with a family van, a young adult looking for ease and simplicity in a world that offers little of either, a jetsetter or – well – anyone, you can’t do better than a cash-back credit card. Every offer here is a no-fee card, but you wouldn’t know it looking at the impressive rewards package.

Best no-fee, cash back card: The Chase Freedom

The standout Chase Freedom is a favorite among NerdWallet users and editors alike. It earns 5% cash back on everyday spending categories, such as gas, Amazon.com, restaurants and groceries, up to $1,500 spent per quarter. All other purchases earn 1% back, and you’ll get a $100 signup bonus to sweeten the deal. We love the Freedom for its high rewards on key spending categories, but it also comes with a great 0% APR deal: no interest on balance transfers and purchases for a full 15 months. No matter what you’re looking for in a card, the Freedom delivers.

Chase Freedom® Visa
	This offer is for people with a good to excellent credit history which means, among other things, that your credit history is clear of bankruptcy and seriously delinquent accounts Earn $100 Bonus Cash Back after you make $500 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers 5% Cash Back on up to $1,500 spent between July 1 and September 30, 2013 at gas stations, theme parks, and Kohl's® You'll enjoy new 5% categories every 3 months like gas stations, restaurants and Amazon.com. It's free and easy to activate your bonus each quarter! Unlimited 1% Cash Back on all other purchases No annual fee and rewards never expire		Pros Bonus cash back categories No annual fee 0% for 15 mos on transfers

Best card for gas and grocery: the American Express Blue Cash

If you opt for cash back rather than points or miles, it’s safe to say that you don’t just spend money on travel. If that’s the case, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred has just the rewards program you’re looking for: 3% cash back on up to $6k spent on groceries a year, unlimited 2% on gas and department stores and 1% elsewhere. Not only is the 2% back on groceries a pretty darn good deal, but you can take advantage of a nifty little hack: Purchasing gift cards to Starbucks, Amazon, etc. at the grocery store checkout line earns you the full bonus rewards on whatever you spend there (just keep in mind the $6k spending cap). What’s more, you’ll receive a cool $100 signup bonus to start the relationship off right. This is one of our favorite cards for families. A word of warning, though: Not all merchants accept Amex, so you might want to carry a no-fee Visa or MasterCard as a backup.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
	Earn 100 Reward Dollars after you make $1,000 in purchases in the first three months of Cardmembership. Earn Cash Back: 3% at US supermarkets, up to $6,000 per year in purchases, 2% at US gas stations & select US dept stores, 1% on other purchases. Terms and limitations apply. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit. Simple and Straightforward: With the Blue Cash Everyday Card, you can start earning cash back. No rotating reward categories. No enrollment required. No annual fee, 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months. After that, your APR will be a variable rate, currently 12.99%-21.99% with flexibility to pay over time. Terms and Restrictions Apply.		Pros Bonus cash back categories No annual fee

Best no-debt, no-fee card: the Discover it

The Discover it offers a killer package of 5% cash back in bonus categories and no annual fee, plus perks that are typically only found on expensive, high-fee cards. You’ll earn 5% cash back in categories that change every quarter, up to $1,500 spent, plus an unlimited 1% elsewhere. You also receive purchase and return protection at no cost, and a full 14 months of 0% interest on balance transfers and purchases. And when it comes to fees, no annual fee is just the beginning: There are no foreign transaction fees – key if you go abroad – and your first late payment fee is waived. So get excited: 5% is the new black.

Discover it®
	The new Discover it card is out to change the way people think about credit cards. Fair...No annual fee. No overlimit fee. No foreign transaction fee & no pay-by-phone fee. No late fee on your first late payment. And we won't increase your APR for paying late.* Generous…5% Cashback Bonus on up to $1,500 in purchases at Home Improvement Stores now through June with free and easy sign-up. And 1% cash back on all other purchases.* Plus a Cashback ConciergeSM who guides a free, personalized online tour to help you get the most rewards for how you use your card. Flexible…Choose your own due date and pay up to midnight ET online or by phone. Human…talk to a real person any time with 100% U.S.-based service. Safe…Because you’ll never pay for unauthorized purchases with our $0 Fraud Liability Guarantee. 0% Intro APR* on purchases and balance transfers for 14 months. Then the variable purchase APR applies, currently 10.99% - 22.99%. *Click apply for Terms & Conditions.		Pros No annual fee 0% for 14 mos on transfers No foreign transaction fee