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Our pick for
Opt-in categories and a unique bonus
on Discover's website, or call (800) 347-0264
on Discover's website, or call (800) 347-0264
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
14.24% - 25.24% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 14 months
recommended credit score
Our pick for
Cash sign-up bonus
on Wells Fargo's website
on Wells Fargo's website
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
16.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 12 months
recommended credit score
Our pick for
Flat rate + no minimum redemption
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months
recommended credit score
Our pick for
5% categories and a cash bonus
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
17.24% - 25.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months
recommended credit score
Our pick for
Flat-rate cash back
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
15.74% - 25.74% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% on Balance Transfers for 18 months
recommended credit score
Our pick for
Gas and groceries
on American Express's website, or call (866) 512-6673
on American Express's website, or call (866) 512-6673
Annual Fee
$95
Regular APR
15.24% - 26.24% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 12 months
recommended credit score
Our pick for
Dining and entertainment
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months
recommended credit score
Our pick for
Customizable rewards
on US Bank's website
on US Bank's website
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
16.24% - 25.74% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% Intro APR* on balance transfers for 12 billing cycles
recommended credit score
Our pick for
Annual 10% rewards bonus
on HSBC's website
on HSBC's website
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
15.24%, 19.24% or 25.24% variable APR
Intro APR
0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a 15.24%, 19.24% or 25.24% variable APR.
recommended credit score
Our pick for
High rewards for bigger spenders
on Alliant Credit Union's website
on Alliant Credit Union's website
Annual Fee
$99
Waived first year
Regular APR
12.49% - 14.99% Variable
Intro APR
N/A
recommended credit score
Our pick for
Average credit
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Annual Fee
$39
Regular APR
26.96% Variable APR
Intro APR
N/A
recommended credit score
Summary of Best Cash Back Credit Cards of April 2019
| Credit Card | Best For | Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Discover it® Cash Back on Discover's website, or call (800) 347-0264 | Opt-in categories and a unique bonus | 0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 14 months | 14.24% - 25.24% Variable APR | $0 | on Discover's website, or call (800) 347-0264 |
Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card on Wells Fargo's website | Cash sign-up bonus | 0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 12 months | 16.24% - 28.24% Variable APR | $0 | on Wells Fargo's website |
Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card on Capital One's website | Flat rate + no minimum redemption | 0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months | 16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR | $0 | on Capital One's website |
Chase Freedom® on Chase's website | 5% categories and a cash bonus | 0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months | 17.24% - 25.99% Variable APR | $0 | on Chase's website |
Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer on Citibank's application | Flat-rate cash back | 0% on Balance Transfers for 18 months | 15.74% - 25.74% Variable APR | $0 | on Citibank's application |
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express on American Express's website, or call (866) 512-6673 | Gas and groceries | 0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 12 months | 15.24% - 26.24% Variable APR | $95 | on American Express's website, or call (866) 512-6673 |
Capital One® SavorOne℠ Cash Rewards Credit Card on Capital One's website | Dining and entertainment | 0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months | 16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR | $0 | on Capital One's website |
U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card on US Bank's website | Customizable rewards | 0% Intro APR* on balance transfers for 12 billing cycles | 16.24% - 25.74% Variable APR | $0 | on US Bank's website |
HSBC Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card on HSBC's website | Annual 10% rewards bonus | 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a 15.24%, 19.24% or 25.24% variable APR. | 15.24%, 19.24% or 25.24% variable APR | $0 | on HSBC's website |
Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card on Alliant Credit Union's website | High rewards for bigger spenders | N/A | 12.49% - 14.99% Variable | $99 Waived first year | on Alliant Credit Union's website |
Capital One® QuicksilverOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card on Capital One's website | Average credit | N/A | 26.96% Variable APR | $39 | on Capital One's website |
| Credit Card | Best For | Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Discover it® Cash Back on Discover's website, or call (800) 347-0264 | Opt-in categories and a unique bonus | 0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 14 months | 14.24% - 25.24% Variable APR | $0 | on Discover's website, or call (800) 347-0264 |
Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card on Wells Fargo's website | Cash sign-up bonus | 0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 12 months | 16.24% - 28.24% Variable APR | $0 | on Wells Fargo's website |
Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card on Capital One's website | Flat rate + no minimum redemption | 0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months | 16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR | $0 | on Capital One's website |
Chase Freedom® on Chase's website | 5% categories and a cash bonus | 0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months | 17.24% - 25.99% Variable APR | $0 | on Chase's website |
Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer on Citibank's application | Flat-rate cash back | 0% on Balance Transfers for 18 months | 15.74% - 25.74% Variable APR | $0 | on Citibank's application |
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express on American Express's website, or call (866) 512-6673 | Gas and groceries | 0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 12 months | 15.24% - 26.24% Variable APR | $95 | on American Express's website, or call (866) 512-6673 |
Capital One® SavorOne℠ Cash Rewards Credit Card on Capital One's website | Dining and entertainment | 0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months | 16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR | $0 | on Capital One's website |
U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card on US Bank's website | Customizable rewards | 0% Intro APR* on balance transfers for 12 billing cycles | 16.24% - 25.74% Variable APR | $0 | on US Bank's website |
HSBC Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card on HSBC's website | Annual 10% rewards bonus | 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a 15.24%, 19.24% or 25.24% variable APR. | 15.24%, 19.24% or 25.24% variable APR | $0 | on HSBC's website |
Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card on Alliant Credit Union's website | High rewards for bigger spenders | N/A | 12.49% - 14.99% Variable | $99 Waived first year | on Alliant Credit Union's website |
Capital One® QuicksilverOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card on Capital One's website | Average credit | N/A | 26.96% Variable APR | $39 | on Capital One's website |
HOW THEIR REWARD RATES STACK UP
The cards on our roundup are the ones we consider the best when taking all their features into account — cash-back rates, bonuses, 0% APR periods, etc. But they're not the only good cash-back cards on the market. Here's a quick look at a broader array of cards:
| CARD (ANNUAL FEE) | REWARDS | BONUS OFFER |
|---|---|---|
| Flat-rate cash-back cards | ||
| Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card ($0 the first year, then $99) | • 2.5% cash back on all purchases (3% in first year) | None |
| Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer ($0) | • 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you make a purchase + 1% when you pay it off) | None |
| Citizens Bank Cash Back Plus® World Mastercard® ($0) | • 1.8% cash back on all purchases | None |
| HSBC Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card ($0) | • 1.65% effective rate — 1.5% on all purchases plus an annual bonus of 10% of all rewards earned. (In the first year, you get a promotional rate of 3% on the first $10,000 in purchases; the annual bonus raises the effective rate on those purchases to 3.3%.) | None |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® ($0) | • 1.5% cash back on all purchases (3% in first year on up to $20,000 in purchases) | Double Cash Back: Earn 3% cash back on all purchases in your first year up to $20,000 spent. After that earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. |
| Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card ($0) | • 1.5% cash back on all purchases (1.8% on mobile wallet purchases in first year) | Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months |
| Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card ($0) | • 1.5% cash back on all purchases | One-time $150 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening |
| American Express Cash Magnet® Card ($0) | • 1.5% cash back on all purchases | Earn a $150 statement credit after you spend $1,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply. |
| USAA® Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card ($0) | • 1.5% cash back on all purchases | None |
| CARD (ANNUAL FEE) | REWARDS | BONUS OFFER |
| Tiered cash-back cards | ||
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express ($95) | • 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 a year in spending) • 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores • 1% cash back on all other purchases (Terms apply) |
$200 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months. Terms Apply. |
| Sam's Club Mastercard ($0, but requires Sam's Club membership starting at $45) | • 5% cash back on gas (on the first $6,000 per year) • 3% cash back on dining and travel • 1% cash back on all other purchases |
Get $45 (covers your Sam's Club membership fee for a year). Offer valid now through June 15, 2019. |
| Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card ($0 for the first year, then $95) | • 4% cash back on dining and entertainment • 2% cash back at grocery stores • 1% cash back on all other purchases |
Earn a one-time $500 cash bonus after you spend $3000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening |
| Uber Visa Card ($0) | • 4% cash back on restaurants, takeout and bars, including Uber Eats • 3% cash back on airfare, hotels and vacation home rentals • 2% cash back on select online purchases • 1% cash back on all other purchases |
Earn $100 after spending $500 on purchases in the first 90 days |
| Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi ($0*, but requires Costco membership starting at $60) | • 4% cash back on eligible gas for the first $7,000 per year • 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases • 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com • 1% cash back on all other purchases |
None |
| Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express ($0) | • 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 a year in spending) • 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores • 1% cash back on all other purchases (Terms apply) |
$150 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months. Terms Apply. |
| Capital One® SavorOne℠ Cash Rewards Credit Card ($0) | • 3% cash back on dining and entertainment • 2% cash back at grocery stores • 1% cash back on all other purchases |
Earn a one-time $150 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening |
| Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card ($0) | • 3% cash back in a category of your choice (dining, travel, gas, online shopping, drugstores, or furniture and home improvements stores) • 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on up to $2,500 per quarter in combined choice-category/grocery/wholesale club spending) • 1% cash back on all other purchases |
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening |
| Discover it® chrome ($0) | • 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined spending per quarter • 1% cash back on all other purchases. |
Discover will match ALL the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, automatically. There's no signing up. And no limit to how much is matched. |
| CARD (ANNUAL FEE) | REWARDS | BONUS OFFER |
| Bonus category cash-back cards | ||
| Discover it® Cash Back ($0) | • 5% cash back in rotating categories that you activate, on up to $1,500 per quarter in spending • 1% cash back on all other purchases |
Discover will match ALL the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, automatically. There's no signing up. And no limit to how much is matched. |
| Chase Freedom® ($0) | • 5% cash back in rotating categories that you activate, on up to $1,500 per quarter in spending • 1% cash back on all other purchases |
Earn a $150 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening |
| U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card ($0) | • 5% cash back in two categories that you choose, on up to $2,000 per quarter in combined spending • 2% cash back in one everyday category • 1% cash back on all other purchases |
New Cardmember bonus: $150 after you spend $500 in eligible net purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. |
OTHER RESOURCES
How to choose a cash-back credit card
Cash-back credit cards come in three varieties. Flat-rate cards, the simplest, give you the same rewards rate on everything. Tiered cards earn a higher rate in specific categories, such as groceries or gas, and usually 1% on everything else. Bonus category credit cards offer an even higher cash-back rate, typically 5%, in specific categories that change periodically, and 1% on everything else.
Which type is right for you depends on how you spend money and your patience for keeping track of rewards categories. If you spend a lot in certain categories, such as gas or groceries, consider a tiered or bonus category card. If you don’t want the fuss of remembering which of your cards have which bonus categories, opt for a flat-rate card.
Once you’ve decided which type of cash-back credit card works best for you, consider these factors:
- Are you willing to pay an annual fee for higher rewards?
- How flexible do you want your redemption options to be?
- Does the card have a sign-up bonus?
- Do you want a 0% introductory APR?
For more, see our guide to choosing a cash-back credit card.
Making the most of your cash-back card
Combine cards for optimum rewards. If you’re willing to switch among cards to maximize your rewards, be sure to get cards that complement one another's rewards structures. For example, you can get one card that offers extra cash back for dining, another that offers extra for shopping at Amazon and another that gives extra for gas and groceries. If your cash-back categories overlap, you’ll wind up with redundant cards in your wallet.
If there's an annual fee, make sure you’re getting more cash back. An annual fee is only worth it if you’re earning more in rewards than you pay — and more than you would if you were using a no-fee card. Most cash-back credit cards keep a running total of the rewards you’ve earned in the past year, so log in to your account and check your statements after a year to make sure it’s worth it to pay the annual fee again.
Take advantage of rotating bonus categories. If you have a card with rotating cash-back bonus categories, make sure to opt in to (or "activate") the categories every quarter so you don’t miss out on 5% cash back on featured categories like restaurants, wholesale clubs, gas stations, groceries and more.
Don’t miss out on your sign-up bonus. Make sure you meet the minimum spending requirement to qualify for the bonus, otherwise you could miss out on hundreds of dollars. Cash-back cards typically require less than $1,000 in spending to earn the bonus, so shift as much spending as possible to a new card until you have the extra cash sewn up.
Use your credit card’s shopping portal for extra rewards. Online credit card malls, accessible through your credit card login, can help you earn extra cash back on your web-based purchases, sometimes up to 10 times as much.
Other cards to consider
A cash-back credit card isn’t necessarily the best option for you. If you travel a lot, consider a travel credit card or an airline credit card. If you carry a balance from month to month, the interest can quickly gobble up more than you're earning in cash back. In that case, a low interest card is probably a better choice.
Still not sure? See our best rewards cards for a range of credit cards that earn cash, points or miles.
To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please visit this page.
To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please visit this page.
To view rates and fees of the American Express Cash Magnet® Card, please visit this page.
Last updated on April 23, 2019
Methodology
NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best cash-back credit cards based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluation include each card's cash-back earning rates, rewards structure (such as flat-rate or tiered categories), annual fee, redemption options (including minimum redemption amounts), promotional APR period for purchases, bonus offers for new cardholders, and noteworthy features such as loyalty bonuses or the ability to choose one's own rewards categories.
