Sallie Mae MasterCard

With generous cash-back rewards for everyday purchases, the Sallie Mae MasterCard offers high ongoing value with a simple earning structure – and you don't need to have student loans to qualify for it. You’ll get 5% cash back for gas stations and grocery stores up to $250 a month in each category and 5% cash back for bookstores up to $750 a month, which adds up to $750 in bonus category earnings each year if you hit those caps. On top of that, you’ll snag 1% cash back for all other purchases and earn a small $25 Cash Back Bonus - after first purchase, made within 90 days of account opening.

The card also offers flexible redemption options. You'll net one cent per point, which you'll be able to redeem as a statement credit, a credit in your Upromise account (a type of free education savings program on Sallie Mae’s website) or a credit on your Sallie Mae loan.

True, the Sallie Mae MasterCard may not be the best pick if you're hunting for a juicy sign-up bonus or airline miles. But if you're looking for an excellent cash-back card that helps you earn even when your spending isn't exactly off-the-charts, it may be a perfect fit.