8 Excellent Cash Back Credit Cards of 2020
A cash back credit card earns you cash rewards – usually around 1% to 2% but sometimes more – on every purchase. Compare these deals, some of which are from our partners, to find the one for you.
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NerdWallet's Excellent Cash Back Credit Cards of 2020
Citi Double Cash® Card: Best for Flat Rate Cash Back
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for Everyday Spending
Discover it® Cash Back: Best for Bonus Categories and First Year Cashback Match
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card: Best for Customizable rewards
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for Cash-Back Pairing with Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Chase Freedom Flex℠: Best for Low Intro APR and No Annual Fee
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for Cash back on everyday spending
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for Bonus offer + 0% period for purchases
Excellent Cash Back Credit Cards From Our Partners
Credit card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Intro APR | Regular APR | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent for Flat Rate Cash Back | $0 | 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months | 19.24%-29.24% Variable APR | Apply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application | |
 Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Apply Now on American Express' website on American Express' website | Excellent for Everyday Spending | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. | 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers | 19.24%-29.99% Variable APR | Apply Now on American Express' website on American Express' website |
| Excellent for Bonus Categories and First Year Cashback Match | $0 | 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers | 17.24%-28.24% Variable APR | Apply Now on Discover's website, on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264 | |
 Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Apply Now on Bank of America's website, on Bank of America's website, or call (877) 754-6706 | Excellent for Customizable rewards | $0 | 0% intro APR on Purchases for 15 billing cycles and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days | 18.24%-28.24% Variable APR | Apply Now on Bank of America's website, on Bank of America's website, or call (877) 754-6706 |
| Excellent for Cash-Back Pairing with Chase Sapphire Preferred® | $0 | 0% intro APR on purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months | 20.49%-29.24% Variable APR | Apply Now on Chase's website on Chase's website | |
| Excellent for Low Intro APR and No Annual Fee | $0 | 0% intro APR on purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months | 20.49%-29.24% Variable APR | Apply Now on Chase's website on Chase's website | |
 Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express Apply Now on American Express' website on American Express' website | Excellent for Cash back on everyday spending | $0 | 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers | 19.24%-29.99% Variable APR | Apply Now on American Express' website on American Express' website |
 Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card Apply Now on Capital One's website on Capital One's website | Excellent for Bonus offer + 0% period for purchases | $0 | 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers; balance transfer fee applies | 19.99%-29.99% Variable APR | Apply Now on Capital One's website on Capital One's website |
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.
Cash back on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
$0
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.
$0
- 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.
- 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, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- 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).
- View Rates & Fees
- No annual fee
- High rewards rate
- Intro balance transfer fee
- No intro APR period on purchases
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply.
Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
Cash Back on other purchases.
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply.
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in 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. 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% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
- 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.
- 3% Cash Back 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.
- Get up to $120 in statement credits annually when you pay for an auto-renewing subscription to Equinox+ at equinoxplus.com with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. That’s $10 in statement credits each month. Enrollment required.
- Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. Enrollment required.
- Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
- High rewards rate
- Bonus categories
- Intro APR period
- Cash rewards
- Has annual fee
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Spending caps on bonus rewards
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
Cash back on all other purchases.
$0
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
$0
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- No annual fee.
- Terms and conditions apply.
- View Rates & Fees
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period
- Bonus categories
- Cash rewards
- Complicated rewards
- Spending caps on bonus rewards
- Lower acceptance abroad
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Cash back in the category of your choice (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases).
Cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases).
Cash back on all other purchases.
$0
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
$0
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- 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.
- Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishing purchases.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
- No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
- No annual fee
- New cardholder bonus offer
- Rotating bonus categories
- Relationship rewards for customers
- Intro APR period
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Complicated rewards
- Spending caps on bonus rewards
- Best rewards limited to certain customers
Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
Cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel.
Cash back on drugstore purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 3% cash back on drugstore purchases.
Cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.
Cash back on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
$0
Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
$0
- INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period
- High rewards rate
- No minimum redemption amount
- Requires good/excellent credit
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
Cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate.
Cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®.
Cash back on dining.
Cash back at drugstores.
Cash back on all other purchases.
$0
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
$0
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
- No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex℠ card
- Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
- No annual fee
- New cardholder bonus offer
- Bonus categories
- Cash rewards
- Intro APR period
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Complicated rewards
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply.
Cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%).
Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%).
Cash Back at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%).
Cash Back on other purchases.
$0
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply.
$0
- Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- No Annual Fee.
- Balance Transfer is back! Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
- Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card.
- Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
- No annual fee
- High rewards rate
- Intro APR period
- Bonus categories
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Spending caps on bonus rewards
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
Cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.
Cash back on every purchase, every day.
$0
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
$0
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- View Rates & Fees
- No annual fee
- High rewards rate
- Intro APR period
- No foreign transaction fees
- Requires good/excellent credit
- No bonus categories
