The most adaptable of all credit card perks is cash back. Instead of points that you must figure out how to redeem — and which you may or may not be able to redeem for what you want — you get real dollars and cents that you can spend on anything.
You can earn cash rewards ranging from 1% to 6% of the amount of each transaction depending on the card you use and where you use it. Some cards charge a single, flat rate on all purchases, while others charge higher rates in certain categories and a reduced rate elsewhere.
Some of our greatest cash-back credit cards can be applied for through our team, while others cannot. The credit card partiners’ application links are listed below.
Best Cash Back Credit Cards From Our Partners
The annual fee is hefty for a cash-back card, but for families who spend a lot on groceries, petrol, transit, and streaming, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express will more than make up for it.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
ANNUAL FEE
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
REWARDS RATE
1%-6%
Cashback
INTRO OFFER
$350
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
690/850 Good – Excellent
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
When it offered 1.5 percent cash back on all transactions, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® was already a good card. It’s even better now, with additional benefits on trips booked through Chase, as well as dining and pharmacy purchases. New cardholders are also eligible for a generous incentive.
ANNUAL FEE
$0
REWARDS RATE
1.5%-5%
Cashback
INTRO OFFER
$200
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
690/850Good – Excellent
Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer
For pure value and simplicity, the Citi® Double Cash Card – 18-Month BT offer earns top marks: 2 percent cash back on every transaction — 1 percent when you make it and 1 percent when you pay it off.
Shop as usual and receive a terrific rewards rate on EVERYTHING.
ANNUAL FEE
$0
REWARDS RATE
1%-2%
Cashback
INTRO OFFER
N/A
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
690/850Good – Excellent
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Even after being challenged by a slew of new competitors, the original 1.5 percent cash-back credit card is still going strong. The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the few cards that offers a compelling combination of cash-back rate, sign-up bonus, introductory 0% APR offer, and redemption flexibility.
ANNUAL FEE
$0
REWARDS RATE
1.5%
Cashback
INTRO OFFER
$200
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
690/850Good – Excellent
Discover it® Cash Back
You can get 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in spending in areas you activate each quarter, and unlike some cards, the 5% categories include sites where a lot of people spend a lot of money. The Discover it® Cash Back is a good everyday or backup card, thanks to Discover’s distinctive bonus and a $0 annual fee.
ANNUAL FEE
$0
REWARDS RATE
1%-5%
Cashback
INTRO OFFER
Cashback Match™
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
690/850Good – Excellent