Cash back credit cards are an easy way to generate income every month. The key is to find cards with the highest rewards that match your spending habits. To help, here is our updated list of the best cash back credit cards.

In 2018 I began saving and investing the cash back rewards we earned from credit cards. In 2019 alone we earned $4,177.83 in credit card rewards. As of February 2020, our balance has grown to $9,306.53. As of 2022, our balance has grown to $38,232.08.
Without sacrificing our lifestyle in any way, we've been able to save more than $38,000 by strategically using credit card rewards. To help you maximize your rewards, in this article we'll look at the best cash back credit cards available today.
3 Types of Cash Back Credit Cards
As you map out your own cash back strategy, keep in mind that there are three broad types of cash back cards.
- One Reward Rate: The most simple approach is a card that pays the same reward percentage on all purchases. The industry standard is 1%, but for those with good credit, you can nab 1.5% or even 2% on every purchase. This should be the first type of cash back card you get and serve as your everyday card.
- Bonus Categories: Finally, some cards offer bonus rewards for certain categories of purchases, such as restaurants, groceries, or gas. The bonus rates can vary based on the categories, with some cards offering multiple bonus categories. Purchases outside of the bonus categories typically pay 1%. This cards should supplement your everyday card if you want to maximize your rewards.
- 5% Rotating Categories: These cards offer 5% cash back on specific categories of purchases that change every three months. There are spending caps eligible for the 5% cash back, typically $1,500 each quarter. All other purchases typically earn 1% cash back.
As we look at the top cash back cards, we'll point out if a card charges an annual fee, offers a signup bonus, or limits its cash back rewards in any way.
- 3 Types of Cash Back Credit Cards
- Best Cash Back Credit Cards
- Citi® Double Cash Card - 18 month BT offer
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
- U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card
- Chase Freedom Flex(SM)
- Bread Cashback™ American Express® Credit Card
- Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Petal 2 Visa Card
- Citi Custom Cash Card
- List of Cash Back Credit Cards
- How to Maximize Cash Back Rewards
- Frequently Asked Questions
Best Cash Back Credit Cards
Citi® Double Cash Card - 18 month BT offer

Rewards:
- Annual Fee: $0
- Welcome Bonus: None
- 0% Intro APR: Get 0% APY on balance transfers for the first 18 months, then a variable APR of 18.49% - 28.49%.
- Regular APR: 18.49% - 28.49%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®

This card could serve as your everyday card. While its flat rate is 1.5%, not 2%, its increased rewards can often make up the difference and then some.
Rewards:
- Annual Fee: $0
- Welcome Bonus: Welcome Bonus: Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
- 0% Intro APR: Get 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, then a variable APR of 19.49% - 28.24%.
- Regular APR: 19.49% - 28.24%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
On top of that, it offers a signup bonus that increases the reward rate on all categories in the first year.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

We view the card as best for families or others who can take full advantage of the 6% cash back categories. Here's a breakdown (Terms Apply):
Rewards:
- Annual Fee: $95, waived for the first year
- Welcome Bonus: Get $250 cash back after you spend $3,000 in the first 6 months.
- 0% Intro APR: Get 0% on purchases for 12 months, then a variable APR of 18.74% - 29.74%.
- Regular APR: 18.74% - 29.74%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card

- Annual Fee: $0
- Welcome Bonus: Get a $200 bonus after you spend $1,000 in the first 120 days after account opening
- 0% Intro APR: Get 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles, then 18.99% - 28.99% variable.
- Regular APR: 18.99% - 28.99%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 2% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in U.S. Dollars 3% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in a Foreign Currency
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Rewards:
- Annual Fee: $0
- Welcome Bonus: Get $200 cash back after you spend $500 in the first 3 months.
- 0% Intro APR: Get 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, then a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.24%.
- Regular APR: 19.24% - 29.24%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card

Rewards:
- Annual Fee: $0
- Welcome Bonus: Get 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days.
- 0% Intro APR: Get 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles, then 19.49% - 28.49% variable.
- Regular APR: 19.49% - 28.49%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Chase Freedom Flex(SM)

The 5% cash back includes rotating categories that change each quarter. This is the only rotating card we recommend. Why? Because it pays out elevated rewards in more than just rotating categories.
Rewards:
- Annual Fee: $0
- Welcome Bonus: Get a $200 bonus after you spend $500 in the first 3 months.
- 0% Intro APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.24% - 27.99%.
- Regular APR: 19.24% - 27.99%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
Bread Cashback™ American Express® Credit Card

The card comes with American Express premium benefits including 24-hour emergency assistance, ID theft protection, and early access to buy tickets to concerts and other events.3 However, the card does not offer a welcome bonus. Learn More.
Rewards:
Purchase APR: 19.74%, 27.24%, or 29.99% variable APR
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Rewards:
- Annual Fee: $0
- Welcome Bonus: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus when you spend $500 in the first 3 months.
- 0% Intro APR: Get 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, then a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.24%.
- Regular APR: 19.24% - 29.24%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Rewards:
- Annual Fee: $39
- Welcome Bonus: None
- 0% Intro APR: None
- Regular APR: 29.74%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Petal 2 Visa Card

Rewards:
- Annual Fee: $0
- Welcome Bonus: None
- 0% Intro APR: None
- Regular APR: 17.49% - 31.49% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Citi Custom Cash Card

Citi solved both of those limitations. First, there is no quarterly signup requirement. Second, you can earn 5% on up to $500 per month from one of several purchase categories that don't change. Citi simply applies the 5% rate to the eligible category in which you've spent the most. It seems like such an obvious solution that I'm surprised another credit card issuer didn't think of it sooner.
Rewards:
- Annual Fee: $0
- Welcome Bonus: Get $200 cash back when you spend $1,500 in the first 6 months.
- 0% Intro APR: Get 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then a variable APR of 18.49% - 28.49%.
- Regular APR: 18.49% - 28.49%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each purchase transaction in US dollars.
List of Cash Back Credit Cards
We track dozens of cash back cards. Below you'll find a list of those cards, ordered by signup bonus, if any. You can click the card name to get more details about each offer. Remember that signup bonuses have spend requirements you must meet to qualify. Sometimes, the signup bonus is in the form of increased cash back rates the first year, subject to spending caps.

1% to 5% cash back
$95
$750

1% - 5% Cash Back
$0
$500

1 to 3% cash back
$0
$50

1.5% to 5%
$0
None
How to Maximize Cash Back Rewards
As I noted above, we save and invest all of our credit card rewards. Over time, we've built a 5-figure portfolio just from credit cards. I'm confident it will soon be 6-figures. Here's the strategy we follow:
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit card gives you the most cash back?
The answer depends on how you use the card. The highest paying cash back card on ALL purchase is the Alliant Credit Union Visa Signature card. It pays 2.5% on all purchases, subject to a spending cap of $10,000 per month. Many cards, however, pay more than 2.5% cash back for specific categories of purchases. Arguably the highest is the Blue Cash Preferred Card by American Express, listed above.
What types of cash back credit cards are there?
Cash back cards fall into one of three categories. The first type provides a set cash back percentage on all purchases. The second provides increased rewards for certain categories of purchases, such as travel or dining out. And finally, some cards offer an increased rewards level in rotating purchase categories that change every three months.
Which credit cards offer 2% or more cash back?
There are a few credit cards that pay 2% or more on every purchase. These include the Alliant Credit Union Visa Signature card (2.5% cash back) and the Fidelity Visa card (2% paid into your Fidelity account).
How do cash back credit cards work?
With each purchase you make to the card, the issuer pays you a certain percentage of the amount charged. The percentage varies from one credit card to the next, the type of purchase being made, and in some cases how much you've already charged to the card. Cash back rewards generally range from 1% to 6%.