11 Best Cash Back Credit Cards

Earning Structure:

• Earn unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases
• No limits or category restrictions

Welcome Bonus:

• New cardholders can earn a $200 cash bonus after reaching a certain spending amount within the first few months.

Card Details:

• Annual Fee: $0
• Intro APR: 0% for a set period on purchases
• Ongoing APR: Variable, based on creditworthiness
• Rewards Program: Unlimited 2% cash back

Key Benefits:

• No annual fee
• Simple flat-rate cash back
• 0% intro APR on purchases for a limited time
• Cash rewards bonus for new users

Redemption Options:
Cash back can be redeemed as statement credits, direct deposit, or gift cards. Rewards have no expiration as long as the account is open.

Credit Requirements:
The card is best for those with good to excellent credit scores.

Spending Limitations/Potential Drawbacks:
There are no category limits, but the card doesn’t provide extra rewards for specific spending categories like groceries or gas. The variable APR can be high after the intro period.

Why It Works for Beginners: This card is easy to understand and use. With no annual fee and simple cash back, beginners can start earning rewards without worrying about managing categories or deadlines.

Earning Structure:

• Dining: 3% cash back
• Entertainment & Streaming: 3% cash back
• Grocery Stores: 3% cash back
• Other Purchases: 1% cash back

The card often comes with a welcome bonus. This bonus is currently around $250 cash back after spending a set amount in the first few months.

Card Details:

• No annual fee
• 3% cash back on select categories
• 1% cash back on others
• Introductory offer with bonus cash back

Key Benefits:

• Easy to earn rewards on popular everyday spending
• No fee keeps the card affordable for many users
• Bonus cash back to jumpstart earnings

Redemption Options:
Cash back rewards can be redeemed as statement credits, checks, or gift cards, making it flexible for users.

Credit Requirements:
This card requires good to excellent credit to qualify.

Potential Drawbacks:
Potential drawbacks include no bonus categories beyond food, groceries, and entertainment. Also, the 3% rate doesn’t apply to gas or travel.

Why It Works for Beginners: It’s perfect for beginners because it has no annual fee, simple rewards, and an easy cash back system without complicated criteria.

Earning Structure:

• 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year)
• 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
• 3% cash back on select streaming services and transit
• 1% cash back on other purchases

Welcome Bonus:
New cardholders can earn a $250 cash back bonus after spending a certain amount in the first few months.

Card Details:

• Annual Fee: $95
• APR Range: Varies based on creditworthiness
• Credit Needed: Good to Excellent

Key Benefits:

• High rewards on groceries and gas
• Bonus cash back on streaming and transit
• No foreign transaction fees
• Purchase protection and extended warranty

Redemption Options:
Cash back can be redeemed as statement credit, direct deposit, or gift cards. Rewards do not expire as long as the account is active.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
The 6% cash back is capped at $6,000 annually on groceries. After that, the rate drops to 1%. The $95 fee may not be worth it for those with low grocery or gas spending.

Why it Works for Beginners:
This card is simple to use and rewards common expenses. The simple cash back structure simplifies the process of tracking rewards. It suits those new to rewards cards who want significant returns on basic monthly purchases.

Earning Structure:

• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
• 3% cash back on dining (in restaurants or takeout)
• 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
• 1.5% cash back on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:
New cardholders can earn a cash bonus, typically around $200, after spending $500 in the first three months.

Card Details:

• No annual fee
• Purchase and travel protections
• Access to Chase Ultimate Rewards® program

Key Benefits:

• Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
• Higher cash back on travel, dining, and drugstores
• No minimum to redeem cash back
• Works with Chase’s rewards points system

Redemption Options:
Cash back can be redeemed as statement credits, gift cards, travel, or direct deposits. Points can be combined with other Chase cards for more value.

Credit Requirements:
Typically requires good to excellent credit.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
No rotating bonus categories. Cash back rates are steady but not the highest in all categories.

Why it Works for Beginners:
Its simple earning rates and no annual fee make it easy to use and understand. Beginners do not need to track categories or activate offers to earn rewards.

Earning Structure:

• 5% cash back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market
• 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and on transit (Uber, etc.)
• 1% cash back on other purchases

Welcome Bonus:
New cardholders can get a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly after approval.

Card Details:

• No annual fee (requires Prime membership)
• No foreign transaction fees
• Contactless payment enabled

Key Benefits:

• High cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases
• Bonus cash back on daily spending categories
• Easy to use with Amazon’s ecosystem
• No foreign transaction fees when traveling

Redemption Options:
Cash back is automatically applied as an Amazon credit or can be redeemed as a statement credit. Rewards are simple and flexible, ideal for frequent Amazon users.

Credit Requirements:
The card typically requires good to excellent credit for approval.

Spending Limitations/Potential Drawbacks:
The best rewards require an Amazon Prime membership, which has its own cost. Cash back outside Amazon is lower compared to some other cards. It may not be the best option for non-Prime members or those seeking travel points.

Why it Works for Beginners:
Its straightforward cash-back system makes it easy for beginners to understand and use. The instant gift card bonus is a quick reward, and no annual fee lowers the barrier to entry. The card fits well for anyone who shops on Amazon often.

Earning Structure

• 1% cash back on every purchase
• Additional 1% cash back when the balance is paid

Welcome Bonus:
New cardholders can earn a $200 cash back bonus by meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first few months of opening their account.

Card Details:

• No annual fee
• 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for a set period
• Unlimited cash back on all purchases

Key Benefits:

• Simple flat-rate cash back rewards
• Flexible redemption options, including statement credits or gift cards
• Converts cash back to Citi ThankYou® points when paired with select Citi cards

Redemption Options:
Cash back can be redeemed as statement credits, direct deposits, or gift cards. Points conversion is also available with certain Citi cards.

Credit Requirements:
Good to excellent credit scores are needed to qualify.

Spending Limitations:
There are no category restrictions, but to earn the full 1% cash back, you must pay your monthly statement in full.

Why It Works for Beginners:
The straightforward cashback system allows new cardholders to earn rewards easily, without the need to track spending categories or follow complicated rules.

Earning Structure:

• 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1%)
• 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000/year, then 1%)
• 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000/year, then 1%)
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:
New cardholders can earn a $200 statement credit. They must spend $2,000 within the first six months to qualify.

Card Details:

• Annual Fee: $0
• Cash Back Rates: 3% on groceries, gas, and U.S. online retail (up to $6,000 per year)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Typically none
• Purchase APR: Varies, based on creditworthiness

Key Benefits:

• No annual fee, making it cost-effective for long-term use
• Steady cash back on common spending categories like groceries, gas, or dining
• Ideal for users seeking consistent rewards without paying yearly fees

Redemption Options:
Cardholders can redeem cash back as statement credits or apply it toward purchases. The card requires good to excellent credit for approval.

Spending Limitations:
Limitations include a cap on high-rate rewards and less flexibility compared to premium cards.

Why it Works for Beginners:
This card works well for beginners. Its straightforward rewards and no fee make it easy to use without complex terms or high costs.

Welcome Bonus:
Discover matches all the cash back earned in the first year. This means if users earn $200, Discover will add another $200.

Card Details:

• 5% Cash Back: Rotating categories quarterly
• 1% Cash Back: All other purchases
• Annual Fee: $0

Key Benefits:

• No annual fee
• Cash back rewards that never expire
• Strong customer service
• Purchase protection
• Fraud monitoring

Redemption Options:
Cardholders can redeem cash back as statement credits, direct deposits, gift cards, or merchandise.

Credit Requirements:
The Discover it® Cash Back card requires good to excellent credit to qualify.

Potential Drawbacks:
Its rotating categories may require tracking to maximize rewards, which could be a drawback for some users.

Why it Works for Beginners:
This card works well for beginners because it has no fee, straightforward earning methods, and a helpful first-year bonus.

Earning Structure:

• 6% cash back on one category of your choice for the first year (up to $2,500 in spending per quarter)
• 1% cash back on all other purchases
• 3% cash back on dining and gas (default categories if not choosing a bonus category)

Welcome Bonus:
New cardholders get a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending a specified amount in the first 3 months.

Card Details:

• No annual fee
• Standard APR applies after any promotional period
• Quarterly spending limit of $2,500 for the 6% cash back category

Key Benefits:

• Ability to change your bonus category monthly
• Higher cash back rates for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members
• No annual fee

Redemption Options:
Cash back can be redeemed as statement credits, direct deposits, or gift cards.

Credit Requirements:
Good to excellent credit is needed to qualify for this card.

Spending Limitations:
The 6% cash back applies only up to $2,500 in quarterly spending in the chosen category.

Why it Works for Beginners:
Its easy-to-understand earning structure and no annual fee make it a solid choice for those new to cash back credit cards. The flexibility to pick bonus categories helps beginners maximize rewards without complications.

Earning Structure:

• 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
• 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

Welcome Bonus:
New cardholders can earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after spending a certain amount within the first few months of opening an account.

Card Details:

• Annual Fee: $0
• Foreign Transaction Fee: None
• APR: Variable, based on credit
• Credit Bureaus Used: TransUnion, Experian

Key Benefits:

• Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
• No rotating categories or activation needed
• No foreign transaction fees
• Bonus cash back on travel bookings through Capital One

Redemption Options:
Cash back can be redeemed as statement credits, gift cards, or checks. Rewards never expire while the account is open.

Credit Requirements:
Typically requires good to excellent credit.

Spending Limitations / Drawbacks:
No bonus categories beyond Capital One Travel bookings, so it may not earn as much in specific categories.

Why it Works for Beginners:
The card is simple to use, with no annual fee. Beginners don’t need to track categories or sign-ups, making it easier to earn and redeem rewards.

Earning Structure:

• Top Spend Category: 3% cash back
• Second Spend Category: 2% cash back
• All Other Purchases: 1% cash back

Welcome Bonus:
New cardholders can get a $200 cash-back bonus after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days. This bonus adds extra value during the first few months.

Card Details:

• No annual fee
• 0% APR for 15 months on balance transfers
• Unlimited cash back, no caps or restrictions

Key Benefits:

• Customizable cash back categories
• No limit on earning potential
• Solid rewards on common spend areas

Redemption Options:
Rewards can be redeemed for statement credits, direct deposits, or gift cards. The redemption process is simple and flexible.

Credit Requirements:
The card requires good credit to qualify. It might not be available in all states, so applicants should check eligibility.

Spending Limitations/Potential Drawbacks:
There are no major spending restrictions, but the rewards categories must be chosen to maximize benefits.

Why it Works for Beginners:
This card works well for beginners because it is easy to use and offers rewards on everyday spending. It has no annual fee and a useful welcome bonus to start earning right away.