13 Best Cash Back Credit Cards

Earning Structure:

Cardholders earn 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% on all other purchases. This setup makes it easy to earn rewards on both everyday and occasional spending.

Welcome Bonus:

New users can earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 within the first three months. This is a simple and achievable goal for many beginners.

Card Details:

• Annual Fee: $0
• Intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
• Ongoing APR: Variable, based on creditworthiness
• Network: Visa

Key Benefits:

• Purchase protection and extended warranty
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
• Rental car damage waiver
• No foreign transaction fees
• Access to Chase Offers and travel protections

Redemption Options:

Cash back can be redeemed as statement credits, direct deposits, or gift cards. If paired with a premium Chase card, cash back converts to Chase Ultimate Rewards points for travel transfers.

Credit Requirements:

Generally requires a good to excellent credit score (typically 670+ FICO).

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

To maximize redemption value through points transfer, you must also hold a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred®. This may not be ideal for those looking to use just one card.

Why It Works for Beginners: The card’s flat-rate rewards and bonus categories are easy to understand. It has no annual fee, and the welcome bonus is accessible. Beginners also benefit from the intro APR period and flexible redemption options.

Earning Structure:

Cardholders earn 2% cash back on all purchases, with no caps or rotating categories. This flat rate is ideal for users who want simplicity and predictability.

Welcome Bonus:

New cardholders can receive a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in the first three months. It’s a low threshold that beginners can easily reach.

Card Details:

• Annual Fee: $0
• Intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
• Ongoing APR: Variable, based on creditworthiness
• Network: Visa

Key Benefits:

• Unlimited 2% cash back on everything
• No category tracking or enrollment
• Cell phone protection when you pay your bill with the card
• Contactless payment and digital wallet compatibility

Redemption Options:

Cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit, direct deposit, or paper check. There’s no minimum redemption amount, and rewards never expire as long as the account remains open.

Credit Requirements:

Typically requires a good to excellent credit score (around 670+ FICO).

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The card lacks bonus categories, which may reduce earnings for those who spend heavily in areas like groceries or dining. Also, it doesn’t offer travel-specific perks or category customization.

Why It Works for Beginners: With no annual fee and a simple flat-rate structure, this card is easy to use and understand. The intro APR and welcome bonus offer strong value to new cardholders building credit or managing balances.

Earning Structure:

Cardholders earn 4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 3% at grocery stores, and 1% on all other purchases. There’s also 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Welcome Bonus:

New users can earn a one-time bonus (typically around $300) after meeting a spending requirement within the first three months.

Key Benefits:

• High cash back rates on food and fun
• No foreign transaction fees
• Unlimited cash back with no expiration
• Contactless payment support

Cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit, check, or gift card, with no minimum redemption requirement. The card generally requires good to excellent credit for approval.

While the $95 annual fee might be a drawback for lower spenders, the high reward rates can easily offset the cost for frequent diners or entertainment seekers. The 1% base rate on other purchases is lower than many flat-rate cards.

Why It Works for Beginners: This card offers rich rewards in categories many beginners already spend on. The structure is straightforward, the welcome bonus is attainable, and there’s no need to track rotating categories—making it easy to use and rewarding from the start.

Earning Structure:

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

Welcome Bonus:

New cardholders can receive a $300 statement credit after meeting the required spending threshold within the first few months.

Key Benefits:

• Excellent rewards on everyday spending
• No foreign transaction fees
• Cash back applied as statement credits
• Contactless payment supported

Cash back is automatically credited to your account, which helps simplify redemptions. The card requires good to excellent credit and comes with a $95 annual fee.

One potential drawback is that the top-tier 6% grocery reward applies only to the first $6,000 in spending each year. After that, the rate drops to 1%. For lighter spenders, the annual fee might outweigh the benefit.

Why It Works for Beginners: The high rewards and easy-to-understand structure appeal to those who spend consistently in key categories. It’s a solid starting card for beginners who want premium rewards with predictable terms.

Earning Structure:

Cardholders earn 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories—like groceries, gas, or restaurants—up to $1,500 per quarter after activation. All other purchases earn 1% cash back.

Key Benefits:

• First-year Cashback Match: Discover doubles all rewards earned in the first 12 months
• No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
• 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
• Free FICO score tracking and easy card freeze via mobile app

Cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit, direct deposit, gift card, or for purchases at select merchants. Rewards never expire, and there’s no minimum to redeem.

The 5% rate is limited to $1,500 in spending per quarter, and activation is required for bonus categories. After hitting the cap, rewards drop to 1%. The card usually requires good credit (around 670+ FICO) to qualify.

Why It Works for Beginners: With no annual fee and first-year reward doubling, this card gives beginners a strong head start. The rotating categories also encourage mindful spending and reward strategy—without overwhelming complexity.

Earning Structure:

Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, gas stations, and online retail purchases—each capped at $6,000 annually. All other purchases earn 1% cash back.

Welcome Bonus:

New users receive a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 within the first six months.

Key Benefits:

• No annual fee
• Simple rewards for everyday spending
• Contactless payment and Amex customer support

Cash back is automatically credited to your statement, with no expiration on rewards. The card typically requires a fair to good credit score for approval.

One limitation is the $6,000 yearly cap on each 3% category—high spenders may want more flexibility. However, for most beginners, these caps are generous enough.

Why It Works for Beginners: With no fees, well-rounded rewards, and easy redemptions, this card helps new users build good credit habits while getting rewarded for everyday purchases.

Earning Structure:

You earn 2% cash back on every purchase—1% when you buy and 1% when you pay. There are no category restrictions or caps on rewards.

Key Benefits:

• No annual fee
• Long 0% intro APR on balance transfers (18 months)
• 24/7 fraud protection and digital account management

Cash back is issued as Citi ThankYou Points, which can be redeemed as statement credits, direct deposits, checks, or for travel and gift cards. The card generally requires good to excellent credit.

While it doesn’t offer a welcome bonus or bonus categories, the flat 2% back appeals to users who want steady rewards on all spending. The lack of bonus structure means it’s best for general-purpose use rather than maximizing specific categories.

Why It Works for Beginners: The Citi Double Cash® is easy to use, with dependable rewards and no confusing terms. It’s an excellent first card for building consistent spending and payment habits.

Earning Structure:

Earn 5% cash back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel bookings—with an active Prime membership. All other purchases earn 1% cash back.

There’s no annual fee, but an Amazon Prime membership is required. The card often includes a welcome bonus, though the offer varies and should be checked at the time of application.

Key Benefits:

• 5% back on major Amazon-related purchases
• Rotating bonus deals offering 10% or more on select categories
• No foreign transaction fees

Cash back can be redeemed as statement credits, gift cards, or used directly at checkout on Amazon. The card generally requires a fair to good credit score (around 670+).

Its value depends on Prime membership; non-members receive lower rewards. It’s most useful for shoppers already embedded in the Amazon ecosystem.

Why It Works for Beginners: If you’re a regular Amazon user, the Prime Visa offers a simple way to earn meaningful rewards. With no annual fee and direct redemption options, it’s low-maintenance and beginner-friendly.

Earning Structure:

Cardholders earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, plus 5% on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Welcome Bonus:

New users receive a $200 cash bonus after spending $500 in the first three months.

With no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for a limited time, the Quicksilver delivers convenience. Credit approval typically requires a good to excellent credit score.

Key Benefits:

• Flat-rate rewards with no categories or caps
• Easy redemption options: statement credit, travel, or gift cards
• Simple mobile and online management tools

Some users may find the 1.5% rate less rewarding than cards with tiered structures, but the ease of use is its standout feature.

Why It Works for Beginners: The lack of fees and category tracking makes this a low-risk card to start with. It’s great for building habits while earning steady cash back on every purchase.

Earning Structure:

Cardholders earn 3% cash back in a chosen category (like gas, online shopping, dining, or travel), 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% on all other purchases. The 3% and 2% rates apply to the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter, then drop to 1%.

Welcome Bonus:

New users receive a $200 online cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days.

Benefits include the ability to change your 3% category once each month and boosted earnings—up to 75% more—if you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards client. The card has no foreign transaction fees and requires good to excellent credit for approval.

One drawback is the $2,500 cap per quarter on higher cash back rates, which limits earnings for high spenders.

Why It Works for Beginners: Its customizable structure gives new cardholders control while keeping rewards simple. With no annual fee and a generous welcome bonus, it’s a solid starter option for flexible earners.

Earning Structure:

Earn 3% cash back on purchases from Apple and select merchants, 2% when using Apple Pay, and 1% on purchases made with the physical card.

There’s no welcome bonus, but rewards are delivered daily as Apple Cash. There are also no fees—no annual, late, or foreign transaction fees. Credit requirements generally fall in the good to excellent range.

Key Benefits:

• Daily cash rewards that post instantly
• Full integration with Apple Wallet and budgeting tools
• Transparent interest calculator and spending summaries

The main drawback is limited 3% earnings, which are mostly tied to Apple-related purchases. Those not fully in the Apple ecosystem may find better value elsewhere.

Why It Works for Beginners: With no fees and intuitive app tools, the Apple Card helps new users track spending and earn easy rewards. It’s especially appealing to Apple loyalists looking to build credit in a user-friendly environment.

Earning Structure:

Earn 2% cash back on every purchase—no categories, no caps, and no enrollment required.

There’s no welcome bonus, and the card doesn’t offer many extras beyond its consistent rewards. Cash back is automatically applied as a statement credit each billing cycle. A good credit score (typically 700+) is recommended for approval.

Key Benefits:

• Flat 2% cash back on all spending
• No annual fee
• Automatic redemption keeps things simple

While it lacks bonus perks or travel benefits, the lack of complexity makes this card appealing for straightforward earners.

Why It Works for Beginners: It removes the guesswork. With no fees or rotating categories, beginners can focus on using the card responsibly and earning back a steady percentage on all purchases.

Earning Structure:

Earn 3% cash back on purchases made through PayPal and 1.5% on all other purchases. No activation or category tracking is required.

There’s no welcome bonus, but cash back is automatically applied to your PayPal balance. The card requires fair to good credit and is subject to approval based on creditworthiness.

Key Benefits:

• No annual fee
• Cash back never expires while the account is open
• Simple structure with no rotating categories or limits

The card is best suited for people who already use PayPal regularly. It doesn’t offer additional perks like travel protections or enhanced redemptions beyond statement credits and PayPal purchases.

Why It Works for Beginners: Its flat rewards and no-fee structure make it easy to use. For PayPal users, it provides automatic value without any effort, making it a practical first card.