We love journey rewards right here at TPG, however typically money again is king.
With a cash-back card, you do not have to fret about maximizing redemption worth or limitations on how you should utilize your rewards. You may merely use them for something at virtually any time — and typically, that freedom is essentially the most invaluable choice round.
I have been within the factors and miles world for nearly 15 years and will write all day concerning the journey I have been in a position to expertise due to the bank cards in my pockets. However lately, I moved to a brand new state and realized that I wished my rewards to assist cowl issues like transferring packing containers and late-night pizza runs as a substitute of aircraft tickets and swanky resort stays. Money-back playing cards to the rescue.
When you’re in an analogous season the place flexibility is the secret, there is a cash-back card (or two or three) on this record for you. And even if you happen to’re centered on journey rewards, a few of these cash-back playing cards can develop into journey rewards with the appropriate card mixtures.
Listed here are our prime picks for cash-back bank cards.
The very best cash-back bank cards
Evaluating the very best cash-back bank cards
| Card | Greatest for | Welcome provide | Incomes charges | Annual payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Money Most well-liked Card from American Specific | Incomes money again at U.S. supermarkets | Earn a $250 assertion credit score after spending $3,000 within the first six months of cardmembership. |
Money again is obtained within the type of Reward {Dollars} that may be redeemed as an announcement credit score or at Amazon.com checkout. |
$0 intro annual payment for the primary 12 months, then $95 (see charges and charges) |
| Chase Freedom Limitless | Pairing with a extra premium Chase card | Earn $250 money again after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening. |
|
$0 |
| Capital One Spark Money Plus | Companies with excessive spending thresholds | Earn a $2,000 money bonus after spending $30,000 within the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn an extra $2,000 for each $500,000 spent within the first 12 months. | Earn 2% money again on each buy. | $150 |
| Wells Fargo Lively Money Card | Incomes money again on all purchases | Earn a $200 money rewards bonus after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening. | Earn 2% money rewards on purchases. | $0 |
| Citi Double Money Card | Pairing with a extra premium Citi card | Earn $200 money again after spending $1,500 within the first six months of account opening. | Earn 2% money again on all purchases (1% as you purchase and 1% as you pay). | $0 |
| Capital One Savor Money Rewards Credit score Card | Incomes money again at grocery shops and on eating with no annual payment | Earn a one-time $200 money bonus after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening. |
|
$0 |
| Chase Freedom Flex | Rotating quarterly classes | Earn $200 money again after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening. |
|
$0 |
| Capital One Spark Money | Companies that need a easy incomes construction | Earn a one-time $750 money bonus after spending $7,500 within the first three months from account opening. | Earn 2% money again on all purchases. | $0 intro annual payment for the primary 12 months, then $95 |
| Ink Enterprise Limitless Credit score Card | Companies which have a extra premium Chase card | Earn $750 money again after spending $6,000 within the first three months from account opening. | Earn 1.5% money again on all purchases. | $0 |
| Capital One Quicksilver Money Rewards Credit score Card | Flat-rate money again | Earn a one-time $200 money bonus after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening. | Earn 1.5% money again on all purchases. | $0 |
Blue Money Most well-liked Card from American Specific
Welcome provide: Earn a $250 assertion credit score after spending $3,000 within the first six months of cardmembership.
Annual payment: $0 intro annual payment for the primary 12 months, then $95.
Standout advantages: The Blue Money Most well-liked earns 6% money again at U.S. supermarkets (on as much as $6,000 in purchases every year, then 1%), 6% money again on choose streaming subscriptions, 3% money again on transit (together with taxis, ride-hailing providers, parking, tolls, trains and buses), 3% money again at U.S. fuel stations and 1% again on all different purchases. Money again is obtained within the type of Rewards {Dollars} that may be redeemed as an announcement credit score or at Amazon.com checkout.
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Plus, this card comes with as much as $84 yearly in assertion credit towards the Disney Bundle, making it a stable choice for cash-back followers who additionally pay for streaming platforms like Hulu and Disney+. You may stand up to $7 again every month if you spend not less than $9.99 on an eligible robotically renewing subscription to the Disney Bundle along with your card. Enrollment is required, phrases apply.
Give it some thought like this: When you’re in a position to make the most of this perk, it virtually covers the cardboard’s whole annual payment.
The Blue Money Most well-liked gives a unbelievable return on a variety of bonus classes. Once I’m centered on incomes money again, it is my go-to for U.S. grocery store, U.S. fuel station, U.S. streaming and transit purchases. Pair it with a stable flat-rate-earning card, like one talked about on this information, for a easy general cash-back technique.
Notice that, not like lots of our favourite cash-back playing cards, the Amex Blue Money Most well-liked has an annual payment ($0 intro annual payment for the primary 12 months, then $95). Ensure you’ll earn sufficient rewards on this card to justify the annual payment earlier than including it to your pockets.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full evaluation of the Amex Blue Money Most well-liked.
Apply right here: Amex Blue Money Most well-liked
Chase Freedom Limitless
Welcome provide: Earn $250 money again after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Annual payment: $0.
Standout advantages: The Freedom Limitless earns 5% money again on Chase Journey purchases, 3% money again on eating and at drugstores, and 1.5% money again on all different purchases.
And in case you have a extra premium Chase card, just like the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card (see charges and charges) or Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and charges), you may mix your rewards to unlock Chase’s full vary of resort and airline companions.
Typically, playing cards will provide bonus classes and simply 1% again on different purchases or a stable flat incomes price. The Freedom Limitless gives the very best of each worlds: some nice bonus classes and a better than 1% incomes on all different purchases.
This incomes construction makes it a fantastic card by itself however an excellent higher a part of a strategic card pairing or trifecta. Once I’m centered on incomes Chase Final Rewards factors, I take advantage of my Freedom Limitless alongside my Chase Sapphire Reserve to ensure I am incomes not less than 1.5 factors per greenback on each buy. And after I’m centered on a cash-back technique, the Freedom Limitless is a crucial participant due to its bonus earnings on eating and at drugstores.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full evaluation of the Chase Freedom Limitless.
Apply right here: Chase Freedom Limitless
Capital One Spark Money Plus
Welcome provide: Earn a $2,000 money bonus after spending $30,000 within the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn an extra $2,000 for each $500,000 spent within the first 12 months.
Annual payment: $150.
Standout advantages: The Spark Money Plus earns 5% money again on resorts and rental vehicles booked by way of Capital One Journey and a couple of% money again on all different purchases. Plus, if you happen to spend not less than $150,000 yearly, you may get your $150 annual payment refunded.
The Spark Money Plus is a stable choice for small companies that need a good return on all purchases. With this card, you will not must maintain monitor of bonus spending classes or fear about incomes caps — only a 2% return on all your online business bills.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full evaluation of the Spark Money Plus.
Be taught extra: Capital One Spark Money Plus
Wells Fargo Lively Money Card
Welcome provide: Earn a $200 money rewards bonus after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening.
Annual payment: $0.
Standout advantages: The Wells Fargo Lively Money earns limitless 2% money rewards on purchases. With this card, you may additionally stand up to $600 in cellphone safety (topic to a $25 deductible) — a wonderful perk for a card with no annual payment.
That is the cardboard for final simplicity and suppleness. With it, you will not have any incomes caps or bonus classes to maintain monitor of. It doesn’t matter what you are shopping for, you may earn a stable 2% return — simply cash in your pocket along with your purchases.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full evaluation of the Wells Fargo Lively Money.
Apply right here: Wells Fargo Lively Money
Citi Double Money
Welcome provide: Earn $200 money again after spending $1,500 within the first six months from account opening.
Annual payment: $0.
Standout advantages: The Citi Double Money earns limitless 2% money again on all purchases (1% if you purchase and 1% as you pay).
Not like most cash-back playing cards, the Double Money permits cardholders to switch their rewards to a couple journey companions along with the choice to redeem rewards for money again. You may select to switch your rewards to Alternative Privileges, JetBlue TrueBlue, Store Your Approach or Wyndham Rewards.
And if you happen to even have a extra premium Citi card, just like the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see charges and charges), you may mix your rewards and unlock Citi’s full lineup of resort and airline switch companions.
When you’re on the lookout for simplicity and suppleness, the Citi Double Money is an ideal selection. Like different playing cards with a stable flat incomes price, you may earn a great return on all of your purchases (assuming you pay your stability off every month) with out having to fret about bonus classes or spending caps.
Once I was new to the world of factors and miles and overwhelmed with bonus classes and annual charges to maintain monitor of, I added the Citi Double Money to my pockets — and it nonetheless stays a go-to for me. Once I’m centered on cash-back rewards, I attain for my Double Money for any buy that will not earn bonus rewards on any of my different playing cards. It doesn’t matter what I am shopping for, I do know I will get not less than a 2% return due to this card.
And whereas another playing cards provide an analogous incomes price, the choice to switch rewards to journey companions makes the Double Money stand out above the remainder.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full evaluation of the Citi Double Money.
Apply right here: Citi Double Money
Capital One Savor Money Rewards Credit score Card
Welcome provide: Earn a one-time $200 money bonus after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening.
Annual payment: $0.
Standout advantages: The Capital One Savor earns 8% money again on Capital One Leisure purchases, 5% money again on resorts and rental vehicles booked by way of Capital One Journey, and three% money again at grocery shops and on eating, leisure and well-liked streaming providers.
The Savor is a superb choice for many who need to earn extra in frequent spending classes with out paying an annual payment.
Due to its bonus classes, you may earn bonus rewards whether or not you are cooking at dwelling and streaming your favourite present or headed out to dinner and your favourite present.
Even higher, if you happen to even have a card that earns Capital One miles, such because the Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card, you may mix your rewards and unlock Capital One’s full vary of 15-plus resort and airline journey companions.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full evaluation of the Capital One Savor.
Be taught extra: Capital One Savor
Chase Freedom Flex
Welcome provide: Earn $200 money again after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening.
Annual payment: $0.
Standout advantages: The Freedom Flex earns 5% money again on rotating quarterly classes after activating (on as much as $1,500 in mixed purchases) in addition to 5% money again on Chase Journey purchases, and three% money again on eating and drugstore purchases.
And in case you have a extra premium Chase card, just like the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked or Chase Sapphire Reserve, you may mix your rewards to unlock Chase’s full vary of resort and airline companions.
The Freedom Flex permits you to earn a powerful 5% money again on rotating quarterly classes. Whereas there is not any strategy to know what future classes might be, previous quarters have supplied bonus earnings on well-liked classes like Amazon, grocery shops, spa providers and residential enchancment shops.
I really like utilizing my Freedom Flex alongside my Freedom Limitless. With this pairing, I can earn 5% again on the Flex’s classes and 1.5% again on all my different purchases. Even higher — since I even have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, I can mix my rewards and switch these bonus earnings into journey rewards.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full evaluation of the Freedom Flex.
Apply right here: Freedom Flex
Capital One Spark Money
Welcome provide: Earn a one-time $750 money bonus after spending $7,500 within the first three months from account opening.
Annual payment: $0 intro annual payment for the primary 12 months, then $95.
Standout advantages: Just like the Spark Money Plus, the Capital One Spark Money earns limitless 2% money again on all purchases. The Spark Money Plus, nonetheless, makes extra sense for a enterprise with greater overhead because it usually contains a greater spending threshold to earn cash-back rewards.
When you personal a small enterprise with decrease working bills, prioritize cash-back earnings over different bank card reward currencies and don’t need to monitor bonus classes to maximise your spending, the Spark Money is probably going a greater match in your wants.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full evaluation of the Capital One Spark Money.
Be taught extra: Capital One Spark Money
Ink Enterprise Limitless Credit score Card
Welcome provide: Earn $750 money again after spending $6,000 within the first three months from account opening.
Annual payment: $0.
Standout advantages: The Ink Enterprise Limitless earns limitless 1.5% money again on all purchases.
And in case you have a extra premium Chase card, just like the Ink Enterprise Most well-liked® Credit score Card (see charges and charges), you may mix your rewards to unlock Chase’s full vary of resort and airline companions. This can be a stable cash-back choice for companies that need to earn a stable return on purchases with out paying an annual payment.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full evaluation of the Ink Enterprise Limitless.
Apply right here: Ink Enterprise Limitless
Capital One Quicksilver Money Rewards Credit score Card
Welcome provide: Earn a one-time $200 money bonus after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening.
Annual payment: $0.
Standout advantages: The Capital One Quicksilver earns limitless 1.5% money again on all purchases.
This card is a stable selection for these desirous to keep away from annual charges and earn above the usual 1% on nonbonus spending. Whether or not you are getting the tab at dinner or ordering a bespoke reward, you may earn 1.5% money again due to this card.
For extra particulars, take a look at our full evaluation of the Quicksilver Money Rewards Credit score Card.
Be taught extra: Quicksilver Money Rewards Credit score Card
What to contemplate when selecting a cash-back bank card
Spending habits
Relating to cash-back bank cards, the most important distinction is which — if any — purchases earn bonus money again. If eating out is a serious a part of your price range, as an illustration, you may need to go for a card just like the Chase Freedom Flex or Capital One Savor to earn 3% money again on these purchases. However if you happen to spend extra on transit and groceries, the Amex Blue Money Most well-liked could also be a greater choice.
Associated: Amex vs. Chase cash-back playing cards
And in case your spending does not match neatly into any card’s bonus classes, you may need to go together with a great flat-rate-earning card, just like the Citi Double Money or Wells Fargo Lively Money, to make sure you’re incomes a stable return on all of your purchases.
Welcome bonus
Money-back playing cards aren’t identified for having profitable welcome gives, however most provide one thing. If you cannot determine between just a few playing cards, contemplating the worth you will get from every card’s welcome provide can assist you determine which to go together with.
Annual payment
There are many nice cash-back bank card choices that do not cost an annual payment. When you’re contemplating a card that has one, be sure you crunch the numbers and decide whether or not the rewards you earn will make that payment value paying.
Rewards potential
Despite the fact that we’re centered on cash-back playing cards right here, a number of playing cards can earn journey rewards as part of the appropriate card pairing. If you propose to get the Chase Sapphire Most well-liked down the road, as an illustration, it is smart to go for the Chase Freedom Limitless now — so that you’re already midway to that nice card pairing when the time comes.
Associated: Capital One Savor vs. Capital One Quicksilver: Supercharge your leisure spending, or earn flat money again?
How we selected the very best cash-back bank cards
We rated the very best cash-back bank cards primarily based on a number of components, together with reward incomes charges and perks related to every card in addition to the general worth every card delivers to you, the patron.
To study how TPG evaluates and chooses playing cards for our roundups, take a look at our methodology.
Redemption choices for cash-back bank cards
The great thing about having a cash-back bank card is the simplicity of redeeming your rewards for money. I really like saving up my cash-back rewards all year long and utilizing them for vacation procuring (and the offers I discover for myself) in December. I additionally moved lately and used cash-back rewards to assist ease the ache of that expense.
However my favourite use of my cash-back rewards is usually to enrich my journey rewards playing cards. I really like utilizing factors and miles to cowl my resort and airfare, after which I take advantage of cash-back rewards to cowl every thing else, like airport snacks and tickets to native sights.
And regardless that these playing cards are labeled as cash-back playing cards, they usually have another redemption choices as properly. Most playing cards on this record assist you to redeem rewards for reward playing cards or, in lots of circumstances, use them to ebook journey by way of the issuer’s journey portal.
Backside line
Journey rewards bank cards are nice, however typically the simplicity and suppleness of a cash-back bank card win out. Earlier than including one to your pockets, contemplate your present spending habits and whether or not you are keen to pay an annual payment in your cash-back bank card.
With any of those choices, you may be properly in your strategy to masking any type of buy along with your rewards very quickly.
Associated: Are cash-back bank cards value it?
For charges and charges of the Amex Blue Money Most well-liked card, click on right here.
