Best Cash Back Credit Cards of 2025

*All information about the Citi Custom Cash® Card, Alliant Visa®️ Signature Credit Card, Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card, the Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Student has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer. The issuer did not provide the content, nor is it responsible for its accuracy.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Best cash back credit cards compared

What are cash back credit cards?

Cash back credit cards are a type of rewards credit card. Other rewards cards may offer redeemable points or miles on purchases, but a cash back credit card gives a percentage of eligible purchases back to the cardholder as a reward.

Most cash back credit cards offer between 1% and 5% cash back on eligible purchases. The percentage you earn varies by card issuer, and some cards earn bonus rewards on certain categories. For example, 3% cash back on dining.

Others earn a flat rate with the same same percentage on all purchases. For example, if a card offers 2% cash back and you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases, your cash back potential would be $20.

Depending on the card, you’ll have numerous options for redeeming your cash back, including a statement credit to lower your balance or direct deposits into your checking or savings account.

How to calculate cash back

Exactly how much cash you earn back per purchase will vary depending on the terms of your card and the type of purchase you make. Let’s say you spend $500 each month on groceries with a card that earns 3% cash back at grocery stores. You’d earn $15 cash back monthly, or $180 annually, just for using that particular card for your grocery purchases. Some cards limit how much cash back you can earn in a particular bonus category, so it’s important to read through a card’s terms before applying.

Read our full guide to how cash back credit cards work to learn more.

Types of cash back cards

There are three main types of cash back cards: flat-rate, bonus category, and rotating category. With varied structures, it’s easy to find an option that matches your spending habits. You can earn different cash back rates depending on the card you use and what you purchase, so it’s helpful to find a cash back card that aligns with your budget. Consider these different types of cash back cards:

Flat-rate cash back cards

• How they work: Flat-rate cash back cards are probably the simplest type of rewards card you can get. With a flat-rate card, you’ll earn a set amount of cash back, usually between 1% and 2%, on every purchase. There’s no strategy to maximizing rewards, since you’ll earn the same rate on any purchase. However, you could earn more cash back using a card with bonus categories that fit your spending habits.
• Who they’re best for: Since there’s no need to strategize spending, this type of cash back card is great for first-time cardholders and those who want to use just one credit card for the majority of their expenses.
• A great option: The Citi Double Cash® Card. Earn 1% cash back on general purchases (excluding gift cards) and an additional 1% as you pay off those purchases, effectively 2%.

Bonus categories cash back cards

• How they work: One of the best ways to maximize your cash back earnings is to use a bonus categories card for your most common purchases while using a flat-rate card for miscellaneous expenses. That way, you get the best of both worlds and you never have to settle for a low rate of cash back. If your card offers 3% to 5% cash back in supermarkets and you spend a lot on weekly grocery runs, you can earn hefty cash back. However, you’ll miss out on earnings if your card’s featured tiered categories are mismatched with your personal spending habits.
• Who they’re best for: A cash back card with tiered categories is a great choice if you have regular expenses within particular categories, like gas or groceries.
• A great option: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® Earn 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining, 5% on Chase Travel, and 1.5% on all other purchases.

Rotating or customized cash back cards

• How they work: This type of cash back card is very similar to a bonus category card, but the bonus categories change, typically every quarter. Some cards allow you to choose and change your own bonus category once per calendar month, like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card. Rotating categories often correspond with the time of year, which can help you make the most of seasonal expenses, like holiday purchases or a summer road trip. However, you might miss out on rewards if you can’t keep track of changing categories.
• Who they’re best for: If you’re fairly organized, able to follow along with quarterly category updates and can be strategic in your spending, a rotating or customizable bonus category rewards program is a great fit.
• A great option: The Discover it® Cash Back. Enroll every quarter to earn 5% cash back in a new category (on up to $1,500 per quarter, then 1%).

Common cash back categories

It’s important to choose a cash back credit card that aligns with the categories you spend on most frequently. Here are some examples:

• Restaurants. Whether you enjoy dining out or take out, many cash back cards are designed with foodies in mind to maximize spending at your favorite restaurants. The Capital One Savor card is one of the best cash back dining credit cards, since it earns elevated cash back at restaurants.
• Grocery stores and wholesale clubs. Cards that offer cash back on grocery store purchases are perfect for families or anyone that enjoys home cooking. Grocery stores and wholesale clubs are usually considered distinct categories. If you want to earn on your weekly or monthly grocery trips, one of the best cash back cards for groceries is the Amex Blue Cash Preferred or the Blue Cash Everyday.
• Gas stations. Getting cash back at the pump can be especially rewarding for frequent drivers. Cards that offer cash back rewards at gas stations can be a great credit-building tool as well. Two popular cash back gas credit cards are the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express and the Sam’s Club® Mastercard®.
• Retailers and drugstores. Loyal shoppers of companies like Amazon, Walmart and Target can receive cash back on online purchases when equipped with the right card, typically a cobranded cash back card such as the Prime Visa. Pharmacy-goers can also benefit from cash back on prescription purchases. For cash back on drugstore purchases, the Chase Freedom Flex® is your top option.
• Fitness. If you have a fitness club membership, some cards offer cash back rewards on membership payments. For example, Discover has included gym memberships in its rotating bonus category calendar for the Discover it® Cash Back card in recent years.
• Streaming and internet services. Internet service subscribers and binge-watchers of services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ can receive cash back rewards on their subscription payments when using certain credit cards. The Amex Blue Cash Preferred is one of these cards, since it earns 6% back on select streaming services, so it’s worth a look.

Pros and cons of cash back cards

Cash back credit cards are a popular type of rewards card, given their return on spending and ease of use. But they’re not always the best fit, as you may miss out on earning greater rewards. Understand the big draws and disadvantages of cash back credit cards to pinpoint if one is right for you.

Choosing between cash back or travel? A cash back card can be great if you want straightforward rewards and value redemption flexibility, but a travel credit card may be better if you spend a lot on travel, want travel perks, and don’t mind strategizing for maximum value.

Who should get a cash back credit card?

You should get a cash back credit card if:

• You want to earn rewards without thinking about strategy.
• You prefer cards with no or low annual fees.
• You don’t need travel perks.

You shouldn’t get a cash back card if:

• You prefer luxury travel.
• You tend to overspend or carry a balance.
• You need to build your credit.

How to compare and choose cash back credit cards

There are several factors to consider when searching for the best cash back card. Some include how much cash back you’ll earn with each purchase, whether a card offers a 0% interest rate on new purchases or how easy it is to turn your cash back into statement credits, gift cards or direct deposits into your checking account.

Start by asking yourself these key questions:

• What is your credit score? Cash back cards are typically issued to consumers with good or excellent credit. If your credit score falls in the bad or fair range, a better choice may be a secured, credit-builder card that helps you focus on improving your score.

• How much will the card cost? Aadd up the fees, such as the interest rate, annual fee, balance transfer fee, and foreign transaction fees, to weigh if the benefit of the cash back justifies the cost of using the credit card.

• What are your spending habits? Once you know your top spending category, like groceries or gas, you can choose a cash back card that rewards you the most for those types of purchases. If you don’t have one stand-out category, consider a flat-rate cash back card, where you earn a specific amount of cash back no matter where you spend.

• Can you keep track of bonus categories? If you’re unsure of the amount of time you have to devote to a strategy, selecting a flat-rate cash back card may be the simplest approach.

As you compare cash back cards, keep these factors in mind:

• Cash back rates. Not all cards offer the same amount of cash back with every purchase, so you should choose cards that earn the most cash back for your typical purchases.
• Redemption options. Some cards limit how you can use your cash back while others let you receive your cash back as a statement credit or a direct deposit to your bank account. You could also turn your cash back into gift cards or use it to shop for merchandise.
• Intro APR offers. Some cash back cards offer an introductory 0% interest rate on new purchases, balance transfers or both, usually for 12 to 18 months. When the offer expires, any money you owe from a completed balance transfer and all new purchases will be subject to your card’s standard APR.

How to maximize your cash back credit card

You can make the most of cash back credit cards by finding a good match, pairing cards to fill in gaps, and paying your balances in full each month. Use these strategies to maximize your cash back card:

• Find a cash back card that matches your spending, such as a grocery card that offers high cash back rates at supermarkets. If you spend widely across categories, a flat-rate card with no spending cap might offer the best value.
• Strategize spending on bonus categories and pair cards to fill in reward gaps by adding a card that earns well in categories where you spend the most.
• Pay your balances in full each month so you don’t pay more in interest than you earn in rewards.
• Take advantage of sign-up bonuses to get extra rewards.
• Make the most of 0% introductory APR offers that can help you save money on interest charges.

Alternatives to cash back credit cards

Cash back cards may not align with your lifestyle, but cash back is just one of many options for rewards cards. Consider these alternatives:

• Travel cards. These credit cards offer travel rewards for purchases, which can be used towards future travel or experiences. While these cards can help reduce the cost of travel, you often need to redeem through select travel partners to receive the highest rewards value.
• Low-interest cards. If you tend to carry a balance, a low-interest card may be the best option. You can save a potentially large amount of money by avoiding interest charges.
• Starter/credit builder cards. A starter card can help you if you have a low credit score and need to build or improve your credit. The goal of opening an account of this kind is usually to improve credit over time, increasing accessibility to lower-interest, higher-reward cards with better benefits.

How we picked the best cash back credit cards

Our editorial team and expert review board analyzed over 300 credit cards to identify the best cash back credit cards currently on the market. These factors and more inform our decisions on which cards can work the best for you.

• Cash back rate and categories: The best cash back credit cards make it easy to earn cash back on everyday purchases. We chose cards that offer high rewards rates on common spending categories. Understanding that “everyday spending” varies by lifestyle, we selected cards with a wide range of bonus categories, from travel to groceries to entertainment, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
• Redemption options: Cash back is most valuable when you can redeem it in a way that suits your needs. Most cash back cards allow redemption as a statement credit, but some offer additional options like direct deposit to your bank, gift cards, charitable donations, or even a credit toward a loan balance. These alternative redemption methods can enhance the value of your cash back, so we weighed all available methods and considered how easy it is to redeem the rewards. Some cards may have a minimum cash back threshold for redemption, which we took into account.
• Sign-up bonus: While ongoing rewards rates, fees, and other long-term factors are crucial, a sign-up bonus can jump-start your cash back earnings. The best cards offer a sign-up bonus that’s both generous and achievable with a relatively low spending threshold.
• Rates and fees: We looked closely at the costs that could reduce the card’s overall value. For cards with annual fees, we ensured that the cash back rewards and other benefits could more than offset these costs over time. We also excluded cards with excessively high interest rates, as these can significantly impact cardholders who carry balances.
• Miscellaneous benefits and features: Although additional perks are not the primary reason for choosing a card, they can be the deciding factor when comparing similar offers. Features like auto rental insurance and price protection are often overlooked but can save you hundreds if you remember to use them. We considered these extra benefits to help you maximize the value of your card.

All criteria used: Cash back rate, rewards categories, sign-up bonus, redemption options, ease of redemption, fees (annual fee, interest rates, and other costs), alternative redemption methods, miscellaneous benefits (e.g., auto rental insurance, price protection), customer service, credit required, and overall card value based on long-term usage.

Our comparison service is compensated by our credit card company partners, which may affect product placement. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Star ratings are based solely on our independent card scoring methodology and are not influenced by advertisers or card issuers. Learn more about our partners and how we make money.

Additional information on cash back credit cards

For more information on all things cash back cards, continue reading content from our credit card experts:

• Cash back credit card mistakes to avoid
• Cash back vs points: Which is best for you?
• What are rotating category credit cards, and how do they work?

About the Author

Ryan Noonan

Ryan Noonan Ryan Noonan is a former writer for Bankrate and CreditCards.com and is a graduate of the School of Journalism at Ohio State University. 

About the Editor

Jeanine Skowronski

Jeanine Skowronski is a credit card expert, analyst, and multimedia journalist with over 10 years of experience covering business and personal finance. She has previously served as the Head of Content at Policygenius, Executive Editor of Credit.com, Deputy Editor at American Banker, Staff Reporter at TheStreet and a columnist for Inc. Magazine.

About the Reviewer

Jason Steele

Jason Steele is a professional journalist and credit card expert who has been contributing to online publications since 2008. He was one of the original contributors to The Points Guy, and his work has been appearing there since 2011. He has also contributed to over 100 of the leading personal finance and travel outlets. He’s frequently interviewed and quoted by mainstream outlets on the subjects of credit cards and travel. Jason is passionate about travel rewards credit cards, which he uses to earn rewards that he can redeem for him and his family to travel around the world. Jason is also the founder and producer of CardCon, a conference for credit and credit card journalists that’s held annually.