Top Cash Back Credit Cards of 2024 - Earn Rewards!

Nobody would say no to a little extra spending money, which is one of the reasons cash back credit cards are so popular.

Offering consumers cash back points or benefits on specific purchases, cash back cards are frequently the first card out of the wallet when the bill comes. These cards are even more appealing because they offer cardholders cash back rewards on the money they are spending anyway. So, you are getting free bonuses every time you swipe.

Too good to be true? In fact there are so many credit cards that offer cash back rewards you can take advantage of.

We’ve done the research for you; here are the top five cash back credit cards on the market right now, based on metrics like APR, annual fees, credit required, rewards structure, sign up bonus, and more.

Overview: Best cash back credit cards

Best for quarterly bonus categories

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is our favorite cash back credit card for quarterly bonuses. You’ll earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. That’s up to $300 in cash back per year just with bonus category spend. Plus, all other purchases will automatically earn 1% cash back. Plus, it has NO annual fee.

For October through December of 2022, the rotating 5% bonus categories are purchases made at Amazon.com and Digital Wallets.

For new cardmembers, there’s also a sweet $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

How much can I earn?

Assuming a $2,000 monthly spend while maxing out the rotating bonus categories, here’s what your first year could look like:

• Total spend over 12 months: $24,000
• Rotating category cash back earned: $300
• Cash back earned from application bonus: $200
• All other cash back earned: $180
• Total cash back earned in the first year: $680

See card details/apply or read our full Chase Freedom Flex℠ review.

Best for cash back match

Discover it® Cash Back

One of the biggest perks of the Discover it® Cash Back card is a MASSIVE cashback bonus after one year of membership. Discover matches new cardholders’ total cashback earned at the end of their first year. So if you earn $600 in cashback during your first year, Discover will match it and you’ll get $1,200. That’s free money.

You’ll also get an outstanding earnings rate — 5% cashback in select categories, which is worth up to $75 per quarter ($1,500 max spend) when you activate it. You only have to track which categories are coming up to snag that 5%. You’ll receive 1% cashback on all other purchases. And to make things even better, the Discover it® Cash Back does NOT have an annual fee.

For October through December of 2022, the rotating 5% cashback categories (on up to $1,500 in combined purchases) for the Discover it® Cash Back are purchases made at Amazon.com and Digital Wallets.

How much can you earn?

Assuming a $2,000 monthly spend while maxing out the rotating bonus categories, here’s what your first year could look like:

• Total spend over 12 months: $24,000
• Rotating category cash back earned: $300
• All other cashback earned: $180
• Total cashback earned: $480
• Discover Cashback Match earned: $480
• Total cashback earned (after match) in the first year: $960

See card details/apply or read our full Discover it® Cash Back review.

Best for balance transfers

The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is an attractive balance transfer card with a unique approach to cash back. For starters, you won’t have to pay an annual fee, and in terms of intro APR, the card offers 0% for 15 months on purchases & 0% for 15 months on balance transfers (the ongoing rate of 16.24% - 26.24% (Variable) applies after). The balance transfer fee is a bit high (5%), but the rewards may more than make up for it.

To start, you’ll get $200 just for spending $750 within your first three months of account opening, plus unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases. But the card’s party piece is that every billing cycle, you’ll earn 5% cash back in whichever category you spent the most in during the last 30 days (travel, groceries, etc.). 

All things considered, the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is an excellent choice for anyone looking to pay off old credit card debt, avoid new debt, and make a bundle of cash back while doing so. 

How much can you earn?

Assuming a $2,000 monthly spend with a deliberate attempt to spend $500 in a single category each month for max rewards, here’s what your first year could look like:

• Total spend over 12 months: $24,000
• Welcome bonus for spending $750 within three months of account opening: $200
• Cash back earned on 5%, top spending categories: $300
• Cash back earned on unlimited 1%: $180
• Total cash back earned in the first year: $680

$680 back in your pocket isn’t bad at all when you consider the card’s $0 annual fee and all the interest you’ll be saving with the 0% intro APR. 

See card details/apply or read our full Citi Custom Cash℠ Card review.

Best for no annual fee

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an amazing no annual fee credit card. You’ll enjoy long-term cash back, including 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. Meaning, you need not bother with rotating categories or spending in certain places at certain times of the year. Your cash back rewards do not expire if your account is open, and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back.

You’ll also get a 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months and balance transfers, and a $200 cash back bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first three months from account opening. To top it off, you’ll get extra perks like Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty Protection, to name just a couple.

How much can you earn?

Assuming a $2,000 monthly spend (including $500 on groceries and $100 on restaurant/dining and drugstore purchases), you’ll meet the spend bonus. Here’s what your first year could look like:

• Total spend over 12 months: $24,000
• Cash back earned from spend bonus: $200
• Cash back earned on groceries: $75
• Cash back on restaurant/dining and drugstore purchases: $36
• Cash back earned on all other purchases at 1.5%: $252
• Total cash back earned in the first year: $563

See card details/apply or read our full Chase Freedom Unlimited®  review.

Best for small businesses

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is a great choice when it comes to cash rewards on business expenses. Cardholders earn an impressive 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases on business expenses including office supplies, phone, cable, and internet. If you spend a lot in these areas, your cash back will add up fast. This card also features 2% cash back (also on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases) for gas and dining, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

In addition to the cash back rewards, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card features a bonus offer of $750 in cash back when you spend $7,500 in the first three months. With no annual fee and competitive rates, this card is a clear winner for businesses with high office supply spending. 

How much can you earn?

Assuming a $2,000 monthly spend with $1,000 going to the 5% category, $500 going to the 2% category, and $500 going toward all other purchases, here’s what the first year could look like:

• Total spend over 12 months: $24,000
• Cash back earned on 5% category: $600
• Cash back earned on 2% category: $120
• Cash back earned on all other purchases: $60
• Total cash back earned in the first year: $780

If you frontload your expenses in the first three months in order to earn the welcome bonus, you could be looking at up to $1,530 in rewards for your first year.

See card details/apply. 

Best for credit building

The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is our top pick for credit-building cash back rewards credit cards. It’s aimed at people with average credit looking for unlimited cash back and decent rates. You’ll earn an unlimited 1.5% on all purchases, with no restrictions. This kind of earn-rate is not super-common with credit-building cards. It also features a low annual fee of $39.

If you’re traveling, you can get perks such as auto rental insurance waiver, travel accident insurance up to $100,000 for accidental loss of life, speech, hearing, limb, or sight when riding on common carriers, and 24/7 roadside assistance. Overall, this card offers a TON of value for being one designed to help you rebuild your credit.

How much can you earn?

• Total spend over 12 months: $24,000
• Cash back earned on all purchases: $360
• Total cash back earned in the first year: $360

Best for dining out & grocery stores

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Disclaimer – The information about the Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by MoneyUnder30.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

The Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card has a generous cash rewards program and is our favorite cash back rewards credit card for dining out and grocery stores. You’ll earn 4% unlimited cash back on both dining and entertainment. Plus, you’ll get 3% cash back at grocery stores, and 1% cash back on everything else automatically. Because of this rewards structure, you’re able to earn substantial cash back on food purchases.

But the benefits don’t end there. First off, Capital One loosely categorizes entertainment, so you can get 4% back on things like zoos, concerts, tourist attractions, pool halls, and movies under that category – making it a perfect date night card. You’ll also get a $300 cash bonus after you spend $3,000 in purchases within the first three months of opening the account – which is like a 10% return on your “investment.”

How much can you earn?

Assuming a $2,000 monthly spend with $500 going to dining and entertainment, $500 going to groceries, and the rest going to other purchases, PLUS a one-time concert ticket purchase through Vivid Seats for $800, here’s what your first year could look like:

• Total spend over 12 months: $24,800
• Sign-up bonus cash back earned: $300
• Cash back earned on dining & entertainment: $240
• Cash back earned on groceries: $120
• Cash back earned on everything else: $120
• Cash back earned on concert tickets: $64
• Total cash back earned in the first year: $844

See card details/apply or read our full Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card review.

*This card is no longer available. 

For those with poor credit, we found the Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit to be the best option for a cash back rewards. For purchases, you’ll earn 1% cash back rewards on eligible gas, grocery purchases, and communication services like mobile phone, internet, cable and satellite TV services, terms apply. For a credit-builder card that has no security deposit, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better rewards package.

It has some nice perks for those who want a cash back rewards card with no security deposit and additional features – and this one includes things like mobile banking, travel and auto rental insurance, and NFC payments, as an example. We also found this card best for people with poor credit that need emergency funds for things like a minor car repair or money to pay utility bills.

How much can you earn?

Assuming a $2,000 monthly spend (and remember that your 1% cash back will only go toward things like  gas, groceries, and payments for phone, Internet, cable, and TV services) here’s how the first year could look for cash back:

• Total spend over 12 months: $24,000
• Total cash back earned on qualifying categories: $120
• Total cash back earned in the first year: $120

See card details/apply or read our full Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit review.

Best for cash back booster

Summary of the best cash back credit cards

⁺Credit Score requirements are based on Money Under 30’s own research of approval rates; meeting the minimum score will give you the best chance to be approved for the credit card of your choice. If you don’t know your credit score, use our free credit score estimator tool to get a better idea of which cards you’ll qualify for.

Money Under 30 uses a FICO 8 score, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A creditor may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for credit.

*5% cash back categories have a $1,500 max spend and require quarterly activation

How we came up with our list of the top cash back credit cards

With so many terrific options, you might be wondering how we narrowed down the list to find the top cash back credit cards. To be fair, plenty of good options didn’t make our list. The cards we presented above are our favorites because they score highly on the most important features people should be looking for in a cash back card.

This includes things like a high sign-up bonus, low annual fees, easy rewards redemption and earning policy, and favorable terms for their other fees. We factored in the most important features of a cash back card and compared the contenders until we found the cream of the crop.

Why you should get a cash back credit card

Cash back credit cards give cardholders the freedom to use their rewards in how best suits their needs. By offering cash instead of points, members can cover important expenses, pay for their favorite activities, or grow their savings easily. While not every card delivers the same benefits or meets the same needs, there are excellent choices available for any consumer.

Regardless of credit score, you can use one of these cash back cards to rebuild credit scores, cover small business expenses, or even take advantage of the great perks of a top-tier club while still receiving cash back for every dollar spent. Finally, the top cash back credit cards have interest rates higher than credit cards that don’t pay rewards.

Remember this if you don’t pay your balance off in full every month. You may be wise to forgo a cash back credit and instead get a credit card that may not offer rewards but has a lower regular APR.

Most important features of cash back credit cards

While every credit card comes with some benefit or another, there are features that make some cards more valuable than their competitors. Here are the most significant features to look for in a cash back credit card:

APR

How much interest you pay on your credit card is a big deal. It is one of the most important factors to consider when comparing credit cards. A high interest rate could offset any cash back rewards you earned during the month and even send you into debt due to unmanageable accrued interest charges. Fortunately, many cards have phenomenal introductory APRs and competitive rates once the initial offer runs out.

That can be a tremendous savings.

At Money Under 30 we always recommend you make sure you’re able to pay off your credit card balance in full and on time to avoid ever paying your APR.

Annual fees

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The Chase Freedom Flex℠ has no annual fee and still has great cash back rewards (which is why it is one of our top picks).

Credit score required

This feature might be significant to you depending on your credit score. If you have a reasonable score, then a high credit score requirement won’t phase you. But plenty of people suffer from poor credit scores and will be excluded from offers that demand a higher bracket. Fortunately, cards like the Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit cater to even very poor credit, with a score requirement of only 350 making it accessible to almost anyone.

Redemption

Rewards points are only as good as the ease with which they can be used. If you have to jump through hoops to redeem your points, this won’t make a good bonus. We graded credit cards on how easily their points system could be used.

This includes how long points remain valid before they expire, where points can be redeemed, whether or not a login was required to redeem the points, how many points could be accrued, and whether or not there was a minimum point grade before redemption kicked in.

Cash back structure

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How you earn points is also a heavy determining factor as to whether a card is worth the effort. Do you receive cash back points every time you make a purchase or are there select locations that award points? Are there different categories that reward higher or lower point values for purchases, or is this a flat-rate cash back card? What is the points structure?

A good cash back structure will reward you amply for your purchases and not make vague promises cloaked in legal jargon designed to swindle you out of your earned points. The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a good example. This card has NO rotating categories (meaning all categories earn you the same 1.5% rewards), and you get the cash back on every purchase, every day, with no limit.

Sign up bonus

The sign up bonus can sometimes be the most lucrative part of a credit card.

Many cash back cards offer juicy sign up bonuses as a way of welcoming their new clients, such as the Chase Freedom® which provides an easy way to snag $200. You have only to spend $500 in the first three months and you’ll earn a $200 cash rewards bonus.

Foreign transaction fees

This is one of the most insidious fees that really trips people up simply because they don’t know about it or aren’t aware of how quickly it adds up.

Take the following example:

Assume you sign up for a credit card on which you are charged a 3% foreign transaction fee for every foreign transaction. If you go on vacation to Prague, every gift, meal, or attraction you pay for with that card will receive that 3% fee.

That quickly adds up, as the average cost for a vacation per person per night could run from $200-$600. At that rate, a two-week vacation could cost you close to $300 or more, and that doesn’t even account for souvenirs and additional expenses.

A foreign transaction fee can also catch people off-guard when shopping online. Remember, if you are surfing a website run in a different jurisdiction or uses a foreign currency, you will be charged this same fee. Online shoppers beware.

With such astronomical fees, any cash back rewards you would earn from these purchases are nullified. A low or no foreign transaction fee card is the only way to go.

Additional benefits

What other perks come with this card? Can you get invitations to VIP events, insurance for travel plans, airfare, or purchases, roadside assistance, free nights at hotels, birthday, and anniversary gifts? These and more benefits can be gleaned by using the right credit cards at the right time.

FAQ on cash back credit cards

How do I earn cash back points?

How you earn rewards depends on the credit card company’s policy. Though, cardholders earn rewards every time they use their cards to make a purchase from one of the specified categories. This can include gas stations, wholesale clubs, grocery stores, restaurants, online partners, hotels, airlines, and more. If no categories are specified, then any purchase will earn you rewards.

How many points can I earn with my cash back rewards card?

How many points can be earned depends on the program you are signed up with. Some cards have no caps, while others will cap you monthly, quarterly, or annually. To see what your points caps are, visit the credit card of choice’s details page here.

How can I redeem my cash back rewards points?

Points are easily redeemed in one of two ways (depending on the rewards program you have):

Log onto your credit card account

From your account center, you can view a list of online redemption options for you to choose from. Redemption options include donations, gift cards, Amazon rewards, apply part of the points to your credit card bill’s balance, or deposit the amount directly into your bank account. You can also set up your account so you can automatically transfer points to your savings or checking account as they accrue.

Calling the credit card hotline and requesting cash back

For example, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card lets you make a cash back request anytime you want.

Do cash back rewards expire after a certain amount of time?

Once again, this depends on the credit card in question. All of our leading cash back credit cards have a no expiration policy, however. This applies for as long as you have an active account with that credit card.

Summary

Cash back rewards cards are the most lucrative and exciting cards available today. Use our helpful comparison tool to compare the different options available to you, and earn more whenever you make a purchase from now on.

Not sure you want a cash back credit card? Finding the right credit card for you is much simpler if you know your credit score, and can narrow your search to only the cards you know you’ll get approved for. We’ve made it easy for you. If you don’t already know your score, use our quick and free Credit Score Estimator tool – then find the perfect card for you!

• Best credit cards for a credit score over 750
• Best credit cards for a credit score between 700 – 749
• Best credit cards for a credit score between 650 – 699
• Best credit cards for a credit score between 600 – 649
• Best credit cards for a credit score under 599

Read more:

• Compare All Of Money Under 30’s Recommended Rewards Credit Cards. 
• How Do Cash Back Credit Cards Work?