The average American has 3 credit cards with a median credit limit of $9,500, according to a survey conducted by the Ascent (a Motley Fool Company).
And we don’t blame anyone. What else could match the comfort of swiping a piece of plastic for all your purchases!
A closer look at the findings of this survey revealed that cash back credit cards are among the most popular types of credit cards, with roughly 60% of Americans owning one.
And it makes perfect sense to keep cash back credit cards. You get rewarded for every single purchase.
We decided to find out some of the best cash back credit cards in the market, and here is what we found.
Before we reveal the top 16 cash back credit card offers, here is a list of some of the best personal loans available in 2020. You can refer to our in-depth comparison guide or drop us a comment for more details.
With that being said, let’s find out some of the best cash back credit cards of 2020.
What Are the Best Cash Back Credit Cards?
Here are our top picks for the best cash back credit cards to get this year.
1. Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card.
Best Credit Card for Flat-Rate Unlimited Cash Back
Do you love cash back for your purchases? Are you interested in complimentary insurance for your cell phone? Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card got it all. The banking giant offers a flat unlimited 1.5% cashback on your purchases, with the ability to withdraw your earned reward from a Wells Fargo ATM.
What we like about it
- Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card offers flat cash back of 1.5% on all purchases.
- It comes with a $0 annual fee.
- You can earn a cash back of $150 by spending $500 within the first three months of account opening.
- Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card provides an intro rate of 0% for the first 15 months.
Additional benefits
- Extra cash back for digital wallet spends: You can earn a cash back of 1.8% on qualifying digital wallet spends, including Apply Pay® and Google Pay®.
- Cell phone protection: If you’re paying your monthly phone bill with Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card, you qualify for a $600 cell phone protection against damages ($25 deductible).
- 0% Intro rate: If you’re looking for a balance transfer card, Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card provides a 0% intro rate for the first 15 months.
Fees, terms, and conditions
Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card charges $0 annual fees. For any balance transfers, Wells Fargo will charge 3% processing fees for the first 120 days and 5% after that.
Any limitations of the card
- Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card will charge a foreign transaction fee of 3%.
- You can withdraw your cash back rewards in increments of $20 only.
You can find out more about Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card here.
2. Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card.
Best Credit Card for Flat-Rate Cash Back and Welcome Bonus
Capital One Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card is setting a new standard in the cash back rewards category. You receive flat 1.5% unlimited cash back for any of your spending using this card. Also, Capital One Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card comes with a sign-up bonus of $150, provided you spend at least $500 within the first three months of signing up.
Last but not least, you will get a 0% APR intro rate for 15 months, making it an ideal card for big purchases.
What we like about it
- Capital One Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Card provides flat cash back of 1.5% for every purchase.
- It’s fairly easy to qualify for a sign-up bonus.
- You will get 0% into APR for 15 months with Capital One Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card. The rate will change to 15.49% to 25.49% post that period.
- You can set an automatic rewards withdrawal limit.
Additional benefits
- There are no minimum redemption limits associated with the Capital One Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card.
- You pay $0 in annual fees.
- There are no foreign transaction charges.
- Capital One Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Card offers a $0 fraud liability protection, keeping you safe from any unauthorized charges or fraudulent activities.
Fees, terms, and conditions
You don’t pay any annual fee for Capital One Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card. After the initial 0% intro period of 15 months, APR changes to 15.49% to 25.49%. The card has late payment fees of $39.
Any limitations of the card
You will have to pay 3% transfer fees in case you transfer your existing balances at the intro rate.
If you want to find out anything more about Capital One Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card, check here.
3. Citi® Double Cash Card.
Best for Users Making On-Time Credit Card Payments to Earn Cash Back
The Citi® Double Cash Card takes a slightly different approach when it comes to cash back. It awards 2% cash back for your purchases, with 1% paid at the time of the purchase and 1% at the time of the repayment.
Citi® Double Cash Card offers 0% intro APR for up to 18 months for balance transfers, making it a good balance-transfer credit card. However, your balance transfer will not qualify for any cash back.
What we like about it
- Citi® Double Cash Card offers 2% cash back, which is better than most offers available out there.
- It is ideal for balance transfers with 0% intro rate for 18 months. Your APR will jump to 13.99% to 23.99% after the intro period.
- Citi® Double Cash Card comes with $0 annual fees.
Additional benefits
- You can get complimentary liability protection with Citi® Double Cash Card.
Fees, terms, and conditions
Citi® Double Cash Card comes with $0 annual fees. Also, there is a balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the amount you’re transferring to the card, whichever is greater.
Any limitations of the card
- When you transfer a balance, you will have to pay the entire due amount before the scheduled date to save interest charges on your purchases.
- You don’t get any promotional interest for purchases with Citi® Double Cash Card.
- You’ll pay up to 3% in foreign transaction charges.
If you have any more questions about Citi® Double Cash Card, visit the official website.
4. Chase Freedom Unlimited®.
Best for Flat-Rate Cash Back & Easy to Qualify Welcome Bonus
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Rewards Credit Card indicates how JPMorgan Chase is committed to offering competitive credit card offers to its customers. The card comes with a 1.5% unlimited cash back reward, with a welcome bonus of $200 on spending $500 within the first 3 months of account opening.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Rewards Credit Card offers an introductory 0% APR for the first 15 months.
What we like about it
- Chase Freedom Unlimited® Rewards Credit Card offers a 1.5% unlimited cash back reward against any purchases.
- The card comes with a $0 annual fee.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited® Rewards Credit Card is suitable for balance transfers, offering a 0% introductory rate for the first 15 months.
- You can receive a welcome bonus of $200 by spending more than $500 within the first 90 days of account opening.
- Any cash back earned through Chase Freedom Unlimited® Rewards Credit Card can be used throughout the life of the card, i.e., no expiration.
Additional benefits
- Chase offers multiple redemption options, including standard cash back, gift card, merchandise or other purchases (Apple or Amazon), and travel discounts.
Fees, terms, and conditions
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Rewards Credit Card comes with $0 annual fees. There are no cash back caps for category-wise spending.
Any limitations of the card
- Chase Freedom Unlimited® Rewards Credit Card charges flat 3% for foreign transactions.
- You will pay $5 or 5% of any balance transfer amount, whichever is greater.
If you have any more questions about Chase Freedom Unlimited® Rewards Credit Card, visit the official website.
5. Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express.
Best Cash Back Credit Card for Grocery Purchases
American Express is one of the first names that comes to mind when thinking about a credit card. Blue Cash Everyday® Card takes that confidence a step further with its up to 3% cash back rewards. You can qualify for a $200 bonus on spending more than $1,000 within the first 90 days of account opening, though the spending requirements are higher than what we have seen across different issuers.
What we like about it
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card offers a flat 3% cash back for grocery purchases up to $6,000 per year. The cash back rewards drop to 1% post that limit. The card provides 2% cash back for U.S gas payments and selected supermarket purchases. Any other purchases will qualify for a 1% cash back.
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card comes with a $0 annual fee.
- American Express offers an introductory rate of 0% for the first 15 months.
Additional benefits
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card comes with a myriad of add-on features, including fraud protection, Pay It Plan It® program for major purchases, car rental and damage protection, free 2-day shipping with ShopRunner, and entertainment offers.
- The redemption amount is set at $25.
Fees, terms, and conditions
Blue Cash Everyday® Card doesn’t charge annual fees. You can qualify for a 0% introductory APR for the first 15 months. The rates after the introductory period are between 12.99% and 23.99% (variable APR).
Any limitations of the card
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card has a cap of $6,000 for supermarket spends. Your cash back rewards will decline to 1% after that period.
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card has a foreign transaction fee of 2.7%, which makes it a costly payment method for foreign trips.
If you’re ready to find out more about Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, visit here.
6. Chase Freedom® Credit Card.
Best Cash Back Credit Card to Earn Up to 5% Cash Back
Chase Freedom® Credit Card is the second card from Chase on our list. Unlike Chase Freedom® Unlimited Credit Card, this credit offers a 5% cash back on qualifying categories for purchases up to $1,500. Any other purchases will earn a standard 1% cash back.
You can qualify for a $200 welcome bonus by spending $500 within the first 90 days. The card comes with $0 annual charges and an introductory 0% APR.
What we like about it
- Chase Freedom® Credit Card offers a 5% cash back for qualifying categories, which may vary from one quarter to another. You have to activate the quarterly cash back offer to earn rewards. Any purchases apart from the bonus categories will earn 1% cash back rewards.
- Chase Freedom® Credit Card comes with a $200 welcome-bonus program. You have to spend $500 or more within the first three months to qualify for this offer.
- If you are planning to transfer balance, Chase Freedom® Credit Card offers a 0% introductory APR for 15 months, with a 3% intro balance transfer fee or $5, whichever is higher.
- There are no annual charges for this credit card.
Additional benefits
- Chase Freedom® Credit Card provides multiple redemption options, including statement credit, travel redemption, direct deposit, Amazon or Apple purchases, and gift cards.
- Chase Freedom® Credit Card comes packed with features, such as zero liability protection, purchase protection, fraud protection, and extended warranty protection as per the program guidelines.
Fees, terms, and conditions
There are no annual charges for Chase Freedom® Credit Card. You can enjoy an intro APR of 0% for the 15 months, with a variable APR of 14.99% to 23.74% afterward. You’ll pay a discounted balance transfer fee of 3% during the first 60 days.
Any limitations of the card
- Chase Freedom® Credit Card has a $1,500 purchase limit for 5% cash back rewards.
- It might be difficult to track bonus categories every quarter.
- 1% cash back is lower than what we could find on most of our cards.
For those interested in finding out more about Chase Freedom® Credit Card, kindly check here.
7. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express.
Best Multi-Tier Cash Back Credit Card with Rewards of up to 6%
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is one of the best cash back credit cards available in the market, with cash back as high as 6% across multiple categories. We were blown away with a 6% cash back on supermarket purchases of up to $6,000 every year.
Also, Blue Cash Preferred® Card offers 6% cash back on some streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit expenses, and much more. We couldn’t ignore the Blue Cash Preferred® Card because of the sheer number of benefits it offers.
What we like about it
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card offers 6% cash back on supermarket purchases of up to $6,000 annually, 6% cash back on select US streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit (taxis, parking, toll, buses, rides, and trains), 3% cash back at US gas stations, and 1% cash back on any other purchases.
- American Express is running a $300 welcome bonus on Blue Cash Preferred® Card for members spending more than $1,000 within the first 90 days of account opening.
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card comes with a 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months.
Additional benefits
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card provides additional benefits, such as car rental loss and damage protection, fraud protection, and return protection of up to 90 days.
Fees, terms, and conditions
Unlike other cards on our list, Blue Cash Preferred® Card comes with an annual fee of $95. The APR changes to variable rates of 12.99% to 23.99% after the introductory period.
Any limitations of the card
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card comes with a cash back cap on purchases of up to $6,000 for supermarkets annually.
- The annual maintenance fee is higher than what we have come across on the rest of the credit cards.
You can learn more about the Blue Cash Preferred® Card by visiting this page.
8. Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card.
Best Cash Back Credit Card for Dining & Entertainment
Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card is the perfect credit card for foodies and those who love dining at restaurants. The credit card offers unlimited cash back of up to 4% on dining and entertainment purchases.
Also, you can get an 8% cash back for any ticket purchases through Vivid Seats. Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card offers 2% cash back on grocery purchases and 1% cash back across every other category.
What we like about it
- Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for people who love dining out. It offers 4% cash back rewards on dining and other entertainment purchases. Additionally, Capital One offers an 8% cash back for any tick purchases on Vivid Seats through this card.
- Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card provides a 2% cash back on grocery purchases and 1% cash back on any other spending.
- You can qualify for a one-time $300 bonus after spending $3,000 within 9 days of enrolling in the program.
Additional benefits
- Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card offers $0 fraud liability protection, travel accident insurance, and extended warranty on qualified purchases.
- This credit card comes with multiple entertainment benefits, such as member-only dining events, discounts on music or sports events with VIP packages, complimentary concierge services, and emergency card replacement services.
Fees, terms, and conditions
Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card charges an annual fee of $95. The card offers a variable APR of 15.99% to 24.99%. You’ll pay a balance transfer fee of 3% for any promo rates and a late fee of $39.
Any limitations of the card
- Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card lacks an introductory 0% APR, which is quite common across other cards on our list.
- The annual fees of $95 could be a bit high for some cardholders.
- If you’re not big on dining out, entertainment events, or sports events, Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card isn’t the right card for you.
Here is some additional information about Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card.
9. Discover It® Cashback.
Best for 5% Cash Back Against Rotating Categories & Match-up Rewards
Do you want to earn 5% cash back rewards across rotating categories? Discover It® Cash Back Credit Card is an excellent card for users who are willing to go the extra mile to maximize their cash back rewards. This credit card offers different cash back categories every quarter, such as grocery stores, CVS, gas stations, restaurants, Uber, Lyft, PayPal, Amazon.com, Target.com, etc.
Discover It® Cash Back Credit Card provides a cash back match offer for the first year, meaning your cash back rewards will be doubled.
What we like about it
- Discover It® Cash Back Credit Card comes with 5% cash back rewards across different categories, with these categories changing every quarter. You have to activate the offer to earn cash back. Also, there is a maximum quarterly purchase limit of $1,500 for 5% cash back.
- There are no annual charges for Discover It® Cash Back Credit Card. You’ll get 1% cash back for additional purchases.
- Discover It® Cash Back Credit Card will match any cash back you’ve earned through the year, doubling your rewards at the end of the first year.
- The credit card comes with an introductory 0% APR for the first 14 months for both purchases as well as balance transfers.
Additional benefits
- Discover It® Cash Back Credit Card comes with multiple security features, such as free social security number alerts, ability to freeze your credit card from the app, and $0 fraud liability protection.
- Discover It® Cash Back Credit Card offers multiple redemption options, including direct bank deposits, statement credits, gift cards, shopping on Amazon.com using PayPal, and even donations to different charities.
Fees, terms, and conditions
Discover It® Cash Back Credit Card has no annual fees. You can benefit from the introductory 0% APR for the first 14 months on both purchases as well as balance transfers. Discover It® Cash Back Credit Card charges 3% balance transfer fee during the initial promo period and 5% after that. The APR changes to a variable rate of 11.99% to 22.99%.
Any limitations of the card
- Tracking different rotating categories could be slightly difficult with Discover It® Cash Back Credit Card.
- If you spend more on a particular category, you may want to choose a different reward card.
If you’re interested in finding out more about Discover It® Cash Back Credit Card, use this link.
10. Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card.
Best Cash Back Credit Card for Business Office Supplies & Bills
Are you a small business owner spending over $25,000 annually on office supplies? Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card is an excellent credit card for small business owners, self-employed professionals, and freelancers. The card offers a 5% cash back for combined purchases at office stores or other business expenses, such as cable, internet, or phone services every year.
The maximum purchase limit for 5% cash back is capped at $25,000. Also, the Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card provides a 2% cash back for gas or restaurant purchases every year.
What we like about it
- Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card offers a welcome bonus of $500 if you spend $3,000 within the first three months days of card activation.
- You can receive 5% cash back for office purchases of up to $25,000 every account anniversary year.
- Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card provides a 2% cash back for any purchases on US gas stations or restaurant purchases of up to $25,000 every year. There is unlimited cash back of 1% on any other purchases.
- You can accelerate rewards collection by issuing credit cards for your employees at zero cost.
- Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card provides an option to set individual card limits or manage the car using the app.
- There are no annual charges for the Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card.
- There is an introductory APR of 0% for the first 12 months on the Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card.
Additional benefits
- Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card offers fraud protection, purchase alerts, and purchase protection.
- The card offers multiple ways to redeem your rewards, including statement credits, direct account deposits, gift cards, travel discounts, and gift cards.
- You can improve your business credit score through the responsible use of the Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card.
Fees, terms, and conditions
Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card has $0 annual fees. You can benefit from a 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months, after which the rate changes to a variable APR of 13.24% to 19.24%. There is a 3% foreign transaction charge with this card.
Any limitations of the card
- If you spend over $25,000 on reward categories, Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card isn’t the ideal card for you.
- Additional services and features of the Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card are quite basic.
Check here to learn about additional features of the Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card.
11. U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card.
Best Cash Back Offer with Flat 5% Cash Back on Every Purchase
U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card redefines category-wise cash back rewards programs. Unlike other cards where your card issuer chooses a category, U.S. Bank allows you to choose two categories each quarter and receive up to 5% cash back on all your purchases under these categories up to $2,000.
Any purchases after $2,000 will earn a 1% cash back. You can also choose one category for a 2% unlimited cash back on all your purchases under this category.
What we like about it
- The ability to choose your reward categories every quarter sets U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card apart from other cards on our list. You can earn a flat-rate cash back of up to 5% on two categories for purchases up to $2,000, along with a 2% cash back on another category of your choice. Any other purchases qualify for a 1% cash back.
- There are no annual charges for U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card.
- U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card comes with a 0% intro APR for the first 12 months for balance transfers.
- You can earn a bonus reward of $150 if you spend over $500 within the first 90 days of account opening.
Fees, terms, and conditions
U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card charges $0 in annual fees. Its introductory 0% APR lasts for 12 months for balance transfers. U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card comes with a variable APR of 13.99% to 23.99%. You’ll pay a foreign transaction fee of 3% with this card, 2% if the transaction is in the US dollar.
Any limitations of the card
You can receive cash credits only if you have an account with the U.S. Bank, though there are other options available, including statement credits and U.S. Bank rewards card.
If you have any more doubts about the U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card, check the official website here.
12. American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card.
Best Cash Back Credit Card for Business with Adjustable Spending Limit
Out of all the cards we compared, American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card offers the highest cash back rewards for a business credit card. There are no specific categories for earning 2% cash back on purchases of up to $50,000 per year and 1% after that. American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card doesn’t come with an annual fee.
As a business owner, you will benefit from the 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months for purchases.
What we like about it
- You earn a flat 25 cash back on all eligible purchases of up to $50,000 with American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card and 1% after that limit.
- As a business owner, it’s always better to have some extra credit, and the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card provides that extra financial cushion. You can spend over your credit limit, with an upper cap on the maximum allowed limit based on your credit history, payment routine, and credit score.
- American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card offers a 0% intro APR for purchases for the first 12 months.
- You can apply for additional employee cards without any charges. Any purchases on these cards will qualify for cash back rewards.
Additional benefits
- American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card comes with a host of benefits that every business owner will find useful. You will get car rental loss and damage cover, purchase protection, extended warranty on qualified purchases, dispute resolution support, and excess to multiple offers from Amex.
- You can manage employee cards with American Express Business App and receive account alerts for late payment, suspicious activity, or over-usage.
Fees, terms, and conditions
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card card has no annual fees. You will get an intro APR of 0% for the first 12 months for purchases, which will change to a variable APR of 13.24% to 19.24%.
Any limitations of the card
- Unlike most cards on our list, you will not get a welcome bonus with the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card.
- There is an annual spending cap of $50,000 for 2% rewards.
Here is a link to American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card. You can find out more about its rewards and terms of usage.
13. Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card.
Best Cash Back Credit Card for Choosing Your Favorite Category
Would you like to create a credit card that rewards you for your preferred purchase category? Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card is the answer. You can choose a cash back category out of multiple options, such as gas, dining, online shopping, travel, home improvements, or drug store, and earn 3% cash back on your selected category.
Additionally, Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card offers 2% cash back on grocery stores and wholesale clubs, giving you additional benefits. Any other purchases earn 1% cash back.
What we like about it
- The ability to choose a category for which you’ll receive 3% cash back puts the Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card among best cash back credit cards.
- You will earn additional cash back of 2% for purchases at wholesale clubs and grocery stores. Your cash back offers of 3% and 2% rewards are available up to a combined purchase limit of $2,500 every quarter.
- There is a 1% cash back for any other purchases with Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card.
- You can receive $200 as a welcome bonus by spending $1,000 within the first three months of opening your account.
- Also, if you have multiple accounts with Bank Of America, you may qualify for Preferred Rewards, earning additional cash back rewards of 25% to 75%.
- There is no annual fee for Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card. You can get a 0% introductory APR for 15 months. After that, it will change to a variable APR of 13.99% to 23.99%.
Additional benefits
- Bank of America® Cash Rewards card offers $0 liability protection, overdraft protection, account alerts, and secure digital wallet features.
- If you’re an existing Bank of America customer, your rewards can add up quickly.
Fees, terms, and conditions
Bank of America® Cash Rewards card doesn’t require any annual fees. You will get a 0% intro offer for the first 15 months, after which the rate will change to a variable APR of 13.99% to 23.99%.
Any limitations of the card
The primary drawback of the Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card is its annual cap for 3% and 2% cash back rewards.
Visit the Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card official page to learn more about the card.
14. Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Card.
Best Cash Back Credit for Businesses with Unlimited Cash Back
If you’re a business owner, Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Card is one of the best ways to put money back in your account. You earn unlimited 2% cash back on all your business purchases. Additionally, Capital One is running a welcome bonus offer of $500 for customers who spend $4,500 within the first three billing cycles of the issuance of the card.
Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Card charges $0 in annual fees for the first year and $95 afterward. However, you don’t need to worry about the fees as you can easily cover it through reward cash back every year.
What we like about it
- Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Card comes with a 2% unlimited cash back offer, making it the perfect partner of a business owner. A monthly spending of $25,000 can generate cash back rewards of up to $6,000 annually.
- Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Card offers a one-time welcome bonus of $500 if you can spend more than $4,5000 within the first 3 months of opening the account.
- Capital charges $0 in annual charges for the first year and $95 afterward.
- The cash back you earn with the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Card doesn’t expire unless you close the account.
Additional benefits
- Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Card is ideal for businesses as it offers additional employee cards for $0. You can set custom limits for individual employees and track spending.
- You will receive additional benefits with Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Card, including $0 fraud liability, ability to lock employee cards, extended warranty for eligible purchases, and security alerts.
Fees, terms, and conditions
Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Card doesn’t charge annual fees for the first year, but after the initial year, you’ll be paying $95 in yearly fees. The card comes with a variable purchase APR of 20.99%. There are no foreign transaction charges with the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Card.
Any limitations of the card
- You don’t get an intro 0% APR with the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Card. The APR might be a little high for businesses with good credit standing.
- The annual fee might hurt if you’re used to having a $0 annual fee.
If you’re ready to learn more about Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business Card, visit this page.
15. Discover It® Secured Credit Card.
Best Cash Back Credit Card for Low Credit Scores
If you have a less-than-optimal credit score to qualify for an unsecured card, Discover It® Secured Credit Card is the way to go. The card issuer matches the credit limit with your refundable security deposit. Discover It® Secured Credit Card offers 2% cash back for all gas station and restaurant purchases up to $1,000 in monthly spending. Also, you’ll qualify for 1% cash back on any additional spending.
What we like about it
- Discover offers a 100% credit limit match against your refundable deposit.
- You will receive 2% cash back against any purchases at US gas stations and restaurants, with a monthly spending cap of $1,000 with Discover It® Secured Credit Card. There is an additional 1% cash back for purchases across other categories.
- Discover offers cash back match reward at the end of the first year, meaning any cash back you earned throughout the year will be doubled.
- The APR for the Discover It® Secured Credit Card doesn’t shoot up if you are late in making payments.
- The credit card issuer will report your credit activities to all three major credit bureaus.
- Discover It® Secured Credit Card doesn’t come with an annual fee or program enrollment fees like other credit-building cards.
Additional benefits
- Discover It® Secured Credit Card qualifies you for an automatic monthly review after the 8th statement cycle for an unsecured credit card.
- You’ll get a monthly credit card score update with your billing statement.
- Discover It® Secured Credit Card doesn’t incur a late fee for your first missed payment.
- Discover offers a free social security number alert, sending a warning if your social security number is found on the Dark Web.
Fees, terms, and conditions
Discover It® Secured Credit Card has a $0 annual fee. The APR stands at a variable rate of 22.99%. You’ll need a minimum deposit of $200 or more to apply for the card.
Any limitations of the card
- Discover It® Secured Credit Card needs a minimum deposit of $200, which could be a stretch for some applicants.
- The APR is high for regular purchases, through it better than what other funding sources cost.
Here is the official page for Discover It® Secured Credit Card. You can find more about its rates, ongoing terms, and more.
16. Discover it® Student Cash Back Credit Card.
Best Cash Back Credit Card for Students with 5% Cash Back
If you’re a student, Discover it® Student Cash Back Credit Card rewards you for good grades. You can earn up to $20 in annual statement credit if your GPA is 3.0 or higher for as many as five years. Discover it® Student Cash Back Credit Card offers 5% cash back rewards across different categories each quarter.
Additionally, Discover will match any cash back rewards you earn throughout the year, thereby doubling your cash back. You can freeze your credit card anytime through Freeze it®.
What we like about it
- Discover it® Student Cash Back Credit Card offers 5% cash back on revolving categories every quarter. Some of the available reward categories are grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, PayPal, Uber, Amazon.com, Target.com, Lyft, and Walmart.com. The quarterly purchase limit is set at $1,500 for 5% cash back. Any other purchases come with a 1% cash back reward.
- You’ll get a 0% intro APR for the first six months on your purchases.
- Discover it® Student Cash Back Credit Card gives a $20 annual statement credit if you can maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA.
- Discover will match your earned cash back at the end of the first year.
Additional benefits
- As a student, you can build your credit history using this card. Discover reports your credit activity to all three major bureaus.
- Discover it® Student Cash Back Credit Card offers additional features, including social security alerts,
Fees, terms, and conditions
Discover it® Student Cash Back Credit Card doesn’t incur annual fees. You will get a 0% introductory rate for your purchases for the first six months. Your APR will change to a variable rate of 12.99% to 21.99%.
Any limitations of the card
- You may find it difficult to track the rotating reward categories with the Discover it® Student Cash Back Credit Card.
- International acceptance is lower for Discover cards in comparison with Visa or Mastercard credit cards.
If you’re ready to find out more about Discover it® Student Cash Back Credit Card, check its features on the Discover website.
How can you choose the best cash back credit cards?
A survey from Experian finds that 61% of Americans are overwhelmed by the number of credit card options available in the market. Another 57% find it difficult to choose the best credit card for themselves.
How do you choose the right credit card out of the best cash back credit cards available in the market?
If you’re finding it challenging to spot the right credit card, here is how you can do it.
Why do you need a credit card?
There are various reasons out of which people apply for a credit card. Some look at it as an emergency financial cushion, whereas others use it to buy things they need.
You have to prioritize your credit card usage. Again, do understand that your perception of why you need a credit card and how you actually use it could be different.
Experian reveals that credit card users consider the financial cushion a credit card provides as its top benefit (42%), but when it comes to actual usage, only 37% use their credit card as a financial cushion. The majority uses it to purchase things they need.
Try to be a bit practical when citing your reasons. It could be to purchase things, build your credit, use it as a financial cushion, or to collect your desired points.
What kind of credit card will make sense for you?
Now that you know the reason why you need a credit card, it’s time to find out the right kind of card for you.
Here are potential credit card options:
- If you’re looking for a balance transfer card, a credit card that offers a 0% introductory APR is a good option. Choose one that offers a longer introductory rate.
- A cash back credit card makes sense if you’re simply trying to lower your monthly credit card bill.
- A low-interest credit card is suitable for users who intend to pay their credit card bills in full. They should seek the type of rewards that benefits them.
- If you’re looking for a card for business purchases, choosing a card that offers rewards for office supplies or utility bills will lower your monthly expenses (marginally, though).
Identify your spending habits or patterns.
The next step is to identify your spending habits.
If you’re a frequent shopper, shopping points or discounts will make sense. On the contrary, if you want to lower your financial burden slightly, choosing the best cash back credit cards makes more sense.
Some popular spending categories are:
- Gas bills
- Groceries, supermarkets
- Travel points
- Cash back
- Business purchases
- Restaurants and entertainment
A good way to see your major spending categories is to review your credit card statements from the past couple of days.
What kind of reward programs benefit you the most?
After reaching this step, you know why you need a credit card, what kind of credit card suits you, and what are your major spending categories. Under this step, we are going to focus on the right reward program in accordance with your spending habits and type of credit card.
Here are some rewards programs you can explore:
- Cash back reward programs.
- Airline miles.
- Gas cards for road trips.
- Hotel discounts or points.
- Office supplies discount.
How good is your credit score?
If you want to qualify for a decent credit card, you’ll need a good credit score, 700 or above. Most companies reserve the best terms or rewards for individuals with higher credit scores, though it is possible to get decent offers with lower scores, so you would want to check your credit score first.
You can order a free yearly credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus, including Experian, Transunion, and Equifax. If you can spot any errors, make sure to rectify them before applying for a credit card.
In case you have a lower credit score, it may work out best to go with a secured credit card. You can put a security deposit that you’re comfortable with for the card.
What factors should you consider when choosing a credit card?
At this point, it’s time to compare different credit cards for APRs, introductory offers, bonus offers, and other charges. You should focus on:
- APR: The average APR for credit cards stands between 15.53% to 22.68%, but it could be higher or lower. Since it’s revolving credit, it’s critical to get a lower APR. Your APR will depend on multiple factors, such as your credit score, credit history, current debt, and other factors. Check with different lenders and find the best APRs.
- Annual fees: It’s possible to find credit cards with $0 fees, but that may not always be the best decision. If you use your credit card often, it is best to focus on a credit card that offers benefits that can easily outweigh the annual fees. On the contrary, if you rarely use a credit card, choose one with a $0 or low fees.
- Welcome bonus: It’s the one-time bonus you receive when signing up for a credit card. The simple part is that you can qualify for the bonus by spending a certain amount of time, $1,000 or more, within a given period.
- Reward programs: Again, you should pay attention to the reward programs. Choose the one that you can benefit from. We found several credit cards that offer as much as 5% cash back on different purchases.
- Additional charges: Last but not least, find out the additional charges, such as balance transfer fees, late fees, foreign transaction fees, or cash advance charges associated with the credit card.
Choosing a card that scores high on most of these factors will help you reap the maximum benefits without paying too much or losing relevant rewards.
Apply for your favorite card.
The last step in the process is to apply for your chosen credit card. Here is what you should do:
- Read the terms and conditions of card usage properly.
- Understand annual fees and other charges.
- Make sure that the reward program makes sense.
- In case of a secured card, make sure that there are no deductibles on your deposit at the time of account closure.
- Apply online or file an application with your credit card issuer.
Summary (Our recommendations).
Choosing the best cash back credit cards will require some research, comparisons, and going through multiple offers, but the long-term rewards you’ll earn will be worth the effort.
We recommend you to:
- Focus on APR first and other perks later.
- Don’t forget to check your recent credit score before applying for a credit card.
- Avoid cash advances to prevent excessive charges.
- Try to pay your credit card bill in full. (Only 45% of Americans pay their entire balance every month.)
If you’re looking for a loan, here is our guide for some of the best personal loans available in the market. Check which of these works best for you.
What do you look for when you choose a cash back credit card? Share with us in the comments section below.