If you’re looking to get more value from your everyday purchases, a cashback credit card can be one of the smartest tools in your wallet. These cards return a percentage of your spending as cash, which you can use to pay down your bill, deposit into your bank account, or redeem for gift cards.
With so many options, finding the best credit card for cash back depends on your spending habits, whether you prefer a flat rate or higher rewards in specific categories, and whether you’re willing to pay an annual fee. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the top cards in 2025.
Best Overall Flat-Rate Cashback Cards
Flat-rate cards are perfect if you want simplicity and consistent rewards no matter where you shop.
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Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card – Earns an unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases with no rotating categories or spending caps. Ideal for set-it-and-forget-it convenience.
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Citi Double Cash® Card – Offers 2% total cash back: 1% when you make a purchase and another 1% when you pay it off. This encourages good payment habits.
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Chase Freedom Unlimited® – Provides 1.5% cash back on all purchases, plus 3% on dining and drugstores and 5% on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Best for Specific Spending Categories
If most of your budget goes toward groceries, dining, or entertainment, these cards can deliver significantly higher returns.
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Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express – A grocery powerhouse, offering 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year, then 1%), 6% on select streaming services, and 3% on transit and U.S. gas stations.
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Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card – Designed for foodies and fun lovers, giving 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, 3% on dining, entertainment, and grocery stores (excluding superstores), plus 5% on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel.
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Discover it® Cash Back – Rotating 5% cashback categories that change quarterly (activation required) make it a strong choice for targeted spending.
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Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card – Lets you choose your 3% cashback category (gas, online shopping, dining, etc.), allowing you to tailor rewards to your lifestyle.
Best Cashback Cards With No Annual Fee
You don’t have to pay a yearly fee to earn great rewards. Standouts include:
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Chase Freedom Unlimited®
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Citi Double Cash® Card
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Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card – Flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
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Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express – Earns 3% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year, then 1%), 3% on U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases.
Important Considerations Before Choosing
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Spending habits – Match your card to where you spend most (groceries, dining, travel).
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Annual fees – High-reward cards sometimes charge fees. Ensure rewards outweigh costs.
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Credit score requirements – Premium cashback cards usually require good to excellent credit.
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Welcome bonuses – Look for sign-up bonuses that boost your first-year earnings.
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Intro APR offers – Helpful for big purchases or balance transfers.
Tips to Maximize Cashback
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Use the right card for each purchase – Pair a flat-rate card with a category card.
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Activate rotating categories – Especially for cards like Discover it® Cash Back.
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Pay in full every month – Avoid interest charges that cancel out rewards.
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Track promotions – Issuers often have limited-time boosts on certain spending categories.
FAQs
1. What are the best cashback credit cards for everyday spending?
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card and Citi Double Cash® Card both offer 2% back on all purchases, while Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers 1.5% back plus extra in select categories.
2. Which cashback cards are best for groceries or dining?
For groceries, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from Amex offers 6% back at U.S. supermarkets. For dining, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card gives 3% back on dining and entertainment, plus 8% on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
3. Are there cashback cards with no annual fee?
Yes – popular options include Chase Freedom Unlimited®, Citi Double Cash®, Capital One Quicksilver, and Blue Cash Everyday® Card.
4. How can I maximize my cashback earnings?
Know your spending habits, use category-specific cards, grab welcome bonuses, pay bills in full, and take advantage of special offers.
5. What are rotating category cashback cards?
Cards like Discover it® Cash Back and Chase Freedom Flex® offer 5% back in changing quarterly categories, requiring activation.
The best credit card for cash back depends on your lifestyle. If you want simplicity, go with a flat-rate card like Wells Fargo Active Cash® or Citi Double Cash®. If you spend heavily in specific areas, category-focused cards like the Blue Cash Preferred® or Capital One Savor can help you earn more. By matching the right card to your spending patterns, you can put hundreds of extra dollars back in your pocket every year.
