Best Cash Back Credit Cards

Updated September 2019
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We may earn a commission if you purchase a product through our links.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
We may earn a commission if you purchase a product through our links.
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Capital One
Quick Silver Cash Rewards
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Easy to Earn
Bottom Line

A popular cash back credit card for consumers with good credit scores. Cash rewards can add up quickly and are available as long as accounts are open.

Pros

Offers $200 cash back after spending $500 in the first 3 months of opening an account, then 1.5% cash back unlimited. Cash rewards don't expire. No annual or foreign transaction fees. 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months.

Cons

Can be difficult for applicants with less than perfect credit to be approved, or may receive small credit limits. Mixed opinions on the attentiveness of customer service.

Chase
Freedom Unlimited
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Excellent Opening Bonus
Bottom Line

If you plan to use your new credit card frequently within the first year, the initial 3% cash back rewards on the Freedom Unlimited make it worth considering.

Pros

Introduction period allows card holders to earn 3% cash back on all purchases for the first year for new accounts, and 1.5% thereafter. Balance transfers and purchases are at 0% APR for the first 15 months. No annual membership fee.

Cons

Foreign transaction fees (3%) apply. Very good to excellent credit is needed for approval.

Best Bang for the Buck
U.S. Bank
Cash Visa Signature
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Most Flexible
Bottom Line

A trusted credit card with flexible cash back and ways to use the money you earn, all without an annual membership fee.

Pros

5% back up to $2,000 in your 2 favorite categories, 2% back on select everyday categories, and 1% back on other purchases mean you can earn as much as $550 cash back in the first 12 months. Can be redeemed on rewards, statements, or deposited in an account. 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months. No annual fee.

Cons

Foreign transaction fee is 3%. Good or excellent credit is required to be approved.

Chase
Freedom
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Lots of Perks
Bottom Line

Cash back can add up quickly with Chase's Freedom card, especially for consumers who enjoy shopping in a variety of categories.

Pros

In addition to $150 cash back with initial $500+ spending in the first three months, this card offers 5% cash back in special quarterly categories and 1% unlimited otherwise. New account holders enjoy 15 months of 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers. No annual fee; rewards don't expire.

Cons

3% foreign transaction fee. The downside of the special categories is that not all of them will appeal to every consumer, and there is limited time to take advantage of them. Excellent/good credit required.

American Express
Blue Cash Preferred
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Many Ways to Earn
Bottom Line

Although this card has a high annual fee, it also offers numerous ways to wrack up cash back bonuses.

Pros

Earns $250 statement credit after spending $1,000 within 3 months of opening an account. Purchases and balance transfers are at an introductory 0% for 12 months. 6% cash back up to $6,000 at supermarkets, 6% on some streaming services, and 3% back on select transit.

Cons

Excellent credit is a must to be approved. Annual membership fee is $95. 2.7% foreign transaction fee.

How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

28 Models Considered
7 Hours Researched
1 Experts Interviewed
394 Consumers Consulted
Zero products received from manufacturers.

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
We may earn a commission if you purchase a product through our links.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We may earn a commission if you purchase a product through our links.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
We may earn a commission if you purchase a product through our links.
The team that worked on this review
  • Jennifer
    Jennifer
    Writer
  • Melinda
    Melinda
    Web Producer

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