The 10 Best Cash-Back Credit Cards Available Now

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Update: Some offers mentioned below may have changed or are no longer available. View current credit card offerings from our partners at CardCritics Here or on the issuer’s website.

When you use a cash-back credit card responsibly, you essentially get free money for every purchase. But not all cash-back cards are created equal — some offer higher cash-back rates than others, some have different fees associated with the card and the interest rates can vary as well.

Important: 

GOBankingRates identified the Best Cash-Back Credit Cards of 2021 by analyzing the following factors: annual fees, APR for purchases, promotional APR, sign-up bonuses, and rewards and features. Find out which cards made the cut.

Our Top Cash-Back Card

Why we like it: The Chase Freedom Unlimited card’s rewards structure offers users 5% cash back on unlimited travel purchases, plus 5% cash back for a limited time on groceries and Lyft rides. Other cash-back categories include 3% on drugstore and dining purchases and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

The cash-back rewards and a lower-than-average starting APR, a sign-up bonus and $0 annual fee all make this card worth considering.

Benefits

• No annual fee
• High rewards value: Earn 5% cash back on groceries (excluding warehouse stores) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year, as well as 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase. Plus, get 3% cash back on dining, including takeout, and at drugstores
• Easy rewards redemption for cash, gift cards or travel, with no minimum to redeem
• 15-month promotional 0% intro APR period

Drawbacks

• Purchases made at Target and Walmart are excluded from the grocery category

Key Features

• 5% cash back at grocery stores, excluding Target and Walmart, on up to $12,000 spent in your first year of having the card
• 3% cash back on dining, including takeout, and at drugstores
• 1.5% cash back on everything else
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase

Best Cash-Back Credit Cards 2021

Keep reading to see the other winners in the Best Cash-Back Credit Cards of 2021 category.

Key Benefits

• Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 on combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate
• Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase
• Earn 3% cash back on dining including takeout and drugstores
• Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
• Earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases (not including Target® or Walmart® purchases) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year

Find out more about this credit card.

Key Benefits

• 6% cash back at U.S. grocery stores, up to $6,000 a year, then 1%
• 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services
• 3% cash back on transit
• 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
• 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases

Is this card right for you? Find out more about it to decide.

U.S. Bank Cash+^® Visa Signature^® Card

Key Benefits

• 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose
• 2% cash back on one everyday category, like gas stations, grocery stores or restaurants
• 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases

How To Get This Card:

You can apply for the card online here with just some basic personal and financial information (clicking the link will take you to U.S. Bank’s application page).

Key Benefits

• Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent
• Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases

Learn more about this card’s perks.

Capital One SavorOne Rewards Credit Card

Key Benefits

• 3% cash back on dining
• 3% cash back on entertainment and streaming services
• 3% cash back at grocery stores
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

See what other perks come with this credit card.

Key Benefits

• 3% cash back on U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000 annually, then 1%
• 3% cash back at U.S gas stations, up to $6,000 annually, then 1%
• 3% cash back at U.S. online retailers, up to $6,000 annually, then 1%
• 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases

Learn more about this card to determine if it’s right for you.

Key Benefits

• 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores or home improvement/furnishings
• 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

See if this card has what it takes to fit your needs.

M&T Visa^® Signature Credit Card

Key Benefits

• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase

Discover more about this credit card’s offerings.

Discover it^® Cash Back Credit Card

Key Benefits

• Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal
• Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
• Cashback match, get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year

Read on to learn more about this credit card.

FAQs About Cash-Back Credit Cards

Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions about cash-back credit cards.

What credit score do I need to get a cash-back credit card?

When you apply for a cash-back credit card, the lender will consider your credit score before deciding whether to approve you for the card. To qualify for the cards with the most attractive features, you’ll want an exceptional or very good credit score.

Here’s a breakdown of FICO credit score ranges:

• Exceptional: 800 or higher
• Very Good: 740-799
• Good: 670-739
• Fair: 580-669
• Poor: 579 or lower

Check your credit score to see where you fall. If you’re interested in a cash-back card, reach out to the card issuer to see if your score is high enough to qualify.

Can I use cash back to pay off my credit card?

Yes. You can use your cash back rewards as a statement credit. You will still need to make your minimum payment if you have a balance.

Explore more answers to your top questions about cash-back credit cards.

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Methodology: GOBankingRates identified the best cash-back credit cards by analyzing the following factors: (1) annual fees; (2) APR for purchases; (3) promotional APR; (4) sign-up bonuses; and (5) rewards and features. All fees and rates are subject to change at the credit card issuers’ discretion. Some bonus offers may no longer be available on the credit card issuers’ websites, depending on how one accesses the web page. All data was sourced from each financial institution’s website or promotional material and is accurate as of Aug. 11, 2021. Please verify terms and conditions before opening an account. Rewards had to be in form of cash back to qualify.

The information related to Chase Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited was collected by GOBankingRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of these cards. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. GOBankingRates does not receive commission for these products.

All information about American Express card offers have been collected independently by GOBankingRates and have not been reviewed or approved by American Express. These offers are not available through GOBankingRates.

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