Best cash back credit cards for December 2024

This content is created by AP Buyline in accordance with AP’s editorial guidelines and supervised and edited by AP staff. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about AP Buyline here.

by Joseph Hostetler

edited by Adam Clement

Updated November 8, 2024

Cash back credit cards in effect give you a discount on all of your purchases: Some of the best cash back credit cards earn 5% or more for everyday spending. Cash back is not considered income, so it’s essentially a rebate on your expenses, but to unlock this value you have to avoid fees and interest charges whenever possible.

Highest cash back credit cards with no annual fee

card_name: Best for common expenses

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

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Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Credit score

credit_score_needed

Annual fees

annual_fees

(Rates & Fees)

Welcome bonus

bonus_miles_full

Rewards rate

1% - 6% Terms Apply

Rewards details

6% cash back on groceries at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in spending per year then 1% thereafter).
6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3% cash back on transit (taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, etc.).
1% back for all other eligible purchases.

Pros:

Valuable cash back rewards on groceries and gas.
Intro APR intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration; then reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR.
No annual fee for the first year.

Cons:

annual_fees Annual fee after the first year.
Bonus category rewards are capped.

The remarkably potent return rate of the card_name makes it one of the best credit cards for everyday purchases. You’ll receive 6% back at U.S. supermarkets (for up to $6,000 per calendar year then 1% thereafter) and on select U.S. streaming services, 3% back on transit and at U.S. gas stations and 1% back for all other eligible purchases. These categories capture the vast majority of a standard monthly budget, meaning even a modest budget can earn several hundred dollars in cash back each year.

With this card you can bonus_miles_full. Coupled with a virtually unheard-of return rate for groceries and streaming, you’ll get over $200 in annual statement credits. However, some of these credits aren’t practical to many cardholders — plus, you’ll pay a annual_fees annual fee.

card_name: Best for flexible rewards

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Credit score

credit_score_needed

Annual fees

annual_fees

Welcome bonus

bonus_miles_full

Rewards rate

1.5% - 5%

Rewards details

5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
5% cash back on qualifying Lyft rides through March 2025.
3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.
3% cash back on drugstore purchases.
1.5% cash back for all other eligible purchases.

Why we like it

The no annual fee card_name earns between 1.5% and 5% cash back on all purchases, making it a perfect option for those that don’t want to juggle multiple rewards credit cards. It also offers a generous 0% intro APR window on purchases and balance transfers.

A high return rate on everyday purchases is great, but this card ups the ante in a big way: You can turn the cash back you earn into airline miles and hotel points for nearly free travel — skyrocketing the potential value of your rewards. You’ll need to hold an annual fee-incurring Chase Travel℠ card, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, to do it; but it’s a nice redemption option to have if travel is a goal of yours.

Pros:

No annual fee.
Minimum 1.5% return for purchases.
Points can be redeemed for airline and hotel points with an annual fee Chase companion card.

Cons:

Cash Advance Fees: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
Balance Transfer Fees: Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Up to 29.99% penalty APR after one late payment.

The card_name is marketed as a cash back credit card, but it’s not; it actually earns Chase Travel℠ points. These can be redeemed for cash at a rate of 1 cent each — but if you also have an annual fee-incurring Ultimate Rewards card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can actually convert those rewards into airline miles and hotel points to travel for pennies on the dollar.

This is not unique to the card_name; a handful of other no annual fee Chase credit cards also earn Chase Travel℠ points that can be used in this way. But the Chase Freedom Unlimited is one of the fastest earners of Chase Travel℠ points — even beating out more premium Chase cards in several areas.

The card offers bonus_miles_full.

card_name: Best for small business owners

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

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Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Credit score

credit_score_needed

Annual fees

annual_fees

Welcome bonus

bonus_miles_full

Rewards rate

1% - 5%

Why we like it

The card_name features up to 5% cash back on the first $25,000 of annual spending in popular business categories, including office supply store and eligible telecommunications service purchases. It offers 2% back on up to $25,000 in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants and 1% everywhere else. If you also have a Chase Ultimate Rewards card, you can convert cash back into potentially more valuable rewards points.

After signing up for a new account, you can earn up to $750 in bonus cash back. You’ll get $350 after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 after spending $6,000 in the first six months. With a package of travel and purchase benefits and no annual fee, it’s easy to see how business owners can earn significant value from this card.

Rewards details

5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2025
5% cash back at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services (on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each anniversary year, then 1%)
2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants each (on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year, then 1%)
1% cash back on all other purchases

Pros:

Generous intro bonus.
No annual fee.
Business-focused perks.

Cons:

Only for small business owners.
Rewards categories have spending caps.

The card_name is built for common business expenses and activities. You’ll earn 5% back (on the first $25,000 in combined purchases each cardmember year) for office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services. You’ll also earn 2% cash back (on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each cardmember year) at gas stations and restaurants. You’ll earn 1% back for everything else.

Another pleasantly unique feature is its rental car insurance coverage. You’ll receive primary insurance when you waive the rental agency’s CDW and use the card to pay for your rental. The only caveat is that you must be renting for business purposes — otherwise, coverage is secondary.

card_name: Best for students

Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

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Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Credit score

credit_score_needed

Annual fees

annual_fees

Welcome bonus

bonus_miles_full

Rewards rate

1% - 8%

Rewards details

8% cash back on CapitalOne Entertainment purchases.
5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®).
1% on all other purchases.

Pros:

Earn 3% back on popular purchase categories for students.
No annual or foreign transaction fees.
Flexible cash redemption options.

Cons:

APR can be high for some applicants.
Few travel and purchase protection benefits.
Grocery store rewards don’t work at Walmart or Target.

The card_name is a cash-back-earning powerhouse for students. it earns 8% cash back for Capital One Entertainment purchases (concerts, sporting events, etc.); it earns 5% cash back on rental cars and hotels reserved through Capital One Travel; it earns 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, grocery store (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®) and eligible streaming services.

You can be approved with limited credit history, as long as you’re at a four-year university, community college or other higher education institution — or at least admitted and planning to enroll within three months).

card_name: Best for a flat return rate

Citi Double Cash® Card

Credit score

credit_score_needed

Annual fees

annual_fees

(Rates & Fees)

Welcome bonus

bonus_miles_full

Rewards rate

Rewards details

Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.

Pros:

bonus_miles (fulfilled as Citi ThankYou points) after minimum spending met.
Earn Citi ThankYou points, which can be redeemed for cash at a rate of 1 cent each.
Balance transfers have balance_transfer_rate APR for balance_transfer_duration_months. (then reg_apr,reg_apr_type)

Cons:

No intro APR on purchases.
High foreign transaction fee.

Credit card bonus spending categories can be a blessing or a curse. It’s nice to be able to receive a high return for some purchases, but it can be difficult to remember which card to use for which purchases. The card_name gives you an exceptional return rate on all purchases, so it’s a good choice to use no matter what you’re paying for. It takes a lot of the strategy out of getting the biggest bang for your swipe.

You’ll get a simple and high-powered return rate coupled with a solid intro APR offer for balance transfers. There are no bonus categories to unlock a higher earning for common purchases.

Chase Freedom Flex®: Best for rotating bonus categories

Chase Freedom Flex®

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Chase Freedom Flex®

Credit score

670

Annual fees

Welcome bonus

$200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening

Rewards rate

1% - 5%

Rewards details

5% cash back on combined gas station and grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart)
5% back on travel purchases through the Chase Travel Portal
5% back on qualifying Lyft rides through March 2025
3% back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
3% on drugstore purchases
1% on all other purchases

Why we like it

Pros:

No annual fee.
Generous intro APR.
$200 bonus after $500 in purchases in the first three months.

Cons:

Earning limits for some bonus categories.
Keeping track of categories can be complicated.

If you don’t mind keeping track of rotating spending categories, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ will earn you a whopping 5% back for up to $1,500 in spending each quarter (then 1%) after you activate its quarterly bonuses. You’ll earn 5% back at grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target) in the first year after opening the card (up to a $12,000 cap), and you’ll also earn 5% back in quarterly bonus categories (up to a $1,500 cap). You’ll also earn 5% back for travel reserved through the Chase Travel Portal, 3% back on dining and at drugstores and 1% back on everything else.

The card offers a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening plus 5% cash back on combined gas station and grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year. You’ll earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be redeemed for cash back at a rate of 1 cent each and get up to 5% back for your everyday spending and automatic cell phone insurance (when using the card to pay your phone bill).

All information about the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected independently by AP Buyline.

card_name: Best for choose-your-own bonus categories

Citi Custom Cash® Card

Credit score

credit_score_needed

Annual fees

annual_fees

(Rates & Fees)

Welcome bonus

bonus_miles_full

Rewards rate

1% - 5%

Rewards details

5% back on your top eligible spend category each billing cycle up to $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter.
1% back on all other purchases.

Pros:

No annual fee.
Generours intro APR offer.
Simple rewards structure.

Cons:

Earnings on rewards are capped.
Low bonus rate outside categories.

The card_name intelligently applies a 5% bonus to your most used eligible spending category (for up to $500 in spending each billing cycle, then 1%). In other words, you don’t need to strategize with this card. It does the hard work for you. Eligible spending categories include grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, drugstores, live entertainment, home improvement stores and more.

With the card you can bonus_miles_full. You’ll earn Citi ThankYou points, which can be redeemed for cash at a rate of 1 cent each and 5% cash back for your most used eligible bonus category. However, you’ll only earn 5% back on up to $500 in spending per month.

card_name: Best for Amazon purchases

Prime Visa

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Prime Visa

Credit score

credit_score_needed

Annual fees

annual_fees

Welcome bonus

bonus_miles_full

Rewards rate

1% - 5%

Why we like it

If you’re an Amazon Prime member, it’s tough to beat the value provided by the Prime Visa credit card. New users start with a $200 Amazon gift card. You’ll also earn 5% cash back on purchases at Amazon, Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh, and Chase Travel purchases. You’ll get 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and local transit, and 1% everywhere else. There’s no annual fee, though a Prime membership is required.

Even if you only use the card for Amazon purchases, it’s a great value, as there’s no annual fee. It also comes loaded with valuable travel and purchase benefits, including rental car coverage, travel accident insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection. With no annual fee and 5% cash back on Amazon purchases, it’s an incredible deal.

Rewards details

5% back on purchases with Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and Chase Travel.
2% back at gas stations, restaurants and local transit and commuting (including rideshare).
1% back on all other purchases.

Pros:

Great for Amazon Prime members.
$200 Amazon gift card upon approval.
No annual fee.

Cons:

Best perks are reserved for Amazon Prime members ($139 annual fee).
Cardholders can’t use Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

If you’re an Amazon power user, (or even if you’re not) the card_name’s return rates are impossible to ignore. It earns unlimited 5% cash back for purchases at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods and via Chase Travel. It also earns 2% cash back at gas stations, restaurants and for local transit and commuting. Just note that only those with a Prime membership will get these impressive returns. Non-Prime members will still earn cash back, but at a lower rate.

In addition to getting a cash-back card, you will also bonus_miles_full. There is no annual fee, and you get uncapped 5% earning rates on Amazon spending making the card a no-brainer for Amazon users. You must have an Amazon Prime membership to qualify.

All information about the Prime Visa has been collected independently by AP Buyline.

U.S. Bank Cash ® Visa® Secured Card: Best for a secured credit card

U.S. Bank Cash ® Secured Visa® Card

Credit score

Bad/Poor

Annual fees

Welcome bonus

None

Rewards rate

1% - 5%

Rewards details

5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Travel Center.
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 (such as grocery stores and gas stations).
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.

Pros:

No annual fee.
Chose biggest rewards in your most active categories.

Cons:

No welcome bonus.
5% bonus categories have a quarterly bonus cap.

A secured credit card is designed for those with limited or poor credit history with the primary goal of bettering their credit profile. These cards often don’t come with impressive benefits or return rates — but the U.S. Bank Cash ® Visa® Secured Card does.

The card earns 5% cash back (for up to $2,000 in combined purchases per quarter, then 1%) in two categories of your choosing. Eligible categories include fast food, cell phone providers, home utilities, streaming/TV/internet, department stores, ground transportation and more. To boot, you may choose to earn 2% in either grocery stores (and grocery delivery), restaurants or gas and EV charging stations.

card_name: Best for no credit history

Chase Freedom Rise®

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Chase Freedom Rise®

Credit score

credit_score_needed

Annual fees

annual_fees

Welcome bonus

bonus_miles_full

Rewards rate

1.5%

Rewards details

1.5% cash back on all purchases.

Terms URL

The no annual fee card_name is an easy win for those with limited (or no) credit history. You’ll get a respectable 1.5% cash back on all purchases, as well as a $25 statement credit after enrolling in autopay.

The main draw of this card is its low approval standards. If you’re new to credit, this unsecured credit card is a top-notch option to build your credit profile. It offers a credit limit increase in as soon as six months (based on healthy usage), and it lets you track your credit score for free.

Pros:

Cash back rewards on spending.
Comes with a Chase checking account.
No annual fee.

Cons:

No bonus categories on spending.
Requires a Chase checking account.
Charges foreign transaction fees.

The card_name is designed to extend help to those without a credit history. You can be approved even if it’s your first-ever loan, and Chase states that your approval odds will increase if you’ve also got a Chase checking account with a balance of at least $250. While you’re busy creating a good credit history through on-time payments and low credit utilization, you’ll also earn 1.5% back on all purchases.

The card offers a bonus_miles_full. You’ll also get respectable flat-rate earnings along with some solid purchase and travel coverages. Frequent international travelers should note that this card does incur foreign transaction fees.

Best cash back credit cards of 2024: Comparison

Card name	Annual fees	Welcome bonus	Credit score
card_name	annual_fees (Rates & Fees)	bonus_miles	credit_score_needed
Chase Freedom Flex®	$0	$200 bonus after $500 in purchases in the first three months	670
card_name	annual_fees (Rates & Fees)	bonus_miles	credit_score_needed
card_name	annual_fees	bonus_miles	credit_score_needed
card_name	annual_fees	bonus_miles	credit_score_needed
card_name	annual_fees	bonus_miles	credit_score_needed
card_name	annual_fees	bonus_miles	credit_score_needed
card_name	annual_fees	bonus_miles	credit_score_needed
U.S. Bank Cash ® Visa® Secured Card	$0	None	Bad/Poor
card_name	annual_fees	bonus_miles	credit_score_needed

How we chose the best cash back credit cards

We compared cash back card offers based on the following criteria: Rewards rates, welcome offers, rewards flexibility, introductory APR offers, variable APRs, annual fees, consumer protections included, travel benefits and perks, travel insurance benefits; credit rating required.

Ultimately, we looked for credit cards that offer the most lucrative cash back rewards structures and welcome offers, as well as flexibility within their designated rewards programs. Cards were also evaluated based on other factors, including their fee structure, introductory interest rates and regular variable APR. In all cases, benefits such as consumer protections and travel insurance perks were taken into account.

Choosing the best cash back credit card: Where to begin

No matter your current situation, there’s a cash back credit card that suits your lifestyle. It’s good to understand the process of selecting the right credit card. Here’s how to go about finding the best fit for your wallet.

Eligibility

A critical early step to opening a credit card is learning your credit score. Credit card issuers use this as a sort of report card for your finances. If your credit score is too low, they won’t approve you for certain cards.

Related: How to check your credit score

Check your score and then only apply for cards that approve applicants within that credit score range.

Spending patterns

Cash back credit cards offer a wide variety of bonus categories that are targeted toward specific spending habits. Your goal is to find the credit card that complements that spending. If you’re a road warrior, you’ll want a card that rewards you for swiping at the gas station. If you eat out a lot, you’ll want a card with a strong return for dining.

Annual fee

If a cash back credit card comes with an annual fee, it’s wise to do some quick arithmetic. After all, that fee directly affects your yearly returns. Estimate how much cash back you’ll receive from the card after paying the annual fee and compare it against a less fancy no annual fee cash back card.

Of course, a cash back credit card that charges an annual fee may also come with ongoing benefits that offset the fee. Just make sure you don’t have to go out of your way to use those benefits simply to justify the annual fee.

Flexibility

Some cash back credit cards actually earn points that can be converted into travel rewards. However, you’ll often need to hold another credit card to unlock the full potential of those points.

For example, while the Citi Custom Cash is advertised as a “cash back” credit card, it technically earns Citi ThankYou points which can be redeemed for cash at a rate of 1 cent per point. But if you also hold the Citi Premier® Card, you can transfer the rewards you earn on your Citi Custom Cash to that card and then onto airline and hotel loyalty programs such as JetBlue, Wyndham and Virgin Atlantic.

Ongoing benefits

Cash back credit cards can save you money in ways beyond their return rates. Look for a credit card that provides value in the form of monthly or yearly statement credits.

For example, all American Express cards come with a benefit called “Amex Offers.” Within your online account, you’ll see a long list of offers that help you to save money on things like shopping, dining, travel and more. Just click on the offers you want to add to your card, and you’ll automatically receive statement credits or bonus rewards when you satisfy the terms of the promotion.

How to maximize your cash back

Cash back is the most straightforward credit card rewards currency. It can be used for anything, from paying your rent to getting an oil change to discounting your next vacation. To maximize your cash back earnings, you should:

Open more than one cash back credit card. You’ll benefit from having one card (at least) that rewards you for your unique spending habits, and another that offers a respectable fixed return rate for all other purchases.
Use your credit cards for (nearly) everything. If the transaction doesn’t incur a fee, channel it through your cash back card.
Don’t carry a balance month-to-month. Any rewards you may earn from spending will be negated by the interest charges you’ll pay.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is a cash back credit card?

A cash back credit card earns cash whenever you make a purchase (and sometimes when you pay off a purchase). You can think of it as a rebate for your expenses. Your cash back typically pools in a rewards account to be redeemed at your leisure.

Are cash back cards a good idea?

Cash back credit cards are a good idea for anyone interested in saving money on everyday purchases. However, if you’ve got travel aspirations, you should consider a credit card that earns travel rewards, instead. With a bit of strategy, you can squeeze a lot more value from travel rewards than cash back.

How does a cash-back card compare to travel rewards cards?

The biggest difference between cash back credit cards and travel rewards cards is the rewards currency they collect. Cash back cards earn cash, while travel rewards credit cards earn airline miles, hotel points or transferable rewards that can provide drastically different values, depending on how you use them.

For rates and fees of the card_name, please visit URL.

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