Updated: 6 days ago
While there are numerous ways to maximize the miles and points you earn through a combination of airline, hotel, and bank rewards cards, sometimes you just want a simple card with a straightforward return, which is where the best cash back credit cards come in to play. The rewards structures are typically straightforward, giving you anywhere from a 1% to 6% rebate depending on the card and spending category.
Best Cash Back Credit Card Offers of October 2019
Like all rewards cards, there are a few things to consider when choosing the right cash-back card for your situation. We like to aim for at least a 2% return on all purchases, which is pretty easy given the variety of cards out there, but there are a few other factors to keep in mind:
- Think about where you spend the most — The best cash back cards not only offer at least an average 2% return, many offer extra points for dining, wireless services, streaming (like Netflix and Spotify), ridesharing, supermarkets, and much more.
- Consider how much you spend — You can often earn a better rate of return by choosing a card with an annual fee. If you spend a lot at supermarkets, for example, the 6% cash back you’d get on the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express more than offsets any annual fee. If you don’t spend that much, be sure to do the math to make sure you’re earning more in rewards than it is costing you to keep the card.
- Don’t carry a balance — As an example, if you’re earning a 2% return, and paying 14% interest (or whatever your rate is), you’re not actually coming out ahead. You’d be better off transferring your balance to a low-interest card until you are in a position to pay your balance in full each month.
Cash back cards usually offer smaller welcome bonuses than travel rewards cards, but you can still earn a nice chunk of cash for opening a new card and completing the minimum spending requirement. Here are the best cash back credit cards available today:
This is a great card for small businesses, given the generous welcome offer and the simple earning structure. Pair this with the Ink Preferred to maximize your rewards! Current Offer Card Details A cash-back card can be a good way to cut costs in other areas, saving money for travel! Current Offer Card Details This is a great card for small businesses, given that this card has no annual fee yet still accrues 5x points in several categories. Current Offer Card Details This is an excellent card for those who spend a lot on dining and want to earn cash back, rather than travel rewards! Current Offer There are no limits to the amount of cash back you can earn. For a card with no annual fee, that’s a return which is tough to beat. Current Offer This is a great way to rack up Ultimate Rewards points on a no annual fee credit card. This card complements the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card very well, given that the points from all cards can be pooled. Read our Review Card Details This is a great way to rack up 7,500 Ultimate Rewards points per quarter on a no annual fee credit card. This card complements the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card very well, given that the points from all cards can be pooled. Current Offer Card Details Current Offer This card has a great return for a cash-back card with no annual fee. Current Offer Card Details The new Costco Citi cards have a great rewards structure for Costco loyalists. The bonus categories are compelling, and while it’s still not a card I’d personally use for everyday spend this is a solid option for Costco members. Current Offer The new Costco Citi cards have a great rewards structure for Costco loyalists. The bonus categories are compelling, and while it’s still not a card I’d personally use for everyday spend this is a solid option for Costco members. Current Offer This card is designed for students, and encourages good habits and responsible credit use. Current Offer Card Details This is a great card if you're looking for no annual fee, cash back type of card. If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can get a 25% - 75% rewards bonus on every purchase. Current Offer This is an amazing cash back rate if you spend a lot of money at supermarkets and on gas. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit. Cash back is earned only on eligible purchases. Current Offer Card Details Card Details A cash-back card can be a good way to cut costs in other areas, saving money for travel! Current Offer Card Details Card Details This is a great starter card for small businesses, with no annual or foreign transaction fees. Current Offer
Ink Business Unlimited℠ Credit Card
Earn $500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business
Unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase with no minimums or expiration date
Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card
Earn $500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn.
Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Earn cash back twice. Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
• To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
• Balance Transfer Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 15.74% - 25.74% based on your creditworthiness.
• Click "Apply Now" to see the applicable balance transfer fee and how making a balance transfer impacts interest on purchases.
• Balance Transfers do not earn cash back.
• The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 15.74% - 25.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Earn a $150 Bonus after spending $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter. Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
$150 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
• Discover the only business credit card designed exclusively for Costco members
• 4% cash back on eligible gas for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
• 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases
• 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
• 1% cash back on all other purchases
• No annual fee with your paid Costco membership* and enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases*
• Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases*
• Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, which is redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico
• Discover one of Citi's best cash back rewards cards designed exclusively for Costco members
• 4% cash back on eligible gas for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
• 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases
• 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
• 1% cash back on all other purchases
• No annual fee with your paid Costco membership* and enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases*
• Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, which is redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico
• The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 16.99%. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
Earn 1% cash back on all your purchases. Pay on time to boost your cash back to a total of 1.25% for that month
• No annual fee
• $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
• Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases
• 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 15.74% - 25.74% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee (min $10) applies to all balance transfers
• No expiration on rewards
• If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25% - 75% more cash back on every purchase
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months.
NEW 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. NEW 3% Cash Back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more. 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations. 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
American Express® Blue Business Cash Card
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn; Get access to a higher credit line after making your first 5 monthly payments on time; Fraud coverage if your card is ever lost or stolen
Use online banking to access your account, even from your smartphone, with our mobile app; Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
The Plum Card® from American Express
Best Cash Back Credit Cards with No Annual Fee (2019)
While paying even a small annual fee typically opens up more rewarding cards (after all, those great perks have to get paid for somehow), if you aren’t a big spender, or just don’t want to pay an annual fee, you still have some great options. Here are the best cash back credit cards with no annual fee available today:
This is a great card for small businesses, given the generous welcome offer and the simple earning structure. Pair this with the Ink Preferred to maximize your rewards! Current Offer Card Details This is a great card for small businesses, given that this card has no annual fee yet still accrues 5x points in several categories. Current Offer Card Details There are no limits to the amount of cash back you can earn. For a card with no annual fee, that’s a return which is tough to beat. Current Offer This is a great way to rack up Ultimate Rewards points on a no annual fee credit card. This card complements the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card very well, given that the points from all cards can be pooled. Read our Review Card Details This is a great way to rack up 7,500 Ultimate Rewards points per quarter on a no annual fee credit card. This card complements the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card very well, given that the points from all cards can be pooled. Current Offer Card Details This card has a great return for a cash-back card with no annual fee. Current Offer Card Details The new Costco Citi cards have a great rewards structure for Costco loyalists. The bonus categories are compelling, and while it’s still not a card I’d personally use for everyday spend this is a solid option for Costco members. Current Offer The new Costco Citi cards have a great rewards structure for Costco loyalists. The bonus categories are compelling, and while it’s still not a card I’d personally use for everyday spend this is a solid option for Costco members. Current Offer This is a great card if you're looking for no annual fee, cash back type of card. If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can get a 25% - 75% rewards bonus on every purchase. Current Offer Card Details This is a great starter card for small businesses, with no annual or foreign transaction fees. Current Offer
Ink Business Unlimited℠ Credit Card
Earn $500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card
Earn $500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn.
• Earn cash back twice. Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
• To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
• Balance Transfer Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 15.74% - 25.74% based on your creditworthiness.
• Click "Apply Now" to see the applicable balance transfer fee and how making a balance transfer impacts interest on purchases.
• Balance Transfers do not earn cash back.
• The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 15.74% - 25.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Earn a $150 Bonus after spending $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter. Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
$150 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
• Discover the only business credit card designed exclusively for Costco members
• 4% cash back on eligible gas for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
• 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases
• 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
• 1% cash back on all other purchases
• No annual fee with your paid Costco membership* and enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases*
• Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases*
• Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, which is redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico
• Discover one of Citi's best cash back rewards cards designed exclusively for Costco members
• 4% cash back on eligible gas for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
• 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases
• 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
• 1% cash back on all other purchases
• No annual fee with your paid Costco membership* and enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases*
• Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, which is redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico
• The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 16.99%. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
• No annual fee
• $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
• Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases
• 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 15.74% - 25.74% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee (min $10) applies to all balance transfers
• No expiration on rewards
• If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25% - 75% more cash back on every purchase
American Express® Blue Business Cash Card
Highest Cash Back Credit Card (2019)
With so many fantastic cash back credit cards to choose from it can certainly get overwhelming. We think the Savor® Rewards from Capital One® is one of the most lucrative cards for straight cash-back, particularly for those who spend a lot on dining and entertainment, plus it comes with a big welcome bonus! Here is the highest cash back credit card available today:
This is an excellent card for those who spend a lot on dining and want to earn cash back, rather than travel rewards! Current Offer
Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card
For those who don’t have a lot of spending in bonus categories, however, or prefer a no-annual-fee card, the Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card has a great welcome bonus, customizable earnings categories, and the ability to supersize rewards when you combine the card with other Bank of America banking relationships:
This is a great card if you're looking for no annual fee, cash back type of card. If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can get a 25% - 75% rewards bonus on every purchase. Current Offer
• No annual fee
• $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
• Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases
• 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 15.74% - 25.74% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee (min $10) applies to all balance transfers
• No expiration on rewards
• If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25% - 75% more cash back on every purchase
We typically prefer to earn flexible points that give us the option to redeem for outsized rewards later on, but there’s nothing wrong with getting a rebate on your purchases with a cash back card! Just make sure you’re aiming to earn at least 2% on most spending, in order to get the best possible return.
