[UPDATE: Some offers mentioned below have expired and/or are no longer available on our site. You can view the current offers from our partners in our credit card marketplace. DISCLOSURE: Cards from our partners are mentioned below.]
Keeping track of the rewards you earn with credit cards can be a real headache. Some cards offer different cash back amounts for different categories of spending. Some cards offer bonus cash back on categories that change every quarter. Unless you have the time to keep track of everything, well, then, the struggle can be real.
If you don’t want to spend too much time thinking about what rewards credit card is best to use each time you swipe, a flat-rate cash back credit card might be just what you need. These cards offer straightforward rewards programs that net you the same amount of cash-back every time you make a purchase. (Just be aware: These cards tend to require good credit, so if you’re in the market for one, you’ll want to check your scores before you apply. You can do so by viewing your free credit report snapshot, updated every 14 days, on Credit.com.)
Here are our picks for the best flat-rate cash back credit cards.
1. Citi Double Cash Card
The Citi Double Cash card is one of the leading cash back cards on the market today. You have the chance to earn up to 2% back on every purchase you make. You earn 2% cash back: 1% when you actually make the purchases, and another 1% when you pay it off. This card also comes with a lengthy 18-month introductory 0% annual percentage rate (APR) on balance transfers. Once the introductory period is complete, the APR will change to the standard purchase APR of 15.24% to 25.24% (variable) depending on your creditworthiness. The card carries no annual fee. (Full Disclosure: Citibank advertises on Credit.com, but that results in no preferential editorial treatment.)
The Citi Double Cash card also comes with Citi Price Reward. With this program, you can record your purchases and Citi will look for a lower price within the first 60 days. If they find one, you will receive the difference back to your account — up to $500 back per item and $2,500 per year. If you want more details about the Citi Double Cash Card, check out our full review here.
2. Chase Freedom Unlimited Card
One of the most recent additions to the Chase credit card line-up is the Chase Freedom Unlimited card. With this card, you’ll receive an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. You’ll also receive a bonus of $150 after you spend $500 in the first three months. When you add an authorized user and they make a purchase in the same three-month period, you can receive an additional $25 bonus.
This card includes an introductory 0% APR for 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers. After that, the APR will change to a . This card has no annual fee.
3. Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card
When you use the Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card, you will receive 1.5% back on any purchases that you make. Plus, there is no limit on the amount of rewards you can receive and they never expire as long as your account stays open. When you become a cardholder, you can receive a $150 cash bonus if you spend $500 within your first 3 months. In addition to having no annual fee, you can also receive an introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months. After that, the APR will become a .
4. Barclaycard CashForward World Mastercard
With the Barclaycard CashForward World MasterCard, you will receive an unlimited 1.5% cash back on any purchases made. When you sign up, you will receive a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. Each time you redeem your rewards, you will receive a 5% bonus available on the next redemption. If you are looking to make a balance transfer, you will receive an introductory 0% APR for 15 months. Afterwards, the APR will change to a variable 15.99%, 20.99% or 25.99%. There is no annual fee with this card.
5. Capital One Spark Cash for Business
The last card that made our list is for small business owners. With this card, you will earn 2% back on every business purchase you make. You also have the opportunity to receive a $500 cash bonus after spending $4,500 in the first 3 months. You will be able to add employee cards at no additional costs and their spending will add to your reward total. Your purchase APR will be . There is no annual fee the first year, and then each subsequent year, it will be $95.
At publishing time, the Citi Double Cash, Chase Freedom Unlimited, Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards, BarclayCard CashForward World MasterCard and Capital One Spark Cash for Business credit cards are offered through Credit.com product pages, and Credit.com is compensated if our users apply and ultimately sign up for these cards. However, this relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment. This content is not provided by the card issuer(s). Any opinions expressed are those of Credit.com alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer(s).
Note: It’s important to remember that interest rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees and terms with credit card issuers, banks or other financial institutions directly.
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