Credit Cards for People Who Love Cash Back

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When it comes to earning credit card rewards, you have plenty of options to choose from. Many rewards points can be redeemed for gift cards or travel while others offer perks like airport lounge access and free checked bags. Still, many credit card users prefer a simple cash-back option, in which a percentage of what they spend is paid back.

How to Choose a Cash-Back Credit Card

It may seem easy to choose the best cash-back card — just look for the one that offers the highest rate of return for your spending. But in the highly competitive credit card industry, some card issuers offer high return rates on certain merchant categories in addition to a cash-back rate for all purchases. So the trick is to pick a credit card that offers the best combination of returns for bonus categories and general spending.

Some cards place limits on the amount of rewards you can earn in bonus categories. Yet many credit card users overestimate how much they spend on bonus categories. For example, they may consider gas a major expense. But with gas prices as low as they’ve been in more than a decade, some drivers are spending less than $1,000 a year on gas. For some, a credit card offering 3% cash back on gas will only realize $30 a year in rewards. So it’s important for you to consider your actual spending on bonus categories when choosing a cash-back card.

There also are other aspects to consider. Some of these cards offer generous signup bonuses that can dramatically increase the cash back you earn during your first year as a cardmember. In addition, some of these cards feature 0% APR introductory financing on new purchases, balance transfers or both. It’s also important to consider annual and foreign transaction fees.

Of course, cash-back credit cards aren’t for everyone. And while there are increasingly more options available for those with fair or bad credit, the best rewards credit cards are generally available to those with good or excellent credit. (Not sure where you stand? You can check two of your credit scores for free on Credit.com.)

Here are the the best cash-back credit cards on the market right now, selected by the Credit.com editorial team for high rewards and best overall terms.

The Best Cash-Back Credit Cards
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Why We Picked It: This card offers great cash-back rates and enjoy a $100 credit to use towards flights, stays and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel during your first cardholder year. Plus, this card comes with <span class="sh-quidget-markup" data-rate-name="Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card" data-content="{credit_card_id:4048129,field:intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration,api:cc}">intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration</span>; <span class="sh-quidget-markup" data-rate-name="Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card" data-content="{credit_card_id:4048129,field:reg_apr,reg_apr_type,api:cc}">reg_apr,reg_apr_type</span> APR after that.

Rewards Details: Capital One SavorOne offers 3% cash back at grocery stores, on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Why We Picked It: (earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day)

Rewards Details: With the Capital One Quicksilver <span class="sh-quidget-markup" data-rate-name="Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card" data-content="{credit_card_id:3006159,field:bonus_miles_full,api:cc,case:l}">bonus_miles_full</span>

At publishing time, Capital One SavorOne and Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards 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.

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.

This article was updated September 21st, 2017