If you are looking for best cash back credit cards, look no further. We have analyzed all of the cash back credit cards out there and made our unbiased recommendations on the best cash back credit cards. Our analysis takes into consideration not only the cash back percentage but also the ease to earn and redeem cash back, sign up bonus, annual fees, other offers, and extra benefits provided by the cash back credit card. In addition, we have also taken into consideration that some of us are looking for specific payment provider such as Visa and MasterCard while searching for best cash back credit cards. Without further ado…
Best Cash Back Credit Cards – Flat Rate
Flat rate cash back is the most common cash back offered by credit cards. Despite having numerous credit cards offering flat rate cash back, there are only few that truly stands out. Most of the flat rate cards offer 1% bonus and no extra benefits. There are few that offers 1.5% cash back but only a handful that offer flat 2% cash back on all purchase. In our analysis, we have considered not only the cash back but also the extra perks and benefits offered by the credit card.
Winner – Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
This is hands down the best cash back credit card currently available in the market with flat 2% cash back on all purchases. Although there are few other credit cards that also offers 2% cash back, the ease and simplicity with which you can earn and redeem your cash back makes Wells Fargo Active Cash Card our top recommendation. If you are looking for a flat cash back card without any gimmicks, you cannot go wrong with Wells Fargo Active Cash Card. You will earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases with no rewards category limitations or quarterly activations. Besides having no annual fees, it offers a generous $ 200 sign up bonus. On top of that, it offers 0% intro APR for 15 months which is one of the best among cash back credit cards.
Additional Benefits:
- Cell Phone Protection – Wells Fargo Active Cash Card offers a Cell Phone protection where you can get up to $600 of protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with the card (subject to a $25 deductible).
How to Earn Rewards:
You earn flat 2% cash back on all your purchases. There is not rewards category limitations or quarterly activations. Swipe the card and earn rewards – as simple as that.
How to Redeem Rewards:
- Redeem for purchases – Redeem rewards to offset eligible purchases made on your credit card account. Redeem for purchases as little as $1.
- Redeem to account – Redeem your rewards as a credit to a qualifying Wells Fargo credit card, checking account, or mortgage.
- Redeem at an ATM – Cash redemption available in $20 increments when you use your Wells Fargo ATM or Debit Card.
- Redeem for Gift Cards – Find the perfect card for that right occasion. Cards are redeemable in $25 increments.
- Pay with Rewards through PayPal – Shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
Wells Fargo Active Cash v/s Other 2% Cash Back Cards
Citi Double Cash Card
Citi Double Cash is a MasterCard which offers flat 2% cash back – you earn 1% when you purchase and 1% when you pay the credit card balance. Whereas with Active Cash Card, you earn 2% cash back as soon as you make the purchases. Wells Fargo Active Cash also stands out as it offers $ 200 sign up bonus whereas Citi Double Cash Card has no sign up bonus.
Citi Double Cash card has 18 months 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfer compared to 15 months for Wells Fargo Active Cash card.
We recommend Citi Double Cash for those who wants flat 2% cash back MasterCard.
SoFi Credit Card
SoFi Credit Card is a Visa card that offers flat 2% cash back but you need to have SoFi Money or SoFi Invest or SoFi Loan account to get the full 2% cash back. If you redeem the cash back for credit card statement credit, it offers only 1%. In addition, although SoFi offers a sign up bonus of $100, you need to open both SoFi Money ($50) and SoFi Invest ($50) account to get the bonus. However, with SoFi Credit Card, you can redeem points straight into crypto. You’ll earn 2% cash back on all purchases and can redeem it directly into crypto with your SoFi active invest account.
Compared to that, Wells Fargo Active Cash offers flat 2% cash back without the need for other accounts with Wells Fargo and offers $200 sign up bonus after spending $1000 within 3 months of account opening.
We recommend SoFi Credit Card for those who already have existing relationship with SoFi through SoFi Money or SoFi Invest or SoFi Loans.
PayPal Cashback MasterCard
PayPal Cashback MasterCard offers flat 2% cash back when you redeem to your PayPal balance. You must have an account with PayPal in order to apply for a PayPal Cashback MasterCard account. With Wells Fargo Active Cash, you do not need PayPal account. Wells Fargo Active Cash also stands out as it offers $ 200 sign up bonus whereas PayPal Cashback MasterCard has no sign up bonus.
We recommend PayPal Cashback MasterCard for active users of PayPal who needs MasterCard.
Final Thoughts
As you can see from the comparison, Wells Fargo Active Cash is the best cash back credit card for its simplicity, generous sign up bonus, and ease of redemption. Good job, Wells Fargo!
Runner Up – Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card
Chase Freedom Unlimited is a flat rate cash back credit card that offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Despite the fact that there are other flat 2% cash back credit cards in the market, Chase Freedom Unlimited stands out due to the additions offers and benefits that the card offers. Besides having no annual fees, Chase Freedom Unlimited offers a generous $ 200 sign up bonus and offers 5% cash back on gas station purchases on up to $6,000 spent in the first year. On top of that, it offers 0% intro APR for 15 months which is one of the best among cash back credit cards. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open. And there is no minimum to redeem for cash back.
Additional Benefits:
- Purchase Protection – Covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Extended Warranty Protection – Extends the time period of the U.S. manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year, on eligible warranties of three years or less
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance – You can be reimbursed up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for your prepaid, nonrefundable passenger fares, if your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather and other covered situations
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver – Decline the rental company’s collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card. Coverage is provided for theft and collision damage for most cars in the U.S. and abroad. In the U.S., coverage is secondary to your personal insurance
- Doordash Pass – Complimentary 3 months of DashPass/50% Discounted DashPass from DoorDash for 9 months
How to Earn Rewards:
- Earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Earn 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
- Earn 3% on drugstore purchases
- Earn 1.5% on all other purchases
The earnings works automatically and you do not need to activate the categories.
How to Redeem Rewards:
- Statement credit – You can use your cash back rewards to help pay down your credit card balance. Redeem for credit as little as $1.
- Online or travel purchases- Your cash back rewards can be used to help pay select online retail purchases or on travel booking websites.
- By check or deposit – Cash back rewards can also be redeemed through a mailed check or direct deposit into your preferred bank account.
- Redeem for Gift Cards – Through your rewards program portal, you may also be able to redeem cash back rewards for gift cards to select department stores, restaurants, video streaming services and more.
Best Cash Back Credit Cards – Rotating Bonus Category
Let’s face it – there are not so many rotating bonus category credit cards out there. The two that comes to the mind is Chase Freedom Flex and Discover it Cash Back card. Some publications combine rotating bonus category cards with custom category bonus cards but we, at BonusCoach, will review them separately, as it should be. This is due to the fact that with custom bonus category cards, you have the freedom to select the category unlike rotating bonus category cards where the categories are selected for you by card issuer every quarter.
Winner – Chase Freedom Flex
Of the two credit cards that plays in this space, Chase Freedom Flex is the clear winner and is our recommendation. Although both credit cards gives you 5% cash back on rotating bonus categories each quarter and has no annual fees, Chase Freedom Flex has an edge over its competitor with its better sign up bonus and introductory offer, additional cash back offers, and extra card benefits. This makes getting Chase Freedom Flex as your rotating bonus category credit card a no brainer.
Besides having no annual fees, it offers a generous $200 sign up bonus. In addition, it offers 0% intro APR for 15 months which is one of the best among cash back credit cards. On top of that, it has an introductory offer of flat 5% cash back on Gas station purchases, on up to $6,000 spent on first year.
Chase Freedom Flex is a rotating bonus category credit card that offers 5% cash back on rotating categories on up to $1500 on purchases, each quarter. It offers two categories each quarter and the categories changes every quarter. As with any rotating bonus category credit card, you have to activate the bonus. However, Chase is generous with the activation and as long as you active the bonus within the deadline (which is after the start the start of the quarter), Chase applies the bonus retroactively as well. Current bonus category can be viewed and activated at Chase website or mobile app or at https://www.chasebonus.com/
The maximum cash back you can earn from rotating bonus categories each quarter is $75. However, the total cash back you earn can be much higher as it also has introductory flat 5% cash back on Gas station purchases, on up to $6,000 spent on first year. Besides the introductory offer, Chase Freedom Flex offers the following ongoing cash back:
- Earn 5% on up to $1,500 on combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate.
- Earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- Earn 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
- Earn 3% on drugstore purchases
- Earn 1% on all other purchases.
Besides the rotating category bonus, an ongoing bonus of 5% on travel purchase and 3% on dining and take outs as well as drugstores makes Chase Freedom Flex the best rotating category bonus credit card. However, the benefits do not end there. Chase Freedom Flex offers the following extra benefits to its card members:
- Travel Insurance – The Chase Freedom Unlimited® credit card offers trip cancellation/interruption insurance. For eligible purchases made with your Chase Freedom Unlimited® credit card, you can be reimbursed up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for your prepaid, non-refundable passenger fares, if your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather and other covered situations.
- Purchase Protection – Covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Extended Warranty Protection – Extends the time period of the U.S. manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year, on eligible warranties of three years or less.
- Cell Phone Protection – Get up to $800 per claim and $1,000 per year in cell phone protection against covered theft or damage for phones listed on your monthly cell phone bill when you pay it with your eligible credit card. Maximum of 2 claims in a 12 month period with a $50 deductible per claim.
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver – Decline the rental company’s collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card. Coverage is provided for theft and collision damage for most cars in the U.S. and abroad. In the U.S., coverage is secondary to your personal insurance.
- Doordash Pass – Complimentary 3 months of DashPass/50% Discounted DashPass from DoorDash for 9 months.
These benefits are quite generous for a no annual fee cash back credit card. Besides amazing cash back and benefits, Chase Freedom Flex offers multiple redemption options.
- Statement credit – You can use your cash back rewards to help pay down your credit card balance. Redeem for credit as little as $1.
- Online or travel purchases– Your cash back rewards can be used to help pay select online retail purchases or on travel booking websites.
- By check or deposit – Cash back rewards can also be redeemed through a mailed check or direct deposit into your preferred bank account.
- Redeem for Gift Cards – Through your rewards program portal, you may also be able to redeem cash back rewards for gift cards to select department stores, restaurants, video streaming services and more.
Best Cash Back Credit Cards – Custom Category
There are handful of credit cards that offers flat cash back on custom category. The advantage of custom category cash back is that the customer can select the categories where they want to earn the cash back. Some card do select the category based on the highest spend category. Generally, these cards offers 3% to 5% cash back on custom category.
Winner – Citi Custom Cash Card
Citi Custom Cash Card is the best custom cash back credit card. It offers a flat 5% cash back on your top eligible spend category up to $500 spent each billing cycle and 1% cash back on all other purchases. There is no category activation and the 5% cash back automatically adjust to your spend each month. No other custom cash back credit card offers the simplicity and ease of earning.
5% eligible categories: Restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment.
Citi Custom Cash Card also offer $200 welcome bonus after spending $750 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Besides, it also offers 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers (balance transfer fee applies).
Reward points never expire as long as your account remains open. Reward points can be redeemed as a statement credit or direct deposit to your bank. In addition, you can redeem points for gift cards, travel and Shop with Points at Amazon.com
