Best Cash Back Credit Cards of November 2024: Top Picks for Maximizing your Earnings

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The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card, Citi® Double Cash Card, Chase Freedom Flex®, U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

Introduction to Cash Back Credit Cards

Cash-back credit cards do exactly what the name suggests: They earn cash back on qualifying purchases. Some cards offer a flat rate of return on every dollar, while others offer bonus rewards on certain categories of spend.

Cash-back credit cards are extremely popular, returning anywhere from 1% to 10% on all kinds of purchases — and many of them don't even charge annual fees. The best credit cards for cash back don't require much work to use, which means they're great for people who value simplicity or who are just getting into credit card rewards.

Business Insider's experts evaluated the best options available on the market today. If you prefer a flat rate of return per dollar spent, skim our guides to the best 5% cash-back credit cards and the best 2% cash-back credit cards. 

Best Cash Back Credit Cards of November 2024

• Best cash back credit card for everyday spending: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Best credit card for flat-rate cash rewards: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
• Best cash back credit card for rotating cash back categories: Discover it® Cash Back
• Best cash back card for families: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
• Best cash back credit card for groceries, dining, and entertainment: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Best cash back credit card for self-care and pet care: Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card
• Best cash back credit card for long 0% intro APR on balance transfers: Citi® Double Cash Card

Compare the Best Cash Back Credit Cards

 

Cash Back Credit Card Reviews

Cash back credit cards make it easy to rack up rewards by offering simple redemption opportunities: Either convert your cards into a statement credit toward your card's outstanding balance, or use them for travel redemptions or other exciting prizes and rewards. The best cash back credit cards offer bonus categories, introductory 0% APR for balance transfers and new purchases, or additional value on everyday transactions.

These are the top options available in 2024, according to Business Insider's team of personal finance experts. 

Best for Everyday Spending: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

If you're looking for a card that combines strong bonus categories with decent flat-rate rewards on non-bonus spending, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® could fit the bill. It earns 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5x on everything else. 

Note: Although it's marketed as a cash-back card, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® actually earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points that you can redeem for cash, travel, and gift cards at a rate of 1 point = 1 cent.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has no annual fee and offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months. After that, there's a 19.99% - 28.74% Variable APR. If you have a major purchase ahead of you, that introductory offer can be useful.

Expert tip: If you also have an annual-fee Chase Ultimate Rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you can pool your points from the two cards. Then, you'll be able to transfer the whole body of points to Chase's airline and hotel partners or use them to book travel through Chase with a bonus.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® also comes with a substantial welcome offer: additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). 

Read our Chase Freedom Unlimited® review

Best for Flat-Rate Cash Rewards: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Not only does the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card rank highly in this guide, but it also tops our list of the best 2% cash back credit cards. It earns a flat rewards rate on everything —  2% cash rewards on purchases, with no bonus categories to keep track of. Our guide to earning and redeeming Wells Fargo Rewards details all the ways to use your cash rewards from this card (rates and fees).

It offers a substantial welcome bonus for a no-annual-fee card: $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening. In addition, new cardholders get a 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 12 months from account opening (followed by a 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% variable APR). That's super useful for large expenses you want to pay off over time. 

Expert tip: Zero-interest credit cards with 0% introductory APRs can be tempting to use for big purchases. Just be sure you have the ability to pay off the entire balance before the introductory period ends. Otherwise, you could find yourself saddled with high-interest debt.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card comes with a good array of benefits, which include cell phone protection, roadside dispatch, travel emergency assistance, and access to the Visa Signature® Concierge. However, this card does charge foreign transaction fees, so you'll want to pack a different card when you're traveling outside the U.S.

Read our Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card review

Best for Rotating Bonus Categories: Discover it® Cash Back

The Discover it® Cash Back is great if you want a card that earns straight cash back instead of points and like the idea of 5x bonus categories, updated every three months via the Discover cash back calendar. 

Every quarter, you can earn 5% cash back on bonus categories on up to $1,500 in combined spending (then 1%). You'll also earn 1% back everywhere else (from October 1 to December 31, 2024, earn 5% cash back at Amazon.com and Target on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%).

Instead of a regular welcome bonus, Discover rewards new cardholders in a different way. After the first 12 months, it will match all of the rewards you earn from the card through the Discover Cashback Match program. That means you can effectively earn up to 10% back in your first year — and if you're a big spender, this can pay off handsomely.

Expert tip: Discover cards, including the Discover it® Cash Back, don't charge annual fees or foreign transaction fees. So you can safely use this card on trips abroad without worrying about paying extra charges.

Read our Discover it® Cash Back review

Best for Families: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is an excellent option if you want an American Express card that earns cash back, especially if you spend a lot on groceries, streaming services, and commuting.

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers a generous 6% cash back on groceries. However, the bonus rate is capped at the first $6,000 you spend each year, after which you'll earn 1% per dollar spent.

This card earns cash back in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as statement credits or at Amazon.com checkout. It also earns 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% back on all other purchases.

The card offers a zero-interest intro APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening, then 18.74% - 29.74% Variable APR.

Currently, the card also has a welcome bonus of a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new card within the first six months from account opening. It also comes with a handful of travel and shopping protections including car rental insurance, return protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty. 

Keep in mind there's an annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $95, so you'll want to be sure you spend enough to justify paying it. If you prefer a no-annual-fee Amex cash-back card, check out the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express instead.

Read our Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express review

Best for Groceries, Dining, and Entertainment: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is perfect for foodies who love attending concerts and sporting events or even enjoy entertaining at home. Cardholders earn 3% cash back on dining, at grocery stores excluding superstores like Walmart and Target, entertainment, and popular streaming services, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card also earns 5% cash back on hotels and car rentals booked through the Capital One Travel portal.

The welcome bonus is generous, too: $250 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases within three months from account opening. And if you've got big purchases coming up, a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee for the first 15 months, then 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time) (followed by a 19.74% - 29.74% Variable  APR) can make it easier to spread out your payments (rates and fees).

This card offers many good benefits as well including extended warranty, travel accident insurance, and travel emergency assistance services. As with all other Capital One credit cards, you won't pay foreign transaction fees on international purchases, so it's great to use when you're out globetrotting.

If you're a college student whose credit score isn't good enough to qualify for the regular version of the card, you can always apply for the student version and convert it to the regular version after you graduate.

Read our Capital One Savor card review.

Best for Gyms, Spas, and Pet Care: Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card

The brand-new Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card is perfect for people who prioritize fitness, self-care, pet care, live shows and other ticketed experiences, and environmentally friendly choices.

This no-annual-fee card earns 4% cash back on select purchases in self-care, planet-friendly, and entertainment categories such as gyms and fitness expenses, spas, pet care and grooming, concert tickets, public transit, some thrift stores, EV charging stations, and similar purchases. 

New cardholders can also take advantage of two introductory offers: $100 cash rewards bonus when you spend $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening, and 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases (then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR). 

Read more in our Wells Fargo Attune card review.

Best for 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers: Citi® Double Cash Card

The Citi® Double Cash Card offers a great balance of benefits and rewards for the right person. 

This card comes with a lengthy zero-interest period for new cardholders: 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR. You can also earn a welcome bonus of $200 cash back, fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening, and the card doesn't have an annual fee so it won't cost you anything to keep it open long-term. 

This card has great reward rates across the board, making it a strong candidate for being your daily-use credit card: 2% cash back on every purchase (1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases) and 5% cash back on hotel and car rentals booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.

Read more in our Citi Double Cash card review.

What You Should Know About Cash Back Credit Cards

Cash back credit cards can be an easy way to break into the world of credit card rewards. They come in a few different types:

• Flat rate — These cards, like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, earn the same rate of cash-back on all purchases.
• Select bonus categories — Some cash-back cards like the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offer bonus rewards on select spending categories such as dining, streaming services, entertainment, and grocery stores.
• Rotating categories — Some cards, including the Chase Freedom Flex® and the Discover it® Cash Back, offer bonus cash back on rotating categories that change every three months. These cards have a cap on how much bonus cash back you can earn each quarter — typically 5% on the first $1,500 per quarter, then 1% after that.
• Pick your own bonus categories — Some cards are starting to offer yet a fourth format for delivering cash back rewards, where you choose your own bonus categories from a list of options. These cards include the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card and the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card .

If you're willing to juggle multiple credit cards, there's value in having both cash back and points-earning cards. If you prefer a single-card strategy, evaluate your goals and consider how much you're willing to pay in annual fees to make the best decision for your situation.

If you're trying to put money back in your wallet, our top recommendations are to transfer your cash back to a bank account or use it to reduce the amount owed on your credit card statement.

On the other hand, if you're hoping to earn rewards that you can redeem for travel, a card that earns points is more up your alley. Many of the best rewards credit cards earn either Amex Membership Rewards points, Chase Ultimate Rewards points, Citi ThankYou Rewards points, or Capital One miles.

You can transfer all of these currencies to travel partners and redeem them for things like free flights. (Note that, while Capital One calls its rewards currency "miles," they aren't miles with a given airline program.)

Find out more about what your credit card rewards are worth by reading Business Insider's guide to what points and miles are worth in value.

How to Use a Cash Back Credit Card

It won't be worth your while to use a cash back credit card if you end up paying interest or late fees on what you owe. It's important to pay your balance in full each month, make those payments on time, and only spend what you can afford.

Cash back cards vary greatly in their return rates: You can earn anywhere from 1% to 6% back depending on the purchase category, card, and issuer. Many cash back cards have no annual fees, so you don't have to pay for the privilege of earning rewards.

If you're new to rewards credit cards and aren't interested in earning travel points or miles, a cash back card is the best choice for you. With cash back cards, 1% back will always be worth 1 cent, no matter what, and you can use your rewards to lower your monthly bill or transfer it to your checking account, among other options.

The best cash back credit card for you depends on your spending habits and whether you prefer a flat rate of cash back on all spending, or earning bonus cash back on specific purchase categories and 1% on everything else. Flat-rate cash back cards are best for those who don't want to keep track of multiple bonus categories and just want a simple earning structure.

But if you really want to maximize your rewards earning, choosing a card that earns bonus cash back in categories where you spend a lot — like groceries, dining, or gas — can make a huge difference in your rate of return.

How to Choose a Cash Back Credit Card

There are several ways to evaluate cash back credit cards based on factors like rewards value, flexibility, fees, and overall customer experience. To choose the best cash back credit card for you, you'll want to consider a few things:

Earning Rate for Common Spending Categories

Earning extra cash back for gas isn't much use if you don't drive, while a credit card that earns bonus points on groceries may not be very useful for someone who doesn't cook. Consider how you intend to use this card, and look at the rate for those spending categories.

How You Redeem Your Cash Back

Make sure you're clear on what you're earning. Is it statement credit? Cash? Points? If points, can they be combined with or transferred to other cards you have, or brands you like?

The Annual Fee

An annual fee may make or break your choice. Are you willing to pay an annual fee — and more importantly, can you afford it comfortably, or will the cash back you'll earn in a year exceed the amount you pay? 

If this all sounds too complicated, you can't go wrong by using the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, which has no annual fee and a flat earning rate of 2% cash rewards on purchases.

Cash back credit cards are often best used in combination with cards that earn points to create a complete credit card portfolio that takes advantage of multiple types of rewards.

Pro tip: We don't mention a credit card's interest rate, because the APR only applies if you're carrying a balance on your credit card. We recommend applying for a cash back credit card intending to pay off the balance in full each month. For other categories of credit cards, like balance transfer cards, the APR might be a more important consideration.

Cash Back Credit Card Pros and Cons

Cash back credit cards have several pros and cons:

Pros of cash back credit cards

• They rarely carry annual fees
• There are no restrictions on how you can redeem and spend the cash
• You can earn airline and hotel status by booking with cash (but not points)

Cons of cash back credit cards

• They rarely offer large sign-up or welcome bonuses
• Cash back is generally less valuable, dollar for dollar, than points

Cash Back Credit Cards vs. Rewards Credit Cards

Cash back credit cards earn the simplest form of rewards, where every point you earn is worth a fixed amount (usually 1 cent apiece). But the best rewards credit cards can offer much greater returns if you use your points for luxury travel experiences. It all comes down to whether you prefer the simplicity and flexibility of cash back instead of the higher potential (and increased complexity) of points and miles rewards.

If you want to have the option of both types of rewards, consider pairing a card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® with a travel rewards credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. While the Chase Freedom Unlimited® earns cash back, transferring those rewards to the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card allows you to use your rewards for additional value through Chase Travel or via Chase Ultimate Rewards travel transfer partners. 

Cash Back Credit Card Best Practices

If you have a cash back credit card or are considering opening one, you'll want to make the most of it. Keep the following steps in mind to get the most value from your card:

Always Pay Your Balance in Full

Credit card cash back or points aren't useful if you're carrying a balance and paying interest charges each month. To make the most of rewards, use your card responsibly: Spend only the money you have and pay your bill in full each month.

Track and Maximize Bonus Categories

Some cash-back cards offer elevated rewards rates on specific spending areas, like restaurants, gas stations, or supermarkets. Some of these cards even change those areas from quarter to quarter, meaning you'll want to stay on top of where your card earns the most and when.

Expert tip: If you struggle to keep track of which cards earn how much, consider downloading a credit card rewards-tracking app like CardPointers to help you remember which card to use when checking out.

If you use your cash-back card for every purchase, you don't need to be as diligent, but if you're using your card as one of many you'll want to be sure you know how to maximize rewards.

Redeem Your Cash Back Rewards

It might be tempting to let your cash back pile up just to watch the total tick up, but it's more useful if you redeem it. You can generally apply the cash to your card balance or get it deposited in your checking account, and either one is a fine option. 

Consider Opening A "Partner" Card for Additional Value

As mentioned above, in some cases, you can transfer cash back to a points-earning card on which your rewards are worth more. This strategy isn't required to make the most of your cash back card, but it can help take rewards to the next level.

Chase cards are an example of this: If you hold a cash-back card like the Chase Freedom Flex® and a points-earning card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you can transfer rewards earned on the Freedom Flex to the Sapphire Preferred, and unlock more redemption options. 

Boost Your Credit Score Before Applying: Your Credit Score Matters

Cash back credit cards can be slightly easier to get than premium rewards credit cards, which often require an excellent credit score for approval. If you have a bad credit score, you may want to consider one of the best starter credit cards or one of the best credit cards for bad credit, since some of the top options still earn rewards and allow you to upgrade to a better credit card after time and responsible use.

Cash Back Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Cash Back Credit Cards

We evaluated dozens of cash back credit cards and narrowed down our list by considering the following factors:

• Ease of use — Are there any hoops to jump through, like needing to be a member of a specific bank?
• Rewards earning potential — How much cash back can you earn with this card, and how broad are the bonus categories?
• Annual fee — Many cash back cards waive an annual fee, but for the few that do charge a fee, is it justified based on the card's rewards?
• Options for various types of consumers — We wanted our top cash back card picks to reflect different types of users, from families looking to maximize grocery spending to those looking to rebuild their credit score.

See a full breakdown of how we rate credit cards at Business Insider.

Katherine Fan

Correspondent, Credit Cards

Katherine Fan is a personal finance expert, journalist, and public speaker with almost 10 years of industry experience. She began her career in tech before transitioning to journalism in 2015. Katherine currently serves as Personal Finance Insider's correspondent for credit card coverage. Before joining Business Insider as Senior Editor of Credit Cards, Katherine covered aviation, award travel, loyalty programs, and credit cards as a senior reporter for The Points Guy, and small business finances as a lead writer for Nerdwallet. Katherine has also freelanced for CNN Underscored, Forbes Advisor, Wall Street Journal Buy Side, Bankrate, CreditCards.com, the Dallas Morning News, LendingTree, Upgraded Points, Fortune Recommends, Newsweek, and Slickdeals Money. Her work has been syndicated by Nasdaq, MSN and Yahoo. ExperienceKatherine has published more than 1,800 articles, guides, and reviews covering credit card benefits and rewards, small business finances, points and miles travel, loyalty programs, and real estate investing. Katherine has been a speaker at TravelCon, and has been featured on multiple podcasts including NPR Life Kit, Expedia's Out Travel the System, and The Points Guy's Miles Away. In her spare time, Katherine moonlights as a photojournalist covering Formula 1, Austin City Limits, and SXSW for the Austin American-Statesman and other media outlets. When she's not jetsetting around the world, you'll likely find her in Austin cooking up a batch of spicy Chinese food.ExpertiseKatherine's expertise encompasses:

• Small business finances
• Credit cards
• Points and miles travel
• Travel insurance
• Real estate investing

Katherine's interest in personal finance runs parallel to her passions for real estate investing and award travel. Despite a salary of just $28,000 a year from her first full-time job, Katherine built an excellent credit score of 805 from scratch through hard work [and privilege], which allowed her to purchase her first home six years after graduating college. She's since added five more doors to her real estate portfolio, although she plans to retire on her index fund investments.Thanks to credit card travel rewards, Katherine has flown well over one million miles visiting 44 countries across all seven continents. She's sailed with orcas in Antarctica, flown home in first class from Japan, photographed a wedding at Hobbiton in New Zealand, and gone on safari in South Africa. But her most meaningful trips always bring her home to loved ones in Taiwan. EducationKatherine holds dual degrees in photojournalism and Asian American studies from the University of Texas at Austin, and a certificate in business Chinese proficiency from National Taiwan University. She began her professional career in tech as a software sales executive for seven years before returning to her media roots. 

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Tessa Campbell

Investing and Retirement Reporter

Tessa Campbell is an investing and retirement reporter on Business Insider’s personal finance desk. Over two years of personal finance reporting, Tessa has built expertise on a range of financial topics, from the best credit cards to the best retirement savings accounts.ExperienceTessa currently reports on all things investing — deep-diving into complex financial topics,  shedding light on lesser-known investment avenues, and uncovering ways readers can work the system to their advantage.As a personal finance expert in her 20s, Tessa is acutely aware of the impacts time and uncertainty have on your investment decisions. While she curates Business Insider’s guide on the best investment apps, she believes that your financial portfolio does not have to be perfect, it just has to exist. A small investment is better than nothing, and the mistakes you make along the way are a necessary part of the learning process.Expertise: Tessa’s expertise includes:

• Credit cards
• Investing apps
• Retirement savings
• Cryptocurrency
• The stock market
• Retail investing

Education: Tessa graduated from Susquehanna University with a creative writing degree and a psychology minor.When she’s not digging into a financial topic, you’ll find Tessa waist-deep in her second cup of coffee. She currently drinks Kitty Town coffee, which blends her love of coffee with her love for her two cats: Keekee and Dumpling. It was a targeted advertisement, and it worked.

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