This offer is no longer available on our site: Chase Freedom Flex℠
The best cash back rewards card for you will be a natural fit for your spending habits and lifestyle. Do you spend a lot on gas? Order out often? Is most of your spending in one category or across several? These are just a few questions that could help you find your ideal card. To help you out, we share our top cash back picks in several key categories.
Best for simple cash back: Citi Double Cash® Card
Here’s why: Earning cash back couldn’t be any easier than with the Citi Double Cash® Card, which provides the same cash back rate on all purchases.
Pros
- Earn 2% back on every purchase — 1% when you make a purchase and 1% when you pay
- $0 annual fee
- Sign-up bonus and intro balance transfer offer add additional value
Cons
- Other cash back cards offer potentially higher rewards
- Split rewards earning structure not right for everyone
- Mixing rewards and intro balance transfer offer might get complicated
Best for everyday spending: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Here’s why: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great all-around cash back credit card with popular bonus categories and a high rate for all other purchases.
Pros
- Bonus categories cover a wide range of everyday spending
- 1.5% back on all other purchases raises your rewards floor
- $0 annual fee
Cons
- Bonus categories might not fit everyone’s spending habits
- Current sign-up bonus offer requires lots of spending to earn full value
Best for rotating bonus rewards: Chase Freedom Flex℠
Here’s why: The Chase Freedom Flex℠ takes the bonus categories of Chase Freedom Unlimited® and adds variety with a top category that changes every quarter.
Pros
- 5% back on up to the first $1,500 you spend each quarter in rotating bonus categories (when activated)
- Additional bonus categories provide consistent ongoing value
- $0 annual fee
Cons
- Rotating categories aren’t guaranteed to fit your spending
- Other bonus categories might not match your lifestyle
Best for groceries: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Here’s why: The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express boasts the highest grocery rewards rate on the market.
Pros
- Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 spent in purchases each year (then 1%)
- Earn 6% cash back on certain popular U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, and 3% back on various forms of transit
Cons
- Has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95, which will eat into your rewards
- Spending cap on grocery rewards limits your potential value
Best for dining and entertainment: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Here’s why: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card provides high cash back rates on purchases you might make during a night out, or to plan for a fun night in.
Pros
- Earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and groceries (except at superstores like Target and Walmart)
- Earn 8% on Capital One Entertainment purchases, 5% on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 1% on all other purchases
- $0 annual fee
Cons
- Some bonus categories come with spending restrictions
Best for gas: Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Here’s why: The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi offers you more cash back to fill up your tank at other gas stations than it does to shop inside a Costco store.
Pros
- 4% cash back on gas and electric vehicle charging (including eligible non-Costco stations) on up to the first $7,000 you spend each year (then 1%)
- Earn 3% back on dining and travel (including Costco purchases), 2% on all other Costco purchases and 1% on all other purchases
- $0 annual fee with active Costco membership
Cons
- Must have active Costco membership to apply
- Rewards issued only once per year and must be used at Costco
Best for fair credit: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Here’s why: The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card gives people with fair credit a chance to earn cash back.
Pros
- Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make
- Periodic reviews for potential credit limit increase
Cons
- $39 annual fee will cut into your rewards value
- Credit limit increases not guaranteed