Best cash back credit cards for July 2022

The information about the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card, Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi and Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

Compare Bankrate’s top cash back credit cards

A closer look at our top cash back cards

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express: Best for groceries

• What we love about the Blue Cash Preferred Card: Few cash back cards offer rates as high as 6 percent, much less in a rewards category as valuable as U.S. supermarkets (6 percent on up to $6,000 in purchases at U.S. supermarkets per year, then 1 percent).
• Who this card is good for: People with a moderate-to-large grocery budget who don’t mind the card’s annual fee.
• Alternatives: If you do most of your grocery shopping at wholesale clubs like Sam’s Club and Costco, you may struggle to find value with the Blue Cash Preferred because those stores aren’t considered U.S. supermarkets by American Express. A strong alternative is the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Card, which earns bonus cash back in a category of your choice, with wholesale clubs as just one option.

Learn more: How to maximize the Amex Blue Cash Preferred
Read our Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express review.
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Wells Fargo Active Cash Card: Best for 2% cash rewards with an intro APR

• What we love about the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card: Aside from the stellar rewards rate, there’s another standout feature—cell phone protection. You’ll receive up to $600 of protection (subject to a $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellphone bill with your card.
• Who this card is good for: Simplicity seekers and those planning to make a large purchase. Thanks to the card’s intro APR offer, you can earn consistent cash rewards and minimize interest charges on new purchases.
• Alternatives: The Active Cash card’s 2 percent cash rewards rate may be limiting if you spend reliably in certain categories that might earn cash back at a higher rate on a different card. If you’re looking for a higher rate in a variety of categories, the Discover it Cash Back Card earns up to 5 percent cash back in different bonus categories that rotate each quarter (upon enrollment, on to $1,500 in purchases, then 1 percent).

Learn more: Is the new Wells Fargo Active Cash worth it?
Read our Wells Fargo Active Cash Card review.
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Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for restaurants

• What we love about the SavorOne Cash Rewards Card: Its entertainment category includes a variety of eligible purchases, such as tickets to concerts, movies, sporting events, theme parks and tourist attractions—purchases that would earn just 1 percent back with most other cash back cards.
• Who this card is good for: Frequent restaurant-goers, social butterflies and the at-home foodie with a large grocery budget.
• Alternatives: While the SavorOne Cash Rewards Card earns generously at grocery stores, there are cards that earn more on these purchases. Plus, the card’s 3 percent back on dining is outpaced by the Citi Custom Cash card’s 5 percent back in your top eligible spend category, including restaurants (on up to $500 in spending each billing cycle, then 1 percent).

Learn more: Why we love the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Card
Read our Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card review.
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Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for 1.5% cash back

• What we love about the Quicksilver Cash Rewards Card: For a no-annual-fee card, the Quicksilver offers quite a few protections, including travel accident insurance, 24-hour travel assistance services and extended warranty protection.
• Who this card is good for: Cash back beginners. With a flat rate and no annual fee, this card is a solid low-maintenance option for someone just getting started earning cash back rewards.
• Alternatives: Since this card earns at a flat rate, you can’t earn more than 1.5 percent back even in your biggest spending categories. Cardholders who spend heavily on purchases like groceries and gas stand to earn more cash back with a card that has a higher rewards rate in those categories. The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Card is a worthy alternative, as it retains a generous cash back rate in multiple categories and gives cardholders the option to change their highest cash back category once per calendar month.

Learn more: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards card vs. Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards card
Read our Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card review.
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Upgrade Cash Rewards Elite Visa: Best for personal loan alternative

• What we love about the Upgrade Cash Rewards Elite Visa: Every time you make a payment, this card rewards you with one of the highest flat cash back rates on the market. It also charges fewer fees than the typical credit card and comes with a sign-up bonus (not always found on flat-rate cash back cards).
• Who this card is good for: Fans of flat-rate cards who can pay their balances in full and people looking for a low-interest card who can qualify for the low end of the card’s ongoing APR range.
• Alternatives: One of the most unique traits of the Upgrade Cash Rewards Elite Visa is its emphasis on making card payments to earn your cash back rewards. If you want the best of both worlds and to earn when you spend and when you pay, the Citi® Double Cash Card allows you to do just that, since you’ll earn 1 percent cash back when you spend and another 1 percent when you pay. Just keep in mind that you’ll earn marginally less with the Double cash.

Read our Upgrade Cash Rewards Elite Visa card review.
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Citi Double Cash Card: Best for up to 2% cash back

• What we love about the Citi Double Cash Card: The rewards structure incentivizes you to stay on top of your payments. You’ll only earn the full 2 percent cash back on your purchases once you’ve paid them off—1 percent back when you buy, 1 percent when you pay off purchases.
• Who this card is good for: Hands-off rewards earners. Cardholders get a straightforward cash back card for no annual fee without having to track tiered categories or worry about quarterly enrollment.
• Alternatives: If you want a sign-up bonus on your next card you might consider other options, like the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card, which earns the same flat rate on purchases and comes with a $200 cash rewards sign-up bonus for spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of holding the card.

Learn more: Why the Citi Double Cash is a great cash back card for paying off debt
Read our Citi Double Cash Card review.
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Discover it Cash Back: Best for rotating cash back categories

• What we love about the Discover it Cash Back Card: This card offers 5 percent cash back on up to $1,500 spent in categories that rotate each quarter, then 1 percent (activation required). This can be especially rewarding for cardholders who can flex their spending to align with the boosted categories each quarter.
• Who this card is good for: People who can adjust their spending to maximize cash back earnings across various categories and aren’t troubled by keeping up with Discover’s 2022 cash back calendar.
• Alternatives: If you value simplicity or your spending stays consistent throughout the year, you may prefer a card that doesn’t require you to enroll in new bonus categories each quarter. Opting for a flat-rate cash rewards card like the Citi Double Cash or Wells Fargo Active Cash can make it easier to consistently earn more cash back.

Learn more: Is the Discover it Cash Back worth it?
Read our Discover it Cash Back review.
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U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card: Best for customizable rewards

• What we love about the US Bank Cash+ card: It’s a rare treat to find a card that lets you choose which categories will earn bonus cash back. Along with its fixed travel rewards category, the Cash+ card lets users pick two categories that will earn 5 percent cash back each quarter (up to $2,000 in combined purchases per quarter, then 1 percent) and one everyday category that will earn 2 percent cash back.
• Who this card is good for: People eager to maximize cash back earnings with a multi-card strategy. This card’s flexibility and high earning potential make it a particularly great option for people who don’t mind juggling multiple credit cards to get as much value out of them as possible.
• Alternatives: If you don’t like strategizing and tracking rewards categories, a flat-rate card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card may be a better fit. You’ll earn 2 percent cash rewards on your purchases, without needing to track spending or enroll in bonus categories.

Learn more: U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card vs. Chase Freedom Flex
Read our full U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card review.
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Citi Custom Cash Card: Best for automatic bonus category

• What we love about the Citi Custom Cash Card: There are 10 eligible bonus categories to choose from and many of them conveniently fit into a cash back or rewards strategy.
• Who this card is good for: Someone looking for a high rate of cash back who doesn’t want to remember to activate bonus categories.
• Alternatives: You’ll only earn 5 percent back on the first $500 you spend in a single category each billing cycle (after that, 1 percent), so you may stunt your monthly cash back if you only use the Citi Custom Cash. Consider supplementing this card with a tiered cash back card that earns at a consistent rate in your biggest spending categories. For example, the Capital One SavorOne earns 3% back on dining, eligible streaming services, grocery stores and entertainment, with no limit to how much cash back you can earn.

Learn more: Why your Citi Custom Cash card could be great for travel
Read our full Citi Custom Cash Card review.
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Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card: Best for customizable 3% category

• What we love about the Customized Cash Rewards Card: The ability to pick from six bonus categories is pretty great. Even better is the fact that you can change your pick once per calendar month to match your spending habits.
• Who this card is good for: People looking for flexibility. If you want the freedom to choose and change your bonus rewards category, this card is a great option.
• Alternatives: This card’s cash back limits may hold you back. Heavy spenders may earn more with a card that offers an unlimited flat rate on all purchases, such as the Citi Double Cash Card—no matter how much you charge to the card, you can earn up to 2 percent back (1 percent when you buy and another 1 percent when you pay off purchases).

Learn more: Is the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card worth it?
Read our Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card review.
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Chase Freedom Unlimited: Best for sign-up bonus

• What we love about the Chase Freedom Unlimited: Its extra first-year bonus rewards rate of 1.5 percent back on all purchases in your first year (on up to $20,000 in spending) is added on top of your regular cash back rates, making it one of the most valuable sign-up bonuses available on a no-annual-fee cash back card. The card also earns bonus rewards for far more travel-related purchases than the typical cash back card and earns 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases that fall outside bonus categories – higher than the typical 1 percent offered by other bonus category cash back cards.
• Who this card is good for: People who want to stick with a single everyday rewards card and frequent travelers who want to avoid annual fees and earn rewards at a high rate on more than just airline, hotel, and rental car bookings.
• Alternatives: A few cards also offer a high rewards rate in travel and other everyday categories but their welcome offers may be easier to maximize. The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards card earns bonus rewards on hotels and rental cars, grocery store purchases, dining, entertainment and popular streaming services but comes with a welcome offer of $200 after just $500 in spending in your first three months.

Learn more: Chase once again extends Pay Yourself Back feature on Chase Freedom Unlimited
Read our Chase Freedom Unlimited review.
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Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for fair credit

• What we love about the QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Card: You’ll automatically be considered for a higher credit line in as little as six months with on-time payments, which can help you keep your credit utilization in check.
• Who this card is good for: Credit-builders who want to earn cash back.
• Alternatives: Although 1.5 percent cash back is a decent rate, it may not be worth the card’s annual fee based on your spending habits. If you want to avoid both an annual fee and a security deposit, consider a no-annual-fee, unsecured credit-building card like the Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card or the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card.

Learn more: Capital One QuicksilverOne vs. Capital One Platinum
Read our Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card review.

Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express: Best for gas

• What we love about the Blue Cash Everyday: While cash back at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations is a common pairing, 2 percent cash back at select U.S. department stores is both rare and useful, making the card a versatile choice for household shoppers.
• Who this card is good for: People with a moderate or high grocery budget and who commute frequently. Cardholders who shop at department stores may also benefit from the card’s unique rewards program.
• Alternatives: If you shop frequently at wholesale clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club, you may not benefit from the Blue Cash Everyday Card’s boosted cash back rate at U.S. supermarkets. A more suitable option for cash back at wholesale clubs may be a 2 percent flat-rate cash back card or the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card, which can earn 3 percent back in an eligible category of your choice and 2 percent back at wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the 3 percent and 2 percent categories).

Learn more: Why we love the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
Read our Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express review.

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card: Best for online shopping

• What we love about the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa: Retail cards aren’t known for their sign-up bonuses or perks, but new Amazon Prime Rewards cardholders receive a $150 Amazon gift card upon approval, with no minimum spending requirement. Your purchases are also covered by an extended warranty and purchase protection.
• Who this card is good for: Whole Foods shoppers and Amazon Prime members. Earning 5 percent back for both online purchases and groceries is a rare offer, making the card ideal for Amazon customers who are looking for new ways to save.
• Alternatives: Cardholders who don’t spend frequently on Amazon or shop at Whole Foods—or who want more flexibility to earn rewards at other grocery stores and online retailers—may find more value in a flat-rate cash rewards card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash card or the Citi Double Cash.

Learn more: Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature offers ample points for online shopping
Read our Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card review.

Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card: Best for 2.5% cash back

• What we love about the Alliant Cashback Visa: This card offers a cash back rate that’s almost unheard of: 2.5 percent back on all purchases (on up to $10,000 in qualifying purchases per billing cycle, then 1.5 percent).
• Who this card is good for: Big spenders with Alliant Credit Union accounts. To maintain your 2.5 percent cash back rate, you need to keep an average daily balance of $1,000 in your Alliant High-Rate Checking account every month of the preceding calendar quarter.
• Alternatives: A flat 2.5 percent cash back on all purchases (up to $10,000 per billing cycle, then 1.5 percent) is a great offer, but cardholders must be a member of the Alliant Credit Union. If you don’t want the headache of switching banks and maintaining an account balance, a no annual fee flat-rate card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash can be a great alternative despite earning at a lower rate of 2 percent cash rewards back.

Read our Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card review.

Discover it Secured Credit Card: Best for bad credit

• What we love about the Discover it Secured Card: Welcome bonuses are rare among credit cards for bad credit, but the Discover it Secured stands out for automatically matching all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
• Who this card is good for: People with bad or no credit who want to earn rewards while they work on their score.
• Alternatives: If you have poor credit, options for cash back are limited, especially if you’re not willing to put up an annual fee or security deposit. If you’d rather avoid a security deposit, however, consider an unsecured credit-building card like the Petal 1 card.

Read our Discover it Secured Credit Card review.

Petal 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa Credit Card: Best for no credit history

• What we love about the Petal 2: Unsecured credit-building cards often disappoint with their high fees and lackluster benefits. Not so with the Petal 2. You can earn cash back and build your credit without worrying about annual fees, foreign transaction fees, late fees or returned payment fees.
• Who this card is good for: People with no credit history who want to earn cash back and avoid fees. You don’t need a credit score to qualify for this card, and you can still earn up to a respectable 1.5 percent cash back (after making your first 12 monthly payments on time).
• Alternatives: Cardholders looking for additional perks and benefits beyond the card’s up to 1.5 percent cash back may want to consider other options. The Discover it Secured Card is a great alternative since it earns a higher rate of cash back in select categories. However, as it is a secured card, you’ll need to deposit at least $200 to get started.

Read our Petal 2 “Cash Back, No Fees”” Visa Credit Card review.

What is a cash back credit card?

Cash back credit cards reward you for eligible purchases by giving you a percentage of your purchase price back as cash. For example, a 3 percent cash back rate means you earn 3 cents back for every dollar in eligible spending. For a cardholder with a $4,000 annual grocery bill, earning 3 percent at the supermarket could mean up to $120 in cash back rewards. Cash back is essentially a discount on eligible purchases—you may not see the discount at checkout, but the payoff comes when you redeem your rewards.

Types of cash back credit card rewards

Cash back cards come in a variety of forms. The best cash back card type for you depends on your spending habits and lifestyle. Before you apply, you should know all of the options available to you.

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  Flat-rate

  Flat-rate cash back cards offer the same rewards rate for each eligible purchase. These cards are great for those who aren’t keen on activating and tracking bonus categories each quarter.Top examples include:

  • Wells Fargo Active Cash Card (earns cash rewards)
  • Citi Double Cash Card
  • Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

  If you prefer tiered category cards over flat rate cards, make sure you’re covered for all of the categories you spend within. If you aren’t, a 2 percent flat rate card could fill gaps in your rewards strategy.

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  Tiered

  Tiered cash back cards offer different rates of cash back for different types of purchases. For example, a tiered card may offer a boosted cash back rate of 3 percent on restaurant purchases, while all other purchases are rewarded with 1 percent cash back. The best way to maximize your cash back earnings is to have multiple tiered cards that reward your most common purchases at a high rate.Top examples include:

  • Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
  • Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
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  Dynamic bonus categories

  Some credit cards offer bonus categories that change based on your preferences, your spending habits or the time of year. This can be an advantageous structure for those who don’t want to commit to specific bonus categories. Here are a few of the most common dynamic bonus category structures.

  • Rotating bonus categories: With rotating categories, you’ll often get higher rewards rates, but these cards typically require enrollment each quarter to qualify. Unlike flat-rate cards, rotating bonus categories tend to set spending limits on how much you can earn in high rewards categories per quarter.
  • Choose your own category: Some cards let you choose your cash back category on a monthly basis. With the option to change the monthly category, you can optimize your spending based on the category and plan out your year based on the cash back potential. For example, for the holiday months, you can opt into a category that will reward online purchases or department store purchases.
  • Auto-optimizing bonus categories: This setup is a lot like the “choose your own category” structure. However, instead of having to determine which bonus category is going to benefit you the most, these cards will do the work for you. Usually, the card will retroactively apply the bonus rate to purchases within your top eligible category each month.

  Top examples include:

  • Discover it Cash Back
  • Chase Freedom Flex
  • Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Card
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  Membership-only cash back credit cards

  Some cash back credit cards require a membership. These cards can often be quite lucrative. Co-branded cash back credit cards generally let you earn rewards and extra perks at specific stores or service providers. They often skip the annual fee, given you’ll need to pay for annual membership to enjoy the card’s benefits. Some credit unions also offer cash back card options to their members. Since credit unions are controlled and financed by members themselves, these members will often reap the benefits of more favorable interest rates and fewer banking and penalty fees that their not-for-profit institution provides. Membership requirements vary by credit union.Top examples include:

  • Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card (requires an Amazon Prime membership, $119 a year)
  • Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi (requires a Costco membership, at least $60 a year)
  • Sam’s Club® Mastercard® (requires a Sam’s Club membership, starting at $45 per year)
  • Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card (requires Alliant Credit Union membership)

Pros and cons of using cash back credit cards

While cash back cards can put hundreds of dollars per year back into your wallet, they can also come with drawbacks that make them less appealing. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of carrying a cash back card.

Who should get a cash back credit card?

Just about anyone can benefit from getting a small portion of their purchases back. And unlike travel points or miles, you’re free to use cash back however you please. In fact, our experts share that credit card rewards are a way Americans can combat today’s rising prices and interest rates.

For suggestions based on your spending habits, try Bankrate’s Spender Type Tool. Select the spender type that you most closely identify with and you’ll get card recommendations that may suit your spending habits.

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  Household shopper

  If you’re funding a family of five, a sizable grocery bill is probably a given. Groceries are one of the most commonly rewarded purchases among cash back cards. The cash back you earn over the course of a year using your card at the supermarket could amount to a free week or two of groceries. Our pick for you: Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

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  Commuters

  With gas prices soaring to record highs, a cash back credit card can help minimize the pain at the gas pump. Cards that offer cash back on gas typically earn up to 3 percent back, but if you spend a lot of time on the road or drive a car that doesn’t get the best gas mileage, try to aim higher. Some customizable cash back cards earn up to 5 percent cash back in everyday bonus categories, including gas stations. Our pick for you: Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

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  Food lovers

  If your card covers dining purchases, you’ll earn rewards at your favorite restaurants, from fast food to fine dining, and often even when ordering takeout through a food delivery service like DoorDash. And if your card earns grocery rewards, that may even include specialty food stores like delis, bakeries, candy stores and butchers. Our pick for you: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

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  The minimalist

  Even people who prefer the utmost simplicity — we’re talking longtime debit users — can find lots to love in a cash back card. A flat-rate, no annual fee cash back card is a great choice for someone who wants to earn rewards without much thought. Some cards even let you set up automatic bill payments and rewards redemptions for the ultimate “set and forget” rewards strategy. Our pick for you: Citi Double Cash Card

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  The student

  The best time to build credit is before you really need it. That’s why it makes sense to use a credit card throughout your college years. Then, by the time you graduate and need a home or auto loan, you’ve spent years building an excellent credit score and earning cash rewards. Our pick for you: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

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  The frugal spender

  If you’re a money-saving pro, a cash back card can help your cause. Think of cash back as a tiny discount on every eligible purchase. Even if you only spent a modest $300 per month on a 2 percent cash back credit card, you’d earn $72 per year in cash back. It isn’t a staggering sum, but it could cover a fill-up or two at the gas station. Our pick for you: Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express

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  The savvy shopper

  If you’re really in it to maximize your cash back earnings, holding a combination of flat-rate and tiered cards is the way to go. Ideally, you would have a credit card that rewards you at a high rate for your largest and most frequent purchases, as well as a good flat-rate card for everything else. Our pick for you: Whichever card matches your spending habits, whether that’s a card that rewards dining at restaurants, shopping for groceries, or something else.

When you shouldn’t get a cash back card

Whether or not you should get a cash back credit card is going to depend on your personal situation and needs. Here’s when a cash back card isn’t the best idea:

• You’re a frequent flyer: If you travel often, a type of rewards credit card structured specifically to earn points and miles on travel purchases is a better addition to your wallet.
• You tend to carry a balance: Credit card interest can eat away at your rewards and leave you owing more than you earn. If you don’t pay your balance in full each month, a low interest option like a credit union credit card may be a better fit.
• You don’t follow a budget: Overspending is one of the main causes of credit card debt. If you make impulse purchases and spend more than you can afford, hold off on applying for a credit card until you’re ready to follow a budget.

How to choose the best cash back credit card

Picking a cash back credit card out of all the options available can sometimes be a challenge. When comparing cards, ask yourself the following questions to determine if the cash back card you’re eyeing is right for you:

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  What’s my credit score?

  This should be your starting point when comparing cash back cards. Most of the best cash back cards require at least good credit. And while some credit cards for fair credit or bad credit offer rewards, cardholders at this credit level should focus on building credit, not earning rewards.

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  How much effort do I want to put into earning rewards?

  You’ll need to choose between flat-rate and bonus category credit cards. Flat-rate credit cards may not earn the best rewards rate available in a given category, but they’re a great option for someone who just wants to earn consistent cash back on all purchases with minimal effort.On the other hand, bonus category cash back cards can offer higher rewards rates, but it will take more work to maximize your credit card rewards. You may need to juggle more than one credit card, enroll in rotating bonus categories or track multiple categories and deal with spending caps.

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  What else can a cash back card do for me?

  The best cash back credit cards have additional features and benefits that increase their value. Depending on what matters most to you, be on the lookout for perks like a sign-up bonus, intro APR offer or shopping discounts, as well as money-saving travel and consumer protections.

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  What’s the cost?

  Make sure you look at more than just the benefits of a credit card. You’ll also want to pay attention to the costs of ownership. You’ll need to decide if a cards rewards and perks make paying an annual fee worth it while also watching out for interest rates and any other common credit card fees like late charges and balance transfer fees.

What to know before getting a cash back credit card

When it comes to cash back cards, the details make all the difference. A cash back card’s restrictions and conditions will impact its ability to help you earn cash back rewards if you don’t take the time to understand them. Be on the lookout for certain things when considering a cash back card:

Different cash back programs, different rules. Each cash back program will vary in how you can redeem rewards. Some cards only allow cardholders to redeem rewards once they’ve reached a certain minimum. For example, the Alliant Cashback Visa Signature offers cardholders a solid 2.5 percent cash back rate, but the redemption minimum is $50. On the other hand, there are cash back cards that allow for redemption of any amount, which might make more sense for some cardholders.

Rewards categories. Be sure you’re accounting for your lifestyle when deciding between cash back cards. A card that earns a 2 percent flat rate might seem like a great deal, and it can be, but if you spend more on dining out it might be best to focus on a card that offers 5 percent back on dining and 1 percent cash back on everything else.

Understand the fees. Many cash back cards come with annual fees. These cards typically offer higher cash back rates, but you need to crunch the numbers to make sure you can recoup the annual fee with cash back rewards. A card that earns 6 percent back at supermarkets, but charges an annual fee of $95 might cost you more in the long run than a card that earns 3 percent back, but charges no annual fee.

Cash back alternatives

Cash back cards have a lot of advantages, but they may not be the best fit for everyone. Here are a few alternatives to consider:

• Travel credit card: Best for frequent travelers who want to redeem their rewards for flights and hotel stays and who can take advantage of a travel card’s additional benefits to further cut down on the costs of travel and make their next trip more fun and rewarding.
• Low-interest or credit union cards: Best for people who tend to carry a credit card balance and could benefit from having an ongoing low interest rate.
• Balance transfer credit card: Best for people looking to take advantage of a promotional APR period to make interest-free payments and pay down credit card debt more efficiently.
• Student credit card: Best for college students new to the credit world who are looking to improve their credit score and show off good credit habits.
• Credit-builder credit cards: Best for people with credit that falls below the good-to-excellent range who want to improve their credit score to gain access to better rates, credit limits and card benefits.

7 ways to maximize cash back

1. Pay your balances in full each month. Otherwise, you’ll simply lose the cash back you’ve earned (and then some) to interest. Note: Paying monthly balances on time and in full is a best practice, no matter what type of card you’re carrying.
2. Snag a sign-up bonus. Choose a cash back credit card that offers bonus rewards if you spend a certain amount of money within a specified time period. Just make sure the spending requirement is in-line with your current spending habits, or you’ll risk carrying a balance and losing rewards to interest.
3. Enroll/activate your bonus categories each quarter. Rotating category cards typically require you to enroll or activate (the language varies) the bonus cash back categories for the upcoming quarter to earn the higher bonus rate. If you don’t, you’ll earn the standard rate.
4. Target your spending. In order to get the most out of a bonus category, try to max out the spending limit for the quarter. For example, Discover’s 2022 bonus categories for July through September are restaurants and PayPal. By maxing out all of the bonus 5 percent categories (capped at $1,500 in spending each quarter, then 1 percent, activation required), you’ll earn $75 in cash back for that quarter.
5. Consider combining cards. A combination of cards will probably serve you best. The key is to make sure your major spending categories are covered so that you’re always earning the maximum amount of rewards on purchases.
6. Explore the card’s online shopping portal. Some card issuers feature online shopping portals that offer cash back incentives, discounts or both. Examples include Chase Ultimate Rewards and Barclaycard RewardsBoost.
7. Don’t spend for the sake of earning. Keep from spending in excess to what you normally spend just because you’ll earn a small percentage of cash back.

Additional reviews and research

If you’re on the fence about cash back cards, consider how your annual spending compares to consumer averages. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans spent an average of $4,942 on food at home in 2020. If you used a cash back card that carried a 3 percent cash back rate at grocery stores to cover these expenses, you’d earn $148.26 in cash back.

Earning nearly $150 in cash back just for purchases at supermarkets is a pretty generous offer. However, if you aren’t convinced, compare that to the cash back potential of a 2 percent flat rate card. On average, consumers spent a combined total of $19,489 on food at home, food away from home, transportation and household furnishings in 2020. With a 2 percent cash back card, this would amount to $389.78 of cash back earnings.

While cash back cards might not be worth the trouble for everyone, responsible card use and smart spending habits can make them a great addition to your wallet. Find out more about cash back credit cards with these resources from Bankrate:

• Cash Back Advice
• Cash Back Credit Card Reviews

Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.