Cash back credit card guide
Although similar in theory, cash back credit cards vary: percentage rates, overall benefits, participating merchants, and more. No two are the same, so selecting the right cash back credit card should be done with care—and an honest appraisal of the applicant's financial practices.
Most cash back cards offer 5% cash back on “everyday” purchases made at grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations. Some offer tiered programs, where the value increases proportional to the amount charged. Sill others are seasonal, which means the benefits change throughout the year. Because they offer better rewards than other credit cards, cash-back cards tend to have higher APRs, so if the cardholder makes a big purchase and spreads the total across many payments, any potential profit will be negated in the accrued interest.
The method of redeeming cash rewards varies by issuer: some issuers automatically process the cash back, while others require the cardholder to initiate the process through a phone call. It's important for the cardholder to know how this step works—it’s not uncommon for the cash rewards to "expire" because the cardholder was unaware of how to redeem.
Once processed, the cash can also be delivered in several ways: The cardholder's account is credited, a check is mailed to the cardholder, a gift certificate or card is issued, or by direct deposit, usually only if the cardholder has a bank account with the issuer.
Below is our list of the best cash back credit cards available online. Compare the benefits of each card and apply for the card offer that best fits your needs.
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- Earn a $100 cash back bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases in the first 3 months of Cardmembership
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, flexibility to pay over time
- Get 3% cash back at supermarkets, 2% cash back at gas stations and department stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases
- No spend minimum, No enrollment, and No rotating rewards categories
- Get a $25 Referral Bonus for each friend or family member who is approved for the Card
- No annual fee, flexibility to pay over time
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| 0% on Purchases | for 12 months | 17.24%-22.24% Variable | $0* | Yes* | Excellent Credit* |
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- $200 cash back after $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
- 5% cash back on fitness club, health care, and utilities purchases from 1/1/2012 to 3/31/2012 upon enrollment.
- Each quarter, you can enroll to earn additional cash back in popular categories.
- 5% average cash back at select merchants through Citi Bonus Cash Center®
- Full 1% cash back on all other purchases and eligible cash advances.
- No annual fee*
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| N/A | N/A | 15.99%-22.99%* (Variable) | $0* | N/A* | Excellent Credit* |
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- $100 cash back after $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
- 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 12 months. After that, the APR will be 12.99%-22.99% variable based on your creditworthiness*
- 5% cash back on fitness club, health care, and utilities purchases from 1/1/2012 to 3/31/2012 upon enrollment.
- Each quarter, you can enroll to earn additional cash back in popular categories.
- Full 1% cash back on all other purchases and eligible cash advances.
- No annual fee*
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| 0%* | 12 months on balance transfers and purchases* | 12.99%-22.99%* (Variable) | $0* | Yes* | Excellent Credit* |
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- $150 in gift cards - When you redeem the 15,000 bonus ThankYou® Points received after $1,000 in purchases within 3 months of account opening
- 5 ThankYou Points for every $1 spent on purchases at gas stations, supermarkets and drugstores for 12 months and 1 point for every $1 spent thereafter and for all other purchases*
- Enjoy no limit on the number of points you can earn
- Redeem ThankYou Points for merchandise, travel rewards, gift cards, cash and more
- No annual fee*
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| N/A* | N/A* | 12.99%-22.99%* (Variable) | $0* | Yes* | Excellent |
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- $250 in gift cards - When you redeem the 25,000 bonus ThankYou® Points received after $2,000 in purchases within 3 months of account opening
- Earn 1 point for every $1 you spend on all purchases
- Receive an anniversary bonus every year you're a cardmember
- No expiration and no limit on the points you can earn
- Redeem ThankYou Points for merchandise, travel rewards, gift cards, cash and more
- No annual fee*
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| N/A* | N/A* | 12.99%-22.99%* (Variable) | $0* | N/A* | Excellent Credit* |
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- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 10.99% - 20.99%*
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 10.99% - 20.99%*
- 5% Cashback Bonus® in categories that change like gas, restaurants, department stores and more. Limitations apply*
- Discover is ranked #1 in customer loyalty--15 years in row! (2011 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index report)
- 24/7 access to a U.S.-based Account Manager within 60 seconds
- $0 Fraud Liability plus automatic mobile and email fraud alert options
- Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee
- *Click apply to view rates, fees, rewards, limitations and other important information
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| 0%* | 18 months on Balance Transfers; 6 on Purchases* | 10.99% - 20.99% (Variable)* | $0* | Yes* | Excellent Credit* |
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- Limited Time Offer - $0 Balance Transfer Fee!*
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 10.99% - 19.99%*
- 5% Cashback Bonus® in categories that change like gas, restaurants, department stores and more. Limitations apply*
- Up to 20% Cashback Bonus at popular retailers when you shop online through Discover.com
- Discover is ranked #1 in customer loyalty--15 years in a row! (2011 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index report)
- 24/7 access to a U.S.-based Account Manager within 60 seconds
- Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee
- *Click apply to view rates, fees, rewards, limitations and other important information
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| 0%* | 12 months on Balance Transfers; 12 months on Purchases* | 10.99% - 19.99% (Variable)* | $0* | Yes* | Excellent Credit* |
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- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 10.99% - 20.99%*
- 5% Cashback Bonus® in categories that change like gas, restaurants, department stores and more. Limitations apply*
- Up to 20% Cashback Bonus at popular retailers when you shop online through Discover.com
- Discover is ranked #1 in customer loyalty--15 years in a row! (2011 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index report)
- 24/7 access to a U.S.-based Account Manager within 60 seconds
- $0 Fraud Liability plus automatic mobile and email fraud alert options
- Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee
- *Click apply to view rates, fees, rewards, limitations and other important information
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| 0%* | 15 months on purchases & balance transfers* | 10.99% - 20.99% (Variable)* | $0* | Yes* | Excellent Credit* |
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- Receive a $150 Restaurant.com Gift Certificate with first purchase
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 10.99% - 20.99%*
- 2% automatically at any gas station and any restaurant all year long*
- Plus, up to 20% Cashback Bonus at popular online retailers when you shop through Discover.com
- Discover is ranked #1 in customer loyalty--15 years in a row! (2011 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index report)
- 24/7 access to a U.S.-based Account Manager within 60 seconds
- Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee
- *Click apply to view rates, fees, rewards, limitations and other important information
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| 0%* | 12 months on purchases & balance transfers* | 10.99% - 20.99% (Variable)* | $0* | Yes* | Excellent |
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- Earn Cashback Bonus® for your good credit management
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 10.99% - 20.99%*
- Up to 20% Cashback Bonus at popular retailers when you shop online through Discover.com
- Discover is ranked #1 in customer loyalty--15 years in a row! (2011 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index report)
- 24/7 access to a U.S.-based Account Manager within 60 seconds
- $0 Fraud Liability plus automatic mobile and email fraud alert options
- Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee
- *Click apply to view rates, fees, rewards, limitations and other important information
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| 0%* | 15 full months on Balance Transfers and Purchases* | 10.99% - 20.99% (Variable)* | $0* | Yes* | Excellent |
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- 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 11.99%-21.99% based upon your creditworthiness.*
- 24/7 access to personalized concierge service providing assistance in booking hotel, flights, concert tickets and much more
- Special access for Citi cardmembers to purchase presale tickets, preferred seating, VIP packages, and other unforgettable live entertainment experiences through Citi Private Pass®
- $0 liability on unauthorized purchases and Citi® Identity Theft Solutions
- No annual fee*
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| 0%* | 18 months on balance transfers and purchases* | 11.99%-21.99%* (Variable) | $0* | Yes* | Excellent Credit* |
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- Earn 30,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after $2,000 in purchases within 3 months of account opening - enough for $300 in gift cards
- 1 ThankYou Point for every $1 you spend on purchases
- Earn points for the miles you fly when you purchase a ticket with your Citi ThankYou Premier Card
- No foreign transaction fee on purchases*
- Annual complimentary domestic companion ticket, within the continental USA, when booked through our travel benefits provider, Spirit Incentives
- No points cap and no expiration of points
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| N/A* | N/A* | 13.99%-22.99%* (Variable) | $125; waived for the first year* | N/A* | Excellent Credit* |
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- This offer is for people with a good to excellent credit history which means, among other things, that your credit history is clear of bankruptcy and seriously delinquent accounts
- Earn $100 Bonus Cash Back after you make $500 in purchases in your first 3 months
- 0% Intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers and 6 months on purchases
- 5% Cash Back on up to $1,500 spent at gas stations and on Amazon.com from 1/1/12 - 3/31/12.
- You'll enjoy new 5% categories every 3 months like grocery stores, restaurants and even airlines. It's free and easy to activate your bonus each quarter!
- Unlimited 1% Cash Back on all other purchases and up to an additional 10% Cash Back when you shop online at select merchants through Chase
- No annual fee and rewards never expire
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| 0%* | 12 months on balance transfers, 6 months on purchases* | 11.99%-22.99%*(Variable) | $0* | Yes* | Excellent Credit* |
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- Made with carbon, not just another piece of plastic; Membership is limited
- 24-hour concierge service at your disposal
- Unlimited VIP airport lounge visits
- Exclusive rewards program; 1% cash back or airfare on any airline - no blackouts or restrictions
- Accepted globally; zero liability protection against unauthorized purchases
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| 0%* | 15 months on balance transfers* | 14.99%* | $495.00* | Yes* | Excellent Credit* |
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- American Express® Card and Costco Membership Card in one- with no annual fee for Costco members
- Cash back on the things you buy: 3% for the first $3,000 in annual gasoline purchases (1% thereafter), 2% for restaurants, 2% for travel, and 1% everywhere else, including Costco
- Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars in overall satisfaction by current TrueEarnings® Cardmembers from Costco and American Express
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| 0% on Purchases | for 6 months | 15.24% variable | $0* | Yes* | Excellent Credit* |
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- Enjoy 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 12.99% - 22.99% based upon your creditworthiness*
- Plus earn 1 ThankYou Point for every $1 you spend on purchases
- Earn an anniversary bonus on points earned from purchases every year*
- Enjoy no limit on the number of points you can earn
- Redeem ThankYou Points for merchandise, travel rewards, gift cards, cash and more
- No annual fee*
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| Intro APR | Intro APR Period | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Balance Transfers | Credit Needed |
| 0% | 15 months on balance transfers and purchases* | 12.99%-22.99%* (Variable) | $0* | Yes* | Excellent Credit* |
* See the online cash back credit card applications for details about terms and conditions of cash back rewards programs and offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. When you click on the " Apply Here " button you can review the credit card terms and conditions on the credit card issuer's web site.