Details: One of the original cash-back apps born from a website, RetailMeNot is primarily a coupon finder, but it also allows users to activate online offers and receive personalized notifications for discounts. Cash back is paid out via PayPal or Venmo.

User reviews: Some shoppers have used this app for years and brag about its ability to save them money, though of course not at every store. In a nutshell: Get cash back on gasoline and food purchases with this app.

Details: Upside aims to provide cash-back offers from grocery stores, restaurants and — most notably — gas stations.

You can redeem cash back through PayPal, e-gift cards or bank transfers. User reviews: Getting cash back with a gas app like Upside has become a popular way to save, though there are occasional complaints about a limited number of gas stations that participate in some areas.

Google play rating: 4. In a nutshell: Score cash back on a wide variety of shopping options. Details: Ibotta promises cash back whether you're shopping in person, online, or while traveling or dining out.

There are no promotional codes or coupons to track. Before shopping, you search the app for offers you like, then upload a photo of your receipt after the purchase. You can also buy the items with a linked loyalty card in-store or start online transactions with partnering retailers through the Ibotta app to bypass receipt uploads.

Transfer your rewards to PayPal or gift cards. User reviews: Some previously loyal Ibotta users have complained about a lack of customer service. Still, with over a million reviews, Ibotta remains among the most popular cash-back apps in the Apple App Store. In a nutshell: Earn automatic rebates on purchase categories without scanning receipts.

Details: Dosh adds hotels into the retail and dining-out discount mix. By linking a credit or debit card to the app, cash-back offers are deposited into the Dosh wallet. Cash can then be transferred into bank accounts, PayPal or Venmo. Rewards can also be donated to charities. Purchases also have to be made as credit rather than debit transactions.

In a nutshell: An app that adds an element of fun to shopping rewards. Details: In addition to offering cash back for shopping, this app gamifies the process with sweepstakes, surveys, bonuses and Hog Slots spins that can pay out coins.

Rewards can also be redeemed for gift cards or cash to your PayPal account. User reviews: Receipt Hog has its share of fans, though there are those who say the payouts are small and take some time to add up. In a nutshell: A cash-back app that provides direct payments every three months.

Details: Rakuten is a high-profile cash-back app claiming to cover more than 3, stores and issuing payment through PayPal or by check. It also features travel savings on airfare, hotels and car rentals.

User reviews: People seem to love getting their cash-back checks, and the app garners many rave reviews. There are some users who complain about issues with receiving referral bonuses. Google Play rating: 3.

Cash-back apps are about saving small amounts of money over a period of time, so you'll probably want to find an app that you enjoy using and that doesn't require a lot of effort.

Rewards, known as "kicks," are available in-store or online and are payable as gift cards. You can earn rewards multiple ways, including by visiting stores, scanning product bar codes and submitting receipts. CoinOut is another receipt-scanning cash-back app. You don't have to shop at a specific retailer, find a coupon or hunt down a deal either.

You upload a receipt, and the app does the rest. Like with the other apps on this list, you can get cash-back on certain purchases through Swagbucks. You can also earn points that can be redeemed for money or gift cards by doing quick online tasks — like playing games or watching videos — or taking surveys to share your opinion on products.

We considered apps with at least 4. We read reviews from users for more insight. We also factored in the number of participating stores and eligible spending categories, ease of use and rewards amount thresholds. Opportunities for higher percentages of cash back and options to link store loyalty accounts were considered a bonus.

On a similar note Do this by paying at checkout at Amazon. com or with PayPal, applying it to your Discover bill, depositing to a bank account, applying statement credit, or donating to a charity. Only gift cards have a starting limit. Rewards never expire.

We reserve the right to determine the method to disburse your rewards balance. We will credit your Account or send you a check with your rewards balance if your Account is closed or if you have not used it within 18 months.

Redeem Any Amount Any Time: Rewards never expire. See Cashback Bonus Program Terms and Conditions. Restaurants purchases include those made at merchants classified as full-service restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, fast-food locations, and restaurant delivery services.

Drug Store purchases include those made at stand-alone drug stores, pharmacies, online pharmacies, and some pharmacies located inside of retail stores. Use Rewards at Amazon. com: For complete details on how to Pay with Rewards at Amazon. com see Amazon.

Amazon is not a sponsor of this promotion. Amazon, the Amazon. com logo, the smile logo and all related marks are trademarks of Amazon.

com, Inc. or its affiliates. Use Rewards with PayPal: For complete details on how to Pay with Rewards with PayPal see PayPal. Pay with Rewards will be available for eligible credit cards on eligible purchases or can be donated to support a charitable cause with PayPal Giving Fund.

To learn more about Pay with Rewards, see terms and conditions. We will not match: rewards that are processed after your match period ends; statement credits; rewards transfers from Discover checking or other deposit accounts; or rewards for accounts that are closed.

This promotional offer may not be available in the future and is exclusively for new cardmembers. No purchase minimums. User ID. Select an Account Select an Account Credit Card Bank Account Student Loans Personal Loans Home Loans Identity Theft Protection.

Say hello to Discover cash back.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best for Flat-rate cash back: High ongoing rate + incentives ; Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for Bonus rewards: 5 Cashback is a rewards program where customers can earn back a percentage of the money they spend while shopping. Originally a credit card feature, some debit What is a cashback reward program? A cashback reward program is a type of loyalty program where customers receive a percentage of their purchases as cash

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Cashback rewards program - 11 Best cash back credit cards for February ; Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card · Rating: stars out of 5. ; Bank of America® Customized Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best for Flat-rate cash back: High ongoing rate + incentives ; Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for Bonus rewards: 5 Cashback is a rewards program where customers can earn back a percentage of the money they spend while shopping. Originally a credit card feature, some debit What is a cashback reward program? A cashback reward program is a type of loyalty program where customers receive a percentage of their purchases as cash

Read our full Citi Custom Cash Card review. Terms apply Earn unlimited 1. This card earns an unlimited flat cash back rate and comes with a few enticing perks and benefits, plus a solid welcome offer.

Read our full Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card review. Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers — only from Discover. Read our full Discover it® Cash Back review.

Earn 2. This card combines the convenience of a credit card with the predictability of an installment loan, allowing you to earn rewards as you pay off purchases at a fixed interest rate. In fact, it carries one of the highest flat cash back rates you can get with no annual fee.

Read our full Upgrade Cash Rewards Elite Visa® review. Intro offer is not available for this USAA credit card. Earn unlimited 1. This card's unlimited flat rewards rate, straightforward redemption options, intro purchase APR offer and potentially low ongoing APR should appeal to USAA members looking for a streamlined rewards card.

The stellar rewards rate is the card's standout feature, but the relatively lengthy intro APR for both purchases and balance transfers makes it hard to pass up if you want to earn rewards and save on interest during the intro period.

Learn more: Wells Fargo Active Cash benefits guide. Read our Wells Fargo Active Cash Card review or jump back to offer details. Read our Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card review or jump back to offer details.

Best for dining and entertainment rewards. Not only does it have various ways to earn if you are a foodie, its entertainment category packs in a lot of value.

Purchases that would earn just 1 percent back with most other cash back cards, like movie tickets and sporting events, earn 3 percent cash back too. Restaurant-goers, grocery shoppers and even social butterflies can find something to love about this card. Read our Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to offer details.

The rewards structure incentivizes you to stay on top of your payments. Hands-off rewards earners. Cardholders get a straightforward cash back card for no annual fee without tracking or enrolling in tiered categories.

If you want to make a large purchase and save on interest charges during an intro offer, consider the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card. It earns the same flat rate rewards on purchases but comes with a long intro APR offer for purchases and balance transfers.

Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Citi Double Cash Card. Best for grocery rewards. Best for Bank of America customers. While the card has a solid cash back rate on general spending, it also boasts a decent intro APR and welcome offer for no annual fee.

Learn more: Is the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards card worth it? Read our full Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card review or jump back to offer details. Best for automatic bonus category. For example, the Capital One SavorOne earns unlimited rewards on dining, entertainment, grocery stores and more.

Best for 1. If you spend most in a specific category like groceries or gas, consider cards that earn bonus rewards in those categories. The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card even gives cardholders the option to change their highest cash back category once per calendar month.

Best for rotating cash back categories. It's possible to earn more with a flat-rate cash rewards card like the Citi Double Cash Card or Wells Fargo Active Cash without the hassle of activating new bonus categories each quarter.

Best for personal loan alternative. Best for USAA members. Along with its streamlined cash back program, this card carries a generous intro purchase APR offer and a chance at a low ongoing APR, so it could strike a nice balance if you want a simple way to earn rewards while minimizing interest charges.

A card like the Citi Double Cash Card should offer better long-term value since it earns 2 percent cash back on all purchases 1 percent when you buy and 1 percent when you pay off purchases. Read our full USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to offer details. You can also pool your points for a high redemption value in travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

People who only want a single everyday rewards card and frequent travelers looking to avoid annual fees and earn bonus rewards on more than just travel. Best for fair credit. Credit-builders who want to earn cash back and extend the ongoing value of their credit-building card.

Best for online shopping. The card features one of the highest year-round reward rates for online shopping at Amazon. com, which includes Whole Foods Market.

Whole Foods shoppers and Amazon Prime members who can take advantage of 5 percent back for both online purchases and groceries, a rare offer. Best for 2. Best for bad credit. Best for customizable rewards. Cash back credit cards reward you for eligible purchases by giving you a percentage of your purchase price back.

The flexibility, simplicity and ongoing value of cash back cards make them one of the more popular types of credit cards on the market. Chances are if you frequently spend on groceries , gas or other essentials, there's a cash back card that's a great fit for your wallet.

While cash back cards can put hundreds of dollars per year back into your wallet, they can also come with drawbacks. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of carrying a cash back card. Earn rewards : If you pick a card that fits your spending habits, you can earn some extra cash every month just by using your credit card.

Build credit : Used responsibly, a cash back credit card can help you improve your credit score by adding to your credit history. Sign-up bonuses : A first-year sign-up bonus or welcome offer can be worth a few hundred dollars if you can meet the spending requirement.

Some cards also hit you with a higher penalty APR if you are late making a payment, which can last a year or more.

Can be high maintenance : Some cards require you to periodically activate or enroll in your cash back category to earn cash back rewards. Fewer travel perks : You might not see a ton of travel benefits on cash back cards, like lounge access, free hotel room upgrades or a TSA Precheck application statement credit.

Cash back cards come in many forms. The best one for you depends on your spending habits and lifestyle. Before you apply, make sure you know the types of cash back cards available. Flat-rate cash back cards offer the same rewards rate for each eligible purchase. Tiered cash back cards offer different rates of cash back for different types of purchases, plus a flat rate of cash back on everything else.

For example, a tiered card may offer a boosted cash back rate of 3 percent on restaurant purchases, while all other purchases earn 1. To maximize your cash back earnings, carry multiple tiered cards that reward your most common purchases at high rates. Some credit cards offer bonus categories that change based on your preferences, your spending habits or the time of year.

Here are a few of the most common bonus category structures. Some of the most lucrative cash back credit cards require a paid membership. Co-branded credit cards with membership requirements generally let you earn rewards and extra perks at specific stores or service providers. 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 than a not-for-profit institution.

Membership requirements vary by credit union. Cash back cards differ in the reward categories they offer, though there are a few common categories you can expect to find. This should be your starting point.

Most of the best cash back credit cards require at least good credit. Evaluate your expenses to determine which cards reward the highest for your top spending categories.

Be sure the places you shop most are eligible for rewards based on how each card defines its bonus categories.

A card's sign-up bonus can add significantly to its short-term value. Make sure the spending requirement is fairly easy to reach, as carrying a balance will cut into your earnings. Flat-rate credit cards are a great option to earn consistent cash back on all purchases with minimal effort.

Bonus category cash back cards can offer higher cash back rates but require strategic spending to maximize rewards. Factor ongoing costs of keeping the card. For instance, you might decide a card's annual fee is worth it if you can offset the cost with rewards and perks.

Interest rates and common credit card fees , like late charges and balance transfer fees, can also eat into your cash back earnings. Cash back cards may come with an assortment of perks that can add value to your wallet, such as statement credits on select subscription services.

Rotating category cards typically require you to enroll in or activate your bonus cash back categories for the upcoming quarter to earn the higher bonus rate.

Welcome bonuses can deliver a substantial amount of value, and some cards are worth getting for the welcome bonus alone. Leaving this value on the table is a missed opportunity.

Just make sure you won't have to overspend to meet the spending requirement. A combination of cards will allow you to maximize your cash back opportunities when making purchases.

Shopping portals are common on many cash back cards. When I first got into rewards strategy, I went a little overboard, carrying a card for every spending category I could think of, constantly switching based on where I was shopping or which bonus category was available in a given quarter.

I even had a spreadsheet I used to track my purchases and cash back earnings. It eventually became a headache, though.

Now I take a more streamlined approach, focusing on a few key spending categories as I try to strike a balance between high earnings and low maintenance. Is my stack perfect? Definitely not. I still have a co-branded airline card, a rotating category card and a specific online retailer card sitting around, and using them could help me squeeze a little more earnings out of my purchases.

But for now, five cards is plenty to juggle. People who spend across a wide variety of categories can often combine cards from the same issuer for greater effect.

For example, by having a Chase Freedom Flex, Chase Freedom Unlimited and a Chase Sapphire card, you can use the Chase Trifecta 's bonus categories to maximize rewards. Americans are starting off by breaking records, though not the kind we should celebrate.

Credit card delinquency remains low, according to the Fed, but carrying a balance for any length of time usually means people are paying more for their purchases than the purchase price. Pay your balances in full and on time at the end of each statement period to avoid carrying interest on your account.

This could help you move towards using your cards as a financial tool and not a crutch. When evaluating the best cash back cards, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards in popular categories to scoring a large sign-up bonus or high-value perks.

Whenever possible, we also feature cards that are available at various credit levels and price points. In other words, we assess whether the card earns rewards at a high rate in the most popular spending categories.

We also estimate the redemption value of points or miles from various rewards programs. With these calculations complete, we assign each card a score based on how its average rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value, rewards rate and redemption value stack up against other rewards cards.

The better these values, the higher its score will be, making it more worthy of inclusion in our list and increasing its potential ranking. We also score cards based on how much it costs to keep them in your wallet or carry a balance.

To start, each card is scored based on whether it offers an intro APR and how its ongoing APR compares to the rates available on other rewards cards. Cards with an annual fee will always be at a slight disadvantage in our scoring system since annual fees inherently cut into your rewards value.

However, if a card offers terrific value via its ongoing rewards and perks, it can earn a high score and a spot in our list even if it carries a high annual fee. After all, the highest rewards rates and most valuable perks are often found on cards with annual fees.

With this in mind, we rate a card based primarily on how its ongoing rewards value and ongoing perk value such as annual credits or bonuses stack up against those of other cards in the category when you subtract annual fees. That said, we strive to include as many no-annual-fee options in our list as possible since many people would rather not worry about offsetting fees, even if a card carries impressive rewards and perks.

Rewards cards may make it easy to earn a lot of points, miles or cash back, but how easy is it to use those rewards? Flexibility factors include whether a card only allows you to earn a high rewards rate on only a small amount of spending or requires you to meet a certain earning threshold before you can redeem rewards.

We also examine whether your points are worth less when you opt for some redemption options over others and whether a card gives you the flexibility to transfer rewards to travel partners.

In evaluating the best cards, we tend to favor cards that offer at least Tier 3 benefits, unless they include other unique features that could make up for less-impressive perks.

Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email , find us on Facebook , or Tweet us Bankrate. For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer. The right credit card for you will depend on your spending habits and the perks that matter most to you. Travel cards are great for people who know they want to redeem rewards for travel expenses like airline and hotel bookings.

Travel cards also make sense if you want perks like hotel or airline elite status, free checked bags , free hotel stays or airport lounge access. But even some of the best travel credit cards for beginners charge an annual fee, and the fee for premium travel cards that offer luxury perks can be quite high.

Cash back cards can be simpler to use and offer more flexibility in how you can earn and redeem rewards, with some allowing you to use rewards for cash back, travel spending and more.

You may not receive cold, hard cash, but issuers offer redemption options like a direct deposit into a checking account, mailed checks, statement credits or gift cards.

Perhaps the closest you can get to redeeming rewards for physical cash is through a Wells Fargo card that allows you to redeem for cash withdrawals at eligible ATMs. It depends on how you plan to redeem your rewards. If you plan to deposit your cash rewards into a high-yield savings account, it's best to redeem often so that you don't lose out on interest.

However, if you prefer to use your rewards for travel, you might save up your rewards to help cut future travel costs. In fact, your cash back might be worth more if you redeem through an issuer's travel portal , like Chase Ultimate Rewards.

To maximize your earnings, check your issuer's redemption options and be strategic in how and when you redeem. Flat-rate cards do not require any pre-planning, which is great.

You buy what you buy and earn cash back at the same rate for everything. To make the most of cash back cards that have rotating categories, however, you have to pay a bit more attention. For example, if a card offers 5 percent cash back at Amazon in Q4, you may consider doing most of your holiday shopping through that site.

I like to have both a flat-rate and rotating cash back card in my wallet — particularly a flat-rate card that earns at a higher rate usually 1. I have found the most difficult part of maximizing rotating category cash-back cards is keeping track of which categories are currently earning bonus cash back.

Setting reminders and keeping a rewards calendar helps, especially if you have multiple cards of each type. Of course, you also want to make sure you are putting the right expense on the right card to maximize the rewards.

Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Apply for a credit card with confidence. When you find your odds, you get:.

A personalized list of cards ranked by likelihood of approval. No credit hits. Your personal information and data are protected with bit encryption.

That means:. All of your personal information is protected with bit encryption. Your financial information, like annual income and employment status, helps us better understand your credit profile and provide more accurate approval odds.

Your financial information, like annual income and employment status, helps us better understand your credit profile. Having a clearer picture of your credit profile will help us ensure that your approval odds are as accurate as possible.

Your answer should account for all personal income, including salary, part-time pay, retirement, investments and rental properties. You do not need to include alimony, child support, or separate maintenance income unless you want to have it considerd as a basis for repaying a loan. Knowing your rent or mortgage payments helps us calculate your debt-to-income ratio DTI which is your monthly debt payments divided by your pre-tax monthly income.

Why does DTI matter? We need the last four digits of your social security number to run a soft credit pull. We need the last four digits of your Social Security number to run a soft credit pull. This helps us locate your profile and identify cards that you may qualify for.

Your information is protected by bit encryption. A soft credit pull will not affect your credit score. Last step! Once you enter your email and agree to terms:. Which cards are eligible for Regions Offers? Can retailers and service providers see my account information or card number?

How long does it take for the cash back to appear on my account? It could take up to 90 days from the date of your purchase for the cash back to be credited to your account or Now Card.

Cash back will be applied to your credit card account as a statement credit, not as a payment. You must still make your minimum payment required by the due date.

More Regions Offers FAQs. Regions Offers. The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is a decent option for those in need of a straightforward cash back card. However, there are other options that offer more flexibility to redeem your rewards.

Read our full review of the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card. The Capital One SavorOne is a great cash-back credit card for beginners looking for a solid cash back structure and no annual fee.

Read our full review of the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. The Chase Ink Business Cash is an excellent no annual fee card for small business owners. Read our full review of the Ink Business Cash Credit Card. The Blue Cash Everyday card is a good option for people who want a simple cash-back structure with no annual fee.

You'll earn bonus cash-back on popular bonus categories, including U. supermarkets and U. gas stations. Read our full review of the Blue Cash Everyday card. It has bonus categories that match the spending patterns of many busy, modern-day U.

Its rewards are simple to use, as they come in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as statement credit or at Amazon. Families that spend a fair amount on groceries and streaming services and who want to keep their rewards simple will do great with adding the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card.

It should not be used by frequent international travelers while abroad as it does have a 2. Compared to the 1. If you want to earn bonus cash back on purchases at U. supermarkets and gas stations without an annual fee see rates and fees , you can instead look to The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express , which awards bonus cash back in many of the same categories.

It was a no brainer for me! However, with the Citi Double Cash, if you add a more premium card, such as the Citi Premier® Card see rates and fees , to your wallet down the line, you can convert those rewards to more valuable Citi ThankYou points.

Freelancers and independent contractors love the ability to earn 1. Plus, there are no earning limits on this card. There are two types of business owners who will benefit from this card.

The first is the person looking for a card with a lucrative earning structure but no annual fee. This is an ideal card for everyday business expenses. The first two cards maximize my points-earning on things like office supply, internet and phone purchases, while the Ink Unlimited covers everything else with a flat 1.

The fact that I have the Ink Preferred means I can convert my cash back from the Ink Unlimited into more valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. This no-annual-fee card will stay in my wallet for years to come. Those with banking and investment accounts at Bank of America can bump their earning rate up to 2.

As the name suggests, the Citi Custom Cash card is meant to be customized to fit your lifestyle — without you having to remember to select a bonus category each month.

The 10 eligible categories include things like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, gyms and home improvement stores. This card is best for those who have spending patterns that vary and want a card that can keep up. Maybe one month you splurge on concert tickets and the next you are cooking meals at home and leaning into grocery shopping — this card can adjust automatically to reward you where you are spending the most.

Customizable rewards means you have more control over your rewards strategy and can build a card that is personalized for your specific needs. One of the simplest and most rewarding cash-back cards out there is the Citi Double Cash Card.

You can even convert the cash back to ThankYou points via a linked ThankYou card, such as the Citi Prestige® Card or Citi Premier® Card see rates and fees. The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy.

The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Paired with my other Citi cards, it unlocks huge earning potential on everyday spending.

But perhaps even better is that the Chase Freedom Unlimited can be paired with a premium Chase credit card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve, to amp up the value of the rewards when used for travel. In fact, it makes up one-third of what we call the Chase Trifecta.

This makes it a good match for almost anyone, but especially for those who want to one day use some of their rewards for travel. It has solid bonus categories but also gives 1. And, if you have a higher-end Chase card, you can effectively convert these cash-back earnings into fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points.

The Quicksilver Cash Rewards card is a no-fuss card with a 1. This includes access to the Capital One Travel site, which even allows you to get some fare purchase protection on eligible flights if the price drops.

This card is great for those who occasionally travel and want access to some related Uber and travel site perks that come with the card — all while still keeping their rewards strategy very simple.

The Capital One SavorOne is the card to have for going out, eating out and seeing the latest concert — all with no annual fee see rates and fees. If you want a Capital One card with a higher everyday earning rate but without the category bonuses , look into the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card , which also has no annual fee see rates and fees but awards 1.

The Ink Business Cash is great for small-business owners who want to dip their toes into the Chase Ultimate Rewards world, since you can turn those cash-back rewards into fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points if you also have the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.

But my favorite perk is taking those cash-back rewards and combining them with my earnings from the Chase Sapphire Reserve. If you want the benefits of being in the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem and aren't a fan of keeping track of bonus categories, look at the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card , which also has no annual fee and awards 1.

supermarkets, U. gas stations and U. com checkout. If you want no annual fee and some popular bonus categories, then the Blue Cash Everyday Card may well be the best card for you.

This way, you can determine what type of cash back card would be best for you. If you are a particularly high spender, you could consider cash-back cards with annual fees that offer higher cash-back rates. Alternatively, you may spend a bunch on particular types of purchases — like dining or groceries.

Maybe your spending varies significantly from month to month. After you have identified your major spending categories, you will be able to choose a cash back card that offers the most rewards for your spending.

For example, if groceries are a major expense , consider a card that offers elevated earning rates on these purchases. Then, in order to maximize your cash-back rewards, consider getting a card with a flat-rate earning structure. Another way to maximize your cash-back cards is by using them alongside cash-back apps and online shopping portals.

Many popular sites like Rakuten give users bonus rewards on qualifying purchases, and this can be stacked with the cash back you earn by using your credit card. In addition, the major credit card issuers offer discounts or bonus rewards with targeted promotions on your spending — including Amex Offers , Chase Offers and Citi Merchant Offers.

A cash-back credit card awards you cash — or a cash-like reward — for every dollar charged to the card. Some cash-back credit cards offer a fixed amount rewarded back across all purchase categories, such as in the example above, while others award different percentages back in the form of rewards on various types of spending, such as dining or groceries.

Earned cash back is often awarded in the form of a statement credit. However, it may also be available for deposit into your bank account or via a check. The simplest cash-back credit cards are the ones that earn the same percentage of cash back on all purchases.

This flat rate is often 1. Many cash-back credit cards offer different amounts of cash back on various categories or purchases. For example, the bonus categories in the first quarter of the year might be restaurants and streaming services before switching to grocery stores and Amazon purchases in the second quarter of the year.

In some cases, you have to remember to activate the bonus categories each quarter in order to be eligible for the increased earnings. There is typically a cap on how much you can earn in cash back on those rotating categories per quarter. There are some cash-back credit cards that put the cardholder in the driver seat and let them choose the categories that earn bonus cash back.

With some of these cards, you make the selections yourself. One of the largest cash back credit card mistakes is not selecting the right category to earn the most on your spending. Others automatically give bonus cash back in the eligible category you spent the most in within a billing cycle.

While most cash-back credit cards are available to anyone who meets their approval requirements, a few deem it necessary to have a specific membership in order to be a cardholder.

This may include having a membership to a warehouse store, a specific bank or credit union, or another entity. Some stores will offer a co-branded store card with an elevated cash back rate. Choosing between a credit card or store card will mostly be dictated by your spending but we generally recommend a general cash back card over a co-branded store card.

Many banks like Chase and Capital One have online shopping sites for their cardholders. These sites link out to hundreds of online retailers, such as Home Depot, Gap, Apple and Target.

This is most common with cards that have rotating bonus categories or the option to select your own bonus categories.

Should you frequently find yourself paying interest on your rewards credit card purchases, know that you are likely paying more for the rewards and cash back than they are worth. The cash back vs points debate is a common credit card contention.

Some credit cards reward you with airline miles, hotel points or flexible travel points that can be used in different ways to book that next trip. Sometimes, the points earned by those cards are worth a fixed value 1 cent per point, for example.

In other cases, the value of the points may vary based on how you use them. However, with cash-back credit cards, you are earning a cash equivalent reward. The benefit of this is that you can have more flexibility when it comes to using the rewards. Know, though, that whether a cash-back credit card is the absolute best option for you ultimately depends on your spending patterns and the goals you have for your credit card rewards.

When you charge a purchase to your cash-back credit card, you earn rewards based on the percentage of cash back your card awards in that purchase category.

You are then able to cash out your rewards via options such as a statement credit, a check, a deposit in your checking account, etc. They want you to use them frequently so they can make money off of interchange fees charged to the retailers and potential interest fees. Having the card provide you a reward for using it in the form of cash back is a way for the card issuer to encourage you to select that card over the others in your wallet when it comes time to make a purchase.

The one that will result in the most cash back for you depends on your spending patterns and what other cards you already have in your wallet.

Typically, cash-back rewards do not expire as long as your card remains open and in good standing. However, you should check the terms and conditions of your specific cash-back card to know the circumstances under which your cash-back rewards could expire or otherwise be forfeited. While you should always consult an accountant for specific tax advice, rewards earned from purchases on your credit cards usually are not taxable, as they are considered purchase rebates.

That said, if you get cash back from something other than a purchase such as for referring a friend to the card , that may be considered taxable. Essentially, yes. No one from the bank is likely to walk up and hand you some crisp bills after using your cash-back credit card, but you will earn cash back in the form of a statement credit, a deposit in your bank account, a check or another method.

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