CNBC's top cash-back credit cards for 2024.
Earning hundreds of dollars in rewards each year is possible with the right cash-back card.
To assist you in selecting the ideal cash-back card, we analyzed over 50 of the most popular cards and evaluated their benefits, annual fees, and spending categories based on consumer habits.
Our top picks for the best cash-back credit cards in 2024, as determined by CNBC Select's methodology, are:
Best for 0%-APR offer
This card is perfect for those seeking a cash rewards card that provides a lengthy intro APR for purchases and balance transfers. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months from account opening (20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% variable APR thereafter). The balance transfer fee is 3% for 120 days from account opening ($5 minimum), then up to 5% with a $5 minimum.
This card offers 2% cash rewards on all purchases and built-in cell phone protection, making it a valuable choice.
Best for flat-rate cash back
If you want to maximize your money without worrying about rotating reward categories, the Citi Double Cash® Card is a great option. You can earn 1% cash back on purchases and 1% when you pay off your bill, making it a popular choice among cardholders.
The rewards program is easy to use, has no activation required, and there is no annual fee or limit to the amount of cash back you can earn.
You can transfer your rewards earned with this card to three of Citi's travel partners: Wyndham, JetBlue, and Choice Privileges. Additionally, if you pair this card with the Citi Premier® Card, you can transfer your rewards to all of Citi's partner travel programs, including Turkish Airlines, Avianca, and Singapore Airlines.
Best for no annual fee
This card is suitable for anyone seeking a comprehensive rewards card without an annual fee.
Enjoy discounts and special perks with Lyft, Instacart and more without paying an annual fee.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers cash back, but it can be combined with other Chase cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. If you have cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you can transfer your cash-back rewards to those cards. This allows you to expand your options for redeeming your rewards because you can transfer those points to all of Chase's airline and hotel partners.
Best for average credit
What are cash-back cards for people with fair/average credit? The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a competitive 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no limit on the amount of cash back you can earn.
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers no foreign transaction fees and provides access to CreditWise, which tracks your TransUnion and Experian credit reports.
Best for students
A student card, such as the Discover it® Student Cash Back, can aid in building credit and earning cash back. To be eligible, you must fulfill certain conditions: enroll in a two- or four-year college, be at least 18 years old, and be a U.S. citizen.
The Discover it® Student Cash Back card offers no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, making it a suitable option for students studying abroad.
Best for rotating bonus categories
If you want to maximize rewards, a rotating bonus category card like the Chase Freedom Flex® may be suitable. The cash-back calendar changes every quarter, and you can learn more about how Chase classifies bonus category purchases.
You can enjoy discounts and special perks with partners like Lyft and Instacart, in addition to rotating rewards.
If you maximize the Freedom Flex card's rotating quarterly bonus categories, you'll earn an extra $300 cash back throughout the year. However, if you have a Chase card that allows Ultimate Rewards points transfers (such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred), you can transfer your rewards to that card and potentially increase their value.
Types of cash-back credit cards
Flat-rate, bonus rewards, and rotating category are the three main types of credit cards that offer cash-back perks and rewards programs.
- Flat-rate cash-back cards offer the same amount of cash back on all purchases.
- Cash-back cards provide additional rewards on specific purchases, including gas, groceries, dining, and travel.
- Certain categories on rotating cash-back cards provide higher cash-back rates that change every month or quarter.
Having one or more cash-back cards can be beneficial for you based on your spending habits.
How to choose a cash-back credit card
Selecting the right cash-back card can be challenging due to the numerous options available. To make an informed decision, consider several factors when choosing a credit card.
Before choosing a cash-back card, consider whether you are willing to pay the annual fee.
Would you like to take advantage of a 0% APR introductory period offered by many cash-back cards? If so, consider the Freedom Flex card, which provides an intro 0% APR for the first 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (then 20.49% - 29.24% variable APR). However, a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.
Reviewing your spending habits can help you determine the type of cash back you want to earn. If you spend a lot at the supermarket, consider a grocery rewards card, such as the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit). If your spending habits are unclear, stick with a flat-rate cash-back card, like the Citi Double Cash.
How to compare cash-back credit cards
Comparing credit cards can be helpful if you're having trouble deciding on the best cash-back card for your needs. Start by identifying the benefits you value and any deal breakers, such as an annual fee. Then, create a list of cards that offer those benefits so you can compare them side-by-side.
If you want a straightforward cash-back card without bonus activation, go for the Citi Double Cash. However, if you're willing to activate new categories quarterly and aim for maximum rewards, choose the Chase Freedom Flex.
Making the most of your card
Familiarize yourself with the credit card benefits and fees to maximize the use of your cash-back card. Review the annual fee, foreign transaction fees, and APR. Additionally, consider the cash-back rates and redemption options.
You can optimize your card once you're familiar with its terms. To ensure timely payments, set up autopay. Consider how you want to redeem cash back, and if there's an automatic redemption option, it can be a straightforward way to cash out your rewards.
If you have multiple credit cards, it's important to know the best time to use each card. For example, if you have the Citi Double Cash Card and the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card, use the Freedom Unlimited card for all your Chase Ultimate Rewards travel purchases (5% cash back), dining (3% cash back) and drugstore (3% cash back) expenses, then use the Double Cash for all your other purchases to earn an effective 2% cash back (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay).
Why trust CNBC Select?
Our mission at CNBC Select is to deliver top-notch service journalism and in-depth consumer advice to our readers, enabling them to make well-informed decisions when it comes to managing their finances. Each credit card review we publish is the result of thorough reporting by our team of expert writers and editors, who possess extensive knowledge of credit card products. At CNBC Select, we maintain the highest journalistic standards and ethics, and we earn a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links. However, our content creation process is entirely independent of our commercial team and any external third parties. To learn more about our methodology and how we select the best cash-back credit cards, please refer to our detailed guide.
Our methodology
Over 50 cash-back credit cards were evaluated by CNBC Select, which is a widely available credit card issued through FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions in the U.S. to determine which ones will put the most money back in your pocket.
We evaluated various cards based on multiple criteria, including cash-back rewards, annual fees, welcome bonuses, interest rates, balance transfer fees, and foreign transaction fees. Additionally, we took into account any extra benefits (such as travel or merchant credits), cardholder protections (such as purchase protection and liability insurance), the application process (such as credit checks or scores), and the ease of redeeming rewards (such as minimum redemption requirements).
We analyzed consumer spending data forecasts from Esri to determine where U.S. consumers are spending the most money, such as on dining and travel. We used this information to help determine the most useful bonus categories for consumers. Since the value of a point or mile varies based on what they can be redeemed for, we also considered factors like transferability and the ability to redeem for cash-back. Additionally, we utilized CNBC Select audience data, including general demographics and engagement with our content and tools, to further refine our analysis.
Stay up to date with CNBC Select's comprehensive coverage of credit cards, banking, and money by following us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
To learn about the rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Discover it® Miles, click here.
The information about the Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students has been gathered by Select without the issuer's review or approval before publication.
Some of the benefits listed for Capital One products are provided by Visa or Mastercard and may differ depending on the product. Check the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
