The top credit cards that offer 2% cashback on all purchases.

Maximize your spending with flat-rate cash-back credit cards, which offer easy-to-redeem cashback and at least 2% back on every purchase, double the standard 1% return for non-bonus purchases.

To simplify your finances, CNBC Select has evaluated the top credit cards that offer at least 2% cash back in all locations, helping you make an informed decision. (For more details on our selection process, please refer to our methodology.)

Best for 0% APR on purchases

If you need to finance a large purchase and earn rewards simultaneously, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a great fit.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers an intro 0% APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 12 months from account opening. After that, a variable APR of 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% applies. Balance transfers made within 120 days from account opening qualify for the intro APR, with an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount transferred ($5 minimum). The standard balance transfer fee of 5% of the amount transferred ($5 minimum) applies to transfers made after 120 days.

Best for balance transfers

If you're looking for a card that offers a little bit of everything, including a welcome bonus, excellent return on all purchases, and access to transfer partners, the Citi Double Cash® Card is a great option.

The Citi Double Cash Card offers new account holders a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers completed within the first four months of account opening. After the intro APR expires, a variable APR of 18.74% - 28.74% applies based on creditworthiness. An intro balance transfer fee of 3% of the transfer amount ($5 minimum) applies for the first four months, then the transfer fee increases to 5% of the amount of each transfer ($5 minimum).

Best for side hustles

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card offers valuable features for individuals with small businesses, side hustles, or freelance gigs, including an intro APR, intro bonus, and shopping protections.

The New Amex Blue Business Cash account offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, followed by a variable APR of 17.99% to 25.99% (see rates and fees) based on creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. The APR will not exceed 29.99%.

Best for investing

If you want to grow your retirement or investment accounts using credit card rewards, the Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Card may be suitable for you.

Earn 2% cash back on all purchases with the Fidelity Rewards Visa Card and deposit the rewards into up to five eligible Fidelity accounts, including IRAs, 529s, and HSAs.

Best for businesses

This card is ideal for business owners seeking to minimize expenses and maximize profits with no annual fee and an unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases.

An introductory APR of 0% on purchases for 12 months is available when you open the account, followed by a variable APR of 17.99% to 25.99% after that period.

Best for easy redemptions

This card is perfect for those who want a no-nonsense card with no need for redemptions.

Your cash back earnings are automatically credited to your account as a statement credit within two billing cycles, eliminating the need to choose from options or worry about misusing your rewards.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card provides exceptional rewards, particularly for a card that comes with intro-APR offers.

Rewards

2% cash rewards on eligible purchases

Welcome bonus

After spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, you will receive a $200 cash rewards bonus.

Annual fee

Notable perks

You can obtain cell phone protection when you pay your monthly wireless phone bill with the card. This coverage has a $25 deductible and covers up to $600 per claim for theft, loss, and damage of a cell phone (up to two claims maximum per 12 months). Additionally, the card provides roadside dispatch, travel and emergency assistance services, and rental car insurance.

Citi Double Cash® Card

The Citi Double Cash Card earns points that can be redeemed for additional options.

Rewards

Through the Citi Travel℠ portal, you can earn 5% cash back on hotel, car rental, and attraction bookings by 12/31/25.
Earn 2% cash back on every purchase and an additional 1% as you pay, with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy. To qualify for cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.

Welcome bonus

After opening an account and spending $1,500 on purchases within the first six months, you will receive a cash back reward of $200.

Annual fee

Notable perks

You can redeem the cash back/Citi ThankYou® points you earn for direct deposits, statement credits, gift cards, travel and more, and you also have access to three of Citi's travel partners: Wyndham Rewards, JetBlue TrueBlue and Choice Privileges.

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card offers increased rewards for businesses with annual credit card spending of up to $50,000.

Rewards

Eligible purchases of up to $50,000 in the first calendar year receive 2% cash back, while all other purchases receive 1% cash back.
1% back on all other purchases
Terms apply

Welcome bonus

You will receive a $250 statement credit upon reaching $3,000 in purchases within the first three months of using your card.

Annual fee

Notable perks

Eligible purchases are protected by purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and rental car insurance with this card.

The eligibility and benefit level vary by card. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

The eligibility and benefit level for each card vary. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. This coverage is underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company, and Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is provided through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Card

The Fidelity Rewards Visa Signature Card is an excellent match for various Fidelity investment accounts.

Rewards

2% cash back on all purchases

Welcome bonus

None

Annual fee

Notable perks

The Fidelity Rewards card, as a Visa Signature credit card, provides benefits such as lost luggage reimbursement, travel accident insurance, roadside assistance, and travel and emergency assistance services.

Signify Business Cash℠ Card by Wells Fargo

The Signify Business Cash℠ Card by Wells Fargo offers significant value without an annual fee for a business card.

Rewards

2% cash rewards on all purchases

Welcome bonus

After spending $5,000 in the first three months, you will receive a $500 cash rewards bonus.

Annual fee

Notable perks

This card offers Mastercard ID Theft Protection, travel accident insurance, and primary rental car coverage. Additionally, you can enroll for a Priority Pass airport lounge membership, but it comes with a per-visit fee.

Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®

The Synchrony Premier World Mastercard® is a cash-back credit card that offers automatic statement credits for rewards, with no annual fee and no frills.

Rewards

2% cash back on all purchases

Welcome bonus

None

Annual fee

Notable perks

Mastercard benefits, such as ID theft protection and travel and lifestyle services, are available with the Synchrony Premier card.

Pros and cons of 2% cash-back credit cards

A flat-rate cash-back credit card that earns 2% or more is a good option as it has no annual fee and rewards you from the start. However, other credit card rewards such as flexible travel rewards can be more valuable. If you want premium protections and perks like airport lounge access, you should consider a good travel credit card or a premium rewards credit card.

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 with their money. Each credit card review 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 take pride in our journalistic standards and ethics, and we earn a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links. However, our content is created without any input from our commercial team or external third parties. To learn more about our methodology for selecting the best 2% cash-back credit cards, please refer to our website.

Our methodology

CNBC Select assessed various 2%-cash-back credit cards offered by FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions in the U.S. to determine which ones would return the most money to customers.

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).

To determine the most useful bonus categories for consumers, we analyzed Esri's consumer spending data forecasts from location intelligence to identify where U.S. consumers are spending the most money, particularly on dining and travel.

We took into account CNBC Select audience data, including demographics and engagement with our content and tools, when possible.

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To learn about the rates and fees of the American Express Blue Business Cash Card, please visit this link.