January 8, 2026
Written by Jessica Martel
Certified Financial Education Instructor®
Certified Financial Education Instructor®
Jessica Martel, CFEI®, is a freelance writer and professional researcher. She specializes in personal finance and financial literacy. Her work has appeared on websites, such as Investopedia, Forbes Advisor, Time.com, Seeking Alpha, and more. Jessica has a Master of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology.
Cash back cards give you cash back and other rewards on your purchases.
A flat-rate cash-back card allows you to earn on every purchase.
Category-based cash back cards let you earn on specific categories like groceries, gas, or streaming.
Pay your balance in full each month so your interest charges don't outweigh the rewards you earn.
APR rates and other account details are for informational purposes only and are accurate as of Nov. 5, 2025. Check the latest account details and agreements before signing up for any cashback or rewards product. The use of any third-party trademarks is for informational purposes only. Chime has no sponsorship, endorsement, or affiliation with any of the financial institutions referenced.
What is a cash back card and how does it work?
Cash back cards allow you to earn cash on your everyday purchases. Different cash back cards offer different rewards and redemption structures. Many cash back cards offer benefits, such as a 0% introductory annual percentage rate (APR) and welcome bonuses.
With so many cash back cards on the market, how do you choose the one that's right for you? You can start by comparing some of the key features:
Feature | What to consider |
|---|---|
Rewards structure | Category: Earn a higher rate of cash back in certain areas (groceries, gas). |
Annual fee | Annual fee: Cards with a fee might earn higher rewards or perks. |
Signup bonus | With a signup bonus you can earn more after spending a certain amount – for example, earn $200 if you spend $1,500 in six months. |
Intro APR offer | Some cards offer a 0% intro APR for a certain amount of time on purchases and/or balance transfers. |
When choosing a cash back card, you can ask yourself the following questions to help guide your decision.
Where do you spend most of your money? If you spend a lot in a particular area, such as dining out, consider a category-based cash back card. If you prefer a consistent cash back rate on all purchases, a flat-rate cash card might make more sense.
Are you willing to pay a yearly fee? Cards with an annual fee may offer higher rewards or perks but only if you spend enough to offset the fee.
Can you meet the minimum spending requirement? While a signup bonus can boost the amount of cashback you earn, it's only useful if you can meet the minimum spend requirement and afford to pay your credit card off in full. Carrying a balance can negate any signup bonus you earn.
Are you planning to make a big purchase? A cash back card with a 0% intro APR can give you time to pay off a big purchase gradually, without having to pay interest.
Here are our top picks for the best cash back cards of 2026. Whether you want to earn cash back on groceries, gas, or a simple flat rate on everyday purchases, there's a cash back card that's right for you.
Chime® Visa® Debit Card
If a large portion of your money goes towards everyday purchases like food and gas, start putting money back in your pocket with Chime Deals®.1 Use Chime's app to browse different cash back deals.
Rewards rate: Rates vary based on Chime Deals.
Annual fee: $0
Standout features: Fee-free feature for Chime members; personalized cash back deals. No extra card needed, simply tap or swipe any physical Chime card. All cash back is automatically deposited into your Chime Checking Account within 10 business days. Works seamlessly with mobile wallets for easy, contactless checkout; no minimum balance required to earn rewards.
Best for: Groceries and gas.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
With no spending categories or caps on spending, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card makes it incredibly simple to earn cash back on all purchases.
Rewards rate: 2% flat rate on all purchases.
Annual fee: $0
Standout features: Bonus offer. Rewards never expire as long as the account stays open.1
Best for: Spenders who want to keep it simple.
Discover it® Cash Back
If you like to shake things up with rotating earn categories, Discover it® Cash Back is worth your consideration. As a new cardholder, you can double your cash back earnings in the first year.
Rewards rate: 5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to the quarterly maximum), 1% on all other purchases.2
Annual fee: $0
Standout features: Signup offer. Automatic redemption options make it easy to claim rewards.2
Best for: Spenders who can maximize rotating categories.
Citi Double Cash® Card
With no annual fee and a simple rewards model of 2% cash back on all purchases, it's easy to earn with a Citi Double Cash® Card.
Rewards rate: 2% on all purchases (1% cash back on every purchase, plus 1% as you pay off the purchases).2
Annual fee: $0
Standout features: Rewards can be converted into Citi ThankYou® Points for added flexibility.3
Best for: Simple cash back rewards with no annual fee.
Citi Custom Cash® Card
If you love to dine out, then the Citi Customer Cash® Card can help you save. With a high rewards rate and no annual fee, you can earn cash back each time you try a new restaurant.
Rewards rate: 5% on top spending category (up to $500 per month), 1% on all other purchases.4
Annual fee: $0
Standout features: Flexible categories that adapt as your spending changes.4
Best for: Foodies who like to dine out.
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
With no annual fee and an opportunity to earn a competitive cash back rate when you eat and stream, Capital One SavorOne is a great option for students.
Rewards rate: Unlimited 3% cashback on groceries, dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services, earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.5
Annual fee: $0
Standout features: Signup offer. No foreign transaction fees for students studying abroad.5
Best for: Students completing higher education.
APR rates and other account details are for informational purposes only and are accurate as of Nov. 5, 2025. Check the latest account details and agreements before signing up for any cashback or rewards product. The use of any third-party trademarks is for informational purposes only. Chime has no sponsorship, endorsement, or affiliation with any of the financial institutions referenced.
When it comes to cash back cards, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. With so many cards on the market, it can feel overwhelming to narrow down your options. Luckily, we're here to help.
Use our list of the best cash back cards to start your search. When making your decision, consider where you spend most of your money and what key factors are most important to you.
To learn about credit cards, check out the top types of credit cards and their benefits.
If used responsibly (you pay off your balance in full each month and keep your credit utilization low) a cash back card won't hurt your credit score.
To maximize cash back rewards, choose a card that rewards you for what you already spend money on.
For instance, if you spend a large portion of your money on groceries or gas, choose a card with a high earn rate in those categories.
You can also look for cards that offer a generous welcome bonus. Lastly, aim to pay your balance in full each month so your interest charges don't wipe out the rewards you earn.
While cash back cards can be a great way to earn on everyday purchases, it's important to practice responsible credit use. Avoid spending more on your credit card because you feel the need to earn more cash back. Instead, treat your credit card like a debit card and only spend what you can afford.
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Chime is not FDIC-insured. The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A. are the FDIC-insured members. Deposit insurance covers the failure of an insured bank. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through deposit insurance coverage to apply. FDIC deposit insurance limit is $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, per ownership category.
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Opinions, advice, services, or other information or content expressed or contributed here by customers, users, or others, are those of the respective author(s) or contributor(s) and do not necessarily state or reflect those of The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A. (“Banks”). Banks are not responsible for the accuracy of any content provided by author(s) or contributor(s).
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This guide is for informational purposes only. Chime does not provide financial, legal, or tax advice. You should check with your legal, financial, or tax advisor for advice specific to your situation.
Eligibility requirements and limits apply. Cash back rates may vary. Check the Chime app for merchant offer details. See Chime Deals® Terms and Conditions.
Third-party trademarks referenced for informational purposes only; no endorsements implied.
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Chime® is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.