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		Best with No Annual Fee	Best for Dining	Best for Rotating Categories
	Blue Money Preferred® Card from American Express	Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card	Capital One Savor Card	Chase Freedom Flex℠
	Our Partner	Our Partner	Our Partner	Our Partner
	Learn More	Learn More	Learn More	Learn More
Annual Fee	$95	$0	$95	$0
Base Rate	1%	1.5%	1%	1%
Foremost Bonus Categories	6% at U.S. supermarkets as much as the primary $6,000 spent annually	5% on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®	4% on dining, entertainment and groceries	5% on quarterly categories as much as $1,500 spent each quarter

Getting something back in your on a regular basis purchases might be top-of-the-line reasons to make use of a bank card.

While most cards in the marketplace offer a wide range of rewards and perks, the very best money back bank cards will reward you in a simple, tangible way: by supplying you with a set percentage of what you spend, delivered right to your account or, in some cases, your door in the shape of a check.

Read our guide to search out out which cards offer the best money back rates and select the best one for you.

Our Top Picks for Money Back Credit Cards of March 2023

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Best Money Back Credit Cards Reviews

Why we selected it: Alliant’s bank card has a bonus over all other flat rate cards: a 2.5% money back on every qualifying purchase as much as $10,000 spent monthly. That’s a possible $3,000 in money back per 12 months.

This card by Alliant Credit Union offers the best flat-rate money back around: 2.5% on every purchase, as much as the primary $10,000 spent per billing cycle. It is a potential $3,000 in the event you spend the total amount; after that, you possibly can still keep earning unlimited money back at a base rate of 1.5%.

While the speed is definitely attractive, earning it does involve certain requirements. To qualify for the two.5% earning rate, you’ve to be an Alliant Tier One customer. This implies cardholders should have an Alliant High-Rate Checking account, keep a median day by day balance of $1,000 or more, join for eStatements and make no less than one electronic deposit a month.

This might be onerous and even inaccessible for some potential customers. Nevertheless, in the event you can easily meet these requirements, the two.5% can be well value it. In case you don’t qualify for the two.5% rewards, you’ll still get money back, but at a 1.5% rate.

Along with its high rewards, the cardboard includes significant perks, resembling travel accident insurance, purchase protection and other warranty policies. This makes the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature a really complete package that, when paired with no annual fee, can yield enormous savings.

Why we selected it: Simply put, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers more bonus categories and better money back rates than most no-annual-fee cards — higher, the truth is, than than some cards that do charge an annual fee.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of the crucial popular bank cards and with good reason. Its high reward rates, travel and rental automotive insurance, and lack of an annual fee make it top-of-the-line cards around.

Originally, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® only provided 1.5% of unlimited money back on all purchases. In 2020, nonetheless, Chase added a 5% money back on travel purchases when booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores while keeping 1.5% on all other purchases.

These advantages, together with rental collision waiver and flight cancellation insurance, make it top-of-the-line cards for travel. Do note that it has a pesky 3% foreign transaction fee, which applies to any purchase you make abroad.

Finally, Chase Ultimate Rewards® regularly provides promotional offers for cardholders, and you possibly can often rise up to twenty% money back at specific stores upon activation.

Courtesy of American Express

Why we selected it: The Blue Money Preferred® Card by American Express offers incredibly high rewards, especially with regards to groceries and transportation.

American Express® cards are known for providing loads of rewards and luxury perks, and the Blue Money Preferred® Card is definitely its best money back bank card.

It offers one among the best rates on the market with regards to groceries — 6% money back at U.S. supermarkets as much as the primary $6,000 spent, after which you get 1%. That’s a possible $360 back per 12 months for a family or anyone that may really max out the category, plus nonetheless much you earn with the next 1%. (Terms apply. Click here for applicable rates and charges.)

Cardholders also get 6% back on select streaming services, including fan favorites like Netflix, Hulu and Spotify. Which means that, depending on what number of subscriptions you’ve, you might recover from $30 back a 12 months only for binge-watching your favorite shows.

Whether you and your loved ones commute by automotive or use public transportation, this card has money back rewards for you. It offers 3% money back on U.S. gas stations, public transportation resembling trains and buses, plus tolls and even parking.

The largest downside is the cardboard’s $95 annual fee. While it also comes with advantages resembling secondary rental automotive insurance, purchase protection and more, the $95 won’t be value it in case your grocery shopping is minimal and/otherwise you don’t commute much.

If the annual fee is a deal-breaker, you can too take a take a look at the Blue Money On a regular basis® by American Express. It offers 3% back on U.S. supermarkets, U.S. online shopping and U.S. gas stations, as much as $6,000 on each of those categories, and 1% after.

Why we selected it: The Capital One Savor is practically custom-made for an excellent night out, offering high rewards on dining in addition to entertainment.

Many cards offer bonus rewards on dining and takeout; nonetheless, in case your week commonly includes date nights and hitting the town to catch games and live shows, few come near the Capital One Savor.

It offers 4% money back on dining, which incorporates all sit-down restaurants, coffee shops and fast food places. It also offers 4% on entertainment resembling concert events, movies, sporting events and more, in addition to streaming services. Nevertheless, you possibly can double this entertainment rate to eight% in the event you purchase tickets through Capital One Entertainment.

If you should cook at home, you possibly can profit from the three% money back on groceries. Capital One, NA may be very specific with food market purchases, though, excluding wholesale clubs and super stores like Goal and Walmart. To see what qualifies for this rate, check Capital One, NA’s list to be certain.

Consider that this version of the cardboard has a $95 annual fee. In case you don’t exit to eat much, the no-annual-fee Capital One SavorOne Money Rewards Credit Card might be a greater option.

Why we selected it: The Wells Fargo Lively Money® Card is as straightforward as cards come, offering 2% on all purchases, together with an amazing intro offer to jump-start your earnings.

Flat-rate money back cards are great for anybody who just desires to earn rewards without complications. Just swipe away and get a set amount back each time. Within the case of the Wells Fargo Lively Money® Card, you get 2%, higher than the more common 1.5%.

As an extra bonus, the Wells Fargo Lively Money® stands out from many competitors by offering that 2% without restrictions or hoops to leap through. As of publication time, it also has a large introductory offer that surpasses that of most 2% flat-rate cards.

On top of this, the Wells Fargo Lively Money® Card offers mobile phone protection as much as $600, which most of its competitors lack, together with standard bank card security resembling fraud protection and alerts.

Why we selected it: Plain and straightforward, no other card offers 5% back on gas just like the Sam’s Club Mastercard® does — this, along with other great advantages, makes it an amazing option for avid Sam’s Club shoppers.

The Sam’s Club Mastercard® isn’t only for wholesale shopping fans because it also offers advantages outside the shop.

First, cardholders get a 1% base rate. Meaning 1% money back on every purchase, whether at Sam’s or not. You furthermore mght get 3% back on dining, a highly competitive rate within the category. Those that have the costlier, $100 Sam’s Plus membership can enjoy a complete 3% back on Sam’s Club purchases, though regular Club members will only get 1%.

Finally, all Sam’s Club Mastercard® users get a whopping 5% back at U.S. gas stations as much as the primary $6,000 spent every year, and 1% thereafter. In case you commute long hours or own a big gas-guzzler and reach that quantity, that’s $300 of money back every year, plus nonetheless much you earn with the opposite 1%.

You should use all this money back to pay at any Sam’s Club, each on the register or through the mobile app, or redeem it for actual money on the money register.

Having said that, the lackluster introductory offer, the shortage of any travel or purchase insurance and the have to be a Sam’s Club member are definite drawbacks. Nevertheless, in the event you live near Sam’s major competitor, take a look at the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, which offers 4% on gas up until the primary $7,000 spent, and 1% afterwards.

Why we selected it: The Chase Freedom Flex℠ packs great rewards and perks; add on the 5% money back on quarterly categories and it’s easily top-of-the-line cards within the category.

A card that simply offered 5% back on travel, 3% on two extra categories and nothing else would already be a number one contender for best money back card.

However the Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers that and more. It offers 5% on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, 3% on dining and drugstores, 1% on every little thing else, and a high 5% on rotating bonus categories as much as the primary $1,500 spent each quarter. The categories depend upon Chase’s money back calendar; for instance, you might get 5% back on gas one quarter, followed by the identical rate of rewards on purchases at Amazon the following.

It also offers significant insurance and protection, which is rare for cards with no annual fees. It has trip cancellation and delay insurance, mobile phone protection, prolonged warranties, purchase protection and more.

Consider that the Chase Freedom Flex℠ only offers 1% on regular purchases. In case you’re not going to make use of or keep track of the 5% rewards categories, you need to consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, our pick for best no-annual-fee card.

Why we selected it: With one among the best store-specific money back rates, and one among the most important product selections on the earth, this Amazon card can get you a whole bunch of dollars back a 12 months.

The quantity of services that tech giant Amazon offers is, arguably, the most important selection on the earth. A card that offers you 5% each time you hit that purchase button is unquestionably an excellent addition to your wallet.

You too can rise up to 10% on select products occasionally, in addition to get 5% at Whole Foods. In case you’re an enormous fan of that avocado, dairy-free ice cream, this card is made for you.

While you possibly can get the Amazon Prime Store Card and get 5% money back, the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature® Card by Chase offers additional advantages beyond that. Because it’s an everyday Visa®, you need to use it in every single place and still get rewarded. It offers 2% on dining, gas and drugstore purchases, in addition to 1% money back on every little thing else. Even when that is your only card, it’s a fairly good deal.

It also offers a wide range of insurance and protection services, including travel accident insurance, rental automotive collision waiver, luggage reimbursement, purchase protection and more.

In case you’re already a Prime member and do quite a lot of your shopping in Amazon-affiliated sites or stores, including using AmazonPay, this card is one among your best ways to get rewarded for it.

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Other money back bank cards we considered

Citi Custom Money℠

The Citi Custom Money℠ is comparable to a rotating categories card, but personalized. It offers 5% money back on the cardholder’s most used category each billing cycle, on spending as much as $500 a month. While it’s an amazing card, its low spending cap for extra money back, together with the absence of bonus categories, leaves it a little bit behind other options.

Discover it® Money Back

The Discover it® Money Back Card offers a money back match throughout the first 12 months, meaning it doubles nonetheless much you earned at the tip of the 12 months. Nevertheless, when you lose that perk after the primary 12 months, its reward rate isn’t as high as many competitors’.

Apple® Card

Apple’s bank card provides one of the crucial intuitive and transparent ways to pay on the market in the event you’re using Apple Wallet. It also has great rewards which are paid almost instantaneously. Nevertheless, its lack of intro offers and the necessity to use Apple Pay to earn these high rewards leaves it out from our top picks.

SoFi Credit Card

This SoFi card has an interesting approach to rewards, offering even higher payouts once you make deposits into an investment account. You get 3% money back throughout the first 12 months and a pair of% thereafter. Nevertheless, it’s actually a system of points that equates to a cent each (like money back) only when redeemed for shares or deposited right into a SoFi account. The speed drops considerably when used as a press release credit and might’t be redeemed as money outside of SoFi.

Bank of America® Customized Money Rewards Card

Courtesy of Bank of America

This card by Bank of America is, as its name suggests, customizable. You’ll be able to select a category each quarter and get a high 3% money back on qualifying purchases of as much as $2,500 each quarter. Preferred Rewards members, who must comply with hefty checking account requirements, can get even more money back on all categories. Nevertheless, unlike competitors, it doesn’t provide added features resembling travel insurance or prolonged warranties.

Money Back Credit Cards Guide

Bank cards could be complicated. Calculating and evaluating points versus money back could be confusing, plus other rewards, perks and insurance policies are hard to maintain track of.

On this guide, you’ll find details about money back rewards specifically, how they work and the best way to select the best card in your purchasing habits.

What are money back bank cards?

Even though it sounds too good to be true, money back bank cards do exactly that: they offer you a small amount of your spending back. Unlike points, that are subject to the issuer’s rewards program and formulas, money back corresponds to dollar value. That’s, in the event you spend $100 and your bank card offers 1% money back, you’ll get $1 back in your account.

This could be easy, like with the Apple® Card, but money back could also be paid monthly or yearly.

Depending in your preferences, money back earnings could be used as a press release credit to pay the cardboard back or as points within the issuer’s website, which you’ll then redeem for certain services. Or it might be actual money added to your checking account via direct deposit.

It’s essential to notice that different terms apply to different bank cards, and “qualifying purchases” or “eligible purchases” can mean various things. In some cases, qualifying purchases can mean those from specific stores or categories, while in other cases, some purchases yield no money back in any respect.

Nevertheless, in most bank cards (and all of our picks), this exception is frequently mentioned for the bottom rate or flat rate. Which means that you usually won’t get money back for transactions resembling money orders, balance transfers, individual to individual deals (except the PayPal Cashback Mastercard®), or things of that nature, but most purchases will no less than get the minimum money back.

Reading the cardboard’s tremendous print is very important, especially by way of specific exclusions about bonus categories or offers. For instance, some cards specify that wholesale clubs don’t qualify as supermarkets. Meaning purchases at Costco or other wholesale clubs won’t earn the high rate of rewards available for supermarkets, but you’ll still earn the bottom rate money back.

Sorts of money back bank cards

Most bank cards feature a particular style of reward structure, resembling a flat money back percentage on all purchases or using bonus categories, wherein the cardholder earns bonus rewards for purchases of a certain brand or form of services or products. Some cards might mix features of each of those reward structures and use a hybrid approach.

These are the predominant sorts of money back you’ll find:

Flat rate bank cards

Flat rate bank cards have a set money back percentage across the board. Anything you buy, except money orders, fee payments and similar transactions, will earn the pre-established percentage.

Most flat rate cards have the next money back base rate than other types. A typical flat rate card earns 1.5% money back. Lots of these feature “Unlimited” of their names, which, as that means, means there are not any monthly or annual spending limits past which you’ll’t earn rewards. Nevertheless, unlimited flat rate cards often wouldn’t have bonus categories that may garner you higher money back rates.

Recently, there’s been a spike in cards with a 2% across all purchases, resembling the Citi® Double Money Card and the Wells Fargo Lively Money® Card.

These are great selections for many who need a single card to get high rewards on absolutely every little thing. For lucky cardmembers who pays expensive bills with their bank card, like rent or a automotive loan (in case your lender allows it without charging fees), this could be especially rewarding.

Bonus categories or tiered rewards bank cards

Many cards offer higher money back rates in special categories — in some cases, much higher. The categories can vary widely and depend upon the style of card you get. For instance, a specialized dining card may earn you bonus money back at restaurants, while a card partnered with a particular store might give extra rewards or special discounts on purchases with that retailer.

These rewards are often tiered. For instance, a card can offer 4% back on gas, 3% at drugstores, 2% on streaming and 1% on every little thing else. This minimum on every little thing else is commonly known as the bottom rate.

Rotating or quarterly categories cards

Some cards offer a set rate of money back, but change categories all year long. As an illustration, a card can offer 5% on gas throughout the first quarter of the 12 months, after which 5% on travel throughout the second.

This method often requires activation on the user’s part and regular attention to see what the calendar brings next.

Custom categories cards

Some bank card issuers let users select a particular bonus reward category every quarter from a preselected list.

Nevertheless, this method, similar to rotating categories, tends to have a low spending cap for bonus rewards and requires activation.

Money back categories

While they reward spending in a different way, most cards use Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) to discover purchases after which reward every one in a different way.

How issuers group and reward these categories could be flexible, nonetheless, which may work in your favor or not, depending in your shopping habits. For instance, in the event you buy groceries at a drugstore, you’ll get the speed awarded to drugstore purchases, not supermarkets. With some cards, meaning higher rewards; with others, it’s a lost opportunity.

These are among the commonest ones:

Restaurants. This includes restaurants, fast foods, cafes and most sit-down establishments. Some issuers use the word dining, which may sometimes (but not all the time) include takeout and delivery services.

Gas stations. This rewards you when paying on the pump, however it may also include other purchases on the gas station. One other possible category is transit, which generally includes gas, together with public transportation, paytolls, taxis, parking and more.

Travel. Travel doesn’t just include airfare, but hotels and rental cars as well. While hottest travel-focused cards use points systems, there are some money back options with high travel rewards once you use their digital portals for booking vacations.

Supermarkets. Often specified as “U.S. Supermarkets,” that is just what it appears like. Nevertheless, in lots of cases the category excludes wholesale stores like Costco and stores resembling Walmart and Goal®. This category of spending will also be called groceries.

Retailers. Some stores are likely to offer high reward rates in the event you use their co-branded cards at their retail locations. On this case, it’s not a lot a category but advantages you possibly can get from purchases made with a selected store or brand.

Streaming services. Some cards offer high rewards on select streaming services, which considering all the present options, can amount to quite a bit. You’ll want to check each issuer’s list of approved services to make sure your favorites are included.

Utilities. Bills resembling energy, water and web could be categorized as utilities and yield higher rewards with certain cards. Some issuers are more specific; the best business bank cards, for instance, often reward paying for telecommunication services.

Pros and cons of money back bank cards

There are two predominant sorts of rewards structures: points and money back. While money back is fairly straightforward, points are measured by the issuers’ own systems.

In case you need a more in-depth take a look at bank cards throughout, and the differences between rewards structures, you possibly can take a look at our article on the best bank cards, which takes a take a look at bank cards of all kinds.

Listed here are some benefits and disadvantages of money back over points.

Learn how to select a money back bank card

Within the means of applying for a money back bank card, you need to take into consideration your personal funds and spending habits in addition to other aspects.

Listed here are some things to contemplate before filling the applying.

1. Your credit status

Step one when applying for a brand new bank card is to grasp how lenders analyze your financial status and what their requirements are. Some lenders are more lenient than others, but all will take into consideration your income, your debt-to-income ratio and your FICO rating, amongst many other aspects.

In case you’re just starting out, you could wish to learn what’s a credit rating and the best way to construct credit, and maybe obtain a replica of your credit report if one is offered. You can also take a take a look at secured bank cards, for instance, or take a look at our best student bank cards in the event you’re in college.

And, in case your credit isn’t where you’d prefer it to be, take a look at the best credit repair firms, which could make it easier to raise your rating before you apply for a brand new card.

2. Consider spending habits when rewards rates

In case you’re searching for the very best money back bank cards, it means you’re in it for the rewards. Analyze and compare the various tiers of money back offered by each card and evaluate how much you spend in each category.

For instance, an enormous family or an avid home chef might profit from high rewards on groceries with a card just like the Blue Money Preferred® from American Express. Nevertheless, someone who doesn’t have a selected category that accounts for quite a lot of their monthly expenses might be higher off with a flat-rate option resembling the Wells Fargo Lively Money® Card.

3. Calculate whether the annual fee is value it

While money back cards don’t typically charge high annual fees, you’ll still have to investigate whether the rewards make up for the fee. Say you manage to earn $1,000 in money back with a 2% money back card, but must pay a $95 annual fee. Your yearly money back total can be $905. But in the event you could as an alternative make $950 with a 1.5% money back card that doesn’t charge an annual fee, you’d be higher off.

4. Compare introductory offers

Most cards include intro offers to lure applicants. Some are in the shape of introductory bonuses, giving $50 to over $1,000 after the cardholder reaches a spending requirement inside a couple of months from the account opening.

Some cards even have a promotional period with a 0% introductory APR offer on purchases and, possibly, balance transfers — regularly, on each. This era could be from nine months all the best way as much as 21 months. Some cards also offer lower balance transfer fees throughout the first few months from account opening.

The most effective cards are likely to have a mix of those offers. You may see, for instance, a $200 bonus after spending $500 in the primary three months, together with 12 months of 0% intro APR.

5. Compare cardholder advantages

Apart from monetary rewards like money back and gift cards, some cards offer an array of advantages that may include travel insurance and buy protection.

A seemingly small additional profit resembling mobile phone protection could be the one distinguishing factor between two cards. Make sure that you take a look at sections breaking down all of the services provided, normally titled “Service & Protection.”

You might also find luxury travel advantages included with the cardboard resembling priority boarding, restaurant reservations or airport lounge access.

6. Compare rates of interest

A few percentage points in rates of interest could make an enormous difference in the long term. Make sure that to have a look at and compare regular and variable APRs — that’s, the speed you’ll be charged after any promotional introductory period is over — to know what to anticipate.

Money back cards vs. travel cards

Travel advantages are big reasons people want rewards cards. Nevertheless, travel cards normally use points or miles as an alternative of money back. The cards with probably the most advantages will also be quite expensive, with annual fees starting from $95 to $695. These typically require excellent credit too.

Nevertheless, money back options — especially no-annual fee cards — could be more versatile while still offering good advantages for traveling. For instance, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Freedom Flex℠ offer 5% when booking travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, in addition to flight cancellation insurance.

In case you’re searching for top-notch perks like credit for TSA PreCheck® or access to luxury lounges, take a look at our article on the best travel bank cards.

Latest News in Money Back Credit Cards

How We Selected the Best Money Back Credit Cards

With a purpose to find the very best money back bank cards for every situation and lifestyle, we used the next methodology:

• Money back rates: We checked out money back percentages on all purchases, bonus categories and other offers available for every card. Depending on the usefulness of every category, the spending limits, if any, and base rate money back, we calculated the possible earning rate to see how competitive each card is.

• Trustworthiness: There are quite a lot of options on the market by way of bank cards, but not all come from well-known and trustworthy issuers. We checked out the JD Power 2022 Credit Card Satisfaction Study℠, in addition to reviews on other third-party web sites, to see which banks and issuers did right by their customers.

• Introductory offers: Intro offers are an enormous deal when applying for a brand new card. We checked out issuers that provide high welcome bonuses and/or long-term 0% introductory APR on purchases, in addition to any of their intro balance transfer promotions.

• Extra advantages: Most cards have ways of protecting users from fraud, but some have additional protection resembling prolonged warranties, rental automotive insurance and flight cancellation coverage. Many money back cards are lacking on this category, so those that provide solid protection had a leg up on their competition.

Summary of Money’s Best Money Back Credit Cards of March 2023

No, you possibly can only get money back on the register once you use a debit card. When bank cards consult with “money back,” it means the cardboard issuer gives you back a small percentage of what you spent all year long as a check or points, often redeemable on the cardboard issuer’s website. Nevertheless, you could find a way to redeem money back from a store’s bank card at one among that store’s establishments, resembling with the Sam’s Club Mastercard®.