When it comes to getting a credit card, you want to know that you have the best one for your personal needs and wants. One option are cards that offer a cash back perk for using your card.
Cash back cards actually pay you money for various things from making purchases and paying your bill on time. The biggest hurdle is just finding the perfect card for you and your budget.
With this being said, it actually pays to do a little bit of research before making a commitment to a card. There are so many variants in cash back cards such as some cards offering rewards for traveling, buying groceries, online shopping, car maintenance, and even more.
With all these options we can see where it would be really easy to get confused, especially when it comes to reading the terms and conditions that like to use strange phrasing and big words. That is why we have compared the best cash back cards, just to help you find the right one for you.
Here are The Smart Investor Select’s picks for the top cash back credit cards:
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature
Reward details
Current Offer
Credit Rating Needed
Annual Fee
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card has great benefits for people who are avid Amazon shoppers. The card is offered through Chase Bank, and there is no annual fee.
With the Amazon Prime card, you earn 5% cash back reward on all Amazon purchases invluding whole foods market, 2% cash back on restaurant, gas, and drugstores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
In addition, you’ll get get a $70 Amazon gift card instantly upon credit card approval.However, you have to be an Amazon Prime member to hold the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card, which has an annual fee of $119. The 5% rewards rate on all Amazon purchases is alluring for Amazon shoppers, but there are drawbacks and limitations to the card.
- APR: 14.24%-22.24%
- Annual fee: $119
- Balance Transfer Fee: 5%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
- Rewards Plan: 5% at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, 2% cash back on restaurant, gas, and drugstores, 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Sign Up bonus: Get a $70 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon credit card approval
- 0% APR Introductory Rate: None
- Good Cashback Reward Points
- Great Sign-Up Bonus
- No Annual Fee
- Better APR Than Other Cards
- No Transfer Options
- Links to Only One Amazon Account
- Slow Processing Time and Many Fees
- High Balance Transfer Fee
Capital One Quicksilver
Reward details
Current Offer
Credit Rating Needed
Annual Fee
The capital one quicksilver card is a very good choice for individuals that either don’t like to spend too much in just one budget category or individuals that prefer one reward rate than multiple rates. The capital One Quicksilver is among the secured credit cards that do not charge any annual fee. The Mastercard is widely accepted abroad compared to most other card brands. Some of the benefits individuals can derive from using this card include; no foreign transaction fees, travel accident insurance, secondary car rental insurance and 24-hour travel assistance services.
Capital One Quicksilver ranked 3rd with a rating of 807, according to the J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Study in 2019.
- Rewards Plan: Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- APR: 15.49% - 25.49%
- Annual fee: None
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
- Sign Up bonus: One-time $150 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
- 0% APR Introductory Rate period: 0% intro APR for 15 months
- Sign-Up Bonus
- High Rewards Rate
- No Annual Fee or Foreign Transaction fee
- Intro APR on Purchases & Balance Transfers
- No Bonus Rewards Categories
- Requires Good/Excellent Credit
- High APR
Capital One Savor Rewards
Reward details
Current Offer
Credit Rating Needed
Annual Fee
The Capital One credit card is the Savor card, which offers an increased 4% rate on dining and entertainment, 2% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases. Rewards don’t expire for the life of the account, and you can redeem cash back for any amount.
In addition, there is a significant sign up bonus of one-time $300 if you spend $3,000 in first 3 months cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months, as well as $0 intro fee for the first year and no foreign transaction fee.
However, if you don’t spend enough on these types of activities then you won’t get ahead much on the rewards due to the annual $95 fee.
- Rewards Plan: Unlimited 4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases
- APR: 15.99-24.99%
- Annual fee: $95
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
- Sign Up bonus: $300 if you spend $3,000 in first 3 months
- 0% APR Introductory Rate period: None
- $300 Sign Up Bonus
- Unlimited 4% Cash Back
- No Rotating Categories
- $95 Annual Fee
- Approval Can Be Strict
Chase Freedom Flex
Reward details
Current Offer
Credit Rating Needed
Annual Fee
If you have a high credit score and want a card to capture your spending habits with no extra cost. It has a $0 annual fee, and only individuals with credit scores of between 690 to 850 can qualify for the card. The first 15 months attract zero interest on purchases, which is an incentive for you to spend high.
You will earn a $200 cash bonus for every $500 you spend within the first 90 days and a 5% cashback on grocery and online purchases. You will also enjoy a 5% cash back for every $1500 cumulatively spent while using the card. The card issuer has a 2020 rating of 809 from J.D. Power, which places it fourth among 11 rated card issuers.
- Rewards Plan: Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate, 1% cash back on all other purchases
- APR: 14.99%–23.74%
- Annual fee: None
- Balance Transfer Fee: $5 or 5%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
- Sign Up bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- 0% APR Introductory Rate period: 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases.
- $200 Sign Up Bonus
- No Annual Fee
- 0% APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases
- Pool Points & Other Bonuses
- Protection & Free Credit Score
- 5% Bonuses has a Cap
- High APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Foreign Transaction Fee
Costco Anywhere Visa
Reward details
Current Offer
Credit Rating Needed
Annual Fee
This card is an amazing choice for regular Costco shoppers who want to earn a highly competitive cashback rewards on travel, dining and gas. Costco Anywhere Card does not charge any fee on foreign transactions and does not charge any annual fee. The card offers a huge 4% cashback on gas purchases, 3% cashback on eligible restaurant and travel as well as a 2% cashback on purchases at the Costco store and a 1% cashback on all your purchases.
To enjoy all these benefits, all you need to do is pay your annual Costco membership fee to maintain your card account. Some of the limitations attached to this card usage include; limited cashback redemption option and a cap on gas rewards.
- Rewards Plan: 4% cash back on gas purchases (both at Costco and other gas stations) on up to $7,000 of spending a year, then 1% back + 3% cash back on restaurants and most travel purchases, 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com, 1% cash back on all other purchases
- APR: 15.24%.
- Annual fee: None ( $60 Costco membership fee)
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3% or 5$
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
- Sign Up bonus: None
- 0% APR Introductory Rate period: None
- Cashback on Costco, Gas, Restaurants and Travel and Other Spending
- No Annual Fee
- No Foreign Transaction Fee
- Extended Manufacturer Warranty, Travel Perks
- Redemption Restrictions
- No Sign-Up Bonus or 0% APR Introductory Rate
- There are Better Cashback Cards
- High APR
Discover It Cash Back
Reward details
Current Offer
Credit Rating Needed
Annual Fee
Discover It Cash Back was awarded the 2020 U.S. News Best Credit Card for the cashback rewards card. This card offers a very high rewards rate on some categories that rotate every few months. The card gives a 5% cashback on any purchase that is up to $1,500, which is spent each quarter on the rotating bonus category. Some of the categories include; restaurant, gas station, online shopping and many more each time you activate them. However, on all other purchases, excluding the ones in the category selected, you will only receive a 1% cashback.
This card is best for individuals who want to have a high reward rate on every purchase they made and also individuals who love a more straightforward rewards program.
- Rewards Plan: Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter + 1% cash back on all other purchases
- APR: " 11.99% – 22.99%"
- Annual fee: None
- Balance Transfer Fee: 5%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
- Sign Up bonus: Automatically matches the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year
- 0% APR Introductory Rate period: 0% Intro APR for 14 months on purchases and balance transfers.
- 14 Month 0% Intro APR Period
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 5% Cash Back for Select Spending Categories
- Matches Cash Back in the First 12 Months
- No Annual Fee
- Less Merchant Acceptance
- No Sign-Up Bonus or 0% APR Introductory Rate
- Limit on Cash Back Spending Per Quarter
- Keeping Track of Bonus Categories
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature
Reward details
Current Offer
Credit Rating Needed
Annual Fee
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card is a Visa credit card issued through one of the largest US lending institutions, U.S. Bank.
With the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card you can earn 5% cash Back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose, 2% cash back on one everyday category, like gas stations, grocery stores or restaurants, 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases..
This card also has a generous sign-up bonus and an 12 months introductory 0% rate on balance transfers, and the card has no annual fee. U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature card offers a $200 rewards bonus after you apply online and spend $500 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
- APR: 13.99% - 23.99%
- Annual fee: None
- Balance Transfer Fee: $5 or 3%
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 2-3%
- Rewards Plan: 5% cash Back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose, 2% cash back on one everyday category, like gas stations, grocery stores or restaurants, 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
- Sign Up bonus: $200 rewards bonus after you apply online and spend $500 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
- 0% APR Introductory Rate period: None
- Cashback Sign-Up Bonus
- 5%,%2, %1 Cash Back
- 0% APR Introductory Rate on Balance Transfers
- Choose Spending Categories
- Visa Signature Card
- Restriction on Cash Bonuses
- 2%-3% Foreign Transaction Fee
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Opt in Every Quarter
- 0% Introductory Rate Applies Only to Balance Transfers
- Visa Signature Card
