Cash-Back Credit Cards From Our Partners (2017)

What Are Cash-Back Credit Cards?

Cash-back credit cards are those that earn rewards in the form of cash at a percentage of each transaction. You can contrast this with points credit cards, which earn points for each transaction that are then converted into cash value (or used for airline miles, etc.).

Usually, these cards' rewards are restricted to either statement credit or some sort of equivalent value purchase, such as a gift card. Points cards' values can typically be increased depending on how you choose to redeem the points.

In addition, some cash-back cards may overlap with the other credit card review categories we have, such as business cards or no annual fee cards.

How Do Cash-Back Credit Cards Work?

Every time you use your card, you will get a percentage of that transaction back in a rewards account as cash. Typical rewards range from 1%-6% cash-back.

Amounts vary depending on what type of cash-back card you have and which bank issues it.

Similar to other points cards, cash-back cards may have specific bonus categories (supermarkets are common) or a specific brand tied to their name, such as the Chase Amazon.com Rewards Visa Card.

To redeem the cash-back, you just need to go into your account and apply it to your statements. The caveat for most cards is that you have to redeem a minimum amount of cash-back at a time, like $25 for example.

Cash-Back Credit Cards On The Market

Cash-back credit cards exist for all types of businesses and from all different banks. Some cash-back cards, like the Chase Ultimate Rewards cash-back cards, can act as points cards if you carry the right supplemental cards that will allow you to "unlock" their benefits.

We have sixteen cash back credit cards reviewed so far, and you should certainly be able to find value in at least one of them!

Chase Cash-Back Credit Cards

Chase has six cards:

• Chase Freedom®
• Chase Freedom Unlimited℠
• Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card
• Chase Amazon.com Rewards Visa Card
• Chase Disney Premier Visa® Card
• Chase Disney Rewards® Visa® Card

The first three of the six Chase cards earn cash-back that can be converted into Ultimate Rewards points to be used for things other than statement credit, which is why these cards are so powerful.

The Chase Freedom® earns 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories every 3 months like gas stations, restaurants, and wholesale clubs.

Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. This is great for a no-annual-fee credit card that also carries some insurance benefits!

For a business card that earns between 1-5% cash-back on great business category purchases, try the Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card.

While your 5% bonus earnings on the Chase Freedom® are limited to the first $1,500 in purchases, the Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card allows up to $20,000 at the higher bonus level.

Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, the internet and cable TV services each account anniversary year.

Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn.

If you're looking for across-the-board cash-back with no limits, the new Chase Freedom Unlimited℠ earns unlimited 1.5% cash-back on every purchase across the board.

Finally, the Chase Amazon.com Rewards Visa Card earns a great 1-3% cash back. The 3% category is of course at Amazon.com, but you also earn 2% at gas stations, restaurants, and drugstores.

American Express Cash-Back Cards

There are four American Express cash-back cards:

• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
• SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express
• American Express Serve® Cash Back Card

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is the premier cash-back card for Amex users. You'll earn 1-6% cash back for purchases on this card, which is a very high return even though you can only use it for statement credit.

For the first $6,000 in purchases, the 6% category only applies to U.S. supermarkets. However, the 3% category for U.S. gas stations and department stores is unlimited, which is a great benefit if you're not the type to need airline miles or travel perks!

If you're looking for a no-annual-fee version of this card, try the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. This card has the same overall structure, except that the rewards category bonuses max out at 3%.

Therefore, you'll earn 3% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets, 2% at U.S. gas stations and department stores, and 1% on all other purchases.

Another cash-back card available is the SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express. This is a business card that earns 1-5% cash-back and has access to the American Express OPEN benefits.

Finally, if you have the American Express Serve® Cash Back Card then you will earn 1% cash-back for all of your purchases. This version of the card has a monthly fee.

Barclaycard Cash-Back Cards

There is 1 Barclaycard cash-back card:

• Barclaycard CashForward™ World MasterCard®

The Barclaycard CashForward™ World MasterCard® earns a flat rate 1.5% cash-back for all purchases and has no annual fee.

Citi Cash Back Cards

We have reviewed two of the Citi cash back cards:

• Citi® Double Cash Card
• Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

The Citi® Double Cash Card is one of the most popular cards out there. Earning an equivalent of 2% cash back on every purchase, it is easy to see why you would want to use this card!

One interesting feature is the actual cash-back earning structure. You'll earn 1% immediately upon purchase, and then earn your other 1% when you pay off that balance.

With some additional insurance benefits and the Citi Price Rewind, you'll find lots of value is this no-annual-fee cash back card!

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi earns up to 4% cash-back in various categories. You earn 4% cash-back on Costco gas purchases (up to $7,000 per year), 3% at restaurants and for travel, and 2% at Costco.

You earn 1% cash-back for all other purchases, and there is no annual fee on the card.

Capital One Cash Back Cards

There are 2 reviews for Capital One cash-back cards:

• Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Both of the cards earn 1.5% cash-back on all purchases. The difference between the two is that the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is much like a secured credit card in that it costs $39 per year and is for people with bad credit.

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is for people with excellent credit and has no annual fee. It also comes with a 0% APR for the first 9 months.