Why Cash Back Cards Are Worth It
Cash back credit cards are a simple way to earn money on every dollar you spend. Unlike rewards cards tied to travel or specific brands, cash back cards provide flexibility: you can use your earnings to offset your credit card bill, boost your savings, or spend however you like. Here’s a list of top cash back cards that earn more than 1% back on every purchase:
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Earn Rate: 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Additional Perks: 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases.
- Why It’s Great: A strong base rate with extra rewards for everyday spending categories.
- Pro Tip Chase Pairing: Combine it with a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Cash back converts into Chase Ultimate Rewards®, which can be transferred to partners like Hyatt, United, and Southwest. Alternatively, book travel through Chase Travel at 1.25–1.5 cents per point (depending on the Sapphire card).
- Citi Double Cash® Card
- Earn Rate: 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay).
- Why It’s Great: A straightforward way to maximize cash back without complicated categories.
- Pro Tip ThankYou® Points Pairing: Combine it with a card that earns ThankYou® Points like the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card or the Citi Rewards+® Card. From there, points can be redeemed through Citi’s travel portal at 1 cent each or transferred to airline and hotel loyalty partners for even greater value.
- Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Earn Rate: 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Why It’s Great: Simple and reliable rewards structure with no annual fee.
- Pro Tip Capital One Pairing: Combine it with a Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. From there, points can be redeemed for travel at 1 cent each or transferred to airline and hotel loyalty partners for even greater value.
- Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Earn Rate: 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Why It’s Great: Designed for those building or rebuilding credit, though it comes with a $39 annual fee.
- Pro Tip Capital One Pairing: Combine it with a Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. From there, points can be redeemed for travel at 1 cent each or transferred to airline and hotel loyalty partners for even greater value.
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- Earn Rate: 2% cash back on all purchases.
- Why It’s Great: No annual fee, and a flat 2% rate on every dollar you spend.
- Earn Rate: Rounds up your rewards to the nearest 10 points on every purchase.
- Why It’s Great: Unique rounding-up feature means small purchases add up quickly, perfect for those who use their card frequently.
Cash back cards are a fantastic way to keep things simple. Whether you’re saving for a rainy day or just want to see a direct benefit on your statement, these cards deliver consistent value without the complexity of points programs.
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