Best Cash Back Credit Cards (September 2023)

If you’re looking for a new cash back credit card, you’re in the right place.

When it comes to the perks of a credit card, cash back is king. Years ago, 1% was the standard offer. As competition has intensified, you’re now seeing more and more cards that offer 1.5% cash back on all purchases as well as special tiers for certain categories of purchases.

The sign-up bonuses have also become bigger and more competitive as issuers look to win a coveted space in your wallet. A sign-up bonus for a hundred dollars or more is common nowadays.

Before you get a new cash back credit card, be sure to check our list to make sure you’re getting the best offer.

In our list, we explain the cash back structure of each card, the sign-up bonus if there is one, as well as other introductory offers, fees, and perks worth knowing. We also explain why we included in our list because not every cash back card is worth being included.

You’ll want to make sure your credit score is in good shape because issuers tend to approve those with good credit or better.

(some of these cards have annual fees, if you prefer to avoid that altogether, here’s a list of credit cards with big bonuses but no annual fee)

Here’s the list of the best cash back credit cards:

Capital One Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card – 1.5% unlimited + $200 Cash Back

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card gives you unlimited 1.5% cashback on every purchase and a sign-up bonus of $200 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.

Capital One says you need Excellent credit to qualify for this card, which is the only potential hiccup about this great cash back card.

• Sign-up Bonus: $200 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
• Cash Back Rate: 1.5% cashback on every purchase
• Introductory Offers: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months, 17.99 - 27.99% (Variable) after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
• Fees: $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
• Extra Perks & Protections: Auto rental collision damage waiver, Roadside assistance, travel accidental insurance, and extended warranty protections.

👉 Learn more about this card and others

Chase Freedom Unlimited – 1.5% unlimited + up to $300 cash back

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is a $0 annual fee cash back credit card that is part of a solid group of cash back credit cards. You get 6.5% on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 4.5% at drug stores and dining in restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, plus 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).

It has a sign-up bonus of up to $300 cash back with an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).

The cash back you earn is in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards points and you can redeem them for gift cards, merchandise, and “cash equivalents.” If you want cash, you can get cash (statement credits, bank deposit).

• Sign-up Bonus: You earn a up to $300 cash back with an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year)
• Cash Back Rate: 6.5% on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 4.5% at drug stores and dining in restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, plus 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year)
• Introductory Offers: 0% Introductory APR for 15 months on purchases
• Fees: $0 annual fee.
• Extra Perks & Protections: This card offers purchase protection as well as a free credit score with Chase Credit Journey.

Why we like this card: Great baseline cashback percentage and a up to $300 cash back bonus, not bad and similar to several others on this list.

👉 Learn more about the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards – 3% dining, 2% grocery + none

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards is the card for people who like to eat. You can earn an unlimited 3% cash back on dining and entertainment as well as 2% at grocery stores. You earn an unlimited 1% on everything else – nothing to activate too, you get this all year.

You also get a great sign-up bonus of none . There is a $0 annual fee that is .

• Sign-up Bonus: none
• Cash Back Rate: 3% Cash Back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), plus 1% Cash Back on all other purchases
• Introductory Offers: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 16.49% - 26.49% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
• Fees: $0 annual fee, . No foreign transaction fees.
• Extra Perks & Protections: Auto rental collision damage waiver, lost luggage coverage, travel accident insurance, and extended warranty protections.

Why we like this card: One of the highest cash back rates for dining and entertainment, plus a solid welcome offer.

👉 Learn more about this card and others

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has recently updated its cashback structure to offer one of the highest percentages we’ve seen for a non-promotional offer – 6% at supermarkets with a $6,000 per year in spending limit.

Here’s the full list of cashback tiers on this card:

• 6% cashback at supermarkets on $6,000 per year in spending,
• 3% cashback at gas stations with no limit,
• 3% cashback on transit (ground transportation only),
• 6% cashback on select US streaming (Spotify, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, ShowTime, Pandora, Apple Music, Amazon Music or Video but not Amazon Prime – see the American Express website for full detailed list),
• 1% on everything else with no limit.

There’s also a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 6 months – which is a really juicy welcome bonus.

• Sign-up Bonus: $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 6 months
• Cash Back Rate: Tiered cashback rate explained above, but minimum is 1% cash back with no limit.
• Introductory Offers: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening
• Fees: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee, .
• Extra Perks & Protections: American Express’s suite of perks and protections, which you can see here.

Why we like this card: 6% on U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more). Finally, 1% Cash Back on other purchases is a great cashback card. The only (potential) drawback is the $250 statement credit annual fee after the first year – but you make up for it with the potential $360 in annual cashback you can earn from supermarket shopping.

👉 Compare this card and others

Citi Double Cash Card – Up to 2% cashback

The Citi Double Cash Card is a 2% cash back credit card where you get 1% cash back when you buy and 1% cash back when you pay the statement. It’s tiered but in a way that makes no difference to someone who pays off their statements in full. If you don’t, it’s only a 1% cash back card until you pay the balance. If you carry a balance, you can still get the second 1% but you have to pay at least the minimum each month.

• Sign-up Bonus: $250 statement credit.
• Cash Back Rate: 6% on U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more). Finally, 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
• Introductory Offers: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening.
• Fees: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee. 3% foreign purchase transaction fee.

Why we like this card: If you pay off your balance in full each month, this is a 2% cashback card with no limit and no annual fee. You have to redeem the cashback but that’s a small step to take for a 2% card. The only drawback is that there is no sign-up bonus.

Which card looks most appealing to you?