13 Best Cash-Back Credit Cards of November 2026
If you’re looking to earn money every time you make a purchase, check out our top picks for the best cash-back credit cards. For many, cash is king, and with the right cash-back credit card, you can earn rewards every time you spend. Each card on this list has been chosen for its solid earning rates — from simple 2% flat-rate cash-back cards to those with optimized cash back within specialized spending categories.
These cards can help you maximize your everyday purchases and earn rewards that are easy to redeem.
Check out our curated selection and comprehensive guide on some of the best cash back cards on the market from our partners below.
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best for simple cash-back
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for gas and supermarkets
- Discover it® Cash Back: Best for maximizing rotating categories
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: Best for flat-rate business cash back
- Capital One Spark Cash Plus: Best for unlimited business cash back
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for flexible cash rewards
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: Best for small businesses
- Chase Freedom Flex®: Best for rotating bonus categories
- Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for flat-rate cash back
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for entertainment cash back
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for beginner cash back
- Citi Double Cash® Card: Best for balance transfers
- Capital One Spark Cash: Best for flat-rate business cash back rewards
Comparing the best cash-back credit cards
at Wells Fargo's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 2% | Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases |
The Wells Fargo Active Cash card delivers simplicity to cardholders who want to pay for their purchases without worrying if you’re maximizing every last dollar. With a 2% cash rewards rate, you’ll rest easy knowing that you’re earning bonus points whether you’re online shopping or paying your hairdresser. Plus, enjoy other benefits like cell phone protection and access to the Visa Signature Concierge luxury hotels. Read our full review of the Wells Fargo Active Cash.
Pros
- There’s no annual fee, meaning that you can keep your costs low while focusing on earning rewards.
- Earn 2% cash rewards on purchases — no bonus categories to track or remember.
- Get up to $600 in cell phone protection (with a $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with this card.
Cons
- Don’t take this card abroad with you, as this card incurs a 3% foreign transaction fee.
- Other cash rewards cards can offer better welcome bonuses.
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $100 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 6% | Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%). |
| 6% | Earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. |
| 3% | Earn 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases. |
| 1% | Earn 1% cash back on other purchases. |
The Blue Cash Preferred Card is one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. You’ll get a great return across a wide range of bonus categories, a solid welcome bonus and a low annual fee. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Read our full review of the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express.
Pros
- This card has one of the best earning structures out for among cash-back credit cards.
- The card comes with access to Amex Offers (activation required), which can save you even more money on specific purchases.
Cons
- There is a $6,000 spending cap on the U.S. supermarket bonus category, which may not work for those with large grocery budgets.
- You’ll have to pay a foreign transaction fee on international purchases, so it’s not a great choice when you’re traveling abroad.
- Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $300 cash back* after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $3,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.74%-28.74%.
- Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don’t have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you’ll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
- Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5% | Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. |
| 1% | Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. |
The Discover it Cash Back is a solid no-annual-fee option for earning elevated cash back on rotating spending categories. Cardmembers can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter in rotating bonus categories (activation required), and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Discover's first-year Cashback Match adds even more value by automatically matching all the cash back earned during the first cardmember year, with no limit on the match.
Pros
- No annual fee
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter in rotating categories after activation
- Cashback Match automatically matches all cash back earned during the first cardmember year
Cons
- Requires activation to earn 5% cash back in quarterly bonus categories
- Quarterly spending cap on 5% categories
- Low base rate outside of bonus categories
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers; balance transfer fee applies. Then 18.74% - 28.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness
- INTRO OFFER: Receive a $200 statement credit when you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months of account opening
- UNLIMITED CASHBACK MATCH: Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300. Click "Apply Now" to view important rates and disclosures
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Redeem cash back for any amount. No annual fee
- Terms and conditions apply
at Chase's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1.5% | Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business |
The Ink Business Unlimited offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on every business purchase. It fills in rewards gaps not covered by the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card. You can maximize this card by pairing it with cards including the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Read our full review of the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- A generous welcome bonus.
Cons
- High spend to receive sign-up bonus.
- No conversion to Chase points without holding the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preferred
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Earn 5% total cash back on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
- Member FDIC
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 2% | 2% cash back on every purchase |
| 5% | 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
The Capital Spark Cash Plus is a great cash back card for larger businesses with high spending. It allows business owners to earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, and Capital One will refund the card’s annual fee if the business meets a minimum spend of $150,000 annually. Read our full review of the Capital One Spark Cash Plus credit card.
Pros
- The card features unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase
- This card offers a large welcome bonus
- Hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel are eligible for 5% cash back
Cons
- The card has a $150 annual fee
- The required spend to refund the annual fee is very high
- The card’s balance must be paid in full every month
- Earn a one-time cash bonus of $2,000 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months
- Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year. You can earn this bonus multiple times over the course of year 1!
- Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Enjoy big purchasing power so you can spend more and earn more rewards. The Spark Cash Plus card has no preset spending limit, so it can adapt to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history, credit profile and other factors
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
- Streamline your accounts payable process, employee spending, and more from your online account with free business management tools
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while you earn rewards from their transactions with free employee and virtual cards
- $150 annual fee - Spend $150,000 annually and Capital One will refund this fee every year
- Your card is designed to be paid in full. However you have the option to carry over a portion of your balance with interest if needed. Pay at least the minimum payment amount by your payment due date, otherwise you'll be charged a 2.99% late fee
- For businesses that need large spending capacity and want to maximize cash back
- Top rated mobile app
Comparing the best cash-back credit cards
Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
at Wells Fargo's secure site | simple cash-back | $100 cash rewards Open Intro bonus Earn a $100 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. | 2% cash rewards Open Rewards rates
| $0 | ||||||||
at American Express's secure site | gas and supermarkets | As High As $300 Cash Back. Find Out Your Offer. Open Intro bonus You may be eligible for as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply. | 1 - 6% cash-back Open Rewards rates
| $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. | ||||||||
Limited-Time Offer at Capital One's secure site | maximizing rotating categories | Earn Unlimited Cashback Match™ + $200 Open Intro bonus INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Plus, get a $200 statement credit when you spend $500 in the first 3 months after account opening. | 1 - 5% cash-back Open Rewards rates
| $0 | ||||||||
at Chase's secure site | flat-rate business cash back | Earn $750 bonus cash back Open Intro bonus Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 1.5% cash-back Open Rewards rates
| $0 | ||||||||
at Capital One's secure site | unlimited business cash back | Earn $2,000 Open Intro bonus Earn $2,000 once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months. Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year | 2 - 5% cash-back Open Rewards rates
| $150 |
How we rate cards
How does your wallet stack up?
According to a TPG newsletter survey, 22% of card users use their rewards to fund other financial goals like vacations or home upgrades. Savvy consumers put their rewards towards future dream vacations or home upgrades instead of letting credit card points and miles sit idle. It is important to have a clear redemption plan to maximize your rewards which begs the question, how are you using your cash back?
Ask our experts
What's your favorite cash-back card — and why?
How to choose the best cash back credit card
- While cash back credit cards don’t typically offer larger sign-up bonuses, they do usually provide the chance to earn a couple hundred dollars. There are exceptions to this which is ideal since you can choose which card from our roster is best for you.1Sign-up bonus
- The good news is that almost all of the cash back cards on this list don’t come with an annual fee. The better news is that of the cards requiring the cardholder to pay an annual fee, most of these options are sub-$200.2Annual fee
- The best cash back card for you will depend heavily on your preferred bonus categories. If you spend a lot on groceries, dining out or streaming services, opt for a card that will provide cash back every time you use it to make a purchase in one or more of your main categories.3Bonus categories
Credit pointers with Brian Kelly
Pros + cons of cash-back credit cards
Pros
- Cash-back credit cards can be a solid first step into earning rewards on every purchase
- Cash-back credit cards can help you save money on every dollar you spend
- Many cash-back credit cards are good options for those starting out with building credit
- Rewards from cash-back credit cards don’t require advanced knowledge to redeem
- Many cash-back credit cards earn at an elevated rate in popular spending categories
- Many cash-back credit cards do not come with an annual fee
Cons
- Carrying a balance on your cash-back credit card can damage your credit score and cancel out your earnings
- Cash-back credit cards incur higher interest rates than traditional loans
- Having too many card applications can negatively affect your credit score
- Using cash-back credit cards may sacrifice the potential for more valuable travel rewards
- Some cash-back credit cards aren’t as easy to maximize as points-earning cards since the redemption options are less flexible
Frequently asked questions
If you can earn 2% cash back on all your purchases made with a no-annual-fee credit card that you otherwise weren’t earning rewards on, then having a cash-back card is certainly worth it … as long as you pay your balance off in full each month to avoid interest charges. Even if you only earn 2% back on $1,000 in monthly charges, that is still $240 in annual rewards you otherwise wouldn’t have had.
Know, though, that whether a cash-back credit card is the absolute best option for you ultimately depends on your spending patterns and the goals you have for your credit card rewards.
Credit card issuers don’t want their cards to just sit in your wallet and collect dust. They want you to use them frequently so they can make money off of interchange fees charged to the retailers and potential interest fees. Having the card provide you a reward for using it in the form of cash back is a way for the card issuer to encourage you to select that card over the others in your wallet when it comes time to make a purchase.
There isn’t one credit card that gives the most cash back in all areas. Some have rotating or fixed bonus categories that provide as much as 6% cash back, while others give around 2% cash back for all spending categories. The one that will result in the most cash back for you depends on your spending patterns and what other cards you already have in your wallet.
Typically, cash-back rewards do not expire as long as your card remains open and in good standing. However, you should check the terms and conditions of your specific cash-back card to know the circumstances under which your cash-back rewards could expire or otherwise be forfeited. Be sure to utilize or cash out the rewards you’ve accrued before closing your account.
While you should always consult an accountant for specific tax advice, rewards earned from purchases on your credit cards usually are not taxable, as they are considered purchase rebates. That said, if you get cash back from something other than a purchase (such as for referring a friend to the card), that may be considered taxable.
Essentially, yes. No one from the bank is likely to walk up and hand you some crisp bills after using your cash-back credit card, but you will earn cash back in the form of a statement credit, a deposit in your bank account, a check or another method.