Why you may want a cash-back card
Editor's Note
While they often don't get the same hype as some of our favorite travel rewards cards, cash-back cards can hold their own when it comes to deserving a spot in your wallet.
If you've skipped over them in the past, here's why you should give them a chance.
Simple rewards and redemptions
Valuable travel redemptions are great, but finding them can take a lot of research.
With cash-back cards, you simply decide whether you want to receive your cash rewards through a statement credit or bank deposit, depending on the card issuer.
There's no beating cash, which can cover expenses points and miles don't (i.e., bills, food or tour tickets). And beyond travel, you can use your cash-back rewards to cover Christmas presents, a bridesmaid dress or a snazzy new suitcase.
Related: How to redeem cash-back rewards
Competitive earning
A commonly cited drawback of cash-back cards is that they don't earn as much as travel rewards cards. That's generally true, but the disparity isn't as great as you may think.
Consider the earning potential of the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. The Double Cash Card earns 2% back on purchases (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay) or 2 points per dollar spent on all purchases.
Meanwhile, the Venture Rewards earns 2 miles per dollar on most purchases (with select bonuses via Capital One Travel). If you think travel rewards are always more valuable, you may assume it's better to earn 2 Capital One miles than 2% cash back on your dollar.
But if you want to redeem your Capital One miles as a statement credit to cover your travel expenses, you'll redeem them at a flat rate of 1 cent per mile. So the 2 miles that you earn per dollar with your Venture are worth 2 cents; this is the same return you'll get with the Citi Double Cash.
Plus, the Citi Double Cash doesn't carry an annual fee or restrictions around your redemption options. However, the Capital One Venture card has a $95 annual fee.
It's true that Capital One miles can be worth more when you maximize the program's airline and hotel transfer partners. However, it takes time to find these high-value redemptions, and you may want to focus on a simpler reward structure.
In this case, you're much better off earning and redeeming cash back with your Double Cash and simply using it to cover anything you want.
Related: Cash back vs. travel rewards points
Bottom line
Don't mistake cash-back cards' simplicity for mediocrity. Your new favorite card may be the one that earns you some cold hard cash.
Related: How to choose a cash-back card
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees