- UNITED STATES
Credit Cards: Cash-Back Reward Cards
View popular airline cash-back reward credit cards in the US to find the right one for your needs. Discover detailed information on annual fees, customer reviews, cash-back rates, key features, and attractive sign-up bonuses.
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Last Updated: October 15th
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Credit cards can be a useful financial tool, but it’s important to use them responsibly. Always be mindful of interest rates, fees, and repayment terms, and avoid accumulating debt you can’t afford to repay. Make sure to understand the terms of any credit card you choose and use it wisely to avoid financial difficulties.
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Credit Card
- Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Chase Freedom Flex® Credit Card
- U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
- Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Amazon Prime Visa Card
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Credit Card
Features:
- Earn Cash Back: 2% unlimited cash back on all purchases.
- $200 Cash Rewards Bonus: After spending $500 in the first 3 months.
- 0% Intro APR: For purchases and qualifying balance transfers for the first 12 months. After that, a variable APR of 19.74% to 29.74%.
- Additional Perks: Includes cell phone protection, rental car insurance, and travel emergency services.
Annual Fee: $0 annually.
APR: 19.74% – 29.74%
Offer: $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months.
This card provides straightforward cash-back rewards without category restrictions. It is ideal for consumers seeking a simple, flat-rate cash back on all purchases and valuable perks like cellular phone protection and rental car coverage. With no annual fee, it’s a good option for everyday use. The card also offers useful features such as emergency cash disbursement and access to personalized Wells Fargo deals.
- Unlimited 2% Cash Back: On all purchases.
- No Annual Fee: No cost to carry the card.
- 0% Introductory APR: On purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months.
- Bonus Offer: $200 bonus for spending $500.
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
- Limited Travel Perks: Benefits focus more on cash rewards than travel-related features.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card
Features:
- Earn Cash Back:
- 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 3% on dining (including takeout) and drugstore purchases.
- 1.5% on all other purchases.
- 0% Intro APR: 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then 20.49% to 29.24% variable APR.
Annual Fee: $0
APR: 20.49% – 29.24%
Offer: $150 Bonus: After spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card is designed for individuals seeking a no-annual-fee card with a strong, consistent cashback program. In addition to earning a competitive 1.5% on everyday purchases, cardholders benefit from 5% on travel booked through Chase and 3% on dining and drugstores. The card also features an introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers, making it ideal for those looking to finance large purchases or consolidate existing debt. Chase Ultimate Rewards® adds flexibility by allowing cash back to be redeemed for travel, gift cards, and more. There’s no annual fee, but a 3% foreign transaction fee applies, limiting its use abroad.
- Strong Cashback Rate: Competitive 1.5% cashback on all purchases.
- Bonus Categories: 5% on Chase travel, 3% on dining and drugstores.
- Intro APR: 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.
- Flexible Redemption Options: Use Chase Ultimate Rewards® for a variety of redemption choices.
- No Annual Fee.
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%, making it less attractive for international travel.
- Variable APR: High ongoing interest rates after the introductory period.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Features:
- 6% Cash Back: On U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year), and select U.S. streaming services.
- 3% Cash Back: On U.S. transit and gas stations.
- 1% Cash Back: On all other purchases.
- 0% Intro APR: For 12 months on purchases, then a variable APR of 18.74%-29.74%.
Annual Fee: $0 for the first year, then $95 annually.
APR: 18.74% – 29.74%
Offer: $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months.
The Blue Cash Preferred® is a high-earning cash back card for families and frequent commuters. You can earn significant cash back in key categories, such as groceries, streaming, and transportation. The introductory 0% APR provides an additional incentive for new cardholders who may want to make large purchases upfront. The card’s annual fee is waived in the first year, making it a compelling option for those maximizing its cash back potential across various categories.
- High-Earning Cash Back: 6% at U.S. supermarkets and streaming services.
- Intro APR: 12 months of 0% APR on purchases.
- Broad Categories: Includes streaming, transit, gas, and everyday spending.
- Annual Fee: $95 after the first year.
- Cap on Supermarket Cash Back: 6% cash back only applies to the first $6,000 spent annually.
Chase Freedom Flex® Credit Card
Features:
- Earn Cash Back:
- 5% on quarterly rotating categories (up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter).
- 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 3% on dining (including takeout and delivery) and drugstores.
- 1% on all other purchases.
- 0% Intro APR: For 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then 20.49%-29.24% variable APR.
Annual Fee: $0
APR: 20.49% – 29.24%
Offer: $150 Bonus: After spending $500 in the first 3 months.
The Chase Freedom Flex® offers high cash back in rotating categories, travel booked through Chase, and essential spending like dining and drugstores. Its 5% bonus categories rotate quarterly and must be activated. With a strong introductory APR and no annual fee, it appeals to those seeking high rewards without the burden of a fee. The card includes useful perks like purchase protection, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and cell phone protection, adding extra value beyond the cashback rewards.
- High Cashback Rates: Especially on rotating categories and travel.
- Introductory APR: 0% APR for 15 months.
- No Annual Fee: Ideal for everyday use without extra costs.
- Broad Redemption Options: Through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Quarterly Activation Required: For the 5% rotating categories.
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%, which limits international use.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Features:
- 5% Cash Back: On two categories of your choice (up to $2,000 combined quarterly).
- 2% Cash Back: On one everyday category of your choice (gas, grocery, or restaurants).
- 1% Cash Back: On all other purchases.
- 0% Intro APR: For 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, followed by a variable APR of 18.99%-29.24%.
Annual Fee: $0
APR: 18.99% – 29.24%
Offer: $200 Cash Bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card allows you to choose categories for maximum cashback rewards, making it a flexible card for varying spending needs. With no annual fee and a strong introductory APR, it appeals to users who want to maximize their cashback potential across different purchase categories. You can redeem rewards as a statement credit, a deposit into your U.S. Bank account, or for a rewards card. The 5% and 2% cashback categories can be customized quarterly, allowing you to adjust your rewards to your current spending patterns.
- Customizable Cashback Categories: Flexibility to choose two 5% categories each quarter.
- $200 Bonus: Relatively low spending threshold ($1,000) to earn the bonus.
- No Annual Fee: Maximizes the value of your cashback rewards.
- 0% Intro APR: Great for those seeking financing on purchases or balance transfers.
- Quarterly Category Activation: Requires frequent management of bonus categories.
- Cap on 5% Categories: Only up to $2,000 in combined purchases per quarter.
Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®
Features:
- 2% Unlimited Cash Back: Earn 2% cash back on every purchase with no categories or limits.
- No Annual Fee: $0 annual fee for cardholders.
- Security and Services: Includes Mastercard ID Theft Protection™, Mastercard Travel & Lifestyle Services, and access to Priceless® Experiences.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None, making it suitable for international purchases.
- APR: 19.24% – 34.99%
Annual Fee: $0
APR: 19.24% – 34.99%
Offer: No introductory bonus or promotional APR is currently offered.
The Synchrony Premier World Mastercard® is designed for individuals seeking a simple, flat-rate cashback card without any limits or rotating categories. You earn 2% cash back on every purchase, and there is no annual fee or foreign transaction fees. Additional benefits like ID theft protection and Mastercard Travel Services add value to the card. However, it lacks an introductory cash bonus or promotional APR, which may be available with other cash-back cards.
- Simple Cash Back Program: 2% cash back on all purchases with no limits.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international use.
- No Annual Fee: No cost to hold the card.
- Cardholder Perks: Includes ID theft protection and Mastercard Travel benefits.
- No Introductory Bonus: Many competing cards offer initial bonuses for spending.
- No Promotional APR: No introductory offer on purchases or balance transfers.
- Limited Travel Perks: Lacks higher-end travel benefits compared to other premium cards.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Features:
- 3% Cash Back: On a category of your choice (gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores, or home improvement/furnishings).
- 2% Cash Back: On groceries and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery purchases quarterly).
- 1% Cash Back: On all other purchases.
- No Annual Fee.
Annual Fee: $149 annually.
APR: 19.24% – 29.24%
Offer: $200 Bonus: After spending $1,000 in the first 90 days.
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards card provides flexibility by allowing you to choose your preferred 3% cash-back category. Additionally, it includes 2% cash back on groceries and wholesale clubs, making it ideal for everyday expenses. The card offers valuable cash-back rewards with no annual fee and an introductory bonus of $200 after meeting the initial spending requirement. While cash-back categories have a quarterly spending cap of $2,500, the overall flexibility is appealing for those looking to optimize rewards for specific spending habits. Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can boost their cash-back earnings by up to 25%-75% based on their relationship with the bank.
- Flexible Rewards: Allows you to select your highest earning category.
- Introductory Bonus: $200 after spending $1,000.
- No Annual Fee: Great value for everyday spending.
- Increased Rewards: Boost cash-back earnings for Preferred Rewards members.
- Quarterly Spending Cap: 3% and 2% categories are limited to $2,500 combined spending per quarter.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%, which limits international use.
Amazon Prime Visa Card
Features:
- 5% Back: At Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and Chase Travel.
- 2% Back: At restaurants, gas stations, and local transit.
- 1% Back: On all other purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee: $0, but requires an Amazon Prime membership.
APR: 20.49% – 29.24%
Offer: $100 Amazon Gift Card upon approval for new cardholders.
The Amazon Prime Visa is tailored for frequent Amazon shoppers and Prime members. It offers significant cashback rewards on Amazon purchases and no foreign transaction fees. Rewards can be redeemed for Amazon purchases or as statement credits. Travel protection benefits like baggage insurance and rental car collision damage waivers add value to the card.
- High Rewards on Amazon Purchases: 5% back at Amazon-related services.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Suitable for international use.
- Generous Welcome Bonus: $100 Amazon gift card upon approval.
- Prime Membership Required: Must be a Prime member to maximize rewards.
- Limited 5% Category: Only available for Amazon, Whole Foods, and Chase Travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cash back credit cards reward you with a percentage of your purchases back as cash. The rewards can be a flat rate on all spending, like 1.5%, or they may offer higher percentages in specific categories like groceries or travel.
Flat-rate cards offer the same cash back percentage on all purchases, while category cards provide higher rewards for specific spending areas, such as dining or gas, but may have lower rewards for other purchases.
Some cash back cards impose caps on the amount you can earn in certain categories. After reaching the limit, the rewards typically revert to a lower percentage. Be sure to check each card’s terms for any earning limits.
Some cash back cards, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, have no annual fees, while others may charge an annual fee for premium benefits, like the Blue Cash Preferred® from American Express, which has a $95 fee. Make sure your rewards outweigh any potential fees.
Most cash back rewards do not expire as long as your account remains in good standing. However, it’s essential to check the terms for each card, as some may impose expiration dates if the account is inactive for extended periods.
Overview & Comparison
Get an overview and comparison of popular airline co-branded credit cards.
Cash-Back Cards
Here is a summary of cash-back credit cards covered on this page.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Credit Card
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® offers unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases. It features a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months and a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers (19.74% to 29.74% variable APR after). Additional perks include cell phone protection and travel emergency services. The card has no annual fee.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® provides 5% cash back on travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1.5% on other purchases. Enjoy a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (20.49% to 29.24% variable APR after). New cardholders can earn a $150 bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months. No annual fee.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
The Blue Cash Preferred® offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 annually) and on select streaming services, 3% on U.S. transit and gas stations, and 1% on other purchases. It features a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases (18.74% to 29.74% variable APR after) and a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months. Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $95.
Chase Freedom Flex® Credit Card
The Chase Freedom Flex® provides 5% cash back on rotating categories (up to $1,500 per quarter), 5% on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on other purchases. It includes a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (20.49% to 29.24% variable APR after). Earn a $150 bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months. No annual fee.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
The U.S. Bank Cash+® allows you to earn 5% cash back on two chosen categories (up to $2,000 quarterly), 2% on one everyday category, and 1% on other purchases. It offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (18.99% to 29.24% variable APR after) and a $200 cash bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. No annual fee.
Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®
The Synchrony Premier World Mastercard® is designed for individuals seeking a simple, flat-rate cashback card without any limits or rotating categories. You earn 2% cash back on every purchase, and there is no annual fee or foreign transaction fees. Additional benefits like ID theft protection and Mastercard Travel Services add value to the card. However, it lacks an introductory cash bonus or promotional APR, which may be available with other cash-back cards.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards card provides flexibility by allowing you to choose your preferred 3% cash-back category. Additionally, it includes 2% cash back on groceries and wholesale clubs, making it ideal for everyday expenses. The card offers valuable cash-back rewards with no annual fee and an introductory bonus of $200 after meeting the initial spending requirement. While cash-back categories have a quarterly spending cap of $2,500, the overall flexibility is appealing for those looking to optimize rewards for specific spending habits. Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can boost their cash-back earnings by up to 25%-75% based on their relationship with the bank.
Amazon Prime Visa Card
The Amazon Prime Visa is tailored for frequent Amazon shoppers and Prime members. It offers significant cashback rewards on Amazon purchases and no foreign transaction fees. Rewards can be redeemed for Amazon purchases or as statement credits. Travel protection benefits like baggage insurance and rental car collision damage waivers add value to the card.