Best Credit Cards for Cashback and Rewards in 2025
Find the best credit cards for cashback and rewards based on your spending habits, lifestyle and how much effort you want to put into earning rewards. Cardholders can choose from flat-rate cards that earn a fixed percentage of every purchase or rotating category cards that require more hands-on management of reward categories.
1. Citi Double Cash Card
The Citi Double Cash Card is a flat-rate rewards credit card that pays you 2% back on all eligible purchases. It’s a top choice for those who value simplicity and the ease of getting value from their credit cards. This card also comes with a sign-up bonus and perks that could help rewards maximizers get more from their spending.
The card’s annual fee is $0. You can earn your rewards as statement credits or direct deposits into your bank account. You can also use them to book flights or hotels with Citi Travel. The card doesn’t offer a 0% APR on new purchases or balance transfers, which is a drawback for some.
If you’re a strategic spender, consider pairing this card with another rewards credit card that offers high-rate rewards in a specific category, such as the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express, which pays 6% back on groceries and other gas purchases. This strategy can help you rake in the maximum amount of cash back you can earn. You’ll also get the most value from your credit card spending by using it for purchases you would have made anyway.
2. Blue Cash Preferred
The Blue Cash Preferred is one of the most popular cards on the market. It offers a lot of value for cardholders who want to earn high rewards rates, including top-tier returns on groceries, gas, transit and streaming services. The card also doesn’t charge an annual fee in the first year, which can make it even more lucrative for spenders who rack up a ton of rewards.
The card provides 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (capped at $6,000 annually) and select streaming services, as well as 3% on gas stations and transit. That’s among the most lucrative rates you’ll find on any card, and it could be a game-changer for people who regularly hit those categories.
The card also offers purchase protection, a $250 statement credit, two intro APR offers and access to Amex Offers, which can add up to even more value for some shoppers. No annual fee cards often offer generous sign-up bonuses in exchange for meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first few months, making them good choices for beginners looking to earn a steady stream of rewards. However, those who seek premium benefits or more robust redemption options might eventually outgrow these starter cards.
3. Chase Sapphire Preferred
A popular credit card category, cash back cards give you a percentage of your spending back in the form of statement credits or gift cards. You can use your rewards for a wide variety of things, including travel, groceries and online shopping.
Whether you’re a newbie to credit card rewards or a seasoned veteran, there are some key factors to consider when choosing a cash back credit card. Some of the big draws and drawbacks to consider are annual fees, APR and sign-up bonuses.
If you’re looking for a cash back credit card that rewards all of your spending, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred. It offers a hefty welcome bonus, a strong redemption rate for nontravel options and the ability to transfer your points to more than a dozen airline and hotel loyalty programs. It also reimburses TSA PreCheck and Global Entry application fees and provides airport lounge access and other perks.
4. Capital One Quicksilver Secured
For people looking to build credit, the Capital One Quicksilver Secured offers a simple way to earn cash back. While it may not offer the bells and whistles of other rewards cards, it does pay 1.5% cashback on all purchases, reports to the credit bureaus monthly and allows cardholders to raise their line of credit by making a security deposit.
The credit card also has no annual fees and a $0 APR for purchases made with the card. Cardholders can also earn a one-time bonus of $100 credit to use towards flights, hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel during their first cardholder year.
The Quicksilver Secured is available to individuals with fair credit, which Capital One defines as a history of missed payments or limited credit history. To open the card, applicants must make a $200 security deposit, which becomes their credit limit. However, it’s possible to get your deposit back when you close the account and bring your balance to $0. In addition to building credit, the card also offers fraud protection in case of unauthorized charges.
5. Bank of America Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Bank of America Cash Rewards Credit Card has the potential to provide high returns on spending, especially if you’re a big spender in certain categories. But like other cards, it comes with drawbacks that you should consider before making a decision.
For example, the 3% cash back on gas and EV charging stations, online shopping (including cable, internet and phone services, as well as streaming subscriptions), dining and travel is capped at $6,000 spent annually. If you go over that limit, the rewards rate drops to 1%. The card also doesn’t offer transfer partners like airlines and hotels that can boost the value of your earnings.
Still, the card’s generous rewards and no annual fee make it a solid choice for frugal spenders who can take advantage of its 6% category earnings in the first year. If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, the card can become even more valuable. You can redeem your earned rewards for statement credits or deposits into a Bank of America checking or savings account — including 529 college savings plans.