Credit Card Rewards Calculator

investor.com

Written by investor.com

June 05, 2023

What’s your rewards earning potential? This credit card rewards calculator makes it easy to find the cashback credit card that pays the highest kickback based on how much you actually spend each month.

If you're looking for a cashback credit card for your small business, great — we've got a finder for that, too. Hop on over to our Business Credit Card Rewards Calculator.

online_prediction Pro tip

This credit card finder has a lot of wizardry going on behind the curtain. To make it work its true magic, adjust the Spend Categories by estimating what you personally spend in each area each month.

Credit Card Calculator
Monthly Spend
Spend Categories expand_more
Clear All
dining Dining
theater_comedy Entertainment
local_gas_station Gas
shopping_cart Groceries
monetization_on Other
local_pharmacy Pharmacy
card_travel Travel
local_shipping Amazon
storefront Costco
construction Home Improvement
shopping_bag Online Shopping
smart_display Streaming
local_taxi Transit
power Utilities
kitchen Whole Foods
receipt_long Wholesale Clubs
Best for Low-Hassle Rewards

Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card

Read review
Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
No
Apply Now on Alliant's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Straight-up 2.5% cash back on all purchases up to $10K in spending a month (though caveats apply)
  • 1.5% default rewards rate after you hit the ceiling (or if you fail to meet caveats outlined below)
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Premium-level Visa Signature Card program coverage

thumb_down Dislikes

  • Requires maintaining an Alliant high-rate checking, otherwise it's 1.5% for you
  • No bonus categories = no extra earning potential
  • Rewards expire (after four years of procrastination)
  • No 0% intro APR on purchases or balance transfers
  • No sign-up bonus
Best for Low-Hassle Rewards

American Express Cash Magnet

Read review
American Express Cash Magnet Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$200
Apply Now on American Express' secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • No rewards cap — at all!
  • 1.5% cashback rate on every category, no tracking required
  • $200 sign-up bonus
  • No annual fee
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months
  • Comes with AmEx network perks

thumb_down Dislikes

  • No bonus categories = no extra earning potential
  • Flat 1.5% rewards rate less generous than other Amex cards
  • American Express not as widely accepted abroad as Visa and Mastercard
  • Le yuck 2.7% foreign transaction fee
Best for Apple Stans

Apple Card

Read review
Apple Card Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
No
Apply Now on Apple's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Unlimited cash back deposited daily into account
  • 2% rewards when paying with your Apple device
  • 3% cash back on Apple products
  • No fees. Nada
  • Interest-free Apple product financing
  • Can help others build credit

thumb_down Dislikes

  • Reliant on Apple Pay, having an up-to-date iPhone and Apple Wallet
  • 3% limited to purchases directly from Apple and a handful of partners
  • Blah 1% default rate where Apple Pay isn’t accepted
  • No sign-up incentives
  • PC/Android people: Don’t even bother
Best for Rewards Rotators

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards

Read review
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$200
Apply Now on Bank of America's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Monthly choice of 3% rewards categories
  • 2% cashback at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
  • One-time $200 cash bonus
  • No annual fee
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months
  • Preferred Rewards members may qualify for higher cashback rate

thumb_down Dislikes

  • Low $2,500 quarterly cap on purchases eligible for 3% and 2% rewards rates
  • Lame 1% cash back base/default rate
  • Requires minor mathing to maximize rewards
Best for Low-Hassle Rewards

Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards

Read review
Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$200
Apply Now on Bank of America's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
  • Easy rewards math
  • Higher cashback rate (1.87%-2.62%) available for BofA/Merrill Preferred Rewards customers
  • $200 sign-up bonus
  • No annual fee
  • 0% intro APR for 18 months on purchases/balance transfers

thumb_down Dislikes

  • We wouldn’t call the standard 1.5% cashback rate amazing
  • Lack of bonus categories limits cash back payoff
  • Qualifying for the Preferred Rewards program (and cashback rate booster) is a whole thing 🙄
  • 3% foreign transaction fee

Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards (Gold Tier)

Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards (Gold Tier) Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$200
Apply Now on Bank of America's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Unlimited cashback on all purchases (aka, no spending caps, no tracking required)
  • 25% rewards booster (1.87% vs. 1.5%) for Preferred Rewards customers is … something
  • $200 sign-up bonus
  • Lengthy 18 month 0% intro APR on balance transfers
  • Same 0% APR on purchases = pretty sweet
  • No annual fee
  • Preferred Rewards tiers qualify for additional banking/investing benefits

thumb_down Dislikes

  • Requires a $20,000 combined balance minimum in BofA and/or Merrill Edge investing account to qualify for so-so rewards rate booster
  • The Gold Tier rewards boost may take 30 days to kick in after enrolling in the Preferred Rewards program
  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • 3% balance transfer fee

Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards (Platinum Tier)

Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards (Platinum Tier) Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$200
Apply Now on Bank of America's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Unlimited cash back on all purchases (no spending caps here!)
  • 50% rewards booster (2.25% vs. 1.5%) for Platinum Tier Preferred Rewards customers
  • $200 sign-up bonus
  • 0% intro APR for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers
  • No annual fee
  • Preferred Rewards tiers qualify for additional banking/investing benefits

thumb_down Dislikes

  • Rewards booster requires maintaining a $50,000 combined minimum in BofA and/or Merrill Edge investing account
  • The Platinum Tier rewards boost may take 30 days to kick in after enrolling in the Preferred Rewards program
  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • 3% balance transfer fee

Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards (Platinum Honors Tier)

Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards (Platinum Honors Tier) Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$200
Apply Now on Bank of America's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Unlimited cash back on all purchases (Booyah!)
  • 75% rewards booster (2.62% vs. 1.5%) for Preferred Rewards customers
  • $200 sign-up bonus
  • 0% intro APR for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers
  • No annual fee
  • Preferred Rewards tiers qualify for additional banking/investing benefits

thumb_down Dislikes

  • Requires maintaining a $100,000 combined minimum in BofA and or Merrill Edge investing accounts for rewards booster
  • Rewards boost may take 30 days to kick in after enrolling in the Preferred Rewards program
  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • 3% balance transfer fee

Blue Cash Everyday from American Express

Read review
Blue Cash Everyday from American Express Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$200
Apply Now on American Express' secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • 3% cash back on at supermarkets, gas stations and on online retail purchases
  • $200 sign-up bonus up for grabs
  • 0% APR on purchases/balance transfers for 15 months
  • No annual fee

thumb_down Dislikes

  • 3% rewards spending capped after $6K per year in spending per bonus category
  • 1% cash back on non-bonus category spending and purchases that exceed caps
  • Not as widely accepted abroad, which may be a blessing because…
  • Charges a 2.7% foreign transaction fee
Best for Foodies

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

Read review
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Bonus
$300
Apply Now on American Express' secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Big-time rewards (6%!) on supermarket and streaming purchases
  • 3% back on gas and transit-related stuff
  • $300 signup bonus
  • $95 annual fee waived for the first year
  • 12 month 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers

thumb_down Dislikes

  • $6K annual cap on reward-eligible grocery store purchases
  • Superstore and warehouse clubs don’t count
  • Blah 1% cash back base/default rate on all other purchases
  • The 2.7% foreign transaction fee is whatever the French word is for "yuck"

BMO Harris Bank Cash Back Mastercard

Read review
BMO Harris Bank Cash Back Mastercard Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$200
Apply Now on BMO's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • 5% cashback on streaming/cable/satellite services
  • 3% cashback on the essential Gs — gas and groceries
  • $200 sign-up bonus
  • Comes with roadside assistance
  • No annual fee
  • 12 month 0% introductory APR on balance transfers

thumb_down Dislikes

  • $2,500 quarterly spending cap on gas and grocery 3% cashback category
  • 4% balance-transfer fee is pretty pricey
  • The 1% base cashback rate seems stingy
  • Charges a 3% foreign transaction fee
Best for Low-Hassle Rewards

Capital One Quicksilver Rewards

Read review
Capital One Quicksilver Rewards Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$200
Apply Now on Capital One's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Unlimited 1.5% cashback on all the things
  • 5% cashback on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Easy-to-nab $200 signup bonus
  • $0 annual fee
  • 15-month 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
  • 3% balance-transfer fee waived on money moved within first 15 months
  • No foreign transaction fees

thumb_down Dislikes

  • No rewards bonus categories = limited cashback potential
  • 1.5% cashback rate is the starting point for many cards
  • Requires “excellent” credit for not-so-excellent rewards
Best for Rewards Card Newbies

Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Good Credit

Read review
Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Good Credit Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
No
Apply Now on Capital One's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
  • 5% cashback on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • $0 annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Doesn't require perfect credit for approval

thumb_down Dislikes

  • No rewards bonus categories means limited upside
  • No welcome bonus for new cardmembers
  • No intro APR on purchases or balance transfers
  • 1.5% cashback rate is the starting point for many cards
Best for Rewards Card Newbies

Capital One QuicksilverOne

Read review
Capital One QuicksilverOne Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$39
Welcome Bonus
No
Apply Now on Capital One's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
  • 5% cashback on hotels and rental cards booked through Capital One Travel
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Automatic credit line reviews

thumb_down Dislikes

  • $39 annual fee
  • No rewards bonus categories
  • No new cardmember offer
  • No balance transfer deal
  • 1.5% cashback rate is the starting point for many cards
Best for Foodies

Capital One Savor Rewards

Read review
Capital One Savor Rewards Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Bonus
$300
Apply Now on Capital One's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Tasty 4% cashback rate on dining/entertainment/streaming services
  • 3% cashback rate on grocery store purchases
  • Unlimited cashback earning potential (no caps!)
  • No minimums required for redemptions
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 5%-8% cash back on travel/entertainment purchases through Capital One

thumb_down Dislikes

  • $95 annual fee buys just a small upgrade from the no-fee SavorOne card
  • Low 1% base rate on non-entertainment/food-related purchases
  • Groceries purchased at warehouse clubs, discount/super/convenient stores earn 1% cash back
  • $300 sign-up bonus requires $3,000 in purchases in three months
  • Lousy balance transfer deal (no 0% APR period), even with no fee
Best for Foodies

Capital One SavorOne Rewards

Read review
Capital One SavorOne Rewards Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$200
Apply Now on Capital One's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • 3% unlimited cashback on food- and entertainment-related spending
  • 5% unlimited cashback on hotels/rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Easy-to-earn $200 signup bonus
  • 15-months of 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees

thumb_down Dislikes

  • 1% default rate means anemic rewards for the "everything else" spending category
  • Nonsensical restrictions on 3% cashback streaming category
  • No annual fee = lower rewards rate than Savor card

Chase Freedom Flex

Read review
Chase Freedom Flex Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$200
Apply Now on Chase's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Rotating 5% cashback category each quarter (great if your spending aligns)
  • 3% cashback on dining and drugstores
  • $200 signup bonus
  • Unlimited 5% cashback on travel purchased through Chase
  • 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
  • No annual fee
  • Travel/cell phone coverage

thumb_down Dislikes

  • You must opt in each quarter to qualify for bonus rewards rate
  • Low $1,500 quarterly cap on rotating 5% bonus category
  • The 1% default cashback rate — whatevs
  • Rotating bonus categories = extra thinking at checkout
  • Charges a 3% foreign transaction fee

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Read review
Chase Freedom Unlimited Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$200
Apply Now on Chase's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Unlimited 1.5% to 3% cashback (we like unlimited)
  • 5% unlimited cashback on travel purchased through Chase
  • $200 signup bonus
  • No annual fee
  • 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
  • Transferable points within Chase ecosystem

thumb_down Dislikes

  • Only bonus categories are Dining and Drugstores (and Chase-booked travel)
  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • 3% balance-transfer fee jumps to 5% after first 60 days
Best for Rewards Rotators

Citi Custom Cash Card

Read review
Citi Custom Cash Card Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$200
Apply Now on Citi's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • 5% cash back on your biggest monthly spending category
  • $200 sign-up bonus
  • Hassle-free rewards
  • No annual fee
  • 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months

thumb_down Dislikes

  • $500 monthly spending limit on 5% cash back
  • Measly 1% cash back on everything else
  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • 5% balance transfer fee

Citi Double Cash Card

Read review
Citi Double Cash Card Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
No
Apply Now on Citi's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • 2% unlimited cash back on everything (eventually)
  • Rewards good financial behavior
  • No annual fee
  • 0% APR on balance transfers for 18 months

thumb_down Dislikes

  • This is a 1% cashback card if you don't pay off your balance
  • No bonus rewards spending categories = limited rewards potential
  • Sorry, no sign-up bonus
  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • 5% balance transfer fee after intro period
Best for Road Warriors

Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi

Read review
Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
No
Apply Now on Costco's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • High 4% cashback on gas/EV charging year round (up to a point)
  • Doubles as a 3% dining/travel rewards card
  • 2% rewards on Costco purchases
  • No rotating rewards categories
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Executive Members can really cash in

thumb_down Dislikes

  • Requires a Costco membership (to state the obvious)
  • $7,000 annual cap on gas/EV charging rewards spending
  • Rewards paid out once annually ...
  • ...and they expire
  • No signup bonus or 0% intro APR on purchases or balance transfers

Credit One Bank American Express Card

Credit One Bank American Express Card Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$39
Welcome Bonus
No
Apply Now on CreditOne's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Fuss-free unlimited 1% cashback on all purchases
  • Rewards automatically credited to your account each month
  • Prequalification option means no hard inquiry to your credit file before you apply
  • Access to Amex Offers and Network Benefits (e.g. travel benefits, retail protections and increased rewards with participating retailers)
  • Free credit score access (with registration)

thumb_down Dislikes

  • Low 1% cashback rate, no bonus categories
  • Hard to justify the $39 annual fee for a 1% cashback rewards card
  • Requires “average” to “excellent” credit, according to Credit One, for “fair” to “below average” rewards, according to us
  • High purchase APR
  • No welcome bonus, low intro APR on purchases, or balance transfer deal
  • 3% ($1 minimum) foreign transaction fee
  • 8% ($5 minimum) cash advance fee

Credit One Platinum Rewards Visa

Credit One Platinum Rewards Visa Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
No
Apply Now on CreditOne's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Rewards card option for those with average credit
  • No rewards spending caps in qualifying categories
  • Up to 10% rewards rate from participating retailers
  • Rewards automatically applied to account as a statement credit each month
  • Prequalification means no hard inquiry to your credit file before you apply
  • Free credit score access (with registration)
  • Account periodically reviewed for credit line increases

thumb_down Dislikes

  • $39 annual fee
  • High APR on purchases (so pay ‘em off monthly!)
  • No cash back on purchases outside of rewards categories
  • Limited cashback spending categories + low rewards rate = minimum upside
  • Low initial credit limit ($300 minimum) based on your credit
  • No welcome bonus, low intro APR for purchases, or a balance transfer deal
  • 3% ($1 minimum) foreign transaction fee
  • 8% ($5 minimum) cash advance fee
  • 10% More Cash Back Rewards merchants not listed on site

Credit One Platinum Rewards Visa with No Annual Fee

Read review
Credit One Platinum Rewards Visa with No Annual Fee Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
No
Apply Now on CreditOne's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • 2% cashback on gas, groceries, phone, internet, cable and satellite TV bills
  • Up to 10% rewards rate from participating retailers
  • No annual fee
  • Automated monthly cashback redemption
  • Offers prequalification option

thumb_down Dislikes

  • No sign-up bonus
  • No 0% intro APR on purchases/balance transfers
  • Pays zero (nada, 0%) cashback on purchases outside of the specified rewards categories
  • Potentially low $300 starting credit limit
  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • Fee-heavy card terms

Credit One Platinum X5 Visa

Credit One Platinum X5 Visa Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Bonus
No
Apply Now on CreditOne's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • 5% cash back (on certain purchases) is awesome, for a while (see spending cap)
  • At least there’s no spending cap on 1% default rewards rate
  • Rewards automatically applied to account as a statement credit each month
  • Prequalification means no hard inquiry to your credit file before you apply
  • Free credit score access (with registration)
  • Account periodically reviewed for credit line increases
  • Up to 10% rewards rate from participating retailers

thumb_down Dislikes

  • The $5,000 annual spending cap severely limits rewards potential
  • Covering the $95 annual fee requires spending $1,900 (at the 5% cashback rate)
  • Bonus 5% rewards rate applies only to gas, groceries and eligible phone/cable/TV services
  • 1% cashback default rate is underwhelming
  • Low initial credit limit ($500 minimum) based on your credit
  • 3% (minimum $1) foreign transaction fee
  • 5% ($10 minimum) cash advance fee
  • No welcome bonus, low intro APR for purchases, or a balance transfer deal
  • High APR on purchases (as in, avoid carrying a balance)
  • Requires “average” to “excellent” credit for approval
Best for Rewards Rotators

Discover it Cash Back

Read review
Discover it Cash Back Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
2X Rewards your first year
Apply Now on Discover's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • 5% cashback on quarterly rotating spending categories
  • Dollar-for-dollar match on all earned rewards at the end of your first year
  • No annual fee
  • 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
  • Free Social Security number alerts
  • Accepted lots of places. Really!
  • No foreign transaction fee

thumb_down Dislikes

  • The rotating thing requires, well, thought
  • $1,500 quarterly spending cap on 5% bonus category
  • 1% cashback on everything else is something, at least
  • Requires reward category activation
  • No extra protections like rental/travel insurance

Discover it Chrome

Read review
Discover it Chrome Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
2X Rewards your first year
Apply Now on Discover's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Automatic 2% cashback on gas and restaurants; 1% on all else
  • Dollar-for-dollar match on all earned rewards at the end of your first year
  • 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Accepted lots of places. Really!

thumb_down Dislikes

  • Low ($1,000) quarterly spending cap on 2% cashback categories
  • Limited bonus rewards categories (just two — gas and restaurants)
  • The double cashback setup ends after one year
Best for Low-Hassle Rewards

PayPal Cashback Mastercard

Read review
PayPal Cashback Mastercard Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
No
Apply Now on PayPal's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Very competitive 2% unlimited cash back on everything
  • 3% unlimited cashback on PayPal purchases
  • No annual fee
  • No redemption minimums

thumb_down Dislikes

  • No sign-up bonus
  • No 0% intro APR on purchases/balance transfers
  • Requires PayPal account to apply and redeem rewards
  • Where are the perks?
  • 3% foreign transaction fee is a bummer
  • Those APRs 😬

PenFed Power Cash Rewards

Read review
PenFed Power Cash Rewards Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$100
Apply Now on PenFed's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • 1.5% unlimited cashback on everything, except …
  • Its 2% for PenFed Honors Advantage members
  • Woot! No rewards caps!
  • Blissfully uncomplicated rewards structure
  • No annual, foreign transaction or cash advance fees
  • 0% APR for 12 months on balance transfers

thumb_down Dislikes

  • Requires PenFed membership
  • Must be a active or former military member or maintain a checking account to qualify for 2% cash back
  • Just a so-so intro bonus
  • No introductory APR on purchases

Petal 2 Visa Card

Read review
Petal 2 Visa Card Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
No
Apply Now on Petal's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Pathway to cashback rewards if you’re new to credit
  • No fees. Like, none. Not even international fees
  • Rewards shopping local with 2%-10% cashback
  • No limits on how much cashback you can earn

thumb_down Dislikes

  • You’re stuck with 1% cashback for at least six months
  • Requires six to 12 on-time payments for access to 1.25% and 1.5% cash back rates
  • Low credit limit = low rewards potential
  • No sign-up bonuses or 0% APR breaks
Best for Road Warriors

PNC Cash Rewards Visa Credit Card

Read review
PNC Cash Rewards Visa Credit Card Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$200
Apply Now on PNC's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Earn 4%, 3%, 2% cash back on gas, restaurants and groceries, respectively (up to a point)
  • $200 signup bonus
  • 0% intro APR on balance transfers for first 12 months
  • No annual fee

thumb_down Dislikes

  • $8K annual spending cap on purchases eligible for 4%, 3% and 2% cash back
  • No 0% intro APR on purchases
  • If there’s a fee, they charge it
  • 3% foreign transaction fee

Sallie Mae Accelerate

Read review
Sallie Mae Accelerate Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
No
Apply Now on Sallie Mae's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Earn 2% cashback when redeemed to help pay down a student loan
  • No annual fee
  • $200 bonus for spending $1K in first three months
  • No cap or expiration on rewards
  • Secondary cell phone coverage and other Mastercard bennies

thumb_down Dislikes

  • Limited redemption options (which is kinda the point, but still)
  • The 1.5% base cashback rate is pretty basic
  • $25 reward redemption minimum
  • No welcome bonus or 0% intro APR on transfers or purchases
  • The 3% foreign transaction and 5% cash advance fees will leave a mark
  • Not really worth it if you don’t have student loan debt
Best for Rewards Rotators

Sallie Mae Evolve Credit Card

Read review
Sallie Mae Evolve Credit Card Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
No
Apply Now on Sallie Mae's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • 2% cashback on your two biggest spending categories each month
  • 1.5% cashback on everything else
  • No caps on rewards spending
  • Broad list of spending categories
  • No annual fee

thumb_down Dislikes

  • Many rewards categories may s
  • No sign-up bonus or 0% intro APR on purchases or balance transfers
  • 3% foreign transaction fee is le yuck
  • $25 minimum redemption requirement
  • Higher cashback rates available elsewhere if you’re a planner

SoFi Credit Card

Read review
SoFi Credit Card Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
No
Apply Now on SoFi's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • 2% unlimited cash back... if funneled into a SoFi account
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Comes with World Elite Mastercard perks

thumb_down Dislikes

  • Cashback rate cut in half to 1% if redeemed as a statement credit
  • No sign-up bonus
  • No intro APR on purchases/balance transfers
  • Just to reiterate, it's 1% cashback unless you redeem within SoFi's ecosystem
Best for Foodies

TD Cash Credit Card

Read review
TD Cash Credit Card Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$150
Apply Now on TD's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Unlimited 3% or 2% cashback on food (dining and groceries, respectively)
  • Earn 5% cashback on gas for 6 months (up to $6,000 spend)
  • Easy-to-snag sign-up bonus
  • 0% APR for 12 months on balance transfers
  • No annual fee

thumb_down Dislikes

  • 1% default cashback rate could be tastier
  • 5% cashback deal ghosts you after 6 months or you spend $6K
  • 3% foreign transaction fee

Truist Enjoy Cash Credit Card

Read review
Truist Enjoy Cash Credit Card Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
No
Apply Now on Truist's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Choice of two rewards programs at sign-up — 1.5% flat rate, or 3% on gas and 2% on utilities and groceries
  • 10%-50% rewards booster option for Truist customers
  • Multiple reward redemption options
  • 12-month 0% APR on purchases
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee

thumb_down Dislikes

  • 3% rate applies to gas... and nothin’ else
  • $1,000 monthly spending cap on bonus rewards categories
  • Default 1% cashback rate is meh
  • The flat-rate rewards option offers just 1.5% cashback
  • No sign-up bonus or balance transfer lovin’
  • $25 redemption minimum for cashback
  • Unredeemed cashback expires after five years
Best for Rewards Rotators

U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card

Read review
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$200
Apply Now on U.S. Bank's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Earn 5% cashback on two categories (your choice each quarter!)
  • 2% unlimited cashback on one everyday category (also, your choice)
  • $200 sign-up bonus
  • No annual fee
  • 15 months of 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers
  • Additional 5% cashback on Rewards Travel Center reservations

thumb_down Dislikes

  • Quarterly rewards enrollment required
  • Fail to choose your bonus categories and you'll earn just 1% cashback
  • $2,000 quarterly spending caps on 5% rewards category is a bummer for big spenders
  • 1% cashback default rate feels kinda insulting at this point
  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • Rewards cash expires

Upgrade Cash Rewards

Read review
Upgrade Cash Rewards Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$200
Apply Now on Upgrade's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • 1.5% rewards rate on purchases as they’re paid off
  • No security deposit required
  • Predictable monthly payments and fixed payoff date
  • Offers prequalification (won't ding your credit unless you apply for real)
  • Option to take out a personal loan
  • Balances subject to fixed-rate APR
  • No annual, late, or foreign transaction fees

thumb_down Dislikes

  • Just one cashback redemption option — applying rewards to your outstanding balance
  • $200 cash bonus requires opening a checking account
  • No 0% intro APR in sight
  • No grace period on purchases or transfers
  • Loans ineligible for cashback rewards
  • No extra benefits
  • No authorized users allowed

Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards

Read review
Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$200
Apply Now on Upgrade's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • 3% rewards rate on an impressive range of home, auto and health-related purchases
  • No security deposit required
  • Predictable monthly payments and fixed payoff date
  • Option to take out a personal loan
  • Balances subject to fixed-rate, potentially low APR
  • Zero annual or penalty fees

thumb_down Dislikes

  • Just one cashback redemption option — applying rewards to your outstanding balance
  • $200 cash bonus requires opening a checking account
  • No 0% intro APR in sight
  • 1% rewards rate on everything not in the bonus categories
  • No grace period on purchases or loans
  • Loans aren’t eligible for cashback
  • No extra benefits
  • No authorized users allowed

USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card

Read review
USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
No
Apply Now on USAA's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • 5% cash back on gas and military base purchases (up to a point)
  • 2% cash back on groceries (also up to a point)
  • 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers/convenience checks
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Handy protection benefits for travel and purchases
  • No annual fee

thumb_down Dislikes

  • The 5% and 3% rewards rates shrink to 1% after you spend $3K in each category
  • The 1% cash back on everything else is 🙄
  • No sign-up bonus
  • No 0% intro APR on purchases
  • USAA membership required
Best for Low-Hassle Rewards

USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card

Read review
USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$200
Apply Now on USAA's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • 1.5% unlimited cashback on all purchases
  • Rewards redeemable after you’ve earned $1
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • 0% intro APR on balance transfers
  • Handy protection benefits for travel and purchases

thumb_down Dislikes

  • USAA membership required
  • No sign-up bonus
  • No 0% intro APR on purchases
Best for Rewards Rotators

Venmo Credit Card

Read review
Venmo Credit Card Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
No
Apply Now on Venmo's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • Automatically pays 2% and 3% cashback on your top monthly spending categories
  • No cashback rewards spending caps (Translation: Unlimited earning potential)
  • Rewards automatically credited to your Venmo account each statement period
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee

thumb_down Dislikes

  • Potential rewards-earning hit if spending spans many categories
  • Application by in-app invitation only
  • 1% default cashback rate is ... what it is
  • Only occasionally offers a sign-up bonus
  • No joint/authorized users allowed
  • 3% fee when used for person-to-person payments after Dec. (srsly?)
  • No 0% promotional APR on purchases or balance transfers
Best for Low-Hassle Rewards

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

Read review
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card Logo
Cash Back Per Year
$...
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$200
Apply Now on Wells Fargo's secure website
face Dayana's Take expand_more

thumb_up Likes

  • 2% unlimited cash back on all purchases! Shots fired, 1.5% cashback cards
  • $200 welcome bonus if you hop to it
  • So many ways to redeem rewards!
  • No annual fee
  • Includes Visa Signature perks
  • 15 months 0% intro APR on purchases/balance transfers

thumb_down Dislikes

  • No cashback bonus categories can be limiting for some
  • Balance transfer fee goes from 3% to 5% for money transferred after the first 120 days
  • 3% foreign transaction fee is yucky in any language
View More

How to use the credit card rewards calculator

The inputs: The “Monthly Spend” amount is the only required input to generate a list of results. Expanding the “Spend Categories” menu lets you tailor the results even further by entering your monthly credit card spending amounts in key categories (such as Dining, Entertainment, Gas, Groceries, Pharmacy, Travel, Online Shopping, Utilities, Transit, Streaming Services and more). We strongly urge you to do so, since a lot of cards pay elevated rewards rates on purchases in certain categories which can affect how much cash back you’ll really earn. "Filter Results" lets you hand-pick the cards you see.

The math: When you tap in how much you spend per month for each of the spending categories, we apply each provider's rewards rate for that spend type to calculate the “Cash Back Per Year” amount. To ensure the most accurate results, we factor in rewards program spending category bonus rates, rewards spending caps and default rewards rates, when applicable. If a card charges an annual fee, that amount is backed out of the total annual rewards figure.

The extras: Clicking “Apply Now” will take you to that credit card’s application page. But before that, you might want to take a gander at our homework. Click “Dayana’s Take” for a high-level overview of each card’s reward program and our likes and dislikes.

Note: The results include all of the rewards cards in our database, listed in descending order of the amount each card is expected to pay out annually based on the spending inputs. Click "View More" to see the full list of results. (See “Methodology” below for more.)

emoji_events Our top picks for cashback cards

Want some help deciding? See which cards rose to the top in our analysis of cashback credit cards for personal use.

How do you calculate the reward rate for credit cards?

Not all credit card rewards are created equal. Points or percentage cash back earned can vary from card to card depending on each loyalty program's rules. But a few mathematical shortcuts make it easy to calculate and compare reward rates.

Calculating cashback credit card rewards

Cashback credit cards that pay a percentage of each purchase back to you are the easiest reward rates to calculate.

To convert a 1.5%, 3%, or 5% cashback rate into dollar terms, divide the cashback percentage number by 100. For example, a card that pays 1.5% cash back on all qualifying purchases has a rewards rate of $0.015 (1.5 divided by 100) per $1 spent. A card offering 3% cash back pays you $0.03 for each dollar you spend; 5% nets you $0.05, and so on.

The above math works for a card that offers the same rewards rate for all purchases. But there are other reward structures that aren’t as straightforward and require a bit of reverse engineering to calculate.

Here’s how to calculate the rewards rate per $1 spent on cards with different bonus tiers or caps on how much you can earn: Divide the total amount you earned in rewards by the amount you spent to earn it.

  • Rewards rate example of a card with bonus spending categories: Let’s say you use a card that offers elevated cashback rates on groceries (3%) and gas (2%) and 1.5% on everything else. During the month you spend $400 at the supermarket (earning $12 in rewards), $100 on gas ($2) and $500 on other stuff ($7.50). Your total rewards rate — $21.50 divided by the $1,000 you spent — is $0.0215 per dollar. Multiply that by 100 and you’ve got your cashback rewards rate percentage: 2.15%.
  • Rewards rate example of a card with spending caps: You spend $1,000 one month on groceries (because you’re hosting a visiting rugby team for a few weeks) using a card that offers 5% cash back on groceries up to $500 a quarter, and 1% cash back on amounts above that. You get $30 cash back on your big grocery splurge — $25 at the 3% rate, $5 cash back for the amount that didn’t qualify for the bonus rate. Your total rewards rate comes to 3% ($30 divided by $1,000 = $0.03 back per $1 spent.).

Calculating points-based credit card rewards

To figure out the reward rate on a credit card that rewards you points on your spending, you need to know 1) how many points you get per $1 spent and 2) the cost of the item your points can buy.

Here’s the math: divide the value of the reward (what it would cost to purchase the item outright) by the number of points required to redeem it to calculate the point value.

  • Rewards rate example for credit card points: If you earn 1 point for every dollar you spend, and it takes 50,000 points to cover a $500 plane ticket, each point is worth one cent, which equals a 1% rewards rate..

Calculating the rewards rate on a points-based credit card gets tricky quickly depending on a card’s setup and your redemption options. Cards may award the same number of points on all purchases (e.g., one point for each $1 spent), or have a category-based points system (e.g., four points for each dollar spent at hotels, three points for airfare, two for gas, etc.). Check your rewards card agreement for details. Similarly, points can be worth different amounts based on what you redeem them for.

The goal is to redeem points for the highest-value reward, which may require putting in some elbow grease to manage your options. But if points math makes your head spin, a straight-up cashback credit card is a straightforward — and still highly rewarding — option to consider.

credit_card All things credit cards

Explore investor.com's full coverage of credit cards, including in-depth, expert reviews of popular cards and head-to-head comparisons of the cards that will give you the best cashback rewards, based on your actual spending.

Is it worth getting a credit card that offers 2% cash back?

If you like free money, a 2% cashback credit card is worth your while. Spend $1,000 a month on such a card, and you’ll earn $240 in genuine spendable cash (or a statement credit) per year.

Here’s what else is worthwhile about a credit card offering 2% cash back on purchases:

  • Simple to use: Plunk down card, earn 2% cash back, lather, rinse, pay it off in full (that’s key), and repeat every month. If the card is an unlimited 2% cashback card (as in no caps on the amount of spending that can earn rewards), there’s no limit to how much you can earn. That said, don’t overdo it. You’re not training for a spot on the rewards card spending Olympic team. Stick to using the card for stuff you’re planning to buy anyway and can afford to pay off.
  • Straightforward rewards math: Unlike cards that offer different rewards rates on different spending categories — or the even more confusing travel cards with complex points-based systems — a flat-rate 2% cashback card pays you 2 cents for every $1 you spend. That’s $2 back for every $100 you spend, $20 when you put $1,000 on the card, and so on.
  • Easy redemption options: No need to horde points or miles to extract the money you’ve earned. Simply ask for your cash — either redeem it as a statement credit (fastest/easiest) or request a check. For the latter note that there may be a minimum redemption requirement, usually around $25.
  • Plenty of no-annual-fee options: Every dollar you pay towards an annual fee reduces the rewardi-ness of a rewards credit card. Luckily, there are a lot of cashback rewards cards with $0 annual fees.
  • May come with a rewards booster: Sometimes a 2% rewards card is worth more than 2%, at least for a little while. For example, there are cards that offer cash welcome bonuses after you spend a certain amount during the first months after signup, effectively turning a 2% cashback rate into a 2%-plus rate on all purchases during the bonus window. Some cards also offer elevated rewards rates when you spend money at a partner retailer or book travel through a card’s rewards portal.

There are times, however, when a 2% cash back card isn’t worth it:

  • A bad option if you carry a balance: Like, ever. Rewards cards generally have higher APRs than non-rewards plastic. With average credit card interest rates tracking well above 20%, a 2% cashback rewards rate amounts to chump change to what you’ll pay on a revolving balance on the card.
  • Rewards earning caps are a buzzkill: Some cards cap the amount of spending (per quarter or per year) that’s eligible to receive rewards. (FYI: We account for spending caps in our credit card finder tool.) If you’re a big spender, “unlimited cash back” are the magic words to look for. Otherwise you may shortchange your rewards-earning potential.
  • You may be able to do better: A 2% reward rate is decent. But a cashback card that pays, for example, 3% on groceries and gas, 2% on travel and 1% on everything else — or any number of other reward permutations out there — may be a more profitable option for you. Again, the investor.com card comparison tool lets you see exactly what you’ll earn using different rewards cards.

What is the smartest way to use a credit card that has rewards?

The best way to use a rewards credit card is to choose the most profitable card for your spending habits, put all your purchases on it, and pay off the balance in full each month.

Let’s unpack this advice point by point:

  • Find the most profitable card for you. Best not to base your decision solely on a credit card’s marketing copy. The true worth of a rewards card comes down to how you use it. This could be as simple as choosing a flat-rate cashback credit card that pays you the same rewards rate on every purchase you make. A tiered-rate rewards card that pays a higher rate on certain spending categories (like gas, groceries, travel, etc.) is worth considering if the bonus categories align with your biggest expenses. (Our credit card finder tool crunches the numbers — your numbers, specifically — to find the most profitable card for you.
  • Put all your spending on the card. When it comes to rewards cards, you get back (a percentage of) what you put onto them. Rewards card maximizers put as much of their purchases on plastic as they can. That means dissing the debit card and eschewing cash at the cash register. That said, don’t let a 5% rewards rate tempt you into buying some straight-to-the-junk-drawer $30 doodad you don’t need just to earn a buck fifty back in cash. Ditto for any spending requirements to earn a sign-up bonus. Only use a rewards card for purchases you’re planning to make regardless of the rewards, and that you can pay off in full when you get your bill, which leads us to ...
  • Pay off the balance every month. Rewards cards aren’t known for having low interest rates. While some rewards cards offer 0% introductory APRs on new purchases, after the grace period, be prepared to pay a higher interest rate on revolving balances than you would if you used a non-rewards card. Letting a balance linger even one month can easily cancel out any rewards you earn, and cost you more in the long run than using a low-interest non-rewards credit card.

» Check out Ask investor.com: How many credit cards should I have?

Here are some additional tips to elevate your rewards card game:

  • Designate your go-to card for certain purchases. Rewards cards often pay different cashback bonus rates on different spending categories. If you have multiple cards, it pays to be strategic about which card you whip out for what purchases. Stick a Post-it note with spending instructions on each card as a reminder. On errand day you’ll know which card to use at the gas pump and which one to reach for at the grocery store.
  • Beware of bonus spending caps. Some consumer credit cards cap the amount of spending — overall or by category — that’s eligible for a bonus (higher) rewards rate. Once you hit the cap, the rewards rate dials back (typically to 1% or 1.5%) on purchases that exceed that amount. Not a big spender? Then this may not be a big deal. Otherwise, you may need to plan ahead to get the best rewards rate by, for example, postponing a large purchase in a bonus category you’ve already maxed out until the clock resets.
  • Get familiar with your lender’s spending category definitions. For example, most rewards cards don’t recognize food purchased at Costco, Target or other warehouse clubs or superstores as “grocery store” purchases. That spending would only qualify for the card’s default rewards rate. And the definition of “travel” and “entertainment” purchases can be either very broad or very narrow, depending on how a credit card company defines them. This setup can lead to lower rewards than expected if you’re expecting the higher “travel” rewards rate on a train ticket when the lender considers it a “transportation” purchase instead. The rules and exceptions are spelled out in the fine print — a must-read, especially before making large purchases on which you’re hoping to get a baller rewards rate.
  • Activate quarterly bonus categories. Cards with rotating bonus categories may require additional management. For example, the Chase Freedom Flex card offers 5% cash back on a new spending category each quarter. But you have to remember to opt in to earn it. The Discover it Cash Back card also sports a quarterly rotating 5% bonus setup. (Set up calendar reminders so you don’t miss out on earning extra cash.) To further juice your rewards, try to time your spending to coincide with a card’s bonus rewards schedule.
  • Redeem your points for the highest value rewards. If you have the choice, that is. On cashback rewards cards the standard (and fastest) way to claim your rewards is to opt for a statement credit. (Note, these credits don’t count against the minimum payment due.) Some rewards credit card issuers allow you to use your earnings for items in their own mall (merch or gift cards); on partner offers (e.g., travel); transfer to another cardholder in the same rewards ecosystem; or even donate your earnings to charity. Do the redemption math (see above and read the card’s reward redemption rules) to make sure the exchange is equal to or better than what you’d get by simply getting the cash back.

Methodology

Our mission at investor.com is simple: provide thorough and unbiased reviews of financial products and service providers. But, boy, do we have opinions. And those opinions are based on unparalleled research and reams of data.

We spent forever and a day (including some weekends and a minor holiday or two) gathering dozens of data points on the rewards cards that power the investor.com Credit Card Rewards Calculator comparison tool. Based on the monthly spending amounts you enter, we calculate how much each credit card’s reward program would pay out per year. (See how under “About the results,” below.)

Here’s what we don’t do: We don’t let any credit card company pay for higher placement in the results list. We don’t let providers buy additional links to their card sign-up page. We don’t make any money through affiliate relationships if you apply for a rewards card via one of our pages. When we say something nice about a credit card, it’s because the data led us to that conclusion.

That’s the TL;DR of it. Read on for more about the behind-the-scenes machinations that power our best rewards credit card recommendations.

About the results

The investor.com credit card rewards calculator results are listed in descending order of the value of the annual rewards you can expect to receive based on your inputs. All of the credit card providers in our database are included in the results list, even if the “Cash Back Per Year” payout is weak sauce. (Click “View More” to see the full list of credit cards. And please email us if there’s a card you want to see in the list.)

The calculator results are based on the monthly spending amounts you enter and the annual dollar value of the rewards each credit card program pays per $1 spent. Credit card companies often express this payout amount as a percentage (e.g., 1.5% of every dollar spent) or on a points basis (e.g., 1.5 points for every dollar spent). We converted all of them to a dollar amount (“Cash Back Per Year”) to make comparing offers easier.

To calculate the amount of cash back you could earn per year, we factored in:

  • Spend category inputs: The default dollar values for each “Spend Category” in the Best Cashback Credit Cards tool — gas, groceries, travel, restaurant, entertainment, pharmacy, other — are based on average American spending data from the Consumer Expenditure Surveys from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. We include additional spend categories (such as streaming services, online shopping, utilities, transit, Amazon and more) to help you see which rewards cards are most closely aligned with your actual spending patterns. We encourage you to customize the monthly spend inputs for the most accurate results.
  • Tiered rewards rates: If a rewards credit card pays higher cashback rates on certain spending categories (also called “Bonus Rewards”), that difference is reflected in the total “Cash Back Per Year” tally.
  • Rewards spending caps: Some cards impose category- or time-based limits (monthly, quarterly, annually) that affect the amount of rewards you can earn. For example, a card may pay 3% cashback on groceries on up to $1,000 of spending each quarter, then revert to the base/default rewards rate until the following quarter. We accounted for bonus spending caps and timeframe in the calculations.
  • Default rewards rates: Purchases that exceed a spending cap are usually subject to a lower default rewards rate (e.g. 1% or 1.5%). We mathed that out here, as well.
  • Annual fees: If a rewards card charges an annual fee, we deducted that amount from the “Cash Back Per Year” total to provide a true accounting of a card’s annual rewards payout.

What’s not included in the “Cashback Per Year” total is the cash value of any sign-up/welcome bonus. We highlight any welcome bonus separately. While sign-up bonuses can be the most lucrative part of getting a new cashback rewards credit card, not everyone will want or be able to do what it takes to earn the extra cash. (It usually requires spending a certain amount in a specified time period after the card is activated.)

Other data points we collect on each rewards card include: Fees (annual, balance transfer, cash advance, late/returned payment, foreign transactions), reward redemption options, introductory APRs for purchases and/or balance transfers, perks, quirks, and our own take on the merits of each card.

Expand the results for more information to help you pick the best cashback credit card for your needs.

Note: We strive for perfection on these pages and conduct regular data audits to ensure accuracy. However, credit card issuers occasionally deign to update their offerings and card terms without giving us a courtesy heads-up. To prevent outdated information from ruining your day, we include links to each credit card’s disclosures and terms and conditions sheets for the latest and greatest in lawyered-up fine print.

Drop us a line: We regularly add new cards to our database. Let us know if there’s a credit card rewards program you’d like to see included by emailing us.

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About the Editorial Team

investor.com
investor.com

Investor.com is your trustworthy guide to the world of personal finance. Founded in 2018 as an unbiased resource empowering consumers to research and compare financial advisory firms, investor.com today gives consumers the tools to make smart money decisions about credit, investing, retirement planning, and more.


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