Cash Back Credit Cards
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Cash Back Credit Cards

Cash back credit cards provide cardholders with cash rebates or rewards to cardholders for making purchases with their cards. A cardholder has the ability to accumulate significant rebates over time based on the dollar amount of purchases made with the top card offers.

At CreditCardAssist.com, we strongly recommend that cash back cards are most suitable for cardholders who do not carry monthly balances. These type of cards typically have higher APR's (roughly 1% higher) compared to standard platinum cards. If you carry a monthly balance, the higher interest rate on these cards will more than offset the rebate that you'll receive and you'll end up paying back the rebate in the form of higher interest charges to the card issuer.

We have listed a variety of the very best cash back credit cards available below.

Editor’s Pick
Citi ThankYou® Preferred Rewards Card - $250 in Gift Cards
  • $250 in gift cards - When you redeem the 25,000 bonus ThankYou® Points received after $2,000 in purchases within 4 months of account opening.
  • Earn 1 point for every $1 you spend on all purchases
  • Receive an anniversary bonus every year you’re a cardmember
  • No expiration and no limit on the points you can earn
  • Redeem ThankYou Points for merchandise, travel rewards, gift cards, cash and more
  • No annual fee*
Intro Rate
Intro Period
Reg. Rate
Annual Fee
Balance
Transfers
Credit Needed
NA*
NA*
12.99%-22.99%* (Variable)
$0*
Yes*
Excellent*

Editor's Review: For those who are looking for a rewards credit card that offers plenty of opportunities to earn bonus points, the Citi ThankYou(® Preferred Rewards Card - $250 in Gift Cards credit card may be just what you are looking for. ...more info

Capital One® Cash Rewards - $100 Cash Back Bonus
  • $100 Bonus after you spend $500 in the first 3 months
  • 50% bonus on the cash back you earn every year
  • 1% cash back on all purchases
  • No annual fee
  • Earn unlimited cash rewards that don't expire
  • Redeem cash rewards anytime for any amount, even set up automatic redemption
  • Personalize your card with an image of your choice
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers until June 2013
Intro Rate
Intro Period
Reg. Rate
Annual Fee
Balance
Transfers
Credit Needed
0% Intro on Purchases and Balance Transfers*
Until June 2013*
12.9% - 20.9% (V)*
$0*
Yes*
Excellent Credit*

Editor's Review: Capital One® Cash Rewards - $100 Cash Back Bonus is a great card for individuals with excellent credit who are looking to earn unlimited cash back on their purchases. ...more info

Capital One® Cash Rewards for Newcomers
  • A card designed to help those new to the U.S. establish credit and earn cash back
  • Build credit with automatic reporting to the three major credit bureaus
  • Get 2% cash back on travel purchases
  • Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • No annual fee
Intro Rate
Intro Period
Reg. Rate
Annual Fee
Balance
Transfers
Credit Needed
N/A*
N/A*
24.9% (V)*
None*
Yes*
Fair Credit*

Editor's Review: The Capital One® Cash Rewards for Newcomers credit card is specially designed for consumers newly arrived to the United States who want to earn cash rewards, build their credit, and more. ...more info

Discover® More® Card
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 10.99% - 20.99%*
  • 5% Cashback Bonus® in categories that change like gas, restaurants, department stores and more. Limitations apply*
  • Up to 20% Cashback Bonus at popular retailers when you shop online through Discover.com
  • Discover is ranked #1 in customer loyalty--16 years in a row! (2011 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index report)
  • 24/7 access to a U.S. based Account Manager within 60 seconds
  • $0 Fraud Liability plus automatic mobile and email fraud alerts
  • Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee
  • *Click apply to view rates, fees, rewards, limitations and other important information
Intro Rate
Intro Period
Reg. Rate
Annual Fee
Balance
Transfers
Credit Needed
0% on Balance Transfers, Purchases*
15 Months
10.99% - 20.99% (Variable)*
None*
Yes*
Excellent Credit*

Editor's Review: The Discover® More® credit card offers cardholders a cash back rebate on purchases of up to 1%, and an attractive 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for a full 15 months, a very attractive feature that establishes it as one of the best balance transfer offers currently available in the marketplace ...more info

Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Visa® Card - $100 Cash Back
  • $100 cash back after $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
  • 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 12 months. After that, the APR will be 12.99%-22.99% variable based on your creditworthiness*.
  • Earn 5% cash back at The Home Depot and on Home Furnishing and Home & Garden purchases from 4/1/12 to 6/30/12 when you enroll.
  • Each quarter, you can enroll to earn additional cash back in popular categories.
  • Full 1% cash back on all other purchases and eligible cash advances.
  • No Annual Fee*
Intro Rate
Intro Period
Reg. Rate
Annual Fee
Balance
Transfers
Credit Needed
0% on Purchases & Balance Transfers*
12 Months*
12.99% - 22.99%* (Variable)
None*
Yes*
Excellent*

Editor's Review: The Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Visa® Card - $100 Cash Back is designed primarily as a cash back credit card for people with good credit. The card also features a 0% APR on both purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months*. ...more info

Blue Cash Everyday(SM) Card from American Express
  • Earn $100 cash back bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases in the first 3 months of Cardmembership
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, flexibility to pay over time
  • Get 3% cash back at supermarkets, 2% cash back at gas stations and department stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • No spend minimum, No enrollment, and No rotating rewards categories
  • Get a $25 Referral Bonus for each friend or family member who is approved for the Card
  • No annual fee, flexibility to pay over time
Intro Rate
Intro Period
Reg. Rate
Annual Fee
Balance
Transfers
Credit Needed
See Terms*
See Terms*
17.24% - 22.24% Variable
No Annual Fee
Yes*
Excellent

Editor's Review: For those with good or excellent credit who are interested in a cash back credit card that offers more than just the standard 1 percent cash back, the Blue Cash Everyday(SM) Card from American Express credit card may be the answer. ...more info

Discover® More Card - 18 Month Promotional Balance Transfer
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 10.99% - 20.99%*
  • 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 10.99% - 20.99%*
  • 5% Cashback Bonus® in categories that change like gas, restaurants, department stores and more. Limitations apply*
  • Discover is ranked #1 in customer loyalty--16 years in a row! (2011 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index report)
  • 24/7 access to a U.S. based Account Manager within 60 seconds
  • $0 Fraud Liability plus automatic mobile and email fraud alerts
  • Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee
  • *Click apply to view rates, fees, rewards, limitations and other important information
Intro Rate
Intro Period
Reg. Rate
Annual Fee
Balance
Transfers
Credit Needed
0%*
6 Months on Purchases, 18 Months on Balance Transfers*
10.99% - 20.99% (Variable)*
None*
Yes*
Excellent*

Editor's Review: This Discover® More® Card is a cash rewards card that comes with one of the most attractive balance transfer features available for NEW card customers only: an 18-month 0% Introductory APR on balance transfers. ...more info

Chase Freedom® Visa
  • Earn $100 Bonus Cash Back after you make $500 in purchases in your first 3 months
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
  • 5% Cash Back on up to $1,500 spent at grocery stores and movie theaters from 4/1/12 - 6/30/12
  • You'll enjoy new 5% categories every 3 months like gas stations, restaurants and even airlines. It's free and easy to activate your bonus each quarter!
  • Unlimited 1% Cash Back on all other purchases
  • Up to an additional 10% Cash Back when you shop online at select merchants through Chase
  • No annual fee and rewards never expire
Intro Rate
Intro Period
Reg. Rate
Annual Fee
Balance
Transfers
Credit Needed
0% on Purchases & Balance Transfers*
15 Months*
12.99% - 22.99% (Variable*)
None*
Yes*
Excellent*

Editor's Review: The Chase Freedom(SM) Visa card from Chase is designed for those who have excellent credit who are looking for a great cash back rewards program ...more info

TrueEarnings(R) Card from Costco and American Express
  • American Express(R) Card and Costco Membership Card in one - with no annual fee for Costco members
  • Cash back on the things you buy: 3% for the first $3,000 in annual gasoline purchases (1% thereafter), 2% for restaurants, 2% for travel, and 1% everywhere else, including Costco
  • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars in overall satisfaction by current TrueEarnings(R) Cardmembers from Costco and American Express
Intro Rate
Intro Period
Reg. Rate
Annual Fee
Balance
Transfers
Credit Needed
0% on Purchases*
6 Months*
15.24% variable
$0*
See Terms*
Excellent

Editor's Review: Teaming up with Costco, American Express provides great value to people with average credit with the TrueEarnings® Card. This credit card offers a a cash back rewards program that features no limit to the amount of cash rebates you can earn as well as a 0% introductory rate on all new purchases for the first 6 months. ...more info

 

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Consumers Simply Won't Give Up Their Rewards CardsAlthough they are notorious for having higher interest rates, rewards credit cards are still incredibly popular with consumers. According to a study by Cardbeat, rewards cards are as popular today as they have ever been. Rewards programs increased 6% between February 2011 and February 2012. The study shows that 76% of responders state that the ...read more



Normally, a cash back card will have a rebate of around 1%, which is the industry standard. While you search and compare for the best cashback cards, you might be wondering how all the card issuers can afford to do that. The retailers and merchants that you shop at are charged a fee for every purchase that you make with the card. So in essence, you are taking back a portion of that fee as your cash rebate.

However, since rebate programs still end up being pretty costly to the card issuers, some rebate credit cards will have an annual fee, which can range from around $25 to as much as $100, which will be incurred after you apply and are approved for the card.

Some cards will offer a higher rebate percentage with increased card usage and still other cards will offer you a higher cashback percentage at select merchants, such as gas stations, supermarkets and select retailers. Be mindful, however, that most cash back cards typically only offer cash back on purchases, not on balance transfers or cash advances.

So if you are vigilant about paying off your monthly card balance, a cash back credit card can earn cardholders a significant amount of money over time.

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