Flat rate cash back credit cards offer a simple and straightforward way to earn rewards on all your purchases, without having to worry about rotating categories or spending limits.
You can earn up to 2% cash back on every purchase with a flat rate cash back credit card, making it a great option for everyday spending.
Some flat rate cash back credit cards have a minimum redemption requirement of $25, so you'll need to spend at least $1,250 to get your cash back.
These credit cards usually have no annual fees, making them a great option for those who want to avoid extra charges.
Credit Card Options
The Citi Double Cash Card offers 2% cash back on all purchases, with no rotating categories or spending limits. This makes it a great option for those who want a simple, straightforward cash back reward.
You can also consider the Discover it Cash Back Card, which offers 5% cash back on various categories throughout the year, such as gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. However, you'll need to activate these categories each quarter to earn the bonus.
Ultimately, the best credit card option for you will depend on your individual spending habits and financial goals.
Rate
If you're looking for a credit card with a low annual fee, you're in luck - many cash-back cards don't charge annual fees at all.
You can find cash-back cards with annual fees under $100, which is significantly more manageable for most budgets.
Annual fees can increase over time, so it's worth considering a card with no annual fee to avoid unexpected costs.
Here are some benefits of choosing a cash-back card with a low or no annual fee:
- Lower costs overall
- No need to worry about maximizing benefits to justify the fee
- More flexibility in your budget
Some credit cards offer high base rewards rates, such as 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
Limited Benefits
Cash-back cards often fall short when it comes to benefits, especially when compared to top travel cards. You'll rarely find complimentary airport lounge access, companion certificates, or free night awards with a cash-back card.
No-annual-fee cards, like the one mentioned in the article, tend to have less valuable benefits. This is a trade-off for not paying an annual fee.
If you're looking for benefits like foreign transaction fee waivers or bonus categories for gas or groceries, you might want to consider a different card. The card in question has a 3% foreign transaction fee and no bonus categories for gas or groceries.
Some cash-back cards do offer attractive intro offers, but these are usually limited to the first year. The card in question offers an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy for the first year, up to $20,000 spent.
Here's a breakdown of the benefits you can expect from this card:
Why Choose a Flat Rate Cash Back Credit Card
Choosing a flat rate cash back credit card can be a great decision for your wallet. With a high base rewards rate of 1.5%, you'll earn more cash back on your purchases compared to other types of credit cards.
One of the biggest advantages of a flat rate cash back credit card is that it offers a simple and straightforward rewards structure. You'll earn the same percentage back on every purchase, without having to worry about rotating categories or spending limits.
If you're looking for a credit card with no annual fee, a flat rate cash back card is a great option. With a $0 annual fee, you can enjoy the benefits of cash back rewards without any additional costs.
A valuable welcome bonus for new cardholders is also a great perk of flat rate cash back credit cards. This can be a nice boost to your rewards earnings and help you get started with using your new card.
If you need to make a large purchase or consolidate debt, a flat rate cash back credit card with intro APR offers can be a lifesaver. You'll enjoy a lower interest rate on your purchases and balance transfers, giving you more time to pay off your debt.
Top Offers
If you're looking for a flat rate cash back credit card, you've got several options. The Citi Double Cash Card is a top contender, offering 2% cash back on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
This card also comes with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, making it a great choice if you want to transfer debt from a card with a higher interest rate and pay it off over time. The card has a $0 annual fee and no rotating categories to keep track of.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is another solid option, earning an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back. This card also offers a special travel offer, earning 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
Here are some of the top offers for flat rate cash back credit cards:
These are just a few of the many options available, but they're definitely worth considering if you're looking for a flat rate cash back credit card.
Card Details
The Fortiva Mastercard Credit Card offers a 3% Cash Back Reward on Gas, Groceries and Utilities, while the Mastercard Gold Card features a flat-rate redemption value of 2% for cash back or 2% value for airfare redemption.
Other flat rate cash back credit cards include the Mastercard Black Card, which offers a flat-rate redemption value of 1.5% for cash back or 2% value for airfare redemption. The Citi Double Cash Card earns 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
Here's a comparison of the annual fees for these cards:
Petal 2 Visa
The Petal 2 Visa Credit Card is a great option for those looking for a fee-free credit card with cash back rewards. No annual fee is a huge perk, and it's not just that - there are no fees of any kind.
You can earn up to 1.5% cash back on unlimited everyday purchases, with the potential to increase to 1.25% after 6 months of on-time payments and 1.5% after another 6 months.
Here's a breakdown of the cash back rewards:
Overall, the Petal 2 Visa Credit Card is a solid choice for those who want a simple, fee-free credit card with cash back rewards.
Best: Citi Double
The Citi Double Cash Card is a solid choice for those who want a flat-rate cashback card with no annual fee. It earns 2% on every purchase, with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
You can earn a special travel offer, too, earning 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals, and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25. This is an above-average offer for a flat-rate card with no annual fee.
The Citi Double Cash Card also offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, which can be useful if you want to transfer debt from a card with a higher interest rate and pay it off over time.
Here's a breakdown of the Citi Double Cash Card's benefits:
- Earn 2% on every purchase
- Earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals, and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
- $0 annual fee
Card Providers
Card providers like Citi, Discover, and American Express offer flat rate cash back credit cards with rewards structures that are easy to understand.
Citi offers a 2% cash back rate on all purchases, with no rotating categories or spending limits.
Discover's 5% cash back bonus categories include grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants, but you must sign up each quarter to activate the bonus.
American Express offers a 1% cash back rate on all purchases, with additional rewards opportunities through their Membership Rewards program.
First Progress Secured
The First Progress Secured credit card is a great option for those looking to establish or rebuild their credit. It's a secured card, which means you'll need to make a security deposit to open the account, but it's a good way to start building credit.
The First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard Secured Credit Card offers a lower annual fee compared to other secured cards. You can earn 1% Cash Back Rewards with this card.
One of the benefits of this card is that it's easy to get approved, with a pre-qualification process that won't affect your credit score. This is a great feature for those who are new to credit or rebuilding their credit.
Here are some key features of the First Progress Secured credit card:
Overall, the First Progress Secured credit card is a solid choice for those looking to establish or rebuild their credit.
Master Black
The Master Black card offers a flat-rate redemption value of 1.5% for cash back or 2% value for airfare redemption.
The card has no foreign transaction fees, no earning caps, no rotating categories, and eliminates the need to pursue transfer partners to maximize point values. It also features a $495 annual fee, with an additional $195 annual fee for each authorized user.
Cardholders can earn up to $200 in statement credits toward flight-related purchases, including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades, and more. This credit is automatically applied to their account at the start of the calendar year.
To earn cash back, cardholders earn one point for every dollar spent, with point redemption being simple and straightforward. There's no need to activate or designate an airline for the annual airline credit.
Here are the benefits of the Master Black card:
- Annual Airline Credit: up to $100
- Application Fee Credit: up to $120
- Priority Pass Select: access to 1,500+ airport lounges worldwide
- Luxury Card Concierge: 24/7 assistance for tasks big and small
- Exclusive Luxury Card Travel benefits: average value of $500 per stay at over 3,000 properties
- Cell phone protection for eligible claims of up to $1,000 each year
Bank of America Travel Services
Bank of America Travel Services offers a range of benefits to cardholders. The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is a great option for those who want to earn rewards on their purchases.
You can earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases with this card. There's no annual fee, and you won't be charged foreign transaction fees. Your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
To get started, make at least $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. This will qualify you for 25,000 online bonus points, which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit towards travel purchases.
The card also comes with a 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases, giving you time to pay off your balance without incurring interest. After that, the APR will be between 18.24% and 28.24% Variable APR on purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do any credit cards offer 3% cash back?
Yes, some credit cards offer 3% cash back, such as the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, which rewards grocery store purchases and offers a $200 bonus.
What is a good cash back rate on a credit card?
A good cash back rate is typically 2% or higher, offering more rewards for frequent spenders. Consider a 2% card for maximum benefits, especially if you have high expenses
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