High Cash Back Credit Cards: Types, Benefits, and Options

High cash back credit cards can be a game-changer for those who use them responsibly. They offer a higher return on your spending compared to traditional rewards credit cards.

One of the most popular types of high cash back credit cards is the rotating category card, which earns a higher cash back rate on specific categories that change quarterly or annually.

These cards often come with a sign-up bonus, which can be a significant amount of cash back or rewards points. For example, the Discover it Cash Back card offers a $150 bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months.

Some high cash back credit cards also have no annual fee, making them a great option for those who want to avoid paying extra.

If you're looking for a high cash back credit card, you'll want to consider cards with high cash back rates on specific categories or flat-rate cash back on all purchases.

A high cash back rate can be 2% or higher on flat-rate cards, while cards with spending categories can offer 5% or higher on certain purchases, such as groceries or gas.

Some examples of high cash back credit cards include the Citi Custom Cash Card, which offers 5% cash back in your top eligible spending category each billing cycle, and the Citi Double Cash Card, which offers 2% cash back on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.

Here are some high cash back credit cards to consider:

There are several types of high cash back credit cards to choose from.

Flat rate cash back cards offer the same percentage of cash back on every purchase, such as 1% cash back or 1.5% cash back.

Some cash back credit cards offer a higher rewards rate for purchases within a certain category, like travel, dining, gas or groceries, with a lower rewards rate for other purchases.

Rotating categories can be found in some cash back credit cards, which earn a higher rate of rewards in categories that rotate throughout the year, with other purchases earning your standard rewards rate.

You can also find cash back credit cards that offer a higher earn rate on categories such as grocery purchases, gas purchases, and regularly recurring bill payments, like the TD Cash Back credit cards.

The Citi Custom Cash Card, for example, earns 5% cash back on your top eligible spending category on up to $500 spent each billing cycle and 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases.

Here are some popular high cash back credit cards that offer rotating categories, bonus categories, or flat rate cash back:

High Cash Back Credit Cards offer numerous benefits that can help you save money and earn rewards on your purchases. Some cards provide a flat rate of cash back on every purchase, while others offer higher levels of cash back in select categories, such as groceries or gas.

One notable benefit of high cash back credit cards is the opportunity to earn higher rewards rates on certain purchases. For example, the TD Cash Back Credit Card offers a higher earn rate on categories such as grocery purchases, gas purchases, and regularly recurring bill payments, allowing you to earn up to 3% cash back.

High cash back credit cards also often come with welcome bonuses, which can provide an initial boost to your rewards earnings. For instance, the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express offers a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership.

Some high cash back credit cards also offer the flexibility to use your rewards in various ways, such as redeeming them for cash, statement credits, or even paying down your balance. This can be especially useful for those who want to maximize their rewards earnings.

Here are some examples of high cash back credit cards that offer impressive rewards rates:

Keep in mind that high cash back credit cards often come with higher interest rates and fees, so it's essential to carefully review the terms and conditions before applying.

Capital One offers a range of credit cards that can help you earn high cash back rewards. The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers 1.5% to 5% cash back on every purchase, every day, with no rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn.

The annual fee for this card is $39. This card is a great option for those who want simplicity in their cash back rewards, as cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account.

Another option is the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, which has no annual fee. This card offers 1% to 8% cash back, and you can earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card also offers 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, with a balance transfer fee of 3% on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months.

The card's rewards structure is quite detailed, with different rates for various purchases. Here's a breakdown of the cash back rates for the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card:

One of the standout features of the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is that there's no spending cap on how much cash back you can earn in each category, unlike some other cards that may have limits.

Bank of America Credit Cards offer some great rewards options. One popular card is the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card, which offers 1% - 3% cash back on purchases.

To earn the highest cash back rate, you'll need to spend $2,500 in combined purchases from the category of your choice, grocery stores, and wholesale clubs within a quarter. You'll also earn 3% cash back in that category, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% on all other purchases.

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card also offers a $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.

The card has no annual fee, which is a nice perk. You can earn up to 10% cash back on everyday purchases with a new feature, and there's no credit check to apply, making it a great option for those with limited or no credit history.

Here are the cash back rates and rewards for the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card:

Secured credit cards are a type of credit card that requires a security deposit, which becomes your credit limit. This can be beneficial for those who are building credit or have poor credit history.

If you're struggling to get approved for a regular credit card, secured credit cards can be a good alternative. These cards often have lower fees and more lenient approval requirements.

Secured credit cards can also help you establish a credit history, which is essential for long-term financial stability. By making on-time payments, you can improve your credit score over time.

Some secured credit cards have annual fees ranging from $25 to $99, while others have no annual fee at all. Be sure to read the fine print and understand the costs associated with the card.

Secured credit cards are often issued by banks and credit unions, and may offer rewards programs or cash back benefits. However, these benefits are typically limited compared to regular credit cards.

By using a secured credit card responsibly, you can take the first step towards rebuilding your credit and improving your financial situation.

The Citi Double Cash Card offers 1% - 5% cash back on purchases. This card has a $0 annual fee.

Earning cash back is straightforward, with 2% cash back on every purchase. You get unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.

To earn the maximum cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. There's also a special travel offer, earning 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals, and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.

The Citi Double Cash Card has a unique feature: a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. This can be useful if you want to transfer debt from a card with a higher interest rate and pay it off over time.

Here are the key benefits of the Citi Double Cash Card:

Discover Credit Cards offer a range of benefits for those looking to earn high cash back rewards. You can earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter, like gas stations or grocery stores, on top of the standard 1% cash back on all other purchases.

One of the standout features of Discover credit cards is the cash back match. Get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, automatically. There is no limit to how much they’ll match.

Discover credit cards also offer a high acceptance rate, with Discover being accepted nationwide by 99% of places that take credit cards. This means you can use your card wherever you go.

You can earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, including cafes and fast-food, on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. This can add up quickly if you regularly dine out or fill up your gas tank.

Here are some of the key benefits of Discover cash back credit cards:

The Petal Credit Card is a great option for those looking for a fee-free credit card with cash back rewards. It offers 1% - 10% cash back on various purchases.

One of the standout features of the Petal Credit Card is that it has no annual fee, and no fees of any kind. This is a huge perk for those who want to avoid unnecessary charges.

With the Petal Credit Card, you can earn up to 1.5% cash back on unlimited everyday purchases. This is a great incentive for people who use their credit cards frequently.

Here's a breakdown of the cash back rewards: 1% right away, increasing to 1.25% after 6 monthly on-time payments, and 1.5% after another 6 monthly on-time payments.

Cash-back cards have become more attractive with improved options. Issuers have raised the value of cash-back cards, giving consumers more choices.

Some cash-back cards offer high rewards rates on specific categories. For example, the Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 5% back on Lyft purchases (through March 2025) and travel booked through Chase Travel℠.

Other cards offer rotating quarterly bonus categories. The Chase Freedom Flex earns 5% back on the first $1,500 spent each quarter on those purchases (activation required).

Rotating Bonus Categories can be a great way to earn more cash back rewards on your everyday purchases. With these types of cards, you can earn higher rewards in specific categories that change regularly.

The Chase Freedom Flex is an excellent example of a rotating bonus category card. It offers 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories you activate, on up to $1,500 spent.

You can earn 5% cash back on Lyft purchases with some cash back cards, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited. This bonus applies through March 2025.

The Citi Custom Cash Card is another option that offers bonus categories that adapt to your spending each month. Cardholders will automatically earn 5% back on the first $500 spent on their top eligible spending category from 10 different category options each billing cycle.

Some cash back cards offer bonus rewards on grocery purchases, like the TD Cash Back Credit Cards. These cards allow you to earn Cash Back Dollars on everyday purchases, including groceries.

To get the most out of your rotating bonus category card, be sure to activate the program each quarter to earn the highest rewards in your chosen categories.

Redeeming your cash back rewards can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, I've got you covered. You'll usually only receive rewards worth up to 1 cent apiece, typically for statement credits, direct deposits or checks.

Some credit cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, allow you to transfer points to other cards, giving you more flexibility in redeeming your rewards. You can transfer those points to the Sapphire Preferred to turn them into fully transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

You can also redeem your points for cash back if you wish, although it's not the most lucrative option. It's better than never redeeming your rewards, but it's worth considering other redemption options.

You can redeem your cash back rewards in various ways, including statement credits, cash deposits into your bank account, gift cards, charitable donations, and payment for purchases. Some credit cards, like the TD Cash Back Credit Card, even let you redeem your Cash Back Dollars annually or at any time (min. $25).

Here are some common ways to redeem cash back rewards:

A high cashback rate is typically around 1.5% for flat-rate rewards cards, so anything higher than that would be considered a high cashback rate.

For flat-rate rewards cards, an average rate is around 1.5% cash back on every purchase.

To earn a high cashback rate, you can opt for a card with spending categories, which offer higher levels of cash back on certain purchases.

Cards with spending categories can offer up to 5% cash back on certain purchases, like groceries or gas.

These cards usually have spending limits, so you'll only earn the higher rate on some of your spending, such as up to $2,500 in purchases per quarter.