What is a Cash Back Card and How to Choose the Right One

A cash back card is a type of credit card that rewards you with a percentage of your purchase back as a statement credit.

Cash back cards can be a great way to earn money back on your everyday purchases, but with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one.

The amount of cash back you can earn varies widely, from 1% to 5% or more, depending on the card and the type of purchase.

Some cash back cards offer higher rewards in specific categories, such as groceries or gas, making them a great choice for people with consistent spending habits.

A cash back card is a type of credit card that rewards you with a percentage of your purchases back as a statement credit.

Cash back cards typically offer a fixed percentage of your purchases back, ranging from 1% to 5% or more, depending on the card issuer and the type of purchase.

Some cash back cards offer higher rewards rates for specific categories, such as groceries, gas, or dining, which can be a great perk for frequent buyers in those areas.

For example, a card may offer 3% cash back on gas purchases, which can add up quickly for someone who drives a lot.

Cash back cards usually have no annual fee, making them a great option for people who want to earn rewards without paying extra.

However, some cash back cards may have rotating categories or limited-time offers, which can require more planning and effort to maximize rewards.

Cash back cards are generally easy to use, as you simply use the card for your purchases and earn rewards automatically.

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Cash back cards can be categorized into different types based on how rewards are earned. Flat-rate cards offer the same rewards rate on every purchase, often 1.5% or 2%.

With a flat-rate card, you can easily compare different options and know exactly how much you're earning on every purchase. This type of card is great for those who don't want to spend a lot of time managing a rewards program.

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There are also category-specific cards that offer rewards in pre-defined categories like travel, groceries, or entertainment. The reward amounts can be higher than with flat-rate cards, but the categories and merchants included are decided by the card issuer.

Some cards offer rotating categories, where you can earn extra rewards in a particular category for a short time, such as monthly or quarterly. This can be a great option for those who frequently spend in a specific category.

Here are the main types of cash back cards:

The Ink Business credit cards offer a range of benefits, including cash back rewards and intro APRs.

You can earn up to $750 bonus cash back with some of these cards, such as the Ink Business Cash Credit Card and the Ink Business Premier Credit Card.

Some Ink Business credit cards offer 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, like the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card and the Ink Business Cash Credit Card.

The Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card earns unlimited 1.5% cash back rewards on every purchase made for your business, with no annual fee.

The Ink Business Cash Credit Card earns up to $750 bonus cash back, with 5% cash back in select business categories and rewards on every purchase.

To earn the maximum bonus cash back with the Ink Business Cash Credit Card, you need to spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months and an additional $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months after account opening.

The Ink Business Premier Credit Card pays in full with unlimited earn potential, earning 2.5% cash back on every purchase of $5,000 or more and 2% cash back on all other business purchases.

The Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card has a 17.74Min. of (7.75+9.99) and 29.99%–23.74Min. of (7.75+15.99) and 29.99% variable APR after the intro APR period ends.

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The Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great option for those who love food and entertainment. You can earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores, on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services.

This card also offers a one-time $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. To put that into perspective, that's like buying a few hundred dollars' worth of groceries or dining out a few times.

You can also earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, which is a great perk for movie lovers or concert-goers. And, as a bonus, you can earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

One of the best things about the Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is that there's no rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards. Plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn.

Here's a breakdown of the rewards structure:

The Citi Double Cash Card is a great option for those looking for a simple cash back rewards program. You can earn 2% on every purchase, with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.

To earn cash back, you must pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, you can earn 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 also offers a $200 cash back bonus after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer is fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

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

The Citi Double Cash Card also has a 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months, but interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance, including balance transfers, by the due date each month.

The Master Gold card is a top-of-the-line premium card that offers straightforward rewards and exceptional service. It's perfect for those who want to avoid juggling multiple cards and statements.

Cardholders earn one point for every dollar spent, and redemption is simple with a flat-rate redemption value of 2% for cash back or 2% value for airfare redemption with no airline or seat restrictions. This means you can earn and redeem points without a complex reward strategy.

One of the standout features of the Master Gold card is the Annual Airline Credit, which can be up to $200 in statement credits toward flight-related purchases. This can be a huge perk for frequent travelers.

The card also offers up to a $120 application fee credit for the cost of TSA Pre✓ or Global Entry, as well as automatic enrollment in Priority Pass Select with access to 1,500+ airport lounges worldwide. This is a great benefit for those who travel frequently and want to enjoy a more comfortable airport experience.

Here are some key benefits of the Master Gold card:

The Master Gold card is also made with 24K Gold, weighing in at an industry-leading 22g. This makes it a premium card that's designed for frequent shoppers and big-ticket purchases.

Rotating cash back cards offer extra-generous rewards in particular categories for a short amount of time. These categories can change monthly or quarterly. Sometimes the rotating category is for spending within a broad category like electronics, while in other cases it can apply to spending with a specific retailer.

Rotating cash back cards can be a good fit for people who tend to spend a lot in certain categories, but may not be the best option for those with unpredictable spending habits. To maximize rewards, it's essential to keep track of the rotating categories and use the right card for each purchase.

Here are some examples of rotating cash back categories:

Keep in mind that rotating categories can be a bit more complicated, but with the right strategy, you can earn more rewards.