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Compare 5% cashback credit cards
Earn accelerated cash back on rotating categories you choose or on two fixed categories.
A 5% cashback card is probably one of the most rewarding types of cards you can get. Depending on which categories you mostly spend money on, you can get a card with rotating categories or with fixed categories like gas or Amazon purchases for the entire year.
In addition to cash back, most of these cards offer a signup bonus, and they usually have no annual fee. With some cards you can even get an intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers.
A 5% cashback credit card often has quarterly rotating categories on which you can earn accelerated cash back. Below are some examples of 5% cashback cards you might want to consider.
If you're looking to earn 5 cash back on as many rotating categories as possible, then the Chase Freedom Flexâ„ credit card could be worth considering. You earn high cash back on rotating categories every three months you activate, which often include gas, groceries and wholesale clubs.
Furthermore, the card offers a decent signup bonus, long intro APR period on purchases, and if you make a late payment — you only incur a fee instead of a penalty APR.
Cash back. Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases on quarterly rotating categories when you activate, including gas, groceries, wholesale clubs, digital wallet payments and more. Also, earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 5% on Lyft rides through March 2022, 3% at restaurants, and 3% on drugstore purchases.
Signup bonus. Spend $500 on purchases during your first 3 months of card membership and earn a cash bonus, plus earn 5 cash back at grocery stores on up to $12,000 in the first year.
Intro APR period. Enjoy a 0% intro APR period on purchases for the first 15 months following your account opening. After that, a variable APR of 14.99% to 23.74% applies.
No penalty APR. For late or returned payments, you'll only pay a fee of up to $39. With other cards, you could incur a penalty APR of up to 31% variable, which can last indefinitely.No annual fee. Earn all the cash back you can without paying an annual fee.
Annual Fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 14.99% to 23.74% variable)
Balance transfer APR
14.99% to 23.74% variable
Welcome offer
$200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months, plus 5% cash back at grocery stores on up to $12,000 in the first year
Rewards
5% back in rotating categories up to $1,500 combined each activated quarter (then 1%), 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases
Similar to the Chase Freedom Flex, you earn 5% cashback on a variety of categories. But with the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, you get something more — an unlimited 1.5% cashback on all purchases aside from the 5% and 3% categories. This is a rare benefit in tiered cashback credit cards.
What’s more, you get to earn a solid signup bonus, and you get to save money on interest with a long 0% intro APR period on purchases.
Cash back. Earn 5% back on travel purchased via the Chase Ultimate Rewards and 5% back on Lyft rides through March 2022. Purchases made at drugstores and restaurants, including delivery and takeout earn 3% back. Earn 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Signup bonus. Earn a $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 in the first 3 months. In addition, earn 5% back at grocery stores on up to $12,000 in the first year.
Intro APR period. Get 15 months of 0% intro APR period on purchases. A variable APR of 14.99% to 23.74% applies thereafter.
Annual Fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 14.99% to 23.74% variable)
Balance transfer APR
14.99% to 23.74% variable
Welcome offer
$200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months, plus 5% cash back at grocery stores on up to $12,000 in the first year
Rewards
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, 5% on Lyft, 3% on dining and drugstores and 1.5% on all other purchases
With most 5% cashback cards with rotating categories, you don't have control over which categories appear during each quarter. In most cases, you don't even know what they are until announced. With the U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card you choose which purchases earn accelerated cash back.
Your options include furniture, home utilities, department stores, electronics stores and select clothing stores. And you can plan your purchases ahead. If you're looking to buy new mattresses and clothes — enroll in those two categories for the first three months. You want to buy new TV or a computer? Enroll in electronics stores for the second quarter.
Cash back. Earn 5 cash back on up to $2,000 per enrolled quarter in combined purchases in two categories of your choice and 1 back after that, 2 back on either gas or groceries and 1 back on everything else you buy. Redeem cash back as a statement credit or a deposit to your U.S. Bank savings, checking or money market account.
Signup bonus. Spend $500 on purchases in your first 90 days of card membership and get $$200 bonus cash.
Intro APR period on balance transfers. Get 12 billing cycles following your account opening of 0% intro APR period on balance transfers. After the intro period passes, your rate reverts to variable 13.99% to 23.99%.
Annual Fee
$0
Purchase APR
13.99% to 23.99% variable
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 12 billing cycles (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable)
Welcome offer
$200 after spending $500 in the first 90 days
Rewards
5% on up to $2,000 each activated quarter on two categories combined (1% after), 2% on one everyday category and 1% on all other purchases
If you spend more than $3,000 annually on Amazon and at Whole Foods Market — and especially if you're already an Amazon Prime member — the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card could be a strong choice. It lets you earn unlimited cash back on these two categories throughout the year. Plus you earn high points on gas, dining and for shopping at drugstores, and you get an Amazon gift card as soon as you're approved for the card.
Cash back. Earn points worth 5 in cash back on all of your Amazon and Whole Foods Market purchases. Earn 2 back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores, and 1 back on everything else you buy. Redeem points for cash, gift cards, travel or use toward your new Amazon purchases.
Amazon gift card. Get $70 once you're approved for this Chase credit card.
Metal card. This is a metal card with the look and feel of the more expensive cards like the Amex Platinum.
No foreign transaction fee. You can use this card freely when traveling abroad and you won't pay a foreign transaction fee.
Travel insurance and luggage reimbursement. Use your card to pay for your transportation ticket and get coverage against accidental death or dismemberment. Your luggage is also covered against loss, damage or delays for more than six hours.
Annual Fee
$0
Purchase APR
14.24% to 22.24% variable
Balance transfer APR
14.24% to 22.24% variable
Welcome offer
$70 Amazon.com gift card upon approval
Rewards
5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases
The information about Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card has been collected independently by Finder and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
Frequent shoppers at Target and Target.com should definitely consider this card. Each purchase made at the store gets a generous 5% discount, plus you get free two-day shipping at Target.com, an extended return and exchange window, additional discounts and access to exclusive products. The only drawback is that you can't use this card outside of Target.
Discount. Purchases made at Target and Target.com with this card get 5% discount. This discounts stacks with other discounts through the Target Circle.
Free shipping. Get two-day free shipping on most items purchased at Target.com.
Additional discounts. You also get additional discounts, including 10% off on bookings through Hotels.com, 10% off on your card anniversary, 5% on specialty gift cards for travel, restaurants, movie tickets and more.
No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to own the card.
Annual Fee
$0
Purchase APR
22.9% variable
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Welcome offer
N/A
Rewards
5% discount at Target stores and Target online
How to compare 5% cashback credit cards
This type of card usually offers 5% cash back on rotating categories every three months. Some cards let you choose which categories earn accelerated cash back and some offer the same cashback rate on up to two categories throughout the year. That’s why it’s important to consider the following:
Do you want to earn 5% cash back on a variety of categories? If that’s the case, consider Chase Freedom Flexâ„ , which offers solid options each quarter from gas, groceries and wholesale clubs to digital wallet purchases of Apple Pay, Google Pay, Chase Pay and more.
Do you want to choose which categories earn high cash back? With the U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card, you get to choose which categories earn 5% and 2% back each quarter.
Do you mostly buy things on Amazon? The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card offers 5% back on all of your Amazon and Whole Foods Market purchases throughout the year.
Do you often shop at Target? If you do, the Target REDcardâ„¢ Credit Card could be a solid choice. With each purchase made at Target and Target.com you get 5% discount, which stacks with any additional discounts you can get.
Bottom line
Finding a card that offers 5% cash back is a good perk to have. However, there are sometimes categories you have to manage and caps on the amount of cash back you can earn. If you’re not sure if any of these cards would be a good choice, take a look at other cashback credit cards and compare your options until you find the right card for your needs. The 3 types of cashback credit cards, explained
Frequently asked questions
This means you get $5 back on every $100 you spend. A credit card with $1,500 cap on 5% cash back each quarter will earn you a maximum of $300 on these categories.
It depends, you can redeem either without a minimum or with a $25 minimum, depending on the card.
Kliment Dukovski is a credit cards writer. He's written over 600 articles to help readers find and compare the best credit cards. Kliment has also written on money transfers, home loans and more. Previously, he ghostwrote guides and articles on foreign exchange, stock market trading and cryptocurrencies.
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