Earn unlimited cash back on all purchases, rotating categories or specific categories.
Getting a cashback credit card could be one of the most rewarding choices you can make. Depending on where you spend the most, you can earn accelerated cash back on specific categories or on everything you buy. But know that this type of cards usually comes with potentially high APR. Make sure you pay your balance on time to avoid offsetting your rewards.
When making our picks for best cashback credit cards with no annual fee, we looked at several features across eligible products, including cashback rewards categories, cash back per dollar spent, welcome offer value, flexibility to earn cash back, any cash back limitations, introductory APRs and any other considerations a consumer might weigh when choosing a cashback card. Our selected cards stood out above the others in one or several of these categories, earning spots on our list.
What’s changed in 2022?U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card bonus categories will change going into 2022. Look for U.S. Bank announcements — issued quarterly — about which categories earn you more cash back.
The Citi® Double Cash Card is still the one to beat for no-annual-fee, flat-rate cash back.
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express no longer offers a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers. But this is a minor drawback and it doesn’t affect the card’s cashback value.[/fin_accordion][/fin_accordions]
What are the best cashback credit cards with no annual fee?
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express could be an ideal choice for families that spend heavily on groceries and gas. On these two categories, plus at select US department stores, you'll earn accelerated cash back. In addition, you can earn a solid welcome offer and get a long intro APR period on purchases.
Pros
Cash back. Earn 3% cash back at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases annually. After that, the rate reverts to 1%. Earn 2% back at US gas stations and select US department stores. On other eligible purchases, earn 1% cash back.
Welcome offer. Spend $2,000 within your first 6 months of card membership and earn $200 bonus as statement credit.
Intro APR period. Get a 0% intro APR period on purchases for 15 months following your account opening. After that, your rate reverts to variable 13.99% to 23.99%.
Cons
No balance transfer option. Amex removed the balance transfer offer for this card in June 2020.
Cap on US supermarket rewards. Your accelerated rate at US supermarkets only lasts until you spend $6,000 each year.
Foreign transaction fees. You'll pay a 2.7% fee on purchases made abroad.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable)
Balance transfer APR
N/A
Welcome Offer
Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months
The Chase Freedom Flexâ„ is the newest form of the Chase Freedom and adds a ton of value to an already strong card. On top of up to 5% back in rotating categories, you will also earn strong flat earning on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal, dining, delivery and takeout, and drugstore purchases. You can also benefit from an intro purchase APR for 15 months.
Pros
Cash back. Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined spending on that quarter's eligible categories, then 1%. Also earn 5% back on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal, 3% back on dining, including delivery and takeout, % back on drugstore purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases.
Intro APR period. Receive a 0% intro APR period on purchases for 15 months from your account opening. After the intro period passes, your rate reverts to 14.99% to 23.74% variable.
Signup bonus. Earn $200 after you spend $500 in your first 3 months of account opening. You can also earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases (not including Target or Walmart purchases) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year.
Cons
Unpredictable categories You may not find a favorable category in each quarter.
Foreign transaction fees. You'll pay a 3% fee on transactions made abroad.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 14.99% to 24.74% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 14.99% to 24.74% variable)
Welcome Offer
$200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months, plus 5% cash back at grocery stores (not including Target® or Walmart®) on up to $12,000 in the first year
If you frequently dine out and go to live events, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is worth considering. It offers accelerated cash back in these two categories and you get to save money on interest with a 0% intro APR period on purchases. Also, there's no foreign transaction fee, which saves you money when traveling abroad.
Pros
Cash back. Earn 3% cash back on dining and entertainment purchases, 3% back at grocery stores, 8% back on Vivid seats until January 31, 2023 and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Signup bonus. Earn a $200 cash bonus when you spend $500 in your first 3 months when you open your account.
Intro APR period. Get 15 months of 0% intro APR period on purchases. After that, a variable APR of applies.
No foreign transaction fees. When using this card abroad, you won't pay fees for foreign transactions.
Cons
Minimum credit line. Your credit line depends on multiple factors, but when you apply for this card, know that you won't get a lower credit line than $1,000. This is relatively low compared to the minimum credit line you get with the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card of $5,000.
Potentially high APR. Your APR mostly depends on your creditworthiness. A low score could get you a variable APR of up to 24.99%. Avoid paying the high interest by paying your balance when due.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 14.99% to 24.99% variable)
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 15 months (then 14.99% to 24.99% variable)
Welcome Offer
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
The Citi® Double Cash Card can be a great choice for those who don't spend much on any particular category. It can help you earn accelerated cash back on all of your purchases, which could pay off in the long run. You can also benefit from 18 months of intro APR on balance transfers one of the longest intro APR periods on transfers.
Pros
Cash back. Earn 1% back when you make the purchase and an additional 1% back when you pay it off, for a total of 2% back on everything you buy.
Intro APR period. Receive a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers for 18 months from your account opening. After the intro period passes, your rate reverts to 13.99% to 23.99% variable.
Citi Entertainment. Get special access to presale tickets or VIP packages for concerts, sports events, dining and more.
Apple Pay. Use your Apple device to pay at more than 200,000 stores or in-app with mobile retailers.
Cons
No intro APR period on purchases. You don't get to save money with a 0% intro APR period on purchases.
No signup bonus. There's no bonus to earn when you signup for the card.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
13.99% to 23.99% variable
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 18 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable)
If you're looking to maximize your cash back, the U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card could help you achieve that. The card offers accelerated cash back on two categories of your choice each quarter. That way, you can rotate the categories to those you expect to spend the most money on every three months.
A long intro APR period on balance transfers and no penalty APR for late or returned payments round out the card.
Pros
Cash back. Earn 5% cash back on two categories of your choice - including electronics stores, furniture stores and department stores - up to $2,000 in combined purchases each quarter, and 1% thereafter. Earn 2% back on one category, such as gas or groceries, and earn 1% back on everything else you buy.
Signup bonus. Spend $500 in the first 90 days of card membership and get $150 bonus.
Intro APR on balance transfers. Use a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers for 12 months following your account opening. After that, a variable APR of 13.99% to 23.99% applies.
Digital wallet. Simplify your credit card payments by using Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Microsoft Wallet, Fitbit Pay, Garmin Pay and Visa Checkout with a touch, tap or click.
Cons
Must enroll in rewards. Each quarter, you must go online and register which categories you want to earn 5 and 2% cash back in. You can enroll 45 days before the beginning of or during each quarter. If you don't, you'll earn 1% back on these categories.
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
13.99% to 23.99% variable
Balance transfer APR
0% intro for the first 12 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable)
How do I choose the best cashback credit card with no annual fee?
To find the best cashback credit card for your needs, ask yourself:
Do you want unlimited cash back on everything you buy? The Citi® Double Cash Card is one of the rare cards that lets you earn high cash back on all of your purchases, without limitations. As additional perk, you get a long intro APR period on balance transfers.
Do you spend a lot on groceries? Consider the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. With this card, you earn accelerated cash back on groceries, gas and at select US department stores. You also get a long intro APR period on purchases, and a solid welcome offer.
Do you spend a lot on dining? To earn the most rewards, consider the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. It lets you earn accelerated cash back on dining, entertainment and at grocery stores — and you get to earn a decent welcome offer and a long intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases.
Do you want flexibility on cashback categories? The U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card is one of the rare cards that lets you choose two categories to earn accelerated cash back during each quarter. Aside from cash back, you can earn a solid signup bonus, and you get a long intro APR period on balance transfers.
Find a cashback credit card with no annual fee
What are the alternatives to a cashback credit card with no annual fee?
While a cashback credit card with no annual fee may sound great, it’s not for everyone. Here are some alternatives you might want to consider.
Credit cards offering travel points ormiles. Redeeming cash back is straightforward, but there’s nothing exciting about its value. Meanwhile, travel points and miles can be worth much more than they seem, especially if your issuer lets you transfer them to travel partners. If you’re someone who likes to hunt for the best redemptions and squeeze the most value out of your rewards, consider a travel card.
Bottom line
When it comes to the best cashback credit cards with no annual fee, there are choices for almost any lifestyle. Examining how you can earn the most from your next credit card — either through travel, dining, groceries or gas.
Which credit card gives the most cash back? This mostly depends on your spending habits. Consider on which categories you spend most and look for an appropriate card.
Is there a minimum to redeem cash back? In general, cashback cards have either no minimum threshold or a $25 minimum.
How can I earn most cash back? Spending money on the accelerated cashback categories is the obvious way to go. However, paying your balance on time is just as important because this type of card usually has higher APRs.
Kliment Dukovski is an investments writer who has written over 600 articles to help readers find and compare the best financial options. 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.
The average American could earn 140 times more in just one year by switching from a traditional savings account to a crypto savings account, according to analysis from Finder.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Advertiser Disclosure
finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which finder.com receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
