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Best cashback credit cards with no annual fee
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.
Our pick
Find a cashback credit card with no annual fee
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Best cashback credit cards with no annual fee
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- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best cashback credit card for rewards on groceries.
- Capital One® SavorOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best cashback credit card for dining and entertainment.
- U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card: Best for accelerated cashback flexibility.
- Citi® Double Cash Card: Best for flat cash back on all purchases.
Best cashback credit card for rewards on groceries: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
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 a long intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases.
Best cashback credit card for dining and entertainment: Capital One® SavorOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card
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 balance transfer and purchases. Also, there’s no foreign transaction fee, which saves you money when traveling abroad.
Best for accelerated cashback flexibility: U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card
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 (see rates & fees).
A long intro APR period on balance transfers and no penalty APR for late or returned payments round out the card (see rates & fees).
Best for flat cash back on all purchases: Citi® Double Cash Card
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 0% — one of the longest intro APR periods on balance transfers.
How we selected our top cards
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 2020
U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card bonus categories will change going into 2019. 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.
With the October 2019 update, the Uber Visa Card dropped from our list as the best for dining. Instead of the previous 4% cash back on dining, it now earns 3% back in Uber cash. Now the Capital One® SavorOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card has taken its spot.
How to compare cashback credit cards 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 balance transfers and 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.
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.
However, if none of these cards look enticing to you, consider comparing other no-annual-fee credit card options.
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