Getting rewarded for your everyday purchases is a smart financial move, and NerdWallet has identified the top 15 cash back credit cards for January 2024. Whether you prefer flat-rate cash back, bonus category rewards, or customizable options, there’s a card to suit your spending style.
1. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Our pick for: Flat-rate cash back — high ongoing rate + incentives
Unlimited 2% back on all purchases
Rich sign-up bonus and a generous 0% intro APR
2. Citi Double Cash® Card
Our pick for: Flat-rate cash back — high ongoing rate
You can get 2% cash back with every purchase
No 0% intro period or bonus categories
3. Apple Card
Our pick for: Flat-rate cash back — Apple Pay users
You get a 2% cash back on all Apple Pay purchases, 3% at Apple and select merchants
Immediate daily rewards credited to your account
4. PayPal Cashback Mastercard®
Our pick for: Flat-rate cash back — PayPal users
Unlimited 3% cash back on PayPal purchases, 2% on all other purchases
Requires a PayPal account
5. Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card by Capital One
Our pick for: Flat-rate cash back — bonus offer + 0% period for purchases
1.5% flat-rate cash back with redemption flexibility
Introductory 0% APR period and a sign-up bonus
6. Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
Our pick for: Flat-rate cash back — bonus offer + incentives
1.5% flat-rate cash back with a decent sign-up bonus
Generous intro APR period and potential Preferred Rewards® program benefits
7. Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card
Our pick for: Flat-rate cash back — high rewards for bigger spenders
Highest ongoing rewards rate among flat-rate cash-back cards
Designed for significant monthly spending (over $2,500)
8. SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card
Our pick for: Flat-rate cash back — investors / savers / borrowers
You receive a 2% cash back on all purchases with a sign-up bonus
Rewards can be redeemed in various ways
9. American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card
Our pick for: Bonus rewards — groceries, gas, commuting, streaming
Rich rewards in categories like U.S. supermarkets and select streaming services
Annual fee with a welcome offer and 0% APR period
10. Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Our pick for: Bonus rewards — popular 3% categories + no annual fee
Elevated rewards at U.S. supermarkets, gas stations, and online retail
No annual fee with a welcome offer and introductory 0% APR period
11. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Our pick for: Bonus rewards — 5%/3% categories + high ongoing rate
Improved rewards structure, bonus on travel, restaurants, and drugstores
New cardholders enjoy a 0% introductory APR period and a bonus
12. U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card
Our pick for: Bonus rewards — high rate for big-box shoppers
Tailored for significant spending at retailers outside typical bonus categories
Offers a higher rate on non-bonus category spending
13. Prime Visa
Our pick for: Amazon Prime shoppers
5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods Market purchases
Bonus rewards on restaurants, gas stations, local transit, and commuting
14. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: Bonus rewards — high rates on dining, at grocery stores and more
No annual fee, good rewards on dining and entertainment
Smaller sign-up bonus compared to the annual-fee version
15. Chase Freedom Flex℠
Our pick for: Bonus rewards — quarterly categories + cash bonus
Bonus cash back in quarterly activated categories, 0% intro APR period
Fantastic bonus offer for new cardholders
Discover it® Cash Back
Honorable Mention for: Bonus categories — quarterly categories + cash-back match
Earns bonus cash back in quarterly categories with a cash-back match in the first year
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Honorable Mention for: Customizable rewards — 5% cash back tailored to your spending
$0 annual fee, 5% back in your eligible high spending category for up to $500 per billing cycle
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Honorable Mention for: Customizable rewards — 3% categories you can adjust monthly
Choose the highest cash-back category from a list, bonus rewards at grocery stores
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Honorable Mention for: Customizable rewards — wide selection of categories
Pick two 5% categories and a 2% category, change options every quarter
Examine the characteristics, benefits, and potential incentives offered by these cards to choose the one that aligns with your spending habits and financial situation. Prior to applying for any credit card, be sure to review the most recent terms and conditions, ensuring a wise financial move toward retiring debt free.