6 Best Cash Back Credit Cards of April 2025

By Lone Traveller - Updated on April, 8 2025

Some card offers on this site come from companies that are advertising partners of Lone Travellers. Advertising commissions may influence the placement and order of these offers but do not impact editorial content, including the cards we review and how we evaluate them. Not all card companies or offers available in the market are included. Terms apply.

Cash back credit cards are very popular, and it’s easy to understand why. They reward you for spending on everyday purchases, which is helpful, especially when prices are high. To find the best cash back card for you, review your spending habits and identify where you spend the most. Then, look for credit cards that offer higher rewards in those categories.

Lone Travellers' Top 6 Cash Back Credit Cards

Best cash back credit card for flexible cash rewards

Lone Travellers’ Rating | 4.5 | 

Terms Apply

Rewards Rate

5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, redeemable for cash back, travel, gift cards, and more.

3% cash back on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery) and drugstore purchases.

1.5% cashback on all other purchases.

Intro Offer

Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That’s 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

19.74% – 28.49% Variable

Recommended Credit

670-850 (Good/Excellent)

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a versatile card that earns cash back on every purchase. Its value increases significantly when paired with a card that earns transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, allowing you to unlock even greater redemption options like travel transfers and premium rewards.

Pros:

  • Multiple bonus categories
  • Incredible value when paired with a premium Chase card

Cons:

  • Limited card perks and benefits
  • Foreign transaction fees
  • Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% – 28.49%.
  • No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC
Best cash back credit card for balance transfers

Lone Travellers’ Rating | 4 | 

Rewards Rate

Enjoy 5% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel℠ portal, available until December 31, 2025.

Get 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.

Intro Offer

Enjoy $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

18.24% – 28.24% Variable

Recommended Credit

580-850 (Fair/Good/Excellent)

The Citi Double Cash Card is perfect for those just starting to build good credit habits. You’ll earn 2% cash back, 1% when you make a purchase and another 1% when you pay it off. It’s a great choice for anyone who values simplicity and wants straightforward cash back rewards.

Pros:

  • Earning 2% cash back on every purchase makes this card one of the best options for everyday spending, especially since it has no annual fee. With the added ability to convert your rewards into ThankYou points if you have an eligible card, you gain even more flexibility in how you use your rewards.
  • It’s also an excellent choice for those looking to consolidate debt, as new cardholders get 18 months of 0% introductory APR on balance transfers. After the introductory period, a variable APR of 18.24% to 28.24% will apply.

Cons:

  • Those who are looking to make a balance transfer will have to pay 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% – 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
  • If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
Best cash back cerdit card for gas and supermarkets

Lone Travellers’ Rating | 4 | 

Rewards Rate

Enjoy 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).

Enjoy 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.

Get 3% Cash Back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more.

Get 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.

Enjoy 1% Cash Back on other purchases.

Intro Offer

You could qualify for a $300 statement credit after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of opening your account. Apply confidently, and if approved, you’ll see your welcome offer before choosing to accept the card. Keep in mind, you might not qualify for the full welcome bonus amount.

Annual Fee

$0 for 1st year & then $95

Regular APR

18.24%-29.24% Variable

Recommended Credit

670-850 (Good/Excellent)

This Amex credit card is one of the best cash-back rewards credit cards on the market. You’ll get a amazing return across a wide range of bonus categories, a solid welcome bonus and a low annual fee.

Pros:

  • This Amex credit card stands out with one of the top cash-back earning structures available.
  • The Amex credit card also gives you access to Amex Offers (with activation required), helping you save even more on select purchases.

Cons:

  • The U.S. supermarket bonus category has a $6,000 spending limit per year, which might not be ideal if you have a big grocery budget.
  • Additionally, this Amex credit card charges foreign transaction fees, making it less suitable for international travel.
  • With the Buy Now, Pay Later option, you can use Plan It® to divide large purchases into monthly payments. For the first 12 months after opening your account, there are no plan fees for this feature. After that, a monthly fee of up to 1.33% of the purchase amount will apply, depending on the plan duration, the regular APR, and other factors.
  • Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
  • $84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
  • Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
  • Terms Apply.
Best cash back credit card for students

Lone Travellers’ Rating | 4.4 | 

Terms Apply

Rewards Rate

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Intro Offer

Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

17.24% – 26.24% Variable 

Recommended Credit

580-750 (Good/Excellent)

This card is a strong choice for students who want to get cash back on everyday spending. 

Pros:

  • No credit history needed
  • No annual fee
  • Rotating bonus categories

Cons:

  • Pays a low 1% rewards rate on most purchases.
  • Caps quarterly bonus rewards.
  • You must activate bonus categories each quarter to earn 5% back.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • No credit score required to apply.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. Activate by mobile app for free.
  • No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 17.24% – 26.24% applies.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Best cash back credit card for simple cash-back

Lone Travellers’ Rating | 3.8 | 

Rewards Rate

Enjoy unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

Intro Offer

Enjoy $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable

Recommended Credit

670-850 (Excellent/Good)

The Wells Fargo Active Cash card is perfect for those who prefer simplicity when managing their finances. With unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, you won’t need to track spending categories or worry about missing out on rewards.

Pros:

  • There’s no annual fee.
  • Enjoy 2% cash rewards on purchases.
  • Enjoy to $600 in cell phone protection (with a $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with this card.

Cons:

  • This Wells Fargo Active Cash card incurs a 3% foreign currency conversion fee.
  • Other cash rewards cards can offer better welcome bonuses.
  • No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • Get tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
  • Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Best card for unlimited business cash back

Lone Travellers’ Rating | 3.5 | 

Rewards Rate

Enjoy unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Enjoy unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase.

Intro Offer

Get $2,000 cash back once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 month and earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500k spent during the first year.

Annual Fee

$150

Regular APR

N/A

Recommended Credit

740-850 (Excellent)

The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is an excellent option for businesses with significant expenses. It offers unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases, making it simple to earn rewards without worrying about spending categories. Additionally, if your business spends at least $150,000 in a year, Capital One will refund the card’s annual fee—an added benefit for companies with high spending needs.

Pros:

  • This Capital One Spark card offers unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase.
  • This card offers a large welcome bonus.
  • Get 5% cash back on hotels and car rentals if booked through Capital One Travel.

Cons:

  • It has a $150 annual fee
  • The required spend to waive the annual fee is very high.
  • The Capital One Spark card’s balance must be paid in full every month.
  • Enjoy purchasing power that adapts to your business. The Spark Cash Plus card has no preset spending limit, so it can adapt to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history, credit profile and other factors
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Empower your teams to make business purchases while you earn rewards from their transactions with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
  • $150 annual fee – Spend $150,000 annually and Capital One will refund this fee every year
  • Spark Cash Plus has no APR because your balance is due in full every month
  • For businesses that need large spending capacity and want to maximize cash back

Explore Credit Cards by Categories

How do we rate cash back credit cards?

We chose the best cash-back credit cards by looking at a few important things. These include how easy it is to earn rewards, the option to use your rewards as statement credits or transfer them to your bank account, and whether the card has an annual fee.

We also thought about how some cards could work well with other popular cards you might already use, helping you earn and redeem your cash back faster.

How to select the best cash back credit card?

Choosing the right cash-back credit card depends largely on whether you’re open to paying an annual fee and where your biggest expenses lie. Start by reviewing your spending habits to identify the categories where you spend the most, and then pick a card that aligns with those needs.

Here are a few key points to think about when selecting a cash-back credit card:

1. Sign-Up Bonus:
Cash-back cards may not always have the largest sign-up bonuses, but many still let you earn a few hundred dollars as a welcome offer.
Some even go beyond that, so you can choose a card that matches your financial goals and spending habits.

2. Annual Fee:
Most cash-back cards don’t charge an annual fee, which makes them an affordable option. For cards that do have a fee, it’s usually under $200—perfect for those who don’t mind paying a little extra for additional benefits.

3. Bonus Categories:
The best cash-back card for you depends on how it rewards your spending. If you often spend on groceries, dining out, or streaming services, look for a card that offers higher cash-back rates in those categories to maximize your rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There’s no single credit card that offers the highest cash back on everything. Some cards provide up to 6% cash back in specific categories, either fixed or rotating, while others offer a flat rate of around 2% on all purchases. The best card for you will depend on how you typically spend your money and the other cards you already use.

With hundreds of credit cards from various issuers, each comes with its own pros and cons. For example, some cards offer great balance transfer deals but lack rewards, while top travel cards often have annual fees. Instead of searching for the “best” credit card company, focus on your unique needs and eligibility based on your credit profile. Once you understand these, you can choose the card that fits your goals perfectly.

Cash back rewards usually don’t expire as long as your credit card account stays active and in good standing. However, it’s a good idea to review your card’s terms and conditions to understand if there are any situations where your rewards might expire or be forfeited. If you plan to close your account, make sure to use or cash out any rewards you’ve earned beforehand.

Credit cards provide excellent benefits and strong fraud protection, making them a top payment choice. However, they’re not ideal for everyone. If you tend to overspend, it’s wiser to use a debit card until you’re confident in managing credit responsibly.

Getting a credit card generally takes anywhere from 5 to 14 days after approval. Some issuers offer instant approval right after completing online applications, and many provide virtual card numbers so you can start using the card right away while waiting for the physical card to arrive.

Many millionaires prefer exclusive, invitation-only credit cards like the American Express Centurion Card, J.P. Morgan Reserve Card, and Insignia Jewellery Card. These high-end cards offer luxurious travel perks, personalized services, and elite privileges tailored to their lifestyle.