For 2025 I gave a summary of what I thought the best credit cards were, but with people posting I've learned some new things, as well as some of the offers have changed. I'm going to give an update of what I found here. I also originally had this as "my list", but now want to make it a more general list. This is specifically not calling out any bonuses that they might have, so if you're a churner this list won't be too helpful.
Some important caveats - some of these offers are no longer available, however, for overall tracking purpose I'm going to include them here. Also, some of these bonuses are only available with other qualifying actions, such as keeping 100K in account value. I know that's not achievable for everyone, but doesn't change the fact that they might be the best option.
If I've missed any please feel free to let me know - however, this list is not really for the "also rans", i.e. BoA Customized Cash offer includes 2% on groceries and wholesale clubs (3.5 if you're platinum Honors), but that is below other higher offers. Similar with Capital One Quicksilver, 1.5% as a general card falls below the 2% available at many other vendors. Aside from general cashback, anything below 5% just doesn't really cut it.
Selectable Categories - 8.25% - 2500 Per Quarter
BoA Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card - No Annual Fee - Chose one from(Can change a month): gas and EV charging stations; online shopping, including cable, internet, phone plans and streaming; dining; travel; drug stores and pharmacies; or home improvement and furnishings. *8.25 is for the first year with 100k+ held in BoA accounts or linked Merrill accounts and only applies for the first year, after that, you lose the promotional "+3%" and drop down to 5.25%. You can hold multiple cards
Selectable Categories - 6% - 1500 Per Quarter
US Bank Shopper Card (V) - $99 Annual Fee, waived for the first year - chose two from (changing on the quarter reset): AceHardware® Apple®Amazon.com®Anthropologie®Bed, Bath, & Beyond®Best Buy®Chewy.com®CrateandBarrel™Disney®HomeDepot®Ikea®Kohl's®Lowe's®Lululemon®Macy's™Menards®Nordstrom™Pottery Barn®QVC®Restoration Hardware™Target®Walmart®Wayfair.comWilliams Sonoma®
Groceries - 6%
Aven Rewards (V) - 6% cash back on groceries up to $10K a year 0- No Annual fee
Blue Cash Preferred (AE) - 6% cash back on groceries up to $6K - 95 annual fee waived for the first year
Selectable Categories - 5%
US Bank Cash+ (V) - No Annual Fee - 2000 Per Quarter -Chose 2 from (changeable at the start of the quarter *MUST RESELECT TO GET BONUS): Fast food, Home utilities, TV, internet and streaming, Department stores, Cell phone, Electronic stores
Citi Custom Cash (MC) - No Annual Fee - 500 Per Month on largest category spend; can have multiple cards.
Max Cash Preferred (V) - No Annual Fee -2000 Per Quarter - Chose two TV and Internet & Streaming Services,Fast Food,Cell Phone Providers,Department Stores,Home Utilities,Furniture Stores,Electronic Stores,Recreation,Entertainment
Rotating Categories (Check here to see categories)- 5% - 1500 Per Quarter
Chase Freedom (V) - No annual fee (no longer available)
Chase Freedom (MC) Flex (same categories as regular Freedom) - No annual fee
Citi Dividend (MC) - No annual fee (no longer available)
Discover IT (D) - No annual fee
Set Categories - 5%
US Bank Ralphs (MC) - No Annual Fee - 5% digital Wallet 3000 per calendar year, 5% Kroger 3000 per calendar year -
PenFed (V) - 5% Gas - No annual fee (no longer available)
Ink Business Cash Credit Card 5% (V) - No Annual Fee - Internet Cable Phone and Office Supply Stores 25000 Per Calendar Year
Autograph Journeys Card (V)- 5% Hotels 4% Airlines [95$ Yearly Fee but 50$ travel credit, so ~45$]
AAA Daily Advantage 5% Groceries - Rewards capped at 500 per year
AAA Travel Advantage - 5% Gas and EV Charging - Rewards capped at 350 per year
General Cashback
USBank Smartly Credit Card (V) - 4% - Up to 10,000 per billing cycle *Need to either be grandfathered in to have 100k in investment, or have 100k in checking to get bonus.
BoA Unlimited Cash Rewards - 3.125% *For the first year, then falls to 2.625%, but both of these numbers reflect the "Platinum Bonus" of having 100k in BoA or linked Merrill Accounts, otherwise 2% first year falling to 1.5%)
Robinhood Gold Card - 3% - I believe 5$ a month, so 60$ a year
2% - Too many to List Fidelity / Citi Double Cash® Card (MC) / Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (V) / The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card (50k limit) (AE) / Synchrony Premier World (MC) / Apple Card (Must use apple Pay) / PNC / NFCU
Honorable Mentions (Debit Cards)
Paypal Debit Card (MC) - 5% Up to 1000 per month (changeable at the start of the month *MUST RESELECT TO GET BONUS) Chose one from: Restaurants, Groceries, Fuel, Apparel, or Rideshare/Transit.
Schwab Debit (V) - All ATM Transaction Fees Refunded
Videos
Are cash back credit cards worth it?
Cash back credit cards are worth it when the rewards you earn outweigh any fees or interest you might pay. Cash back credit cards, especially those with a higher percentage, can earn you a significant sum over time, especially if you use your card regularly to pay for specific items or recurring bills. It’s important to pay off your bill in full every month, however, as growing debt can quickly overtake any benefits the card offers.
How do cash back credit cards work?
Do cash back cards actually give you cash?
Current cards: (list cards, limits, opening date)
Citi Double Cash $17,400 limit, 2003
Citi Double Cash $14,000 limit, 2002
Discover It $26,600 limit, 2002
US Bank Perks+ $9,800 limit, 2005?
BofA Rewards Visa Signature $16,000, 2005?
FICO Score: e.g. 777
Oldest account age: e.g. 23 years
Income: e.g. $115,000
Average monthly spend and categories:
dining $500
groceries: $800
gas: $200
travel: $0
other: $10,000+
Open to Business Cards: e.g. No
What's the purpose of your next card? I am looking for a better cash back card. I have been spending on average $10k a month the last 6 months and will continue to do so. My side job has been buying stuff online and flipping (mainly computer related). I primary buy from FB, craiglists, offerup, ebay, etc but paying with Paypal G&S or Venmo G&S so i have some protection in case the transaction doesn't go well. I have been mainly using the Citi Double Cash to get the 2%, but I want to explore any other cards with a higher cash back %. I am also considering closing 1 or 2 cards as I realized i have too many open. Unless that isn't a good idea and leave them open? I would consider category spending but not sure if Paypal G&S is considered in a category. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
Do you have any cards you've been looking at? no, I am looking for recs
Are you OK with category spending or do you want a general spending card? yes