best cash back credit cards 2026

The best cash back credit cards for 2026 include options that offer high rewards on specific categories, flexible spending choices, and strong introductory offers. The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is highlighted as a top choice for 2026 due to its ability to earn 6% cash back in a category of your choice for the first year, along with 2% on groceries and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% on all other purchases. This card also offers a $200 online cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days.

For those seeking flat-rate cash back, the Robinhood Gold Card offers 3% cash back on every purchase, though it comes with a $5 monthly fee, totaling $60 annually. The Fidelity / Citi Double Cash® Card and Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card are also noted for their 2% cash back on all purchases, with the Citi Double Cash offering an additional 1% when payments are made on time.

Other strong contenders include the US Bank Shopper Card (V), which offers 6% cash back on two rotating categories per quarter, and the Aven Rewards (V), which provides 6% cash back on groceries up to $10,000 annually. The Blue Cash Preferred (AE) card offers 6% cash back on groceries up to $6,000 per year, with the annual fee waived for the first year.

For users focused on maximizing rewards without category restrictions, the Citi Custom Cash (MC) card offers 5% cash back per month on the largest spending category, with no annual fee and the ability to have multiple cards. The Discover it® Cash Back card features an Unlimited Cashback Match at the end of the first year, effectively doubling earned cash back with no minimum or maximum cap.

Additionally, the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card offers 2% cash back in one everyday category of choice and includes a favorable intro APR on purchases and balance transfers. The Citi Simplicity card stands out for its lack of late fees or penalty APRs, making it a safe option for those managing debt.

These cards represent some of the most valuable cash back options available in early 2026, with many offering strong introductory bonuses and flexible reward structures.

reddit.com › r/creditcards › 2026 best cashback credit cards

r/CreditCards on Reddit: 2026 Best Cashback Credit Cards

2 weeks ago -

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

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