Lawrence Stone, Former bank manager
@lawrence50
The best way to get 10% cash back from a credit card is by earning an initial rewards bonus. For example, a bonus of $150 cash back for spending $500 within 3 months of opening an account – a deal several cards currently offer – is 10% back three times over. The Capital One Quicksilver and SavorOne cards have that 30% cash back initial bonus offer, as do the Chase Freedom and Freedom Unlimited cards. They all have $0 annual fees.
There aren’t any 10% cash back credit cards, at least none offering that much back on all purchases. But you can get 10% cash back from some credit cards in specific spending categories or thanks to promotional offers. For example, the NHL Discover it card offers 10% off ShopNHL.com and NHL.TV purchases. And Discover it Cash Back offers 5% back in bonus categories and gives double rewards the first year, for a total of 10% cash back on some purchases.
In terms of more consistent cash back rates, the highest on the market is Amex Blue Cash Preferred’s 6% cash back on $6,000 spent per year at U.S. supermarkets. For a high rate on all purchases, the best offer is Citi Double Cash, which gives 2% cash back.
Here are the best 2% to 10% cash back credit cards:
- Best for groceries: Amex Blue Cash Preferred. 6% cash back on the first $6,000 per year at U.S. supermarkets, unlimited 3% at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores and 1% on everything else. $200 for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. In 2016, Blue Cash Preferred and Blue Cash Everyday offered a limited-time promotion for 10% cash back on U.S. wireless telephone service. But it’s long gone now.
- Best for gas: Amex Cashback Rewards Plus. 5% cash back on the first $3,000 per year in gas or military purchases, 2% on the first $3,000 at supermarkets and 1% on everything else.
- 10% first year rate: Discover it Cash Back. 5% cash back on the first $1,500 spent in quarterly categories and 1% on everything else. 10% cash back the first year, because rewards get doubled at the end of the year.
- Best for hockey fans: NHL Discover it. 5% cash back on the first $1,500 spent in quarterly categories, 1% on everything else. Rewards doubled at end of first year only for total of 10% cash back. 10% Discount at ShopNHL.com and NHL.TV.
- Best cash bonus: Chase Freedom. $150 for spending $500 in the first 3 months. 5% cash back on your first $1,500 spent in quarterly categories, 1% on everything else.
- Best for travel: Capital One Venture. 50,000 miles for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months ($500 in travel). 2 miles per $1 on all purchases.
- Best overall cash back rate: Citi Double Cash. 2% cash back on all purchases, 1% at the time of purchase and 1% when the purchase is paid off.
- Best store card rate: Overstock.com Credit Card. 8% back in Club O rewards on Overstock purchases, 2% Club O rewards on gas and groceries, 1% Club O rewards on everything else.
The highest cash back rates all have caps. But you’ll always earn at least 1% back when you make a purchase.
Also note that some cards with high cash back earning rates have bonus categories that change every few months. Others have bonus categories that stay the same. In many cases, cards with lower but unlimited rates, like Citi Double Cash, will give more value in the long run.
Baby's Got Cash Back, Member
@BabyGotCashback
There aren’t any 10% cash back credit cards, at least none offering that much back on all purchases. But you can get 10% cash back from some credit cards in specific spending categories or thanks to promotional offers. For example, the NHL Discover it cards give you 10% off ShopNHL.com and NHL.TV purchases. Discover it Cashback offers 5% back in certain categories, plus doubles your rewards the first year, which works out to 10% back. And cards with initial rewards bonuses give you well over 10% back early on. Spending $500 for $150 cash back, for instance, would be 30% back. And you can get that from Capital One Quicksilver, Chase Freedom, Amex Blue Cash Everyday and a few others.
In terms of more consistent cash back rates, the highest you’ll find is Amex Blue Cash Preferred’s 6% cash back on your first $6,000 in supermarket purchases per year. And if you want a high rate on all purchases, the best you’ll do is Citi Double Cash, which gives you 2% cash back when you pay your bill in full.
Here are the highest cash back earning rates:
- Amex Blue Cash Preferred: 6% cash back on the first $6,000 per year at U.S. supermarkets, unlimited 3% at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores, 1% on everything else. In 2016, the Blue Cash Preferred and Blue Cash Everyday offered a very limited time promotion for 10% cash back on U.S. wireless telephone service. But it’s long gone now.
- Amex Cashback Rewards Plus: 5% cash back on the first $3,000 per year in gas or military purchases, 2% on the first $3,000 at supermarkets, 1% on everything else.
- Discover it - Cashback Match: 5% cash back on your first $1,500 spent in quarterly categories, 1% on everything else. And you get 10% cash back the first year, because your rewards get doubled at the end of the year. The NHL Discover it cards also have this 5% rate, in addition to their discount.
- NHL Discover it: 5% cash back on your first $1,500 spent in quarterly categories, 1% on everything else. Rewards doubled at end of first year only for total of 10% cash back. 10% Discount at ShopNHL.com and NHL.TV.
- Chase Freedom: 5% cash back on your first $1,500 spent in quarterly categories, 1% on everything else.
- Overstock.com Credit Card: 8% back in Club O rewards on Overstock purchases, 2% Club O rewards on gas and groceries, 1% Club O rewards on everything else.
As you can see, the highest cash back rates all have caps, but always provide you with a base 1% earning rate. Also note that some of the cards have categories that change every quarter, and others have ones that stay the same. Depending on what types of purchases you make most often, certain cards may have more appeal than others. Cards with lower but unlimited rates, like Citi Double Cash, can often give you more value in the long run.
Tea Holton, Member
@tea_holton
I wish! But no, the highest I've seen is 6%.
People also ask
Nick Berkhardt, Member
@berkhardt_nick
Nah, it's usually 5 or 6% max. I think there was a promotion by Amex once, but it's gone now.
Alicia Kane, savvy shopper
@Alicia_K
10% is impossible, but Chase Freedom and Amex Blue Cash Preferred are your closest bet.
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