What is the best 2% cash back credit card?

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.

A good 10% cash back credit card is the CB2 Credit Card; it offers 10% in Rewards Dollars on purchases at CB2, that can be redeemed for reward certificates.… read full answer

The best way to get 10% cash back from a credit card is by earning an initial rewards bonus. For example, many cards offer cash back bonuses for spending a certain amount in a given time and that often amasses to more than 10% of the spending requirement. But there are plenty of credit cards with good sign-up bonuses, especially if you don't limit yourself to cash back.

In terms of more consistent cash back rates, the highest on the market is the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express’s 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions and at U.S. supermarkets. For a high rate on all purchases, the best offer is the Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer, which gives up to 2% cash back cash back (half when you buy and the other half as you pay for those purchases).

Here are some good 2% to 10% cash back credit cards on select categories:

• Good for groceries: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 spent per year), 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% back on all other purchases, earned as statement credits. $300 statement credit for spending $3,000 in the first 6 months.
• Good for gas: USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card. 5% cash back on gas and military base purchases (up to $3,000 spent per year), 2% cash back at supermarkets (up to $3,000 spent per year), and 1% back on all other purchases.
• Good cash bonus: Chase Freedom Flex℠. $200 for spending $500 in the first 3 months. 5% cash back on grocery store purchases for the first year (up to $12,000 spent), 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent per quarter in bonus categories (which change every quarter and require activation), 5% cash back on travel through Chase, 3% back at restaurants and drugstores, and 1% back on all other purchases.
• Good overall cash back rate: Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer. 2% cash back on all purchases, half at the time of purchase and the other half when you pay off the purchase.
• Good store card rate: CB2 Credit Card. 10% back in reward dollars at CB2, 2% on groceries and 1% back on all other purchases.

The highest cash back rates all have caps. But you’ll almost 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 Card, will give more value in the long run.

The best credit cards with 5% cash back in major spending categories are:

All of these credit cards give 5% cash back, or more, on certain expenses. Some of those categories may change quarterly or yearly, require activation and usually have a cap. There’s never been a general-purpose credit card that rewards users with 5% cash back on all purchases.

The best 2.5% cash back credit card is the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card. Cardholders earn 2.5% cash back on the first $10,000 per month (with qualifications met) and 1.5% otherwise, and the card’s annual fee is $0.

To get the card, you’ll need to be a member of the Alliant Credit Union, but it’s not difficult to join. Some people are eligible for free, and everyone else can qualify with a $5 donation to Foster Care to Success. You’ll also need excellent credit to be approved for the card.… read full answer

Currently, there are no other credit cards offering a flat 2.5% cash back rewards rate on all purchases. But there are cards that offer even higher earning rates in specific spending categories.

Best Credit Cards for 2.5%+ Cash Back

• Best for Flat-Rate Rewards: Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card
• Best for Travel: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Best for U.S. Supermarkets: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
• Best for Rotating Bonus Categories: Chase Freedom Flex℠
• Best for Dining: Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Best for a Category of Your Choice: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
• Best for Gas: Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

If you don’t want to keep track of specific categories and are looking for a flat cash back rate, the Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer is another good option. It gives 1% cash back on every purchase, then another 1% cash back when you pay off those purchases, for a total of 2% cash back.