What are the best 3% cash back credit cards?

Question

The best 2% cash back credit card is Citi Double Cash. It gives unlimited 2% Cash Back on purchases: 1% when you buy something and another 1% when you pay for it. And the annual fee is $0. Plus, the card offers an intro APR of 0% for 18 months on balance transfers with a transfer fee of 3% (min $5). You will need good credit or better to be approved for this card.… read full answer

For a rewards credit card, 2% cash back on everything is about the best you can aim for. That’s why Citi Double Cash is the best cash back credit card on the market right now. But there are a few other great 2%+ cash back credit cards to consider when shopping for the best deal.

Best 2% cash back credit cards:

2% cash back on all purchases: Citi Double Cash.

2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs: BankAmericard Cash Rewards for Students.

2% cash back at Costco (plus 4% on gas at Costco): Costco Anywhere Visa.

2% cash back at gas stations and select department stores (like Kohl’s & Macy’s): Amex Blue Cash Everyday.

2% cash back on $1,000 in restaurant and gas station purchases per quarter: Discover it Chrome.

At the end of the day, Citi Double Cash is the best 2% cash back credit card because it offers an unlimited 2% cash back rate on all purchases. Most 2 percent cash back credit cards put a cap on the amount you can earn with 2%+ rates. Or they only give the rate on certain categories of purchases.

Many of these 2% cash back credit cards offer some other great features in addition to their 2% earn rates. BankAmericard Cash Rewards for Students offers 3% cash back on gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings – you get to choose the category. But its 2% and 3% cash back rates only apply to your first $2,500 spent in those categories combined.

Some other great features of these credit cards: The Costco Anywhere Visa gives 4% cash back on your first $7,000 spent per year on Costco gas and other eligible gas, and 3% back on restaurants and travel. Blue Cash Everyday offers 3% cash back on $6,000 spent annually at supermarkets. Discover it Chrome’s most rewarding categories are gas stations and restaurants, which give 2% cash back, but this card matches your first year’s cash back which can be substantial if you’re maximizing your 2% category spending every quarter.

And to top it off, none of these cards have annual fees.

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Answer 1 · 2019-02-15 14:15:48

Marshall Jamieson, Finance Pro

@bergman77 02/15/19 First posted on 01/16/18
Last reviewed on 02/15/19

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There are no credit cards with 3% cash back on everything, at least not forever. The closest you can get is with the Alliant Credit Union Visa Signature card. It gives 3% cash back on all purchases during the first year your account is open. The rate drops to 2.5% cash back after that, which is still fantastic. The catch is that you’ll need excellent credit to qualify for this card (anyone can join the credit union). The Alliant Visa has an annual fee of $0 for the first year but $59 after that.

The only other 3% cash back credit cards that exist just give you that earning rate on certain categories of purchases. One of the best offers is the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express, which gives 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and department stores. On top of that, there’s 6% back on the first $6,000 spent per year at U.S. supermarkets and 1% on everything else. The Blue Cash Preferred card has a $95 annual fee. It requires good credit for approval.

Gregory Petrack @gregoryp_80
Alliant Credit Union (Signature VISA) is still offering 3% cash back on ALL purchases for the first year. 2.5% on ALL purchases after that.

Answer 2 · 2017-12-06 14:00:01

Turner Crass, Member

@soul_tower15 12/06/17

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I know my Amex Everyday has 3% cashback.

Answer 3 · 2017-12-10 22:27:49

Gregory Petrack, Member

@gregoryp_80 12/10/17

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The Alliant Credit Union Signature VISA pays 3% cash back on ALL purchases for the first year. Annual fee waved first year. Then $59/year and 2.5% cash back. Love this card. Average $150 cash back/month.

Answer 4 · 2017-12-01 21:36:53

Middleton Mccullough, Member

@biff956 12/01/17

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Discover It card is 5% cash back and they match your cash back at the end of the year dollar for dollar. So if you earn 300 dollars cash back they give you 300 at end of year plus u can use your points at anytime to buy stuff online. Amex 3% cash back on everyday card. Amex is a great card to have. After 3 months your starting credit line is raised 3x the starting limit. Cap one quick silver is a great card also. There online app is probably the best out there.

Answer 5 · 2020-05-22 16:32:21

Store Card Sarah, Member

@StoreCardSarah 05/22/20 First posted on 02/27/19
Last reviewed on 05/22/20

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If you’re a Costco member, there’s the Costco Anywhere Visa: unlimited 3% cash back on restaurant and travel purchases, plus 4% back on your first $7,000 in gas purchases every year. Costco purchases get 2% back and whatever else you buy gets 1%. Capital One Savor is a great alternative if you’re not into Costco. Savor gives 4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% at grocery stores and 1% on other purchases. It has a $300 initial bonus too, but it does charge an annual fee of $95.

What are the best 3% cash back credit cards?

Marshall Jamieson, Finance Pro

Turner Crass, Member

Gregory Petrack, Member

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