What are the best 3% cash back credit cards?

The best credit cards for at least 3% cash back in major spending categories are:

• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Discover it® Cash Back
• U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card
• Capital One® Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®

All of these credit cards give 3% cash back, or more, on some types of purchases. There is no credit card currently on the market that gives 3% cash back on all purchases. The best flat-rate cash back credit cards typically give 2% cash back on all purchases.

There are no credit cards with 3% cash back on everything, at least not forever. The closest you can get is with the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card. It gives 2.5% cash back, which is still fantastic. The catch is that you’ll need excellent credit to qualify for this card (anyone can join the credit union). This card has an annual fee of $0 for the first year but $99 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 from American Express, which gives 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and transit. On top of that, there’s 6% back on the first $6,000 spent per year at U.S. supermarkets and streaming subscriptions and 1% on everything else. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has an annual fee of $0 intro 1st yr, $95 after. It requires good credit for approval.

If you’re a Costco member, there’s the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: 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%. The Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great alternative if you’re not into Costco. This card gives 4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% at grocery stores and 1% on other purchases. It has a $300 initial bonus, too, and has a $95 annual fee.