Best Cash Back Credit Cards of 2026
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Best Cash Back Credit Cards of 2026 Editor: Jordan Chussler Jordan Chussler Editor, Investing & Banking | Joined June 2023 Jordan is an investment editor who specializes in topics ranging from traditional equities, retirement savings and income investing to alternative assets and commodities, specifically focusing on gold and other precious metals. He combines his personal interests and professional experience in finance and education to help readers increase their financial literacy and make better investment choices. Jordan is a Certified Personal Finance Counselor. Has also written: Gold Prices Today: February 26, 2026 Gold Isn't the Only Metal Soaring in Price in 2026 Gold Bars Are Worth About $2.1 Million — Will Prices Keep Rising? Here's How to Rebalance Your Investments Ahead of (and During) Retirement Congress Stock Tracker: Here's What the Most Active Traders Bought to Start 2026 See full bio Published: Feb 26, 2026 9 min read Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.AdBest Overall Unlimited 3% Cash Back At Grocery Stores and EntertainmentBlue Cash Preferred® Card from American ExpressCapital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit CardOur PartnerOur PartnerLearn MoreLearn MoreAnnual Feeannual_fees (Click here for rates and fees.) annual_feesHighlights6% at U.S. supermarkets up to the first $6,000 spent annually (1% thereafter) 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart(R) and Target(R)), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming servicesWelcome Offerbonus_miles_fullbonus_miles_full Best OverallBlue Cash Preferred® Card from American ExpressOur PartnerLearn MoreAnnual Feeannual_fees (Click here for rates and fees.) Highlights6% at U.S. supermarkets up to the first $6,000 spent annually (1% thereafter)Welcome Offerbonus_miles_full Unlimited 3% Cash Back At Grocery Stores and EntertainmentCapital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit CardOur PartnerLearn MoreAnnual Feeannual_feesHighlights 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart(R) and Target(R)), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming servicesWelcome Offerbonus_miles_full Money.com has partnered with CardRatings.com for our coverage of credit card products. Money and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Our site does not include all card companies or all available card offers.
Best Cash Back Credit CardsThe best credit card for cash back Discover it Cash Back, which features 5% cash back that rotates quarterly (grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and big box stores, among others). Methodology: We evaluated hundreds of credit cards based on APRs, promotional rates, fees and benefits.Editor's take: The Discover it's sign-up bonus includes up to $200 in cash rewards after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months of opening the account.Updated February 2026. Getting something back for your everyday purchases is probably one of the best reasons to use a credit card. While most cards on the market offer a variety of rewards and perks, the best cash back credit cards will reward you in an easy, tangible way: by giving you a fixed percentage of what you spend, delivered right to your account or, in some cases, your door in the form of a check. Read our guide to find out which cards offer the highest cash back rates and choose the right one for you.
Our Top Picks for the Best Cash Back Credit Cards of 2026 Best Overall: Discover it Cash Back Best for 0% Intro APR: Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card Best for Groceries: Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express Best Sign-Up Bonus: Freedom Unlimited from Chase Best for Dining and Entertainment: SavorOne Rewards from Capital One All rates and data are current as of Feb. 24, 2026. Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.AdCredit Repair companies can help you repair and improve your credit so you can apply for the credit card of your choiceBad credit can weigh you down. Find out what credit repair can offer you.HawaiiAlaskaFloridaSouth CarolinaGeorgiaAlabamaNorth CarolinaTennesseeRIRhode IslandCTConnecticutMAMassachusettsMaineNHNew HampshireVTVermontNew YorkNJNew JerseyDEDelawareMDMarylandWest VirginiaOhioMichiganArizonaNevadaUtahColoradoNew MexicoSouth DakotaIowaIndianaIllinoisMinnesotaWisconsinMissouriLouisianaVirginiaDCWashington DCIdahoCaliforniaNorth DakotaWashingtonOregonMontanaWyomingNebraskaKansasOklahomaPennsylvaniaKentuckyMississippiArkansasTexasView Plans Best Cash Back Credit Cards Reviews Best Overall: Discover it Cash Back Why we chose it: Discover it Cash Back features 5% cash back that rotates quarterly (eligible categories include grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and big box stores, among others) and 1% on all other purchases. The card also offers new customers a 15-month introductory 0% APR period. After that, the card's APRs range from 17.49% to 26.49%. The Discover it Cash Back does not have an annual fee or a foreign transaction fee. Discover it Cash Back also features a $1-to-$1 match from the day a new account is approved through the first 12 consecutive billing cycles or 365 days — whichever is longer. Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees. Best for 0% Intro APR: Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card Why we chose it: The Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a 0% introductory APR — including on new purchases and balance transfers — for the first 15 billing cycles after an account is opened. After the promotional period ends, balance transfers incur a fee of 5%. The card offers a sign-up bonus of $200 after customers spend $1,000 in the first 90 days of the account opening. Additionally, the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card provides 2% cash back for the first year, which falls to 1.5% thereafter. Following the 0% intro APR period, cardholders are subject to variable APRs ranging from 17.49% to 27.49%. Customers are provided with an auto rental collision damage waiver. There is no annual fee, but there is a 3% foreign transaction fee. Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees. Best for Groceries: Blue Cash Preferred Card from American ExpressOur PartnerLearn More Why we chose it: The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express offers 6% cash back on all groceries (up to $6,000 per year in U.S. grocery supermarkets), 6% on select streaming services, 3% on transit and gas at U.S. stations and 1% on all other purchases. The card also offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that period, variable APRs range from 19.49% to 28.49%. The annual fee of $95 is waived for the first year. There is a foreign transaction fee of 2.7% and a balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% (whichever is greater).
The Blue Cash Preferred Card's perks include car rental coverage, emergency travel assistance and an annual $120 credit for Disney streaming services, including a bundle subscription, on DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees. Best Sign-Up Bonus: Freedom Unlimited from ChaseLearn More Why we chose it: The Freedom Unlimited from Chase allows users to earn a $200 bonus after spending just $500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. The card also doesn't charge an annual fee and features 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel, 3% on dining and drugstores as well as 1.5% on all other purchases. There is a 3% foreign transaction fee and a balance transfer fee of $5 or 5% (whichever is greater). Cardholders can enjoy a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers. After the intro period, variable APRs range from 18.24% to 27.74%.
The Freedom Unlimited also provides customers with trip interruption/cancellation coverage, car rental coverage, as well as purchase protection and extended warranty coverage. Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees. Best for Dining and Entertainment: SavorOne Rewards from Capital OneOur PartnerLearn More Why we chose it: SavorOne Rewards from Capital One provides customers with unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, groceries (excluding Walmart and Target) and popular streaming services. In addition to 1% cash back on all other purchases, the card's annual fee is just $39, and it offers a 0% introductory APR for 12 months after account opening. After that period, the APR is variable (currently 28.99%). SavorOne Rewards' sign-up bonus provides $300 after cardholders spend $3,000 within the first three months that the account is opened. There is no foreign transaction fee, but the card charges a 4% balance transfer fee. Perks include $0 fraud liability, unlimited access to credit scores and tools to help monitor your credit profile with CreditWise from Capital One. Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees. Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.AdFind a Credit Repair company that works for youView Plans🥇 Most Affordable Credit Help Company! The advisory team helps you take the necessary steps to improve your credit health overall Setup or First Work Fee: $99 - $195 Monthly Fees: $79.99 - $129.99 Over 10,000 Google Reviews at 4.8 Stars 90-day Money-Back Guarantee View PlansGet your free credit assessment today! Licensed attorneys, paralegals, and personalized score improvement strategies $139.95 per Month $1M coverage in identity theft Mobile app allows you to monitor the development of your case Free credit assessment - Cancel Anytime View PlansAll plans include unlimited disputes to all three credit bureaus Monthly fees: $79 or $119 Flat-rate six month fee for $599 also available First work fee: $19 No available discounts Money-back satisfaction guarantee refunds the month you cancel the service and previous month View PlansEven the most basic packages include financial management tools Credit monitoring is included with every plan, regardless of the price Setup or First Work Fee: $29 - $49** Monthly Fees: $69 - $149 60-day Money-Back Guarantee **(With $100 back coupon orig. price of $129 - $149) View PlansOver 15 years of experience in the industry First work fee: $129 Monthly fees: $129.99 Includes free consultation, credit score analysis and more No available discounts 90-day money-back guarantee Cash Back Credit Cards FAQsHow do cash back credit cards work?chevron-downchevron-upCash back credit cards return a percentage of what you spend on your credit card on a periodic basis. This percentage can be redeemed to buy certain products or services through the bank's online portal or as a check in the mail. It can also be redeemed as a statement credit to pay back part of your credit card bill. What is the best cash back credit card?chevron-downchevron-upAccording to Money, the best cash back credit card overall is the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express because of the high rate of cash back offered in certain categories, bonuses and promo offers. The best cash back card also depends on your spending habits and needs. Is cash back taxable?chevron-downchevron-upCash back is not taxable since it's considered a rebate or discount. However, depending on the amount of cash back a sign-up bonus offers, this could, in fact, be taxable. If you earned many of these throughout the year, especially from business credit cards that offer higher amounts, keep in mind that you'll most likely have to pay taxes on them.When does my cash back expire?chevron-downchevron-upIn the majority of cases, cash back does not expire unless the account is closed.
How We Chose the Best Cash Back Credit Cards The best cash back credit cards offer high-value rewards for everyday spending, competitive sign-up bonuses and low or no fees. This methodology evaluates these cards focusing on cash back rates, fee structure and additional benefits.
Cash Back Rewards Sign-Up Bonus Fees Other Perks 40% 35% 20% 5% Cash Back Rewards: Consistent and straightforward cashback or rewards rate for all purchases rather than categories. Enhanced rewards for everyday spending categories (e.g., groceries, gas). Sign-Up Bonus: New cardholders can often earn hefty bonuses with the best cash back credit cards. Fees: No-fee cards might include other fees, which can lower its rating. Other Perks: Any other perks and benefits the card includes, whether travel, low-interest or building credit. Read our full methodology here. Summary of Money's Best Cash Back Credit Cards of 2026 Best Overall: Discover it Cash Back Best for 0% Intro APR: Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card Best for Groceries: Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express Best Sign-Up Bonus: Freedom Unlimited from Chase Best for Dining and Entertainment: SavorOne Rewards from Capital One To see rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, visit this link. Terms apply. * Insurance disclosures for American Express Cards on this page: Trip Delay Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Global Assist Hotline: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Baggage Insurance Plan: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. Money.com may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on Money.com are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Money.com does not include all card companies or all available card offers.
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