Cash Rewards Credit Cards: An Overview

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There are few incentives that draw people in quite like the allure of free money. Yet, that is exactly what card issuers that offer cash rewards are doing – and with only mediocre results. Despite the popularity of cash-back rewards, a recent study from Cardhub.com estimated that Americans left roughly $57 billion dollars in credit card rewards on the table in 2014 and are projected to miss out on at least $60 billion in rewards in 2015.

Considering how easy these rewards are to earn and redeem, that’s a shame. In most cases, the only requirement to earn cash back is that you use your card to make a purchase. It’s as simple as that. And if you never want to pay interest (as you shouldn’t), you don’t have to either. All you need to do is pay your bill in full before it’s due and your rewards will be free.

Most rewards credit cards offer points based on a percentage of your everyday spending – usually somewhere between 1 and 5%. However, certain cards also offer a sign-up bonus to customers who spend a certain amount of money on the card within a time period of a few months. Since sign-up bonuses can be worth anywhere from $100 – $500, and you earn them in addition to regular rewards, it’s easy to see how using a cash rewards credit card can be a lucrative endeavor.

Featured Cash Back Credit Cards

I’m a big fan of using cash back credit cards and try to make as many purchases as possible with my cash rewards card. If you are similar, then check out the following featured credit cards which offer a variety of cash rewards. It’s important to pay attention to the rewards structure, as these cards feature different cash back rewards. Some offer a flat cash back rate, while others offer additional cash back in bonus categories, rotating categories, and more.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

The Best All Around Cash Back Credit Card

The is the credit card my wife and I use for most of our daily spending. It comes with a (See Rates and Fees; terms apply.) However, it more than pays for itself with its generous rewards program, which tops off at an unheard of 6% cash back in select categories.

Here is the cash back from the Blue Cash Preferred® Card:

• 6% Cash Back at US supermarkets for first $6,000 per year in purchases; 1% cashback after that
• 6% Cash Back on select US Streaming services
• 3% Cash Back at US gas stations & on transportation services, including taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more
• 1% Cash Back on purchases in other categories
• Cash Back is awarded as Reward Dollars which can be redeemed for a statement credit, gift cards, or shopping
• Intro APR of
• APR after the intro period
• See Rates and Fees; terms apply

As you can see, it’s not too difficult to earn back the $95 annual fee with those cashback rates! Just spending $500 a month on groceries will earn you $265 in rewards after paying for the annual fee. That is much better than a flat 2% cash back that some cards offer.

Add in the cash back on gas and transportation, streaming services, and other features, and this card is a winner!

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

The Best Cash Rewards Card without an Annual Fee

The is similar to the Blue Cash Preferred® Card, however, it has lower cashback rates and does not come with an annual fee. We have a full-length comparison of these two cards here. (Spoiler, even though the Blue Cash Everyday is a great card, the Blue Cash Preferred comes out on top for many people).

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express:

• 3% Cash Back at US supermarkets, up to $6,000 per year in purchases (1% thereafter)
• 3% Cash Back at US gas stations & U.S. online retail purchases, up to $6,000 per year (1% thereafter)
• 1% Cash Back on other eligible purchases
• Cash Back is awarded as Reward Dollars which can be redeemed for a statement credit, gift cards, or shopping
• Annual Fee:
• Intro APR:
• APR after intro period:
• See Rates and Fees; terms apply

Different Types of Cards

It’s true that these offers can be highly profitable, but the big pay-off comes when you’re able to pick the optimal card for your needs and spending pattern. Although most cash rewards cards work the same way, several cards break the mold and offer unique perks and earning tiers. Here are a few of those unique cards, plus the most common types of cash rewards cards currently on the market:

Fixed Cash Rewards Cards

Some cards offer a fixed percentage of cash back on all of your purchases in every category – usually between 1 -2%. While these cards generally aren’t as lucrative over the long haul, some consumers prefer the simplicity of this earning strategy.

No Annual Fee Cards

No annual fee cards offer a ton of perks without charging an annual fee for use. This type of card usually works best for someone who is opposed to paying an annual fee or just wants to earn casual rewards on their everyday spending.

Rotating Rewards Cards

While some cards offer a set percentage of cash back on purchases, others offer more cash back on categories that rotate each quarter. Rotating rewards cards usually offer 1% cash-back on all purchases and up to 5% cash back on rotating “bonus categories.” Those categories change every quarter – and even from year to year.

Bonus Category Cards

While rotating rewards cards offer a higher bonus on categories that change each quarter, other cards offer bonus categories that don’t change. For example, some cards that fall under this umbrella might offer 1% cash back on everything, 2% cash back on dining and entertainment, and 3% cash back on travel. Some cards with bonus categories even let you select your own bonus category.

How to Select a Cash Rewards Credit Card

While any cash rewards credit card is better than nothing, choosing a card that is tailored to your needs will ultimately lead to more rewards. Here are some factors to consider as you narrow down your selection of cash rewards credit cards:

Consider your spending – If your spending tends to be high in areas like groceries or gas, it usually makes sense to choose a rewards card that offers more cash back in those categories. Look at the different cash rewards offers available and select the card with more earning potential where you spend the most.

Take annual fees into account – Paying an annual fee on a rewards card might make sense if you spend enough on your card each year. However, an annual fee can quickly eat away at your earnings if you don’t use your card very often. When weighing the pros and cons of choosing a card with an annual fee, always run the numbers. Only choose a card with an annual fee when you plan on earning more than enough rewards to make up for it.

Don’t forget the sign-up bonus – A card with a healthy sign-up bonus can help you earn a higher percentage of rewards over the course of a year – even when compared to a card that offers a higher percentage of cash back, but no bonus. Always do the math and make sure the sign-up bonus is a perk, not a hindrance.

Explore the rewards program – While some cash rewards cards offer several ways to redeem your points, others only allow you to redeem them for a statement credit. If you want a rewards card that lets you redeem your points for gift cards, travel rewards, merchandise, or airline miles make sure you know that ahead of time.

Know your limits – In addition to knowing the limit you can spend on your card, you also need to be aware of any limits on cash-back offers as well. These limits on “bonus category” earning can seriously diminish the rate of rewards you earn with your card. With most rotating rewards cards, for example, you only earn 5% cash-back on the first $1,500 you spend in the bonus category each quarter. That’s only $75.

Know your credit score – Almost all of the best rewards credit cards require excellent credit. If your credit score is mediocre, it might be wise to spend some time rebuilding your credit – and your score – before pursuing a card that offers rewards.

The decision to use a rewards credit card to earn cash-back on your everyday spending is almost a no-brainer. But, finding the best one? Now, that’s the hard part.

Just remember, the best cash rewards cards will provide you with a steady stream of fun rewards you can use for almost anything – and with minimal effort.

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_{The Military Wallet has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Military Wallet and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on The Military Wallet are from advertisers. Compensation may impact how and where card products appear, but does not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations. The Military Wallet does not include all card companies or all available card offers.}

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