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The 50 Best Gift Cards for Travel Lovers

We’ve rounded up the best gift cards for any travel lover on your shopping list.

how to buy travel gift cards

Travel + Leisure / Kristin Kempa

The benefits of travel are impossible to wrap up neatly with a bow. You just can’t put a price tag on an impossibly beautiful view, the experience touching down on a new continent, or that life-changing conversation with a local who lives oceans away. That said, a travel-related gift card is probably the closest you’ll get to giving the actual gift of travel to your loved ones (without booking their flights or hotels for them, anyway!).

You’ll want to make sure to select a gift card you know they will be able to put to use. If your loved ones always fly Delta, for example, you won’t want to select a gift card from a different airline. If they’re planning a backpacking trip through South America in the near future, they’ll benefit much more from a Columbia gift card, where they can stock up on camping and hiking gear, versus one from a luxe hotel chain.

Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best gift cards for jetsetters, from cruise lines and airlines to the top luggage and accessory brands.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines Gift Card

Southwest is known for offering booking flexibility with no hidden costs, and the airline consistently ranks on our World's Best domestic airlines list. If you've got a friend or family member who's looking to plan their dream trip, you'll be their new favorite person with this pick.

Delta eGift Card

Delta’s SkyMiles offers one of the best rewards programs in the business — which is why there are so many frequent flyers who swear by the airline. The Delta eGift Card is particularly practical as you can purchase one to instantly email to your favorite traveler, making it an exceptional ultra-last-minute gift.

Hotels.com Gift Card

Expedia's hotel arm, Hotels.com, is one of the best places to score hotel bookings and packages for less. The site is always offering savings at some of the top spots around the world, whether you book for now or later. You'll effectively be gifting a discount and taking care of the bill, too.

Airbnb Gift Card

 Amazon

There’s something about checking into an Airbnb that can feel a lot cozier for certain travelers, especially if they’re planning a long-term trip to a new city. The gift of an Airbnb gift card will give them the leeway to select their own unique apartment or home anywhere in the world while still cutting down the overall cost of their trip.

Princess Cruise

Princess cruise lines gift card.

Princess Cruise Lines

Princess Cruise Lines sails to 380 cruise destinations across more than 100 countries — and all seven continents — which makes this an excellent option for the traveler on your list who has been planning a bucket list cruise for ages. Gift cards are available for as little as $50 and as much as $500 (but you can always purchase a custom amount).

Holland America

Holland America Gift Card

Holland America Line was founded nearly 150 years ago in 1873, and has continued to be one of the most trusted cruise lines on the sea. The premium ships are smaller than most cruise lines which will give them a much more intimate experience; the average guest also tends to be a bit older which makes this option great for travel fiends who prefer a more laid-back experience at sea.

Amtrak Gift Card

Shopping for a travel lover who prefers riding the rails to boarding flights? Amtrak gift cards are available from $25 to $250 and will allow them to book a train journey anywhere in the United States, and select destinations in Canada. We also love that this option can be emailed directly to the recipient at a scheduled date and time.

Starbucks Gift Card

We know, we know. Part of the thrill of travel is experiencing the local customs and culinary offerings — and that includes coffee culture. But sometimes we just need that venti iced caramel macchiato to shake off the jet lag. The only thing you’ll want to keep in mind is that Starbucks cards don’t work in every country, so giftees won’t be able to use an U.S card in most places in Europe or Asia, for example, but Ireland, Australia, and the U.K. should be fine.

Nordstrom Gift Card

Not exactly sure when or where your favorite traveler is planning their next escape? No worries since a Nordstrom gift card offers infinite possibilities. Whether they need a new suitcase or carry-on duffel bag, or they’re looking to invest in a few new swimsuits for a winter getaway, there are thousands of practical (and pretty) items available both in-store and online.

Foot Locker

Foot Locker Gift Card

It doesn’t matter if they’re planning a backpacking trip around Southeast Asia or they’ve booked a weeklong vineyard-hopping experience in France, it always pays to have a comfortable pair of walking shoes. A gift card to Foot Locker will allow travelers to choose the stylish and practical sneakers , sandals, or boots that best suit their specific needs and preferences. (This option also offers email delivery for those ultra-last-minute shoppers.)

Uber Gift Card

Navigating a new city can be stressful, especially when you first touch down at the airport after a long-haul flight. Thankfully, Uber is now available in many parts of the world and even has designated airport pick-up zones, making a gift certificate not only a smart idea but one that will help you rest easy, knowing your loved one can make it from point A to point B safely.

Amazon Gift Card

When you think of traveling, your first instinct might not be to shop online, but it’s easy to get all sorts of before-they-go essentials here from packing cubes to portable chargers and suitcases under $100. If your pal is already subscribed to Amazon Prime, a gift card to this marketplace will help them keep their bags stocked even quicker.

Apple Gift Card

Have a digitally nomadic friend who you constantly have to locate via Instagram? They've mastered the skill of booking a flight at the drop of a hat and finding the cheapest last-minute hotel deal, but they could always use a little insurance for their most valuable asset: their technology. With an Apple gift card, they'll be able to buy accessories they need or enjoy a little discount if their laptop or iPhone bites the dust on the road.

Air Canada Gift Card

Looking to find the right gift for your travel-loving pal up north? Air Canada gift cards are a great option for anyone who regularly travels between the U.S. and Canada, as well as Canadians who travel internationally as the airline currently serves more than 220 destinations worldwide on six continents.

Zappos Gift Card

For trips where much of the sightseeing will take place on foot, a gift card to Zappos will help your friend find the most comfortable shoes for these upcoming plans. Whether they’re in the market for winter boots for a mountain escape or sandals for an upcoming beach vacation, there’s something to suit every kind of traveler.

CheapOair Gift Card

Whether they’re planning a trip in the next few months or they’re still saving for a dream European vacation, you can still give the gift of adventure with a CheapOair gift card, since they never expire. CheapOair will allow your loved one to search for the least expensive routes and flight paths and start planning their dream trip, whenever that might be.

Columbia Gift Card

After months of training, your sister is finally setting out to hike the Appalachian Trail all by her bad self. Express your support and encouragement with a gift card to Columbia, one of the leading trusted brands in outdoor wear. Depending on how generous you're feeling, you can outfit her with a tent, an insulated jacket, a backpack, and much more.

Fluent City

Fluent City Gift Card

If being able to speak another language comfortably has always been a goal for your mom as she plans her dream trip to Rome, consider giving the gift of the spoken word. Right now, Fluent City offers both private and group language lessons online. Even if it's a while before she puts her Italian skills to the test, she'll be more than prepared for when she finally arrives.

Away Gift Card

We’ve been big fans of Away luggage for their functional designs, gorgeous colors, and affordable price points ever since the brand’s inception back in 2015. Digital gift cards can be used in-store or online, and you can load the card up to $1,000 (to outfit your loved one with a full set of suitcases and travel accessories).

REI Gift Card

If your travel-loving buddy is more of a backpacker and camper and less of the luxury hotel type, a gift card to REI will be right up their alley. The multi-purpose store stocks everything they could possibly need for their next adventure in the great outdoors, from camping gear and weatherproof apparel to snacks appropriate for trekking in the bush.

Sephora Gift Card

Stocking up on travel-sized skin care and cosmetics is easy at Sephora, with hundreds of well-loved beauty brands offering miniature products to fit in a carry-on without going over the liquid limit. We especially love that Sephora allows you to customize a gift card with your own images or sayings. Let those creative juices flow!

Audible Gift Card

Book-loving travelers know the struggle of wanting to pack enough paperbacks to last the entire trip but also not wanting to run the risk of overweight baggage fees. A gift card for Audible will allow them to download as many books as they want to listen to right on a smartphone instead.

MaidPro Gift Certificate

Nobody likes coming back to a messy house after a long trip, but sometimes there’s just not enough time to tidy up, pack, and make it to the airport in time. A gift certificate to MaidPro will allow travelers to pre-schedule a professional cleaner to come, so all they’ll have to do is unpack and relax in an already tidy home.

Spafinder Gift Card

You might not know the details of your loved ones’ next five-star vacation, but a gift card to SpaFinder lets you give them a little dose of luxury whenever that may be. These gift cards are universal and can be redeemed at thousands of spas across the United States, and all over the world, so you can pretty much guarantee they’ll be able to find an eligible establishment in their future travels.

Marriott International

Marriott international gift card.

If they’re all about racking in those Bonvoy points, you’ll want to consider a gift certificate to Marriott International. The digital gift cards are universal, which means gift recipients can put them toward their next stay anywhere in the world as long as it falls under the Marriott umbrella (think Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Westin, and more).

Fairmont Gift Card

A Fairmont gift card pretty much guarantees a luxurious experience. Whether your jetsetting friend uses it to check into one of the hundreds of historic properties around the world (like the Grand Railway Hotels across Canada, for example), or to enjoy a three-course meal, you know it’ll be put to very good use.

Hilton Gift Card

Whether your pal is a road-trip warrior, luxury enthusiast, or budget-conscious adventurer, a gift card to Hilton will suit them just fine. There is a vast network of brands at all price points — from the budget-friendly Hilton Garden Inn to the five-star Waldorf Astoria. The best part? Hilton gift cards don’t expire so they won’t have to rush to plan their next trip.

If there’s a cruise lover on your shopping list, Holland America gift cards can be used to book sailings worldwide and also for onboard purchases to make the journey even better. Whether your friend is looking to cruise Caribbean, European, or Australian waters, this gift card is the best way to start the trip.

Tortuga Gift Card

With Tortuga’s home try-on program, the adventurer in your life can select the perfect travel backpack for their trip and body needs. Tortuga products also offer a worldwide warranty, so this gift card may just be the most reliable gift you give this holiday season.

Most of us have enjoyed the convenience of summoning a Lyft to get us where we need to go. A Lyft gift card can not only be used for a comfortable ride, but for Lyft scooters and bikes as well. The gift amount will be credited to your friend’s Lyft account so they can use it however, and whenever, they want.

Best Western

Best Western Travel Card

Best Western Hotels and Resorts can be found in more than 100 countries and territories. Gifting the Best Western Travel Card means Rewards points can still be earned on all booked stays, and there’s no expiration date either.

Chaco Gift Card

Chaco 

You probably don’t know your friend's shoe size off the top of your head. Instead of guessing, give them a Chaco gift card so they can shop for the best size, shape, and style for their outdoor needs. Physical Chaco gift cards can be shipped or sent electronically for ease and immediate use.

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian airlines gift card.

With over 35 destinations to choose from and no expiration date, Hawaiian Airlines’ gift cards will help your traveler start planning a dream vacation. Whether they’re interested in island hopping through Hawaii or exploring the South Pacific, giving this card means they will still earn miles on flights purchased as a present from you.

Calpak Digital Gift Card

Calpak Digital 

Calpak luggage and bags are the durable, high-end gift any traveler would love to receive this holiday season. Even better? Sending a Calpak gift card, so they can choose the design that’s best for them. From the sturdy Kaya Laptop Backpack we love to helpful packing cubes, there’s plenty to shop.

Four Seasons

Four Seasons Gift Card

If you’re unsure when shopping for your favorite luxury lover, look no further than the Four Seasons gift card. It’s redeemable for overnight stays, plus dining, spa treatments, and other experiences at Four Seasons locations worldwide. Cards can also be purchased in one of four currencies to avoid exchange rate fees.

Carnival eGift Card

Does your best friend have a Carnival cruise booked this year? Make their trip even better by giving them a Carnival gift card. Not only can it be used once onboard for gifts, drinks, and excursions to make an experience even better, it can be used to book their next cruise as well.

Monos Gift Card

Give your adventurer exactly what they want by letting them pick out what they need for an upcoming trip from lightweight luggage to comfortable clothes. The Monos gift card never expires and can be used on top of sales and discount codes, too.

Barnes & Noble

Barnes & noble egift card.

Who doesn’t love the planning stages of an upcoming trip? Give the gift of in-flight entertainment with a gift card to Barnes & Noble. Whether your pal is looking for travel guides, magazines, or novels, they’ll find thousands of options in stores and online to get them excited to take off.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines Gift Certificate

With dozens of destinations to choose from, an Alaska Airlines gift certificate suits loved ones traveling throughout the United States and beyond. These gift certificates can be used not only on Alaska Airlines flights, but also Horizon Air or SkyWest flights operated by Alaska Airlines. They never expire and can be delivered directly to your friend’s email or printed and mailed.

Nomatic Gift Card

From accessories for everyday travel around town to bags for extended trips, Nomatic has something to offer everyone. The Nomatic gift card is not only a nice pick for your on-the-go friend this season, all products are also covered by a lifetime warranty, too.

OneTravel Gift Card

With the OneTravel gift card, your friend can book a flight to their dream destination across the globe. The best part is, you choose when the treat is sent to your loved-one’s email, which means you can buy now and still keep the surprise for later!

Virgin Experience

Virgin experience gifts gift card.

Virgin Experience Gifts

With a Virgin Experience Gifts gift card, travelers can select an experience — from helicopter tours to murder mystery dinners — based on their location. With hundreds of excursions to choose from in dozens of cities, any adventurer can find something fun and unique to enjoy.

Athleta Gift Card

The Athleta gift card is perfect for any active woman on your list as the brand’s sizes range from XXS to 3X. Athleta gear runs on the sportier, more casual side which means styles like their comfy travel pants work both in the air and on a hike, too.

Cabela's

Cabela's gift cards.

For the outdoor-loving travelers on your list, Cabela’s has everything for your favorite camper and boater. Their gift cards can be redeemed online and instore for both Cabela’s and BassPro Shops giving your friend even more options.

Celebrity Cruise

Celebrity cruises e-gift card.

With over 300 cruise ports to choose from, your friend has plenty of trip options when receiving a Celebrity Cruises gift card. Treat them to an upscale cruise experience with $50, $100, $250, and $500 denominations to suit your gifting needs.

Arlo Skye Online Gift Cards

Arlo Skye is known for their beautiful and durable luggage — and we all know someone who’s obsessed with traveling in style. This season, give your trendy traveler a gift card to Arlo Skye to help them live out their dreamiest fantasies with a new bag in tow.

Goldbelly Gift Card

Goldbelly 

If your favorite traveler is constantly talking about the mouth-watering pizza they had in New York or the pastries from that one bakery in Los Angeles, they’ll be excited to learn that many of their favorite regional treats are available on Goldbelly. This company partners with eateries around the United States to package and ship food products straight to your friend’s door. Sure, eating at the source is ideal, but this is easily the next best thing.

Top Golf Gift Card

Your pal who’s always planning a trip to a new golf course will appreciate a Top Golf gift card to help them get through stretches of downtime at home. This experience combines the sport with tracking technology, not to mention great food and drinks, to create a fun night for just about anyone. With over 80 locations around the country, there’s a good chance this experience is close by (although it’s worth checking before you purchase anything).

MGM Resorts

Mgm resorts gift card.

Whether they stay at the same resort every time or like to try new ones, your friend who goes to Las Vegas every year is bound to find some use out of a MGM Resorts gift card. This company operates 14 resorts in Sin City alone, as well as a handful of other resorts in the U.S. and worldwide. Gift cards can be used at participating restaurants, retail shops, bars, and spas, or put towards the cost of a room.

Hopper Gift Card

The Hopper app uses past price trends to help you find great deals on flights, hotels, car rentals, and more. The app is free to use and those deals can be booked directly through Hopper, which is where a gift card comes in handy. In addition to helping users find and book the best deals, the app also offers cool features like the ability to lock in a price for up to three weeks – if the price goes up, they’ll refund up to $300 and if it’s no longer available, they’ll give a full refund. It’s a great service for travelers who like good deals and peace-of-mind while booking.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, Kaitlyn McInnis and Taylor Fox used their experience as travel writers and former lifestyle editors to curate the best options to suit most needs.

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how to buy travel gift cards

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25 Best Gift Cards for Every Type of Traveler

By Meaghan Kenny

Finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list is no easy feat. Maybe you're shopping for the friend who has everything already or someone you don't know that well—you're stumped on what to buy, but still want their gift to be thoughtful and practical. Or, maybe you've accidentally waited too long to finish up your holiday shopping and need a gift with zero shipping time required. In any case, a gift card is a great idea for travelers. We put together a list of the very best gift cards for travelers, with options for book worms, outdoor enthusiasts, and beauty gurus included. From suitcases to skincare to entire vacation rentals , you can put your gift to good use and rest easy knowing your giftee got exactly what they wanted: something they picked out themselves. Plus, some have physical card options, if sending an email isn't the glamorous gift-giving experience you imagined.

All products featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Meredith Carey.

Find the best gift cards by category:

For the frequent flier, for the sporty traveler, for the outdoor enthusiast, for the fashion-forward friend, for the beauty guru, for the book worm, for anyone on your list, airline gift cards.

Tons of airlines offer gift cards so you can offset someone's flight to their dream destination. You can buy a digital or physical Southwest Airlines gift card from the airline directly or a physical card from Amazon , from $50 to $200. American Airlines offers virtual and physical gift cards from $50 to $1,500. Delta's gift cards range from $50 to $1,000 and can be sent via e-mail or through UPS. Low-cost airline Norwegian offers digital gift cards up to a whopping $11,000, while Ireland's Aer Lingus offers gifted flight vouchers up to $500.

For the person who has everything, there's only one thing to buy: experiences. Think tours, cooking classes, and even entire vacation rentals—all of which you can do with an Airbnb gift card. Of course, the traveler in your life can spend their gift card on some stellar home stays, like this luxe space in Florence with a private terrace, a Colorado cabin with mountain views, or a cozy Copenhagen apartment with an impressive vinyl collection. Giftees can also use Airbnb gift cards to book IRL experiences like azulejo-painting workshops in Portugal, city tours through Paris on a motorbike , or many more of our favorites .

Whether you're shopping for the budding traveler or the frequent flier, the chance to upgrade your luggage will always be appreciated. When it comes to luggage, we often turn to a favorite among our readers , Away. It's known for its lightweight, durable designs, especially styles like The Bigger Carry-On , The Carry-On Flex , and The Medium Flex . Gift a customizable digital card with up to $1,000.

Is sleek, neutral-toned luggage more your giftee's style? They can easily upgrade their collection with new travel essentials from Béis . Choose from the brand's bestsellers like The Weekender , The Carry-On Roller , and The Check-In Roller . In addition to its classic travel bags, Béis also makes thoughtfully designed baby travel bags , kids luggage, and work bags ideal for commuters. Choose an e-gift card amount from $25 to $500.

We're big fans of all things Calpak here at Condé Nast Traveler, so it's no surprise that the brand is on our list of the best gift cards. Whether someone you know could use some new luggage for upcoming travel plans, a duffel bag for weekend getaways, or packing cubes to help stay organized, there's something for every traveler who receives a Calpak gift card. Send a digital gift card for an amount ranging from $25 to $500.

Paravel makes some of our favorite packable duffels , beachy totes , and chic rolling suitcases . But it's more than just quality that draws us to the brand: Paravel's commitment to sustainability—from the recycled water bottles, fabrics, and aluminum used to make some of its best-selling bags to the brand's carbon-neutral outlook on its factories and shipping models—keeps us coming back for more. Pick up a digital gift card stocked with anywhere from $25 to $1,000 to let your giftee upgrade their luggage with the exact pieces they need.

The best leggings worn by six women.

From compression leggings and sports bras to cute matching sets , there's plenty of sporty must-haves to score at Alo Yoga. Whether your giftee is a yogi, hiker, or runner, they'll be more than excited to start shopping for their favorite new workout set. The brand also makes great-quality yoga mats, equipment, and gym bags. Alo Yoga offers e-gift cards for $50 to $1,000.

Girlfriend Collective

Our editors love the supportive leggings , exercise dresses , bike shorts , and sports bras from size-inclusive and sustainable brand Girlfriend Collective. The brand also designs packable jackets that are great for travelers and ultra-warm puffers for winter adventures. Send your giftee a virual gift card from the brand for $25 to $200.

If someone you know is a fan of Lululemon's mega-popular leggings , they'll appreciate a gift card to shop for even more cult-favorite items the athleisure brand. Active travelers can snag any of its bags like the Fast and Free running belt,   the City Adventurer duffel bag for the gym, and of course the Everywhere Belt Bag (when it's not sold out, that is). Choose a digital gift card or have one sent by mail.

The fitness junkie you know will definitely make good use of a Nike gift card. Buying activewear or knowing exactly what running shoes someone likes can be tricky, so a gift card to this iconic brand is a safe bet. It's always a good time to invest in a new pair of sneakers , sweatpants for long-haul flights, or accessories for the gym . Shoppers can choose a custom amount up to $500.

Patagonia Gloves

Parks Project

Know someone who absolutely loves the National Park Service? A gift card to Parks Project opens doors to not only rep some of their favorite parks on impeccably designed T-shirts , woodsy candles , and essential camping gear —but to protect the parks, too. The Parks Project supports wildlife restoration, visitor programs, youth initiatives, and clean-ups to keep the parks accessible and maintained for years to come. Load anywhere from $25 to $300 on the gift card.

For insulated, packable jackets , fleece sweaters and zip-ups , fanny packs , and more outdoor gear , we turn to Patagonia. Your giftee will have plenty of options to shop with a Patagonia gift cards, whether they're looking for everyday winter essentials or more specific hiking or camping gear. Our editors love the brand's Black Hole duffels for the adventures that require lots of gear and packing must-haves (these travel bags hold a ton). Choose a custom amount up to $1,000.

Give the outdoorsy traveler in your life the freedom to upgrade their gear however they please, whether they need a new crossover tent, sleeping bag, or hiking boots. Choose between a digital or physical gift card, which comes in dozens of creative designs. Unlike most other options on this list, you can denote a custom amount to put on the card between $10 and $1,000—plus, you can designate exactly when you want the digital card to arrive in the recipient's email inbox.

Best Womens SlipOn Shoes to Pack on Every Trip Everlane

Anthropologie

There's endless goodies to shop from Anthropologie, from party dresses and cozy loungewear to personalized mugs and unique home decor . The brand makes some of the cutest outfits for special occasions, with options for weddings, vacation, and cocktail parties. Choose from a variety of festive gift cards for amounts up to $2,000.

If your giftee is all about building his or her capsule wardrobe , a gift card to Everlane will be greatly appreciated. The sustainable clothing brand makes some of our editors' favorite travel essentials, from everyday tees and trousers to comfortable loafers and flats. Send a physical or a digital gift card for up to $500.

It's nearly impossible to buy someone other than yourself a pair of jeans. Instead of guessing what you think will fit, treat them to a gift card to Madewell so they can find their new perfect pair. In addition to great denim, Madewell is also known for its soft sweaters, well-made jackets, and versatile bags, like The Sydney crossbody and The Medium Transport tote . Shoppers can purchase e-gift cards or classic gift cards for amounts up to $500.

Image may contain Cosmetics and Face Makeup

Choose an amount up to $250 and let your recipient splurge on new makeup must-haves, skincare, and hair care products. This way, the giftee can pick out the exact products they already love or have been wanting to test out, like the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream , the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm , Rare Beauty Soft Pinch liquid blushes , and the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless setting powder . They can also put this gift card toward the beloved Dyson Airwrap ; this hair care tool is popular for a reason— trust me .

Everyone deserves some time to pamper themselves and practice good self-care . Spa Finder offers spa gift cards for up to $500 in the form of a digital card, via mail, or as a print-from-home gift. Consider this a nudge for any busy traveler to take time out of their hectic schedule for a massage or facial—it'll leave them feeling refreshed and relaxed.

The friend who's always perfecting their skincare routine will love a gift card to Ulta. They can shop travel-size minis of their favorites or try out new products from top beauty brands like Clinique, Tarte, Urban Decay, Dior, and Fenty Beauty. Ulta offers digital and physical gifts in a variety of fun designs for up to $250.

25 Best Gift Cards for Every Type of Traveler

For your friend who keeps saying they want to get back into reading but can't find the time, a gift card to Audible is the perfect way to help them make a dent in their reading list . Audible allows subscribers to listen to audiobooks, podcasts, and other original content on the go. Choose from one month, three months, six months, or one year of credits. Each month is equivalent to one credit, which is good for any book title in Audible's entire premium catalog. You can also gift a specific book title if you already know what vacation read they've been meaning to get to.

Bookshop.org

Some of the best gifts inspire future trips, or let us travel back in time to destinations we visited years ago. New books, cookbooks, and coffee table books often make great gifts—but knowing what book to buy, and what your giftee already has in their personal library can be a challenge. Let them choose for themselves with a Bookshop gift card. Bookshop allows readers to support local bookstores online and gives 100 percent of the profits to local shops if you shop directly ( check out this map to find your nearest indie) or donates 10 percent to a pool split between thousands of stores if you shop the general site. The gift cards come in denominations from $10 to a very generous $1,000. Plus, you can designate a specific send date so the recipient gets their digital gift right on time.

When in doubt, everyone on your shopping list can make use of an Amazon gift card. Travelers will have their choice of just about anything they want—from tech must-haves like Apple AirPods Pro and Kindle Paperwhite to outdoor gear like this portable hammock or the LifeStraw personal water filter. Amazon offers gift cards in various gift boxes and can include a customized message, making them feel a bit more personalized. Select an amount ranging from $25 to $2,000.

Whether someone you know just moved or is refreshing their current apartment, a Brooklinen gift card will certainly be appreciated. Brooklinen's sheet sets and comforters are just as luxurious as the ones at your favorite hotel . The brand's towels and plush robes are also bestsellers, and for good reason: There's nothing quite like putting on a cozy robe and crawling into bed with a fresh set of crisp sheets.

If you're really stuck on what to get someone, a Nordstrom gift card is a great option. There's something for every traveler to buy at Nordstrom—whether it be a new pair of outdoor boots for winter, a home decor gift, or a Hatch Restore 2 alarm clock . Choose a digital gift card for an amount up to $500 for anyone on your shopping list.

Uncommon Goods

If you want to give someone a gift card that still feels unique or just a touch more personalized, a gift card to Uncommon Goods is the way to go. The brand is an expert at curating gifts, ranging from personalized presents in a variety of categories like kitchen and bar, home goods, jewelry, clothing, wellness, and travel gear. Gifts from Uncommon Goods are little bit quirky and show some personality—like these rocks glasses inspired by your favorite city , this pickelball paddle tote bag , and these beer sleeping bags .

how to buy travel gift cards

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how to buy travel gift cards

Delta Gift Cards

This Father's Day gift a Delta Gift Card of $300 or more and enjoy a $20 Starbucks eGift.

Terms apply. Available while supplies last. 

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Put Travel Within Reach 

The Delta Gift Card puts travel within reach. Redeemable for any Delta Air Lines flight worldwide, and for any Delta Vacations package that includes airfare, it’s the perfect gift for the travel lover in your life. Have it delivered directly to their inbox or mailbox in time to celebrate – whichever you prefer. 

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Choose Your Gift Card

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INDIVIDUAL DELTA GIFT CARDS

Whether it's for holidays, birthdays, a retirement, wedding or anniversary gift, the Delta Gift Card puts travel within reach for any celebration.

eGift Cards

  • Instant delivery
  • Choose from our predesigned eGift catalog
  • Option to include a custom message
  • Planning ahead? Use schedule delivery for important occasions

Personalized Gift Cards

  • Receive the same benefits of an eGift Card
  • Upload your own photo to create a unique and personal gift

Physical Gift Cards

  • Receive a complimentary greeting card carrier
  • Option to include a personal message
  • Made from eco-friendly paper

Buy a Gift Card

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CORPORATE/BULK DELTA GIFT CARDS

Order Delta Gift Cards in bulk to engage prospects, reward clients, or motivate employees with a gift they’ll truly enjoy.

  • Easy to order
  • Flexible dollar amounts
  • No expiration

Buy Bulk Gift Cards

*Delta Gift Cards may be used for travel on Delta Air Lines marketed flights, including those operated as Delta Connection® and by Delta Air Lines codeshare partners with a Delta Air Lines flight number. They can be used on delta.com, at the airport, or through Reservations. They can also be used toward Delta Vacations® packages. Delta Vacations packages must include Delta airfare in order to use Delta Gift Card.

Wi-Fi Terms of Use Apply . All SkyMiles Program rules apply to SkyMiles Program Membership, miles, offers, mile accrual, mile redemption, and travel benefits. To review the rules, please visit delta.com/memberguide  

Use of this eGift Card or physical Gift Card is subject to these terms and conditions:

  • The Gift Card Number and PIN / Redemption Code located in the digital Delta eGift Card ("eGift") or on the back of the physical Delta Gift Card ("Card"), as applicable, are required for redemption.
  • Cards purchased from retail stores or picked up from Delta Sky Clubs may require up to twenty-four (24) hours after the time of purchase before redemption.
  •  At delta.com/redeem.
  • Call Delta Air Lines Reservations and advise the agent that you are redeeming an eGift or a Card. In the U.S. and Canada, call 800-225-1366 or 800-225-2525; in Japan, call 0570-077733 or 0476-31-8000; and in all other countries, call the local Delta Air Lines Reservations office. This method of redemption may result in direct ticketing charges.
  • At delta.com/vacations or by calling 800-800-1504 for Delta Vacations® packages that include air transportation. (Travel Advisors, call 800-727-1111.)
  • In person at a Delta Air Lines City Ticket Office (CTO) or with Delta Air Lines Airport Customer Service (ACS).
  • Through a Delta Air Lines General Sales Agent (GSA).

Other Terms and Conditions

  • To redeem or check balance, visit delta.com/redeem and enter your gift card information. 
  • eGifts and Cards may be redeemed toward the total purchase price of air transportation, including taxes, fees, and surcharges imposed on the air transportation, or on Delta Vacations packages that include air transportation (excluding any cash portion of an Award or Miles + Cash Ticket). They may not be used for any additional fees (including baggage fees) or for any other products or services (including in-flight purchases, class upgrades or premium seating, after the initial plane ticket purchase has already been completed, mileage booster, Delta Cruises, cargo, hotel stays, or car rentals).
  • Gift Cards cannot be used to pay for any cash portion of an Award or Miles + Cash Ticket.
  • eGifts and Cards may only be used for travel on Delta Air Lines marketed flights, including those operated as Delta Connection® and by Delta Air Lines codeshare partners with a Delta Air Lines flight number.
  • eGifts and Cards may be used toward Delta Vacations® packages that include air transportation. 
  • eGifts and Cards are issued only in U.S. dollars ("USD"). If an eGift or a Card is used for the purchase of a ticket issued in a currency other than USD, the full value of the eGift or Card will be converted to that currency using the Bankers Rate of Exchange in effect on the date of ticket issuance, and the rate of exchange will be indicated on the ticket.
  • Tickets purchased using eGifts and Cards are subject to the applicable Delta Air Lines Contract of Carriage and fare rules (including change penalties).
  • If redeemed at www.delta.com, a maximum of five forms of payment (including eGifts or Cards) can be applied towards a single transaction, regardless of the number of tickets purchased as part of that transaction; if redeemed through any other method, a maximum of five forms of payment (including eGifts or Cards) can be applied toward a single ticket. eGifts and Cards can be used with other eGifts and/or Cards, but cannot be used in conjunction with any other certificate, voucher or credit towards a single ticket. If you wish to redeem more Gift Cards for a single purchase, please call Delta Air Lines at 1-800-225-1366 and a Reservations Specialist will be able to assist you.
  • If redeemed for a Delta Vacations package at delta.com/vacations, up to four forms of payment (including eGifts or Cards) can be applied towards a single transaction, regardless of the number of tickets purchased as part of that transaction; eGifts and Cards can be used with other eGifts and/or Cards, but cannot be used in conjunction with any other certificate, voucher or credit towards a single ticket. If you wish to redeem more Gift Cards for a single purchase, please call Delta Vacations at 1-800-800-1504 and a Reservations Specialist will be able to assist you.
  • eGifts and Cards are not reloadable and do not expire. No service or inactivity fees apply.
  • eGifts and Cards, including those that are lost, stolen, or destroyed, will not be replaced by Delta for any reason.
  • eGifts and Cards are not credit, debit or charge cards, and have no implied warranties.
  • eGifts and Cards are not refundable and cannot be redeemed or exchanged for cash, check or credit except where refund or redemption is required by law. You may not use a Gift Card to purchase other Gift Cards. Gift Cards purchased from delta.com/giftcards cannot be reloaded, resold, or transferred for value. Void if reloaded, resold, transferred for value, or redeemed for cash. Unused Gift Cards may not be transferred other than as a gift. Total purchases on delta.com/giftcards for any one individual may not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) in one calendar day.
  • Where eGifts or Cards are redeemed for a ticket, but travel is not taken, the value of the redeemed ticket (after any applicable penalties) will be provided in accordance with Delta Air Lines' standard policy regarding ticket refunds.
  • eGifts and Cards may only be sold by Delta and Delta-licensed vendors. eGifts and Cards that are for sale or sold by an unlicensed vendor are subject to confiscation or voiding by Delta.
  • eGifts and Cards that are altered or obtained fraudulently are subject to confiscation or voiding by Delta.
  • Delta is not responsible for eGifts or Cards that are undeliverable or not received due to inaccurate delivery information provided by the purchaser.
  • Delta reserves the right to refuse, cancel or hold for review transactions initiated using eGifts or Cards for suspected fraud, incorrect certificate or card denomination, or violations of these terms and conditions.
  • Delta may at any time and without notice change these terms and conditions or contract with a third party to administer the eGift program or the Card program.
  • Use of eGifts and Cards is subject to applicable law. In the event of a conflict between these terms and conditions and applicable law, applicable law will govern.
  • The laws of the state of Virginia, without regard to its conflicts of law provisions, apply to these Terms and Conditions and use of any eGift or Card.
  • Delta and its affiliates make no warranties, express or implied, with respect to eGifts and Cards, including any express or implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
  • eGifts and Cards are issued by and are solely the obligation of Delta Gift Cards, Inc. ("DGC"), an affiliate of Delta Air Lines, Inc., that is authorized to issue eGifts and Cards for sale by Delta and Delta-licensed vendors to be redeemed toward the total purchase price of air transportation on Delta Air Lines marketed flights.
  • Our Policies Information that you provide when purchasing Gift Cards is subject to Delta’s Privacy Policy .
  • Payment Methods To purchase Delta Gift Cards from Delta, you may use a valid American Express Delta SkyMiles Credit Card, VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB credit card, or PayPal or ApplePay on mobile.
  • Delivery Information and Requirements for Gift Card Purchasers All orders of Gift Cards are subject to a process that compares purchaser information provided on the web site with information about the purchaser provided by the purchaser's financial institution. If there is a discrepancy, your Gift Card order may be delayed until it can be corrected. If you have concerns about your order, please contact Customer Support at [email protected]
  • If a spam filter is blocking Delta emails from getting to an inbox, the email options will need to be modified so that Delta emails are not considered spam.
  • Recipient's firewall blocked the email.
  • Email inbox is over size limit.
  • Invalid email address.
  • Upload Your Own Image  Upload Your Own Image is available for Delta eGift cards only. We reserve the right to reject orders with images that infringe upon trademark or copyright law. As part of your gift card purchase, you (or, if you are under 18 years old, your parent or legal guardian) hereby grant to Delta Gift Cards, Inc. and CashStar and their affiliates and agents a nonexclusive, royalty free, worldwide license to use the uploaded image, including all intellectual property rights associated with the uploaded image, to create a gift card of the uploaded image (the "License"). You, (or, if you are under 18 years old, your parent or legal guardian) represent and warrant that (1) your grant of the License does not violate the privacy rights, publicity rights, copyrights, trademarks, contract rights or any other rights of any person or entity, (2) if you are uploading a company logo or other copyrighted materials, that you are authorized to grant the License to use the uploaded company logo or copyrighted materials to create a gift card, and (3) you have full authority and rights to grant the License and to make the representations and warranties contained herein. CashStar reserves the right to cancel any order for an image that it, in its sole discretion, deems potentially unlawful or inappropriate without notice or explanation. We reserve the right to cancel orders that contain inappropriate, offensive, or otherwise objectionable images.
  • Personalized Messaging  If you wish to add a personal message to a physical or eGift card, simply type your message in the Message field during the purchase process. Personal messages are limited in length to the space provided on the eGift Card, or to the space provided on the presentation carrier of a physical Gift Card. We do not read every gift message, but if we do find inappropriate, offensive or otherwise objectionable messages, we reserve the right to reject them.
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How to give the gift of travel: From using points and miles to booking a vacation package

Andrea M. Rotondo

With the holiday season officially here , you may be wondering what to get that special someone in your life. While some people prefer unwrapping physical presents, others — such as many of the writers here at TPG — enjoy gifting and receiving vacations. Yes, giving the gift of travel may sound a bit complicated, but if you're looking to surprise your spouse, kids, and/or loved ones with a trip , we have some ideas.

And, while we love surprising our friends and families with travel plans, sometimes you need to keep that person in the loop when the gift you want to give them is travel. Are they in a position to take time off from work or family obligations to make the trip? Are you gifting the trip to them and a "plus one" so they don't have to travel alone? Does your recipient even want to travel? These are all valid questions, and they can all be answered in advance of the gift with a few key conversations.

Once you know your recipient would love the gift of travel , here are a few ways to make it happen.

Related: How to give a surprise trip as a gift

Use your points and miles to book travel

how to buy travel gift cards

If you've got a stash of points and miles that you can't possibly keep all to yourself, gifting some for a loved one's trip is an awesome idea. Since you likely have more knowledge of how these programs work, it's usually best if you handle making the award reservations on their behalf. If you're going on the trip too, consider using your points and miles for your traveling companion and paying cash for yourself if you want to earn a few extra miles to partially replace what you are spending.

Before you make any plans, be sure to check out the current list of bonus transfer offers . If there's a good one that's relevant to booking particular flights or hotels you're interested in, taking advantage of one of these offers can make a lot of sense and save you points and miles. It's a great way to stretch the points and miles you already have.

Related: Using points and miles to book award travel for others

Book a vacation package or cruise

how to buy travel gift cards

Vacation packages can present a tremendous value when they include airfare, lodging and sometimes even a rental car and excursions. We've seen some solid deals at Costco Travel. And watch for deals from airline vacation departments. For example, Delta Vacations is currently running a Black Friday promotion in which you can save up to $300 on a vacation package. In previous years, we've seen money-off promos for American Airlines vacation packages and British Airways London vacation packages (airfare and hotel) for under $600 per person.

Plus, booking a vacation package takes away the unwanted stress of researching and planning every detail of a trip. And, if flying to your next destination doesn't sound ideal, you may want to look into booking a cruise for you and/or your companion. Several popular cruise companies are offering Cyber Monday and Black Friday deals that will definitely pique your interest.

Buy travel-related gift cards

Around the holiday season, it's par for the course to see promotions that offer gift card buyers a gift to use themselves. This season, you can buy a $500 Southwest Airlines gift card for $399.99. And travel doesn't just mean hotel and flight gift cards; currently, you can purchase a $100 Uber gift card for $90.

The point is, have eagle eyes if you plan to give the gift of travel via gift cards. Watch your email for targeted promotions or check TPG for deal announcements. You can often find discounted travel gift cards or those offering some type of bonus for the purchase.

Even if you can't find a discounted gift card, at least ensure you are earning as many points as possible when you purchase a gift card.

Related: Best credit cards for gift card purchases

Use Hyatt Globalist elite status to make a reservation for someone else

If you're a Hyatt Globalist, you can use your elite status to improve someone else's stay through the company's Guest of Honor program . Basically, if you're a Globalist elite member, you can redeem points for a stay for a family member or friend and "transfer" your elite status privileges to that traveler. What does this actually mean? Depending on the property, it means your gift recipient would get extra perks like Regency Club or Grand Club access, free breakfast and late checkout. If you want to give someone you love the royal treatment, this is a great way to do so.

how to buy travel gift cards

Use a credit card to get a welcome bonus when paying for your gift

If you do plan to pay cash for the gift of travel, make sure to reward yourself. Here are a few of our favorite credit cards with lucrative welcome bonuses.

The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: 14 best travel credit cards in 2023

Bottom line

Travel is a privilege that not everyone gets to partake in. Think about gifting an entire trip or a portion of one to someone you love. Whether you book a cruise deal or utilize your points and miles to pay for a hotel stay, gifting that special someone in your life an experience that they'll probably remember forever is certainly one of the best presents to give. Plus, who knows, maybe they'll catch the travel bug and become a built-in companion for future vacations!

Frommer's - Home

The Best Travel Gift Cards: Just the Ticket When You Need Presents for Travelers

By Veronica Stoddart

April 2, 2022

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13 Great Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Travelers

Left it to the last minute don’t fret about shipping deadlines with travel gift cards and memberships designed to order now and use later..

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Hand holding annual National Parks Pass

The National Parks Pass is an easy last-minute gift.

Photo by grandbrothers / Shutterstock

So you procrastinated. If you’ve missed the shipping deadlines to order gifts online and have them arrive in time for the holidays, all is not lost. There are still plenty of last-minute travel gift ideas for the travelers in your life. Thankfully, many of our favorite brands offer digital travel gift cards that are made to use for future trips. From photo books designed to be customized online by the recipient to Airbnb gift cards and airport security memberships, nobody will be any the wiser that you didn’t shop early this year.

1. National Parks Pass

  • Buy now: $80, usgs.gov

Give the gift of the great outdoors with a National Parks Pass. Even if your outdoorsy friend already has one, the annual pass has to be renewed each year. Although physical passes have to be shipped, simply send them an IOU to renew their annual pass, which covers entrance fees at national parks and many other national public land sites. If you’re getting this for anyone age 62 or older, keep in mind Annual Senior Passes are only $20, while a Lifetime Senior Pass is $80.

Related: Great Camping Gift Ideas They’ll Actually Use

2. Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) membership

  • Buy now: From $39 (was $49) for a one-year Premium membership, going.com

For travelers who spend hours poking around Google Flights for fun to find flight deals to inspire their next trip, give them an upgraded membership to Going . Originally founded as Scott’s Cheap Flights by former journalist Scott Keyes in 2015, the subscription-based service delivers cheap flight deals from your airports of choice by email as they are rolled out by airlines.

Digital gift cards are available for one, two, or five years of Going Premium or Elite membership and can be sent by email or printed out. A Premium membership allows users to follow deals from up to 10 airports, with alerts for economy-class deals, weekend getaways, and mistake fares. An Elite membership—currently on sale for $159 for one year (normally $199)—includes all of the previously mentioned perks, as well as deals for premium economy, business-, and first-class tickets for an unlimited number of departure airports.

3. Airbnb gift card

  • Buy now: Various, airbnb.com

Whether they’re looking to book a cozy cabin in Vermont or a beach house in Hawai‘i , travelers will be thrilled to receive an Airbnb gift card to use toward accommodations on their next trip. Airbnb offers digital gift cards that can be used for any of its vacation rentals or experiences around the world. If you want to give a physical Airbnb gift card, you can find them at stores, including Target, CVS, and Walgreens, plus grocery chains like Safeway and Kroger.

4. Airline gift card

  • Buy now: Various, giftcards.aa.com ; alaskaair.com ; delta.com ; southwest.com

The jet-setters in your life will love a gift card to their favorite airline to help offset the cost of their next flight. Several domestic airlines offer gift cards, including American Airlines ($50–$1,500, via email or FedEx), Delta ($50–$2,000, via email or UPS), Southwest ($50–$1,000, via email, USPS, or FedEx), and Alaska Airlines ($25–$500, via email or printed).

Interior of glamping tent, with 2 Adirondack chairs in front on wood deck

Courtesy of Tentrr

5. Hipcamp or Tentrr gift card

  • Buy now: Various, hipcamp.com ; tentrr.com

For those who love to camp , give them a digital gift card to the campsite booking platforms Hipcamp or Tentrr . Tentrr offers fully equipped campsites—complete with already-pitched safari tents and other camping essentials—on both private and public land, including many New York State Parks . On the other hand, Hipcamp is a peer-to-peer booking platform for campsites on privately owned land with sites that range from simple, bring-your-own-tent spaces to rustic cabins in the woods.

6. Flytographer vacation photo shoot

  • Buy now: From $285 for a 30-minute session, flytographer.com

Do you always end up playing Instagram photographer for your family on vacation? Give them a digital gift card to Flytographer , a company that connects travelers with local photographers for photo shoots in cities around the world from New York to Tokyo. Sessions can be booked via Flytographer for as short as 30 minutes (great for families with small children) and up to two hours. A 30-minute session comes with 15 prints plus the digital files and one location that the travelers can choose themselves. Longer sessions include multiple locations and up to 60 prints, including digital files.

7. Artifact Uprising gift card

  • Buy now: Various, artifactuprising.com

Nudge your favorite travel photographer to finally turn their memory cards full of jpegs into actual prints with a digital gift card from Artifact Uprising sent via email. The high-quality online printing service offers everything from small Instagram-friendly print sets to framed photographs to hardcover photo books.

8. Martha Stoumen Wine Club membership

  • Buy now: From $240 per shipment, marthastoumen.com

Instead of giving a natural wine lover a single bottle as gift, give them a membership to Sonoma County –based winemaker Martha Stoumen’s wine club, which offers first and exclusive access to new releases. Choose between a 6- or 12-bottle membership, arriving in two shipments a year, in the spring and fall. To give this as a gift, just select “give this membership as a gift” on the join page to fill in the recipient’s name and email.

Related: Gifts for the Wine Lovers in Your Life

9. Rosetta Stone language classes

  • Buy now: From $48 for three months, rosettastone.com

Those planning a milestone trip in 2024 can give their family the gift of online language classes—delivered as a digital gift card via email—to prepare for going abroad. Rosetta Stone is known for teaching dozens of languages quickly through immersive classes that are available now on both desktop and mobile apps.

10. Clear membership

  • Buy now: From $89 for a six-month membership, clearme.com

Even if they already have TSA PreCheck , a Clear membership will help frequent travelers get through airport security even faster by bringing them to the front of the security line. Digital gift cards are available for either a six-month membership ($89) or a full-year membership ($189) and can be emailed or texted directly to the recipient or printed out to deliver in person.

Three red roller suitcases of varying sizes side by side from Away's 2023 Holiday Collection

A selection of bags from Away’s 2023 Holiday Collection

Courtesy of Away

11. Away luggage gift card

  • Buy now: From $25, awaytravel.com

Choosing your own luggage is an entirely personal affair. Even more so with Away suitcases, which come in nearly a dozen different colors. A digital gift card will let the recipient take full control of their own design online. The AFAR-favorite Bigger Carry-On starts at $295.

12. Atlas Coffee Subscription

  • Buy now: From $50, atlascoffeeclub.com

For the adventurous coffee drinkers in your life, give them the gift of freshly roasted beans from around the world with a 3-, 6-, or 12-month subscription with Atlas Coffee Club . Each month, the company will send freshly roasted micro-lot coffees from more than 50 countries around the world. In addition to a rotating selection of rare coffees sourced from Kenya, Tanzania, Colombia, Brazil, Indonesia, and beyond, each shipment includes a suggested brewing method, plus an informative postcard explaining more about the region where the coffee beans were cultivated.

13. Goldbelly delivery

  • Buy now: Various, goldbelly.com

For the travelers who plan entire vacations around a destination’s food, give them the gift of Goldbelly. This online marketplace ships iconic regional foods from around the United States via UPS and FedEx so ice cream arrives intact and meat arrives unspoiled. Get some inspiration from AFAR editor favorites , browse Goldbelly’s curated Christmas collection , or search by region to see if their favorite bakery or barbecue spot is on there.

This article was originally published in 2021; it was most recently updated with new information on December 19, 2023.

A lighthouse overlooking the ocean at sunset in West Cork, Ireland

how to buy travel gift cards

18 Travel Gift Cards for a Flexible Last-Minute Gift – 2021 Holiday Gift Guide

Picture of Jason Barnette

By Jason Barnette | Travel writer and photographer with 15+ years of road tripping experience

  • Last Updated on December 6, 2022
  • Published on November 16, 2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my Affiliate Disclosure here .

Sometimes, buying a gift for someone who loves to travel can be downright frustrating. You need to know their favorite color, shoe size, preferred destination, and whether they’re Team Android or Team Apple. Gift cards have always been a safe bet – especially for a last-minute gift – but did you know there are almost two dozen fantastic options for travelers?

I’ve compiled a great list of all the physical gift cards you can buy that will directly benefit someone who loves to travel. Airfare, hotels, shopping, and services. These would also make excellent stocking stuffers!

2021 Holiday Gift Guides

Before you can buy the perfect Christmas gift, you have to find it. Each year, I publish a series of Holiday Gift Guides to help you find fantastic travel gear, accessories, unique gifts, and awesome items to put under the tree.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest “consistently ranks” as one of Travel & Leisure’s top domestic airlines. Their flights can take people all over the country to amazing destinations at a low cost. One of these gift cards will go a long way toward giving someone a vacation.

Did you know the further in advance you buy an airline ticket, the cheaper it can be? Help someone plan their next trip with a Delta gift card. Delivered via email or UPS, these gift cards are easy to redeem same as cash for flights with Delta.

American Airlines

“The whole wide world, it comes in a card.” American Airlines offers digital or physical gift cards to help someone plan their next getaway. Go big or small, you can set the amount on the card that can easily be redeemed.

Trains, planes, and automobiles – Amtrak is a favorite way for some people to travel. The Amtrak gift card could go a long way – pun intended – toward helping someone plan their next getaway on the railway.

The popular ride share app has become a staple for getting around destinations as people travel. The Uber gift card – physically delivered – can be redeemed easily through the app.

Carnival Cruise Line

Cruising is rising again in popularity, making the Carnival Cruise Line gift card a good choice. Easily redeemed through the website, the gift card is physically delivered and gives you something to put under the tree or stuffed in a stocking.

Now owned by Expedia, Hotels.com is one of the better apps for quickly and easily booking hotel rooms. Competitive on pricing, the greatest advantage of the free account is collection of “reward nights” – after spending 10 nights booked through the app, 1 free night is available equal to the average of those nights.

Know anybody loyal to staying at Hilton properties? When picking the Hilton gift card you can choose between three designs, add any amount you like, and have the plastic card physically mailed just in time for Christmas.

how to buy travel gift cards

National Park Week 2024

Learn about the annual celebration of the National Park System and read my travel guides to national park units across the country.

Marriott went a little overboard with their gift cards and it’s wonderful! Choose from dozens of designs, add custom text to the plastic card, include any amount you like, and have the physical card mailed and placed under the Christmas tree.

Best Western

At Best Western, they called their gift card the “Travel Card” because of the versatility. Add amounts in USD, CAD, GBP, or EUR denominations for use around the world and thousands of properties.

Airbnb has become well known for the unique lodgings around the world. Buy someone a few nights at a comfy cottage, unique house, or outstanding apartment in their favorite destination.

The Visa gift card is the most versatile, accepted at almost all locations around the world. No account is needed to begin using the gift cards. Pay for lodging, gas, food, or attractions, the Visa gift card can go a long way toward someone’s vacation.

Smartphones, tablets, headphones – Apple makes a lot of great tech to make travel safer and easier. Fortunately, Apple’s designs have finally expanded from the sterile white to include a variety of colors. Get someone an Apple gift card if you’re not sure what particular item to get them for Christmas.

Without a doubt, the most useful gift card you could get a traveler for Christmas would be from Amazon. Easily redeemed online, these gift cards will allow anyone with a free account to make purchases for a wide arrange of travel items. The gift cards are physically delivered in adorable boxes ready for a bow to be placed under the tree.

With coffee shops around the world, a Starbucks gift card could go a long way toward fueling someone’s next adventure. With a free account through the app, patrons can redeem the gift card and begin collecting stars toward rewards in the future.

Barnes & Noble

One thing in abundance on most vacations is time – time that can be spent catching up that novel series or diving into something entirely new. The Barnes & Noble gift card might be a great option for the book nerd to let them choose their own wordy adventure.

Recreation Equipment, Inc. has been a premier resource for outdoor gear and clothing since the company was founded in 1938. Help someone get their next pair of hiking boots, climbing harness, or backpacking tent with an REI gift card. Available in dozens of designs and loadable with up to $1,000, the physical cards can be mailed just in time for Christmas.

From GPS navigation to noise cancelling headphones, a Best Buy gift card can help purchase a lot of travel tech. Order one of their physical cards, load it with a selection of amounts, and it comes wrapped in a box ready to be put under the tree.

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oneworld

Two Easy Ways To Give The Gift Of Travel

Give the gift of travel.

An American Airlines gift card is the perfect gift for any occasion. You can have your card delivered by mail or email that can be used toward the purchase of a ticket to hundreds of exciting destinations. Terms and Conditions apply.

how to buy travel gift cards

Choose the right gift card for you:

Virtual Gift Cards

  • Available to use in 72 hours
  • Sent directly to your recipient through email
  • Option to send directly to yourself and forward to your recipient
  • Ability to buy multiple cards to be emailed to multiple addresses
  • Customizable options for different occasions and personalized messages to your recipient
  • No expiration date

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November 2, 2020

Ultimate gift cards for the travel lover in your life

Looking for the best travel gift cards to treat someone special? You’ve come to the right place! With almost a year gone by of lockdowns and virtually a complete shutdown of travel, wanderlust-seekers are more desperate than ever to hop on a plane and head to their next destination. It may be a while longer before the return of travel as we once knew it, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start planning (and getting excited) right now. Christmas is around the corner, so we’ve curated this list of the best travel gift vouchers for the travel lover in your life – even if that person happens to be you!

Gift a private tour with a local

Gift a private tour with a local

Left your gift shopping till the last minute?  We have just the thing to help you out. Frankly, we can’t think of any better gift card ideas than our very own gift cards for travel  to book from over 675 private & personalized tours and experiences with locals around the world. We give you the option either to buy an e-gift card and let the recipient choose their own private tour or experience, or you can choose the experience yourself. You don’t even have to select a date, because a gifted experience is valid for a full 18 months, and the recipient is welcome to reach out to us when their dates have been decided.

BUY A PRIVATE TOUR E-GIFT CARD

Buy now, fly later

Buy now, fly later

The best travel gift cards will always be the ones offering the gift of more travel – and there’s no better way to give it than with an airline gift card! American Airlines, for example, offers gift cards for travel that don’t expire, so your recipient can plan their getaway well into the future. If international travel is off the cards, regional travel might be the way to go. Many low-cost domestic airlines, like Europe’s Ryanair and America’s Southwest Airlines, offer excellent booking flexibility with no hidden costs (plus you can easily get one of their gift cards for travel on Amazon ). 

The gift of freedom

The gift of freedom

But your gift cards for travel don’t have to limit someone to just one airline. One of the best air travel gift cards comes from Flightgift.com . Why? This card can be cashed in for a flight that departs from 70 countries with any of 300 airlines that range from low-cost to full service. It doesn’t matter where in the world your travel voucher recipient wants to go – a Flightgift will almost certainly get them there. 

A spectacular stay anywhere

A spectacular stay anywhere

Give the travel lover in your life the gift of choice with a Hotels.com gift card. Available on Amazon , this is one of the best gift ideas for people who like to travel – not only because it’s a great gift, but because it gives them total flexibility. A Hotels.com gift card is redeemable on bookings at over 150,000 hotels in 200 countries worldwide! This is also one of the easiest wedding gift ideas for couples who travel. Club together with a group of friends to give them a travel adventure they’ll never forget. 

Long-term living like a local

Long-term living like a local

Is your travel-loving friend a digital nomad or backpacker who stays in a city for weeks at a time before moving on to the next one? A customizable Airbnb gift card could be one of the top gift vouchers for travel. Give them a welcome break from backpackers lodges and cheap hostels with a gift card that allows them to choose from thousands of unique properties all over the world. This is one of the best travel gift cards because the recipient has total control over where and how to use it.

A relaxing retreat

A relaxing retreat

If you really want to spoil someone, travel website gift cards don’t get more opulent than SLH – Small Luxury Hotels of the World. It’s in the name: An SLH gift card is the gateway to a luxury escape in a boutique hotel in more than 90 countries. From spa escapes to opulent suites to ultra-chic spaces renowned for sleek design, these gorgeous hotels will make anyone feel utterly spoiled. If you’re looking for a travel voucher wedding gift, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better one than this.

Give them the world

Give them the world

You don’t even have to give part of a trip – with travel gift vouchers from lastminute.com , you can give an entire trip. These unique gift vouchers for travel are redeemable on flights, hotels, or a flight plus hotel package. Your recipient will be able to create any combination of flights with over 400 airlines and take their pick of virtually any hotel. Lastminute.com offers several variations of these travel gift vouchers, but all of them put the world in the palm of your hand.

Let them lounge around

Let them lounge around

Make their next trip more memorable with access to airport lounges worldwide courtesy of LoungeBuddy . Lounge access is one of the most unique gift card ideas because it’s one of those nice-to-haves that make air travel even sweeter (and it’s something few people would ever think to get for themselves!). LoungeBuddy offers lounge access for airports worldwide, no elite statuses, or first-class tickets required, so your recipient will have their pick of the bunch. 

An extraordinary travel experience

Photo credit: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eurostar_

An extraordinary travel experience

As a rail service connecting the United Kingdom with three other top European destinations is any travel lover’s dream experience. If you’re looking for travel website gift cards that offer a truly unforgettable experience, a Eurostar e-voucher might be the way to go. These gift cards for travel offer a world of adventure at your fingertips. And why not add in one of City Unscripted’s gift cards for travel, and give them a tailored tour in France , Belgium , or the Netherlands ?

Form and function

Form and function

Got a friend with a beat-up old suitcase? You could consider giving them gift cards for travel luggage so they can embark on their next adventure in ultimate style. Luggage is one of those things many people neglect to upgrade for themselves, making it the perfect gift for their future trips. There are loads of specialty luggage websites online offering vouchers for beautiful bags, but if you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg, an Amazon gift card is always an easy (and equally great) alternative. 

Hello, curious traveler! Embark on a unique experience with Hello, curious traveler! Embark on a unique experience with City Unscripted London. Our personalized, private tours, led by local hosts, make you feel like you’re exploring the city with a knowledgeable friend. We’ll take you to well-known sights and reveal London’s hidden gems, unveiling stories typically missed by traditional tours. So unscript your journey, and see London through the eyes of our local hosts!

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how to buy travel gift cards

Travel Gift Cards: How to Give the Gift of Travel

The one gift any traveler in the world would love—a travel gift card.

how to buy travel gift cards

Do you remember the time you bought your first computer? No? OK – how about your phone? Still no?

Isn’t it curious how the modern world is so obsessed with material goods (let’s call it stuff ), and yet the joy we get from said stuff is so temporary?

Back to your memories. Do you remember your first trip abroad?

Yeah, I thought so.

We’re Hardwired for Experiences, Not Stuff

As James Hamblin explains here in The Atlantic , we get a kick out of actually doing things, and spending time and money cultivating those experiences makes us happy.

Owning material possessions, on the other hand, doesn’t.

The joy we get from acquiring and buying physical things is fleeting. Dr. Elizabeth Dunn of the University of British Columbia calls this kind of satisfaction a “ puddle of pleasure ”—because it quickly evaporates. People fawn over their new acquisitions before quickly and easily growing over-familiar with them.

It’s part of why I love spending long periods of time living out of a backpack (is that weird?)—it forces me to take a personal inventory of the things that are important to me, and whether I want them in my bag/life.

And to me, and to so many others, all that stuff just isn’t all that important.

It’s especially easy to fall into the comparisons trap with material things. Have the best iPhone? Not for long! When the new one comes out, and someone/everyone you know gets hold of it, the money you spent on the old version feels wasted.

You end up stuck in this endless loop where you’re hemorrhaging cash and spending money on things that ultimately end up forgotten.

Scuba Diving

Material Things Have Expiration Dates—Experiences are a Lifetime Investment

This constant “raising the bar” with material purchases, coupled with our natural ability to adapt (where novelty turns into boredom), means that using stuff to make you happy is doomed to failure from the start —even if you’re fabulously rich, as many millionaires through history have discovered.

None of this happens with experiences .

Would you compare your first travel adventure with someone else’s? No, because it’d be pointless. Everyone tackles experiences differently, so they always feel incomparably unique .

Even better, they’re irreplaceable . You can’t upgrade your first time in a whitewater raft, or the first time you jumped out of an airplane. You’re never going to trade that in for a better model.  It’ll never lose its value, and it’ll stay with you forever.

How many times do you go skydiving or rafting through rapids in the average week? The special thing about experiences is that they’re temporary . And that’s the secret to their appeal.

That’s also what makes experiences a lot more fun to give.

Skydiving

Giving The Gift of Experience with Travel Gift Cards

Imagine if you could give those feelings you experienced on a life-changing trip to someone else, instead of giving them stuff that will quickly disappear from sight and mind. Imagine how that would feel, for them and for you.

This is the theory behind travel gift cards from Tinggly —and they’re the most elegant solution to a problem we’re faced with year after year: WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO GET THEM THIS TIME?

If you’re buying travel gifts for those who prefer experiences over things, the answer is exceedingly difficult. All the stuff you might offer will likely either end up a) forgotten, 2) in a drawer, or iii) weighing down their backpack or suitcase.

Giving meaningful travel experiences to other people is not easy. Luckily, a bunch of smart people realized this, changed the rules, and made it easy.

Travel Gift Cards from Tinggly

Tinggly ’s founding fathers are a group of four world-traveling entrepreneurs with a penchant for pushing the limits and experiencing all that life has to offer; they are a passionate group of travelers who value the concept of experience over things.

By creating travel gift cards, they invented the solution to a problem that’s never before been solved—how to give the gift of experience.

The person who has lived the most is not the one with the most years but the one with the richest life experiences. —Jean-Jacques Rousseau

As the person giving the gift of experience, Tinggly lets you choose from three tiers, at three different price points. The person who is receiving the travel gift cards can pick any experience they like within that tier.

From skydiving to helicopter rides to pizza-making to romantic sunset river cruises, Tinggly offers experiences in 100+ countries around the world.

Whether someone you know is celebrating a special occasion (like a landmark birthday or life event), or whether they simply love to travel and try new things, travel gift cards solve the problem of what to get them.

Why Travel Gift Cards Make the Perfect Gift

  • You’re not choosing for them . You’re giving them a huge number of options to choose from, from within one of three “Experience Collections.” Then you leave the rest up to them. The type of experience they receive is their call, not yours.
  • You’re letting them pick the time to do it , taking that potential disaster out of your hands. They can redeem it anytime they want in the next two years, and until they do, it’s pure anticipation.
  • You’re giving them an experience they’ll remember forever . It’ll never devalue and it’ll never bore them or end up stuck in a cupboard, gathering dust. It’ll never get old.
  • The gift cards can be delivered instantly via email . If you’re running a bit behind schedule, Tinggly makes forthe perfect last-minute gift.
  • You can easily give the gift of experience to someone anywhere in the world, no shipping address required .

It’s brilliant, really. Not only does it eliminate the agonizing decision-making process of gift-giving, but it’s a way for you to give a gift that that person will remember for the rest of their life.

So the next time a special occasion rolls around, try something a little different—something that’s not a waste of money, time, space, or all three. Instead, try giving the gift of experience with a travel gift card from Tinggly.

It’ll make you both feel all…Tinggly inside.

  • How Traveling the World Will Change You
  • Why Do People Travel? 7 Ways the World Will Change Your Perspective
  • The Science of Why (and How) Travel Makes You a Better Person

Travel Gift Cards FAQs

Is there such thing as a travel gift card.

Yes, there is such a thing as a travel gift card. Tinggly offers a wide range of gift cards for amazing experiences.

Can you gift a travel card?

Giving someone a travel gift card is a great way to give the gift of travel.

How do you give a travel as a gift?

The best way to give travel as a gift is to give a travel gift card.

Can you gift someone flights?

Flights for a trip are an amazing gift. The best way to give someone flights is using a travel gift card.

What is the best gift for someone going abroad?

Some of the best travel gifts for someone going abroad include a travel backpack, a Kindle, and a portable power bank.

Jeremy Scott Foster

Jeremy Scott Foster

I would NEVER say no to a good trip! Never! 🙂

That’s a pretty cool idea. Will have to look into it! Thanks!

I wish I travel all the time. I love travelling and sending travel gift cards.

Cheers Jeremy

Great Ideas! Thanks for sharing. I just love to travel and great reasons to choose travel gift cards to give someone as a gift.

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WestJet gift cards

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The gift of travel  

Give the gift of flight to the traveler in your life. The WestJet gift card is redeemable on all WestJet flights and vacation packages worldwide, so you can send the people you love to the places they love. With options to either ship a physical card or send an e-gift card via email, giving the gift of travel has never been easier.

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Giving the gift of travel has never been easier. Mail a plastic gift card, send an e-gift card via email, or buy in-store at participating retailers across Canada.

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Send the people you love to the places they love. The WestJet gift card can be redeemed on all WestJet, WestJet Encore, and WestJet Link operated flights.

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Give the gift of sun-kissed beaches, majestic peaks, and vibrant cultures. The WestJet gift card can be redeemed on all WestJet vacation packages.

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How Much Money Should You Give for a Wedding Gift?

Find out how much Americans typically spend on cash wedding gifts, then decide how much you want to give.

Cash Wedding Gift Guidelines for 2024

Dollar banknotes and two golden wedding rings

Getty Images | iStockphoto

Cash is often king when it comes to wedding gifts.

Key Takeaways:

  • Wedding experts advise starting cash giving at $100.
  • You may want to adjust up to $500 based on factors such as your relationship with the couple, your budget and the cost of your attendance at the wedding.
  • If your budget is really tight, you may want to consider buying a gift from the registry instead.

The amount of money you should give as a wedding gift depends on a range of factors, including your budget, your relationship with the bride and groom and the cost of attending the wedding.

Cash is often king when it comes to wedding gifts. Gone are the days when guests arrive with beautifully wrapped boxes containing gifts they picked from the department store registry, Nichol Burton, founder of Confetti Creator, said in an email.

"While wedding registries have gone digital and any tangible items are typically shipped straight to the couple's residence, one gift remains the same – cash," she said.

Cash can help newlyweds afford some of their top priorities, such as going on a honeymoon or paying off wedding bills.

But how much should you give if you decide to gift cash? Here's what the wedding experts have to say.

While the amount you should gift a couple depends on a number of factors, the latest available data from The Knot reveals that U.S. wedding guests spent an average of $160 on a gift in 2021. Adjust that for inflation and you're looking at about $187 in 2023.

"It's common to give anywhere from $100 to $1,000. I often see the card box on the gift table oozing with overstuffed envelopes," Burton said.

"As a bride myself, I received one $1,000 check. However, this was from an uncle who is well off . For the rest of us, a range between $100 to $500 per guest is considerate," she added.

Factors to Consider When Deciding How Much to Give

Here are four main factors to consider when determining the size of your wedding gift:

1. Your Relationship With the Couple

Your relationship with the bride and groom should factor into how much you gift them. Generally speaking, the closer you are to one or both people, the more you should give.

For example, if you're attending your brother's wedding, you'd likely give a larger amount than if you were attending a colleague's.

"The exact amount might depend on the relationship the guest has with the couple but it shouldn't be any less than $100," Dustin Sitar, managing editor of The Groom Club magazine, said in an email.

2. Your Budget

Your budget should also play into your decision. Run the numbers to see how much you can afford.

"If you have more to spend, then a greater sum would be appropriate. However, if you are on a limited budget , smaller amounts should be expected," Carissa Kruse, a wedding planner and the founder of Carissa Kruse Weddings, said in an email.

If your budget is really tight, you may want to consider buying a gift instead of giving cash.

"Attending a wedding might require a significant cost for a family, leaving minimal funds for a cash gift," Karen Riley-Love, owner of AMI Beach Weddings, said in an email. "In that case, I suggest purchasing an item from the registry as a family gift, and they will think fondly of your family each time they use the present."

3. Your Role in the Wedding

Another factor to consider is if you've gifted your time, energy or money leading up to the wedding.

Did you, for example, plan the bridal shower, organize the bachelor or bachelorette party, do the makeup for the bridal party, or something similar? If so, the amount you give may be lower because you made other investments in the couple's big day.

4. The Cost of Your Attendance at the Wedding

Traditional etiquette says that your wedding gift should be at least enough to cover your attendance at the wedding.

While the average cost per wedding guest in 2023 was $304 according to The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study , a better starting point might be to think about the cost of your meal at the reception.

"Gifting the amount that the couple paid for your meal should be the bare minimum. Say it's a catered barbecue buffet – the couple likely paid $50 to $100 per person for catering alone. So, if you brought a plus-one, you should be leaving anywhere from $100 to $200 in that envelope. Using those calculations as your base will help set a minimum," Burton said.

There Is No Rule Regarding Cash Gifts

Bottom line: There's no hard-and-fast rule on how much cash to give as a wedding gift. Wedding experts advise starting at $100. From there, you may want to adjust up to $500 based on factors such as your relationship with the couple, your budget and the cost of your attendance at the wedding.

Affordable Wedding Venue Ideas

Emma Kerr Aug. 23, 2022

Lesbian wedding party. Two brides on wedding ceremony, surprised with confetti standing in a front of outdoor wedding arch

Tags: money , personal finance , personal budgets , gifts

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Best Cash-Back Credit Cards Of June 2024

Becky Pokora

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Updated: Jun 5, 2024, 2:25pm

Multiple options for earning and redeeming credit card rewards can be helpful to some while overwhelming to others. Sometimes you want to earn rewards in a way you can easily understand—dollars and cents. These cash-back cards keep it simple while providing something extra: You’ll find options with low introductory APRs, no annual fee and other perks and benefits for added value.

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Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and companies, so all are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the credit card methodology for the ratings below.

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Best Cash-Back Credit Cards for Everyday Spending

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Citi Double Cash® Card

Up to 2% Reward Rate

First, you earn 1% unlimited cash back on every purchase you make. Then, as you pay for those purchases, you Read More

Welcome Bonus

Earn $200 cash back

Regular APR

19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

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Excellent, Good, Fair

The Citi Double Cash card’s simple cash back structure and long-lasting balance transfer APR offer make the Citi Double Cash a favorite among those who want to set it and forget it. It offers a solid cashback rate on all purchases and 0% intro APR on balance transfers, all without an annual fee.

  • Earn up to 2% cash back—1% when the purchase is made and 1% when payment is made on the account
  • No cash-back cap—no limit on the amount of cash back that can be earned
  • No annual fee
  • Introductory APR period for balance transfers
  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Balance transfer fee
  • Lack of benefits seen in other no annual fee cards
  • No introductory 0% APR on purchases
  • Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
  • If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
  • There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

Best Rotating Category Cash-Back Card

Chase freedom flex℠.

Up to 5% Reward Rate

Earn 5% cash back in categories that rotate quarterly on up to $1,500 when enrolled, 5% on travel purchased through Read More

20.49%-29.24% Variable

Excellent, Good (700 - 749)

I’m delighted by the Chase Freedom Flex℠ for a few quarters throughout the year when its rotating 5% bonus categories line up with my top spending habits, making it super valuable.

Why We Like It

On top of the rotating categories, earning 3% on restaurants all year long is a great return for a no annual fee card.

What We Don’t Like

Your earning potential is limited because there’s a cap on spending with the 5% categories—plus, you have to remember to activate the bonus.

Who It’s Best For

The Freedom Flex is fantastic for anyone who doesn’t mind staying on top of the details.

Julian Kheel

Kudos to Chase for always keeping the rotating categories relevant on the Freedom Flex. From Amazon to PayPal and Starbucks to Walmart, you’re almost guaranteed to find at least one quarter every year (or even several) where the 5 bonus points roll in with almost no effort. Just don’t forget to activate the categories every quarter.

  • Rotating quarterly categories earn 5% rewards when activated, up to a combined quarterly $1,500 maximum
  • Travel rewards rate rivals some of the best premium travel cards
  • Generous rewards rate in several other categories
  • Travel bookings must be made through Chase Travel℠ to earn 5% cash back
  • Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
  • 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
  • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
  • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
  • No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex℠ card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health – Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC

Best Cash-Back Card With Changeable Bonus Categories

Citi custom cash® card.

5% cash back on up to $500 in purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle. 4% cash Read More

Set it and forget it with the Citi Custom Cash® Card . I appreciate that higher cash-back rates are automatically applied to your top eligible spending category, even if that changes from one month to the next.

You can get a low introductory APR on new purchases and balance transfers, which can be helpful to new cardholders.

The cash back on most spending categories is a meager 1%.

Since this card is hot and cold on earning rates, it makes more sense for someone with at least one other credit card to pair with it.

If you’ve always wanted a credit card that adapts to your lifestyle instead of you having to adapt to it, you’ve found what you’re looking for with the Citi Custom Cash. You’ll never have to worry again about making sure you’re earning bonus points at the places you shop the most, because this card will automatically do it for you — even if those places change every month.

  • No registration required to earn bonus rewards
  • Cash-back categories are unique categories that other cards may not offer bonus rewards for
  • Introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers
  • High balance transfer fee
  • High foreign transaction fee
  • Some everyday rewards categories are neglected
  • 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.
  • No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash® Card account per person.

Best Cash-Back Card for Amazon Shoppers

Up to 5% back

Earn 5% back on purchases at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Read More

Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card

19.49% - 27.49% Variable

Good, Excellent (700 - 749)

I shop with Amazon more than I should admit, which makes it tough to beat the cash-back rewards rate offered by the Prime Visa .

Amazon sells nearly everything, making this a great catch-all card.

You’ll need to maintain your Prime membership to keep earning at the maximum rates.

This card is best for people who frequently shop with Amazon, Whole Foods or both.

Ben Luthi

The card is a no-brainer for Amazon Prime members. You’ll be hard-pressed to find another card that offers such a great rewards rate on so many different types of purchases.

  • 5% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases
  • No spending required for the welcome bonus
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Travel and shopping protections
  • Requires an Amazon Prime membership
  • No 0% introductory APR
  • Low cash back for purchases outside of bonus categories
  • Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
  • Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership
  • Earn unlimited 5% back on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
  • Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
  • Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
  • No annual credit card fee
  • No more waiting. Redeem daily rewards at Amazon.com as soon as the next day

Best for Large Welcome Bonus Potential

Discover it® cash back.

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, Read More

Cashback Match™

18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR

Excellent/Good

I’ve never had a Discover card, but the Discover it® Cash Back will match exactly what you earn in the first year. Time it with an expensive year, and that could lead to a large bonus.

This card features rotating bonus categories every quarter, which is a good way to earn even more on select purchases.

For everyday spending after the first year, you’ll be better off with a 2% cash-back card.

The Discover it® Cash Back is perfect for someone using it on rotating categories.

The quarterly categories are the highlight of the Discover it® Cash Back. You’ll often find broad options on its rotating list of categories, such as restaurants, drug stores, gas stations and groceries, which makes it easy for almost any household to take advantage of them. Just don’t get tripped up by forgetting to activate the categories at the start of each quarter, because you can’t do it retroactively to earn bonus cash back on your past purchases.

  • 5% cash back on quarterly rotating spending categories throughout the year (activation required)
  • Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
  • No minimum cash-back redemption
  • 5% bonus cash-back rate is limited to $1,500 per quarter in spending
  • Bonus categories must be activated quarterly
  • Low 1% base reward rate on everything else
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • No annual fee.
  • Terms and conditions apply.

Best Travel Cash-Back Card For Fair Credit

Credit one bank wander® card.

Up to 10X Reward Rate

Earn 10X points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel site; earn 5X points Read More

29.74% Variable

Fair/Good (650 - 699)

I’d be heartbroken if I couldn’t earn cash back on travel spending. Now, even those with fair credit have a superb option. The Credit One Bank Wander® Card earns bonus points offered in many travel-focused categories.

Even though the card is marketed as a travel rewards card, your points are redeemable as cash for extra flexibility.

There’s an annual fee on this card without a whole lot of extra benefits to justify it.

The Wander card is perfect for travelers who have fair credit. Someone with a higher credit score may prefer a different travel rewards card.

Albert Hsieh

The Credit One Bank Wander Card offers lucrative points-earning opportunities within key travel categories, however, its extra perks and benefits fall short when compared to other premium credit cards.

  • High reward potential
  • Issuer advertises requiring an average minimum credit rating
  • $95 annual fee
  • No low introductory APR period
  • High 29.74% Variable APR
  • Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
  • Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
  • Earn 1x points on all other purchases
  • Redeem your reward points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, flights, hotels, and more
  • With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Free Online Credit Score and Credit Report summary, terms apply
  • If you are a Covered Borrower under the Military Lending Act, you may get a different offer
  • See Rates & Fees

Best Cash-Back Card for Students

Discover it® student cash back.

18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR

Fair/New to Credit

Learning how to use credit responsibly in college was one of the smartest moves I made. The Discover it® Student Cash Back offers easier approval requirements, cash-back and a path to build credit.

Unlike other student cards, this one doesn’t treat you like a second-class citizen. You’ll earn cash back at the same rates as the non-student version.

There’s a short runway on the intro APR offer for new card members, which could get you into trouble if you’re not paying attention.

Unsurprisingly, this card is best for students looking for a card that earns cash back with no annual fee.

An engaging and fun student credit card, the Discover it® Student Cash Back combines useful benefits for cardholders to learn about building credit history while earning extra cash back each quarter on select categories.

  • 5% cashback on rotating bonus categories after enrollment
  • First-year cash-back match
  • 5% bonus cashback rate is limited to $1,500 per quarter in spending
  • Low 1% base reward rate
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
  • No credit score required to apply.
  • No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 18.24% – 27.24% applies.

Best for Preferred Rewards Members

Bank of america® customized cash rewards credit card.

Choose your 3% category

Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to Read More

$200 cash rewards bonus

19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

Excellent/Good (700 - 749)

I’m jealous of Bank of America Preferred Rewards members who get a cash-back boost on all charges on the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card .

It’s awesome to find a card that offers 3% back—or more—on such a wide variety of potential categories.

Unfortunately, both the 2% and 3% earning rates are capped at only $2,500 in combined spending per quarter.

The real winners here will be someone who’s already enrolled in (or is willing to join) the Preferred Rewards program.

It’s all about choice with the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card. Not only do you get to choose your top bonus category, but you can change it every month if you want. You’ll find the most value in this card if you’re also a member of Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program by receiving a 25%-75% earning bonus on everything you buy.

  • Bank of America Preferred Rewards clients earn 25% to 75% more cash back
  • Decent rewards earning potential
  • Option to change 3% bonus category monthly
  • Bonus rewards have quarterly caps
  • $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
  • Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
  • Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishings purchases.
  • If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
  • No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 19.24% – 29.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
  • Contactless Cards – The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Best Cash-Back Card for Gas and Groceries

Blue cash preferred® card from american express.

Up to 6% Reward Rate

Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%); Earn 6% cash Read More

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95

19.24%-29.99% Variable

I cook a lot, which means I get extra excited about the industry-leading 6% cash back on your first $6,000 in U.S. grocery store purchases per year available on the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express .

The excellent cash returns also extend to gas and transit, making it a relevant option for the average household.

I feel like it’s far too easy to hit the $6,000 grocery spending cap each year and American Express hasn’t raised the limit to account for inflation.

Who It’s best for

Customers who fill their carts at the grocery store will be thankful for this card.

You’ll have a hard time finding a better cash-back rate on groceries and streaming, and the Disney Bundle credit nearly neutralizes the cost of the annual fee.

  • High cash-back rewards in several categories of spending
  • No enrollment is required, cash back is automatic
  • Comes with several travel benefits and protections
  • Charges an annual fee
  • 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets is capped at $6,000 in annual spending (then 1%)
  • Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
  • Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
  • Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% – 29.99%. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
  • 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
  • 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
  • 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
  • 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
  • Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
  • Get up to $120 in statement credits annually when you pay for an auto-renewing subscription to Equinox+ at equinoxplus.com with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. That’s $10 in statement credits each month. Enrollment required.
  • Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. Enrollment required.
  • Terms Apply.

Best Cash-Back Card for Travel

Bank of america® premium rewards® credit card.

Up to 2X Reward Rate

Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 you spend on travel and dining purchases. Earn 1.5 points for every $1 Read More

60,000 points

21.24% - 29.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

The welcome bonus on the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is extremely high for a cash-back card, and Preferred Rewards members could earn above-average returns on travel spending.

Every year, cardholders can earn up to $100 in statement credits toward airline incidental fees (think checked bag expenses, seat assignments and more), plus another $100 to cover TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry.

If you’re not a Preferred Rewards member, there are several travel rewards cards that could match or beat the earning rates on this card.

This card is best for someone who already banks with Bank of America and has high travel spending.

The best travel credit cards make it easy to earn back the annual fee every year, and the Premium Rewards credit card is one of those. It’s also a rewards powerhouse for Bank of America Preferred Rewards customers.

  • No foreign transaction fee
  • TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry fee credit
  • Visa Signature concierge benefit
  • Flexible reward redemption options
  • High penalty APR
  • High standard APR and cash advance APR
  • No airport lounge perks
  • Low $95 annual fee.
  • Receive 60,000 online bonus points – a $600 value – after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
  • Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No limit to the points you can earn and your points don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87 – 2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
  • Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
  • Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, every four years.
  • Travel Insurance protections to assist with trip delays, cancellations and interruptions, baggage delays and lost luggage.
  • No foreign transaction fees.

Best Cash-Back Card for Tiered Rewards Categories

Chase freedom unlimited®.

Up to 6.5X Reward Rate

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on up to $20,000 spent in the first year, after that 5% cash back Read More

Up to $300 cash back

20.49% - 29.24% Variable

New cardholders can make out like a bandit with the Chase Freedom Unlimited® , thanks to a welcome offer, intro APR on both new purchases and balance transfers and noteworthy cash-back.

Every purchase earns a minimum of 1.5% cash back, which is above average for a card that also includes a few bonus categories.

To earn the most cash back on travel, you’re forced to book your trips through the Chase Travel℠ portal.

Those who would appreciate the combination of receiving both an elevated base earnings rate and valuable fixed bonus categories.

The secret advantage of the Chase Freedom Unlimited is that it earns rewards that can be moved to other Chase credit cards instead of being redeemed for cash back. That means when you pair it with one of Chase’s cards that can transfer points to the bank’s airline and hotel partners, you’re effectively earning rewards that are even more valuable than advertised.

  • Generous welcome offer for a no annual fee card
  • Unlimited 1.5% minimum earn rate for cash-back rewards
  • No minimum redemption amount
  • Ongoing balance transfer fee is high
  • Requires a companion card to transfer points to travel partners
  • INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back!
  • Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
  • After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% – 29.24%.
  • No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.

Here's a Summary of the Best Cash-Back Credit Cards

Overview of the best credit cards for cash back of 2024.

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ charges no annual fee and features valuable bonus categories, making it a good choice for almost anyone looking to earn cash back.

Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in categories that rotate quarterly (requires activation), 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on dining and drugstores and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Annual fee: $0

Other benefits and drawbacks: In addition to the useful bonus categories, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers purchase protection, extended warranty protection, select travel protections and cellphone protection when making eligible charges.

This card is a winner already, but it can be even better when paired with a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card . That’s because you can transfer the points earned on your Freedom Flex to one of these premium cards where they can be redeemed for 25% to 50% more value through Chase Travel℠ or Pay Yourself Back . Points can also be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to Chase’s airline and hotel partners, including United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt .

The Citi Custom Cash® Card makes earning at elevated rates easy with its changeable bonus categories. Plus, those with fair credit may apply.

Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on purchases in a top eligible spend category up to the first $500 spent each billing cycle, 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025 and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn $200 in cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. The bonus points come in the form of 20,000 ThankYou® Points that can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

Other benefits and drawbacks: Cardholders will automatically earn at the 5% rate on their top spending category from 10 potential categories that cover everything from restaurants to groceries to home improvement. Just watch out for the $500 cap each billing cycle; After that, earnings drop to 1%. The Citi Custom Cash® Card also offers free access to your FICO Score and comes with an introductory APR offer: 0% introductory APR for 15 months from date of account opening on purchases and from date of first transfer for balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on creditworthiness. There is also a balance transfer fee of 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.

The Amazon Prime Visa offers a tough-to-beat cash-back rate for purchases at Amazon and Whole Foods. Since purchases with these merchants can cover a lot of categories, this card is almost a sure bet for anyone who shops at Amazon and already has an Amazon Prime membership.

Rewards: Earn 5% back on purchases at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership, 2% back at gas stations, restaurants and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and 1% back on other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn a $100 Amazon gift card upon approval with an eligible Prime membership.

Other benefits and drawbacks: Eligible Prime Members can earn 10% back or more on select products with Prime Card Bonus. This card also offers various travel and purchase coverages, including an auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance, extended warranty protection, purchase protection and more. Cardholders can also take advantage of the ability to pay over time on purchases of $50 or more.

The Discover it® Cash Back card will automatically match all of the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year, with no limits. Depending on your spending, this match can easily exceed the bonuses you can earn from other cards. Even after the first year, it offers solid rewards.

Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter up to a quarterly maximum of $1,500 in spending when activated. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.

Welcome offer: Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first year as a cardmember. There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards.

Other benefits and drawbacks: Discover’s bonus categories have typically been high-value spending areas such as groceries, gas stations and restaurants. The biggest downside to the Discover it® Cash Back is that you must remember to activate the bonus category each quarter, or you won’t earn the higher cash-back rate. You can opt-in for Discover to remind you when the bonus category changes.

This card also comes with an introductory APR offer, making it a cost-saving option if you have a big purchase coming up or want to consolidate high-interest debt: 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and eligible balance transfers. Then, a standard rate of 18.24% - 28.24% variable applies. A balance transfer fee of up to 5% of the amount transferred applies. Keep in mind Discover is not as widely accepted outside of the U.S. compared to other card networks.

The Credit One Bank Wander® Card offers strong rewards that can be redeemed for cash back in various travel-related categories and statement credits, even for those who have only fair credit .

Rewards: Earn 10 points per dollar on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner, 5 points per dollar on eligible travel, dining and gas and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: This card does not offer a welcome bonus.

Annual fee: $95

Other benefits and drawbacks: Cardholders also get free online access to their credit score, the ability to choose their payment date and zero fraud liability protection.

The Discover it® Student Cash Back has been one of the top student cards for a long time. Students should consider getting a credit card to start building their credit history early and this card allows students to earn cash back at the same time.

Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and more, up to the quarterly maximum once activated. Plus, automatically earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Unlimited Cashback Match™ - Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards.

Other benefits and drawbacks: The Discover it® Student Cash Back card also offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 18.24% - 27.24% applies.

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card fits nicely in the wallet of Bank of America or Merrill customers. With Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program, the card’s earning rates can increase by as much as 75%. Without Preferred Rewards, other cards may offer a better return for your spending.

Rewards: Earn 3% cash back in the eligible category of your choice, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Other benefits and drawbacks: The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card offers an introductory APR: 0% introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and balance transfers, 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR applies thereafter. Intro rate applies for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days; balance transfer fee of 3% applies to each transfer during this period, then 4%. Cardholders also receive free online access to their FICO Scores .

If you prefer to buy your groceries at the store rather than dine out, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (terms apply, see rates & fees ) is one you may want to consider. Even with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95, the high rewards at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations can help offset the expense for many families.

Rewards: Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

Welcome offer: Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases within the first 6 months.

Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95

Other benefits and drawbacks: The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express also offers return protection ¹ , secondary car rental loss and damage coverage ² and an up to $120 annual statement credit for Equinox+ membership when you pay for an auto-renewing subscription at equinoxplus.com with your card ($10 in statement credits each month). You won’t receive this benefit if membership is purchased via the Equinox+ app or through a third party. To receive this benefit, cardholders must enroll in their Amex card account.

If you would rather avoid an annual fee, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (terms apply, see rates & fees ) offers 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and online retail purchases in the U.S. (on up to $6,000 in each category per year in purchases, then 1%), and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be easily redeemed for statement credits or at Amazon.com checkout with no annual fee.

The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card earns points that can be redeemed for cash back. This card has more focus on travel-related purchases but still offers a high cash-back rate for non-bonused categories. Those who invest with Bank of America will be able to get even more out of this card through Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program, which offers up to a 75% bonus on points earned.

Rewards: Earn 2 points per dollar on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 online bonus points after spending $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Other benefits and drawbacks: This card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees and offers up to $200 in annual travel statement credits—a $100 airline incidental statement credit and a $100 credit to cover a TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry application fee.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is another excellent no annual fee cash-back option. It offers simple rewards categories, and depending on spending patterns, the Freedom Flex could compete with this card’s earnings.

Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on eligible dining and drugstores and 1.5% on all other purchases, plus an additional 1.5% cash back on the first $20,000 in purchases the first year.

Welcome offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on up to $20,000 spent in the first year, worth up to $300 cash back.

Other benefits and drawbacks: Like the Freedom Flex, the Freedom Unlimited offers purchase protection and extended warranty protection. It also offers some travel benefits, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, travel and emergency assistance services and secondary auto rental collision damage coverage .

It too, can be paired with a premium Chase Ultimate Rewards card to amp up the value of eligible redemptions.

Methodology

Forbes Advisor combed through the profiles of dozens of cash-back credit cards. We focused on major banks and standout credit cards at lesser-known banks with online accessibility. We looked for credit cards outperforming other cards in terms of cash-back rates and categories, fees, welcome bonuses and other rewards and features.

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Our data scoring system accounts for many factors, including a comprehensive weighting of card information relevant to our readers including:

  • Estimated annual earnings – 70%
  • Welcome bonus – 10%
  • Introductory APR offers on purchases – 10%
  • Ongoing APR – 5%
  • Consumer benefits – 5%

Cards are then compared against other similar cards, in this case, cards offering cash-back rewards.

To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on how Forbes Advisor rates credit cards .

Please note: Cards on this list may not be shown in order of their star rating. The star rating is determined solely by the editorial team.

What Is Cash Back on a Credit Card?

A cash-back credit card allows cardholders to earn a percentage back on eligible credit card spending. Typically, a cardholder can redeem any money earned from cash back as a statement credit, a check sent via mail or deposited directly into a qualifying bank account.

Many types of cards offer cash back, including those earning the same flat rate on everything you buy, those offering tiered cash back where certain areas of spending earn at a higher rate than other categories and cards offering elevated cash back in specific categories that change quarterly.

Due to the wide array of options, it’s imperative to consider what categories you spend the most in month-to-month so you can choose the best cash-back credit card for your spending habits.

How Do Cash-Back Credit Cards Work?

The process for earning and redeeming cash back works similarly across credit card issuers.

  • Make an eligible purchase with your cash-back card. Certain credit card transactions, such as balance transfers , cash advances and annual fees, do not earn cash back. Make sure to consult your card’s terms and conditions to see what eligible purchases earn cash back.
  • Earn a percentage of cash back on your spending. The exact amount depends on your card’s terms, and your earnings typically accumulate in your card’s rewards account.
  • Redeem your cash back according to your issuer’s requirements. Depending on your card, you may have different options for redeeming your cash back, including but not limited to a statement credit against your balance, a direct deposit or a check. Some cards allow you to redeem your cash earnings in any amount at any time, while others require a minimum balance to cash out.

Why Do Credit Cards Give Cash Back?

Card issuers offer cash back to incentivize card usage, allowing consumers to take a cut of the transaction fees charged to vendors.

Transactions fees, which are typically 2% to 4% of a transaction amount, generate upward of $160 billion in revenue. These earnings are split among the banks, card issuers, card networks and fintech companies involved in facilitating the purchase. If a transaction fee is 3% for example, issuers may provide 1.5% cash back to a consumer as an incentive to apply for and use the card.

How To Get Cash Back From a Credit Card

Redeeming your cash back is a painless process that can be easily done through your credit card account.

  • Request to redeem your cash back within your credit card account. You’ll have to log in to your account via your issuer’s website or mobile app.
  • Select the amount of cash back you’d like to redeem. This is also the time to select how you want to get your cash back . Typical options include a statement credit, online deposit to a linked bank account or a check mailed to your address. Some cards may redeem cash back automatically by applying it as a statement credit on your account.
  • Wait for your cash back to arrive. If you redeemed your cash back as a statement credit, you may see it immediately applied on your credit card account. If you are expecting a check or a deposit, keep an eye on your account and mailbox untilt the payment arrives.

Types of Cash-Back Credit Cards

Generally, three kinds of cash-back credit cards rule the market: flat-rate, tiered-rate and rotating category credit cards.

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What type of cash-back card is best?

Yanely Espinal

Credit Cards Expert

Toni Perkins-Southam

Credit Cards Lead Editor

Becky Pokora

Credit Cards Writer

The best type of cash-back card for many people is a simple, flat-rate cash-back card because you can get a consistent 2% back on all purchases, regardless of your spending categories. This means you don’t have to worry about keeping track of which cards you use and when.

The best credit card for cash back ultimately depends on individual spending habits and preferences. But for those wanting simplicity, a flat-rate cash-back card may be optimal, while others who spend more in specific categories will benefit from cards offering bonus rewards in those areas.

My personal preference is to find cash-back cards specifically geared toward your spending habits. For me, it’s all about travel and restaurants. I can earn twice as much by using targeted cards, which makes it worth the extra mental organization.

How Much Cash Back Can You Get?

For the most part, the amount of cash back you can earn depends on how much you spend on your card and the rewards rate offered by the card. If you spend $5,000 per year on a card that earns 2% cash back on every purchase, you’ll earn $100 in cash back. Someone spending $25,000 on the same card would earn $500.

You can earn more cash back by using credit cards that offer higher earning rates on select categories. For example, if you spend $5,000 on groceries on a card that offers 6% on that category, you’ll earn $300 in cash back—a much larger reward for the same spending.

Keep an eye on the terms of your card to help determine how much cash back you can earn. Many credit cards offer unlimited cash back. Others may cap the amount you can earn in certain categories and lower the return rate once you max out that type of purchase.

Common Cash-Back Bonus Categories

Many cash-back bonus categories focus on rewarding everyday spending in areas such as dining, groceries and gas. Some cards allow you to choose your own category or reward the category in which you spend the most. Others focus on more obscure categories. Common categories include:

  • Travel (including flights, hotels and car rentals)
  • Home improvement or home furnishings

Factors To Consider When Choosing a Cash-Back Credit Card

The best credit card for cash back is the one that best fits your lifestyle and spending habits. The right cash-back credit card for someone else may not be the right cash-back card for you.

Forbes Advisor aims to help you by identifying what each cash-back card is best for, but you should always do the math yourself and consider not only how much cash back you could earn but also how you might use the other card benefits.

After you’ve identified how much you spend in different areas and what other card features could benefit you, you’re ready to compare credit cards and shop for the best one for you. As you compare cards and credit card issuers, there are some things that you should incorporate into your evaluations.

Is there an annual fee? How much would you have to spend on the card to earn enough cash back to at least cover the annual fee? How does that compare to a similar card that doesn’t charge an annual fee? What other fees might you have to worry about?

Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

Credit card interest rates are typically higher than other types of loans. If you don’t think you’ll be able to pay off your credit card in full each month, a credit card may not be the right fit for you. If you want a credit card but don’t think you’ll be able to pay it off, you should pay close attention to how much interest you might incur on purchases and balance transfers. If this sounds like you, you should consider a card with an introductory 0% APR offer or a card that’s good for balance transfers .

Cash-Back Rate

Cash-back rates vary from card to card. Consider the areas of your life that you spend the most money in, and choose a card that will reward you accordingly.

Bonus Categories

Will you be able to take advantage of the bonus categories? If the card offers 3% on gas and groceries, but you take the train and prefer to dine out, then that’s not the cash-back card for you.

Redemption and Rewards

Can you use the cash back the way you want to? Many cash-back credit cards offer various ways to redeem what you earn, such as statement credit, a check, a deposit into a savings or investment account, discounted travel packages and so on. Some cards are more restrictive than others. Make sure you know how you will be able to redeem your hard-earned rewards.

Pros and Cons of Cash Back Credit Cards

Cash-back credit cards are an excellent way to earn rewards with every qualifying purchase on your credit card. There’s generally no learning curve required, and you can claim your rewards with a few clicks in your online account—sometimes, they’re even provided as a statement credit automatically. You can also easily calculate your earnings so you know precisely what to expect. But compared to the alternatives, it’s easy to see why some opt for cards with complex points and miles systems.

Finding the Best Cash-Back Credit Card for You

There are many great cash-back cards on the market, but the card that will earn you the greatest rewards depends on your spending habits. Before committing to a card, take a look at your budget and see where you spend most frequently. Then, choose the card that best fits your lifestyle.

How To Make the Most of Your Cash-Back Credit Card

There are a few strategies to make the most of your cash-back credit cards and earn elevated rewards across multiple categories:

  • Find a card that aligns with your spending. Before choosing a cash-back card, take a look at your expenses to see which categories you spend the most in. By selecting a card that provides the highest cash back on your common spending categories, you can maximize your daily earnings.
  • Consider the annual fee. If you are considering a cash-back card that carries an annual fee, make sure to calculate if the cash back you anticipate earning will exceed the cost of holding the card. If the answer is no, you’d probably be better suited with a no annual fee card.
  • Pay off your card in full every month. To be blunt, credit card rewards are not worth anything if you’re carrying a balance and paying interest on your credit cards. If you want to maximize the cash back you are earning, make sure to pay off your card in full to avoid pesky interest and fees.
  • Pair multiple cards. For instance, you could use a card rewarding gas purchases at 3% cash back, another earning 4% cash back on groceries and yet another earning 2% cash back on all purchases. Where the first two cards likely only reward non-bonus category spending with 1% cash back, you can pair multiple cards to reward the major spending you do across all categories.

If you are considering opening a second cash-back credit card account, beware of the increased responsibility of managing multiple cards. More cards means more monthly statements, minimum payments, fees and risk of accrued interest.

Read more: How Many Credit Cards Should I Have?

Cash-Back Credit Card Benefits

We get it—earning a chunk of change back on your purchases can be pretty sweet. However, cash-back credit cards offer more benefits than meets the eye.

  • Low annual fees. If you are just getting your feet wet in the world of credit cards, cash-back cards are a safe place to start. Many cash-back cards do not charge an annual fee, meaning it’s easy to get value out of them each year as long as you pay your balance in full each statement period.
  • Welcome bonuses. Another perk of cash-back credit cards is the opportunity to earn a welcome bonus, which will reward you with a certain amount of cash back after hitting a spending threshold on your card within an allotted time period. By timing the opening of a cash-back card with a major purchase, you could use your welcome bonus to effectively save up to hundreds of dollars.
  • Introductory APRs. A common benefit you’ll find on cash-back credit cards is a 0% introductory APR offer on purchases. Depending on how long this period is, it could help you pay down a larger purchase you plan to put on the card.
  • Secure payments. Credit cards are a secure method of payment and typically offer zero fraud liability, meaning you are not responsible for unauthorized purchases made with your card.
  • Purchase protection and extended warranty protection. Select cash-back credit cards may offer these benefits, which can reimburse you for purchases if an item is damaged or stolen or extend a product manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year. You’ll hopefully never have to use these perks, but they could save you serious money in a less-than-ideal situation.

Alternatives to Cash-Back Credit Cards

Depending on your preferred redemptions, comparing other types of credit card rewards alongside cash-back credit cards may be valuable in deciding on your next card.

Cash Back vs. Travel Rewards

Travel rewards, such as airline miles or hotel points, can be strategically redeemed to get outsized value. Every travel program has sweet spots where a single point or mile could be worth five or ten cents each when redeemed tactically. However, this assumes you’re well-versed in the program’s strengths—and have the flexibility to take advantage of them.

Compare this to cash-back credit cards, which offer stable value. You don’t have to hunt for the most valuable redemptions or worry about getting below-average value. It’s also much simpler and doesn’t require a time investment in order to redeem rewards.

Read more: Best Travel Credit Cards of 2024

Cash Back vs. Flexible Bank Points

Many card issuers offer proprietary points instead of traditional cash back. These programs, like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Citi ThankYou points, build in flexibility. When you earn credit card points, you can redeem them as cash back (often, but not always, equivalent to 1%) or for other rewards through the program. A common redemption option is to book travel through the points portal to get 25% more value with every point. You may also be able to transfer points to partnering travel loyalty programs, effectively earning travel rewards.

Once again, cash back is the easiest and most straightforward option. However, credit card points usually have one or more different redemption options that are still relatively simple yet provide a greater return. Compared to cash back’s fixed redemptions, the flexibility of these points is their greatest attribute.

Find the Best Credit Cards for 2024

No single credit card is the best option for every family, every purchase or every budget. We've picked the best credit cards in a way designed to be the most helpful to the widest variety of readers.

Study: Americans Regularly Carry a Balance, Despite the Cost

Over half of Americans carry a balance on their credit card at least a few times a year rather than paying their bill in full, according to a survey by Forbes Advisor in May 2024:

Bar chart of how often survey respondents carry a credit card balance versus paying their bill in full.

Anyone who is using a credit card with the mindset of paying over time should be focused on their card’s interest rate and other costs that might apply, such as missed payment fees or late charges. These costs will likely add up to a higher cost than what you’d spend on annual fees or earn through credit card rewards, making them an impactful part of your decision.

If you carry a balance, our credit card interest calculator can show you how much extra this could cost you in a month—or a year. If the number’s more than you’re comfortable with, it might be worth the extra effort to look into a 0% credit card so that you have a set number of months (and sometimes more than a year) to pay things down without accruing interest. can redeem them for other rewards through the program. A common redemption option is to book travel through the points portal to get 25% more value with every point. You may also be able to transfer points to partnering travel loyalty programs, effectively earning travel rewards.

Are Cash-Back Credit Cards Worth It?

Cash-back cards generally fall into one of three categories:

  • Flat-rate rewards, such as 2% cash back on every purchase.
  • Rotating-category rewards, such as 5% cash back on a selection of purchase categories that update every quarter, then 1% cash back on remaining purchases.
  • Fixed-category rewards, such as 6% cash back on groceries, 3% cash back on gas or 2% cash back on restaurant purchases, then 1% cash back on remaining purchases.

The best type of cash-back card will vary depending on your purchase habits. If you have a large amount of purchases in a specific category, such as groceries or gas, it makes sense to find a card that offers bonus cash for your frequent purchases. But if you want a “set it and forget it” card, a flat-rate cash-back card will likely make more sense for you. If you want to maximize your cash-back earnings, consider pairing a flat-rate card with one that offers a rewards-earning bump for where you shop most often.

To view rates and fees for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express please visit this page . To view rates and fees for Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express please visit this page . ¹Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. ²Eligibility 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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where can i get cash back on my credit card.

Every card presents cash-back in different ways. Many of them allow you to take your earnings in the form of a statement credit, which reduces the monthly balance you need to pay on your bill. Other cards may instead offer cash back as an electronic deposit to your banking account or a check in the mail.

What’s the best cash-back credit card?

There’s no one best cash-back credit card for everyone. Your spending habits and preferences determine which card will hold the most reward potential for you. Though many cards may net you more value with bonus categories, welcome bonuses and other benefits, the highest flat-rate cash back can be achieved with the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card * , which earns 2.5% cash back on up to $10,000 in eligible purchases each billing cycle and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other eligible purchases, charges no annual fee and requires cardholders meet certain requirements before earning cash back, including membership with the credit union. Because of these limitations, this card did not make it on this list. Other cards will likely net more value when evaluated holistically.

How can I maximize the cash back I earn from my credit cards?

Maximizing the cash back you’ll earn from a credit card typically involves ensuring you’re using the best card or cards for your spending. If you spend $500 on gas every month but put it on a card that only earns 1% on gas purchases, you might be missing out on extra rewards. Finding the right card for your spending is the first step to maximizing your reward potential.

Is cash back from a credit card taxable?

In general, the IRS treats cash-back rewards on a credit card as a discount and not earnings, especially if you take your cash-back rewards as a statement credit on your credit card. This means that your cash-back rewards are not taxable.

There is a caveat: If you use your cash-back rewards to pay for a business expense, you can’t deduct the cost of that purchase from your taxes since you used your rewards to purchase the item. In addition, some welcome bonuses are considered taxable income. Be sure to check with your bank or financial institution and a tax advisor to be certain.

Which credit card gives the most cash back?

There’s no top cash-back credit card that will earn the most rewards for everyone. The highest-paying cash-back card available today depends on how you spend money and how many cards you want to have.

For example, a card might earn 6% cash back up to the first $6,000 in spending at U.S. supermarkets and, after that, 1%. But if you rarely shop for groceries, you might get more utility out of a card that earns an unlimited 4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% on groceries and 1% on all other spending.

If you’re looking for the highest paying flat-rate cash-back credit card, the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card * is hard to top. It earns 2.5% cash back on up to $10,000 in eligible purchases each billing cycle and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other eligible purchases and carries a $0 annual fee. You’re required to join Alliant’s credit union to apply for the card.

Does cash back expire?

The expiration date, if there is one, on any cash-back rewards you’ve earned from your card depends on your credit card’s policies. Some cash-back rewards never expire, and others may require card activity to keep your cash back from expiring. Check your card’s terms and conditions to make sure you don’t accidentally lose any earnings. In addition, be sure to cash out your rewards before you close a credit card account.

Do cash-back cards actually give you cash?

While many credit card cash-back reward programs redeem cash back as a statement credit to your account, some also allow you to redeem your cash back as a check or deposit to your bank account. If you’re looking for a program to literally mail you a stack of benjis, you’re probably out of luck.

Next Up In Credit Cards

  • A Forbes Guide To Choosing A Cash Back Credit Card
  • Best Rewards Credit Cards
  • Citi Double Cash® Card Review
  • Discover it® Cash Back Review
  • Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Review

*The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by Forbes Advisor: Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card . The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Becky Pokora

With more than 50 million redeemed miles under her belt, Becky Pokora is a rewards travel expert. She's been writing about credit cards and reward travel since 2011 with articles on Forbes Advisor, BoardingArea, The Points Guy and more. Her redemptions have helped her travel to more than 50 countries and all seven continents.

Jerod Morales

Jerod Morales is a deputy editor at Forbes Advisor and a travel rewards expert. He took a deep dive into points and miles in 2016, searching for a way to make travel both possible and affordable for his growing family. Now, as a dad to four sons, he and his wife enjoy introducing their kids to cultures and cities across the globe as often as they can.

Yanely Espinal

Yanely Espinal is the director of educational outreach for Next Gen Personal Finance, a nonprofit working to ensure that every high school student gets a full semester of personal finance education—including lessons in proper credit card usage—before graduation. She is often described as a ball of energy, with a gift for storytelling, and a passion for explaining credit cards and other financial concepts in a straightforward way.   While working as an elementary school teacher, Yanely decided to change her financial life by paying off $20,000 of debt in just 18 months. In 2015 she created MissBeHelpful, a YouTube channel and social media platform that now has over 5 million views, to help others learn the money skills she never learned in school. Some of her most popular videos on the channel include “5 Things to Consider When Applying for a Credit Card” and “When To Pay Your Credit Card Bill and Increase Your Credit Score.”   Her book, “Mind Your Money,” is an Amazon bestseller and was a Plutus Award finalist for Best New Personal Finance Book of 2023. She hosts Financially Inclined from Marketplace, a video podcast for teens about money lessons for living life your own way. Yanely is also a member of CNBC's Financial Wellness Advisory Council and an Advocate at the NGPF Mission 2030 Fund.  

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15 Best cash back credit cards for June 2024

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Cash back credit cards earn a small percentage of your purchases back, redeemable in the form of statement credits, gift cards, direct deposits or more. Many of these cards earn cash back on eligible categories automatically, with some requiring quarterly activations to achieve the highest rate. The best cash back cards on the market offer high cash back rates and flexible reward categories, letting you earn anywhere from 1 percent to 6 percent cash back on common spending items, including travel, groceries, gas and more. Here are the best cash back cards on the market for May 2024.

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Best Cash Back Credit Cards of June 2024

  • Best for flat-rate rewards: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
  • Best for online shopping:  Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
  • Best for rotating categories:  Discover it® Cash Back
  • Best for dining:  Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
  • Best for balance transfers: Citi Double Cash® Card
  • Best for groceries:  Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
  • Best for everyday spending: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
  • Best for simplicity: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
  • Best for quarterly customizable categories:  TD Cash Credit Card
  • Best for flexibility: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
  • Best for Bank of America customers:  Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card
  • Best for stacking:  Citi Custom Cash® Card
  • Best for TD Bank customers: TD Double Up SM  Credit Card
  • Best for low APR: USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card
  • Best for personal loan alternative: Upgrade Cash Rewards Elite Visa®

Additional options:

Best retail card: Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard

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Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

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Intro offer

Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

$200 cash rewards

Rewards rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Regular APR

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

  • 2% Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

What we love: If you’d rather not keep up with bonus categories or track spending, this card should be a great fit. It offers the simplicity of unlimited 2 percent cash rewards on purchases and also comes with one of the most generous intro APR offers available on a rewards card. This combo should give it terrific long-term value even after you pay off debt. Learn more: Is the Wells Fargo Active Cash worth it? Alternatives: The Citi Double Cash® Card is the card’s closest competitor and offers a similar cash back rate after you make and pay off a purchase. However, it may be a more flexible option than the Active Cash since you can pool rewards across multiple Citi cards to maximize your earnings.

  • This card offers one of the highest flat cash rewards rates available for a no-annual-fee card.
  • In addition to a lengthy intro APR, you can also take advantage of varied redemption options like redeeming cash rewards at a Wells Fargo ATM.
  • The intro balance transfer fee will jump from 3 percent to up to 5 percent after the first 120 days from account opening (min: $5).
  • The 3 percent foreign currency conversion fee could eat into cash rewards if you use this card abroad.
  • Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
  • Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
  • Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
  • 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
  • $0 annual fee.
  • No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open.
  • Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
  • Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.

Best for online shopping

Image of Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

  • Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.

3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%. 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 1% Cash Back on other purchases.

19.24% - 29.99% Variable

  • 3% 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
  • 3% 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
  • 3% 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
  • 1% 1% Cash Back on other purchases.

What we love:  This card not only rewards online purchases (a surprisingly hard-to-find bonus category), but also two of the average person’s biggest everyday spending categories — groceries and gas. This mix of categories makes it one of the most lucrative standalone cash back cards out there. Learn more: Is the Amex Blue Cash Everyday worth it? Alternatives: If you want a bit more flexibility in your categories, The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card lets you choose your own eligible bonus category each month, with options including online shopping, gas stations, travel and more. Plus, you’ll still earn bonus cash back year round at both grocery stores and wholesale clubs. 

  • It offers one of the highest rewards rates you can get on groceries without paying an annual fee, making it a great choice for everyday spending.
  • Any purchase classified as an online retail purchase by the merchant earns bonus cash back, so you aren’t limited to just a few online stores as you would be with co-branded cards.
  • You can only redeem cash back as a statement credit. You won’t have the flexibility to redeem for travel or transfer to airline and hotel partners as you can with cards that earn Amex Membership Rewards.
  • Its cash back rates fall short of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express , so that alternative may be more lucrative if you spend heavily on groceries — despite its annual fee.
  • No Annual Fee.
  • Balance Transfer is back! Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
  • 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
  • Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
  • Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
  • Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card.
  • Terms Apply.

Best for rotating categories

Image of Discover it® Cash Back

Discover it® Cash Back

  • Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.

Cashback Match

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.

18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR

  • 5% Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
  • 1% Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.

What we love: Its elevated rewards rates can be especially rewarding if you flex your spending to align with Discover’s boosted cash back categories each quarter (enrollment required, quarterly maximum applies). This makes it a good choice for deal hunters looking to maximize their earnings. Learn more: Is the Discover it Cash Back worth it? Alternatives: You may earn more with a flat-rate cash rewards card like the Citi Double Cash® Card or Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card without the hassle of activating new bonus categories each quarter.

  • Discover matches the cash back you earn at the end of the first year — an offer that could be more valuable than the average no-annual-fee card bonus.
  • Discover’s cash back calendar offers terrific variety, which could include a mix of everyday categories like groceries and extras like online shopping.
  • You must enroll to take advantage of the bonus categories each quarter, so it’s not a great fit if you’re looking for simplicity.
  • You’ll only earn a top rewards rate on your first $1,500 in spending each quarter, so it’s not ideal for large purchases or big spenders.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • No annual fee.
  • Terms and conditions apply.

Best for dining

Image of Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

  • Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
  • Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening

8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply) 3% Cash Back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®) 1% Cash Back on all other purchases

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

  • 8% 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
  • 5% 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
  • 3% 3% Cash Back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)
  • 1% 1% Cash Back on all other purchases

What we love: This card earns a solid cash back rate whether you’re out on the town, cooking at home or ordering in, so restaurant-goers, grocery shoppers and even social butterflies can find something to love. The sign-up bonus is competitive, too, offering a nice chunk of change with a relatively small spending requirement. Learn more: Is the Capital One SavorOne worth it? Alternatives: Other cards may earn more in specific categories, including the Citi Custom Cash® Card , which offers 5 percent back on up to $500 in purchases each billing cycle in your top eligible spending category -  1% cash back thereafter (restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations and more).

  • You can earn additional bonus rewards for purchases made through the Capital One Entertainment and Travel portals.
  • It offers a solid rewards rate in a terrific mix of everyday bonus categories, making it ideal as a standalone rewards card.
  • Beware of redeeming cash rewards on Amazon.com, as there is a list of restricted items you can’t use rewards on.
  • Its ongoing APR is on the high side and could prove pricey if you tend to carry a balance.
  • Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases
  • Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
  • Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
  • No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • No annual fee

Best for balance transfers

Image of Citi Double Cash® Card

  • Citi Double Cash® Card
  • Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

$200 cash back

Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.

19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

  • 1% Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
  • 5% Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.

What we love: Ideal for fans of easy-to-manage rewards, this card’s unlimited flat cash back rate makes it a perfect 'catch-all' option if you need a low-maintenance card that can also easily stack with other cards.  It’s also one of the rare few cash back cards with an intro APR that rivals many balance transfer card offers, which makes it excellent if you want more long-term value than a typical zero-interest card provides. Learn more:   Why the Citi Double Cash Card is great for paying off debt Alternatives: If you need to make a large purchase and want to save on interest with an intro APR, the  Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card may better fit your needs . It earns the same flat-rate rewards on purchases but comes with a long intro APR offer on both purchases and balance transfers.

  • If you pair this card with a premium Citi travel card, you can transfer points to airline and hotel partners and potentially enjoy a higher redemption value.
  • You don't have to keep track of spending category restrictions or rotating categories.
  • You could earn more with a card that offers a higher rewards rate in your biggest spending categories.
  • Its introductory APR offer only covers balance transfers — not purchases — so it won’t be of much help if you need to chip away at new spending.
  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
  • If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
  • There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

Best for groceries

Image of Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

  • Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.

6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. 3% Cash Back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations 1% Cash Back on other purchases

  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
  • 6% 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
  • 6% 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
  • 3% 3% Cash Back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more.
  • 3% 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations
  • 1% 1% Cash Back on other purchases

What we love: This card offers one of the highest rewards rates you can get at U.S. supermarkets, making the annual fee more than worth it if you spend a lot on groceries. It’s the perfect choice for families who can offset the card’s annual fee with rewards and then some. Learn more: Is the Amex Blue Cash Preferred worth it? Alternatives: If groceries are your top spending category, the Citi Double Cash® Card could also earn a ton of cash back, without charging an annual fee. Pair it with another cash back card and you may score as much or more cash back on everyday essentials like gas and dining.

  • It offers high rewards rates in a practical mix of everyday categories in addition to groceries, including gas and transit. That makes it a good choice if you’re focused on long-term value.
  • You don’t have to keep track of rotating spending categories or enrollment deadlines.
  • Purchases at wholesale clubs (like Costco), superstores (like Walmart), and specialty stores are excluded from the card’s U.S. supermarket bonus category and only earn 1 percent back.
  • Since you can only redeem cash rewards as a statement credit, this card lacks the value and flexibility of some Amex cards that earn Membership Rewards.
  • Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
  • Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
  • 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
  • 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
  • 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
  • 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
  • Get up to $120 in statement credits annually when you pay for an auto-renewing subscription to Equinox+ at equinoxplus.com with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. That’s $10 in statement credits each month. Enrollment required.
  • Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. Enrollment required.

Best for drugstores and dining

Image of Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.

Up to $300 cash back

Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service 1.5% on all other purchases

20.49% - 29.24% Variable

  • 5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
  • 3% 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service
  • 1.5% 1.5% on all other purchases

What we love: This card earns elevated rates in multiple, common bonus categories that can make racking up cash back with everyday spending easy. Plus, its competitive intro APR offer and decent welcome bonus give this card great upfront value. Learn more: Is the Chase Freedom Unlimited worth it? Alternatives: The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a good alternative if you want a card with a great flat rate on purchases. You won’t have to worry about bonus categories, and it comes with a solid intro APR offer. 

  • This card earns an elevated flat rate and bonus rates in many categories, making it an ideal choice for a standalone cash back card.
  • It has a solid APR offer available for a no-annual-fee card, making it a great choice to consolidate debt or make large purchases.
  • You might want to explore premium cards if you want better travel benefits or higher welcome offers.
  • Other no-annual-fee cards earn a higher flat cash back rate on purchases, which can be more useful if you won’t use the bonus categories on this card.
  • Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
  • Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
  • After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC

Best for simplicity

Image of Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

  • Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
  • Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day

  • 5% Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
  • 1.5% Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day

What we love: This card is a solid low-maintenance option if you’re just getting started earning cash back rewards. It also comes with a few enticing perks and benefits, including a solid welcome offer. Learn more: Is Capital One Quicksilver worth it?  Alternatives: If you spend most in a specific category like groceries or gas, consider cards that earn rewards at a higher rate in those categories, like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card . That card even gives you the option to change your highest-earning cash back category once per calendar month.

  • You can take advantage of perks like up to six months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits (through 11/14/2024) and a relatively long intro APR offer.
  • The sign-up bonus has one of the lowest spending requirements around, so it's easy to attain.
  • Other cards on the market offer a higher flat cash back rate, with several offering 2 percent back or more.
  • A few no-annual-fee cash back cards offer longer intro APR periods on both purchases and balance transfers.
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
  • No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn

Best for quarterly customizable categories

Image of TD Cash Credit Card

TD Cash Credit Card

  • Earn $150 Cash Back when you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

$150 Cash Back

5% cash back on gas station purchases for six months or up to $6,000 in spend, whichever comes first. Earn 3% and 2% Cash Back on your choice of spend categories. Earn 1% Cash Back on all other eligible purchases.

Earn 1% Cash Back - Earn 5% Cash Back

20.24%, 25.24% or 30.24% variable APR based on your creditworthiness.

  • Earn 5% Cash Back 5% cash back on gas station purchases for six months or up to $6,000 in spend, whichever comes first.
  • Earn 3% and 2% Cash Back Earn 3% and 2% Cash Back on your choice of spend categories.
  • Earn 1% Cash Back Earn 1% Cash Back on all other eligible purchases.

What we love: Every quarter, you can pick your 3 percent and 2 percent bonus categories, which include travel, gas, grocery stores, dining and entertainment. Even better, the customizable categories earn unlimited cash back, so you can take full advantage of tailored, high cash back rates. Alternatives: The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card lets you change your customizable category every month, while the TD card lets you change it every quarter. Consider the Bank of America card if you’d like to change your categories as often as possible.

  • The category choices and no spending caps make it possible to earn tons of cash back with this card.
  • It has a decent sign-up bonus that provides upfront value to new cardholders.
  • This card is only available in a handful of states and Washington, D.C., restricting applicants’ eligibility.
  • The grocery category excludes wholesale clubs and superstores.
  • Limited Time Offer: Earn 5% Cash Back on gas with the TD Cash Credit Card plus a $150 Cash Back bonus.
  • 5% cash back on gas station purchases for six months or up to $6,000 in spend, whichever comes first.
  • Choose your top two spend categories to earn unlimited 3% and 2% Cash Back. Earn unlimited 1% Cash Back on all other eligible purchases.
  • Switch spend categories up to four times a year.
  • Contactless Payments/Digital Wallet
  • Instant credit card replacement
  • Must be a resident of CT, DC, DE, FL, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, SC, VA or VT.

Best for flexibility

Image of Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

  • $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases). Earn automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases). Earn unlimited 1% on all other purchases.

19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

  • 3% Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases).
  • 2% Earn automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases).
  • 1% Earn unlimited 1% on all other purchases.

What we love: This card is a terrific choice for people who want flexibility in how they earn their rewards, as it’s one of the few that lets you change your highest-earning bonus category as often as once a month. It also offers a great mix of bonus categories, ranging from everyday staples like dining to unique options like home improvement stores. Learn more: Is the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card worth it? Alternatives: This card’s cash back limits may hold you back compared to other cards’ reward programs. Heavy spenders may earn more with a card that offers an unlimited flat rewards rate on all purchases, such as the Citi Double Cash® Card.

  • You can swap your choice category once per calendar month to maximize rewards based on your spending habits.
  • It’s one of the few cards that earns bonus rewards year round at both grocery stores and wholesale clubs (a hard-to-find bonus category).
  • The spending cap on your highest earning categories could hamper your earning potential.
  • It carries a high sign-up bonus spending requirement (twice as high as some rivals in the cash back card category).
  • Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
  • Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishings purchases.
  • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
  • No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 19.24% - 29.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
  • Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Best for Bank of America customers

Image of Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
  • 1.5% Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

What we love: This card offers a solid mix of features, including an elevated cash rewards rate on all purchases. But if you qualify for the Platinum Tier or higher in Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program, you can get a cash back boost that transforms the card into one of the most lucrative flat-rate rewards cards available. Learn more: Is the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards worth it? Alternatives: If you don’t qualify for Bank of America’s boosted cash back rates, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card may be your best choice for earning flat-rate cash rewards on general spending.

  • Bank of America Preferred Rewards® members can boost their cash rewards earnings by 25 to 75 percent, greatly increasing the card’s rewards potential.
  • The card offers additional features with its intro APR on purchases and balance transfers.
  • This card is light on benefits and perks compared to other cash back cards.
  • The lowest tier for a boosted cash back rate requires at least a $20,000 average balance across qualifying accounts, which may be hard to reach for many people.
  • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 1.87%-2.62% cash back on every purchase with Preferred Rewards.
  • No limit to the amount of cash back you can earn and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.

Best for stacking

Image of Citi Custom Cash® Card

Citi Custom Cash® Card

Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

  • 5% Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter.
  • 4% Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.
  • 1% Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

What we love: Since its bonus category automatically adjusts based on where you spend most, this card can be a great option if you want a simple rewards card to add to your rewards strategy stack. But by “simple,” we don’t mean low-value — this card has an excellent cash back rate in its automatic bonus category.    Learn more: Is the Citi Custom Cash worth it? Alternatives: Since you’ll only earn a top rewards rate in a single category each billing cycle, consider pairing this card with one that earns boosted rewards in several categories. For example, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card earns unlimited rewards on dining, entertainment, grocery stores and more.

  • Since the card automatically earns rewards in your top eligible spending category each billing cycle, you won’t have to worry about strategizing to maximize rewards.
  • It offers great flexibility thanks to its mix of everyday bonus categories like gas and groceries, plus extras like fitness clubs and live entertainment.
  • You’ll only earn a top cash back rate on the first $500 you spend in one eligible category each billing cycle (1 percent after that), so this may not be the best standalone option if you’re looking to maximize rewards.
  • The card’s sign-up bonus carries a much higher spending requirement than many competing offers.
  • 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.
  • No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash® Card account per person.

Best for TD Bank customers

Image of TD Double Up Credit Card

TD Double Up Credit Card

  • Bonus Cash Back: Earn $150 Cash Back in the form of a statement credit when you spend $1,000 within the first 90 days after account opening
  • Earn unlimited 2% Cash Back on all eligible purchases

2% Cash Back

  • 2% Cash Back Earn unlimited 2% Cash Back on all eligible purchases

What we love: With the TD Double Up Credit Card, you earn 2 percent cash back on all eligible purchases without spending caps restricting your rewards potential. That makes this one of the most rewarding flat-rate cards outside a major issuer, especially if you prefer the convenience of keeping your cards with one bank or your financial history with TD Bank could help you qualify. Alternatives: If you want a stronger welcome offer as well as an intro APR offer on purchases, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card may be a better fit.

  • One of the best flat cash back rates available without spending caps or bonus categories.
  • Automatically get cell phone protection when you pay your monthly phone bill with your Double Up card.
  • The welcome offer is weak compared to other cash back cards’ offers.
  • Balance transfers: 0% introductory APR balance transfers for first 15 billing cycles after account opening. After that, 20.24%, 25.24% or 30.24% variable APR based on your creditworthiness.
  • No reward categories, no caps, no worries.
  • Get Visa benefits like cell phone protection when you pay your monthly mobile bill with your card

Best for low APR

Image of USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card

USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card

Earn a $200 reward bonus when you spend $1,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of account opening.

Earn a $200 reward bonus

  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases, no category restrictions, no caps on cash back.

1.5% cash back

17.15% to 29.15% variable

  • 1.5% cash back Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases, no category restrictions, no caps on cash back.

What we love: USAA members looking for simple, flat-rate rewards will find a lot to love with this card. It offers an unlimited flat rewards rate, straightforward redemption options, an intro APR on purchases and a chance at a low ongoing APR. Alternatives: Though this card comes with a few key perks like an intro offer, its flat cash back rate isn’t the highest on the market. A card like the Citi Double Cash® Card could offer better long-term value since it earns 2 percent cash back on all purchases (1 percent when you buy and 1 percent when you pay off purchases).

  • You don't have to worry about a complicated rewards program or rotating categories. A flat rewards rate makes earning cash back simple and straightforward.
  • It charges no foreign transaction fees and comes with a few key travel protections, making it an especially great companion for USAA members who live or frequently travel abroad.
  • Limited to only USAA members
  • Several competing cash back cards offer a higher flat rewards rate — 2 percent back or higher — while still charging no annual fee.
  • Must be a USAA member, or become a member, to apply. USAA proudly offers membership to current and former military, as well as their spouses and dependents.
  • Intro Offer: Earn a $200 reward bonus when you spend $1,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of account opening.
  • Auto Deductible Reimbursement (up to $200).
  • A fee of 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, cash advance and convenience check applies.
  • Cash back rewards never expire.
  • Redeem cash back your way, on your schedule.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • 17.15% to 29.15% variable regular APR.
  • Terms and Restrictions apply. See the Reward Terms and Conditions and the ADR Benefit Guide on USAA's website for details.
  • See Rates and Fees for details.

Best for personal loan alternative

Image of Upgrade Cash Rewards Elite Visa®

Upgrade Cash Rewards Elite Visa®

  • $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking Plus account and making 3 debit card transactions*

Earn 2.2% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment

14.99% - 29.99%

  • 2.2% Earn 2.2% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment

What we love: This card combines the convenience of a credit card with the predictability of an installment loan, allowing you to earn rewards as you pay off purchases at a fixed interest rate. Plus, it carries one of the highest flat cash back rates you can get with no annual fee. Learn more: Is the Upgrade Cash Rewards Elite Visa worth it? Alternatives: You may want to consider a card that offers both cash back and an intro APR for new purchases. The Discover it® Cash Back is one great pick and would allow you to finance a large purchase while racking up rewards.

  • Since there’s no annual fee, you won’t need to rely on reward earnings to offset card costs.
  • You’ll earn a bonus after you open a Rewards Checking account and make three debit card transactions in your first 60 days.
  • The high-end APR range is much higher than the average card APR and could prove costly if you end up carrying a balance.
  • You won’t get a break on interest if you carry a balance since there are no intro APR offers on purchases or balance transfers.
  • Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment
  • Combine the flexibility of a credit card with the predictability of a personal loan
  • No touch payments with contactless technology built in
  • See if you qualify in minutes without hurting your credit score
  • Great for large purchases with predictable payments you can budget for
  • Mobile app to access your account anytime, anywhere
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud liability
  • Earn a $200 bonus after you open & fund a Rewards Checking Plus account & make 3 debit card transactions within 60 days. If you previously opened a checking account through Upgrade or do not do so as part of this process, you are not eligible. Payout made within 60 days of meeting the conditions.

Best retail card

Image of Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®

Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®

*The information about the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

Introductory offer: Earn 5% cash back on purchases in Walmart® stores for the first 12 months when you use your card with Walmart Pay

Earn 5% cash back on Walmart.com purchases, including pickup and delivery Earn 2% cash back on purchases in Walmart® stores, Murphy USA and Walmart® fuel stations 2% cash back on restaurants and travel purchases 1% cash back on all other purchases everywhere else Mastercard® is accepted

19.48% or 29.99% (Variable)

  • 5% Earn 5% cash back on Walmart.com purchases, including pickup and delivery
  • 2% Earn 2% cash back on purchases in Walmart® stores, Murphy USA and Walmart® fuel stations
  • 2% 2% cash back on restaurants and travel purchases
  • 1% 1% cash back on all other purchases everywhere else Mastercard® is accepted

This card offers a high rewards rate on pickup and delivery orders from Walmart, as well as an attractive welcome offer for in-store purchases through the Walmart Pay app. Though it doesn’t carry many extra perks, it’s a great choice if you’re an avid Walmart shopper. Alternatives : If you want the flexibility to earn rewards with any U.S. supermarket (excluding Walmart), consider the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express .

  • Its welcome offer allows boosted rewards on in-store purchases, giving you the chance to earn as much as you would using the Walmart app for a short timeframe.
  • On the lower end, its ongoing APR is lower than the current average credit card interest rate .
  • For maximum rewards on most purchases, you must use the Walmart app, so if you aren't tech savvy, this card may not be a good fit.
  • The card has limited long-term value because of its low flat rewards rate for all purchases and lack of noteworthy perks.

Compare Bankrate's top cash back credit cards

Cash back credit cards reward you for eligible purchases by giving you a percentage of your purchase price back. 

For example, if you have a credit card that earns 5 percent back on eligible purchases, and you make a $100 purchase , you’ll earn $5 in rewards. 

The flexibility, simplicity and ongoing value of cash back cards make them one of the more popular types of credit cards on the market. Chances are if you frequently spend on groceries, gas or other essentials, there's a cash back card that's a great fit for your wallet.

Pros and cons of using cash back credit cards

While cash back cards can put hundreds of dollars per year back into your wallet, they can also come with drawbacks. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of carrying a cash back card.

Earn rewards : If you pick a card that fits your spending habits, you can earn some extra cash every month just by using your credit card.

Build credit : Used responsibly, a cash back credit card can help you improve your credit score by adding to your credit history.

Many have no annual fee : If you choose a no-annual-fee card, you won’t have to worry about whether you’re coming out ahead with your cash back earnings (as long as you pay your bill in full each month).

Sign-up bonuses : A first-year sign-up bonus or welcome offer can be worth a few hundred dollars if you can meet the spending requirement.

Travel rewards can be more valuable : With cash back cards, you usually can’t score a particularly lucrative deal with your redemption, as you might when redeeming travel rewards points for a flight .

Higher APRs : Rewards cards typically come with higher interest rates, so carrying a balance can eat through any value you’d get via rewards. Some cards also hit you with a higher penalty APR if you are late making a payment, which can last a year or more.

Can be high maintenance : Some cards require you to periodically activate or enroll in your cash back category to earn cash back rewards.

Fewer travel perks : You might not see a ton of travel benefits on cash back cards, like lounge access, free hotel room upgrades or a TSA Precheck application statement credit.

Types of cash back credit card rewards

Cash back cards come in many forms. The best one for you depends on your spending habits and lifestyle. Before you apply, make sure you know the types of cash back cards available. 

Flat-rate cash back cards offer the same rewards rate for each eligible purchase. These cards are great for just about everyone  — they’re simple to use and can rack up solid cash rewards on nearly every purchase. Typical flat-rate cards earn 1.5 percent cash back on purchases, but there are a few popular 2 percent cash back cards that could be more lucrative.

Top examples include:

  • Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Tiered cash back cards offer different rates of cash back for different types of purchases, plus the standard 1 percent cash back on everything else. For example, a tiered card may offer a 2 percent or 3 percent cash back rate on several (often around four) popular cash back categories, such as dining, groceries or gas. We’ve seen some bonus categories earn up to 6 percent back, but beware that some bonus categories drop to 1 percent back if you surpass a rewards spending limit within a certain timeframe.

  • Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
  • Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Rotating or customizable bonus categories

Some credit cards offer bonus categories that change based on your preferences, your spending habits or the time of year. One of these may be a superior rewards card option for people who don’t want to commit to specific bonus categories but want a higher cash back rate than flat-rate cards provide. Here are a few of the most common bonus category structures.

  • Quarterly rotating bonus categories : These cards rotate or change bonus categories every quarter , and typically require you to enroll in or activate categories to receive the bonus rate.
  • Choose your own category :  Some cards let you choose your cash back category every month, which is perfect for people who plan their spending.  
  • Auto-optimizing bonus categories :  For maximizing rewards, these cards will do the work for you . Typically, the card will apply the bonus rate to purchases within your top eligible category at the end of each month.

Just keep in mind that these categories often have a rewards spending limit — usually up to $500 per month, $1,500 per quarter or $6,000 per year.

Top examples include :

  • Discover it® Cash Back : Quarterly rotating categories
  • Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards : Choose your own category
  • Citi Custom Cash® Card : Auto-optimizing bonus category 

Membership-only cash back credit cards

Some of the most lucrative cash back credit cards require a paid membership. Co-branded credit cards with membership requirements generally let you earn rewards and extra perks at specific stores or service providers.

Some credit unions also offer cash back card options to their members. Since credit unions are controlled and financed by members themselves, these members will often reap the benefits of more favorable interest rates and fewer banking and penalty fees than a not-for-profit institution. Membership requirements vary by credit union.

  • Prime Visa (requires an Amazon Prime membership, $139 a year)
  • Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi (requires a Costco membership, at least $60 a year)
  • Sam’s Club® Mastercard® (requires a Sam’s Club membership, starting at $50 per year)
  • Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card (requires Alliant Credit Union membership)

Common categories on cash back credit cards

Cash back cards differ in the reward categories they offer, though there are a few common categories you can expect to find.

  • Groceries: This category usually covers a variety of types of items you can purchase at supermarkets. Grocery store categories often exclude superstores (like Walmart and Target) and wholesale clubs (like Costco and Sam’s Club).
  • Dining: Most cards include most kinds of dining out at restaurants, though some also allow you to earn cash back with certain delivery services (like Uber Eats or DoorDash).
  • Gas: Some cards allow you to earn cash back at any gas station, though some co-branded cards only allow you to earn at specified locations. 
  • Travel:  This category can include a variety of travel methods. Airline and hotel purchases are the most common options. Some cards only award boosted cash back if you book travel through the issuer’s travel portal.  

Looking for a particular type of cash-back credit card?

For suggestions based on your spending habits, try Bankrate’s Spender Type Tool . Select the spender type that you most closely identify with and you’ll get card recommendations that may suit your spending habits.

Cash back cards are perhaps the simplest reward credit cards available, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for maximizing your potential value. Here are some tips from the experts at Bankrate on how to best use and choose a cash back credit card

How to choose a cash back credit card

Check your credit score.

This should be your starting point. Most of the best cash back credit cards require at least good credit . However, there are several quality cash back cards designed for cardholders with less-than-perfect credit — especially if you’re a student or you don’t mind secured cards .

Review your spending habits

Evaluate your expenses to determine which cards can reward you the most for your top spending categories. Be sure the places you shop most are eligible for rewards based on how each card defines its bonus categories, and how the card network defines its merchant category codes. For example, a 2 percent flat-rate card would earn a higher cash back rate on your groceries than the Blue Cash Preferred if you mostly shop at wholesale clubs or Walmart.

Compare welcome offers

A card's sign-up bonus can add significantly to its short-term value. Make sure the spending requirement is fairly easy to reach, as carrying a balance will cut into your earnings. For reference, the typical cash back welcome offer is a $200 value after spending $500 or $1,000 in the first three months. 

Think about your cash back strategy

You’ll need to choose between flat-rate and bonus category credit cards.  Flat-rate credit cards are a great option to earn consistent cash back on all purchases with minimal effort. Bonus category cash back cards can offer higher cash back rates but require strategic spending to maximize rewards.

Weigh the costs

Factor ongoing costs of keeping the card. For instance, you might decide a card's annual fee is worth it if you can offset the cost with rewards and perks. Interest rates and common credit card fees , like late charges and balance transfer fees, can also eat into your cash back earnings. Fortunately, cash back cards often have no annual fee, and the few premium cash back cards usually only charge a $95 annual fee.

Review the perks

Cash back cards may come with an assortment of perks that can add value to your wallet, such as statement credits on select subscription services. These perks can push one card’s value over another if you find them useful.

Maximizing your cash back cards

Here are some tips from Bankrate’s experts that can help ensure you’re getting as much cash back as possible with your credit card.

Don’t spend just to earn

It’s tempting to spend more than usual knowing that you’re getting some of that spending back. But overspending can result in a balance you can’t pay off in full. If you carry a balance instead of paying it off in full each month, you’ll lose the cash back you’ve earned (and then some) to interest. Paying monthly balances  on time and in full is a credit card best practice, no matter what type of card you’re carrying.

Enroll or activate your bonus categories each quarter

Rotating category cards typically require you to enroll in or activate your bonus cash back categories for the upcoming quarter to earn the full rewards rate. If you don’t, you’ll earn the standard rate and lose out on the additional value. 

Earn your welcome bonus

Welcome bonuses can deliver a substantial amount of value, so leaving this value on the table is a missed opportunity. Just make sure you won't have to overspend to meet the spending requirement.

Learn more: Best cash back card welcome offers

Combine cards

A combination of cards will allow you to maximize your cash back opportunities when making purchases. Pick cards that cover your major spending categories and at least one card that earns a high flat rate on all purchases: this lets you always earn the maximum amount of rewards on purchases.

Explore your card’s shopping portal

Many cash back cards offer shopping portals . These portals feature special cash back deals — like 5 percent back at a specific retailer for a limited time — that the card doesn’t normally have. Explore your issuer’s shopping portal and activate the offers to earn some extra cash back when it’s convenient.

There’s always something new and exciting happening in the cash back card space, and Bankrate likes to stay on top of what has people talking. 

Robinhood announcing its first credit card, the Robinhood Gold Card, has taken over much of the cash back card discussion this month, and it's easy to see why. The investment platform’s first credit card promises a flat 3 percent back on all purchases, a full 1 percent higher than the up to 2 percent rewards rate found on top flat-rate cash rewards cards like the Wells Fargo Active Cash (2 percent cash rewards on purchases) and Citi Double Cash (which earns 1 percent when you buy, 1 percent when you pay off purchases). The card also promises 5 percent back on travel booked through Robinhood’s travel portal.

There’s some trepidation from consumers on whether the card will deliver on its promises with no strings attached. Some already point to the Robinhood Gold membership requirement as a way to recoup any losses the platform incurs by offering such a high cash back rate. 

One Reddit user is cautiously optimistic the rate may stick around for a while: 

“They’ll have to play a balance game. If every merchant decided to charge 5% fee for credit cards or 5% discount for cash/debit, rewards become useless. The banks would have to up rewards even higher to encourage credit card use. I fully agree that Robinhood will increase their fee if they keep the 3% though as that has never been a profitable rate for any card.” — Reddit user

Others on the social network have a less sunny outlook:

“Reminds me of what happened with the Uber Visa card — fantastic starter card back when I was in college, earned 4% cash back on dining, 3% on travel, 2% on Uber. Within 2 yrs they nerfed the whole card and then it got rebranded as the Barclays View card...now it's the most useless piece of plastic in my entire house.” — Reddit user

Bankrate’s own Nouri Zarrugh is bullish on the Robinhood Gold card , at least for now. Read more of his thoughts and insight to decide whether you might want to keep an eye on this new product. 

*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate. Please see the issuer’s website for updated terms and conditions.

Here’s how a Bankrate editor crafted his cash back strategy

With this advice in mind, let’s see how a credit card expert made their picks. Here’s Bankrate editor Nouri Zarrugh  on how he chose his cash back cards to create a cash rewards strategy:

I’ve been writing about cash back and credit card rewards for several years now, so I understand the benefit of carrying multiple cards and using them strategically to maximize my earnings. But I also know that sometimes juggling so many cards to earn a little more cash back can be more trouble than it’s worth. When I first got into rewards strategy, I went a little overboard, carrying a card for every spending category I could think of, constantly switching based on where I was shopping or which bonus category was available in a given quarter. I even had a spreadsheet I used to track my purchases and cash back earnings. It eventually became a headache, though. Now I take a more streamlined approach, focusing on a few key spending categories as I try to strike a balance between high earnings and low maintenance. Here’s what I focus on with my current credit card stack: Groceries : The Citi Custom Cash Card. This card automatically rewards your top spending category each billing cycle, and I only use it for groceries, making that my top category by default. Gas and online shopping : The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express. Since I use the Custom Cash for groceries, it made sense for me to use the no-annual-fee Blue Cash Everyday to get a solid rewards rate on gas. As an added bonus, this card comes with an online shopping category missing from the Blue Cash Preferred’s categories. Online shopping is another key category for me, so this card is quite versatile. Dining : The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. This card offers one of the best rates you can get at restaurants without paying an annual fee ( See Rates & Fees ). Everything else : The Citi Double Cash. I use this card for all purchases that fall outside of groceries, gas, dining, travel and online shopping. A flat rate of up to 2 percent back (1 percent when you buy, 1 percent when you pay off purchases) is hard to beat. Is my stack perfect? Definitely not. I still have a co-branded airline card, a rotating category card and a specific online retailer card sitting around, and using them could help me squeeze a little more earnings out of my purchases. But for now, five cards is plenty to juggle." — Nouri Zarrugh, Bankrate Editor

Bankrate Insight

People who spend across a wide variety of categories can often combine cards from the same issuer for greater effect. For example, by having a Chase Freedom Flex, Chase Freedom Unlimited and a Chase Sapphire card, you can use the Chase Trifecta 's bonus categories to maximize rewards.

Our data: Are cash back cards easier to qualify for than other rewards cards?

A 2024 Bankrate survey found that credit card applicants are still experiencing stiff approval odds since issuers tightened approvals in 2023 . Unfortunately, credit approvals may not loosen for a while since the Fed is still uncertain about when it will decrease rates.

However, a new credit card can help fight inflation if used appropriately. To help you make a more informed decision, we analyzed data on Bankrate’s best rewards card offers to see which types of cards Bankrate users were approved for more often: cash back cards or other rewards cards that earn points or miles.

According to our data , cash back cards held a higher average approval rate throughout 2023 than other rewards cards. Our data even indicates that cash back cards have a higher approval rate than other rewards cards from the same issuer. Granted, cash back cards don’t have a massive advantage — their overall approval rate is only about 5 percentage points higher than the approval rate on other rewards cards. 

It’s also worth noting that our data shows an increase in approval rates over most of 2023. However, this could be partly due to seasonal factors. More users applied for cards in the earlier months of 2023, and some of these users may have applied for a card to help them recover financially from holiday spending even if their credit scores were below the recommended range. 

Bankrate’s Approval Odds feature

When evaluating the best cash back cards, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards in popular categories to scoring a large sign-up bonus or high-value perks. Whenever possible, we also feature cards that are available at various credit levels and price points. 

We analyzed over 150 of the most popular cards and scored each based on its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, welcome bonus value, APR, fees, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup of the best cash back cards.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the key factors in our cash back card scoring methodology and details we considered when putting together our list of the best cash back cards.  

  • Flexibility 15%
  • Customer experience 5%

Great rewards value

The primary criteria for a rewards-earning card’s rating is its rewards value. This includes the card’s average rewards rate, estimated annual rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value and reward redemption value.

To estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings, we first calculate its average rewards rate based on how much it earns in different bonus categories and how closely its categories align with the average person’s spending habits. In other words, we assess whether the card earns rewards at a high rate in the most popular spending categories. 

We use consumer spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to get a reliable third-party measure of people’s spending habits. The most recent BLS data estimates average total spending in 2022 was $72,967 per consumer. We then narrow our focus to which purchases are likely to be put on a credit card and earn rewards, subtracting expenditures like housing, vehicle purchases and education. This gives us a total “chargeable” annual spend of around $22,500.  

Some of the major spending categories that contribute towards the annual spend include:

  • Groceries: $5,700
  • Dining out: $3,600
  • Entertainment: $2,400
  • Gas: $3,100
  • Apparel and services: $1,900

Using this data, we assign a weighting to each of a card’s bonus categories. For example, a card’s grocery rewards rate receives a 22 percent weighting based on how much of the average person’s budget is spent on groceries. We also estimate the redemption value of points or miles from various issuer, airline and hotel rewards programs.

This weighting and rewards valuation allows us to estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings — how many points or miles you’d earn with a given card if your spending was about average and you used the card for all of your purchases — as well as what those points are worth. We also use point valuations to determine a card’s sign-up bonus value

With these calculations complete, we assign each card a score based on how its average rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value, rewards rate and redemption value stack up against other rewards cards.

The better these values, the higher its score will be, making it more worthy of inclusion in our list and increasing its potential ranking.

Here’s a deeper look at the factors considered as part of a rewards card’s “Value” rating:

  • Ongoing rewards value 50%
  • Annual fee & average APR 20%
  • Rewards rate 15%
  • Sign-up bonus value 15%

Reasonable rates and fees

We also score cards based on how much it costs to keep them in your wallet or carry a balance. 

To start, each card is scored based on whether it offers an intro APR and how its ongoing APR compares to the rates available on other rewards cards. However, the latter rating only has a slight influence on the card’s score and whether the card is included in our list, since rewards card users generally try to avoid carrying a balance.

More important to both a card’s score and its inclusion in our list is how its annual fee influences its overall value. We consider a card’s annual fee in two ways — how it ranks relative to the fees you’ll find on other cards in the category and how it impacts a card’s overall rewards value. 

Cards with an annual fee will always be at a slight disadvantage in our scoring system since annual fees inherently cut into your rewards value. However, if a card offers terrific value via its ongoing rewards and perks, it can earn a high score and a spot in our list even if it carries a high annual fee. After all, the highest rewards rates and most valuable perks are often found on cards with annual fees. 

With this in mind, we rate a card based primarily on how its ongoing rewards value and ongoing perk value (such as annual credits or bonuses) stack up against those of other cards in the category when you subtract annual fees.

That said, we strive to include as many no-annual-fee options in our list as possible since many people would rather not worry about offsetting fees, even if a card carries impressive rewards and perks.

Redemption flexibility

Rewards cards may make it easy to earn a lot of points, miles or cash back, but how easy is it to use those rewards? After all, if it takes a ton of effort to redeem rewards or you can only redeem rewards in a couple of ways, a card may be more trouble than it’s worth. 

As such, we rate each card’s flexibility based on the restrictions it imposes on earning and redeeming rewards. We factor this rating into a card’s overall score and consider it when deciding on a card’s inclusion in our list. 

Flexibility factors include whether a card only allows you to earn a high rewards rate on only a small amount of spending or requires you to meet a certain earning threshold before you can redeem rewards. We also examine whether your points are worth less when you opt for some redemption options over others and whether a card gives you the flexibility to transfer rewards to travel partners.

Valuable perks

We also score each card’s set of features – its perks and benefits — against five tiers of features to provide a rating. 

We break down these tiers as follows:

  • Tier 1 includes fewer features than even standard credit cards (for example, an ultra-streamlined card that offers basic utility and next to nothing in the way of ancillary benefits). 
  • Tier 2 includes the benefits you’d expect on standard Visa or Mastercard credit cards, such as free access to your credit score, car rental insurance and $0 liability for fraudulent charges. 
  • Tier 3 includes “prime card” or better-than-average card features like cellphone insurance, lost luggage insurance, concierge services and purchase protection. 
  • Tier 4 includes luxury features such as airport lounge access, elite status with an airline or hotel and credits for expedited security screening membership programs. 
  • Tier 5 includes the sort of exemplary benefits you’ll find on top-tier luxury cards, such as high-value travel credits, cardholder memberships and other unique and valuable perks.

In evaluating the best cards, we tend to favor cards that offer at least Tier 3 benefits, unless they include other unique features that could make up for less-impressive perks.

Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email , find us on Facebook , or Tweet us @Bankrate .

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

*The information about the Chase Freedom Flex and the Aspire Mastercard has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

Frequently asked questions about cash back credit cards

Should i get a cash back card or a travel card.

The right credit card for you will depend on your spending habits and the perks that matter most to you. Travel cards are great for people who know they want to redeem rewards for travel expenses like airline and hotel bookings. Travel cards also make sense if you want perks like hotel or airline elite status, free checked bags , free hotel stays or airport lounge access. But even some of the best travel credit cards for beginners charge an annual fee, and the fee for premium travel cards that offer luxury perks can be quite high. Cash back cards can be simpler to use and offer more flexibility in how you can earn and redeem rewards, with some allowing you to use rewards for cash back, travel spending and more. If you don’t travel often enough to justify an annual fee or want more redemption flexibility, a cash back card may be better for travel .

Do cash back cards actually give you cash?

You may not receive cold, hard cash, but issuers offer redemption options like a direct deposit into a checking account, mailed checks, statement credits or gift cards.

Perhaps the closest you can get to redeeming rewards for physical cash is through a Wells Fargo card that allows you to redeem for cash withdrawals at eligible ATMs.

Is cash back from a credit card taxable?

Does cash back expire, should i save up cash back rewards.

It depends on how you plan to redeem your rewards. If you plan to deposit your cash rewards into a high-yield savings account, it's best to redeem often so that you don't lose out on interest. However, if you prefer to use your rewards for travel, you might save up your rewards to help cut future travel costs. In fact, your cash back might be worth more if you redeem through an issuer's travel portal , like Chase Ultimate Rewards. To maximize your earnings, check your issuer's redemption options and be strategic in how and when you redeem. 

Are cash back credit cards worth it?

Yes, a cash back credit card is flexible and valuable enough to be worth a spot in most wallets. However, there are a few cash back credit card alternatives that might be just as valuable depending on your needs. Here’s a few alternatives and how they may differ.

  • Cash back vs. rewards credit cards : A rewards credit card earns points or miles instead of cash back. You can redeem these points in various ways, including gift cards, travel and statement credits, which can grant them even more flexibility than a cash back card. A few point-based rewards programs let you redeem for cash back at an equal value and still allow you to maximize your points’ travel value with transfer partners. 
  • Cash back vs. travel credit cards : Travel credit cards typically earn miles instead of cash back, and are best if you want to redeem your rewards for flights and hotel stays. However, travel miles often lose value when redeemed toward cash back. Frequent travelers can take advantage of a travel card’s additional benefits to cut down on travel costs. You can choose from general travel credit cards, airline credit cards and hotel credit cards .

Ask the experts: How do you maximize flat-rate and rotating category cash back cards?

how to buy travel gift cards

Erica Sandberg

how to buy travel gift cards

Stephanie Zito

how to buy travel gift cards

Thomas Nitzsche

how to buy travel gift cards

Contributor, Credit Cards

Flat-rate cards do not require any pre-planning, which is great. You buy what you buy and earn cash back at the same rate for everything. To make the most of cash back cards that have rotating categories, however, you have to pay a bit more attention. Quite a few cards offer 5 percent back when you make purchases at places like grocery stores, gas stations, big box retailers, and more, but you’ll need to plan out where and when to shop to take full advantage. For example, if a card offers 5 percent cash back at Amazon in Q4, you may consider doing most of your holiday shopping through that site.

how to buy travel gift cards

Contributor, Personal Finance

I like to have both a flat-rate and rotating cash back card in my wallet — particularly a flat-rate card that earns at a higher rate (usually 1.5X-2X) than the base rate of the rotating category card. I maximize this duo by making purchases in the card’s rotating categories as much as possible, and when my purchase isn’t in one of these 3X-5X rotating categories, I use my flat rate card to capture the higher rate.

how to buy travel gift cards

Financial Educator, Debt and Credit

I have found the most difficult part of maximizing rotating category cash-back cards is keeping track of which categories are currently earning bonus cash back. Setting reminders and keeping a rewards calendar helps, especially if you have multiple cards of each type. Of course, you also want to make sure you are putting the right expense on the right card to maximize the rewards.

Article sources

We use primary sources to support our work. Bankrate’s authors, reporters and editors are subject-matter experts who thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate, timely and relevant.

Capital One to Acquire Discover . Capital One. Accessed on May 21, 2024.

Congressional Democrats urge U.S. to block Capital One-Discover deal . The Washington Post. Accessed on May 21, 2024.

“ Consumer Expenditures 2022 ” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed on May 21, 2024.

* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.

IMAGES

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  2. The Next Big Things in Traveling: Where Can You Buy A Travel Gift Card

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