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Cash back credit cards are often favorites because of their simplicity. Unlike with many points and miles rewards programs, you can use cash for just about anything you want. Cash back cards also tend to be inexpensive, with very few charging annual fees.
But like other types of rewards cards, they're not all created equally. If you're in the market for a new card and you're considering one that provides cash back on your purchases, here are some excellent choices to help you get started on your search.
1 Partner Offers
| Our Top Picks for Best Cash Back Cards | |
|---|---|
 Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® | 5% cash back on Walmart.com including pick up and delivery |
Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®
If you're a regular Walmart customer, it'll be difficult to find a reason not to have the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®. The card offers 5% cash back on Walmart.com purchases, including pickup and delivery; 2% back when you shop in Walmart stores, at Murphy USA and Walmart® fuel stations, as well as on travel and restaurant purchases; and 1% back everywhere else Mastercard is accepted.
Instead of offering a traditional welcome bonus, the card gives you 5% cash back on purchases made in Walmart stores for the first 12 months from account opening when you use the card via Walmart Pay.
Also, because it's a Capital One credit card, there is no foreign transaction fee, making it a solid choice to bring with you on a trip abroad—many cash back cards charge up to 3% on each international transaction. The card doesn't offer an introductory 0% APR promotion, but like the others on our list, it charges no annual fee. It's also available to people with fair credit.
Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®
on Capital One's website
Recommended FICO® Score*
Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®
APR
17.99% or 29.49% (Variable)
Intro APR
Rewards
5% Cash Back at Walmart.com, including Pickup and Delivery, 2% Cash Back at restaurants and on travel, 2% Cash Back in Walmart® stores, Murphy USA and Walmart® fuel stations, 1% cash back everywhere else Mastercard® is accepted
2% Cash Back on Restaurants & Travel
2% Cash Back on Walmart In-store Purchases
1% Cash Back on All Other Purchases
Annual Fee
$0
Card Details
- 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, and 1% cash back on all other purchases everywhere else Mastercard® is accepted
- Introductory offer: Earn 5% cash back on purchases in Walmart® stores for the first 12 months when you use your card with Walmart Pay
- Redeem rewards for cash back, statement credits, purchases on Walmart.com, travel and gift cards
- $0 annual fee
- Fraud Coverage - You're covered by $0 Fraud Liability if your card is ever lost or stolen
- No foreign transaction fees
- Cash Advance APR: 29.49% variable APR. Cash Advance Fee: Either $3 or 3% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater. Transfer Fee: No Transfer Fee at Transfer APR.
How to Decide Which Card Is Right for You
There are several things to keep in mind as you shop around for a credit card. The first is that there is no single best credit card out there for everyone. While many have some strong rewards and perks, these cards differ just enough that the right one for you comes down to your own preferences.
For example, would you prefer the simplicity of a flat rewards rate, or do you want to maximize your rewards through rotating bonus cash back? Also, do you want an upfront cash bonus, or do you care more about long-term value?
It's also important to think about your spending habits. Even if you prefer simplicity, if you opt for a card that offers higher rewards on purchases in one of your top spending categories, you'll be able to maximize your rewards more quickly.
Finally, your credit score is an important factor in determining whether you'll be approved for a credit card in the first place. Most top cash back credit cards require good or excellent credit, but some solid options are also available for fair- and poor-credit consumers.
Take your time to consider your situation, credit score and goals to determine which cash back credit card belongs in your wallet.
How Do Cash Back Credit Cards Work?
Cash back credit cards offer straight cash every time you make an eligible purchase. Depending on the card, the rewards can be flat-rate, tiered or rotating.
When it's time to redeem your rewards, you may have a lot of options or just a few—again, terms can vary quite a bit with different credit cards. However, here are some redemption options you should watch for as you shop around:
- Direct deposit
- Statement credit
- Paper check
- Gift cards
- Travel
- Charitable donations
- Merchandise
Depending on your preferences, pick the card that best aligns with how you want to spend your rewards.
How to Maximize Cash Back Rewards
Maximizing your cash back rewards can be easy with the right approach. Here are some tips to help you get started with your strategy:
- Meet the minimum spend requirement to earn the card's sign-up bonus.
- Use your card for everything that doesn't charge extra to use credit—as long as you can pay off your purchases each month.
- Open multiple credit card accounts that complement each other's rewards rates, so you can earn more on your top spending categories.
- Pay your bills on time and in full every month to avoid credit score damage and interest charges.
- Avoid redemption options that give you less value than others—merchandise, for instance, usually doesn't offer much.
Prepare Your Credit for Your Next Credit Card
Even if you've determined a certain card is the best for you based on your spending habits and preferences, it's not worth applying if your credit isn't good enough to get approved.
Check your credit score to get an idea of where you stand. Again, most of the top cash back credit cards are designed for people with good credit or better—that starts at a FICO® Score☉ of 670 or higher.
If you're not where you need to be, or you're worried about being barely over the line, review your credit report to determine whether you can address any issues directly. While it can take time to build credit, certain actions can improve your credit faster than others.
Finally, consider using a tool like Experian CreditMatch™ to get prequalified for cash back cards based on your credit profile. While it doesn't guarantee approval, it can give you a general idea if you might qualify for a particular card. Also, it uses just a soft credit check, which doesn't hurt your credit score.