MagnifyMoney keeps a database of over 2,000 credit cards and their features, including cash back cards you can compare with our tool. We used it to find the absolute highest cash back rewards you can earn in each spending category, more than the standard 1-2% you usually see.
In our analysis, there are over 25 categories where you can earn 3% or more in pure cash back on your credit card purchases.
Scroll down and you’ll find links to the best cash back credit cards that earn more than 2% cash back in special categories. These are cards that let you get pure cash value, not complicated points that can be used only for travel.
Before you dig into categories, every cash rewards wallet should have one of these cards, with double cash back on everything you spend and $0 annual fee:
The information related to Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.
Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer
- Annual fee
- $0
- Rewards Rate
- Earn 2% cash back on purchases: 1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay.
- Regular Purchase APR
- 15.99%– 25.99% (Variable)
Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Card
- Annual fee
- $0
- Rewards Rate
- Unlimited 2% cash back on everyday purchases.
- Regular Purchase APR
- 15.99% Variable
Once you have one of these, you can add other cards that earn more than 2% in special categories to really boost your cash rewards.
The best cash back credit cards with no limit rewards
Maybe you don’t want to mess with rotating categories or remembering limits on cash back. If that’s you, there are only a handful of cards that you need to carry to get the most in totally unlimited cash back.
As you’ll learn below, you may be leaving about $500 a year or more on the table by not holding at least some of these cards.
They are all no annual fee cards, and they ensure you will earn more than 2% cash back on your total spending with absolutely no limits. Some cards have higher cash back rates with limits, and you can see those below this list in our review of cards for each category.
Airfare – 3%
The information related to Uber Visa Card has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.
Uber Visa Card
- Annual fee
- $0
- Rewards Rate
- 4% back on dining, including UberEats, 3% back on hotel and airfare, 2% back for online purchases, Uber and music streaming services, and 1% on everything else.
- Regular Purchase APR
- 17.74% - 28.49% Variable
The Uber Visa Card earns 4% back on dining, including UberEats, 3% back on hotel and airfare, 2% back for online purchases, Uber and music streaming services, and 1% on everything else. The foreign transaction fee is 0% of each transaction in U.S. dollars. So it’s great if you travel outside the U.S.
Travel – 3 points
The AAA Member Rewards Visa Signature® Card offers 3 points for eligible travel & AAA purchases, 2 points on gas, grocery store, wholesale club and drugstore purchases, and 1 point per $1 everywhere else. You don’t have to be a AAA member to get the card.
The information related to AAA Member Rewards Visa Signature® Card has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.
U.S. Supermarkets – up to 6% (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%)
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Regular Purchase APR
- 14.99%-25.99% Variable
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% for 12 months
- Intro BT APR
- 0% for 12 months
- Annual fee
- $95
- Rewards Rate
- NEW 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions & 3% Cash Back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers the highest rate we could find for U.S. supermarket shopping: NEW 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions & 3% Cash Back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more This card does have a $95 annual fee, but if you spend $1,584 a year at U.S. supermarkets, you’d earn enough cash back to recoup the annual fee.
Gas – 5%
Fort Knox Federal Credit Union Visa® Platinum Card
- Annual fee
- $0
- Rewards Rate
- Unlimited 5% cash back on gas and 1% cash back on all retail purchases.
- Regular Purchase APR
- 11.50% - 18.00% Variable
You might not have heard of this credit union, but anyone can join. You just need to pay $5 to join the American Consumer Council / Kentucky and you’re eligible.
Another option includes the Sams Club® Mastercard® with a maximum of $5,000 cash back per calendar year and offers 5% cash back on gas (on first $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), 3% on dining and travel, and 1% on other purchases. You need to be a Sam’s Club member to hold the card.
Dining – 4%
The information related to Uber Visa Card has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.
Uber Visa Card
- Annual fee
- $0
- Rewards Rate
- 4% back on dining, including UberEats, 3% back on hotel and airfare, 2% back for online purchases, Uber and music streaming services, and 1% on everything else.
- Regular Purchase APR
- 17.74% - 28.49% Variable
This card earns 4% back on dining, including UberEats, 3% back on hotel and airfare, 2% back for online purchases, Uber and music streaming services, and 1% on everything else.
Everything else: Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Card
If you’re willing to pay an annual fee, the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Card card earns Unlimited 3% cash back during the first year; 2.5% cash back afterwards. There is a $99 annual fee, waived the first year. Alliant is targeting this card to high spenders with excellent credit, so it might be tough to get approved.
Just mark each of the cards you pick in your wallet with a sticker for each category so you remember which to use, and you’ll rack up lots of cash with minimal hassle. And afraid to have more than one card? Well if you’re responsible with credit, a few additional inquiries might have less of an impact than you think. See our experience with scores and getting several cards for the rewards.
For unlimited retailer-specific discounts, also consider:
- Amazon Prime Rewards Visa® Signature Card* – Earn 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with eligible Prime membership, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, and 1% back on all other purchases.
- Target REDcard™ Credit Card – 5% – Target
If you want to maximize absolutely everything, read on…
We’ve organized cash back cards for each of the over 25 spending categories that are currently eligible for 2% or more in cash back rewards. They include both year-round and quarterly rotating categories, like those of the Discover it® Cash Back.
Pick the categories that matter most to you, and you’ll see the opportunities you have to earn 2-5% if you’re willing to keep track of some limits and quarterly changes.
Remember, these are all cards that let you earn cash value rewards, with no restriction on where you spend the rewards, unlike travel points.
- Advertising Services
- Airfare
- Amazon.com
- Bookstores
- Car Rentals
- Cell Phone
- Clothing Stores
- Commuting, Taxis
- Department Stores
- Discount Stores
- Drug Stores
- Education
- Electronics
- Furniture
- Gas
- Grocery Stores
- Gyms
- Home Improvement
- Hotels
- Movie Theaters
- Office Supply Stores
- Restaurants
- Shipping
- Sporting Goods Stores
- Target
- Trains, Cruises, Other Vacation
- Utilities
- Walmart
- Warehouse Clubs
You’ll find three flavors of cash back rewards, in the order of hassle factor:
- Unlimited cash back – This is the simplest form. You usually won’t find the very highest 5%+ rewards this way, but we’ve found some great cards that get you 3% or more in some popular categories.
- Cash back with limits – This is where a card limits the cash back you earn by putting a cap on the spending which earns the cash back in the specific category, on a combination of categories, or the card as a whole.
- Quarterly rotating categories – These are the cards with the big headline 5% rates. Don’t be fooled. While you can earn the 5% rate, you may have to opt in to categories each quarter manually and be hit with caps on how much you can earn.
Advertising Services
With Limits
2%: Blue Business CashTM Card from American Express – Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%.
Airfare
Unlimited
- 3%: Uber Visa Card*
- 3%: AAA Member Rewards Visa Signature® Card*
- 3%: Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi* (need to be a Costco member)
- 3%: Visa Rewards Credit Card from InFirst FCU – (no annual fee – can join FAPAC at a reduced rate of $10, using discount code INFIRST)
With limits
- 3%: Huntington Voice Credit Card® – 3X points in one of 10 categories (capped at $2,000 each quarter or 6000 points), and all other purchases earn 1X points.
Quarterly category in September 2019
- 5%: Visa® Platinum Cash Rewards credit card from Nusenda Credit Union – Oct. – Dec. September 2019 – up to $1,500 – Anyone can join the Nusenda Credit Union (formerly the New Mexico Educators Credit Union) by becoming a member of the La Montanita Food Co-op.
Amazon.com
Unlimited
- 5%: Amazon Prime Rewards Visa® Signature Card* (Prime members only)
- 3%: Amazon Rewards Visa® Signature Card*
Quarterly category in September 2019
- 5%: Discover it® Cash Back – up to $1,500 when you activate – Oct. – Dec. September 2019
Bookstores
With limits
- 5%: U.S. Bank Cash+* up to $2,000 / quarter across two 5% categories you choose
Car Rentals
Unlimited
- 3%: AAA Member Rewards Visa Signature® Card*
- 3%: Citi Premier℠ Card* ($95)
With limits
- 5%: U.S. Bank Cash+ up to $2,000 / quarter across two 5% categories you choose
- 3%: Huntington Voice Credit Card® – 3X points in one of 10 categories (capped at $2,000 each quarter or 6000 points), and all other purchases earn 1X points.
- 3%: Visa Rewards Credit Card from InFirst FCU (no annual fee -join FAPAC at a reduced rate of $10 using discount code INFIRST)
Cell phone
With limits
- 5%: U.S. Bank Cash+ up to $2,000 / quarter across two 5% categories you choose
- 5%: SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express – up to $50,000 in bonus purchases a year. Terms Apply.
Cellular Phone / Landline / Internet / Cable TV
- 5%: Ink Business CashSM Credit Card* – up to $50,000 in bonus purchases a year
Clothing Stores
With limits
- 5%: U.S. Bank Cash+* up to $2,000 / quarter across two 5% categories you choose
- 3%: Huntington Voice Credit Card® – 3X points in one of 10 categories (capped at $2,000 each quarter or 6000 points), and all other purchases earn 1X points.
Commuting, Taxis
Unlimited
- 3%: Citi Premier℠ Card* ($95)
Department Stores
Select U.S. department stores. See the list here.
- 3%: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express ( $95 annual fee). See Rates & Fees.
With limits
- 5%: U.S. Bank Cash+* up to $2,000 / quarter across two 5% categories you choose
- 3%: Huntington Voice Credit Card® – 3X points in one of 10 categories (capped at $2,000 each quarter or 6000 points), and all other purchases earn 1X points.
Discount stores
With limits
- 3%: Huntington Voice Credit Card® – 3X points in one of 10 categories (capped at $2,000 each quarter or 6000 points), and all other purchases earn 1X points.
Drug stores
With limits
- 3%: Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card - $200 Cash Rewards Offer* – 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, 1% on all other purchases
- 3%: Huntington Voice Credit Card® – 3X points in one of 10 categories (capped at $2,000 each quarter or 6000 points), and all other purchases earn 1X points.
Education
Quarterly category in September 2019
- 5%: Visa® Platinum Cash Rewards credit card from Nusenda Credit Union – July – Sept. 2019 – up to $1,500 – Anyone can join the Nusenda Credit Union (formerly the New Mexico Educators Credit Union) by becoming a member of the La Montanita Food Co-op.
Electronics
With limits
- 5%: U.S. Bank Cash+* up to $2,000 / quarter across two 5% categories you choose
- 3%: Huntington Voice Credit Card®* – 3X points in one of 10 categories (capped at $2,000 each quarter or 6000 points), and all other purchases earn 1X points.
Furniture
With Limits
- 5%: U.S. Bank Cash+ up to $2,000 / quarter across two 5% categories you choose
- 3%: Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card - $200 Cash Rewards Offer – 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, 1% on all other purchases
Gas
Unlimited
- 5%: Fort Knox Federal Credit Union Visa® Platinum Card (anyone can join the credit union by becoming a member of the American Consumer Council for $5)
- 4.25%: PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card (anyone can become a member of PenFed paying a one time dues to Voices for America’s Troops for $14 or National Military Family Association for $15)
- 4%: Visa Rewards Credit Card from InFirst FCU (no annual fee – can join FAPAC at a reduced rate of $10 using discount code INFIRST)
- 3-5%: PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card
- 3%: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express ( $95 annual fee). See Rates & Fees.
- 3%: AARP® Credit Card from Chase Bank*
- 3%: The Farmers® Rewards Visa® Card from Comenity Bank
- 3%: Coastal Credit Union, Apple Credit Union, Vystar, and several other credit unions
- 3%: Citi Premier℠ Card* ($95)
- 2.5%: PayPal Extras MasterCard®* – 3x points, but they are worth 0.8 cents when turned into PayPal credits
With limits
- 5%: USAA Cashback Rewards Plus – up to $3,000 a year in purchases
- 5%: Sams Club® Mastercard® – up to $6,000 cash back a year
- 4%: Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi* – for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
- 3%: U.S. Pride® Cash Rewards® credit card from Bank of America* – on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter
- 3%: Huntington Voice Credit Card® – up to $2,000 in spending a quarter in one category of your choice
- 3%: Berkshire Bank Cash Rewards American Express® Card*, Eastern Bank Cash Rewards American Express® Card*, Johnson Bank Cash Rewards American Express®*, NBT Bank Cash Rewards American Express® Card* – up to $6,000 in spend
- 3%: Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card - $200 Cash Rewards Offer* – on the first $2,500 in combined grocery/wholesale club/gas purchases each quarter
Quarterly category in September 2019
- 5%: Chase Freedom® – up to $1,500 when you activate – July – Sept. 2019
- 5%: Visa® Platinum Cash Rewards credit card from Nusenda Credit Union – July – Sept. 2019 – up to $1,500
The information related to Chase Freedom® has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.
Supermarket Spending
Unlimited
- 5%: Amazon Prime Rewards Visa® Signature Card* – Earn 5% at Whole Foods Market
- 3%: Amazon Rewards Visa® Signature Card* – Earn 3% at Whole Foods Market
- 2.55%: PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card
- 3%: Golden 1 Platinum Rewards (only available to California residents)
With limits
- 6%: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express – Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%). Terms apply.
- 3%: Consumers Credit Union Visa Signature Cash Rebate – up to $6,000 rebate per year – anyone can become a member of the credit union
- 3%: Huntington Voice Credit Card® – up to $2,000 a quarter
- 3%: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express* – Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%). Terms apply.
Home Improvement
No limits
With limits
- 3%: Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card - $200 Cash Rewards Offer* – 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, 1% on all other purchases
- 3%: Huntington Voice Credit Card® – up to $2,000 in spending a quarter in one category of your choice
Hotels
Unlimited
- 3%: Uber Visa Card*
- 3%: AAA Member Rewards Visa Signature® Card*
- 3%: Citi Premier℠ Card* ($95)
- 3%: Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi* (need to be a Costco member)
- 3%: Visa Rewards Credit Card from InFirst FCU (no annual fee – can join FAPAC at a reduced rate of $10 using discount code INFIRST)
- 3%: Sams Club® Mastercard®
With limits
- 3%: Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card - $200 Cash Rewards Offer* – 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, 1% on all other purchases
- 3%: Huntington Voice Credit Card® – up to $2,000 in spending a quarter in one category of your choice
Quarterly category in September 2019
- 5% – Visa® Platinum Cash Rewards credit card from Nusenda Credit Union – Oct – Dec September 2019 – up to $1,500
Movie Theaters
With Limits
- 5%: U.S. Bank Cash+* up to $2,000 / quarter across two 5% categories you choose
Quarterly category in September 2019
- 5%: Visa® Platinum Cash Rewards credit card from Nusenda Credit Union – April – June September 2019 – up to $1,500
Office Supply Stores
With limits
- 5%: SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express* – up to $25,000 in bonus purchases. Terms Apply.
- 5%: Ink Business CashSM Credit Card* – up to $50,000 in bonus purchases a year
- 3%: Huntington Voice Credit Card® – up to $2,000 in spending a quarter in one category of your choice
Restaurants
Unlimited
- 4%: Uber Visa Card*
- 3%: AARP® Credit Card from Chase Bank*
- 3%: Sams Club® Mastercard®
- 3%: Marvel Mastercard®*
- 3%: Golden 1 Platinum Rewards (California residents only)
- 3%: Navy Federal GoRewards (You needent to have military affiliation to be a Navy Federal member.)
- 3%: Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi* (need to be a Costco member)
- 3%: Visa Rewards Credit Card from InFirst FCU (no annual fee – can join FAPAC at a reduced rate of only $10 using discount code INFIRST)
- 2.5%: PayPal Extras MasterCard®( (3x card but points worth 0.8 cents when you turn them into PayPal credits)
With Limits
- 3%: Huntington Voice Credit Card® – up to $2,000 in spending a quarter in one category of your choice
Quarterly category in September 2019
- 5%: Discover it® Cash Back – up to $1,500 when you activate – July – Sept. September 2019
- 5%: Visa® Platinum Cash Rewards credit card from Nusenda Credit Union – April – June & Oct – Dec September 2019 – up to $1,500
Shipping
- 3%: SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express* – up to $25,000 in purchases in bonus categories. Terms Apply.
Sporting Goods Stores
With limits
- 5%: U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card* up to $2,000 / quarter across two 5% categories you choose
- 3%: Huntington Voice Credit Card® – up to $2,000 a quarter
Target
Unlimited
- 5%: Target REDcard™ Credit Card
- 5%: Discover it® Cash Back – up to $1,500 when you activate – Oct. – Dec. 2019
Trains, Cruises, Other Vacation
Unlimited
- 3%: AAA Member Rewards Visa Signature® Card*
- 3%: Citi Premier℠ Card* ($95)
- 3%: Visa Rewards Credit Card from InFirst FCU (no annual fee – can join FAPAC at a reduced rate of $10, using discount code INFIRST)
- 3%: Sams Club® Mastercard®
With limits
- 3%: Huntington Voice Credit Card® – up to $2,000 in spending a quarter in one category of your choice
Utilities
- 3%: Huntington Voice Credit Card® – up to $2,000 in spending a quarter in one category of your choice
Walmart
- 3%: Huntington Voice Credit Card® – up to $2,000 in spending a quarter in one category of your choice
- 5%: Discover it® Cash Back – up to $1,500 when you activate – Oct. – Dec. 2019
Warehouse Clubs
- 2%: Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi* – at Costco warehouse clubs
- 2%: Visa Rewards Credit Card from InFirst FCU (no annual fee – can join FAPAC at a reduced rate of $10, using discount code INFIRST)
*The information related to this offer has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. These offers and/or promotions may have since changed, expired, or are no longer available.
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