Featured Partner Offer
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
On Wells Fargo's Website
3.8
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On Wells Fargo's Website
Unlimited 2% Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Welcome Bonus
$200 Cash Rewards
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR
Credit Score
Excellent, Good(700 - 749)
Editorial Review
The Wells Fargo Active Cash offers an unlimited 2% cash rewards rate on purchases and charges no annual fee. This puts it in competition with the best flat-rate cash back cards on the market.
Pros & Cons
- Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
- $0 annual fee
- Cell phone protection benefit
- There’s a balance transfer fee
- There’s a foreign transaction fee
- No travel transfer partners
Card Details
- 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, then a 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR; 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
- Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at a selection of the world’s most intriguing and prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge
- Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible).
- Select “Apply Now” to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Best Cash Back Credit Cards With No Annual Fee of 2023
Best No-Annual-Fee Cash-Back Card With Rotating Categories
Chase Freedom Flex℠ *
5.0
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
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 throughRead More
Welcome Bonus
$200 bonus
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
20.49% - 29.24% Variable
Credit Score
Excellent, Good(700 - 749)
Why We Picked It
This card has the brawn to handle just about all of your credit card spending needs without an over-inflated price tag. The card has an annual fee of $0, yet comes with a pumped-up earnings structure that covers a wide swath of expenses including travel, drugstores and dining plus rotating quarterly bonus categories in areas many households are likely to find appealing.
Pros & Cons
- No annual fee
- 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 Ultimate Rewards® to earn 5% cash back
Card Details
- Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in categories that rotate quarterly (requires activation), 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores and 1% on all other purchases
- No annual fee
Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Best Flat-Rate No-Annual-Fee Cash-Back Card
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
On Chase Bank USA, NA's Website
4.9
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On Chase Bank USA, NA's Website
Up to 5X Reward Rate
Earn 5% on Chase travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores and 1.5% on all otherRead More
Welcome Bonus
Up to $300 cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
20.49% - 29.24% Variable
Credit Score
Excellent, Good(700 - 749)
Why We Picked It
A good overall spending card that allows you to hold a balance on new purchases with a low introductory APR, pay no annual fee, and still earn at least 1.5% cashback on all purchases
Pros & Cons
- Generous welcome offer for a no-annual-fee card
- Unlimited 1.5% minimum earn rate for cash back rewards
- No minimum redemption amount
- Foreign transaction fee
- Ongoing balance transfer fee is high
- Requires a companion card to transfer points to travel partners
Card Details
- 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 Ultimate Rewards®, 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 Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 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, real-time alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
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 Ultimate Rewards®, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Best No-Annual-Fee Cash-Back Card With Introductory APR
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card *
4.5
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Up to 8% Cash Back
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® andRead More
Welcome Bonus
$200
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Credit Score
Excellent, Good(700 - 749)
Why We Picked It
The Capital One SavorOne card is a perfect cash back credit card for those who spend a lot at restaurants, grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®) and on entertainment. With its 3% cash back rate in those categories, it's a win for socialites that don't want to pay for an annual fee.
Pros & Cons
- No annual fee
- Increased cash back on dining and entertainment
- No foreign transaction fees
- Easy-to-redeem cash back rewards
- Introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers
- High standard rate APR
- Limited cash back reward categories
Card Details
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- 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; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Best Flat-Rate Cash-Back Card With No Annual Fee From Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
On Wells Fargo's Website
3.8
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On Wells Fargo's Website
Unlimited 2% Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Welcome Bonus
$200 Cash Rewards
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR
Credit Score
Excellent, Good(700 - 749)
Why We Picked It
The Wells Fargo Active Cash offers an unlimited 2% cash rewards rate on purchases and charges no annual fee. This puts it in competition with the best flat-rate cash back cards on the market.
Pros & Cons
- Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
- $0 annual fee
- Cell phone protection benefit
- There’s a balance transfer fee
- There’s a foreign transaction fee
- No travel transfer partners
Card Details
- 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, then a 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR; 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
- Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at a selection of the world’s most intriguing and prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge
- Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible).
- Select “Apply Now” to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Best No-Annual-Fee Cash-Back Card With Cash-Back Match
Discover it® Cash Back
On Discover's Website
4.4
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On Discover's Website
Up to 5% Reward Rate
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations,Read More
Welcome Bonus
Cashback Match™
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
Credit Score
Excellent/Good
Why We Picked It
For moderate spenders who are willing to activate the 5% rotating categories and track the quarterly spending cap, this no-annual-fee card can deliver tidy rewards outside of its ongoing 1% earning rate.
Pros & Cons
- 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 cashback redemption
- 5% bonus cashback rate is limited to $1,500 per quarter in spending
- Bonus categories must be activated quarterly
- Low 1% base reward rate on everything else
Card Details
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – 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 each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- 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.
- Every $1 you earn in cash back is $1 you can redeem.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- No annual fee.
- Click through to Discover’s website to see terms and conditions.
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - 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.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Best No-Annual-Fee Cash-Back Card for Balance Transfers
Discover it® Balance Transfer
On Discover's Website
4.1
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On Discover's Website
Up to 5% Reward Rate
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations,Read More
Welcome Bonus
Cashback Match™
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
Credit Score
Good/Excellent(700 - 749)
Why We Picked It
With an extended intro APR runway on balance transfers, this card is a solid choice if you need to pay down a higher-interest card.
Pros & Cons
- Intro APR rate on both purchases and balance transfers
- Earns rewards, which many balance transfer cards don’t offer
- Cashback match for first year’s earnings
- Discover isn’t as widely accepted internationally as other cards
- Other cards may offer a longer balance transfer repayment period
Card Details
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – 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 each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- 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.
- Every $1 you earn in cash back is $1 you can redeem.
- No annual fee.
- Click through to Discover’s website to see terms and conditions.
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - 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.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
FAQs
Best Cash Back Credit Cards With No Annual Fee Of August 2023? ›
Best for rotating categories: Chase Freedom Flex℠
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ card tops our list of the best credit cards offering 5% cash back. This no-annual-fee card will give you the chance to earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 per quarter within rotating categories.
- Chase Freedom Flex℠ ...
- Discover it® Cash Back. ...
- The Target REDcard. ...
- American Express Blue Cash Preferred® ...
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card. ...
- Amazon Prime Signature Rewards Visa Signature Card. ...
- Label your cards. ...
- Keep track of each card's limits.
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best for Flat-rate cash back: High ongoing rate + incentives.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for Bonus rewards: 5%/3% categories + high ongoing rate.
- Featured Partners.
- Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards in Canada for September 2023.
- SimplyCash from American Express.
- The American Express Green Card.
- Scotiabank American Express.
- CIBC Aeroplan Visa.
- Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard.
- Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa.
- Albertson's: you can get $100-$300 with a debit card.
- Food Lion: you can get $200 with a debit card and $50 with a personal check.
- Safeway: you can get $200 with a debit card.
- Save Mart Supermarkets: you can get $200-$300 with a debit card (varies by location).
Best for rotating categories: Chase Freedom Flex℠
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ card tops our list of the best credit cards offering 5% cash back. This no-annual-fee card will give you the chance to earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 per quarter within rotating categories.
The more that you use your cash-back rewards programs, the more money that you stand to earn. There are a few drawbacks to a cash-back rewards card, including a higher-than-usual APR, having to wait to access your cash-back funds, and a cap on how much you can earn each year.
What is the #1 credit card to have? ›| WINNER (Click to read review) | |
|---|---|
| Best premium travel credit card | Chase Sapphire Reserve® |
| Best balance transfer credit card | BankAmericard® credit card |
| Best 0% APR card for purchases | Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card |
The minimum payment mindset
Here's how most people get trapped in credit card debt: You use your card for a purchase you can't afford or want to defer payment, and then you make only the minimum payment that month. Soon, you are in the habit of using your card to purchase things beyond your budget.
The cards with the highest overall credit limits, Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, are points cards, so they win this category as well. A few well-heeled applicants will qualify for six-figure limits, but most will qualify for limits closer to the $5,000 to $10,000 minimum.
Is it better to get a credit card with no annual fee? ›
Having a no-annual-fee card can help you earn more points, improve your credit and save on interest fees. Credit cards are an excellent way to build credit and get rewarded for everyday spending. Many of the “best” credit cards offer perks and benefits in exchange for annual fees that can go as high as $695 per year.
Which credit card is best and free for lifetime? ›- Bank of Baroda (BoB) Prime Credit Card.
- ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card.
- HSBC Visa Platinum Credit card.
- HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card.
- Axis Bank ACE Credit Card.
- SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card.
- American Express Membership Rewards® Credit Card.
Personal loans usually have lower interest rates (unless you have poor credit) than credit cards, making it a better choice if you need a few years to pay off the debt. You can usually get the money you need quickly. You'll get a fixed rate and a set monthly payment for the life of the loan.
What is the smartest way to use cash back? ›- Redeem your cash back for a statement credit. ...
- Use it to offset a large purchase. ...
- Redeem your cash back as a check or direct deposit.
That said, most stores limit cash back amounts to $50 or less – but there are a few notable exceptions. Farm Fresh, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Ralphs, Safeway, ShopRite, SuperValu, and Vons all offer up to $200 cash back with a debit card.
Is cash back the best option? ›With a few exceptions, such as cards that pay extra-high rewards rates in certain categories, cash back cards don't usually charge annual fees. Because of that, however, they lack the kinds of perks (including lavish sign-up bonuses) that you'll typically find on travel rewards cards with a fee.
How do you get 5% cash back at Walmart? ›Earn Even More In-Store with Walmart Pay
Earn 5% cash back on in-store purchases for the first 12 months after approval when you use your Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card with Walmart Pay.
You can receive cash back at Walmart registers and self-checkout stations up to three times per day. While there may be varying limits based on your payment method, you can generally choose to receive between $20 and $100 in $20 increments. Therefore, you can choose to get $20, $40, $60, $80 or $100.
How does Walmart 5 cash back work? ›The credit cards that give 5% cash back at Walmart are the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® and the Walmart® Store Card. The Mastercard gives 5% cash back on Walmart.com and Walmart mobile app purchases, including pickup and delivery, while the store card gives 5 points / $1 spent on those same purchases.
Is 5% cash back worth it? ›A 5% cash back credit card is definitely worth it if your spending habits line up with the card's bonus categories. However, if the bulk of your spending is in categories that don't earn a bonus, you're likely better off opening a card that earns a flat rate of rewards on everything.