Top Cash Back Credit Cards

July 15, 2008 · Filed Under Credit Card bonuses 

verybody has a favorite credit card reward program such as  Citi’s Thank You Rewards Network, AmEx’s Starwood Starpoints, Delta Skymiles, etc. Nowaday, companies have cut back on the cash back and more in favor of reward point usage. Then there are some who just want straight up cash back at the end of the month. Many people don’t want to deal with points and gift cards, but instead prefer to stick with cash back cards. They like the convenience of using the cash back toward their balance or their savings account.

Cash Back Cards Are Simple And Straighforward

Before, I don’t mind using my Citi cards to earn Thank You points. It takes up a lot of time and the headache of cashing out for gift cards. I prefer to use Thank You points to pay off my student loans and get airplane ticket for my points. The process requires me to count my points and make sure they don’t expire.

People with time and enjoy counting up the points would prefer reward programs over cash back programs. Even though the higher returns of reward programs, some people find the redemption procedure of reward cards to be troublesome. I am in that group and would like the simplicity of automatic cash back credit.

There is very little hassle with cash back credit cards. The cash back automatically go toward your statement or a check sent to your address. Most cash back reward programs are automated. Below is a list of the best cash back programs from some major credit card issuers. All cards have no annual fee. I recommend to have two or three cash back cards to get the most out of your spending.

The Top Cash Back Reward Credit Cards:

  1. Blue Cash From American Express - Get 5% cash back for everyday purchases and 1.5% cash back for everything else after spending $6,500 in purchases.  For some people who has no trouble of getting to the $6500 in spending, this card gives a higher return that the Chase freedom.
  2. Citi Cash Returns Card - You will get 1.2% cash back on all purchases for the first 12 months since it offers an additional 20% cash back bonus on the rewards.  After the first year, it is 1% cash back for all purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers. Use this card for purchases not in special categories such as supermarkets, gas, and dining out.
  3. Discover More Card - Earn up to 5% cash back throughout the year with special categories. It changes from groceries, travel to home, gas, and apparel. This is a good second card since you get 5% cash back on categories you might not get from other cards. Everything else is 1% cash back.

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Comments

6 Responses to “Top Cash Back Credit Cards”

  1. Johan Ericsson on July 15th, 2008 11:03 pm

    Also, don’t forget to consider the 1.5% Fidelity card…

  2. Tim on July 16th, 2008 9:59 am

    Also excellent is the Countrywide Visa, which gives 2% into your Countrywide SavingsLink account.

  3. RacerX on July 16th, 2008 10:57 am

    That Freedom card look interesting. Especially if there is no annual on it!

  4. David on July 16th, 2008 12:02 pm

    Capital One offered me 1.25% on purchases. They give you 1% immediately and the .25% at the end of the year. Best of all, you don’t need to wait until you spent $2500 or $5000 like in Countrywide and Fidelity. A rep suggested this to me, I am not sure if it is advertized anywhere. So ask for the extra .25% if you already have their no hassle cash card (each month, before you pay, you deduct it from the amount you owe).

  5. Gregg on July 16th, 2008 1:09 pm

    Off topic, just a general question regarding the Sharebuilder accounts. Do you need to use different e-mail addresses? Say I wanted to do a few of them, or possibly reuse ones already used, can you do it with a different e-mail address, or personal mailing address? Any advice on that would be greatly appreciated!

  6. Hu$tler on July 16th, 2008 2:02 pm

    I used the same email with all my Sharebuilder accounts. It doesn’t hurt to use diff email and mailing address if you are going to open more. I’m not sure if it makes any difference since you still need a social security number. I suggest to spread them out as in 1 every other month.

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