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Best Credit Cards in USA for Cashback and Rewards 2025

Credit cards are no longer just a convenient way to pay—they’ve become powerful financial tools for saving money and earning rewards. In 2025, American consumers have access to hundreds of credit cards offering cashback, points, miles, and exclusive perks. But with so many options, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming.

That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide to the best credit cards in USA for cashback and rewards in 2025. Whether you want to maximize everyday spending, earn travel perks, or simply get more cash back at the gas pump, this article will help you find the perfect card.


Why Choose a Cashback and Rewards Credit Card?

Unlike basic credit cards, cashback and rewards cards let you earn something in return every time you swipe. The benefits include:

  • Cashback savings on groceries, fuel, dining, and shopping.

  • Reward points that can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, or merchandise.

  • Travel perks such as lounge access, free checked bags, and priority boarding.

  • Introductory offers like 0% APR or sign-up bonuses worth hundreds of dollars.

The right card depends on your lifestyle. For example:

  • If you travel frequently, a travel rewards card may be ideal.

  • If you spend more on groceries and gas, a cashback card offers better value.

  • If you’re looking to build credit, a no-annual-fee cashback card is a smart option.


Best Credit Cards in USA for Cashback and Rewards in 2025

Here’s a detailed look at some of the top-performing credit cards in 2025.


1. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

  • Best for: Everyday cashback with no rotating categories.

  • Rewards:

    • 1.5% cashback on all purchases.

    • 3% cashback on dining and drugstore purchases.

    • 5% cashback on travel booked via Chase Ultimate Rewards.

  • Sign-up Bonus: $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months.

  • Annual Fee: $0.

  • Why It’s Great: Perfect for people who want consistent rewards without tracking categories.


2. Citi® Double Cash Card

  • Best for: Flat-rate cashback on everything.

  • Rewards:

    • 1% cashback when you buy.

    • 1% cashback when you pay your bill.

    • Effectively 2% unlimited cashback.

  • Annual Fee: $0.

  • Why It’s Great: One of the simplest and most rewarding flat-rate cashback cards in the USA.


3. American Express® Gold Card

  • Best for: Foodies and travelers.

  • Rewards:

    • 4X Membership Rewards® points on restaurants worldwide.

    • 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year).

    • 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel.

  • Annual Fee: $250.

  • Why It’s Great: High earn rates on food and travel, plus valuable Amex offers.


4. Discover it® Cash Back

  • Best for: Rotating categories.

  • Rewards:

    • 5% cashback on quarterly rotating categories (up to $1,500).

    • 1% unlimited cashback on other purchases.

    • Cashback Match at the end of the first year (all cashback doubled).

  • Annual Fee: $0.

  • Why It’s Great: Exceptional for maximizing specific categories like groceries, fuel, and online shopping.


5. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

  • Best for: Entertainment and dining.

  • Rewards:

    • 3% cashback on dining, entertainment, streaming services, and grocery stores.

    • 1% cashback on all other purchases.

  • Annual Fee: $0.

  • Why It’s Great: A fantastic card for those who love going out, watching movies, or dining out.


6. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

  • Best for: Travel rewards and flexibility.

  • Rewards:

    • 2X points on travel and dining.

    • 5X points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

    • Points worth 25% more when redeemed for travel.

  • Sign-up Bonus: 60,000 points (worth $750 in travel).

  • Annual Fee: $95.

  • Why It’s Great: A solid travel rewards card with a generous bonus and flexible redemption options.


7. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

  • Best for: Families and household expenses.

  • Rewards:

    • 6% cashback at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year).

    • 6% cashback on U.S. streaming subscriptions.

    • 3% cashback on transit and gas.

  • Annual Fee: $95.

  • Why It’s Great: Families can save significantly on groceries and streaming.


8. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

  • Best for: Unlimited cashback without annual fee.

  • Rewards:

    • 2% unlimited cashback on all purchases.

  • Annual Fee: $0.

  • Why It’s Great: A direct competitor to Citi Double Cash with simple, flat-rate rewards.


9. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

  • Best for: Flexible cashback categories.

  • Rewards:

    • 3% cashback in a category of your choice (fuel, online shopping, dining, travel, etc.).

    • 2% cashback at grocery stores and wholesale clubs.

    • 1% cashback on everything else.

  • Annual Fee: $0.

  • Why It’s Great: Customizable categories make it versatile for different spending patterns.


10. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

  • Best for: Frequent travelers.

  • Rewards:

    • 2X miles on every purchase.

    • 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel.

  • Sign-up Bonus: 75,000 miles (worth $750 in travel).

  • Annual Fee: $95.

  • Why It’s Great: Simple, flat rewards with excellent travel redemption options.


Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Credit Card

When selecting a cashback or rewards credit card, think about:

  1. Spending habits – Do you spend more on travel, groceries, or entertainment?

  2. Annual fee – Is the fee worth the rewards you’ll earn?

  3. APR rates – If you carry a balance, interest charges can outweigh rewards.

  4. Sign-up bonuses – These can provide great short-term value.

  5. Flexibility of rewards – Can points be redeemed easily for cash, travel, or gift cards?


Tips to Maximize Cashback and Rewards

  • Use the right card for the right purchase (e.g., grocery card for groceries).

  • Take advantage of sign-up bonuses by meeting the minimum spend.

  • Redeem rewards strategically (e.g., points for travel instead of gift cards if value is higher).

  • Pair multiple cards to cover more categories.

  • Avoid carrying a balance—interest cancels out rewards.


FAQs on Best Credit Cards in USA for Cashback and Rewards 2025

Q1. What is the best cashback credit card in the USA for 2025?
The Citi Double Cash and Wells Fargo Active Cash are top choices for flat 2% cashback on everything.

Q2. Which card offers the best travel rewards in 2025?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Capital One Venture Rewards are among the best for travel perks and flexible redemptions.

Q3. Are annual fee cards worth it?
Yes, if the rewards exceed the fee. For example, Amex Gold offers high-value points that often justify its $250 fee.

Q4. What’s better—cashback or points?
Cashback is straightforward, while points often give higher value for travel redemptions. Choose based on your lifestyle.

Q5. Which card is best for groceries and gas?
Blue Cash Preferred (Amex) offers 6% cashback on groceries, while Discover it Cash Back and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards are strong alternatives.

Q6. Can I have multiple rewards credit cards?
Yes, many people use two or three cards to maximize different spending categories.

Q7. Do cashback rewards expire?
Most issuers (like Chase, Citi, and Capital One) do not have expiration dates, but some cards may require active accounts.

Q8. How do I qualify for the best cashback and rewards cards?
You typically need a good to excellent credit score (670+). Higher scores (750+) give better approval odds.

Q9. What should I avoid with cashback cards?
Avoid carrying balances, missing payments, and overspending just to earn rewards.

Q10. Which no-annual-fee card is best in 2025?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited and Citi Double Cash remain top no-fee options for consistent cashback.


Conclusion

In 2025, the best credit cards in USA for cashback and rewards provide not only money-saving benefits but also flexibility, travel perks, and exclusive bonuses. Whether you want a flat-rate cashback card like Citi Double Cash, a travel-focused card like Chase Sapphire Preferred, or a category-specific card like Blue Cash Preferred, the right choice depends on your spending habits.

By understanding your needs, comparing annual fees, and maximizing rewards, you can turn everyday purchases into savings and experiences.

author

The Tax Heaven

Mr.Vishwas Agarwal✍📊, a seasoned Chartered Accountant 📈💼 and the co-founder & CEO of THE TAX HEAVEN, brings 10 years of expertise in financial management and taxation. Specializing in ITR filing 📑🗃, GST returns 📈💼, and income tax advisory. He offers astute financial guidance and compliance solutions to individuals and businesses alike. Their passion for simplifying complex financial concepts into actionable insights empowers readers with valuable knowledge for informed decision-making. Through insightful blog content, he aims to demystify financial complexities, offering practical advice and tips to navigate the intricate world of finance and taxation.

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