Best Credit Cards5% Cash Back
Selected from 1,500+ credit cards in March 2024
Updated Mar 13, 2024Fact checked
By:John Kiernan, Credit Card Editor
|Mar 13, 2024
Reviewed by:Alina Comoreanu, Senior Researcher
Fact checked
A 5% cash back credit card is a great way to maximize rewards, as it gives you 5% cash back on purchases in select bonus categories or with certain retailers. The only credit cards with 5% cash back on everything are store credit cards, but some people collect multiple credit cards with 5% cash back in various categories in order to save 5% on all of their top expenses, using the Island Approach.
Best 5% Cash Back Credit Cards of 2024
Overall:U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® CardU.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® CardLearn MoreLearn More- Big-Spenders:Chase Freedom Unlimited®Chase Freedom Unlimited®Learn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- No Annual Fee:Discover it® Cash BackDiscover it® Cash BackLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Business:Ink Business Cash® Credit CardInk Business Cash® Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Travel & Rotating Categories:Chase Freedom Flex℠Chase Freedom Flex℠Learn MoreLearn More
- Fair Credit:Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®Learn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
It’s important to point out that not all 5% credit cards offer cash back, at least not directly. Some of the best 5% credit cards actually give points, miles or store credit at first. But that’s redeemable for cash back as well as other items of monetary value, like merchandise, travel or gift cards. So, in the interest of bringing you the best offers, we included such cards in our analysis. Some cards may even offer more than 5% back on certain types of purchases.
WalletHub tracks 1,500+ credit cards (other sites only consider a much smaller number of cards, so they naturally miss a lot of great cards)
WalletHub picks the best credit cards overall (other sites pick the best cards from their advertising partners)
WalletHub uses a sophisticated card rating system to objectively find the best cards (other sites’ picks are influenced by their own biases)
WalletHub has 100% editorial independence (other sites just provide a billboard for advertisers)
WalletHub does not have a conflict of interest (other sites are biased due to promoting their own lending and banking offers)
WalletHub has 15+ years of credit card experience (other sites simply don’t have the same expertise)
WalletHub's best credit card picks and ratings are completely independent and not provided, commissioned, or endorsed by any issuer. Some offers may come from WalletHub's advertising partners. WalletHub independently collected information for some of the cards on this page.
Overall
Best 5% Cash Back Credit Card Overall
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
3.8WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
3.8
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
4.5
User Reviews
3.2
Market Comparison
3.7
fees: 3.8
rewards: 3.4
cost: 4.2
Other Features: 0.0
Learn More
Purchase intro APR
0% for 15 billing cycles
Transfer intro APR
0% for 15 billing cycles
Transfer Fee: 3% (min $5)
Regular APR
19.49% - 29.74% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 5% Cash Back
Bonus Offer
$200
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Purchase intro APR
0% for 15 billing cycles
Transfer intro APR
0% for 15 billing cycles
Transfer Fee: 3% (min $5)
Regular APR
19.49% - 29.74% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 5% Cash Back
Bonus Offer
$200
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Editors’ Thoughts
Why it’s one of the best 5% credit cards: The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is the best 5% cash back credit card because it gives 5% cash back on purchases in two categories that you select, and it has a $0 annual fee. The 5% rate applies to the first $2,000 spent in these categories (total) each quarter. Cardholders also earn 5% cash back on prepaid airfare, hotel reservations and rental car reservations booked through the U.S. Bank Travel Center.
Those 5% rewards are only part of what the U.S. Bank Cash+ has to offer. Cardholders also earn 2% cash back in an everyday spending category of their choice, 1% cash back on all other purchases, and a $200 initial bonus for spending $1,000 in the first 120 days.
You will need at least good credit to get this card.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- No membership fees
- 0% intro APR on purchases
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers
- High rewards rate
Cons
- Spending caps on rewards
- Balance transfer fee
- High regular APR
- Foreign fee
Rewards Details
- $200 rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
- 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose
- 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center
- 2% cash back on one everyday category, like Gas Stations and EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants
- 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
- Terms and conditions apply.
Interest Rate Breakdown
| Balance | APY |
|---|
Additional Info
- 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 19.49% - 29.74%
- No Annual Fee
Pros, Cons & Details
5% on Travel
5% on Travel
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
4.1WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.1
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
5.0
User Reviews
3.6
Market Comparison
4.0
fees: 3.8
rewards: 3.4
cost: 4.7
Other Features: 0.0
Apply Now
Purchase intro APR
0% for 15 months
Transfer intro APR
0% for 15 months
Transfer Fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days (5%, min $5 after)
Regular APR
20.49% - 29.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1.5 - 5% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Purchase intro APR
0% for 15 months
Transfer intro APR
0% for 15 months
Transfer Fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days (5%, min $5 after)
Regular APR
20.49% - 29.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1.5 - 5% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Editors’ Thoughts
Why it’s one of the best 5% credit cards:The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card gives 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase normally. It has a $0 annual fee.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- Earn rate: 1.5 - 5% cash back
- 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
- $0 annual fee
Cons
- Balance transfer fee
- Foreign transaction fee
- Potential for a high regular APR
Rewards 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 Travel, 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 travel purchased through Chase Travel, 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!
Interest Rate Breakdown
| Balance | APY |
|---|
Additional Info
- 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, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Pros, Cons & Details
5% on Travel & Rotating Categories
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Chase Freedom Flex℠
3.3WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
3.3
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
5.0
User Reviews
3.6
Market Comparison
3.0
fees: 3.8
rewards: 2.9
cost: 3.1
Other Features: 0.0
Learn More
Purchase intro APR
0% for 15 months
Transfer intro APR
0% for 15 months
Transfer Fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days (5%, min $5 after)
Regular APR
20.49% - 29.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 5% Cash Back
Bonus Offer
$200
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Purchase intro APR
0% for 15 months
Transfer intro APR
0% for 15 months
Transfer Fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days (5%, min $5 after)
Regular APR
20.49% - 29.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 5% Cash Back
Bonus Offer
$200
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Editors’ Thoughts
Why it’s one of the best 5% credit cards:The Chase Freedom Flex℠ card gives 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent per quarter in rotating bonus categories that require activation, plus 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase. Plus, for a limited time, you can earn 5% cash back on combined gas station and grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year. The Freedom Flex card has a $0 annual fee.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- No annual fee
- $200 initial bonus
- Ongoing rewards of 1 - 5% cash back
- 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Cons
- Doesn't really offer cash back
- Rotating bonus rewards categories
- Earning limit in bonus categories
- 3% foreign transaction fee
Rewards Details
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- Plus, earn 5% cash back on combined gas station and grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year.
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, the premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% 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!
Interest Rate Breakdown
| Balance | APY |
|---|
Additional Info
- 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 Flex℠ 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.
Pros, Cons & Details
5% on Shopping
Over 5% on Groceries & U.S. Streaming Subscriptions
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
4.0WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.0
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
4.7
User Reviews
3.9
Market Comparison
3.9
fees: 2.1
rewards: 4.3
cost: 4.6
Other Features: 0.0
Apply Now
Terms Apply|
Purchase intro APR
0% for 12 months
Transfer intro APR
0% for 12 months
Transfer Fee: 3% (min $5)
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.99% (V)
Annual Fee
$0 intro 1st yr, $95 after
Rewards Rate
1 - 6% Cash Back
Bonus Offer
$250
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Purchase intro APR
0% for 12 months
Transfer intro APR
0% for 12 months
Transfer Fee: 3% (min $5)
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.99% (V)
Annual Fee
$0 intro 1st yr, $95 after
Rewards Rate
1 - 6% Cash Back
Bonus Offer
$250
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Editors’ Thoughts
Why it’s one of the best 5% credit cards:The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express gives 6% on U.S. streaming subscriptions, as well as 6% on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year (then 1%, whichis received in the form of reward dollars and can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout). It has an annual fee of $0 intro the first year, then $95 per year.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- $250 statement credit initial bonus offer
- Low intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
- High rewards rate
Cons
- Annual fee starting second year
- Above-average regular APR
- 2.7% foreign-transaction fee
Rewards Details
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
- 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get up to $120 in statement credits annually when you pay for an auto-renewing subscription to Equinox+ at equinoxplus.com with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. That’s $10 in statement credits each month. Enrollment required.
- Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. Enrollment required.
- Terms Apply.
Interest Rate Breakdown
| Balance | APY |
|---|
Additional Info
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
- Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
Pros, Cons & Details
5% on Office Supplies & Telecom Services
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
3.9WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
3.9
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Business - Earn Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
5.0
User Reviews
3.7
Market Comparison
3.7
fees: 3.8
rewards: 3.7
cost: 4.0
Other Features: 0.0
Apply Now
Purchase intro APR
0% for 12 months
Regular APR
18.49% - 24.49% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 5% Cash Back
Bonus Offer
$750
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Purchase intro APR
0% for 12 months
Regular APR
18.49% - 24.49% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 5% Cash Back
Bonus Offer
$750
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Editors’ Thoughts
Why it’s one of the best 5% credit cards:The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card gives 5% cash back on up to $25,000 spent on office supplies as well as phone, internet and cable services each year. It has an annual fee of $0.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- $750 initial bonus
- 1 - 5% cash back on purchases
- $0 annual fee
- Low intro APR on purchases
Cons
- 18.49% - 24.49% (V) regular APR
- 3% foreign transaction fee
Rewards Details
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
- Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Interest Rate Breakdown
| Balance | APY |
|---|
Additional Info
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- No Annual Fee
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
Pros, Cons & Details
5% on Walmart.com Purchases
Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®
Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®
3.3WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
3.3
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Rewards (Store Cards)"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
4.5
User Reviews
3.3
Market Comparison
3.1
fees: 5.0
rewards: 2.4
cost: 3.3
Other Features: 0.0
Apply Now
Regular APR
19.48% or 29.99% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 5% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good, Fair
Regular APR
19.48% or 29.99% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 5% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good, Fair
Editors’ Thoughts
Why it’s one of the best 5% credit cards:The Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® gives 5% cash back on Walmart.com purchases, as well as in-store purchases paid for with Walmart Pay the first year. It has a $0 annual fee.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- Up to 5% back on Walmart purchases
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- No promotional financing offers
- Above-average regular APR
Rewards 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
Interest Rate Breakdown
| Balance | APY |
|---|
Additional Info
- $0 annual fee
- Fraud Coverage - $0 Fraud Liability for unauthorized charges
- No foreign transaction fees
Pros, Cons & Details
5% at Amazon & Whole Foods
Prime Visa
Prime Visa
4.3WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.3
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
4.2
Market Comparison
4.3
fees: 5.0
rewards: 4.1
cost: 4.5
Other Features: 0.0
Apply Now
Regular APR
19.49% - 27.49% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 5% Cash Rewards
Bonus Offer
$100 Amazon gift card
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Regular APR
19.49% - 27.49% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 5% Cash Rewards
Bonus Offer
$100 Amazon gift card
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Editors’ Thoughts
Why it’s one of the best 5% credit cards:The Prime Visa gives 5% back in rewards points on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and Chase Travel purchases to cardholders with an Amazon Prime membership. The card has a $0 annual fee.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- $100 Amazon gift card upon approval
- No annual credit card fee
- High rewards rate
- No foreign fee
Cons
- No intro APR on purchases
- No intro APR on balance transfers
- Requires good/excellent credit
Rewards Details
- Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
- Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership
- Earn unlimited 5% back on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
- Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
- Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
- No more waiting. Redeem daily rewards at Amazon.com as soon as the next day
Interest Rate Breakdown
| Balance | APY |
|---|
Additional Info
- No annual credit card fee
- Member FDIC
Pros, Cons & Details
5% on Gas & Military-Base Purchases
USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card
USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card
2.6WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
2.6
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
User Reviews
3.5
Market Comparison
2.5
fees: 5.0
rewards: 1.6
cost: 2.5
Other Features: 0.0
Learn More
Regular APR
17.15% - 31.15% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 5% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Excellent
Regular APR
17.15% - 31.15% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 5% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Excellent
Editors’ Thoughts
Why it’s one of the best 5% credit cards:The USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card gives 5% cash back on the first $3,000 spent on gas and military-base purchases each year. It has a $0 annual fee.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- No membership fees
- High rewards rate
- Bonus rewards categories
- No foreign fee
Cons
- Spending caps on rewards
- No initial rewards bonus
- No intro APR on purchases
- No intro APR on balance transfers
Rewards Details
- Earn 5% cash back on your first $3,000 in gas and military base purchases annually on these categories combined
- Earn 2% on your first $3,000 on supermarket purchases per year
- Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
Interest Rate Breakdown
| Balance | APY |
|---|
Additional Info
- USAA membership is available to active and former military and their eligible family members.
- Security Benefits: Chip card technology has added security when used at a chip-enabled terminal and greater acceptance worldwide. Zero liability coverage for unauthorized transactions if your card is lost or stolen. Collision damage waiver coverage pays for physical damage and theft to most rental vehicles. Get account balances and transaction history by sending a text message. Access your account on usaa.com or from a mobile device.
- Travel Benefits: Auto Rental Coverage, Travel Accident Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage, Baggage Delay and Reimbursem*nt.
Pros, Cons & Details
5% on Gas, Groceries & Mobile Phone Services
Credit One Bank® Platinum X5 Visa®
Credit One Bank® Platinum X5 Visa®
3.3WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
3.3
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Improve Credit by Paying in Full Each Month"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Market Comparison
3.3
fees: 2.4
rewards: 5.0
cost: 2.9
Other Features: 5.0
Learn More
Regular APR
29.74% (V)
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
1 - 5% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Good, Fair
Regular APR
29.74% (V)
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
1 - 5% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Good, Fair
Editors’ Thoughts
Why it’s one of the best 5% credit cards: The Credit One Bank® Platinum X5 Visa® gives 5% cash back on the first $5,000 of eligible gas, grocery, internet, cable, satellite TV, and mobile phone service purchases each year (1% thereafter) and 1% on all other purchases. It also has a $95 annual fee. Surprisingly, it accepts people with fair credit or better.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- High rewards rate
- Bonus rewards categories
- Qualify with fair credit
Cons
- Membership fees
- Spending caps on rewards
- High regular APR
- Foreign fee
Rewards Details
- Earn 5% cash back rewards on the first $5,000 of eligible gas, grocery, internet, cable, satellite TV, and mobile phone service purchases each year, and then 1% thereafter. Plus 1% cash back rewards on all other purchases, terms apply
Interest Rate Breakdown
| Balance | APY |
|---|
Additional Info
- With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges.
- Free Online Credit Score and Credit Report summary, terms apply.
- Automatically earn More Cash Back Rewards for using your Credit One Bank card at participating merchants, terms apply.
- If you are a Covered Borrower under the Military Lending Act, you may get a different offer.
Pros, Cons & Details
5% in Rotating Categories
5% in Rotating Categories
Discover it® Cash Back
Discover it® Cash Back
3.2WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
3.2
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
3.9
User Reviews
3.8
Market Comparison
3.1
fees: 5.0
rewards: 2.7
cost: 3.0
Other Features: 0.0
Apply Now
Purchase intro APR
0% for 15 months
Transfer intro APR
0% for 15 months
Transfer Fee: 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Regular APR
17.24% - 28.24% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 5% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Purchase intro APR
0% for 15 months
Transfer intro APR
0% for 15 months
Transfer Fee: 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Regular APR
17.24% - 28.24% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 5% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good
Editors’ Thoughts
Why it’s one of the best 5% credit cards: Discover it® Cash Back gives 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent in rotating bonus categories each quarter that you activate. It has a $0 annual fee.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- Rewards earned in the first year get doubled
- Up to 5% cash back
- No annual fee
- 0% intro rates for 15 months
Cons
- Potential for a very high regular APR
- Bonus reward categories rotate, require quarterly signup and limit earnings
- Balance transfer fee
Rewards Details
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – 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 you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
Interest Rate Breakdown
| Balance | APY |
|---|
Additional Info
- 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.
- 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.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Pros, Cons & Details
5% in Rotating Categories
Discover it® Student Cash Back
Discover it® Student Cash Back
3.9WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
3.9
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Build Credit by Paying in Full Each Month (Students)"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
4.7
User Reviews
3.8
Market Comparison
3.8
fees: 5.0
rewards: 3.4
cost: 3.5
Other Features: 5.0
Apply Now
Purchase intro APR
0% for 6 months
Transfer intro APR
10.99% for 6 months
Transfer Fee: 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 5% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Fair, Limited History
Purchase intro APR
0% for 6 months
Transfer intro APR
10.99% for 6 months
Transfer Fee: 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 5% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Fair, Limited History
Editors’ Thoughts
Why it’s one of the best 5% credit cards: Discover it® Student Cash Back gives 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent in designated bonus categories each quarter that you activate(then 1%). It has a $0 annual fee.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- First-year rewards doubled
- No annual fee
- No foreign-transaction fee
- Intro APR on purchases
Cons
- High regular APR
- No initial bonus
Rewards Details
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
Interest Rate Breakdown
| Balance | APY |
|---|
Additional Info
- No credit score required to apply.
- 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.
- No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 18.24% - 27.24% applies.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Pros, Cons & Details
5% in Custom Categories
5% on Your Top Monthly Spending Category
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Citi Custom Cash® Card
4.8WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.8
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Improve Credit by Paying in Full Each Month"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Editor’s Rating
4.4
User Reviews
3.5
Market Comparison
5.0
fees: 5.0
rewards: 5.0
cost: 5.0
Other Features: 5.0
Apply Now
Purchase intro APR
0% for 15 months
Transfer intro APR
0% for 15 months
Transfer Fee: 5% (min $5)
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 5% Cash Back
Bonus Offer
$200
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good, Fair
Purchase intro APR
0% for 15 months
Transfer intro APR
0% for 15 months
Transfer Fee: 5% (min $5)
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 5% Cash Back
Bonus Offer
$200
Accepted Credit
Excellent, Good, Fair
Editors’ Thoughts
Why it’s one of the best 5% credit cards: The Citi Custom Cash® Card gives 5% cash back on the first $500 spent in your biggest eligible spending category each billing cycle, along with 1% cash back on everything else. Plus, there’s an initial bonus of $200 for spending $1,500 in the first 6 months, and the card has a $0 annual fee.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- $200 initial bonus
- $0 annual fee
- Up to 5% cash back
- 0% introductory APRs
Cons
- Bonus rewards limit
- High regular APR
- Foreign transaction fee
Rewards Details
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
Interest Rate Breakdown
| Balance | APY |
|---|
Additional Info
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- No Annual Fee
- Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash® Card account per person.
Pros, Cons & Details
5% on Two Categories You Can Choose
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card
4.5WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.5
This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Rebuild Damaged Credit by Paying in Full Each Month"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.
Market Comparison
4.5
fees: 5.0
rewards: 5.0
cost: 4.5
Other Features: 3.3
Learn More
Regular APR
29.99% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 5% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Bad
Regular APR
29.99% (V)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1 - 5% Cash Back
Accepted Credit
Bad
Editors’ Thoughts
Why it’s one of the best 5% credit cards: The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card gives 5% cash back on up to $2,000 spent each quarter in two bonus categories that you choose(then 1%). It also has a $0 annual fee.
This card accepts people with bad credit but requires a refundable security deposit of $300.
Pros, Cons & More Details
Pros
- No membership fees
- High rewards rate
- Bonus rewards categories
- Qualify with bad credit
Cons
- Spending caps on rewards
- High regular APR
- Foreign fee
- Requires security deposit
Rewards Details
- 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible net purchases each quarter on two categories you choose, and 5% back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked in the Rewards Travel Center.
- 2% cash back on your choice of one everyday category, like gas stations, EV charging stations, restaurants or grocery stores.
- 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.
- No limit on total cash back earned.
- Get your cash back in the following ways: Statement credit, Direct deposit into your U.S. Bank checking or savings account or as a Rewards card.
Interest Rate Breakdown
| Balance | APY |
|---|
Additional Info
- Credit limit based on your deposit, from $300 to $5,000.
Pros, Cons & Details
Best 5% Cash Back Credit Cards FAQ
Finding the best credit card can be tough. But you’ve got the knowledgeable WalletHub community on your side. We encourage everyone to share their knowledge while respecting our content guidelines. Please keep in mind that editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. In addition, it is not the financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered. WalletHub independently collected information for some of the cards on this page.
Most Popular
How can I get 5% cash back?
1
Upvote
Reply
1
Chip Lupo, Credit Card Writer
@CLoop
You can get 5% cash back by applying for a credit card such as Chase Freedom Flex℠ that offers 5% cash back on certain types of purchases. Then, you will need to use the card for purchases in the eligible spending categories, and you will receive 5 cents back for every $1 you spend on eligible purchases.
Unfortunately, there are no general-purpose credit cards that offer 5% cash back on all purchases. But the good news...
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1
How do you get Chase Freedom Flex 5% cash back?
98
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Reply
98
4
Maria Adams, Credit Cards Moderator
@m_adams
To get Chase Freedom Flex's 5% cash back rate, go to the activation page and enter your name, the last 4 digits of your card number and your zip code. You will need to activate new 5% categories for Freedom every quarter to get the bonus rate.
Chase Freedom Flex cardholders get 5% cash back on the first $1,500 spent per quarter in select purchase categories. Purchases that exceed the $1,500 quarterly limit will earn 1% cash back....
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View more answers
Is 5% cash back good?
11
Upvotes
Reply
11
Maria Adams, Credit Cards Moderator
@m_adams
A 5% cash back rate on a credit card is great. Earning 5% cash back on a credit card saves you about five times as much as the average rewards card, and a rewards rate this high is usually available only on certain types purchases rather than across the board. Note that most credit cards offering 5% back give it only for certain bonus categories or with certain retailers.
Notable 5% Cash Back Credit...
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What is the Chase Freedom Flex calendar for 2024?
112
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Reply
112
6
Chip Lupo, Credit Card Writer
@CLoop
The Chase Freedom Flex calendar for January through March lists grocery stores, fitness clubs & gym memberships, and self-care & spa services as the bonus rewards categories for the quarter. Chase Freedom Flex cardholders can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent each quarter in these rotating categories. Any purchases made over that limit will earn 1%. Once the quarter is up, Chase will offer a new set of bonus categories.
2024 Chase Freedom Flex Calendar
January...
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What is the Discover calendar?
43
Upvotes
Reply
43
6
Maria Adams, Credit Cards Moderator
@m_adams
The Discover calendar shows what purchases qualify for Discover's 5% cash back bonus rewards categories. Eligible cardholders can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent per quarter in the purchase categories listed on Discover's bonus rewards calendar, when they activate.
2024 Discover Calendar for 5% Rewards Categories:
Dates | Bonus Categories |
January - March | Restaurants and drug... |
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4
What purchases get Chase Ink's 5% cash back rate?
5
Upvotes
Reply
5
Jason Miles, Wallethub Credit Card Consultant
@jasonmiles42
You get Chase Ink 5% cash back on up to $25,000 spent on office supplies and phone, internet and cable TV services each account anniversary year. But it's not cash back as you'd normally think about it. The card earns 5 Ultimate Rewards points per $1 spent. You can trade those points for cash at a rate of one cent each, so it's basically 5% cash back. When you've reached the $25,000 threshold, purchases in...
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3
Do you get 5X from Chase Ink on utilities?
10
Upvotes
Reply
10
Tommy S Davidson, WalletHub Analyst
@tdvdson94
You cannot get 5x rewards on utilities purchases with any Chase Ink credit card. Only Chase Ink Cash offers 5% cash back on select purchases. Its bonus categories are limited to the first $25,000 spent annually at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services, though.
The best Chase Ink business card for utilities is Chase Ink Unlimited. It gives 1.5% cash back on all purchases for your business with no limit on...
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1
Does Chase Freedom Unlimited offer 5% cash back?
10
Upvotes
Reply
10
Maria Adams, Credit Cards Moderator
@m_adams
Yes, Chase Freedom Unlimited currently offers 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards. In addition to its 5% cash back category, Chase Freedom Unlimited gives at least 1.5% cash back on other types of purchases.
Here's what Chase Freedom Unlimited currently offers:
- 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 Travel, 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 travel purchased through Chase Travel, 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!
There are also other attractive features to complement the card's current rewards. Chase Freedom Unlimited comes with a $0 annual fee. Plus, it comes with an introductory APR of 0% for 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers. The card's...
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What are the Chase Freedom 5% bonus categories?
84
Upvotes
Reply
84
1
Maria Adams, Credit Cards Moderator
@m_adams
The Chase Freedom 5% bonus categories are grocery stores (excluding Target and Walmart), fitness clubs and gym memberships, as well as self-care and spa services (excluding those purchased at hotels). Cardholders earn 5% back on up to $1,500 spent in the bonus categories from January through March 2024 (then 1% back). To earn the 5% bonus rewards rate, cardholders must activate the new bonus categories by March 14.
Just bear in mind that the bonus...
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3
View more answers
How does the Discover cashback bonus work?
53
Upvotes
Reply
53
9
Dominick Evans
@dominickevans
The Discover cash back bonus pays you back a certain percentage of the money you spend as a reward. The Discover cash back bonus can be redeemed either at select merchants or for cash. More specifically, there are three types of Discover cashback bonuses:
- 5% bonus rate: You earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent per quarter in bonus categories (which change every quarter and require activation), and 1% back on all other purchases. The Discover credit cards that offer this deal are the Discover it® Cash Back, the NHL® Discover it®, and the Discover it® Student Cash Back.
- Cash back in categories that don't...
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10
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