Best Credit Cards Offering 5% Cash Back

Earning 1% or 2% cash back on purchases is nice, but what if you could earn 5% on everything you buy?

Over the past several years, more and more card issuers have started offering 5% or more back on select everyday categories, such as groceries, gas, or even utilities.

Terms and Conditions may apply to offers and benefits on this page.

While shopping with a flat 2% cash back card might be easy, there are opportunities to earn even more when you have the right cards in your wallet. Here are our favorite credit cards that offer at least 5% cash back, as well as a few tips to make sure you’re maximizing your earnings potential.

Our recommendations

Best for travel: card_name

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Credit score

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Annual fees

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Welcome offer

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Why we like it:

card_name is a solid flat-rate earnings card with annual_fee_disclaimer annual fee. Although the 1.5% cash back doesn’t seem impressive at first glance, it becomes more valuable when combined with other rewards cards from Chase that can be redeemed for a far greater value.

This card is recommended for everyday use, whether for doctor copays or big box store purchases. It can be a large earner for cardmembers who want to get the most out of their everyday spending.

Product details:

Introductory Offer:

• Earn an extra 1.5% cash back on all purchases (up to $20,000 spent in the first year), which can add up to $300 in cash back!
• 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%.

Intro Card Rewards:

• 6.5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, our top-tier rewards program where you can redeem for cash back, travel, gift cards, and more.
• 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.
• 3% cash back on all other purchases (up to $20,000 spent in the first year).

After the First Year or $20,000 Spent Card Rewards:

• 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠.
• 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.
• Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Additional Benefits:

• No minimum to redeem for cash back. Choose a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards never expire as long as your account is open!
• No annual fee – Enjoy all the great features of your Freedom Unlimited® card without paying an annual fee.
• Credit Monitoring – Keep track of your credit health with Chase Credit Journey, offering free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.

Member FDIC

• Balance transfer fee: balance_transfer_fees
• Cash advance fee: cash_advance_fee
• Foreign transaction fee: foreign_transaction_fee

The card_name is a great way to earn cash back on travel purchases. When you sign up for the card, you will earn an additional 1.5% cash back (up to $20,000 spent in the first year). That means 6.5% cash back on travel purchase through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and at drug stores, and 3% on all other purchases. After the first year or you reach $20,000 in spend, the cash back amount will revert back to the following:

• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel.
• 3% cash back on dining and at drug stores.
• 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

In addition to having no annual fee, you will also receiving a generous introductory intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration and balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration. Once the introductory period is over it will then be a variable reg_apr,reg_apr_type.

Best for rotating categories: Chase Freedom Flex℠

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Credit score needed

Excellent, Good

Annual fees

$0

Welcome offer

$200 bonus when you spend $500 within three months of opening account

Why we like it:

While the ability to earn competitive cash back on purchases in grocery stores, travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards,Lyft rides, restaurants (including takeout and delivery services, drugstores and more.

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. Categories included for April through June 2023 are Amazon.com and Lowe’s. Any purchases that exceed the quarterly maximum will earn 1%.

You’re also going to have the chance to earn cash back on the following purchases:

• 5% cash back on up to $12,000 spent in grocery stores, excluding Target and Walmart, in the first year.
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
• 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025.
• 3% cash back on restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.
• 3% cash back at drugstores.
• 1% cash back on all other purchases.

While the ability to earn up to 5% back is attractive, that’s not the only thing to love about this card. If you spend $500 in the first three months, you’ll also receive a $200 welcome bonus.

Read our full review to learn more.

Best for groceries and streaming services: card_name

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

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Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Credit score needed

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Annual fees

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Bonus rewards full

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It’s no secret that inflation has caused the cost of groceries to increase significantly. Being able to earn cash back can help ease the pain. With the card_name, you’ll earn 6% cash back on up to $6,000 per year spent in U.S. supermarkets.

You’ll also earn cash back on the following purchases:

• 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services, including Netflix and Disney+.
• 3% cash back on transit, including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains and buses.
• 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations.
• 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Another benefit is you can bonus_miles (Rates & Fees).

Read our full review to learn more.

Best for office supply stores, telecom services: card_name

Ink Business Cash® Card

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Ink Business Cash® Card

Credit score needed

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Annual fees

annual_fees

Intro APR

intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration

Bonus rewards

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Why we like it:

The card_name is among the most powerful earners in the rewards credit card market. Its spending bonuses are generous, and its massive welcome bonus after meeting minimum spending requirements should be reason enough to at least try the card out for a year or two.

Product details:

Introductory Offer:

• Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months, and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases

Card Rewards:

• 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.

Additional Benefits:

• Zero Liability: You won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• Annual Fee: None.
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel, and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Member FDIC

• Balance transfer fee: balance_transfer_fees
• Cash advance fee: cash_advance_fee
• Foreign transaction fee: foreign_transaction_fee

If you’re running a small business, you likely have quite a few expenses. With the card_name, you’ll receive 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent each year at office supply stores and on telecom expenses like phone, internet, and cable. You’ll also earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent each year at gas stations and restaurants. All other purchases will earn 1% cash back.

As a Chase cardmember, you’ll also have the opportunity to earn a Business Relationship Bonus. If you have a card_name and a Chase Business Checking Account, you’ll have the opportunity to earn a 10% bonus on your first card anniversary. That means if you earn $2,000 in cash back during the first year, you’ll earn a $200 cash back bonus. This is available only for Ink Business Cash cards opened from March 2024 to November 2024.

The card_name also offers the most generous welcome bonus of any of the cards on this list. You’ll bonus_miles_full You’ll earn an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening. This card has annual_fees annual fee.

Read our full review to learn more.

Best for Amazon purchases: Prime Visa

Prime Visa

Prime Visa

Credit score needed

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Annual fees

annual_fees

Welcome offer

bonus_miles

Why we like it:

The Prime Visa is one of the most versatile cash back credit cards you can open because of its monster return rate at Amazon and Whole Foods. Between those two brands, you can get just about anything you’d possibly need.

If you do a lot of shopping on Amazon.com, having the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature card is a must. Card Holders qualify for 5% cash back at Amazon.com as well as at physical Amazon stores, including Whole Foods — that rate drops to 3% if you don’t subscribe to Amazon Prime. The card also offers 2% back at gas stations and restaurants and 1% back on everything else.

In addition, when you sign up for the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature card, you’ll earn a $200 Amazon gift card immediately after approval. This card has no annual fee.

Read our full review to learn more.

Best for Walmart purchases: Capital One® Walmart Rewards® Card

Walmart purchases

Capital One Walmart Rewards Card

Walmart purchases

Capital One Walmart Rewards Card

Credit score needed

Good

Annual fees

$0

Bonus rewards full

5% cash back in Walmart stores for the first 12 months when using the card with Walmart Pay

If you find yourself shopping frequently at Walmart and Walmart.com, then you might want to consider adding the Capital One® Walmart Rewards® card to your wallet. With this card, you’ll earn 5% cash back when shopping on Walmart.com, including pickup and delivery. Plus, you’ll have the chance to earn 5% cash back at Walmart stores for the first 12 months.

In addition to earning 5% back at Walmart and Walmart.com, you’ll receive 2% back at restaurants, on travel, and at Walmart stores after the first year. All other purchases will receive 1% back.

This card comes with no annual fee, and you’ll have the opportunity to see if you’re pre-approved before actually applying.

Best for choosing your own bonus categories: U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

Credit score needed

Good, Excellent

Annual fees

$0

Bonus rewards full

Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.

If you want the freedom to choose your own bonus categories, look no further than the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® credit card. You’re going to receive 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined purchases each quarter in two categories of your choice. These categories could include home utilities, department stores, cell phones, and more. You can also earn 2% cash back on one everyday category, such as gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. All other purchases will receive 1% back.

Earning 5% is great, but having the chance to receive a welcome bonus makes the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® card even better. You’ll earn a $200 reward bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases within the first 120 days of account opening. This card comes with no annual fee.

Best 5% cash back credit cards compared

Types of 5% cash back cards

When looking for a 5% cash back card, keep in mind that there are a few different types of cards to consider. Which you decide to go with should be determined by your spending habits.

Rotating category cards

Rotating category cards offer 5% cash back on categories that change each quarter. These cards require a little more work because you’ll need to opt into the bonus categories every quarter. Most rotating category cards will also have a quarterly spending maximum. Once you hit your maximum, your earnings rate will drop back to 1%.

Bonus category cards

Bonus category cards offer bonus cash back on specific things. It might be at gas stations, or it could be at restaurants. Similar to the rotating category cards, there may be quarterly or annual purchase limits.

Retail Cards

The last type of card is retail-specific. These cards are associated with an individual store and can offer cardholders 5% or more back on purchases made at that store.

Maximize your 5% cash back reward

When choosing a credit card, you want to make sure you’re going to maximize the cash back you can earn. To do this, it’s important to consider how you spend money each month.

Look at your budget and see if there’s anything that stands out. Maybe you spend more on groceries than anything else. Or maybe you have a long commute to work and spend a lot at gas stations. Once you find where the majority of your spending is each month, choose a credit card that’s a good match.

You can go a step further by picking out multiple cards that help you earn more than the standard 1% or 2% cash back on your top spending categories. For example, you could get the card_name if you spend a lot each month on groceries and the Amazon Prime Rewards credit card if you do a lot of your shopping on Amazon.com. By using both of these cards, you’ll be able to maximize how much you earn on your biggest monthly expenses.

For rates and fees of the card_name, please visit this URL.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How do you get 5% cash back on everything?

You can get 5% cash back on most of your purchases by having multiple credit cards. For example, if most of your spending each month is on groceries, utilities, and Amazon.com, you can choose credit cards that offer 5% back or more on these particular purchases.

Is 5% cash back a lot?

Standard cash back is typically between 1% and 2%. There are very few cards that offer more than 5% cash back, which makes this a very attractive amount.

Can I get 5% cash back with Chase?

Yes, Chase has several credit cards that offer 5% cash back. The Chase Freedom Flex card will give you 5% back on rotating categories each quarter. Many Chase cards will also offer 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards. And if you run a small business, you can get 5% cash back on office supplies and telecom expenses with the Chase Ink Business Cash card.