Consumers Love Cash Back Cards. Here Are 5 to Check Out

Cash back cards are the most popular type of credit card, according to a recent credit card survey by The Motley Fool Ascent. It found that 56% of consumers have at least one cash back card. They're also universally popular -- cash back was the No. 1 credit card choice across every generation.

These cards are easy to use, and you can earn a lot of extra cash with the right card. If you're looking for a new one, here are five top cash back cards to consider.

1. Citi Double Cash® Card: Up to 2% back on purchases

That's why I recommend the Citi Double Cash® Card all the time. It earns a flat rate of up to 2% on purchases. I say "up to" because Citi pays that out in two parts. You earn 1% cash back when you make a purchase, and another 1% when you pay it back on time. So if you always pay on time, you always earn 2% back total.

This card also has no annual fee and a welcome offer of 20,000 ThankYou® Points for spending $1,500 in the first 6 months. Points are worth $0.01 apiece for cash back, so the sign-up bonus is worth $200.

2. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Big cash back on everyday purchases

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is the only card on this list with an annual fee. It has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. (See rates and fees). But it could be well worth it, because it offers some of the highest cash back rates I've seen. It earns:

• 6% at U.S. supermarkets (up to a spending cap of $6,000 per calendar year)
• 6% on select U.S. streaming services
• 3% at U.S. gas stations
• 3% on transit (this includes taxis/rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more)
• 1% on other purchases
• Terms apply.

If you spend $6,000 a year ($500 a month) at U.S. supermarkets, you'll earn $360 in cash back a year just from that. That doesn't even include this card's other bonus categories. It also has a welcome offer of $250 in statement credits when you spend $3,000 in purchases on your card in the first 6 months. Terms apply.

3. Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Unlimited 1.5% back and bonus categories

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers the best of both worlds. It has bonus categories and an above-average rate on all your non-bonus spending. This no annual fee card earns:

• 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 5% on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025
• 3% on dining, including purchases at restaurants, takeout, and orders through eligible delivery services
• 3% at drugstores
• 1.5% on other purchases

Most cards that earn an unlimited 1.5% don't offer any bonus categories. That's what makes the Chase Freedom Unlimited® special. It also has a somewhat unique welcome offer: 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 Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.

4. Prime Visa: Perfect for shopping at Amazon

The Prime Visa is my favorite store credit card. It doesn't charge an annual fee, but it's only available to Prime members. If you spend a lot on Amazon, this card is extremely valuable, as it earns:

• 5% on Amazon, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods purchases
• 5% on Chase Travel purchases
• 2% at restaurants, gas stations, local transit, and commuting
• 1% on other purchases

This card gets loaded to your Amazon account as soon as your application is approved, so you can use it right away. You also get an Amazon gift card loaded to your account upon approval. The gift card amount varies, but it's currently $100.

5. Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: Bonus cash back on gas and at Costco

Another excellent store card is the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi. You need a Costco membership to open it, and it has no annual fee. As you might expect, it earns bonus cash back at Costco, but it also has several other bonus categories. It earns:

• 4% on eligible gas and EV charging purchases (up to a spending cap of $7,000 per year)
• 3% on restaurants and travel spending, which includes Costco Travel purchases
• 2% on other Costco and Costco.com purchases
• 1% on other purchases

The only big downside is that this card doesn't have any sort of welcome offer. But it could still be a smart choice if you shop at Costco often. It's also one of the top gas credit cards, as a rate of 4% is tough to beat.

There are lots of high-value credit cards available. Finding the best cash back card is all about seeing which card fits your spending habits.