Maximize Your Rewards: Best Cashback Cards for 2025

Cashback credit cards are great options for maximizing daily purchases, with new trends making the benefits even more attractive.

If you want to choose the ideal card for your needs and optimize your earnings, check out the best cashback cards available this year.

What to Consider When Choosing a Cashback Card?

Before exploring the best options, it is important to understand the criteria for selecting a cashback card.
Here are the key factors you need to consider:

• Card fees and costs;
• Bonus categories for specific purchases;
• Welcome offers after signing up;
• Additional benefits for a more complete card.

Best Cashback Cards for 2025

Now that we know what to look for, let’s explore the standout cards of the year.

1. Chase Freedom Flex®

The Chase Freedom Flex is a highly versatile option, as its name suggests, featuring both fixed and rotating cashback to maximize returns.

The Chase card offers a $200 bonus, plus 5% cashback in rotating categories every quarter, catering to different audiences.

For other categories, the card provides 3% cashback at restaurants and pharmacies, 5% on travel bookings, and 1% on all other purchases—all with no annual fee.

2. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Wells Fargo is recognized as a strong credit card provider, offering unlimited 2% cashback on all purchases.

Additionally, cardholders receive a $200 bonus with a $0 annual fee, an introductory 0% APR for 12 months, and up to $600 in cell phone protection per claim.

3. Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

The Citi card offers flexibility, also falling into the 5% cashback category for certain spending areas, up to a $500 limit per billing cycle.

For all other purchases, the card provides 1% cashback, along with special travel offers. This card is ideal for consumers who have concentrated expenses in a single category, such as gas or dining.

4. Discover it® Cash Back

The Discover it® Cash Back card is well known for its rotating cashback program and its excellent first-year cashback match benefit.

The card offers 5% cashback in rotating categories with prior activation and 1% cashback on all other purchases.

Discover matches all cashback earned in the first year, effectively doubling the rewards, all with no annual fee to make the card more accessible.

5. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

American Express is a reference brand in cashback cards, offering 6% cashback at supermarkets, up to $6,000 per year, as well as the same cashback rate on select streaming services.

The card provides 3% cashback on transit and gas stations, along with 1% cashback on all other purchases.

The Blue Cash Preferred has an annual fee of $95, making it a solid entry-level Amex card with good benefits and relatively low costs.

6. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Freedom Unlimited is one of Chase’s top credit cards, offering a well-rounded option with 1.5% cashback on all purchases.

Additionally, cardholders earn 3% cashback on dining and pharmacies and 5% on travel purchases. It also comes with a special offer of 0% introductory APR for 15 months and a $0 annual fee.

Unlike the Chase Freedom Flex, this card has no limit on cashback earnings.

7. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

The offer includes 3% cashback on restaurants and groceries, 5% cashback on travel through Capital One Travel, and 1% cashback on all other purchases.

With broad category coverage, this card is ideal for those who frequently dine out or regularly subscribe to entertainment services.

Strategies to Maximize Cashback

Beyond choosing the right card, some strategies can help optimize earnings:

1. Combine Different Cards: Use a high cashback card for groceries and another for general spending.
2. Take Advantage of Welcome Offers: Some cards offer bonuses worth hundreds of dollars.
3. Automate Payments: Set up automatic payments to ensure full bill payments and avoid interest charges.
4. Use Rewards Portals: Many card issuers provide extra cashback for purchases made through their exclusive portals.
5. Track Rotating Categories: If your card has rotating cashback, stay aware of quarterly activations to maximize benefits.

Written by

Gabriel Gonçalves