Credit cards can be more than just a payment method—they can help you earn rewards, cashback, and other perks simply by making everyday purchases. With so many options available, choosing the best credit card to maximize your rewards and cashback can be overwhelming. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the top credit card offers for rewards and cashback in 2025 to help you find the right fit for your spending habits and lifestyle.
1. Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for Earning Unlimited 1.5% Cashback
Rewards: 1.5% cashback on all purchases
Bonus Offer: $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months
Why it’s great: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a top choice for those who want to earn 1.5% cashback on every purchase without worrying about categories or limits. It also offers additional cashback in certain categories, like 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® and 3% on dining and drugstore purchases.
Features:
- 1.5% cashback on all purchases
- 5% on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 3% on dining and drugstore purchases
- No annual fee
- Introductory APR of 0% for the first 15 months (then variable APR)
Why it’s great for: Anyone who prefers a simple, no-annual-fee cashback card with bonus categories on dining and travel.
2. American Express® Gold Card: Best for Dining and Restaurant Rewards
Rewards: 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
Bonus Offer: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months
Why it’s great: The American Express® Gold Card is perfect for foodies who want to earn big rewards on dining out or ordering in. With 4X points at restaurants (including delivery services like Uber Eats), it’s an excellent choice for those who frequently dine out. Plus, it offers additional rewards on supermarkets and travel.
Features:
- 4X points at restaurants (including takeout and delivery)
- 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
- 1X point on other purchases
- $120 dining credit annually ($10 per month at select restaurants)
- $250 annual fee
Why it’s great for: People who dine out frequently or want to earn points on their grocery store purchases.
3. Citi® Double Cash Card: Best for Simplicity and Straightforward Cashback
Rewards: 2% cashback (1% when you make a purchase, 1% when you pay it off)
Bonus Offer: None (but the cashback structure is impressive)
Why it’s great: The Citi® Double Cash Card is one of the best cashback credit cards for simplicity. With 2% cashback on every purchase—1% when you make a purchase and 1% when you pay it off—it’s a great option for those who want consistent cashback without tracking categories or spending limits.
Features:
- 2% cashback on all purchases (1% when you make a purchase, 1% when you pay it off)
- No annual fee
- 0% APR for the first 18 months on balance transfers (then variable APR)
- Cash back can be redeemed as statement credit, direct deposit, or a check
Why it’s great for: People who want a straightforward cashback card with no annual fee and automatic rewards on every purchase.
4. Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for Unlimited 1.5% Cashback
Rewards: 1.5% cashback on every purchase
Bonus Offer: $200 cashback after spending $500 in the first 3 months
Why it’s great: The Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a flat 1.5% cashback on every purchase, making it easy to earn rewards without worrying about rotating categories or limits. Plus, it comes with a $200 cashback bonus when you spend $500 in the first three months, making it a great card for beginners or those looking for a simple cashback option.
Features:
- 1.5% cashback on every purchase
- $200 cashback after spending $500 in the first 3 months
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 15 months (then variable APR)
Why it’s great for: People who want a simple, easy-to-use cashback card with no annual fee and a solid bonus.
5. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for Travel Rewards with a Strong Sign-Up Bonus
Rewards: 2X points on travel and dining
Bonus Offer: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months (worth $750 toward travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®)
Why it’s great: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great option for those who want to earn travel rewards. With 2X points on travel and dining and a strong sign-up bonus, it’s a fantastic way to earn points that can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, and more. Points are worth 25% more when redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, which adds even more value to your rewards.
Features:
- 2X points on travel and dining
- 1X point on all other purchases
- 60,000-point sign-up bonus (worth $750 toward travel)
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel partners
- $95 annual fee
Why it’s great for: Travelers who want to earn rewards on travel and dining, and make the most of their points by transferring them to airline and hotel partners.
6. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for Groceries and Gas Rewards
Rewards: 6% cashback on U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), 3% on U.S. gas stations, and 1% on other purchases
Bonus Offer: $300 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months
Why it’s great: The Blue Cash Preferred® Card is perfect for those who spend a lot on groceries and gas. With 6% cashback at U.S. supermarkets (on the first $6,000 spent each year), it’s a great option for families or anyone who does a lot of their shopping at grocery stores. Plus, you get 3% cashback on U.S. gas stations, making it a strong contender for regular grocery and fuel spenders.
Features:
- 6% cashback on U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%)
- 3% cashback on U.S. gas stations
- 1% cashback on other purchases
- $300 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months
- $95 annual fee (waived for the first year)
Why it’s great for: Those who spend a lot on groceries and gas and want to maximize cashback in these categories.
7. Discover it® Cash Back: Best for Rotating Categories and Cashback Match
Rewards: 5% cashback on rotating categories each quarter (up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1%), 1% on all other purchases
Bonus Offer: Discover will match all the cashback you earn in your first year
Why it’s great: The Discover it® Cash Back card offers 5% cashback on rotating categories each quarter, such as groceries, gas, or restaurants. Plus, Discover will match all the cashback you earn in your first year, which can be a huge boost to your rewards. This makes it ideal for people who want to take advantage of high cashback rates in different spending categories.
Features:
- 5% cashback on rotating categories (up to $1,500 per quarter, then 1%)
- 1% cashback on all other purchases
- Cashback match in the first year
- No annual fee
Why it’s great for: People who can keep track of rotating categories and want to take advantage of high cashback offers.
Conclusion: Choose the Right Rewards Card for You
Choosing the best rewards or cashback credit card depends on your spending habits and what categories you spend the most on. Here’s a quick recap:
- For simplicity: Citi® Double Cash Card or Capital One® Quicksilver®.
- For dining and restaurants: American Express® Gold Card.
- For travel rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Chase Freedom Unlimited®.
- For groceries and gas: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express.
- For rotating categories: Discover it® Cash Back.
By selecting the right card for your lifestyle, you can make the most of your everyday purchases and earn valuable rewards or cashback. Keep an eye on annual fees, bonus offers, and interest rates to find the best fit for your financial goals. Happy spending!