A good cash back card for general spending (1.5% cash back), with no annual fee and a $200 early spend bonus.
$329/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Capital One
Capital One
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- $200 early spend bonus: Earn a one-time bonus of $200 once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months.
- 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- Several cards offer 1.5% cash back these days.
- If you're willing to pay an annual fee, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Rewards card offers even better rewards.
Rewards & Perks
- $200 early spend bonus: Earn a one-time bonus of $200 once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months.
- 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR for purchases: 15.49-25.49% (0% for first 15 months).
- APR for balance transfers: 15.49-25.49%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,645
A mediocre card with a decent rewards earn rate on all purchases (1.5x miles) and no annual fee, but also no signup bonus.
$324/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Discover
Discover
Network
Discover
Discover
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 1.5 miles per dollar for all purchases.
- Discover automatically matches all the miles you've earned at the end of the first year.
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- No signup bonus.
Rewards & Perks
- 1.5 miles per dollar on all purchases.
- Discover automatically matches all the miles you've earned at the end of the first year.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 11.99-22.99%. (0% for the first 14 months.)
- APR on balance transfers: 11.99-22.99%. (10.99% for the first 14 months on balance transfers that post to your account within the first 2-3 months.)
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,620
A good rewards card for general spending (1.5 points per dollar), with a 25K points signup bonus and no annual fee.
$320/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Bank of America
Bank of America
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 25,000 bonus points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
- 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere.
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- If you're willing to pay an annual fee, the Bank of America Premium Rewards card offers even better rewards.
Rewards & Perks
- 25,000 bonus points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
- 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 13.99-23.99% (0% for the first year).
- APR on balance transfers: 13.99-23.99%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,600
A no annual fee card with a good 5% cash back rate on categories that rotate (1% on everything else), with double the cash back in the first year.
$316/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Discover
Discover
Network
Discover
Discover
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 5% cash back (on up to $1,500 spent per quarter) in categories that rotate each quarter (e.g., gas, restaurants, groceries, and Amazon).
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Discover automatically matches all the cash back you earn dollar for dollar at the end of your first year.
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- No signup bonus.
- The 5% categories rotate each quarter. (Can be hard to remember.)
Rewards & Perks
- 5% cash back (on up to $1,500 spent per quarter) in categories that rotate each quarter (e.g., gas, restaurants, groceries, and Amazon).
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Discover automatically matches all the cash back you earn dollar for dollar at the end of your first year.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 11.99-22.99%. (0% for the first 14 months.)
- APR on balance transfers: 11.99-22.99%. (0% for the first 14 months on balance transfers that post to your account within the first 2-3 months.)
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,580
A no annual fee card with decent cash back rates (3% on dining, 2% on groceries) and a $150 signup bonus, but only available to people who live in one of 16 states.
$311/yr
total value to you
Issuer
TD Bank
TD Bank
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- $150 cash bonus when you spend $500 within the first 90 days of account opening.
- 3% cash back at restaurants.
- 2% cash back at grocery stores.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No annual fee.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- Overall, the cash back rates are mediocre.
- You must live in certain states to apply. (As of April 2020, you must be a resident of one of the following: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virgina, Vermont, and Washington D.C.)
Rewards & Perks
- $150 cash bonus when you spend $500 within the first 90 days of account opening.
- 3% cash back at restaurants.
- 2% cash back at grocery stores.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 12.99-22.99%. (0% for the first 6 months.)
- APR on balance transfers: 12.99-22.99%. (0% for the first 15 months.)
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,554
A good cash back card (1.5% cash back on all purchases), with a $200 signup bonus (after making 3 debit card transactions in a new checking account), for people who only have an average or fair credit score, which has no annual fee.
$310/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Sutton Bank
Sutton Bank
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Earn a $200 bonus on your Upgrade Card after opening a Rewards Checking account and making 3 debit card transactions.*
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fee.
(*) Disclaimer: To qualify for the $200 welcome bonus, you must open and fund a new Rewards Checking account and make 3 debit card transactions within 60 days of your Upgrade Card account opening. The bonus will be applied as a one-time credit to your account and will not otherwise reduce the amount of your regular monthly payments. The bonus credit will be posted to your Upgrade Card as a rewards credit within 1-2 billing periods following the third debit card transaction on your Rewards Checking account. Your Upgrade Card must be in good standing to receive a bonus.
Rewards & Perks
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Earn a $200 bonus on your Upgrade Card after opening a Rewards Checking account and making 3 debit card transactions.*
(*) Disclaimer: To qualify for the $200 welcome bonus, you must open and fund a new Rewards Checking account and make 3 debit card transactions within 60 days of your Upgrade Card account opening. The bonus will be applied as a one-time credit to your account and will not otherwise reduce the amount of your regular monthly payments. The bonus credit will be posted to your Upgrade Card as a rewards credit within 1-2 billing periods following the third debit card transaction on your Rewards Checking account. Your Upgrade Card must be in good standing to receive a bonus.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 8.99-29.99%.
- No foreign transaction fee.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,550
Official Card Description (from card issuer):
- Earn a $200 bonus on your Upgrade Card after opening a Rewards Checking account and making 3 debit card transactions*
- Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment
- Combine the flexibility of a card with the low cost and predictability of a loan
- $0 fees - $0 annual fee, $0 activation fees, $0 maintenance fees
- No touch payments with contactless technology built in
- See if you qualify in minutes without hurting your credit score
- Access to a virtual card while you wait for your card to arrive in the mail
- Great for large purchases with predictable payments you can budget for
- Mobile app to access your account anytime, anywhere
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud liability
(*) Disclaimer: To qualify for the $200 welcome bonus, you must open and fund a new Rewards Checking account and make 3 debit card transactions within 60 days of your Upgrade Card account opening. The bonus will be applied as a one-time credit to your account and will not otherwise reduce the amount of your regular monthly payments. The bonus credit will be posted to your Upgrade Card as a rewards credit within 1-2 billing periods following the third debit card transaction on your Rewards Checking account. Your Upgrade Card must be in good standing to receive a bonus.
A good card if you're looking for cash back on gas (4%), restaurants (3%), and groceries (2%), with no annual fee.
$305/yr
total value to you
Issuer
PNC
PNC
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 4% cash back at gas stations.
- 3% cash back on dining (also includes fast food).
- 2% cash back at grocery stores.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No annual fee.
- Good APR.
Cons
- You'll only earn the 2-4% cash back rewards for the first $8,000 in combined purchases in these categories annually.
- There's currently no signup bonus offered for this card.
Rewards & Perks
- 4% cash back at gas stations.
- 3% cash back on dining (also includes fast food).
- 2% cash back at grocery stores.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 12.99-22.99%.
- APR on balance transfers: 12.99-22.99%. (0% for the first 12 months when the balance is transferred within the first 90 days.)
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,524
A cash back card for spending on certain categories (5% on gas, grocery, internet, cable, and cell phone service; 1% on everything else), but with a $95 annual fee.
$291/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Credit One
Credit One
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Below Average (580-669)
Below Average (580-669)
X
Pros
- 5% cash back on the first $5,000 spent each year on gas, grocery, internet, cable, and cell phone service
- 1% cash back for all other spending
Cons
- The 5% cash back rate is only for the first $5,000 spent in those categories (combined) each year.
- No signup bonus.
- $95 annual fee.
- Credit One has a reputation for sub-par customer service.
Rewards & Perks
- 5% cash back on the first $5,000 spent each year on gas, grocery, internet, cable, and cell phone service
- 1% cash back on all other spending
Rates & Fees
- $95 annual fee.
- APR on purchases and balance transfers: 23.99%.
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,455
A great choice for people who have a poor credit rating, which has no annual fee and comes with 3% cash back on a category of your choice, 2% on groceries and wholesale clubs, and 1% on everything else.
$288/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Bank of America
Bank of America
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Bad (<580)
Bad (<580)
X
Pros
- A great card if you have bad credit.
- 3% cash back on a category of your choice, 2% on groceries and wholesale clubs, and 1% on everything else.
- No annual fee.
Cons
- No signup bonus.
Rewards & Perks
- 3% cash back on a category of your choice
- 2% on groceries and wholesale clubs
- 1% on everything else
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee
- APR (on purchases and balance transfers): 23.99%
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%
Total savings over 5 years: $1,438
A secured card (requiring a deposit of at least $200) with decent cash back rewards (2% on restaurants and gas; doubled in the first year) and no annual fee.
$264/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Discover
Discover
Network
Discover
Discover
Credit Score Required
Bad (<580)
Bad (<580)
X
Pros
- 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Discover automatically matches all the cash back you earn dollar for dollar at the end of your first year.
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- The cash back rewards are ok, but not great.
- Requires an up-front deposit (although it's a refundable deposit).
Rewards & Perks
- 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Discover automatically matches all the cash back you earn dollar for dollar at the end of your first year.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 22.99%.
- APR on balance transfers: 22.99%. (10.99% for the first 6 months on balance transfers that post to your account within the first 2-3 months.)
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,320