A great no annual fee cash back card for people who are Costco members and spend a lot on gas (4% cash back), restaurants (3%), travel (3%), and Costco (2%) purchases.
$312/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Citi
Citi
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Above Average (740-799)
Above Average (740-799)
X
Pros
- 4% cash back on gas (including gas at Costco), for the first $7,000 spent per year.
- 3% cash back on restaurants and travel.
- 2% cash back on other Costco purchases (in-store and/or at costco.com).
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No annual fee (but you still need to pay your regular Costco annual membership fee).
- Good APR.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- You'd still need to pay your regular Costco annual membership fee.
- No signup bonus.
Rewards & Perks
- 4% cash back on gas (including gas at Costco), for the first $7,000 spent per year.
- 3% cash back on restaurants and travel.
- 2% cash back on other Costco purchases (in-store and/or at costco.com).
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee (but you still need to pay for your Costco membership).
- APR on purchases and balance transfers: 15.24%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,559
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 mediocre cash back card for gas and restaurant spending (2%), but with doubled cash back in the first year and no annual fee.
$264/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Discover
Discover
Network
Discover
Discover
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 2% cash back at gas and restaurants 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.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- If you're willing to pay an annual fee, there are better rewards cards out there for gas and restaurants.
Rewards & Perks
- 2% cash back at gas and restaurants 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: 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: $1,320
A good cash back card (1-1.25%) for students who don't have many other options due to their thin credit history, with no annual fee, but also no early spend bonus.
$237/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Capital One
Capital One
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Below Average (580-669)
Below Average (580-669)
X
Pros
- If you have a poor to average credit score, this is one of your best options for a rewards credit card.
- 1% cash back on all your purchases.
- Pay on time to boost your cash back to a total of 1.25% for that month.
- $60 streaming subscription credit: Earn $5 per month for 12 months on select streaming subscriptions when you pay on time. (Exclusions apply.)
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- There are several cards with higher cash back rates (if you have good or excellent credit).
- No early spend bonus.
- High APR.
Rewards & Perks
- 1% cash back on all purchases.
- Pay on time to boost your cash back to a total of 1.25% for that month.
- $60 streaming subscription credit: Earn $5 per month for 12 months on select streaming subscriptions when you pay on time. (Exclusions apply.)
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR for purchases and balance transfers: 25.99%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,184
A good cash back card for spending on home, auto, and health (3% cash back on home, auto, and health; 1% on everything else), 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.
$224/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Sutton Bank
Sutton Bank
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Below Average (580-669)
Below Average (580-669)
X
Pros
- 3% cash back on Home, Auto, and Health spending categories.
- 1% cash back on everything else.
- 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
- 3% cash back on Home, Auto, and Health spending categories.
- 1% cash back on everything else.
- 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: $1,122
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*
- Unlimited cash back on payments - 3% on Home, Auto and Health categories and 1% on everything else
- $0 fees - $0 annual fee, $0 activation fees, $0 maintenance fees
- Combine the flexibility of a card with the low cost and predictability of a loan
- 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 card that seems good on the surface, but has a very low value per point (5 points = 1 cent).
$204/yr
total value to you
Issuer
PNC
PNC
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 50,000 bonus points (after spending $750 in the first 3 months).
- 4 points per dollar on all purchases.
- Earn 25% bonus points when you maintain a virtual wallet, Performance checking account, or Performance Select checking account.
- No annual fee.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- Each point is worth just 0.2 cents on average, which is low compared to other credit cards.
- Points expire after 48 months.
- No signup bonus.
Rewards & Perks
- 50,000 bonus points after spending $750 in the first 3 months.
- 4 points per dollar on all purchases.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 11.99-21.99%. (0% for the first 12 months.)
- APR on balance transfers: 11.99-21.99%. (0% for the first 12 months on balance transfers posted to your account within the first 90 days.)
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,020
A decent no annual fee card for frequent Marriott guests, with a signup bonus of 30K points, 3x points on Marriott (as well as 2x on other travel and 1x on everything else) and Silver Elite status each year.
$183/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Chase
Chase
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 30,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 within the first 3 months.
- 3x points on hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
- 2x points on travel.
- 1 point per dollar on everything else.
- 15 elite night credits each year, which will qualify you for Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status.
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- If you like staying at Marriott hotels, there are Marriott credit cards (such as the American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card) that charge annual fees but would probably give you better value than this no annual fee version.
- Each point is worth just 0.7 cents on average, which is low compared to other credit cards.
Rewards & Perks
- 30,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 within the first 3 months.
- 3x points on hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
- 2x points on travel.
- 1 point per dollar on everything else.
- 15 elite night credits each year, which will qualify you for Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR for purchases and balance transfers: 15.99-22.99%.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Total savings over 5 years: $916
A very basic card with no annual fee, but also no ongoing rewards and no signup bonus.
$40/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- No annual fee.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- No ongoing rewards.
- No signup bonus.
Rewards & Perks
- This credit card has no notable rewards.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 16.49-24.49%. (0% for the first 18 months.)
- APR on balance transfers: 15.49-24.99%. (0% for the first 18 months on balance transfers posted to your account within the first 120 days.)
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%.
Total savings over 5 years: $200