A good no annual fee cash back card for students, with 5% cash back in rotating categories (1% for everything else).
$336/yr
total value to you
Issuer
Discover
Discover
Network
Discover
Discover
Credit Score Required
Below Average (580-669)
Below Average (580-669)
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.
- Cash Back for Good Grades: Get $20 cash back each school year your GPA is 3.0 or higher for up to the next 5 years.
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- The 5% cash back categories change each quarter, so you might have trouble remembering them.
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.
- Cash Back for Good Grades: Get $20 cash back each school year your GPA is 3.0 or higher for up to the next 5 years.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR on purchases: 12.99-21.99%. (0% for the first 6 months.)
- APR on balance transfers: 12.99-21.99%. (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: $1,680
A decent cash back card with no annual fee, 1.5% cash back on all purchases, and a welcome bonus of $200 if you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months.
$330/yr
total value to you
Issuer
American Express
American Express
Network
American Express
American Express
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- Earn $200 back after you spend $1,000 or more in the first 3 months.
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- No annual fee.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- The ongoing rewards rate (1.5% cash back) is pretty average. If you're willing to pay an annual fee, there are some better options out there -- especially if you're interested in a travel rewards credit card.
Rewards & Perks
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee
- APR on purchases: 13.99-23.99% (but 0% for the first 15 months)
- Foriegn transaction fee: 2.7%
Total savings over 5 years: $1,650
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 decent cash back card for a spend category of your choice (3% on one of: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement), plus 2% on groceries, with no annual fee and a $200 signup bonus.
$328/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
- $200 online cash rewards bonus offer: Online $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
- 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement.
- 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs.
- 1% cash back all other purchases.
- No annual fee.
- 0% intro APR.
Cons
- You’ll only earn 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then it drops down to a 1% cash back rate.
- Some other cards have higher cash back rates on groceries.
Rewards & Perks
- $200 online cash rewards bonus offer: Online $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
- 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings.
- 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs.
- 1% cash back all other purchases.
- (You’ll earn 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then earn 1%.)
Rates & Fees
- No annual fee.
- APR for purchases and BTs: 13.99-23.99% (0% for first 12 months).
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%.
Total savings over 5 years: $1,638
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 cash back card for general spending, which offers either 2% (if you're a PenFed Honors Advantage Member, i.e., if you have a PenFed checking account or have served in the military) or 1.5% cash back on all spending, plus a $100 signup bonus (after spending $1,500 w/in 90 days), with no annual fee.
$315/yr
total value to you
Issuer
PenFed Credit Union
PenFed Credit Union
Network
Visa
Visa
Credit Score Required
Average (670-739)
Average (670-739)
X
Pros
- 2% cash back on all spending if you're a PenFed Honors Advantage Member (i.e., if you have a PenFed checking account or have served in the military). Otherwise: 1.5% cash back on all spending.
- $100 signup bonus (after spending $1,500 in the first 90 days).
- No annual fee.
Rewards & Perks
- 2% cash back on all spending if you're a PenFed Honors Advantage Member (i.e., if you have a PenFed checking account or have served in the military). Otherwise: 1.5% cash back on all spending.
- $100 signup bonus (after spending $1,500 in the first 90 days).
Rates & Fees
- Annual fee: $0
- Purchase APR: 15.99-17.99% (variable)
Total savings over 5 years: $1,575
Official Card Description (from card issuer):
- Earn Cash Back for Everyday Purchases
- No Caps. No Limits. No Gimmicks.
- 2% Cash Back** on all purchases for PenFed Honors Advantage Membersƚƚ
- 1.5% Cash Back** on all purchases made with your card
- $100 Bonus Offer Statement Creditƚ When you spend $1,500 in the first 90 days
- 0% Balance Transfers Promo APR for 12 months, 3% fee applies to each transaction. Subject to credit approval.
- Balance Transfers Promo APR for 12 months, 3% fee applies to each transaction. Subject to credit approval. On transfers made from now until September 30, 2022. After that, the APR for the unpaid balance and any new balance transfers will be 17.99%. A 3% balance transfer fee applies to each transfer. This transaction is subject to credit approval. If you take advantage of this balance transfer, you will immediately be charged interest on all purchases made with your credit card unless you pay the entire account balance, including balance transfers, in full each month by the payment due date.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Purchase Variable APR*: 15.99% to 17.99%
- Refer to PenFed.org for Terms/Conditions
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.