Best Cash-Back Credit Cards With No Annual Fee Of November 2024

The Chase Freedom Flex® scores high marks for multiple bonus categories, plus ease of earning rewards. There are quarterly chances to earn bonus rewards in popular categories like brand-name stores, adding a fun twist to maximize your earnings.

Why We Like It

This card offers various travel and consumer benefits including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, secondary auto rental collision damage coverage, purchase protection, extended warranty protection and cellphone protection when you pay your bill with your Freedom Flex card.

This card can be made even stronger when paired with a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. Having one of these cards will give you the ability to transfer the points earned on your Freedom Flex to one of these premium cards where they can be redeemed through Chase Travel℠ for 25% to 50% more value, depending on which card you have or transferred at a 1:1 ratio to Chase’s airline and hotel partners, including United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt.

What We Don’t Like

While 5% categories offer chances to earn big rewards every few months, there’s a cap on your earnings. Also, categories aren’t disclosed for the full year, and you might find some months where the categories don’t apply to your spending. It’s also important to always remember to activate your 5% cash-back bonus categories each quarter.

Who It’s Best For

Cardholders who enjoy earning cash back in a gamified way and don’t mind combining their points with other cards to extract extra value from the quarterly bonuses will love the Chase Freedom Flex®.

Not many cards offer unlimited 5% cash back, but the Prime Visa reigns supreme for Amazon enthusiasts. Prime members can earn uncapped rewards, making this a cash back powerhouse.

Why We Like It

Considering the breadth of products sold between Amazon and Whole Foods, the ability to earn 5% back on nearly anything you buy is a sweet deal. This card is worth considering if you’re already a Prime member and consistently shop at Amazon. Unlike the Amazon Store Card* which locks you into store credit, your rewards can be redeemed through Chase Travel℠, as well as Amazon.com.

What We Don’t Like

To earn the full 5% cash back and be eligible for this card, you’ll need to carry a Prime membership. Memberships start at $139 per year, so if you don’t already pay this fee, it can cut into your rewards. You also have to keep your spend inside the Amazon ecosystem (Whole Foods, Amazon and Amazon Fresh) whereas other cash-back cards allow you to earn 5% back at many other stores.

Who It’s Best For

Those who appreciate the simplicity of buying things at Amazon or the appeal of Whole Foods will gain a lot from the Prime Visa.

Not only does the SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card* offer unlimited cash back on all purchases, but if you make your payments on time for a full year, your APR will be reduced.

Why We Like It

As a Mastercard, you’ll have access to the World Elite suite of benefits, including luxury travel discounts, membership discounts and even a concierge to help with anything you need. Cardholders receive cellphone coverage when you pay your bill with the card.

What We Don’t Like

While its uncomplicated earning structure may be a draw for many, you can’t earn bonuses in other spending categories. That means you might earn more cash back with a combination of cards. There’s also no welcome bonus, so your cash back won’t add up as quickly.

Who It’s Best For

The SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card* is best for SoFi customers looking for unlimited 2% earnings as an easy win. Look at the World Elite Mastercard benefits suite to see if any of them appeal to you.

The Discover it® Cash Back card’s welcome bonus can offer significantly more value than traditional welcome bonuses when used as your primary card. You’ll double your cash back in the first year, making this a valuable card—especially for the first 12 months.

Why We Like It

Rotating categories offer the chance to earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter up to a quarterly maximum of $1,500 in spending when activated. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Add this to the bonus rewards value for redemptions on items like gift cards, and the ability to get extra value out of the card makes this a winner.

Discover cardholders can freeze their account from the mobile app or website if a card is lost and get free access to their FICO Score. This card offers a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and eligible balance transfers. Then, a standard rate of 18.74% – 27.74% variable applies. A balance transfer fee of up to 5% of the amount transferred applies.

What We Don’t Like

You might find Discover isn’t accepted in some places, especially internationally—although coverage is improving. On top of that, the 5% bonus categories are limited and capped each quarter. One of the downsides is the need to remember to activate the rotating bonus category each quarter, or you’ll only earn a 1% cash-back rate.

Who It’s Best For

This card works well for those who can take advantage of the rotating categories and want to earn a larger-than-average welcome bonus.

With the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card, you’ll get a generous cash-back rate in your chosen category and rewards when shopping for groceries.

Why We Like It

Flexible categories could be exactly what you’re looking for if you want to change your bonus categories regularly. You can change your elections each month or set and forget it.

What We Don’t Like

Bank of America doesn’t have any transfer partners, so the cash you earn is just that: cash back. Elevated rewards are capped at $2,500 each quarter for your 2% and 3% earnings combined, so big spenders may max out before the quarter ends. If you choose to redeem your rewards as a deposit into an eligible 529 or other Merrill account, Bank of America requires a $25 minimum for redemption.

Who It’s Best For

If you spend a lot of money in grocery stores or wholesale clubs each month and want a bonus bump to your cash back, this card could be worthwhile. But keep in mind, there’s a limit of $2,500 in spend each quarter for bonus earnings.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is similar to and could complement the Chase Freedom Flex®. The main difference is that Freedom Unlimited offers a higher base earnings rate instead of quarterly 5% bonus categories. Look at your spending habits to decide which card will be more rewarding for you or whether carrying both could prove most beneficial.

Why We Like It

The Freedom Unlimited’s simple earning structure could make it an ideal one-card option. Like the Freedom Flex, the Freedom Unlimited can be paired with a premium Chase Ultimate Rewards®-earning credit card to give you more value for your points.

The Freedom Unlimited also offers travel and consumer protections including an auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, extended warranty and purchase protection. Notably, it does not offer cellphone coverage.

What We Don’t Like

While the Freedom Unlimited’s 1.5% base earnings rate is better than that of its sibling, the Freedom Flex, there are several 2% cash-back cards available. The card also charges foreign transaction fees, making it a poor fit for traveling abroad.

Who It’s Best For

If you’re averse to annual fees, but still want an outsized return on your dining and drugstore purchases, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® could work for you. It’s especially beneficial if you pair it with a premium Chase card, giving you access to more valuable travel rewards.

If your spending categories are inconsistent throughout the year, the Citi Custom Cash® Card offers flexibility to earn more rewards in your top spending category each billing cycle from a list of eligible categories.

Why We Like It

You don’t need to update your top category every month because it’s applied automatically at the end of your statement cycle.

What We Don’t Like

Your 5% cash back is limited to a meager $500 in spend each billing cycle, meaning you’ll only be able to earn $25 maximum at the 5% level. The card also doesn’t include many added perks.

Who It’s Best For

The Citi Custom Cash® Card works well if you’re looking for an easy card that pays you a bonus, but you’re not interested in selecting a category or enrolling every month.

The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card may not be the best choice if you’re looking for just one card because of its complicated earnings structure. But if you’re willing to pair it with another card, you could do well with reward earnings.

Why We Like It

The cash back can be potentially lucrative if you’re willing to keep track of the various earning categories and book travel through the card’s travel portal. This is also a Visa Signature card, which comes with other built-in benefits.

The Cash+ Visa Signature also offers an introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles, then a standard APR of 18.74% – 28.99% variable APR applies. A balance transfer fee of 3% ($5 minimum) applies and balances transferred must be completed within 60 days from account opening.

What We Don’t Like

Getting your cash back comes as a statement credit or a direct deposit to your U.S. Bank account, and not many other options are available for redemption. The card offers little beyond the chance to earn rewards, so if you want purchase or travel protections, look elsewhere.

Who It’s Best For 

The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is ideal for those who appreciate the extra perks that the Visa Signature card provides and can max out their chosen 5% bonus categories each quarter.

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card should delight anyone looking for huge earnings. With no foreign transaction fees and low intro APR, this card has big potential (rates & fees).

Why We Like It

The card is simple by design, with no cap on the cash back you can earn in several excellent categories, even internationally. If you want to transfer a balance, you’re in luck, as the card offers a generous introductory period.

What We Don’t Like

You don’t get access to some of the other benefits other Capital One cards have, like access to Capital One lounges or premium travel benefits. You also can’t transfer points to travel partners.

Who It’s Best For

Someone who can take full advantage of the uncapped earnings at grocery stores and restaurants could earn more with the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card than other cards on this list.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card gives you the ability to earn flat cash rewards while, at the same time, offering valuable perks and protections for no additional cost. If you’re already a Wells Fargo account holder, adding it to your portfolio makes sense.

Why We Like It

Building rewards is simple and easy. On top of earning 2% cash rewards on purchases, you can protect your cellphone for up to $600 per incident and up to twice per year, subject to a $25 deductible, when you pay your cellphone bill with the card.

What We Don’t Like

This card is unsuitable for foreign purchases as it charges a 3% foreign transaction fee. It also doesn’t have any bonus categories.

Who It’s Best For

If you’re looking for an easy way to be rewarded and offset the cost of your daily purchases, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card’s 2% cash rewards with no annual fee is a solid deal.