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Advertiser Disclosure Updated: Aug 27, 2024, 3:58pm

Best 2% Cash-Back Cards Of September 2024

Becky PokoraCredit Card Rewards Expert

With more than 50 million redeemed miles under her belt, Becky Pokora is a rewards travel expert. She's been writing about credit cards and reward travel since 2011 with articles on Forbes Advisor, BoardingArea, The Points Guy and more. Her redemptio...

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Written By

Becky Pokora

Becky PokoraCredit Card Rewards Expert

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Credit Card Rewards Expert

Jerod MoralesDeputy Editor

Jerod Morales is a deputy editor at Forbes Advisor and a travel rewards expert. He took a deep dive into points and miles in 2016, searching for a way to make travel both possible and affordable for his growing family. Now, as a dad to four sons, he...

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Edited By

Jerod Morales

Jerod MoralesDeputy Editor

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Deputy Editor

Yanely EspinalCredit Cards and Financial Education Expert

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Yanely Espinal

Yanely EspinalCredit Cards and Financial Education Expert

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Expert Reviewed

|Credit Cards and Financial Education Expert

& 2 others

Updated: Aug 27, 2024, 3:58pm

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Credit cards that earn points and miles may get all the glory, but cash back is the much more flexible reward option, giving you redemption freedom. But since you can’t maximize the value of your redemptions like you can with points, maximizing your earnings is the best way to get more out of a cash-back card.

A smart move is to pair a card that earns the same rate on all your spending, like a 2% cash-back card, with one that earns elevated rewards in different categories to maximize earnings on all of your credit card spending. Each of the cards we’ve listed can earn at least 2% on every purchase, with a few offering the option to earn cash back at an even higher flat rate.

Show Summary

Best 2% Cash-Back Cards

Robinhood Gold Card *: Best for Robinhood investors
SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card *: Best for SoFi checking customers
Signature FCU Visa® Signature *: Best for no foreign transaction fees
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best for cellphone protection
PNC Cash Unlimited® Visa Signature® Credit Card *: Best for balance transfers
TD Double Up Credit Card: Best for flexible redemptions
Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card *: Best for high rewards rate
Citi Double Cash® Card: Best for transferring points to other Citi cards
Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card *: Best for Fidelity investors
Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®: Best for automated redemptions

Cash Back Credit Cards

Featured Partner Offer

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Apply Now

On Wells Fargo's Website

Click Here To Apply Now

Rates & Fees

Unlimited 2% Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Welcome Bonus

$200 Cash Rewards

Annual Fee

Regular APR

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 - 749)

Editorial Review

The Wells Fargo Active Cash offers an unlimited 2% cash rewards rate on purchases and charges no annual fee. This puts it in competition with the best flat-rate cash back cards on the market.

Pros & Cons

Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
$0 annual fee
Cellphone protection benefit

There’s a balance transfer fee
There’s a foreign transaction fee
Can’t transfer earnings to travel partners

Card Details

Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
$0 annual fee.
No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.

Best 2% Cash-Back Cards of 2024

Best for Robinhood investors

Robinhood Gold Card *

Up to 5X Reward Rate

Earn 5% cashback per dollar spent on travel booked through the Robinhood travel portal. Earn 3% cashback on all otherRead More

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

Regular APR

20.24% - 29.99% variable

Credit Score

Good/Excellent (700 - 749)

Our Expert Take

The Robinhood Gold Card* allows Gold members to transfer cash back earnings to their Robinhood brokerage account.

Why We Like It

The Robinhood Gold Card* offers more than 2% cash back, instead giving cardholders 5% on travel through Robinhood’s portal and an impressive 3% cash back on all other purchases. That makes the card a no-brainer if you’re already a subscriber to Robinhood Gold.

The Robinhood Gold card charges no foreign transaction fees. It also provides a nice assortment of consumer and travel protections including trip interruption protection, purchase security, extended warranty protection, a secondary auto rental collision waiver and return protection.

What We Don’t Like

You need a Robinhood Gold membership to apply for this card which has an annual subscription fee of $75. For the extra 1% cash back that you get over a normal 2% cash-back card to cover that fee, you’d need to spend $7,500 a year on the card, which not everyone will do.

Who It’s Best For

Robinhood Gold members who want to earn cash-back rewards on everyday spending have a lot to love with this card.

Pros & Cons

Impressive flat-rate cash back with no earning caps
No annual or foreign transaction fees
No age restriction on authorized users to help young people build credit
Simplified earning structure with no complex bonus categories

Available exclusively to Robinhood Gold subscribers
No transfer partners or simple ways to maximize point valuation
No welcome offer

Card Details

Earn 5% cashback on travel booked through the Robinhood travel portal
Earn 3% cashback on all other purchases
No annual fee
Trip interruption protection
No foreign transaction fees
Roadside Dispatch
Visa Signature concierge service

Best for SoFi checking customers

SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card *

Up to 3X Reward Rate

Earn 3% cash back on travel booked through SoFi Travel and unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases.

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

Regular APR

20.24% - 29.99% variable

Credit Score

Good (700 - 749)

Our Expert Take

The SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card* joins several other top cash-back credit cards on the market offering a minimum of 2% cash back on all purchases and the opportunity to earn even more if you have a SoFi Checking account.

Why We Like It

While this card’s base rate is great, you can get even more value by setting up direct deposit into a SoFi Checking account. Those who do will get a 10% earnings boost, meaning that they’ll earn an unlimited 2.2% cash back on every purchase and 3.3% on SoFi Travel purchases.

This card doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee and gives $1,000 of complimentary cellphone protection ($800 maximum per claim, 2 claims per year), giving you plenty of reasons to use it beyond the 2% cash back.

What We Don’t Like

To get this card, you need to have a SoFi account. If you just want a credit card and don’t want to open other accounts, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

Who It’s Best For

The SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card is best for those who have direct deposit with a SoFi Checking account or who are willing to set that up to earn the extra 10% on every purchase.

Pros & Cons

Strong rewards rates
No annual fee
No foreign transaction fee

Must redeem rewards into an eligible SoFi account
No welcome bonus offer
No intro APR offer

Card Details

Earn unlimited 2% cash back rewards on eligible purchases and 3% cash back rewards on SoFi Travel bookings
Receive up to $1,000 of complimentary cell phone insurance coverage
No annual fee
No foreign transaction fees

Best for no foreign transaction fees

Signature FCU Visa® Signature *

Up to 6X Reward Rate

Earn 6 points or 6% cash rebate per dollar spent on streaming services and 2 points or 2% cash rebateRead More

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

Regular APR

13.50% - 15.50% variable APR

Credit Score

Good, Excellent (700 - 749)

Our Expert Take

The Signature FCU Visa® Signature* is a solid choice for people who are already Signature FCU members, offering strong rewards on streaming in addition to 2% on all other purchases.

Why We Like It

The 6% cash-back rate is one of the best available for streaming purchases. The card offers Visa Signature services, such as trip delay and lost luggage reimbursement. It’s also one of the lowest-cost cards you’ll find, with no annual fee, foreign transaction fee, or balance transfer fee and a starting APR that’s well below average.

What We Don’t Like

This card is only available to Signature FCU members so you’ll need to join before you can apply. While the low ongoing APR and lack of a balance transfer fee are nice, this card doesn’t offer an introductory APR on purchases or balance transfers so you’ll need to look elsewhere if you’re hoping to avoid interest completely for a period of time.

Who It’s Best For

The Signature FCU Visa® Signature* is best for Signature FCU members or those who spend enough on streaming to make it worthwhile to join.

Pros & Cons

No annual fee
No foreign transaction fee
Elevated earnings on streaming purchases
Several built-in travel protections

No welcome bonus
Signature FCU membership required to apply
No intro APR for purchases or balance transfers

Card Details

Earn 6 points or 6% cash rebate per dollar spent on eligible streaming services purchases
Earn 2 points or 2% cash rebate for every dollar spent on all other purchases
No annual fee
Visa Signature Concierge

Best for cellphone protection

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Apply Now

On Wells Fargo's Website

Click Here To Apply Now

Rates & Fees

Unlimited 2% Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Welcome Bonus

$200 Cash Rewards

Annual Fee

Regular APR

20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 - 749)

Our Expert Take

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases and charges no annual fee. This puts it in competition with the best flat-rate cash rewards cards on the market.

Why We Like It

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers cellphone protection when you use it to pay your cellphone bill. In addition to a solid welcome bonus, it has an intro APR offer, making it a good choice if you’re looking to open a new card. New cardholders get a 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR applies. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% (min. $5) then a fee of up to 5% (min. $5) applies.

What We Don’t Like

The card charges both foreign transaction fees and balance transfer fees, which you’ll need to keep in mind when traveling overseas or if you plan to consolidate balances from other cards.

Who It’s Best For

Consumers who want simple rewards without tracking, or an everyday card to pair with a card that earns bonus rewards in specific spending categories should consider the Wells Fargo Active Cash.

Pros & Cons

Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
$0 annual fee
Cellphone protection benefit

There’s a balance transfer fee
There’s a foreign transaction fee
Can’t transfer earnings to travel partners

Card Details

Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
$0 annual fee.
No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.

Best for balance transfers

PNC Cash Unlimited® Visa Signature® Credit Card *

2X Reward Rate

Earn 2% cash back on every purchase

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

Regular APR

20.24% - 30.24% variable

Credit Score

Good, Excellent (700 - 749)

Our Expert Take

The PNC Cash Unlimited® Visa Signature® Credit Card* earns flat-rate cash-back rewards that can be redeemed for deposits to an eligible PNC Bank checking or savings account, gift cards or travel.

Why We Like It

With no annual fee and a balance transfer intro APR offer, this card could be a good choice for people looking to avoid fees and interest. You’ll get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for the first 12 months of account opening, followed by a 20.24% – 30.24% variable APR. Balance transfers must be completed within 90 days of account opening and a fee of either $5 or 4% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater, applies. It also offers cellphone protection when you pay your cellphone bill with the card and charges no foreign transaction fees.

What We Don’t Like

The card has a high balance transfer fee, which limits the value of its intro APR offer.

Who It’s Best For

This card is best suited for existing PNC customers who prefer to redeem rewards directly to their PNC bank account.

Pros & Cons

No annual fee
No foreign transaction fee
Intro APR on balance transfers

No welcome offer
Must qualify for a minimum $5,000 credit line

Card Details

Earn 2% cash back on purchases
No earning caps
Lengthy intro APR offer on qualifying balance transfers
Visa Signature concierge

Best for flexible redemptions

TD Double Up Credit Card

Apply Now

On TD Bank's Website

Click Here To Apply Now

Rates & Fees

2% Reward Rate

Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases.

Welcome Bonus

Earn $150 Cash Back in the form of a statement credit

Annual Fee

Regular APR

20.24%, 25.24% or 30.24% variable APR based on your creditworthiness.

Credit Score

Good/Excellent (700 - 749)

Our Expert Take

The TD Double Up Credit Card can be an excellent choice for a cash-back credit card for residents in one of the states where TD operates.

Why We Like It

You can apply for this card even if you don’t have a TD bank account. It also doesn’t add any restrictions or requirements in order to earn its 2% cash-back rate.

What We Don’t Like

The Double Up card charges foreign transaction fees, so won’t be a good fit if you’re someone who often travels abroad.

Who It’s Best For

This card is ideal for existing TD Bank customers (or those who live within the bank’s service area) who rarely travel internationally.

Pros & Cons

No annual fee
Generous and simple rewards structure
Introductory APR offer on balance transfers

Card only available where TD Bank has a footprint
Must accrue $25 in rewards to redeem

Card Details

Bonus Cash Back: Earn $150 Cash Back in the form of a statement credit when you spend $1,000 within the first 90 days after account opening
Earn unlimited 2% Cash Back on all eligible purchases
No reward categories, no caps, no worries.
Get Visa benefits like cell phone protection when you pay your monthly mobile bill with your card
No annual fee
Contactless Payments/Digital Wallet
Instant credit card replacement
Must be a resident of CT, DC, DE, FL, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, SC, VA or VT.

Best for high rewards rate

Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card *

Up to 2.5% Reward Rate

Those eligible for Tier 1 Rewards earn 2.5% cashback on the first $10,000 of qualifying eligible purchases per billing cycleRead More

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

Regular APR

17.49% - 27.49% variable

Credit Score

Excellent (750 - 850)

Our Expert Take

The 2.5% top cash-back rate on the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card* is hard to beat. The downsides are that you have to jump through some hoops to get it and it lacks a welcome bonus.

Why We Like It

This card’s top earning rate beats most of the other cards on this list. You can also use it worry-free overseas thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees.

What We Don’t Like

You need to open an account at Alliant to be able to get the card. You also won’t get the 2.5% cash-back rate unless you maintain a $1,000 checking account balance and make at least one electronic deposit each month in an Alliant High Rate Checking Account.

If you don’t meet those requirements, your cash-back rate drops to 1.5%. Even if you do meet them, the 2.5% cash back is capped at the first $10,000 spent each billing cycle. Any spending above that will also earn the 1.5% base rate.

Who It’s Best For

The Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card* is best for those who are willing and able to meet the banking requirements to qualify for the card’s top earnings rate each billing cycle.

Pros & Cons

2.5% cash back rate on up to $10,000 in monthly purchases for eligible accounts (then 1.5%)
No foreign transaction fees
Generous credit line

No intro APR offer
No welcome bonus
Requires a companion checking account with balance, direct deposit and e-statement requirements

Card Details

Earn up to 2.5% cash back with no categories to track on up to $10,000 in purchases each billing cycle with qualifying accounts. All other purchases earn 1.5%
You can choose to receive cash back from your Alliant credit card via a credit card statement credit (appearing within one billing cycle) or as a deposit into your Alliant checking or savings
Up to $5,000 of Personal Identity Theft Protection for covered expenses to restore your identity

Best for transferring points to other Citi cards

Citi Double Cash® Card

Apply Now

On Citi's Website

Click Here To Apply Now

Rates & Fees

Up to 2% Reward Rate

First, you earn 1% unlimited cash back on every purchase you make. Then, as you pay for those purchases, youRead More

Welcome Bonus

Earn $200 cash back

Annual Fee

Regular APR

19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

Credit Score

Excellent, Good, Fair

Our Expert Take

The Citi Double Cash® Card offers a solid cash-back rate on all purchases and an intro APR on balance transfers, all without an annual fee.

Why We Like It

The Double Cash earns 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they’re paid off, giving you even more reason to pay your credit card bill. You can transfer your rewards to other Citi cards, giving you more redemption options that may boost the value of your rewards.

New cardholders also get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the standard variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on creditworthiness. An intro balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3%, whichever is greater, applies to transfers completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, the fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5). But since this intro APR doesn’t extend to purchases, you should avoid making new charges to the card until any transferred balances have been paid in full.

What We Don’t Like

The Double Cash lacks many of the perks other cards offer, such as cellphone protection, and it only transfers to a few of Citi’s air and hotel partners. You’ll need another Citi card to open up access to the rest of Cit’s partners.

Who It’s Best For

The Citi Double Cash is tailored to those who want a simple rewards structure and flexible redemption options.

Expert Commentary

Julian Kheel

Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert

With over 15 years of professional experience studying credit cards and travel loyalty programs, Julian Kheel has served as CNN’s senior editor covering travel and credit cards, as well as the editorial director for The Points Guy, and worked as a consultant for the biggest airlines. He is currently the CEO of Tripsight Inc., an award tools company that recently released Points Path, the first browser extension that automatically adds the prices of flights in miles into Google Flights search results to help travelers decide when to best use their travel rewards.

Julian first learned the ins and outs of credit card rewards and travel loyalty programs while flying more than 200,000 miles a year as a TV producer and director for World Wrestling Entertainment. (And yes, of course it’s all real.) He has previously written about travel and credit cards for U.S. News & World Report, Upgraded Points and Going, and created weekly columns for the travel websites Frequent Miler and Travel Codex.

In addition to appearing as a TV analyst to discuss travel and loyalty programs on national segments for CNN, Bloomberg News, CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Yahoo Finance and Cheddar TV, Julian has also been featured on ABC and CBS Radio, and has been quoted in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Tribune on travel-related topics as well.

Julian Kheel

Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert

Not everyone wants to chase bonus categories or shuffle cards in their wallet, which makes the Citi Double Cash the perfect “set it and forget it” credit card. It’s one of the only cards around that not only earns 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they’re paid off, but also offers a path to using that cash back in the form of more valuable travel points down the road when you’re ready to take the next step.

Pros & Cons

Earn up to 2% cash back—1% when the purchase is made and 1% when payment is made on the account
No limit on the amount of cash back that can be earned
No annual fee
Introductory APR period for balance transfers

Foreign transaction fee
Balance transfer fee
Lack of benefits seen in other no annual fee cards
No introductory APR on purchases

Card Details

Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

Best for Fidelity investors

Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card *

2% Reward Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every eligible net purchase when you direct deposit your rewards into your eligible FidelityRead More

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

Regular APR

19.24% variable

Credit Score

Good/Excellent (700 - 749)

Our Expert Take

The Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card* is a fantastic option for people who want a straightforward way to earn cash back on all credit card spending and have or plan to open an account with Fidelity.

Why We Like It

Redeeming your rewards directly into your investment account is an easy way to boost your portfolio. The flexibility to add the rewards to tax-advantaged accounts such as a 529 college savings plan further sweetens the deal.

What We Don’t Like

You’ll need a Fidelity brokerage account to qualify for this card, so if you invest elsewhere you should consider alternatives.

Who It’s Best For

This card is best suited for Fidelity brokerage customers who want to grow their investment portfolios through redemptions to their accounts.

Pros & Cons

Visa Signature benefits
Earn unlimited rewards that don’t expire
Simple 2% rewards rate with no categories to manage

Rewards points must be deposited in a qualifying Fidelity account to get the full value
No bonus spending categories to boost rewards

Card Details

Earn unlimited 2% cash back
Earn 2 points per dollar spent in eligible purchases
No limits on total Reward Points and no restrictive categories
Reward Points will not expire
No annual fee
Zero fraud liability
Signature travel and shopping offers

Best for automated redemptions

Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®

Apply Now

On Synchrony Bank's Website

Click Here To Apply Now

Up to 2X Reward Rate

Earn 2% cash back on eligible purchases with no categories, tiers or limits. Terms apply.

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

Regular APR

19.24% - 34.99% Variable APR as of April 30, 2024

Credit Score

Good, Excellent (700 - 749)

Our Expert Take

The Synchrony Premier World Mastercard® keeps things uncomplicated with a flat 2% cash back that’s automatically applied as a statement credit for all eligible purchases.

Why We Like It

This is a low-frills card that offers 2% cash back. You don’t need to meet any special requirements or open other accounts to get the card.

What We Don’t Like

This card requires Good, Excellent credit to qualify. It also lacks an intro APR offer or welcome bonus.

Who It’s Best For

Consumers who want to earn cash-back rewards on autopilot will love how easy it is to use this card.

Pros & Cons

2% cash back with no categories or caps
No annual fee

No intro APR or welcome bonus
3% foreign transaction fee

Card Details

2% cash back* on every purchase–no categories, tiers, or limits–no kidding.
No annual fee^
Zero Liability Protection
Secure online and mobile app account access
Get more out of every day purchases — earn 2% cash back with your Synchrony Premier Card. No complicated math or rewards categories to remember.
Plus, you’ll also gain access to additional key benefits like identity theft protection, money-saving discounts, and concierge travel planning support.

*2% cash back is valid on net purchases (less credits, returns and adjustments) of goods and services made with a Synchrony Premier World Mastercard. Cash back earned will be applied as a statement credit within 2 billing periods after an eligible purchase is made, if the account is open and in good standing. See Rewards Terms for details. We reserve the right to modify features of the Cashback Program at any time.
^NO ANNUAL FEE: New Accounts as of April 30, 2024: Variable Purchase APR 19.24%, 28.24%, or 34.99%. Variable Bal Trans APR 19.24%, 28.24% or 34.99% and 4% Fee ($10 min). Variable Cash APR 22.24%, 31.24% or 37.99% and 5% Fee ($10 min). Variable Penalty APR 29.24%, 38.24% or 39.99%. Minimum Interest Charge is $2. Foreign transaction fee: 3%.

Here’s a Summary of the Best 2% Cash-Back Cards

Credit Card

Robinhood Gold Card

SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card

Signature FCU Visa® Signature

Rates & Fees

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

PNC Cash Unlimited® Visa Signature® Credit Card

Rates & Fees

TD Double Up Credit Card

Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card

Rates & Fees

Citi Double Cash® Card

Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card

Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®

Credit Card

Best For

Credit Score

Annual Fee

Welcome Bonus

Robinhood Gold Card

Best for Robinhood investors

Good/Excellent

N/A

SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card

Best for SoFi checking customers

Good

N/A

Signature FCU Visa® Signature

Best for no foreign transaction fees

Good, Excellent

N/A

Rates & Fees

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Best for cellphone protection

Excellent, Good

$200 Cash Rewards

PNC Cash Unlimited® Visa Signature® Credit Card

Best for balance transfers

Good, Excellent

N/A

Rates & Fees

TD Double Up Credit Card

Best for flexible redemptions

Good/Excellent

Earn $150 Cash Back in the form of a statement credit

Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card

Best for high rewards rate

Excellent

N/A

Rates & Fees

Citi Double Cash® Card

Best for transferring points to other Citi cards

Excellent, Good, Fair

Earn $200 cash back

Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card

Best for Fidelity investors

Good/Excellent

N/A

Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®

Best for automated redemptions

Good, Excellent

N/A

Methodology

Forbes Advisor combed through the profiles of dozens of 2% cash-back credit cards to find those outperforming other cards. We focused on major banks and standout credit cards at lesser-known banks or credit unions with online accessibility.

Our data scoring system accounts for many factors, including a comprehensive weighting of card information relevant to our readers including:

Cash-back earnings
Welcome bonus
Introductory APR
Fees
Consumer benefits
Travel benefits

Forbes Advisor rates cards both as stand-alone products (the card rating on the review) and compared to others in a specific use case. Sometimes, cards with average stand-alone ratings may still rank highly on a particular list according to how a person looking for a card in that category may value certain card features.

For instance, a card that might be considered mediocre overall could be the top card on a list of rewards cards with no annual fee. That’s because the card might offer limited features compared to other rewards cards, but after we remove cards that charge an annual fee, it’s the best card that remains.

Forbes Advisor re-evaluates each credit card list at least every 12 months to determine if any cards need to be added and/or removed. However, a list could be updated sooner if significant changes are made to the mentioned cards or if a new credit card is announced that’s likely to impact the category.

To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on how Forbes Advisor rates credit cards.

What Does 2% Cash Back Mean?

Earning 2% cash back means you receive 2 cents back for every dollar spent on a credit card. The cash back essentially works as a rebate on every purchase. You’ll need to pay in full, but you can earn rewards back in exchange. While 2% doesn’t sound like a lot, it’s a competitive earning rate on cash-back credit cards and can add up to meaningful amounts. It’s a nice incentive, especially if you were planning on using a credit card for your purchase anyway.

Find The Best Cash Back Credit Cards Of 2024

Learn More

Pros and Cons of a 2% Cash-Back Card

Pros	Cons
Easy and straightforward reward-earnings and redemptions	Lower overall earnings compared to tiered rewards cards
No need to track categories or spending limits	Welcome bonuses are less frequent and less generous than those offered with other types of cards
No enrollment required to earn bonus cash back	Cards with miles or flexible points might offer more valuable redemptions
No need for complicated strategies to maximize your earning potential
2% cash-back cards often have no annual fee

How 2% Cash Back Works

Credit cards that earn 2% cash back are a simple flat-rate approach to earning rewards. Instead of earning varying bonus rates for spending categories, the card earns the same 2% rate on every eligible card purchase. It’s a stark contrast to other cash-back cards with rotating bonus categories or with bonus cash back in specific categories, like dining, entertainment, at the grocery store or gas stations. Instead, 2% cash-back cards require no tracking.

You’ll earn the same rate on every dollar spent when you pay with your card. Every time you make a qualifying purchase on your credit card, you’ll earn 2% of the transaction amount as cash-back rewards. For example, if you made a $100 purchase, you’d earn $2 in rewards. Note, some cards require that you purchase and pay for the charge, before the full amount is awarded.

Similar to other cash-back cards, you may be able to redeem those rewards as statement credits, as deposits into linked accounts, as mailed checks or in other forms.

How To Choose a 2% Cash-Back Credit Card

Since most 2% cash-back credit cards earn at the same rate, to choose one you need to focus on details other than the earnings rate itself. Some factors to consider include:

Redemption options
Annual fees
Value of the welcome bonus, if any
Card APR and any introductory offers
Card benefits and protections
Other card fees, such as foreign transaction fees

The Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card*, the Upgrade OneCard* and the Robinhood Gold Card* can all earn over 2%, but each require additional accounts and may involve additional subscriptions.

Pro Tip

Flat-rate credit cards, like those that earn 2%, are best for people whose purchases are spread among many types of purchases. If your card charges tend to be category-specific—like groceries or travel—you might find a 5% cash-back card that better fits your spending style.

Why You Might Choose a 2% Cash-Back Card

According to a Forbes Advisor study conducted by OnePoll, cash back is the most popular form of credit card rewards. Requesting statement credit, deposits to your bank account or a check in the mail are all easy ways to essentially collect a rebate on every purchase you make. Unlike other forms of rewards, there are often no minimum cash-outs, expiration dates or complicated optimization strategies.

You might choose a 2% cash-back credit card specifically—rather than other types of cash-back cards—because earning a flat rate on every purchase further simplifies the process. Customers can rest assured they are consistently earning a competitive rate on purchases rather than carving out mental space to track bonus categories or spending totals. 2% cards are also great for customers who have lots of varied expense types.

Are 2% Cash-Back Cards Worth It?

For many people, choosing a 2% cash-back card is a smart option. There are some credit cards that advertise higher earning rates, but they frequently have earning caps, category restrictions or other limitations. Travel rewards credit cards may also offer higher potential value, but can have a complicated learning curve for maximizing rewards. Because of this, a 2% cash-back card can be a great alternative for someone who wants rewards without the hassle.

Not all 2% cash-back cards are alike. Some have more restrictions when it comes to redemptions and some require you to have a companion account in order to apply. Before signing up for a card offering you 2% or more on every dollar you spend, make sure to read the fine print so you can pick the one that’s the best fit for you.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is 2% cash back good?

For most people, 2% cash back is a decent earning rate. While there are other cards that could earn more, those cards often come with annual fees, complicated earning or redeeming structures, or fine print. If you prefer a flat-rate card, 2% is a competitive rate.

How do I get 2% cash back?

If you have a 2% cash-back credit card, you’ll earn rewards on every purchase in the amount of 2%. Those rewards accrue throughout your billing cycle and are added to your rewards balance. Usually, there are no enrollments necessary to earn your cash-back rewards, but you may need to manually redeem your rewards once you’re ready and some cards require you to accumulate a minimum amount of cash back before you can collect it.

Are 2% cash-back cards worth considering?

Yes, 2% cash-back cards are certainly worth considering. If you want a single card you can use for all of your purchases, a 2% card is one of the best choices for its high rate of rewards. Even if you carry multiple cards to take advantage of category-based bonuses, having a 2% card gives you a strong baseline earning rate for purchases that your category-based cards don’t cover.

Next Up in Credit Cards

*The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by Forbes Advisor: Robinhood Gold Card, SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card, Signature FCU Visa® Signature, PNC Cash Unlimited® Visa Signature® Credit Card, Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card, Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card, Upgrade OneCard. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.

Becky Pokora

Credit Card Rewards Expert

Jerod Morales

Deputy Editor

Yanely Espinal

Credit Cards and Financial Education Expert

Yanely Espinal is the director of educational outreach for Next Gen Personal Finance, a nonprofit working to ensure that every high school student gets a full semester of personal finance education—including lessons in proper credit card usage—before graduation. She is often described as a ball of energy, with a gift for storytelling, and a passion for explaining credit cards and other financial concepts in a straightforward way.

While working as an elementary school teacher, Yanely decided to change her financial life by paying off $20,000 of debt in just 18 months. In 2015 she created MissBeHelpful, a YouTube channel and social media platform that now has over 5 million views, to help others learn the money skills she never learned in school. Some of her most popular videos on the channel include “5 Things to Consider When Applying for a Credit Card” and “When To Pay Your Credit Card Bill and Increase Your Credit Score.”

Her book, “Mind Your Money,” is an Amazon bestseller and was a Plutus Award finalist for Best New Personal Finance Book of 2023. She hosts Financially Inclined from Marketplace, a video podcast for teens about money lessons for living life your own way. Yanely is also a member of CNBC's Financial Wellness Advisory Council and an Advocate at the NGPF Mission 2030 Fund.

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