topic Cash back CC recs in Credit Cards

Cash back CC recs

HRPokerJT — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 16:08:02 GMT

Any recommendations for the best cash back cards out there?

Re: Cash back CC recs

Vinjints — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 16:23:46 GMT

what's your actual monthly spend show your highest spend areas are? Reccomendations will go from there. I think it also depends on how many cards you want to juggle, or are you more inclined to limit your use to 2-3?

Re: Cash back CC recs

HRPokerJT — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 16:26:12 GMT

We limit our use to a couple or so.

Probably biggest use would be everyday things like gas, grocery store, eating out, etc.

Currently have a Best Buy Visa that gets me good rewards for Best Buy, but would like to get more of a cash back option instead of just rewards.

Re: Cash back CC recs

ptatohed — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 16:38:07 GMT

@HRPokerJT wrote:
Any recommendations for the best cash back cards out there?

Yes.

Re: Cash back CC recs

swankytiger — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 16:43:19 GMT

The best single issuer set up is the Bank of American Preferred Rewards Program at Platinum or higher tiers. So a couple customized cash's, with either the Premium Rewards, Premium Rewards Elite, or Ultimate cash back for you catchall/solo card.

Re: Cash back CC recs

Varsity_Lu — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 16:46:43 GMT

@HRPokerJT wrote:
We limit our use to a couple or so.

Probably biggest use would be everyday things like gas, grocery store, eating out, etc.

Currently have a Best Buy Visa that gets me good rewards for Best Buy, but would like to get more of a cash back option instead of just rewards.

If you just want two cards and don't want to pay annual fees, you could go with Savor and Blue Cash Everyday. You'd get 3% in the following categories: gas, groceries, dinning, online purchases, streaming services, and entertainment purchases. And you could probably get $400-$500 in SUB cash, too.

Re: Cash back CC recs

Vinjints — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 16:55:41 GMT

Something like the Navy Fed More Rewards card will give you 3% for all three of those categories. AAA also has two cards that will give you 5% in either grocery or gas, and 3% in 1 or 2 of the other categories. Or break out a card for each category, such as:

citi Shop Your Way - 5% gas (very popular discussion here)
AMEX BCP/AAA Daily - 4.5-5% grocery
citi Custom Cash - 5% dining

Re: Cash back CC recs

Follower — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 18:05:21 GMT

This question has been asked here many times, so I would encourage you to use the search function for your key category words: groceries, gas etc. This will reveal a wealth of information.

I'm also sure that many (much-longer-tenured) members than me (although I did lurk for years) will likely chip in soon with their suggestions. So rather than try to address the plethora of options myself, I will tell you the cards I myself have settled upon.

(Which may be redundant since I also have the same info in my sig.)

Groceries: Many recommend the Amex Blue Cash Preferred for groceries due to its industy-leading 6% back, but factoring in its annual fee effectively brings that down to about 4.5%, and it's $6K yearly cap may also cause less of a return. I chose the Comenity AAA Daily Advantage Visa, which gives 5% on groceries with a yearly cap of $10K, which is within the range that I spend yearly, so I don't worry about the rewards reverting to 1% if the cap is hit.

Gasoline: My gas usage is minimal. so I've got three cards I can get 3% back with, and don't feel the need to find a higher-percentage card. The AAA card I mention above has a brother, the Travel Advantage Visa, that gives 5% on gas.

Dining: I am a member of Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program, which means I get a nearly-unbeatable 5.25% back on restaurants, including fast food. (I believe there are some cards out there that code restaurants and fast food as two different rewards return rates, in which I would not be interested at all.)

I also have a BoA Unlimited Rewards Visa that gives 2.62% across the board for things that don't usually* show up as distinct rewards categories, such as utilities, insurance payments, etc.

*There are some: U.S. Bank's Cash+ Visa has a 5% on utilities category, Wells Fargo BILT gives rewards on rent payments, etc.

Re: Cash back CC recs

odd_dog — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 17:16:12 GMT

@Vinjints wrote:
Something like the Navy Fed More Rewards card will give you 3% for all three of those categories. AAA also has two cards that will give you 5% in either grocery or gas, and 3% in 1 or 2 of the other categories. Or break out a card for each category, such as:

citi Shop Your Way - 5% gas (very popular discussion here)
AMEX BCP/AAA Daily - 4.5-5% grocery
citi Custom Cash - 5% dining

COMMON mistake here but Citi SYW and AMEX BCP do NOT give cash back.....Citi gives the rewards in GIFT CARDS not CASH BACK (I think they may have promotions for statement credit but that is not the norm), AMEX does NOT give cash back JUST statement credits.....If you are looking for cash rewards you can put in a HYSA these are NOT the choices you want......if you like gift cards and statement credits then enjoy....just clarifying definitions.....

Re: Cash back CC recs

Varsity_Lu — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 17:31:10 GMT

@odd_dog wrote:

COMMON mistake here but Citi SYW and AMEX BCP do NOT give cash back.....Citi gives the rewards in GIFT CARDS not CASH BACK (I think they may have promotions for statement credit but that is not the norm), AMEX does NOT give cash back JUST statement credits.....If you are looking for cash rewards you can put in a HYSA these are NOT the choices you want......if you like gift cards and statement credits then enjoy....just clarifying definitions.....

Regarding BCP statement credit, it's just a cash flow issue that is easily fixed. Instead of paying $25 from your checking to a card balance, just transfer $25 into your savings and then redeem $25 statement cash back. There literally is no difference.

Re: Cash back CC recs

ptatohed — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 17:34:40 GMT

@odd_dog wrote:
@Vinjints wrote:
Something like the Navy Fed More Rewards card will give you 3% for all three of those categories. AAA also has two cards that will give you 5% in either grocery or gas, and 3% in 1 or 2 of the other categories. Or break out a card for each category, such as:

citi Shop Your Way - 5% gas (very popular discussion here)
AMEX BCP/AAA Daily - 4.5-5% grocery
citi Custom Cash - 5% dining
COMMON mistake here but Citi SYW and AMEX BCP do NOT give cash back.....Citi gives the rewards in GIFT CARDS not CASH BACK (I think they may have promotions for statement credit but that is not the norm), AMEX does NOT give cash back JUST statement credits.....If you are looking for cash rewards you can put in a HYSA these are NOT the choices you want......if you like gift cards and statement credits then enjoy....just clarifying definitions.....

There is no "COMMON" mistake with SYW. Everyone knows it is 5% (gas purchases) in points toward gift cards. (But there are very often other spending offers that offer statement credits (which is true cash back)).

As for Amex "NOT" giving cash back, "JUST" a statement credit.......... a statement credit is 100% equal to real cash back.

Re: Cash back CC recs

odd_dog — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 17:41:54 GMT

@ptatohed wrote:
@odd_dog wrote:
@Vinjints wrote:
Something like the Navy Fed More Rewards card will give you 3% for all three of those categories. AAA also has two cards that will give you 5% in either grocery or gas, and 3% in 1 or 2 of the other categories. Or break out a card for each category, such as:

citi Shop Your Way - 5% gas (very popular discussion here)
AMEX BCP/AAA Daily - 4.5-5% grocery
citi Custom Cash - 5% dining
COMMON mistake here but Citi SYW and AMEX BCP do NOT give cash back.....Citi gives the rewards in GIFT CARDS not CASH BACK (I think they may have promotions for statement credit but that is not the norm), AMEX does NOT give cash back JUST statement credits.....If you are looking for cash rewards you can put in a HYSA these are NOT the choices you want......if you like gift cards and statement credits then enjoy....just clarifying definitions.....

There is no "COMMON" mistake with SYW. Everyone knows it is 5% (gas purchases) in points toward gift cards. (But there are very often other spending offers that offer statement credits (which is true cash back)).

As for Amex "NOT" giving cash back, "JUST" a statement credit.......... a statement credit is 100% equal to real cash back.

It's a MISTAKE if you say SYW is "cash back" when a new visitor asks best cash back card...I think you have been in the forums toooo long if you believe "everyone KNOWS......" lol

Re: Cash back CC recs

odd_dog — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 17:43:17 GMT

@Varsity_Lu wrote:
@odd_dog wrote:

COMMON mistake here but Citi SYW and AMEX BCP do NOT give cash back.....Citi gives the rewards in GIFT CARDS not CASH BACK (I think they may have promotions for statement credit but that is not the norm), AMEX does NOT give cash back JUST statement credits.....If you are looking for cash rewards you can put in a HYSA these are NOT the choices you want......if you like gift cards and statement credits then enjoy....just clarifying definitions.....
Regarding BCP statement credit, it's just a cash flow issue that is easily fixed. Instead of paying $25 from your checking to a card balance, just transfer $25 into your savings and then redeem $25 statement cash back. There literally is no difference.

BUT you still have to SPEND to get that cash in the bank....so really it is a work around but again NOT "cash back" if you want to go through hoops sure.....or "extra step"

Re: Cash back CC recs

dfwxjer — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 17:44:31 GMT

@Varsity_Lu wrote:
@odd_dog wrote:

COMMON mistake here but Citi SYW and AMEX BCP do NOT give cash back.....Citi gives the rewards in GIFT CARDS not CASH BACK (I think they may have promotions for statement credit but that is not the norm), AMEX does NOT give cash back JUST statement credits.....If you are looking for cash rewards you can put in a HYSA these are NOT the choices you want......if you like gift cards and statement credits then enjoy....just clarifying definitions.....
Regarding BCP statement credit, it's just a cash flow issue that is easily fixed. Instead of paying $25 from your checking to a card balance, just transfer $25 into your savings and then redeem $25 statement cash back. There literally is no difference.

Exactly lol. This isn't a hard concept...

Now the SYW thing... that's a card I have no interest in.

Re: Cash back CC recs

ptatohed — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 18:07:56 GMT

@odd_dog wrote:
@ptatohed wrote:
@odd_dog wrote:
@Vinjints wrote:
Something like the Navy Fed More Rewards card will give you 3% for all three of those categories. AAA also has two cards that will give you 5% in either grocery or gas, and 3% in 1 or 2 of the other categories. Or break out a card for each category, such as:

citi Shop Your Way - 5% gas (very popular discussion here)
AMEX BCP/AAA Daily - 4.5-5% grocery
citi Custom Cash - 5% dining
COMMON mistake here but Citi SYW and AMEX BCP do NOT give cash back.....Citi gives the rewards in GIFT CARDS not CASH BACK (I think they may have promotions for statement credit but that is not the norm), AMEX does NOT give cash back JUST statement credits.....If you are looking for cash rewards you can put in a HYSA these are NOT the choices you want......if you like gift cards and statement credits then enjoy....just clarifying definitions.....

There is no "COMMON" mistake with SYW. Everyone knows it is 5% (gas purchases) in points toward gift cards. (But there are very often other spending offers that offer statement credits (which is true cash back)).

As for Amex "NOT" giving cash back, "JUST" a statement credit.......... a statement credit is 100% equal to real cash back.

It's a MISTAKE if you say SYW is "cash back" when a new visitor asks best cash back card...I think you have been in the forums toooo long if you believe "everyone KNOWS......" lol

You don't need to be on the forum, when you apply for the card, you are told it is 5% in points.

Re: Cash back CC recs

ptatohed — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 18:11:38 GMT

@odd_dog wrote:
@Varsity_Lu wrote:
@odd_dog wrote:

COMMON mistake here but Citi SYW and AMEX BCP do NOT give cash back.....Citi gives the rewards in GIFT CARDS not CASH BACK (I think they may have promotions for statement credit but that is not the norm), AMEX does NOT give cash back JUST statement credits.....If you are looking for cash rewards you can put in a HYSA these are NOT the choices you want......if you like gift cards and statement credits then enjoy....just clarifying definitions.....
Regarding BCP statement credit, it's just a cash flow issue that is easily fixed. Instead of paying $25 from your checking to a card balance, just transfer $25 into your savings and then redeem $25 statement cash back. There literally is no difference.
BUT you still have to SPEND to get that cash in the bank....so really it is a work around but again NOT "cash back" if you want to go through hoops sure.....or "extra step"

Credit statement is true cash back. Period.

'A penny saved is a penny earned.'

Not sure what you mean by "BUT you still have to SPEND to get that cash in the bank....". There is no other way to get cash back other than by spending.

Re: Cash back CC recs

CreditCuriosity — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 18:42:00 GMT

3 citi custom cashes seems like it might meet your needs . Have two myself which I use for gas/grocery. Eating out I use CSP. Although getting 3 of them might take some working as don't believe there is a limit on them and be 5% up to 500 a month. All depends on your spend amounts. Also consider a sign-on bonus as well as that can take year/years to make up on organic spend of said 2-3$ card if it has say a 700-800 sign-up bonus whether cash/rewards or airfare, etc.

Re: Cash back CC recs

unsungivy — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 18:53:11 GMT

@ptatohed wrote:
@HRPokerJT wrote:
Any recommendations for the best cash back cards out there?

Yes.

@ptatohed wins the thread.

Meanwhile, @odd_dog would like you to get off his lawn.

Re: Cash back CC recs

Follower — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 18:57:00 GMT

@CreditCuriosity wrote:
3 citi custom cashes seems like it might meet your needs . Have two myself which I use for gas/grocery. Eating out I use CSP. Although getting 3 of them might take some working as don't believe there is a limit on them and be 5% up to 500 a month. All depends on your spend amounts. Also consider a sign-on bonus as well as that can take year/years to make up on organic spend of said 2-3$ card if it has say a 700-800 sign-up bonus whether cash/rewards or airfare, etc.

My issue with using the Custom Cash for groceries is its $500 per month cap. I don't have any other cards that use a monthly cap; everything else is quarterly or yearly (or uncapped). And unlike many expenses, my grocery shopping routinely surpasses $500 per trip.

Re: Cash back CC recs

Varsity_Lu — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 18:58:00 GMT

@odd_dog wrote:

BUT you still have to SPEND to get that cash in the bank....so really it is a work around but again NOT "cash back" if you want to go through hoops sure.....or "extra step"

Wut? I mean, you have to SPEND to get the cash back at all. If you didn't SPEND, there'd be no cash to get back. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that you just don't pay your full statement balance. Just under pay by what your cash back is. There is no extra step. It absolutely is 100% straight up cash back.