What is the best 1.5% cash back credit card

[Anonymous]

points/miles cards like Bank of America Travel Rewards are included in this discussion

I have the Chase Freedom Unlimited, which is unlimited 1.5% cash back.

---

US Bank Cash+ $5000/Ollo Rewards $1600/Chase Freedom $1500/JCPenney $1500/Bank of America Cash Rewards $500/Discover It $1500/American Express Blue Cash Preferred $6000/Chase Freedom Unlimited $1500

[redpat]

A 2% cashback card.

[UpperNwGuy]

I don’t know why anyone would want a 1.5% card now that 2% has become the industry standard.  Two cards that are marketed as 1.5% cards but can earn over 2% when combined with other financial products are the Chase Freedom Unlimited and the Bank of America Travel Rewards.  If I had to chose among true 1.5% cards, I’d have to say the best are Capital One Quicksilver and NFCU cashRewards, because they don’t charge foreign transaction fees, but both of these cards really need updating.

[sarge12]

---

@UpperNwGuy wrote:

I don’t know why anyone would want a 1.5% card now that 2% has become the industry standard.  Two cards that are marketed as 1.5% cards but can earn over 2% when combined with other financial products are the Chase Freedom Unlimited and the Bank of America Travel Rewards.  If I had to chose among true 1.5% cards, I’d have to say the best are Capital One Quicksilver and NFCU cashRewards, because they don’t charge foreign transaction fees, but both of these cards really need updating.

---

They may often get a bad rap, but the way the rewards are added to an account and the ability to redeem any amount makes the capital one my favorite 1.5% card. The Citi DC has higher rewards...1%+1%...but the points add on when statements cut, and have minimum redemption. The capital one is just easier.

[SunriseEarth]

---

@UpperNwGuy wrote:

I don’t know why anyone would want a 1.5% card now that 2% has become the industry standard.  Two cards that are marketed as 1.5% cards but can earn over 2% when combined with other financial products are the Chase Freedom Unlimited and the Bank of America Travel Rewards.  If I had to chose among true 1.5% cards, I’d have to say the best are Capital One Quicksilver and NFCU cashRewards, because they don’t charge foreign transaction fees, but both of these cards really need updating.

---

Sounds like you gave a reason someone might prefer a 1.5% CC.

[SunriseEarth]

---

@UpperNwGuy wrote:

 If I had to chose among true 1.5% cards, I’d have to say the best are Capital One Quicksilver and NFCU cashRewards, because they don’t charge foreign transaction fees, but both of these cards really need updating.

---

These would be the two I'd recommend.   Perhaps I'd give NFCU the advantage for the more generous CLs.  

I picked up the US Bank Cash 365, which is a 1.5% AMEX, for the spend offer and long 0% promo period.  Overall, I like how US Bank runs their rewards program (no minimum redemptions), but the quick availability of rewards is an advantage Cap One and NFCU have over US Bank.  

My least favorite 1.5% card I have is the Barclay CashForward.   Although rewards post very quickly, they have a $50 threshold for redemption.   Also, their redemption bonus always leaves rewards on the table.   I'm not a fan of this.   I eventually plan on reallocating the CashForward CL into my Uber Visa.  

[wasCB14]

If 1.5% is satisfactory as a daily driver or off-category card, then maximizing rewards isn't likely a high priority. Almost any criteria can be used instead. Maybe you want a card with good customer service, high CL, no FTFs, or one offered by a bank/CU you already use. To a rebuilder, the best 1.5% card may be the one with the loosest credit requirements.

I like my "convertible 2.5%" just fine.

[UpperNwGuy]

---

@SunriseEarth wrote:

---

@UpperNwGuy wrote:

I don’t know why anyone would want a 1.5% card now that 2% has become the industry standard.  Two cards that are marketed as 1.5% cards but can earn over 2% when combined with other financial products are the Chase Freedom Unlimited and the Bank of America Travel Rewards.  If I had to chose among true 1.5% cards, I’d have to say the best are Capital One Quicksilver and NFCU cashRewards, because they don’t charge foreign transaction fees, but both of these cards really need updating.

---

Sounds like you gave a reason someone might prefer a 1.5% CC.

---

Not so!  My PenFed Power Cash Rewards earns 2% and has no foreign transaction fees.  My NFCU cashRewards no longer sees much action, even on international trips, since I got the Power Cash a year ago.

[Anonymous]

The Discover It Miles Card gives 1.5 "miles" per dollar that you can convert to cash, so it's the same as a 1.5% --- but the good part is that at the end of the first year you get those first-year earnings doubled, so new cardholders end up getting 3% on the first year's cash back.

[K-in-Boston]

I would second the PenFed PCR being the best one, if  actual cash back is your goal (and assuming you are either a veteran/active or have a checking account that qualifies you for the 2%).  However, if points are your real goal, then the Freedom Unlimited would likely win this category, if paired with a CSP or CSR.  If you have significant accounts with BoA/Merrill Lynch/Merrill Edge, then the BoA Premium Rewards card would be quite difficult to top for straight cash back (3.5% on travel and 2.625% on everything else).