Top 10 Best Credit Cards with Cashback and Rewards in the USA 2025
Discover the top 10 best credit cards with cashback and rewards in the USA 2025. Compare benefits, annual fees, welcome bonuses, and find the perfect card for your lifestyle.
💡 Introduction
Best Credit Cards with Cashback and Rewards in the USA 2025, choosing the best credit card with cashback and rewards can be overwhelming — there are hundreds of options from major issuers like Chase, American Express, Capital One, and Discover.
Whether you want to earn cashback on groceries, travel miles, or reward points for dining, there’s a perfect card for every lifestyle. The right credit card not only boosts your savings but also helps build your credit score and unlocks exclusive perks.
In this guide, we’ve curated the Top 10 Best Cashback & Rewards Credit Cards in the USA (2025) — based on real-world value, bonus categories, and customer satisfaction.
Let’s dive in!
🏅 1. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Best For: All-around cashback & everyday purchases
Key Highlights:
- 1.5% unlimited cashback on all purchases
- 5% cashback on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 3% on dining and drugstores
- No annual fee
Welcome Offer (2025):
Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months.
Why It’s Great:
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is ideal for everyday spenders who want simple, automatic cashback without tracking rotating categories. Plus, pairing it with a Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Reserve® lets you convert cashback into travel rewards points worth more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Example:
If you spend $2,000 per month ($24,000 per year), you could easily earn over $360 cashback annually — without any special tracking.
💳 2. American Express Blue Cash Preferred®
Best For: Families & groceries
Key Highlights:
- 6% cashback at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year)
- 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% on transit (taxis, parking, trains)
- 1% on other purchases
- Annual fee: $95 (waived first year for many offers)
Welcome Offer (2025):
Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months.
Why It’s Great:
Perfect for households and families, this card delivers some of the highest grocery cashback rates in the country.
Example:
If you spend $500 monthly on groceries, you’ll earn about $360 cashback annually just from groceries — plus rewards from streaming and transit.
💼 3. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Best For: Travel rewards & frequent flyers
Key Highlights:
- Earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase
- 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® credit (up to $100)
- Annual fee: $95
Welcome Offer (2025):
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in 3 months — worth about $750 in travel.
Why It’s Great:
The Venture Rewards card is simple and powerful — miles never expire and can be transferred to over 15+ airline partners.
Example:
A $5,000 annual travel spend earns 25,000 miles ($250), plus everyday spending multiplies your total rewards.
🍽️ 4. Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Best For: Automatically rewarding your top spending category
Key Highlights:
- 5% cashback on your highest spending category each month (up to $500/month)
- 1% on all other purchases
- No annual fee
Welcome Offer (2025):
Earn $200 cashback after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months.
Why It’s Great:
If your spending habits change monthly, this card adjusts automatically — whether it’s groceries, gas, dining, or entertainment.
Example:
If you spend $400 on dining in a month, you earn $20 cashback that month just from that category — no manual tracking needed.
🚗 5. Discover it® Cash Back
Best For: Rotating categories & first-year match
Key Highlights:
- 5% cashback on quarterly rotating categories (gas, groceries, Amazon, etc.)
- 1% on all other purchases
- No annual fee
- Unlimited Cashback Match: Discover matches all cashback earned in your first year.
Why It’s Great:
The Cashback Match doubles your first-year rewards, making this one of the most valuable no-fee cards available.
Example:
Earn $300 cashback in your first year, and Discover will match it — giving you $600 total.
✈️ 6. Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Best For: Travel, dining & flexible redemption
Key Highlights:
- 5x points on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 3x on dining, online groceries & streaming
- 2x on all other travel
- 1x on everything else
- Annual fee: $95
Welcome Offer (2025):
Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in 3 months — worth $750 toward travel.
Why It’s Great:
This is a favorite among travelers for transfer flexibility — you can move points to airlines like United, JetBlue, and Hyatt.
Example:
A $1,000 flight booked through Chase earns 5,000 points — worth up to $75 in travel.
🏠 7. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Best For: Flat-rate unlimited cashback
Key Highlights:
- 2% unlimited cashback on all purchases
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR for 15 months
Welcome Offer (2025):
$200 bonus after $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
Why It’s Great:
Simple and reliable — no rotating categories or travel programs. You always know what you’ll earn.
Example:
Spend $20,000 annually → Earn $400 cashback flat. Great for those who prefer simplicity.
🛍️ 8. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards
Best For: Flexible category selection
Key Highlights:
- 3% cashback in your choice category (gas, dining, online shopping, etc.)
- 2% at grocery stores & wholesale clubs
- 1% on all other purchases
- No annual fee
Welcome Offer (2025):
Earn $200 bonus after $1,000 in the first 90 days.
Why It’s Great:
You can change your 3% category each month — perfect for users who want control over their rewards.
Example:
If you choose “Online Shopping” and spend $1,000 monthly, that’s $360 cashback per year.
🎓 9. Capital One SavorOne® Rewards
Best For: Dining, entertainment & streaming
Key Highlights:
- 3% cashback on dining, entertainment, streaming, and groceries
- 1% on other purchases
- No annual fee
Welcome Offer (2025):
$200 bonus after $500 in purchases within 3 months.
Why It’s Great:
Young professionals and students love this card because it rewards fun spending — movies, concerts, dining out, and Netflix.
Example:
Spend $300 monthly on dining and entertainment → Earn ~$108 cashback per year, plus the welcome bonus.
🌎 10. American Express® Gold Card
Best For: Premium dining & travel rewards
Key Highlights:
- 4x Membership Rewards® points at restaurants
- 4x at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/year)
- 3x on flights booked directly or via amextravel.com
- Annual fee: $250
Welcome Offer (2025):
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after $4,000 spend in 6 months — worth around $600 in travel.
Why It’s Great:
It’s the go-to card for foodies and travelers. Points can be redeemed for travel, dining, or gift cards — with exclusive Amex perks and airport lounge access.
Example:
If you spend $10,000 annually on dining/groceries, you’ll earn 40,000 points — easily worth hundreds in rewards.
💬 Comparison Table: At a Glance
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Key Rewards | Welcome Bonus | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | $0 | 1.5% on all + bonus categories | $200 | Everyday spenders |
| Amex Blue Cash Preferred® | $95 | 6% groceries + streaming | $250 | Families |
| Capital One Venture Rewards | $95 | 2x miles | 75,000 miles | Travelers |
| Citi Custom Cash℠ | $0 | 5% on top category | $200 | Flexible spenders |
| Discover it® Cash Back | $0 | 5% rotating + match | Cashback match | Beginners |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® | $95 | 5x travel + 3x dining | 60,000 pts | Frequent travelers |
| Wells Fargo Active Cash® | $0 | 2% flat | $200 | Simple cashback |
| BoA Customized Cash | $0 | 3% choice category | $200 | Category control |
| Capital One SavorOne® | $0 | 3% dining, entertainment | $200 | Fun spenders |
| Amex Gold | $250 | 4x dining + groceries | 60,000 pts | Premium lifestyle |
🧠 How to Choose the Right Card for You
Here’s how to narrow down your options:
- Analyze your spending habits:
If groceries and gas dominate, pick Amex Blue Cash Preferred®.
If you travel often, Chase Sapphire or Venture Rewards makes more sense. - Consider annual fees vs. rewards:
Some cards with fees can still earn more if you maximize their categories. - Check welcome bonuses:
Many top cards offer $200–$750 in value during the first few months. - Look for extra perks:
Travel insurance, purchase protection, and no foreign transaction fees can be huge bonuses.
📈 Expert Tip: Combine Multiple Cards
Savvy users often pair multiple cards to maximize rewards:
- Use Chase Freedom Unlimited® for general spending.
- Use Chase Sapphire Preferred® for travel and dining (redeem at higher point value).
- Use Amex Blue Cash Preferred® for groceries.
This “Credit Card Trifecta Strategy” can easily net you $1,000+ in annual cashback & rewards if used smartly.
⚠️ Responsible Credit Card Use
Remember — cashback isn’t “free money” if you carry a balance.
Always:
- Pay your balance in full each month.
- Keep your credit utilization below 30%.
- Check your credit score regularly (via Credit Karma or Experian).
Used wisely, these cards can build your credit and earn you hundreds in rewards annually.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
❓1. What is the best cashback credit card in the USA right now?
In 2025, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Wells Fargo Active Cash® are top no-annual-fee options for simple cashback. For higher earners, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred® leads with 6% cashback on groceries.
❓2. Which credit card is best for travel rewards in the USA?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® and Capital One Venture Rewards are two of the most popular travel cards, offering flexible redemption options and high-value bonus points.
❓3. Do cashback rewards expire?
Most major issuers (Chase, Amex, Capital One) have no expiration on rewards as long as your account remains open and in good standing.
❓4. Can cashback cards hurt my credit score?
Only if misused. Paying on time and keeping utilization below 30% will actually boost your credit score over time.
❓5. What’s the best no-annual-fee rewards card in 2025?
Top contenders:
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Citi Custom Cash℠
- Capital One SavorOne®
❓6. Are credit card rewards taxable in the USA?
Generally, no. Cashback and rewards are treated as rebates, not income. However, bonuses from checking/savings accounts may be taxable.
❓7. How many credit cards should I have?
Most people benefit from 2–3 cards:
- One for flat cashback
- One for travel/dining
- One for category bonuses
🧾 Conclusion
Credit cards have evolved — they’re now financial tools that reward your lifestyle. Whether you’re a family shopper, a digital nomad, or a foodie, the best cashback and rewards cards in 2025 offer exceptional value.
Pick the one that fits your spending pattern, take advantage of the welcome bonuses, and let your daily purchases start paying you back!
