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LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
LendingTree is an advertising-supported comparison service. The site features products from our partners as well as institutions which are not advertising partners. While we make an effort to include the best deals available to the general public, we make no warranty that such information represents all available products.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
August 1, 2022
*Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It may not have been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through a credit card issuer partnership.
This article was last updated August 1, 2022 . Terms and conditions may have changed. For the most accurate information, please consult the issuer website.
If you want a straightforward approach to earning credit card rewards and prefer earning cash back over miles and points, a flat-rate cash back credit card should be on your radar.
There are currently a handful of credit cards available that offer a flat rate of 2% cash back on every purchase. Along with $0 annual fees – at least during the first year of card membership – these cards offer a variety of benefits, including purchase protection and zero fraud liability.
Based on our research of cards available through LendingTree, as well as top cards offered by major issuers, here are the best 2% cash back credit cards based on the following categories.
The Citi® Double Cash Card , from our partner Citi, is a top-notch cash back card that also offers a lengthy intro APR period on balance transfers.
Cardholders can earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
And if you’re looking to save on high-interest charges for more than a year through a balance transfer deal, the Citi® Double Cash Card offers the following balance transfer offer: 0% for 18 months on balance transfers, after which an APR of 16.24% - 26.24% (variable) will apply.
Because the Citi® Double Cash Card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, you’ll want to leave it at home when traveling outside the United States. Opt for a card with no foreign transaction fee instead.
This card is the leader when it comes to flat-rate cash back cards as its rewards scheme is simple and consistent, with no spending caps or confusing categories to worry about.
The cash back you earn from paying your bill is a great incentive to pay your statement in full as soon as possible so you can enjoy your cash back quicker. Your cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit, by direct deposit, as a check, or converted to Citi ThankYou points.
Whether you’re looking to earn flat-rate cash back on every purchase or save on interest charges with a long intro APR period to pay off debt transferred from another card, the Citi® Double Cash Card is a good credit card to consider.
The Citi® Double Cash Card , from our partner Citi, is a top-notch cash back card that also offers a lengthy intro APR period on balance transfers.
Cardholders can earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
And if you’re looking to save on high-interest charges for more than a year through a balance transfer deal, the Citi® Double Cash Card offers the following balance transfer offer: 0% for 18 months on balance transfers, after which an APR of 16.24% - 26.24% (variable) will apply.
Because the Citi® Double Cash Card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, you’ll want to leave it at home when traveling outside the United States. Opt for a card with no foreign transaction fee instead.
This card is the leader when it comes to flat-rate cash back cards as its rewards scheme is simple and consistent, with no spending caps or confusing categories to worry about.
The cash back you earn from paying your bill is a great incentive to pay your statement in full as soon as possible so you can enjoy your cash back quicker. Your cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit, by direct deposit, as a check, or converted to Citi ThankYou points.
Whether you’re looking to earn flat-rate cash back on every purchase or save on interest charges with a long intro APR period to pay off debt transferred from another card, the Citi® Double Cash Card is a good credit card to consider.
Check out our Citi® Double Cash Card review.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers a hard-to-beat flat rate on all purchases, and there’s a lengthy intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers, too.
Cardholders earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. There’s also a generous sign-up bonus: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months.
Ways to redeem your rewards include as statement credits to cover recent purchases, as a credit to a qualified Wells Fargo mortgage, loan or credit product account, for cash in $20 increments at an ATM (when you use your Wells Fargo ATM or debit card) or for gift cards.
The annual fee is $0. Be aware that there’s a 3% foreign transaction fee, however. So if you need to travel abroad, you’ll want to pick a different card to take on the trip.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is an excellent choice for consumers who need a long intro APR period as well as ongoing value in the form of flat-rate cash back rewards.
If you need to finance a big purchase over time and avoid interest charges for more than a year, you’ll appreciate the card’s 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening. After, a 17.24%, 22.24%, or 27.24% variable APR applies.
For those who need to pay off high-interest credit card debt from a non-Wells Fargo card, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card also offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers. After, a 17.24%, 22.24%, or 27.24% variable apr APR applies. Note the balance transfer fee of 3% intro for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; min: $5.
After you’re done paying off your big purchase or transferred balance, the card offers ongoing value through its rewards program.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers a hard-to-beat flat rate on all purchases, and there’s a lengthy intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers, too.
Cardholders earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. There’s also a generous sign-up bonus: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months.
Ways to redeem your rewards include as statement credits to cover recent purchases, as a credit to a qualified Wells Fargo mortgage, loan or credit product account, for cash in $20 increments at an ATM (when you use your Wells Fargo ATM or debit card) or for gift cards.
The annual fee is $0. Be aware that there’s a 3% foreign transaction fee, however. So if you need to travel abroad, you’ll want to pick a different card to take on the trip.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is an excellent choice for consumers who need a long intro APR period as well as ongoing value in the form of flat-rate cash back rewards.
If you need to finance a big purchase over time and avoid interest charges for more than a year, you’ll appreciate the card’s 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening. After, a 17.24%, 22.24%, or 27.24% variable APR applies.
For those who need to pay off high-interest credit card debt from a non-Wells Fargo card, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card also offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers. After, a 17.24%, 22.24%, or 27.24% variable apr APR applies. Note the balance transfer fee of 3% intro for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; min: $5.
After you’re done paying off your big purchase or transferred balance, the card offers ongoing value through its rewards program.
Check out our Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card review.
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is a great small business credit card that simplifies things by earning flat-rate cash back on every purchase.
While other flat-rate business cards might offer 1.5% back or 1.5 points per $1 spent, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus earns a higher flat rate: 2% Cash Back on every purchase; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Plus, there is a sign-up bonus: Earn up to a $1,000 cash bonus; $500 once you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months, and $500 once you spend $50,000 in the first 6 months of account opening.
If you find that your business spending doesn’t fit neatly into the rewards categories of other cards, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus could be the right business card to manage your cash flow with.
However, this card charges an annual fee of $150.
Cash back earned with this card can be redeemed as a statement credit or a check. You can set up automatic redemption either at a set time each calendar year or when a specific threshold ($25, $50, $100 or $200) has been reached. Other redemption options include statement credit and gift cards. However, rates for these redemption options may vary and are subject to change without notice.
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is a great small business credit card that simplifies things by earning flat-rate cash back on every purchase.
While other flat-rate business cards might offer 1.5% back or 1.5 points per $1 spent, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus earns a higher flat rate: 2% Cash Back on every purchase; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Plus, there is a sign-up bonus: Earn up to a $1,000 cash bonus; $500 once you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months, and $500 once you spend $50,000 in the first 6 months of account opening.
If you find that your business spending doesn’t fit neatly into the rewards categories of other cards, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus could be the right business card to manage your cash flow with.
However, this card charges an annual fee of $150.
Cash back earned with this card can be redeemed as a statement credit or a check. You can set up automatic redemption either at a set time each calendar year or when a specific threshold ($25, $50, $100 or $200) has been reached. Other redemption options include statement credit and gift cards. However, rates for these redemption options may vary and are subject to change without notice.
Check out our Capital One Spark Cash Plus review.
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a good choice for frequent spenders at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, as you’ll earn a decent cash back rate on purchases in those categories.
Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases. The six 3% “your choice” categories include: gas, online shopping, drug stores, home improvement/furnishings, dining or travel.
With a cap of $2,500 on quarterly spending in the combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases, your cash back earnings can top out at $75 a quarter for the combined choice categories, or $50 a quarter for the lower 2% categories of groceries and wholesale clubs.
Plus, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card offers a fairly easy-to-earn bonus for new cardmembers: Earn $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
If you’d like a multi-tiered cash back rewards card that gives you a higher cashback rate in categories such as gas, online shopping, drug stores, home improvement/furnishings, dining or travel and a steady 2% back for grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is worth consideration.
Just know that there is a $2,500 cap on spending in the higher rewards rate categories each quarter.
And, if you have a balance on an existing high-APR card or plan on making a large purchase, there is also a good 0% intro period for transfers and purchases — 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days and 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. After both intro periods end, a 16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR will apply. These 0% intro APR periods can save you a tidy sum on interest charges.
Note that if you use the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for the balance transfer offer, you’ll pay a balance transfer fee of either $10 or 3% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a good choice for frequent spenders at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, as you’ll earn a decent cash back rate on purchases in those categories.
Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases. The six 3% “your choice” categories include: gas, online shopping, drug stores, home improvement/furnishings, dining or travel.
With a cap of $2,500 on quarterly spending in the combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases, your cash back earnings can top out at $75 a quarter for the combined choice categories, or $50 a quarter for the lower 2% categories of groceries and wholesale clubs.
Plus, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card offers a fairly easy-to-earn bonus for new cardmembers: Earn $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
If you’d like a multi-tiered cash back rewards card that gives you a higher cashback rate in categories such as gas, online shopping, drug stores, home improvement/furnishings, dining or travel and a steady 2% back for grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is worth consideration.
Just know that there is a $2,500 cap on spending in the higher rewards rate categories each quarter.
And, if you have a balance on an existing high-APR card or plan on making a large purchase, there is also a good 0% intro period for transfers and purchases — 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days and 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. After both intro periods end, a 16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR will apply. These 0% intro APR periods can save you a tidy sum on interest charges.
Note that if you use the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for the balance transfer offer, you’ll pay a balance transfer fee of either $10 or 3% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
Check out our Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card review.
If you’d prefer to invest your cash back rewards instead of redeeming them for statement credits, checks or travel, you should take a look at the Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Card. The Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Card offers cash back on every purchase and allows you to deposit your rewards into an eligible Fidelity account, including retirement accounts and college funds. You can also deposit cash back into the eligible Fidelity accounts of family members and friends.
Cardholders get unlimited 2% cash back on everyday purchases. Plus, receive 10,000 bonus points — which equals $100 cash back, when deposited into an eligible Fidelity account — after making at least $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Card cardholders can redeem points for cash deposits, starting at 5,000 points, into the following Fidelity accounts: brokerage account, Fidelity Cash Management Account, Fidelity-managed 529 College Savings Plan, retirement account, Fidelity Go account, Fidelity Charitable Giving Account and Fidelity HSA.
Points can also be redeemed for travel, gift cards and statement credits, starting at 2,500 points.
It’s important to note that the 2% cash back value only applies to rewards redeemed for a deposit into an eligible Fidelity account. If you redeem your rewards for travel, gift cards or statement credits, the rewards value is only equivalent to 1% cash back.
If you’d prefer to invest your cash back rewards instead of redeeming them for statement credits, checks or travel, you should take a look at the Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Card. The Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Card offers cash back on every purchase and allows you to deposit your rewards into an eligible Fidelity account, including retirement accounts and college funds. You can also deposit cash back into the eligible Fidelity accounts of family members and friends.
Cardholders get unlimited 2% cash back on everyday purchases. Plus, receive 10,000 bonus points — which equals $100 cash back, when deposited into an eligible Fidelity account — after making at least $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Card cardholders can redeem points for cash deposits, starting at 5,000 points, into the following Fidelity accounts: brokerage account, Fidelity Cash Management Account, Fidelity-managed 529 College Savings Plan, retirement account, Fidelity Go account, Fidelity Charitable Giving Account and Fidelity HSA.
Points can also be redeemed for travel, gift cards and statement credits, starting at 2,500 points.
It’s important to note that the 2% cash back value only applies to rewards redeemed for a deposit into an eligible Fidelity account. If you redeem your rewards for travel, gift cards or statement credits, the rewards value is only equivalent to 1% cash back.
Ultimately, the right 2% cash back card for you comes down to whether your spending habits align with the card’s rewards program or if you want to take advantage of a sign-up bonus or intro APR offer.
For example, if you want to transfer a balance from a different credit card and then use the card to earn a solid cash back rate on future purchases, the Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer may be your best bet.
But if you want to earn 2% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere, and you don’t mind paying an annual fee after the first year, the Capital One Spark Cash for Business may be the best fit.
Yes. There are several credit cards that earn 2% back on all purchases, including the Citi® Double Cash Card , the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card and the Capital One Spark Cash Plus. The one that’s best for you will depend on factors such as whether you need a personal or business credit card, whether you have a preference as to which issuer your card is with, and whether you want all your cash back at once or are willing to take half upfront and half after paying your credit card bill.
Some credit cards require cardholders to activate rotating categories every quarter to earn a higher cash back rate. Other cards earn elevated rates on purchases that fall in certain categories but earn just 1% back on all other purchases. If those rewards programs sound like a hassle to you, a flat-rate 2% cash back card provides a simpler option. You can have peace of mind that every purchase you make is earning a competitive flat rate, and that you don’t have to spend time trying to optimize your rewards.
For cardholders who meet certain requirements, the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card offers the highest flat rate we’ve found: Earn up to 2.5% cash back on your first $10,000 of qualifying eligible purchases (1.5% for purchases over $10,000). However, not everyone will be eligible for the 2.5% rate, and if you’re not, the card earns just 1.5% back on all purchases.
Tracy Brackman is a senior editor and credit card expert at LendingTree, where she writes and edits educational pieces on credit card-related topics and personal finance using her 12+ years of experience in the field.
Before joining LendingTree in 2019, Tracy worked as a products editor for CreditCards.com, where she developed the credit card products section and created content focused on breaking credit card news.
Prior to that, she worked as a product information manager for Bankrate, where she managed the financial and credit card product details and maintained compliance for two affiliate networks, as well as Bankrate-owned and operated sites.
She began working in the credit card space in 2009 as the editorial department manager for FlexOffers, an affiliate marketing company.
Tracy studied marketing at the Ohio State University and Florida International University.
Read MoreThe above offers and/or promotions may have since changed, expired, or is no longer available. Check the Issuers’ website for more details.