Best Credit Cards for Cashback and Rewards in 2025: Maximizing Your Spending**
In 2025, credit cards continue to be a powerful tool for managing finances and earning rewards. Cashback and rewards cards are especially popular, as they allow users to earn benefits for their everyday spending. Whether you’re using a card for groceries, dining out, travel, or large purchases, there’s a credit card that can help you earn money back or accumulate points for future rewards. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best credit cards for cashback and rewards in 2025, focusing on key features, benefits, and unique offerings.
1. Chase Freedom Flex℠**
Best for: Earning high rewards on rotating categories**
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ remains a top contender in the cashback credit card space in 2025. What makes this card stand out is its ability to earn 5% cashback on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter, then 1%), making it an excellent choice for people who are willing to track spending categories to maximize rewards.
Key Features:
– 5% cashback** on rotating categories (each quarter) like groceries, gas, and dining.
– 3% cashback** on dining and drugstore purchases.
– 1% cashback** on all other purchases.
– No annual fee.
– $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Chase’s rotating categories cover a broad range of purchases, and the lack of an annual fee makes this card one of the best for those looking to earn cashback with minimal commitment.
2. American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card**
Best for: Earning high rewards on grocery store purchases**
The American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card is another excellent choice in 2025, especially for individuals who do a lot of grocery shopping. It offers industry-leading cashback rates on supermarket purchases, making it ideal for families and those who frequently shop at grocery stores.
Key Features:
– 6% cashback** at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%).
– 6% cashback** on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
– 3% cashback** on transit, including taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, and buses.
– 1% cashback** on all other purchases.
– Annual fee: $95 (waived for the first year).
With high rewards on groceries, streaming services, and transit, this card is a fantastic option for those with specific spending habits. However, if you’re not a big grocery shopper, the $95 annual fee may outweigh the benefits.
3. **Citi® Double Cash Card**
**Best for: Earning unlimited cashback on all purchases**
For people who want simplicity and the ability to earn cashback on everything without tracking rotating categories or specific bonus categories, the Citi® Double Cash Card is a top choice. This card offers 2% cashback on every purchase—1% when you buy and an additional 1% when you pay for your purchase, making it one of the best flat-rate cashback cards available in 2025.
#### Key Features:
– **2% cashback** on all purchases (1% when you make the purchase and 1% when you pay it off).
– No annual fee.
– 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for the first 18 months (then variable APR applies).
The Citi® Double Cash Card is a great option for anyone looking for straightforward cashback, and its long 0% introductory APR on balance transfers can also help save money on interest for those with existing credit card debt.
4. Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card**
Best for: Earning unlimited 1.5% cashback for fair credit**
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a good option for those who have fair credit or are looking to build their credit while earning cashback. This card offers a straightforward, no-hassle approach to earning cashback on all purchases.
Key Features:
– 1.5% cashback** on every purchase.
– No rotating categories or limits to track.
– $39 annual fee.
– Access to a higher credit limit after making your first 5 monthly payments on time.
For those with less-than-perfect credit, the Capital One QuicksilverOne is a solid choice, offering an uncomplicated way to earn rewards while building credit.
5. Discover it® Cash Back**
Best for: Rotating categories with automatic cashback match**
The Discover it® Cash Back card is unique in that it offers 5% cashback on rotating categories (like grocery stores, restaurants, or gas stations) each quarter, and it automatically matches all the cashback you’ve earned at the end of your first year. This makes it an excellent choice for those looking for high rewards and an opportunity to boost their cashback.
Key Features:
– 5% cashback** on rotating categories (up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter, then 1%).
– 1% cashback** on all other purchases.
– Cashback match for your first year (Discover will match all the cashback you’ve earned).
– No annual fee.
The automatic cashback match at the end of your first year means that, effectively, you could double your cashback earnings for the first year, which is a big draw for new cardholders.
6. The Platinum Card® from American Express**
**Best for: Earning rewards on travel and premium perks**
If you’re a frequent traveler and you’re looking for a premium rewards card with top-tier benefits, the Platinum Card® from American Express is an excellent choice. While it comes with a hefty annual fee, it offers unparalleled travel rewards and a wide array of luxury perks, including airport lounge access, hotel benefits, and extensive travel protections.
Key Features:
– 5 Membership Rewards® points** per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
– 5 Membership Rewards® points** per dollar on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com.
– 1 point** per dollar on other purchases.
– $695 annual fee (this includes access to airport lounges, hotel benefits, and more).
– Up to $200 in airline fee credits annually.
For travel lovers, this card is an investment that can pay off significantly, especially when used strategically to maximize rewards from flights and hotel stays.
### 7. **Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card**
**Best for: Earning unlimited 2% cashback on every purchase**
If you’re looking for a card with high, unlimited cashback on all purchases without the complexity of categories or bonus points, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a fantastic option. It offers an impressive 2% cashback on every purchase, making it a solid all-around choice.
Key Features:
– 2% cashback** on all purchases.
– No annual fee.
– 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 19.24% – 27.24% variable APR).
For those who prefer simplicity, this card allows you to earn cashback on everything, making it a straightforward and effective tool for those who don’t want to deal with rotating categories or other limitations.
8. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card**
Best for: Choosing your own cashback categories**
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card offers the flexibility to choose your own 3% cashback category, making it highly customizable to your spending habits. You can change your choice category every month, which adds even more flexibility.
Key Features:
– 3% cashback** in your choice of one of the following categories: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings.
– 2% cashback** on grocery store and wholesale club purchases (on up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store purchases per quarter).
– 1% cashback** on all other purchases.
– No annual fee.
– Sign-up bonus: $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days.
This card’s flexibility is ideal for someone whose spending habits change month-to-month, or who wants to earn high rewards in categories like online shopping, dining, or gas.
Conclusion
Choosing the right cashback and rewards credit card in 2025 ultimately depends on your spending habits and goals. Whether you prefer a card with rotating categories, a flat-rate cashback program, or one that rewards you for specific purchases like groceries or travel, there’s a card out there for you. Always make sure to consider annual fees, the types of rewards you value, and how much effort you’re willing to put into managing your card. By strategically using these cards, you can maximize your cashback and rewards while keeping your spending in check.
