which credit card gives the most cash back
The credit card that gives you the “most” cash back depends on how and where you spend, but as of early 2026, the highest effective cash-back rates usually come from cards with 5%–6% category bonuses (like groceries, rotating categories, or travel) rather than flat-rate cards. There is no single universal winner, but a handful of cards consistently rise to the top lists for “best cash-back” in 2026.
Big idea: no one-size-fits-all
- Category cards (up to ~6%) : Great if you spend heavily in specific areas like groceries, dining, gas, or online shopping.
- Flat-rate cards (up to ~2–3%) : Best if you want simplicity and don’t want to track categories.
- Combos : Power users often pair a high-category card with a simple 2% card to maximize everything.
Below are the standouts people are talking about in 2025–2026.
Cards with the highest headline cash back
These are cards that can hit ~5–6% in certain categories (often with caps and possible annual fees).
- Aven Rewards (Visa) – Around 6% on groceries up to a yearly cap, no annual fee, frequently cited in enthusiast forums as a top grocery card.
- Blue Cash Preferred® (Amex) – Up to 6% at U.S. supermarkets (cap per year), but charges an annual fee after the first year; strong if you spend a lot on groceries and streaming.
- Rotating 5% cards – Chase Freedom Flex®, Discover it®, etc. earn 5% in changing quarterly categories (up to a spending cap), then lower base rates on everything else.
- 5% niche/retail cards – Examples include store co-brands like some Amazon/Prime or Walmart-style cards that give 5% on their own ecosystem but less elsewhere.
If your question is literally “which card gives the most cash back, period,” the honest answer is: the one giving 5–6% in the category you spend the most in, after subtracting any annual fee.
Flat-rate “everything” cash-back cards
If you want one card for everything, flat-rate options are easier.
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® – Widely recommended: unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, $0 annual fee, very simple structure.
- 2% family (Citi Double Cash, Fidelity, others) – Several no-fee cards give 2% back on everything , often cited in forum discussions as the default “don’t think about it” card.
- Robinhood Gold Card – Around 3% back on purchases with a monthly membership cost (effectively an annual fee), appealing if you already use their paid tier.
For most people who just want to know “which credit card gives the most cash back” without keeping spreadsheets, a solid 2% card plus maybe one 5% card for a favorite category gives excellent real-world value.
Popular picks in expert lists and forums
Here’s how some commonly mentioned cards stack up in 2026 overviews and forum chatter.
| Card | Typical headline rewards | Best for | Annual fee? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cash Preferred® (Amex) | [3][1]Up to ~6% at U.S. supermarkets (cap), elevated streaming & transit | Heavy grocery/streaming spenders | Yes, after first-year waiver |
| Aven Rewards | [1]~6% groceries up to an annual cap, no fee | Maximizing grocery rewards without a fee | No |
| Chase Freedom Flex® / Discover it® | [3][1]5% on rotating quarterly categories up to a cap | People willing to track changing categories | No |
| Wells Fargo Active Cash® | [5][3]2% back on all purchases | Simple, set-and-forget cash back | No |
| Capital One Savor / SavorOne | [7][5][3]Elevated cash back on dining, entertainment, some travel | Going out, events, subscriptions | One version has a fee, one doesn’t |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | [7][3]Bonus rates on travel via issuer, dining, drugstores; 1.5% base | Mixed category spend + travel portal users | No |
How to pick “the most cash back” for you
To narrow down which credit card gives you the most cash back:
- Map your top 2–3 spending categories
- Groceries, restaurants, gas, online shopping, travel, etc.
- Check for 5–6% cards in those categories
- Example: Groceries → Aven Rewards or Blue Cash Preferred.
- Layer a 2% card under everything else
- Use a 2% card like Active Cash or a similar option for non-bonus purchases.
- Account for annual fees and caps
- A 6% card with a fee only beats a free 2% card if you spend enough in that category to offset the fee.
- Consider issuer and approval odds
- Some top cards require good–excellent credit and may have issuer rules about new accounts.
Quick scoop (plain answer)
- There is no single universal “most cash back” card , but:
- Highest category rates : cards like Aven Rewards and Amex Blue Cash Preferred can reach around 6% on groceries (with caps and possibly fees).
- Best simple “everything” rate : 2% flat cards such as Wells Fargo Active Cash and similar 2% options are among the top easy choices.
If you share your typical monthly spend (groceries, rent, gas, dining, online shopping, travel), a more tailored “this specific card likely gives you the most cash back” can be worked out.