There’s something to be said for simplicity, especially when it comes to cash back credit cards.
Fixed rate cashback cards have the simplest reward structure you can find, offering the same amount of cashback for every purchase you make. This makes it easy to earn rewards on a wide variety of purchases without having to keep track of spending categories or bonus rewards. Just swipe your card wherever you go and watch your cashback accumulate. Most fixed rate cashback cards offer between 1% and 2.5% cashback.
Below you’ll find the best options available for flat-rate cashback cards that offer fixed cashback rates on all purchases at all times.
Alliant Visa Signature Card: Best Premium Flat Rate Cashback Card
Why did we choose thisA: The Alliant Visa Signature Card* has the highest cash back rate on this list, making it the card you want to put all your credit card expenses on. With this card, you’ll earn 2.5% cashback on every purchase (up to $250 per billing cycle), making it a great choice for Alliant Credit Union members who want cashback without sacrificing premium features like Help on the road. , concierge services and theft protection.
pros
- Deposit rewards to any Fidelity or loved one account
- Travel and shopping protection
- No foreign transaction fees
Minuses
- The maximum cash back is $250 ($10,000 for eligible purchases) per billing cycle.
- Reward period after four years
- No other redemption options like gift cards, merchandise, etc.
Who should applyA: Recommended for those who spend at least $20,000 a year on their credit cards as there is no signup bonus. The card may be best for Alliant banking customers as it can only be used (in $50 increments) as a direct deposit to an Alliant savings account on top of a regular statement credit.
Who should missA: If you plan to shop with multiple cards, you’ll probably be better off choosing a different card. In addition, you must be a member of Alliant Credit Union to be eligible for the card, so it is not available to all consumers.
Citi Double Cash Card: the best card for everyday use with a fixed cashback rate
Why did we choose thisA: The Citi®Double Cash Card is great for people who pay off their balance monthly because it offers a 1% cash back on purchases and a 1% cash back on those purchases. In addition, there is no limit to the amount of cashback you can earn.
Citi Double Cash is also a great card if you plan to pay off your balance over time as it has no annual fee and a 0 percent initial APR on balance transfers for 18 months (and a floating APR from 16.24 to 26 .24 percent after that). But be careful, when transferring a balance, a refund is not provided.
pros
- No category restrictions
- Points that can be redeemed for checks, credit statements, gift cards, checking or savings accounts
Minuses
- Cashback will expire after 12 months
- No signup bonus
- No 0% initial offer on new purchases
Who should applyA: If you are looking for a card that can help you pay off your existing debt while still getting cash, the Citi Double Cash Card is a great choice. Its 0% introductory APR offer for 18 months on balance transfers gives cardholders more breathing room to avoid interest rates on balance payments.
Who should miss: If you decide to open a card with a welcome offer because you want to get as much value as possible from one card, consider other options. And while there is a substantial welcome offer to transfer the balance, those looking to avoid interest rates on new purchases will be disappointed to learn that the Citi Double Cash Card does not offer this benefit.
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for the Creditworthy
Why did we choose this: The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great card for lenders. Not only does it give you unlimited access to your credit score and provides tools to help you keep track of it, but it’s also considering increasing your credit limit after six months of on-time payments. You will also receive a 5% cashback on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
pros
- 1.5% unlimited cashback on all purchases
- Considering a higher line of credit after making six consecutive timely payments
- Unlimited access to your credit score and tools to help you manage your credit
- Urgent card replacement
Minuses
- High annual interest rate (26.99 percent variable annual interest rate)
- No welcome bonus
Who should applyA: If you don’t have a lot of credit, you should apply for Capital One QuicksilverOne because it’s one of the most lucrative flat-refund cards available to cardholders with a fair credit score.
Who should missA: Because this card has an above-average annual interest rate, cardholders who wish to maintain balance should opt for a card with a lower interest rate or a card with an introductory offer of 0 percent per annum.
Capital One Journey Student Awards: Best for Students
Why did we choose thisA: Just because you’re a student who builds a credit history doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get cash back.
That’s the philosophy behind Capital One’s Journey Student Rewards program, which offers 1 percent cash back on all purchases and boosts that to 1.25 percent when you pay your monthly bill on time.
If you manage to pay your bill on time for six consecutive months, you may be eligible for a credit increase. You also do not need to be a student to qualify for this card. Of course, the cashback amount is not the highest on the market, but you have limited options when you have limited credit.
pros
- Up to $60 in credits per streaming subscription if paid on time
- 25% bonus on timely payment for this month
- Redemption of rewards: credit statement, checks or gift cards
- No annual fee
Minuses
- No sign up bonus
- High annual interest rate (26.99 percent variable annual interest rate)
Who should apply: With this card, you will have access to credit tracking tools and the ability to set e-mail and text alerts for due dates, and you will be rewarded for paying on time. It is a solid choice for those who are new to the credit journey and want to lay the foundation for good credit habits.
Who should missA: Cardholders who are prone to skipping payments should probably skip this as the APR is one of the highest on the market for a student ID card. Also, if you already manage your credit well, you may be better off opening a card with a higher reward rate.
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card: Best for 2% cash rewards
Why did we choose this: The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is the perfect credit card for people who need a cashback credit card without quarterly spending categories or other complications.
Wells Fargo Active Cash offers a 2% cash reward on purchases with no limit to how much you can earn. Not only is this one of the highest paying flat rate cashback cards, but there are extensive perks including a $200 welcome bonus if you spend $1,000 within the first three months of owning the card.
pros
- 0 percent starting APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and related balance transfers made within the first 120 days (then 17.24%, 22.24% or 27.24% with variable APR)
- Mobile phone insurance
- Extended Protection Warranty
Minuses
- You can only exchange rewards for cashback
- Can’t transfer rewards to other programs
Who should apply: If you want cashback but don’t want to bother signing up for the bonus categories, this card might be the way to go. You will be able to take advantage of a high commission rate on all your purchases, receive a welcome bonus and save on interest rates with the APR introductory offer.
Who should missA: While the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card offers a generous reward rate, if the majority of your spending each month falls into certain categories, you may be better off opening a card with a more specialized reward structure.
Comparison of the best fixed rate cashback credit cards
Before applying for a credit card, it’s best to compare your options and determine which one is right for you. Below are the basic details of each of the above cards to give you an idea of their main details.
How to choose a credit card with a fixed cashback rate
There are many fixed rate credit cards that offer attractive features. However, when choosing a card, it is important to compare the key details listed below:
- Cashback rate: When choosing a card, it is important to choose the reward rate that will benefit you the most. While some fixed rate cards have higher earning potential than others, many come with annual fees that can be difficult to recoup, potentially reducing their value.
- Annual fee: See if your spending habits bring in enough money to offset the card’s annual fee. If not, you can choose a more affordable card.
- Welcome Bonus: Many look to get the most out of a card, and for many, that means choosing a card with an achievable and generous welcome bonus.
- Additional benefits: Beyond the card reward rate, you may be looking for a specific benefit, which may include purchase protection, rental insurance, or access to a concierge. When making a decision, check how each card ranks in terms of benefits.
bottom line
Having a credit card with a fixed cashback rate makes it easier to earn rewards. With a flat cashback rate, you can earn the same amount on all purchases, which is ideal if you prioritize simplicity in your card’s reward structure. Although fixed rate cards don’t offer any bonuses in rotating categories every quarter like some cashback cards do, they still offer an easy way to clear all your day to day purchases.
With so many cards on the market, it can be difficult to choose which one is best for flat rate cash back. Make sure you do your homework so you can earn as much money as possible.
*All Alliant Visa Signature Card information has been independently collected by CreditCards.com and has not been verified or approved by the issuer.
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The editorial content on this page is based solely on the objective judgment of our contributors and is not based on advertising. It was not provided or ordered by credit card issuers. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to our partners’ products.