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The key here is flexibility. With these cards, you can earn cash back or have the flexibility of travel rewards down the line. This means you don’t have to choose cash back vs. travel. You are able to do BOTH!
Cards with the Option for Travel or Cash
Many cards earn points that are easily redeemed for cash where one point equals one cent. Chase points and the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card offer the highest cash back option (100%) compared to any other program.
The cards listed below offer points that are more valuable when used towards travel, but also offer great cash back options as well. In order to understand how valuable each of the below offers is, convert the number of points to cash back, in your head by following this pattern (drop the last two zeros and add a dollar sign):
- 25,000 points = $250
- 50,000 points = $500
- 60,000 points = $600
- 80,000 points = $800
- 100,000 points = $1,000
If you prefer to learn more about the travel options, check out our Chase Ultimate Rewards Guide at our sister site, Travel Freely, for a full understanding.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Read our Complete Guide on the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months.
Our #1 personal card that we recommend most often. Hands down the single best "starter card" for beginners and MVP card for overall value and flexibility. For those looking for cash back, 60,000 Chase Ultimate Reward points can redeemed for $600 cash back.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Special Offer: Additional 1.5% cash back (first year only, up to $20,000)
With this offer, you'll now earn a total of 4.5x on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services), 4.5x on drugstores, 6.5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, and 3x on everything else for the first year, up to $20,000. This special offer is best for those who have a healthy amount of monthly spending on dining and general expenses.
Chase Freedom Flex℠
$150 $200 after you spend $500 in the first 3 months.
A very strong cash back card from Chase. Lots of good spending categories and the ability to move points to a Sapphire card make this a great card to have.
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
75,000 Citi ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months.
Formerly the Citi Premier® Card, this is a new excellent rewards credit card with a solid signup bonus and 3x spending categories. This card is comparable to the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, but with different transfer partners. Read the application rule carefully regarding "48 months."
How to Get Cash Back on the Chase Travel℠ Portal
Best Pure Cash Back Cards
Here’s a list of our “Best Cash Back Credit Card Offers” to guide you through choosing the best cash back cards with bonuses, rewards from spending, and cash back shopping.
Citi Double Cash® Card
$200 after you spend $1,500 in the first 6 months.
Now with a signup bonus! A great complement to the Citi Strata Premier ℠ Card.
Pros
- Can earn ThankYou points
- Great for carrying a balance
- Known to be an easy approval
- No annual fee
Cons
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Special Offer: Additional 1.5% cash back (first year only, up to $20,000)
With this offer, you'll now earn a total of 4.5x on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services), 4.5x on drugstores, 6.5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, and 3x on everything else for the first year, up to $20,000. This special offer is best for those who have a healthy amount of monthly spending on dining and general expenses.
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
$200 after you spend $2,000 in the first 6 months.
In addition to the welcome offer you receive after meeting the minimum spend requirement, you'll also receive 10% back as a statement credit on purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of card membership (up to $150 back). Definitely worth considering if you're looking for a cash-back card, as you'll earn 3% cash back on several credit cards. Cash back is received in the form of reward dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit. Terms apply.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Excellent card for cash back.
A top card for those building up credit or looking for an easy-to-use cash back card. You can earn 1.5% cash back on everything.
Best Pure Cash Back Business Cards
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Earn $2,000 after spending $30,000 in first 3 months; add'l $2,000 each time you spend $500,000 in first year
Intriguing card for business owners wanting simple, easy earning. Note, the annual fee is higher than most comparable cards.
This card is very generous on sign-up bonuses. Beyond a doubt, this card is a great choice most especially to small-business owners looking for a good cash back card.
Chase Ink Business Cash
This card is a top pick for cash back lovers and travelers. We have a complete guide for you to learn more about this card.
Earn up to $750: $350 after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months + an additional $400 after you spend $6,000 in 6 months
Great signup bonus for a business card with no annual fee, now with an extended timeline for hitting the spend requirement. Great for carrying a balance. Earn 5% cash back in certain earning categories. Earn 2% cash back on gas and restaurants.
Great signup bonus for a card with no annual fee. Great for carrying a balance, too. This one should be in every business owner’s wallet. Incredible signup bonus for a no-fee card. Excellent companion card to Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preferred! Like the Sapphire cards, this card earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards. You can earn 5% cash back (on first $25k spent) for phone service, cable, internet, and office supply stores.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited
$750 after you spend $6,000 in the first 3 months.
A no-brainer, great business card with a great bonus, and great for carrying a balance. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
This is a no-brainer, great business card from Chase. A great bonus with no annual fees. Great for carrying a balance, too. You can combine points with other cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards. Like the name says, you earn unlimited 1.5% cash back per $1 spent on all purchases. Note that unlike many Chase cards, this card does charge foreign transaction fees.
American Express Blue Business Cash Card
$250 Statement credit after you spend $3,000 in the first 90 days
This $0 annual fee card is intriguing for the 2% cash back on all eligible spending (up to $50,000 annually). Cash back is earned in the form of statement credits. Terms apply.
Best Balance Transfer Cards
Excellent card for building credit and carrying a balance
This is hands down one of the best cards for carrying a balance. Click through to see current rates.
$200 after you spend $1,500 in the first 6 months.
Now with a signup bonus! A great complement to the Citi Strata Premier ℠ Card.
Maximize Rewards in Shopping Portals
Read our full article on maximizing rewards and cash back in shopping portals. Here’s a quick summary on maximizing rewards with online shopping: Check out CashbackMonitor.com; Join Rakuten and get an easy $10; Join your favorite airline’s shopping portal; and, Maximize your spending by getting a new credit card with a big sign-up bonus.
Final Thoughts
Getting into the habit of earning flexible rewards can be a great way to save money and earn points for when you’re ready to travel. Make sure you check out each of these offers, earn the points you need, and get ready to execute a very good points strategy. You can be traveling to your dream destination soon!
Read about our best cash back cards for this month!
