How Travel Credit Cards Can Actually Earn You Cash Back

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

NOTE: As of 5/9/24, the Citi Premier® Card will no longer be open for new applications. A new product from Citi is forthcoming but these changes may or may not affect the scenarios outlined below.

Many cards earn points that are easily redeemed for cash where one point equals one cent. Chase points and the Citi Premier® card (no longer available) 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.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Flex℠

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

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best Pure Cash Back Business Cards

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

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.

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

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

Best Balance Transfer Cards

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!