Top Cash-Back Credit Cards for Everyday Spending

Sun, 03 May 2026 14:37:00 +0200

CNN Underscored highlights some of the best cash-back credit cards available in 2026, focusing on simplicity, rewards potential, and the types of shoppers who can benefit most. Cash-back cards are popular for their straightforward rewards: you earn a percentage back on every dollar spent, which can be redeemed as statement credits, direct deposits, or checks. The article reviews nine top cards, including the Citi Double Cash® Card for its flat 2% cash back on all purchases and no annual fee, and the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, which offers exceptional rewards on groceries, streaming, gas, and transit, but with a $95 annual fee after the first year. Other cards like the Chase Freedom Flex® provide rotating bonus categories for extra rewards each quarter, while the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card automatically applies 5% cash back to the category where you spend the most, up to $500 per month. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® excels at dining and drugstore purchases, with 1.5% ba