Best 2% Cash Back Credit Cards 

Comparing the best 2% cash back credit cards

• Best for Balance Transfers: Citi® Double Cash Card
• Best Overall: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
• Best for Avid Online Shoppers: PayPal Cashback Mastercard®
• Best for Simplicity: Synchrony Premier World Mastercard
• Best for Lower-Than-Average APR: Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card

A closer look at the best 2% cash back credit cards

Citi® Double Cash Card

Rewards rate: Earn 2% cash back on unlimited purchases; 1% when you make the purchase, 1% as you pay

Annual Fee: $0

Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers only.

Regular APR: 18.74% to 28.74% variable rate

Signup bonus: None

Our verdict: The Citi® Double Cash Card offers a simple, straightforward 2% cash back on all purchases. However, there is a small catch: You get 1% back when you make the purchase, and another 1% back as you pay for the purchase. This means you’ll be waiting for some of your cash back as you make payments, which might be annoying for some people. However, an 18-month 0% balance transfer is a nice feature for those who plan to use it. So, if there’s a balance transfer in the near future, you might consider the Citi® Double Cash Card the ideal option.

Pros:

• Straightforward 2% cash back with no limits
• Balance transfer at 0% for 18 months is a nice feature if you need it

Cons:

• Half of your cash back will be held until you pay off purchases
• 3% foreign transaction fee
• No signup bonus

Apply now: Citi® Double Cash Card

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Rewards rate: Earn 2% cash back on unlimited purchases

Annual Fee: $0

Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months. Balance transfers made within 120 days of opening the account qualify for the intro rate and fee.

Regular APR: 19.99%, 24.99% or 29.99% variable rate

Signup bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of opening your account.

Our verdict: When it comes to 2% cash back credit cards, it’s hard to beat the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. There’s no limit on cash back, and no restrictions on qualifying purchases. Plus, this is one of the few cards that consistently comes with a welcome offer. And it offers 0% intro APR for 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers. If you’re looking for a great 2% cash back card that will go above and beyond to woo you from the start, look no further than the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card.

Pros:

• Straightforward cash back at 2% without limits
• The only option on our list with a welcome offer
• Also the only option on our list with an intro offer of 0% APR on purchases
• Redeem cash back in multiple ways: get cash, account credit, gift cards, or make purchases
• Cell phone protection up to $600 when you pay your monthly phone bill with a Wells Fargo card (must pay $25 deductible)

Cons:

• 3% foreign transaction fee

Apply now: Wells Fargo Active Cash

PayPal Cashback Mastercard®

Rewards rate:

• Earn 3% cash back when you check out with PayPal
• Earn 2% cash back on all other purchases
• No limits on cash back rewards

Annual Fee: $0

Intro APR: None

Regular APR: 19.74%, 28.74%, or 31.74%

Signup bonus: None

Our verdict: PayPal Cashback Mastercard® is light on features, but for avid online shoppers, it’s the top pick on our list. That’s because you’ll get 3% back when you check out with PayPal, and a respectable 2% back on all other purchases. If you’re the type of shopper who can’t pass up a good online flash sale, there’s a good chance the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® is the right fit for you.

Pros:

• Earn a generous 3% cash back when you check out with PayPal
• No limits on cash back rewards

Cons:

• Light on extra features
• No intro APR
• No signup bonus
• 3% foreign transaction fee

Apply now: PayPal Cashback Mastercard®

Synchrony Premier World Mastercard

Rewards rate: Earn 2% cash back on unlimited purchases

Annual Fee: $0

Intro APR: None

Regular APR: 18.24%, 24.24%, or 31.24%

Signup bonus: None

Our verdict: The Synchrony Premier World Mastercard is all about simplicity. Get 2% cash back on all purchases, with no limitations or opt-ins. Even better, the cash back is automatically credited to your statement. That means you’ll never have to think about your cash back rewards again. If that sounds like something you’d enjoy, the Synchrony Premier World Mastercard might be right up your alley.

Pros:

• Cash back is automatically credited to your statement
• No limits, opt-ins, or hoops to jump through
• Lyft credits and DoorDash membership and discount

Cons:

• Typically only available to those with excellent credit
• No intro APR
• No signup bonus
• 3% foreign transaction fee

Apply now: Synchrony Premier Mastercard

Alliant Visa® Signature Credit Card

Rewards rate:

• 2.5% cash back on the first $10,000 of qualifying purchases per billing cycle
• Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other qualifying purchases

Annual Fee: $0

Intro APR: None

Regular APR: 16.99% to 26.99%

Signup bonus: None

Our verdict: The Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card doesn’t offer much in the way of special features, welcome offers, or intro APRs. But what it does offer is lower-than-average APR rates for those who like to save on interest. Plus, you’ll get 2.5% on qualifying purchases up to $10,000 each billing cycle. So, if you’re spending below that amount each month, this card could get you more cash back than any other option on our list. Once you factor in any additional APR savings and zero foreign transaction fees, the Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card really sets itself apart for savvy savers and spendthrifts.

Pros:

• Lower-than-average APR
• No foreign transaction fees
• Earn higher-than-average 2.5% cash back on the first $10,000 of purchases each billing cycle

Cons:

• No signup bonus
• No intro APR
• Once you’ve hit $10,000 of purchases in a billing cycle, your cash back rate drops to 1.5%

Apply now: Alliant Visa® Signature Credit Card

How to choose the best 2% cash back card for you?

Choosing the right 2% cash back credit card can be a challenge. Especially when there are so many options with seemingly similar features. Is there really any difference? Here are a few things to look out for.

1. Compare the signup bonus

Signup bonuses are rarely offered with 2% cash back cards. When you find one, it’s definitely worth considering. That’s basically free money, after all! Although note that there are rules involved to qualify. You’ll usually need to spend a certain amount of money within a specific timeframe to get the bonus.

The only card with a signup bonus on our list is the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. It offers a $200 bonus after you make $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of opening your account. So, if a signup bonus is what you’re after, this card might be the ticket.

2. Consider the perks

Signup bonuses aren’t everything. Credit cards can offer all kinds of perks, from concierge services to complimentary DoorDash memberships. But with 2% cash back credit cards, you won’t find a ton of extra perks. That’s because the 2% cash back is the main attraction.

Still, it doesn’t hurt to look into extra perks. For example, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers some cell phone protection insurance if you pay your monthly phone bill with a Wells Fargo card. Meanwhile, the Synchrony Premier World Mastercard offers Lyft credits and a DoorDash membership and discount.

For most people, these perks aren’t exactly make-or-break, but they can certainly help sweeten the pot.

3. Reward redeeming process

Another thing to keep in mind is how rewards are redeemed. Some 2% cash back credit cards require a bit more hoop-jumping, while others are simpler and more straightforward.

For example, with the Citi® Double Cash Card, you get 1% back when you make a purchase, and then get another 1% back as you pay for it. This could be confusing and cumbersome if you’re not paying off all of your purchases right away. With the Synchrony Premier World Mastercard, your cash back is credited to your account automatically, so you never need to think about it.

Depending on how you like to manage your money, your 2% cash back credit card’s redemption process could make all the difference. So make sure to read all the fine print before choosing “the one.”

Methodology

We chose the best 2% cash back credit cards by researching hundreds of credit card reviews, plus looking at a host of relevant factors, including cash back program details, welcome offers, APRs, special features, rewards redemption processes, and more.

The product information provided here is based on research conducted up to a specific date and may have changed. For the latest and most accurate information, we recommend you to visit the respective card’s website before proceeding.