4 Cash-Back Cards to Maximize Holiday Savings

Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links on our site, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend.

Happy woman shopping with credit card in cool weather clothes in autumn
adriaticfoto / Shutterstock.com

Editor's Note: Money Talks News has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Money Talks News and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Fall is here, and that means the holiday season is fast approaching.

It’s a time of year when we tend to spend more than usual — which means it’s an excellent opportunity to qualify for big credit card introductory offers and rack up cash back.

So now’s a good time to grab a pumpkin-spiced latte and think about whether your credit card could be doing more for you this season.

Here are some great offers to consider:

Citi Custom Cash

Why we like it: You get 5% cash back in the category you spend the most on, which can vary from month to month without any effort on your part — no rotating categories or card juggling required. Eligible categories include restaurants, grocery stores, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, live entertainment and certain travel and transit.

What to know:

Citi Custom Cash
Citi
  • Get $200 in cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months.
  • Earn 5% cash back in your top eligible spending category on up to $500 each month, with 1% cash back after.
  • Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • 0% introductory APR on purchases for 15 months.
  • 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 15 months.
  • No annual fee.

Note: Cash back appears as ThankYou Points, which can be redeemed for cash, gift cards, Amazon purchases or travel rewards.

Citi Double Cash

Why we like it: We’ve called this “The Best Cash-Back Credit Card for Everyday Use” since it earns 1% cash back on every purchase, then earns another 1% cash back when you pay for those purchases. If you want the peace of mind that you’re earning good cash-back rewards on everything, with no gimmicks or expiration dates, this is your card.

Plus, for a limited time, you can earn points worth $200 in cash back when you make $1,500 in purchases in your first six months as a cardmember.

What to know:

Citi Double Cash
Citi
  • $200 cash back when you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months from account opening.
  • Get a total of 2% cash back on every purchase.
  • No limits or caps on cash back.
  • No confusing categories; everything earns cash back.
  • No annual fee.

Note: This card offers 18 months of 0% introductory APR on balance transfers.

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards

Why we like it: This is a great all-around credit card with 1.5% cash back on every purchase. It also offers a $200 cash bonus after you spend just $500 within the first three months of opening the account.

What to know:

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards
Capital One
  • Get 1.5% cash back on every purchase — no limits, and no expiration on cash-back rewards for the life of the account.
  • Get a $200 statement credit after spending $500 on the card within the first three months.
  • Pay 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers within the introductory 15-month period.
  • No annual fee.
  • No foreign transaction fees.

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Why we like it: With no annual fee to worry about, the Chase Freedom Unlimited card is a top-tier choice for grocery or general cash-back rewards, offering at least 1.5% cash back on every purchase and more in certain categories. You also earn an extra 1.5% cash back on every purchase on up to $20,000 spent in the first year. For example, that extra 1.5% would boost the 5% cash back normally available for travel up to 6.5%.

What to know:

Chase Freedom Unlimited
Chase
  • 5% cash back on travel-related purchases through Chase.
  • 3% cash back on dining at restaurants and on drugstore purchases.
  • 1.5% cash back on every other purchase.
  • No expiration on cash-back rewards.
  • 0% introductory APR on purchases for 15 months, then a variable rate of 17.24% to 25.99%.
  • No annual fee.

Note: This card has a foreign transaction fee, so plan accordingly for international travel.

Whatever you need in a credit card — whether it’s a balance transfer, reward points, cash back or a low interest rate — you can find it with our credit card search tool. Click here to search for the plastic that best fits your needs.

Get smarter with your money!

Want the best money-news and tips to help you make more and spend less? Then sign up for the free Money Talks Newsletter to receive daily updates of personal finance news and advice, delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for our free newsletter today.