Best Cash Back Credit Cards — May 2026
Brian McKay
Brian McKay
Founder & Data Architect- Automated Online Rate Data Aggregation
- Location-Based Rate Tables
- Bank & Credit Union Health Safety Ratings
- Finance Calculators
Top cash back credit cards currently available include: Community 1st Credit Union Ottumwa, IACommunity 1st Credit Union Ottumwa, IA999 N 18th St, Washington, IA, 52641 3217B-4.3 ★Texas Ratio: 23.52%'s C1 Flex Rewards Card has an APR of 1.99%, Community 1st Credit Union Ottumwa, IACommunity 1st Credit Union Ottumwa, IA999 N 18th St, Washington, IA, 52641 3217B-4.3 ★Texas Ratio: 23.52%'s C1 Signature Rewards Card has an APR of 1.99%, Gain Federal Credit UnionGain Federal Credit Union1800 W Magnolia Blvd, San Fernando, CA, 91506 1726A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 2.09%'s Platinum Rewards Mastercard has an APR of 1.99%, La Capitol Federal Credit UnionLa Capitol Federal Credit Union975 Tech Dr, Ruston, LA, 71463 3539A5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 7.23%'s Rewards Credit Card has an APR of 1.99%, and Johns Hopkins Federal Credit UnionJohns Hopkins Federal Credit Union5201 Alpha Commons Dr, Baltimore, MD, 21224 5732A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 1.57%'s Rewards Credit Card has an APR of 1.99%. Rates as of May 10, 2026 per MonitorBankRates.
Cash back credit cards return a percentage of every purchase as a statement credit or direct deposit. The best cash back cards combine competitive reward rates with low APRs — so even if you occasionally carry a balance, you’re not giving back your rewards in interest.
We display transparent financial health metrics — A–F Safety Grades, Star Ratings, and Texas Ratios — so you can choose a stable, highly-rated institution.
Rates reflect actual verified offers. Last Updated: May 10, 2026
Compare Cash Back Credit Cards Nationwide
Intro rate expires: 12 months; Regular APR: 14.24% - 24.24%
Intro rate expires: 12 months; Regular APR: 12.24% - 20.24%
Intro rate expires: six (6) billing cycles; Regular APR: 12.25% - 17.50%
Intro rate expires: 12 months; Regular APR: 13.75% - 18.00% when you open your account, based on your creditworthiness. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
Intro rate expires: 90 days; Regular APR: Not disclosed
As Low As; Intro rate expires: 6 months; See Credit Card Addendum
As Low As; Intro rate expires: 6 months; See Credit Card Addendum
Intro rate expires: 12 Months; Regular APR: 11.45% - 17.95%
Introductory APR for 6 months from account opening; Regular APR: 13.50% - 24.00% depending on your creditworthiness.
Introductory APR for 6 months from account opening; Regular APR: 13.50% - 24.00% depending on your creditworthiness.
Intro rate expires: 12 months; Regular APR: 11.15%
Intro rate expires: 12 months; Regular APR: 14.99% - 16.99%
Intro rate expires: 12 billing cycles; Regular APR: 14.96%
Intro rate expires: 12 billing cycles; Regular APR: 14.96%; Installment Payments Rate 5.99%
Intro rate expires: 12 billing cycles; Regular APR: Base - 13.96%, Tier 1 - 16.96%, Tier 2 - 18.00%; Installment Payments Rate Base - 5.99%, Tier 1 - 7.99%, Tier 2 - 9.99%
Intro rate expires: Introductory Transfer APR††; Regular APR: 15.40% - 17.90%
Intro rate expires: 6 months; Regular APR: 12.40%
Balance Transfer
Intro rate expires: Fixed Rate; Regular APR: 12.92%
Intro rate expires: 6 billing cycles; Regular APR: 14.90%
As Low As; Regular APR: 10.90%
Introductory APR for 6 months from account opening; Regular APR: 12.50% - 23.00% based on creditworthiness.
Intro rate expires: 6 months; Regular APR: 13.49% - 18.00%; PLUS 5,000 Bonus Points when you open a new card!
Intro rate expires: 12 months; Regular APR: Index plus a margin of 7.00 percentage points and rounded to the nearest hundredth divisible by twelve
Regular APR: See credit card disclosure for rate and offer information.
Regular APR: See credit card disclosure for rate and offer information.
Intro rate expires: First 6 Months; Regular APR: 12.75%
Intro rate expires: 12 months; Regular APR: 14.40%-21.00% variable APR+
Regular APR: 5.25%
No additional details provided.
No additional details provided.
No additional details provided.
No additional details provided.
As Low As
determined by credit worthiness
As Low As
As Low As
As Low As
Regular APR: 7.75% - 13.75%
Cash Back Credit Card APR Trend
Daily national average APR compiled from 190 banks & credit unions — updated daily.
APRs rose 0.085 pts to 13.26%, up from 13.17% last week.
Averages from 231 APR quotes across 190 institutions • As of May 12, 2026
What Is a Cash Back Credit Card?
A cash back credit card returns a percentage of your eligible purchases as cash, typically applied as a statement credit, check, or deposit. Reward rates generally range from 1–5% depending on the card and spending category.
Credit unions frequently offer cash back cards with lower APRs than bank-issued equivalents. For cardholders who occasionally carry a balance, the lower interest rate can preserve the value of rewards that would otherwise be offset by finance charges.
When comparing cash back cards, look beyond the headline reward rate. Consider the APR for carried balances, annual fees, redemption minimums, and any rotating category requirements. MonitorBankRates displays Safety Grades and financial health metrics alongside APR so you can evaluate the institution as well as the card.
Methodology & Data Sources
Direct-Sourced & Verified Rate Data: We aggregate cash back credit card APRs nationwide directly from the official websites of banks and credit unions using our proprietary rate aggregation technology. By pulling data straight from institutions’ own digital disclosures and manually verifying rates daily, every APR on MonitorBankRates.com is highly accurate and trustworthy.
Local, Regional, and National Coverage: Our systems monitor 8,500+ banks and credit unions across all 50 states. Because institutions vary by location and membership, the state filter is highly recommended to surface the best local options.
Daily Updates & Time-Stamped Accuracy: Our team verifies and updates credit card APRs daily. Every product listed features its own “last updated” date for full transparency.
Proprietary Institution Health & Safety Grades: MonitorBankRates evaluates the financial stability of every listed institution. Our Health Grades (A+ to F) and Star Ratings are composite metrics calculated using objective FDIC and NCUA regulatory data — including the Texas Ratio — so you can choose financially secure institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cash Back Credit Cards
What is a cash back credit card?
Are cash back cards from credit unions competitive?
Flat rate vs. tiered cash back?
How do I redeem cash back rewards?
Does cash back card APR matter?
Top Cash Back Credit Cards Today
- Community 1st Credit Union Ottumwa, IA: 1.99% APR (C1 Flex Rewards Card)
- Community 1st Credit Union Ottumwa, IA: 1.99% APR (C1 Signature Rewards Card)
- Gain Federal Credit Union: 1.99% APR (Platinum Rewards Mastercard)
- La Capitol Federal Credit Union: 1.99% APR (Rewards Credit Card)
- Johns Hopkins Federal Credit Union: 1.99% APR (Rewards Credit Card)
More Credit Card Options
