Cash Back Credit Cards

Check out these amazing offers on Cash Back credit cards

The credit cards listed below for 2012 really pay off by offering you cash back on your purchases. Many of these offers are only available for a limited time, so take advantage of them right now.

Cash back credit cards are card offers that promise a percentage of your purchase back in the form of a cash back rebate. So are they a good deal, or just a marketing gimmick? The answer is in the details--both of the cards themselves, and how you plan to use them.

Before you fill out a credit card application for a cash back rewards offer, there are several things you should know about the details of the offer. Plus, you need to have a game plan for how you will use the card, and how you will redeem your benefits.

Armed with the right information, you can make cash back rewards credit cards work to your advantage.

How to choose a cash back rewards credit card offer

When you start to research cash back rewards credit card offers, here are the basic elements you should identify:

Cash back formula. Usually, cash back is calculated as a percentage of purchases, so you need to determine this percentage for comparison purposes.
Category limitations. On some cards, the cash back offer may only apply to certain categories of purchases (e.g., food, travel, etc.) These categories may change throughout the year. You need to know about these limitations, and how they match up with your likely purchases. Some offer additional rewards for shopping in every day places, like grocery, drug, or department stores.
Cash bonus at signup. Some offers have the added incentive of a special cash-back bonus when you first get the card.
Interest rate. You'll want to know this not only for comparison with the rates on other cash back offers, but also for comparison with rates on cards that don't offer any rewards - these are generally the credit cards with the lowest interest (ongoing) of any cards. Interest rates on cash back cards are generally higher than those on non-rewards cards.
Procedures for redeeming rewards. Some cash back rewards cards may require you to follow specific procedures to claim your rebates; it's important to know going in how complicated these procedures are.
Annual fees. Obviously, the value of your cash back is diminished if you have to pay an annual fee for the card, so you need to know what fees may be associated with different offers.

Making cash back rewards credit cards work for you

Once you know the basic terms of a cash back rewards offer, you can determine whether it is a deal that would work to your advantage. Start with some recent credit card purchase history, and use that to make a projection of your likely activity with the new card. Based on that, determine how much you are likely to receive in cash back rewards from different offers, after deducting annual fees.

Next, you need to compare this cash back estimate to your probable interest charges. There are two scenarios for this:

If you routinely pay off your credit card balance with each statement, you probably won't have to worry about interest charges. Therefore, the credit card offer that yields the biggest cash back estimate wins--and so do you.
If you often carry a credit card balance, the comparison becomes more complicated. You have to figure out what the interest charges on those balances would be, and offset your cash rewards against those interest charges. This will help you make sure that you aren't offsetting your cash rewards by paying a higher interest rate. The added benefit of cash rewards might not be worth it if you'll be looking for a credit card balance transfer 12 months from now.

Know the potential downside

What are some of the potential drawbacks of cash back rewards cards? The main one is that if you tend to carry credit card debt over a long period of time, you are more likely to find the cash back on new purchases overwhelmed by the interest charges on your credit balance. In this situation, you'd be better off with a non-rewards card at a lower interest rate.

Also, if the cash back incentive induces you to purchase more than you normally would, you aren't really gaining anything.

Finally, if the procedures for claiming your cash back are too bothersome for you to deal with, then there is no point in signing up for a cash back rewards card in the first place.

Taking the next step

Once you find the deal that's best for you, go ahead and fill out the credit card application. If you are approved, make sure you got the terms you thought you were signing up for--otherwise, you have to recalculate the costs and benefits of the card.

When you've obtained the card you want, make a note on your calendar of any deadlines for applying to get your cash back, as well as noting when any category limitations kick in.

Finally, once a year, compare the cash back rewards you actually received with any money you might have saved with lower interest on a non-rewards card. This will make sure that the cash back is really rewarding you.

By using your card at places that you frequent anyway, you can earn additional rebates. Most cash cards give a reward percentage on purchases of about 1% on all expenditures. Maximize your benefit by using your card everywhere you can instead of paying cash, then paying off the balance each month so you don't accrue interest. If you're diligent and value cash rewards, a cash back credit card can very well be the best credit card for you.

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Chase Freedom^® Visa - $200 Bonus Cash Back

Editor's Rating:

Earn $200 Bonus Cash Back after you make $500 in purchases in your first 3 months
5% Cash Back on up to $1,500 spent at gas stations and on Amazon.com from 1/1/12 - 3/31/12
You'll enjoy new 5% categories every 3 months like grocery stores, restaurants and even airlines. It's free and easy to activate your bonus each quarter!
Unlimited 1% Cash Back on all other purchases
Up to an additional 10% Cash Back when you shop online at select merchants through Chase
Up to an additional 10% Cash Back when you shop online at select merchants through Chase
No annual fee and rewards never expire

Apply online forhttp://images.nextinsure.com/accounts/11198156.jpg

Chase Freedom^® Visa - $100 Bonus Cash Back + 0% Intro APR

Editor's Rating:

Earn $100 Bonus Cash Back after you make $500 in purchases in your first 3 months
0% Intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers and 6 months on purchases
5% Cash Back on up to $1,500 spent at gas stations and on Amazon.com from 1/1/12 - 3/31/12
You'll enjoy new 5% categories every 3 months like grocery stores, restaurants and even airlines. It's free and easy to activate your bonus each quarter!
Unlimited 1% Cash Back on all other purchases
Up to an additional 10% Cash Back when you shop online at select merchants through Chase
No annual fee and rewards never expire

Apply online forhttp://images.nextinsure.com/accounts/11320275.JPG

Blue Sky Preferred^® from American Express

Editor's Rating:

Earn 7,500 bonus points when you spend $500 in the first 90 days
Earn free travel fast at a low annual fee of $75
You decide if you want to pay charges overtime or pay in full
2X points on dining, hotels, and car rentals
$100 Annual Airline Allowance to cover baggage fees and many in-flight purchases
Offers a wide range of discounts and extras at hotels, restaurants, retailers, and more

Apply online forhttp://images.nextinsure.com/accounts/11185367.jpg

Discover^® More Card - 18 Month Promotional Balance Transfer

Editor's Rating:

0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 10.99% - 20.99%*
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 10.99% - 20.99%*
5% Cashback Bonus^® in categories that change like gas, restaurants, department stores and more. Limitations apply*
Discover is ranked #1 in customer loyalty--15 years in a row! (2011 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index report)
24/7 access to a U.S. based Account Manager within 60 seconds
$0 Fraud Liability plus automatic mobile and email fraud alerts
Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee
*Click apply to view rates, fees, rewards, limitations and other important information

Apply online forhttp://images.nextinsure.com/accounts/11197524.jpg

Discover^® More^® Card

Editor's Rating:

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then the variable purchase APR of 10.99% - 20.99%*
5% Cashback Bonus^® in categories that change like gas, restaurants, department stores and more. Limitations apply*
Up to 20% Cashback Bonus at popular retailers when you shop online through Discover.com
Discover is ranked #1 in customer loyalty--15 years in a row! (2011 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index report)
24/7 access to a U.S.-based Account Manager within 60 seconds
$0 Fraud Liability plus mobile and email fraud alert options
Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee
*Click apply to view rates, fees, rewards, limitations and other important information

Apply online forhttp://images.nextinsure.com/accounts/11197709.jpg

Discover^® Open Road - $150 Restaurant.com Gift Certificate

Editor's Rating:

Free $150 Restaurant.com Gift Certificate with first purchase
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 10.99% - 20.99%*
2% automatically at gas stations and restaurants all year long*
Plus up to 20% Cashback Bonus at popular online retailers when you shop through Discover.com
Discover is ranked #1 in customer loyalty (2011 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index report)
24/7 access to a U.S. based Account Manager within 60 seconds
Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee
*Click apply to view rates, fees, rewards, limitations and other important information

Discover^® Motiva^SM Card

Editor's Rating:

Earn Cashback Bonus for your good credit management
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then the variable purchase APR of 10.99% - 20.99%*
Up to 20% Cashback Bonus at popular online retailers when you shop through Discover.com
Discover is ranked #1 in customer loyalty--15 years in a row! (2011 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index report)
24/7 access to a U.S. based Account Manager within 60 seconds
$0 Fraud Liability plus mobile and email fraud alert options
Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee
*Click apply to view rates, fees, rewards, limitations and other important information

Apply online forhttp://images.nextinsure.com/accounts/blue-cashr-from-american-express.jpg

Blue Cash Everyday^SM Card From American Express

Editor's Rating:

No annual fee, flexibility to pay over time
Get 3% cash back at supermarkets, 2% cash back at gas stations and department stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases
NO spend minimum, NO enrollment, and NO rotating rewards categories
Get a $25 Referral Bonus for each friend or family member who is approved for the Card

Blue Cash Preferred^SM Card From American Express - $150 Welcome Bonus

Editor's Rating:

6% cash back at supermarkets
3% cash back at gas stations and department stores
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
Low annual fee
Flexibility to pay charges over time
Recommend the Blue Cash Preferred Card to as many friends as you want and get a $75 bonus for each friend approved for the Card

Apply online forhttp://images.nextinsure.com/accounts/11185368.jpg

Discover^® More Card - $0 Balance Transfer Fee!

Editor's Rating:

Limited Time Offer - $0 Balance Transfer Fee!*
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 10.99% - 19.99%*
5% Cashback Bonus^® in categories that change like gas, restaurants, department stores and more. Limitations apply*
Up to 20% Cashback Bonus at popular retailers when you shop online through Discover.com
Discover is ranked #1 in customer loyalty--15 years in a row! (2011 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index report)
24/7 access to a U.S.-based Account Manager within 60 seconds
Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee
*Click apply to view rates, fees, rewards, limitations and other important information

Apply online forhttp://images.nextinsure.com/accounts/11198155.jpg

Chase Freedom^® MasterCard - $200 Bonus Cash Back

Editor's Rating:

Earn $200 Bonus Cash Back after you make $500 in purchases in your first 3 months
5% Cash Back on up to $1,500 spent at gas stations and on Amazon.com from 1/1/12 - 3/31/12
You'll enjoy new 5% categories every 3 months like grocery stores, restaurants and even airlines. It's free and easy to activate your bonus each quarter!
Unlimited 1% Cash Back on all other purchases
Up to an additional 10% Cash Back when you shop online at select merchants through Chase
Up to an additional 10% Cash Back when you shop online at select merchants through Chase
No annual fee and rewards never expire

Apply online forhttp://images.nextinsure.com/accounts/arningsr-card-from-costco-and-american-express.jpg

True Earnings^® Card from Costco and American Express

Editor's Rating:

American Express^® Card and Costco Membership Card in one -- with no annual fee for Costco members
Cash back on the things you buy: 3% for the first $3,000 in annual gasoline purchases (1% thereafter), 2% for restaurants, 2% for travel, and 1% everywhere else, including Costco
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars in overall satisfaction by current TrueEarnings^® Cardmembers from Costco and American Express

Apply online forhttp://images.nextinsure.com/accounts/penfed-visa-platinum-gas-cash-rewards-card.jpg

PenFed Visa Platinum Cash Rewards Card

Editor's Rating:

Earn 5.00% cash back from gas purchases paid at the pump*
Earn 0.25% cash back on all purchases you make with the card during each billing cycle**
Up to $50,000 limit
No Annual Fee
Cash Rewards credited each month
No special restrictions to earn your cash rewards
During Jan. 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012,all balance transfers carry a 1.99% Promotional APR for 24 months. After that, the APR for the unpaid balance and any new balance transfers will be 9.99% APR and will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate

Iberiabank Visa^® Gold

Editor's Rating:

Low variable rate of 9.25%, 12.25%, or 15.25% (Prime + 6.00%, Prime + 9.00%, or Prime + 12.00%)based on the creditworthiness. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. (If there is an interest charge, the charge will be no less than $0.50).
Low Introductory APR on Balance Transfers of 1.99% for the first 6 billing cycles, this rate will not change during the introductory period. Applies to balance transfers processed within three months of your account open date. After that, your APR will be the same as your assigned purchase rate, based on your creditworthiness. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
Low Ongoing Variable Rate APR after introductory period of 7.50% (Prime + 4.25%). This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. (If there is an interest charge, the charge will be no less then $0.50).

Apply online forhttp://images.nextinsure.com/accounts/11197791.jpg

Green Dot Prepaid Debit Card

Editor's Rating:

$0 Activation Online -with no credit check
Access over 18,000 MoneyPass^® ATMs
Free Withdrawals at More than 15,000 Participating ATMs
Get a $4.95 credit on your first MoneyPak cash load (see site for restrictions)
Get $10 with qualifying direct deposit (see site for restrictions)
No Monthly fee for any month with at least 30 purchases
No Transaction fees on US purchases
No Overdraft or penalty fees
No Minimum balance required

Rates / APY terms above are current as of the date indicated. These quotes are from banks, credit unions and thrifts, some of which have paid for a link to their website. Bank, thrift and credit union deposits are insured by the FDIC or NCUA. Contact the bank for the terms and conditions that may apply to you. Rates are subject to change without notice and may not be the same at all branches.

Other Cash Back Credit Card Offers to Consider

Chase Freedom® Visa - $100 Bonus Cash Back + 0% Intro APR

Cash Back Offer: Earn $100 Bonus Cash Back after you make $500 in purchases in your first three months. 5% Cash Back on up to $1,500 spent in bonus categories each quarter in popular categories like gas, home improvement and department stores. Unlimited 1% Cash Back on all other purchases without limits on what you can earn. Ongoing APR: 11.99 - 22.99% Variable. Introductory APR: 0%. Introductory Length: 6 months on purchases and 12 months on balance transfers. Balance Transfer Fee: 3%. Annual Fee: None. (click for all terms and conditions.)

Blue Cash Everyday(SM) from American Express

Cash Back Offer: Earn up to 3% cash back at supermarkets and 2% cash back at gas stations and department stores. Ongoing APR: 17.24%-21.24% variable rate. Balance Transfer Fee: 3% Annual Fee: None. Also: This card offers up to 1% cash back for all other purchases. There is no limit on the cash rewards you can earn. Receive your cash back automatically as a statement credit. Flexibility to pay over time. (click for all terms and conditions.)

Discover® Motiva Card**

Cash Back Offer: Earn up to 1% Cashback Bonus on all purchases, plus earn Cashback Bonus for your good credit management. Ongoing APR: 10.99-20.99% variable rate*. Introductory APR: 0% on purchases for full 15 months. Introductory Length: 15 months. Balance Transfer Fee: 3% with introductory balance transfer offer, after that balance transfer fee is 5%. Balance Transfer Length: 15 months. Annual Fee: None. (click for all terms and conditions.)

Iberiabank Visa Gold

Cash Back Offer: Earn 1% in cash back credit on all qualifying purchases. No limit on cash back; no expiration date on eligibility for accounts in good standing. Ongoing APR: Variable Rate APR 9.25%, 12.25%, or 15.25% ranging from "Prime + 6.00%, Prime + 9.00%, or Prime + 12.00%" as of 4/1/10 based on the creditworthiness. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. Introductory APR: Same as ongoing. Introductory Length: 6 Months. Balance Transfer Fee: 2% Balance Transfer Length: 6 months. Annual Fee: None. Purchase and Cash Advance APR's may vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. (click for all terms & conditions.)

American DreamCard MasterCard

Cash Back Offer: Not direct cash back BUT each dollar spent with card equals one entry in American DreamCard's monthly drawing, in which one person up to $25,000 depending on amount of charges by all entrants during the period. Ongoing APR: 14.99% or 21.99% variable rate*. Introductory APR: Same as standard rate. Balance Transfer Rate: Same as standard rate. Annual Fee: $0, $39, or $59. (click for all terms and conditions.)

AARP Rewards Platinum Visa Credit Card

Cash Back Offer: Earn a full 1% cash back on purchases, redeem for cash or gift certificates. Ongoing APR: 9.24%, or 13.24%, or 18.24% variable rate*. Introductory APR: 0% for first 6 billing cycles. Introductory Length: 6 months. Balance Transfer Fee: 0% for 6 billing cycles. Balance Transfer Length: None. Annual Fee: None. (click for all terms and conditions.)

Children's Wish Foundation Cash Rewards Visa Platinum

Cash Back Offer: Earn 1% cash back on all purchases. Ongoing APR: As low as 9.24%, as high as 18.24% variable rate*. Introductory APR: 0% for first 6 billing cycles. Balance Transfer Rate: 0% for first 6 billing cycles, then same as ongoing. Annual Fee: None. (click for all terms and conditions.)

Discover® Open Road - $150 Restaurant.com Gift Certificate

Cash Back Offer: Free $150 Restaurant.com Gift Certificate with first purchase. Earn 2% Cashback Bonus automatically at any gas station and any restaurant, and up to 1% Cashback on all other purchases. Ongoing APR: 10.99%-20.99% variable rate*. Introductory APR: 0% on purchases for 12 months. Introductory Length: 12 months. Balance Transfer Fee: 3% with introductory balance transfer offer, after that balance transfer fee is 5%. Balance Transfer Length: 12 months. Annual Fee: None.(click for all terms and conditions.)

Dollar Bank Valued Customer Visa

Cash Back Offer: Earn a full 1.25% cash back on all purchases. Ongoing APR: 12.24% variable rate*. Introductory APR: 0% for 6 months. Balance Transfer Rate: 0% for 6 months. Annual Fee: None. (click for all terms and conditions.)

EmigrantDirect Platinum MasterCard

Cash Back Offer: Earn cash back that goes into your EmigrantDirect savings account. Earn either 1.40% cash back (if you keep $10,000 or more in your savings account) or 0.5% cash back (for any balance below $10,000). Ongoing APR: 13.42-19.24% variable rate*. Introductory APR: Same as ongoing. Balance Transfer Rate: 1.90% for first 9 billing cycles, then same as ongoing. Annual Fee: None. (click for all terms and conditions.)

optionsXpress Platinum Visa

Cash Back Offer: Earn points equivalent to 1% cash back; with each 1500 points a $15 rebate is deposited into your optionsXpress investment account. Ongoing APR: 7.24%, or 11.24%, or 18.24% variable rate*. Introductory APR: 0% for 12 months. Balance Transfer Rate: 0% for first 12 billing cycles, then same as ongoing. Annual Fee: None. (click for all terms and conditions.)

Smith Barney Platinum Select MasterCard

Cash Back Offer: Earn 1% cash back; rebate is deposited into your Smith Barney brokerage account each December. Ongoing APR: 9.24% variable rate*. Introductory APR: 0% for 6 months. Balance Transfer Rate: 1.99% for first six months, then same as ongoing. Annual Fee: None. (click for all terms and conditions.)

Wells Fargo Cash Back Platinum Credit Card

Cash Back Offer: Earn up to 1% cash back on all purchases. Ongoing APR: 11.15 - 23.15% variable rate*. Introductory APR: 0% for six months. Balance Transfer Rate: 0% for 6 months, then same as ongoing. Annual Fee: None. (click for all terms and conditions.)

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Cash Back Credit Cards

Check out these amazing offers on Cash Back credit cards

Chase Freedom^® Visa - $200 Bonus Cash Back

Chase Freedom^® Visa - $100 Bonus Cash Back + 0% Intro APR

Blue Sky Preferred^® from American Express

Discover^® More Card - 18 Month Promotional Balance Transfer

Discover^® More^® Card

Discover^® Open Road - $150 Restaurant.com Gift Certificate

Discover^® Motiva^SM Card

Blue Cash Everyday^SM Card From American Express

Blue Cash Preferred^SM Card From American Express - $150 Welcome Bonus

Discover^® More Card - $0 Balance Transfer Fee!

Chase Freedom^® MasterCard - $200 Bonus Cash Back

True Earnings^® Card from Costco and American Express

PenFed Visa Platinum Cash Rewards Card

Iberiabank Visa^® Gold

Green Dot Prepaid Debit Card

Other Cash Back Credit Card Offers to Consider

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