Best 5% cash back credit cards

Alistair Berg/DigitalVision/Getty Images

Our writers and editors used an in-house natural language generation platform to assist with portions of this article, allowing them to focus on adding information that is uniquely helpful. The article was reviewed, fact-checked and edited by our editorial staff prior to publication.

The best 5 percent bonus category cards offer exceptional, customizable earning rates in eligible categories, plus some other major perks you can enjoy. You’ll still earn a base rate (usually 1 percent back) for non-eligible purchases, but a few rotating category cards have additional bonus categories.

Some cards even let you earn a generous sign-up bonus when you meet a minimum spending requirement in the first few months. Although rewards and perks are a nice bonus, compare 5 percent cards based on fees, intro APR offers and bonus rewards caps. These features (or lack thereof) as well as your financial goals will determine the best card for you.

Comparing the best 5 percent rewards credit cards

The best 5 percent cash back credit cards

How to choose a 5 percent rotating bonus category card

You may already have a favorite 5 percent cash back card in mind based on what you know about your spending habits and how they’ll align with the bonus categories of these cards. But there are a few other factors you may want to keep in mind.

For example, it helps to look at a card’s 5 percent rewards calendar (for the issuers that make them available), since doing so gives you the chance to see which categories you can use for bonus rewards in the future. If a specific rewards credit card offers several quarterly categories you frequently spend in, there’s a chance that card could be a good fit.

You should also look at these features:

• Credit card sign-up bonuses that can help you earn $200 or more within a few months of account opening with a minimal spend
• Bonus rewards caps that can limit the amount of cash back you earn
• Rewards redemption options that include cash back, statement credits, gift cards, merchandise and more
• Introductory APR offers that can help you save money on interest when it comes to purchases, balance transfers or both
• Credit card fees that can eat away at your rewards

Tips for maximizing your rewards earnings with a rotating bonus category card

No matter which 5 percent cash back credit card you choose, you can boost your rewards haul with the right moves. Here are some strategies to consider if you want to maximize your efforts:

• Make sure to activate your 5 percent cash back bonus rewards every quarter. Cash back credit cards with rotating categories typically require you to “opt in” to bonus rewards each quarter. If you forget, you’ll miss out on elevated rewards.
• Pair multiple cards with different bonus categories. Consider using more than one card to cover as many bonus categories as possible. You can use a different card to maximize rewards in its respective 5 percent categories throughout the year, and most cards in this niche do not charge annual fees.
• Pair a 5 percent cash back card with a flat-rate cash back card. Most 5 percent back credit cards only give you 1 percent back on regular purchases, so consider pairing it with a flat-rate rewards credit card that rewards you with 1.5 or 2 percent back on regular spending.
• Pay your credit card bill in full each month. Remember to pay your credit card bill in full each month for the best results. If you carry a balance for a long time, the credit card interest you pay will quickly wipe out your rewards.

Frequently asked questions

• Is there a credit card that gives you 5 percent cash back?

  Several credit cards offer 5 percent in specific categories. However, that cash back rate may have spending caps and varies by spending category.

• How do I earn 5 percent cash back on everything?

  It’ll be hard to earn 5 percent cash back on all purchases, but if you pair multiple credit cards that offer 5 percent back in different categories you can cover a lot of ground. Key cards include the Citi Custom Cash Card, the Chase Freedom Flex and Discover it Cash Back for their quarterly categories, and even the Amazon Prime Visa for Amazon and Whole Foods purchases. You’ll have to remember to activate offers each quarter for the rotating cards and track your category spending, but a multi-card rewards strategy is a great way to earn 5 percent cash back on most purchases you make.

• What is better: 5X points or 5 percent cash back?

  Choosing between points and cash back hinges on personal preference and habits. Frequent travelers may favor points for potentially higher travel redemption values, while those valuing simplicity and certainty may prefer 5 percent cash back. Consider your spending and redemption habits to decide which is more beneficial for you.

What’s next?

Discover the best card for your wallet with these Bankrate tools.

The bottom line

Rewards credit cards that give 5 percent back in rotating bonus categories can be a useful tool for maximizing your cash back earnings, especially if you pick up a card with categories that match your spending or if you can pair it with another card that offers a 1.5 percent or 2 percent flat rewards rate. If you’re able to earn a sign-up bonus and get a few credit card perks along the way, even better.

Even if you are fixated on one card, you should take the time to compare other credit cards, including ones that dole out rewards differently. The best cash back credit card for you is the one that aligns with your spending style and has perks you’ll use, not necessarily the one with the highest rewards rate.

*The information about these cards has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.