Best credit cards that earn 2% cash back on all purchases

Flat-rate cash-back credit cards allow you to maximize your spending without the headaches of navigating a complicated rewards program. Cashback is easy to redeem, and with the right rewards cards, you can earn at least 2% back on every purchase – double the standard 1% return most cards provide for everyday purchases that fall outside the typical bonus categories.

If you’re looking to streamline your wallet, CNBC Select reviewed the top credit cards that earn at least 2% cash back everywhere to help you find the best option. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best 2% cash-back credit cards.)

Who’s this for? The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a great fit if you need to finance a large purchase and want to earn rewards simultaneously.

Standout benefits: With a new Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card you’ll get an intro 0% APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 12 months from account opening. After that, a variable 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% APR applies. Balance transfers made within 120 days from account opening qualify for the intro APR. There’s an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount transferred ($5 minimum). The standard balance transfer fee of 5% of the amount transferred ($5 minimum) applies to transfers you make after 120 days.

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Who’s this for? The Citi Double Cash® Card is a good option if you want a card that has a little bit of everything, including a welcome bonus, excellent return on all purchases and access to transfer partners.

Standout benefits: The Citi Double Cash Card gives new account holders a 0% intro APR for the first 18 months on balance transfers you complete within the first four months of account opening. When the intro APR expires, a 18.74% – 28.74%, variable APR applies based on your creditworthiness. An intro balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount of the transfer ($5 minimum) applies for the first four months, then the transfer fee increases to 5% of the amount of each transfer ($5 minimum).

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Who’s this for? The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card has valuable features for anyone with a small business, side hustle or freelance gig, such as an intro APR, intro bonus and shopping protections.

Standout benefits: New Amex Blue Business Cash accounts receive a 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, after that a variable APR of 17.99% to 25.99% applies (see rates and fees) based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%.

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Who’s this for? The Signify Business Cash℠ Card by Wells Fargo is great for business owners looking to save money and maximize their returns with no annual fee and an unlimited 2% cash back everywhere.

Standout benefits: You can take advantage of an introductory APR of 0% on purchases for 12 months from the date you open the account. After that, a variable 17.99% to 25.99% APR applies.

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The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers above-average rewards, especially for a card with intro-APR offers.

Rewards

• 2% cash rewards on eligible purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Annual fee

$0

Notable perks

You can get cell phone protection when you pay your monthly wireless phone bill with the card. This coverage has a $25 deductible and you are covered for up to $600 per claim for theft, loss and damage of a cell phone (up to two claims maximum per 12 months). The card also comes with roadside dispatch, travel and emergency assistance services and rental car insurance.

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The Citi Double Cash Card earns cash back as Citi ThankYou® points, which gives you access to additional redemption options.

Rewards

• 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25
• 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.

Welcome bonus

Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.

Annual fee

$0

Notable perks

You can redeem the cash back/Citi ThankYou® points you earn for direct deposits, statement credits, gift cards, travel and more. You also have access to three of Citi’s travel partners: Wyndham Rewards, JetBlue TrueBlue and Choice Privileges.

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The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is extra rewarding for businesses that have credit card spend of $50,000 or less per year.

Rewards

• 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases each calendar year, then 1% cash back
• 1% back on all other purchases
• Terms apply

Welcome bonus

Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your card in your first three months.

Annual fee

$0

Notable perks

With this card, eligible purchases are covered by purchase protection, extended warranty coverage and rental car insurance.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

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It’s hard to go wrong with a flat-rate cash-back credit card that earns 2% back or better. Many of these cards have no annual fee, so the rewards you earn are profit from day one. However, for all the advantages of cash back, other types of credit card rewards can be more valuable, such as flexible travel rewards. If you want premium protections and perks (like airport lounge access), you’ll want a good travel credit card or a premium rewards credit card.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best 2% cash-back credit cards.

To determine which 2%-cash-back credit cards will put the most money back in your pocket, CNBC Select evaluated over cash-back credit cards issued through FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions that are widely available in the U.S.  

We compared each card on a range of features, including cash-back rewards, annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR and balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks (e.g., ongoing travel or merchant statement credits), cardholder protections (e.g., purchase protection, $0 liability protection and travel insurance), the application process when available (e.g., is there a credit pull or required credit score) and how easy it is to redeem your rewards (e.g., is there a minimum redemption requirement).

We considered consumer spending data forecasts from location intelligence firm Esri to determine where U.S. consumers are spending the most money, like on dining and travel. We used this to help determine what bonus categories are most useful for consumers.

We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.  

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For rates and fees of the American Express Blue Business Cash Card, click here.