Madeen encyclopedia

Cash Back

Cash Back is a issuer currency program linked to 15 cards in the Madeen catalog. Madeen uses about 1¢ per point for effective-rate comparisons. Issuer terms control eligibility, caps, and exclusions; Madeen summarizes catalog data for comparison only. Issuer terms control eligibility, caps, and exclusions; Madeen summarizes catalog data for comparison only.

What is Cash Back?

Straight cash back rewards with no transfer partners. Value is fixed at face value for statement credits and deposits. Issuer terms control eligibility, caps, and exclusions; Madeen summarizes catalog data for comparison only. Issuer terms control eligibility, caps, and exclusions; Madeen summarizes catalog data for comparison only.

Which cards earn Cash Back?

Madeen tracks 15 U.S. credit cards earning Cash Back. Rankings below use effective rate — multiplier times catalog cents-per-point. Issuer terms control eligibility, caps, and exclusions; Madeen summarizes catalog data for comparison only. Issuer terms control eligibility, caps, and exclusions; Madeen summarizes catalog data for comparison only.

How valuable is Cash Back?

Madeen effective-rate analysis assumes about 1 cents per cash for comparison across categories. Your redemption value may differ. Issuer terms control eligibility, caps, and exclusions; Madeen summarizes catalog data for comparison only. Issuer terms control eligibility, caps, and exclusions; Madeen summarizes catalog data for comparison only.

How does Cash Back compare to cash back?

Cash Back can beat flat cash back when multipliers and redemptions align; see related cards sorted by Madeen effective rate. Issuer terms control eligibility, caps, and exclusions; Madeen summarizes catalog data for comparison only. Issuer terms control eligibility, caps, and exclusions; Madeen summarizes catalog data for comparison only.

Ranked by Madeen effective rate in each card's strongest category. Issuer terms control current offers.

Card Issuer Top category Effective rate Annual fee
Blue Cash Preferred American Express Grocery 6% $95
Morgan Stanley Blue Cash Preferred Card American Express Grocery 6% $95
Aven Rewards Visa Coastal Community Bank Grocery 6% $0
Abby Bank Visa Max Cash Preferred Abby Bank Other 5% $0
Abound Visa Platinum Abound Credit Union Gas 5% $0
Air Academy Credit Union Visa Max Cash Preferred Air Academy Credit Union Other 5% $0
Alerus Visa Max Cash Preferred Alerus Other 5% $0
Allegiance Credit Union Visa Max Cash Preferred Allegiance Credit Union Other 5% $0
Alliance Credit Union Visa Max Cash Preferred Alliance Credit Union Other 5% $0
AllSouth Federal Credit Union Visa Max Cash Preferred AllSouth Federal Credit Union Other 5% $0
American Savings Bank Visa Max Cash Preferred American Savings Bank Other 5% $0
Ameris Bank Visa Max Cash Preferred Ameris Bank Other 5% $0
AmeriServ Financial Visa Max Cash Preferred AmeriServ Financial Other 5% $0
Amplify Credit Union Visa Max Cash Preferred Amplify Credit Union Other 5% $0
A+ Federal Credit Union Visa Max Cash Preferred A+ Federal Credit Union Other 5% $0

Related Madeen guides

Frequently asked questions

What is Cash Back?
Straight cash back rewards with no transfer partners. Value is fixed at face value for statement credits and deposits. Issuer terms control eligibility, caps, and exclusions; Madeen summarizes catalog data for comparison only. Issuer terms control eligibility, caps, and exclusions; Madeen summarizes catalog data for comparison only.
Which credit cards earn Cash Back?
Madeen tracks 15 cards that earn Cash Back. See the related cards table on this page for effective rates and annual fees. Issuer terms control eligibility, caps, and exclusions; Madeen summarizes catalog data for comparison only. Issuer terms control eligibility, caps, and exclusions; Madeen summarizes catalog data for comparison only.
Does Madeen guarantee approval or bonus eligibility?
No. Madeen summarizes public catalog and issuer information for education. Approval, offers, and benefit enrollment are controlled by issuers and can change. Issuer terms control eligibility, caps, and exclusions; Madeen summarizes catalog data for comparison only. Issuer terms control eligibility, caps, and exclusions; Madeen summarizes catalog data for comparison only.

Madeen analysis. Data from catalog snapshot 2026-06-01. Last reviewed 2026-06-01. Reviewed by Madeen editorial review. Issuer pages control rewards, fees, benefits, and eligibility.