Best Cash Back Credit Cards in 2011
Updated: September 2011 – Today’s Best Offers shown below!
In our continuing coverage of the best credit card offers in 2011, we decided to focus on the best cash back offers this week. Throughout the course of the year, we’ve seen a number of outstanding deals in this category. To get a better idea of what to expect, the best cards in this category will typically offer a combination of cash bonuses along with, perhaps, 0% intro APRs and/or cash back on purchases.
Unfortunately the cash back structure isn’t quite as lucrative as it has been in the past. While it was once typical to receive something along the lines of 5% cash back on ALL purchases, you’ll now have to settle with between 1 and 2% cash back on all purchases with 5% cash back on select purchases in rotating categories. The cash bonus offers, however, have been plentiful in 2011. Today’s best offer is a $150 cash bonus after spending just $500 in the first 3 months.
Top 3 Cash Back Credit Card Offers of 2011:
(The terms, conditions and reward structures of these cards change regularly. Visit our cash back credit card center for all updated offers.)
1) Citi® Dividend World® MasterCard – $100 Bonus® Limited Time Offer – We’ve deemed this the best offer in this category because of the $100 cash bonus and the broad range of additional benefits tied to the card. For example, along with the cash bonus and rewards, this card can also function as a very lucrative balance transfer card as it offers a 0% intro APR for the first 12 months (a standard APR of between 12.99% and 20.99% after the promotional period depending on credit standing). The rewards structure is as follows – earn 1% cash back on all purchases and 5% cash back on a rotating set of categorical purchases. Plus, there are no tiers or minimum spending amounts required to earn the additional cash back and the card comes with no annual fee.
2) Chase Freedom® Visa – $200 Bonus Cash Back – This card offer, while only available for a limited time, has been featured on BankVibe.com several times in 2011 because of it’s industry best $200 cash bonus after spending just $500 in purchases within the first 3 months. Along with the cash bonus consumers will receive a standard 1% cash back on all purchases, as well as the opportunity to earn 5% cash back on select purchases throughout the year (subject to a maximum). The categories in which you can earn 5% cash back rotate on a quarterly basis – for example, from January through March you may get 5% cash back on gas and grocery store expenditures whereas from April to June you may get rewards based on travel, car rentals and hotel stays. You’ll also be able to earn 10% cash back when shopping at select merchants through Chase’s website. This card also comes with no annual fee.
3) Blue Cash Everyday(SM) Card from American Express – The Blue Cash Card from American Express recently updated it’s reward structure in 2011. Currently the card will provide consumers with 3% cash back on supermarket purchases, 2% cash back on gas and department store purchases and 1% cash back on all other purchases. While this card doesn’t provide any cash bonuses like the first two offers, it still boasts one of the the most lucrative cash back structures on the market. In the long term (and depending on how much you spend) this card could easily blow away the first two offers for cash back earnings. This card also comes with a respectable 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months as well as a $25 referral fee for sending them new customers. Plus, unlike many other American Express credit cards, no annual fee is associated with this card.
Have you taken advantage of a noteworthy cash back credit card offer in 2011 that we haven’t already mentioned above? Please share your by leaving a comment!
