What Is 3% Cash Back? Definition & Best Cards [2024] (2024)

FAQs

What Is 3% Cash Back? Definition & Best Cards [2024]? ›

Three percent cash back is another way of saying that you will earn $3 in rewards for every $100 spent. The best credit card that gives 3% cash back on certain purchases is the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, which offers 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit.

If your wallet is missing all four, the Citi Custom Cash® Card is a good card to start, as it gives you more flexibility over how you earn your 5%. Then, you might want to add a card with a rotating quarterly category, like the Chase Freedom Flex®. Another option for this is the Discover it® Cash Back.

Cash back is a form of credit card rewards you earn by making purchases with your credit card. You can redeem those rewards for statement credits, account deposits or purchases. In some cases, you can convert the cash back rewards into points and use them for other types of redemptions.

Most commonly, it's a credit card benefit that refunds the cardholder a small percentage of the amount spent on each purchase above a certain dollar threshold. Cash back also describes a debit card transaction in which cardholders receive cash when they make a purchase—generally, a small amount above the item cost.

The best 3%+ cash-back credit cards offer 3% or more on purchases within everyday categories such as dining, groceries, gas and more. Using one of these cards could be a good option if your daily spending tilts towards a category that earns a higher rate.

If you are looking to maximize rewards, a 5% cash-back card can be a great asset. Oftentimes, they have standard interest rates and no annual fee. However, these rotating category cards aren't for everyone. Trying to optimize your usage can be a lot of work, and many people don't want the hassle.

Is cashback worth it? ›

The cashback deals are not always the best deals available. Sometimes coupons or exclusive deals can offer savings better than the cashback rewards. Some cashback sites take an annual fee from your earnings. If you're spreading your use between several sites, you may be hit with multiple fees.

If your goal is to get or maintain a good credit score, two to three credit card accounts, in addition to other types of credit, are generally recommended. This combination may help you improve your credit mix. Lenders and creditors like to see a wide variety of credit types on your credit report.

If your cash back rewards have an expiration date, it's best to redeem those cash rewards as soon as you can; otherwise, you may lose the bonus cash accumulated through each eligible purchase. If you don't want to forfeit your active cash rewards, consider applying them as a statement credit if the card issuer allows.

No, cash back is not free money. You need to make a purchase with your card to earn cash back. Cash-back rates typically range from 1% to 5%, so you will still be paying for the majority of your purchase out of pocket.

When merchants accept payment via credit card, they are required to pay a percentage of the transaction amount as a fee to the credit card company. If the cardholder has a participating cash back rewards program, the credit card issuer simply shares some of the merchant fees with the consumer.

The CVV is a 3 digit code embossed or imprinted on the reverse side of Visa, MasterCard and Discover cards. Visa, MasterCard and Discover have been using the CVV since the late 1990's.

Where to earn cashback with Chase. You'll get 1% back on most purchases made with your debit card, but there are some exceptions. You won't get the money back from financial transactions, such as clearing credit card bills, paying tax bills, buying crypto and cash withdrawals.

The first digit of an American Express card is 3, while it's 4 for Visa cards, 5 for Mastercards, and 6 for Discover cards.