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Can You Get Cash Back With a Credit Card?
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Can You Get Cash Back With a Credit Card?

Last Updated: February 15, 2023
3 min read

Key points about: getting cash back from a credit card

  1. Many credit cards offer cash back rewards on eligible purchases made with the card.

  2. Cash back rewards cards provide rewards based on percentages of spending and/or certain spending categories.

  3. Some cash back rewards cards offer a welcome bonus in the form of additional rewards.

If you want to get cash back on a credit card purchase, you’ll need a card with cash back rewards. Many credit cards offer cash back rewards programs, but the amount you can get back typically depends on the credit card company and the types of rewards cards offered. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you understand how to choose a cash back card, how to get cash back on a rewards credit card for everyday purchases, and how to redeem cash back rewards.

Choose a cash back rewards card

Start by choosing a credit card that offers cash back rewards instead of miles or points. The Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card, for example, lets you earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.1 Plus, earn 1% cash back on all other purchases–automatically.

Did you know?

When you’re thinking about how to get cash back from a credit card, don’t just look at the cash back you can earn when you shop. Make sure you compare each credit card’s welcome offer, too, because these often come with the potential to earn additional bonus cash. Take Discover Cashback Match, for instance. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.2

Charge purchases that earn cash back rewards to your credit card

Some credit cards offer the same flat-rate cash back percentage, such as 1%, on all qualifying purchases. Other cash back credit cards offer a higher percentage of cash back on popular spending categories, which, for example, could include 2% cash back on qualifying gas and restaurants purchases and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Then there are cash back cards that allow cardholders to earn even greater rewards in bonus categories. For example, the Discover it® Cash Back Card lets you earn 5% Cashback Bonus at grocery stores, drug stores, and select streaming services, January 1-March 31, 2023, on up to $1,500 in purchases when you activate. This excludes Walmart and Target purchases.3

Can you get cash back from a credit card through categories that don’t match your day-to-day spending habits? Of course—but if you want to earn as much cash back as possible, try to pick a rewards credit card that offers its highest level of rewards for your everyday spending.

Redeem your cash back rewards

How do you redeem cash back rewards? Many credit card issuers allow you to redeem rewards for statement credits, gift cards to eligible retailers, online purchases, and more. When you’re ready to redeem cash back from your credit card, simply log into your online account or credit card app and follow the instructions to redeem your cash back rewards.

Discover offers several ways to redeem cash back rewards, including redeeming for cash, a statement credit, a gift card to participating merchants, or even a charitable donation. Plus, your Discover cash back rewards never expire—and you can redeem any amount, any time.4

Can you get cash back with a credit card? You bet. Choosing the right cash back rewards program for you can help maximize the potential of your rewards credit card. Understanding the terms of the cash rewards card and your own spending habits can help you make the best decision for using your new credit card rewards.

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Cashback Match: We’ll match all the cash back rewards you’ve earned on your credit card from the day your new account is approved through your first 12 consecutive billing periods or 365 days, whichever is longer, and add it to your rewards account within two billing periods. You’ve earned cash back rewards only when they’re processed, which may be after the transaction date. We will not match: rewards that are processed after your match period ends; statement credits; rewards transfers from Discover checking or other deposit accounts; or rewards for accounts that are closed. This promotional offer may not be available in the future and is exclusively for new cardmembers. No purchase minimums.

Program Details (For Discover it® and Discover® More® cardmembers only): Activate to earn 5% Cashback Bonus at Grocery Stores (stand-alone), Drug Stores, and Select Streaming Services from 1/1/23 (or the date on which you activate 5%, whichever is later) through 3/31/23, on up to $1,500 in purchases. Grocery Store purchases include those made at supermarkets, meat lockers, bakeries, smaller grocery stores, and grocery delivery services. All purchases made at Walmart, Target, convenience stores, wholesale clubs, discount stores, and supercenters are not eligible. Drug Store purchases include those made at stand-alone drug stores, pharmacies, pharmacies located inside of retail stores, and from online pharmacies. Examples of Select Streaming Service purchases include Amazon Music, Amazon Prime Video, AMC+, Apple Music, Apple TV, Audible, DirecTV Stream, FUBO, Google Play, HBO Max, iHeartRadio, MLB.TV, Pandora, Paramount Plus, Peacock, Showtime, SiriusXM, Sling TV, Spotify, Starz, Vudu, YouTube Music, YouTube Premium, YouTube TV. Other popular streaming services may be included. If your subscription is bundled with another product or service, billed by a third party (such as a digital platform, a cable or satellite provider, telecommunications, internet provider or a car manufacturer), the purchase may not be eligible in this category. Add-ons associated with Select Streaming Services may not qualify for this promotion if they are not listed, billed in a bundle, separately or through a third party. Listed merchants are in no way sponsoring or affiliated with this program. To qualify for 5%, the purchase transaction date must be before or on the last day of the offer or promotion. For online purchases, the transaction date from the merchant may be the date when the item ships. Rewards are added to your account within two billing periods. Even if a purchase appears to fit in a 5% category, the merchant may not have a merchant category code (MCC) in that category. Merchants and payment processors are assigned an MCC based on their typical products and services. Discover Card does not assign MCCs to merchants. Certain third-party payment accounts and digital wallet transactions may not earn 5% if the technology does not provide sufficient transaction details or a qualifying MCC. Learn more at Discover.com/digitalwallets. See Cashback Bonus Program Terms and Conditions for more information.

Rewards Redemption: Your rewards never expire. We will credit your account or send you a check with your rewards balance if your account is closed or if it has not been used within 18 months.

Legal Disclaimer: This site is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice. The material on this site is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and does not indicate the availability of any Discover product or service. It does not guarantee that Discover offers or endorses a product or service. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a qualified professional.

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