Clear text

Credit card rewards

How Do Cash Back Credit Cards Work?
See if you're pre-approved
A happy family walks down a sidewalk together

How Do Cash Back Credit Cards Work?

Published March 1, 2022
4 min read

Cash back credit cards let you earn cash back rewards on your purchases. However, these rewards cards can work a little differently depending on the type of card and the credit card issuers’ rewards program.

What does cash back mean on a credit card?

When a credit card offers cash back, it means that the currency you earn when you make purchases is provided in the form of cash back rewards. However, there are many cash back credit cards available, and they have different earnings styles, redemption options, and restrictions.

How do you earn cash back from credit card spending?

Cash back credit cards generally offer one of three earning styles:

  • Fixed-rate rewards. When you use a fixed-rate cash back card, you get the same rewards rate no matter where you shop. For example, you might earn 1.5% cash back on all your eligible purchases.
  • Tiered rewards. Tiered-rewards cards have a higher rewards rates for specific bonus categories and a lower rate for other purchases. For example, the Discover it® Gas and Restaurants Credit Card gives you 2% cash back on up to $1,000 in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each quarter, and an unlimited 1% cash back on your other purchases.1
  • Rotating rewards. Rotating cash back cards are similar to tiered rewards cards, but the bonus categories rotate throughout the year. The Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card is a rotating rewards card that offers 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum each time you activate, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Cash back credit cards may also offer bonus cash back opportunities. For example, all Discover cash back cards automatically come with the Discover Cashback Match. At the end of their first year, new cardmembers will receive a dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back rewards they earned at the end of their first year.2

How do you redeem credit card cash back rewards?

Your cash back redemptions options can depend on the credit card issuer and their rewards programs. Generally, you’ll be able to redeem your cash back rewards in several ways, such as:

  • Get a statement credit toward your credit card’s balance
  • Deposit the rewards into a linked to a bank account
  • Redeem the rewards for a gift card
  • Use the rewards to make a charitable donation
  • Pay with your rewards at select merchants

Some cash back rewards programs have restrictions and requirements. For example, you might need to have at least $25 worth of rewards if you want to request a statement credit. Or your accrued rewards could expire if your account is inactive for too long or you close your card.

Many Discover cash back rewards redemption options start at just a penny, and your rewards never expire.3 Discover will also credit your account or send you a check for your cash back rewards if your account is closed or you don’t use the cash back credit card for 18 months.

Do all credit cards offer cash back?

Some rewards cards offer points or miles instead of cash back rewards.

For example, hotel and airline credit cards are generally tiered-rewards cards that give you rewards in the company’s loyalty program. You can then use the points or miles to book flights or hotel nights, but you might not be able to redeem them for cash back.

There are also some cash back credit cards that actually give you points in the card issuer’s rewards program. You earn a certain number of points per dollar you spend, and there are cards with fixed, tiered, and rotating rewards styles. Your points accrue in your account, and you can then redeem them in various ways, including some cash back options.

When are cash back credit cards best?

A cash back credit card could be the best type of rewards card if you don’t want to redeem rewards for travel, or you don’t want to worry about the value of your rewards changing. But there are a lot of cash back credit cards available, and you’ll want to consider their earnings structure, redemption options, restrictions, and fees to determine which one is best for you.

Important information

Next steps

See if you’re pre-approved

No impact to your credit score

Check now

View all Discover credit cards

See rates, rewards and other info

Learn More

You may also be interested in

Was this article helpful?

617
Thank you for your feedback!

Chrome Disclosure: You earn a full 2% Cashback Bonus® on your first $1000 in combined purchases at Gas Stations (stand-alone), and Restaurants each calendar quarter. Calendar quarters begin January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1. Purchases at Gas Stations and Restaurants over the quarterly cap, and all other purchases, earn 1% cash back. Gas Station purchases include those made at merchants classified as places that sell automotive gasoline that can be bought at the pump or inside the station. Gas Stations affiliated with supermarkets, supercenters, and wholesale clubs may not be eligible. Restaurant purchases include those made at merchants classified as full-service restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, fast-food locations, and restaurant delivery services. Purchases must be made with merchants in the U.S. To qualify for 2%, 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 2% 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 2% 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 further detail.

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.

Redeem Miles: Starting at 1 Mile, you can redeem your Miles as a credit to your account to pay for all or part of your bill, for cash as an electronic deposit to your bank account, or for a credit for Travel Purchases made on your statement within the last 180 days. Travel Purchases include airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, travel agents, online travel sites, commuter transportation, restaurants and gas stations. Restaurant purchases include those made at merchants classified as full-service restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, fast-food locations, and restaurant delivery services. Gas Station purchases include those made at merchants classified as places that sell automotive gasoline that can be bought at the pump or inside the station. Gas Stations affiliated with supermarkets, supercenters, and wholesale clubs may not be eligible.

Even if a travel purchase on your statement appears to fit in a Travel Purchase category, the merchant may not have a merchant category code (MCC) in a Travel Purchase 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 be eligible for credit redemption if the technology does not provide sufficient transaction details or a qualifying MCC. See Terms and Conditions for more information.

Redeem Any Amount Any Time: Rewards never expire. We reserve the right to determine the method to disburse your rewards balance. We will credit your Account or send you a check with your rewards balance if your Account is closed or if you have not used it 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.

See if you're pre-approved