4 Cash-Back Cards to Maximize Holiday Savings

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Fall is here, and that means the holiday season is fast approaching.

It’s a time of year when we tend to spend more than usual — which means it’s an excellent opportunity to qualify for big credit card introductory offers and rack up cash back.

So now’s a good time to grab a pumpkin-spiced latte and think about whether your credit card could be doing more for you this season.

Here are some great offers to consider:

Citi Custom Cash

Why we like it: You get 5% cash back in the category you spend the most on, which can vary from month to month without any effort on your part — no rotating categories or card juggling required. Eligible categories include restaurants, grocery stores, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, live entertainment and certain travel and transit.

What to know:

• Get $200 in cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months.
• Earn 5% cash back in your top eligible spending category on up to $500 each month, with 1% cash back after.
• Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• 0% introductory APR on purchases for 15 months.
• 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 15 months.
• No annual fee.

Note: Cash back appears as ThankYou Points, which can be redeemed for cash, gift cards, Amazon purchases or travel rewards.

Citi Double Cash

Why we like it: We’ve called this “The Best Cash-Back Credit Card for Everyday Use” since it earns 1% cash back on every purchase, then earns another 1% cash back when you pay for those purchases. If you want the peace of mind that you’re earning good cash-back rewards on everything, with no gimmicks or expiration dates, this is your card.

Plus, for a limited time, you can earn points worth $200 in cash back when you make $1,500 in purchases in your first six months as a cardmember.

What to know:

• $200 cash back when you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months from account opening.
• Get a total of 2% cash back on every purchase.
• No limits or caps on cash back.
• No confusing categories; everything earns cash back.
• No annual fee.

Note: This card offers 18 months of 0% introductory APR on balance transfers.

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards

Why we like it: This is a great all-around credit card with 1.5% cash back on every purchase. It also offers a $200 cash bonus after you spend just $500 within the first three months of opening the account.

What to know:

• Get 1.5% cash back on every purchase — no limits, and no expiration on cash-back rewards for the life of the account.
• Get a $200 statement credit after spending $500 on the card within the first three months.
• Pay 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers within the introductory 15-month period.
• No annual fee.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Why we like it: With no annual fee to worry about, the Chase Freedom Unlimited card is a top-tier choice for grocery or general cash-back rewards, offering at least 1.5% cash back on every purchase and more in certain categories. You also earn an extra 1.5% cash back on every purchase on up to $20,000 spent in the first year. For example, that extra 1.5% would boost the 5% cash back normally available for travel up to 6.5%.

What to know:

• 5% cash back on travel-related purchases through Chase.
• 3% cash back on dining at restaurants and on drugstore purchases.
• 1.5% cash back on every other purchase.
• No expiration on cash-back rewards.
• 0% introductory APR on purchases for 15 months, then a variable rate of 17.24% to 25.99%.
• No annual fee.

Note: This card has a foreign transaction fee, so plan accordingly for international travel.

Whatever you need in a credit card — whether it’s a balance transfer, reward points, cash back or a low interest rate — you can find it with our credit card search tool. Click here to search for the plastic that best fits your needs.