Cash back credit cards earn rewards in different ways: Some offer a generous flat cash back percentage on all purchases, while others offer more cash back in specific or rotating categories.
Cards that earn a flat 1.5 percent cash back on all general purchases can fall into either category, meaning they can offer cardholders both enhanced flat rewards and rotating category rewards, or simply the flat 1.5 percent rewards.
These types of fixed-amount rewards cards often come with an introductory APR offer or a welcome bonus, both of which can make the offer even more valuable. Additionally, many 1.5% cash back credit cards offer no annual fee. If you’re interested in one of these cards, check out our guide on how to choose the right 1.5% cash back card.
How to Choose the Best 1.5% Cash Back Card for Your Wallet
Before you consider applying for a credit card, follow these steps to narrow down your options.
Best 1.5% cash back card
Now that you’re ready to choose the best cash back card for your wallet, let’s start with our top picks: Here’s our ranking of the best 1.5% cash back cards from each of the major issuers.
| card | Rewards | Welcome Bonus | Credit Required | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
American Express Cash Magnet® Card* | 1.5% cash back on all purchases (conditions apply) | Earn a $150 statement credit when you spend $1,000 or more on purchases on your new card within the first three months of signing up for card membership. | Good to great | $0 |
| Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card | 1.5% cash back on all purchases, increasing to 2.62% with Preferred Rewards membership status | You’ll receive a $200 Online Cash Rewards Bonus after you spend $1,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening. | Good to great | $0 |
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card* | 1.5% cash back on all purchases | N/A | Limited credit, no credit, or poor credit | $0 |
| Capital One Quiksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card | 1.5% cash back on all purchases and 5% cash back on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel | Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. | Good to great | $0 |
| Capital One QuiksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | 1.5% cash back on all purchases and 5% cash back on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel | N/A | impartial | $39 |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, 5% cash back on Lyft rides (through March 2025), 3% cash back on restaurant and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% cash back on other spending | You’ll earn 1.5% extra points on everything you buy (up to $20,000 spent in the first year), which equates to up to $300 in cash back. That means 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on restaurants and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. | Good to great | $0 |
Conclusion
The best 1.5 percent cash back credit cards offer generous rewards and no annual fees, but there’s a lot of variation from there. For example, some cards that offer 1.5 percent cash back offer higher rewards rates in additional categories, while others only offer a flat amount and are geared toward consumers with fair or no credit.
It’s also worth noting that there are cash-back credit cards out there that offer a flat 2 percent cash back with no annual fee, which could be another option if you don’t mind earning other enhanced rewards. Compare cash-back credit cards based on reward rates, features, and fees to find the one that best suits your spending habits and financial needs.
American Express Cash Magnet® Card and Bank of America Information® Unlimited Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card information was collected independently by Bankrate. Card details have not been verified or approved by the issuer. The Bank of America content in this post was last updated on August 8, 2024.
