Best Cards for Flexibility: Future Travel AND Cash Back
Let’s talk about credit cards that offer ultimate flexibility. With these cards, you don’t have to choose cash back vs. travel. You are able to do BOTH!
Table of Contents
- Cards with the Option for Travel or Cash
- How to Get Cash Back on Chase’s Travel℠ Portal
- Best Pure Cash Back Personal Cards
- Best Pure Cash Back Business Cards
- Maximize Rewards in Shopping Portals
- Final Thoughts
Cards with the Option for Travel or Cash
Many cards earn points that are easily redeemed for cash where one point equals one cent. Chase points and the Citi Strata Premier® Card from Citi, a partner of Travel Freely, offer the highest cash back option (100%) compared to any other program.
The cards listed below offer points that are more valuable when used towards travel. In order to understand how valuable each of the below offers is, convert the number of points to cash back, in your head by following this pattern (drop the last two zeros and add a dollar sign):
- 25,000 points = $250
- 50,000 points = $500
- 60,000 points = $600
- 80,000 points = $800
- 100,000 points = $1,000
Check out our Chase Ultimate Rewards Guide for a full understanding of how Chase Ultimate Rewards are valued and used for travel and transfer partners. Although it can be very helpful, the cash back value is the lowest redemption value compared to using points for travel.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Read our Complete Guide on the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Our #1 recommended personal card. Hands down the single best “starter card” for beginners and the MVP card for free travel. Note: New application rules as of June 2025 may affect your eligibility—click to learn more before applying.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
New Offer! Elevated offer on a completely refreshed card loaded with perks and benefits. Note the large annual fee.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
With this card, you typically earn 3x on dining (including takeout and select delivery services); 3x on drugstores; 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; and 1.5x on everything else.
Chase Freedom Flex℠
A very strong card that is super flexible for cash back or free travel. Lots of good spending categories and the ability to move points to a premium Chase Ultimate Rewards® card makes this a great card to have.
Make sure you read our post on the new stay-at-home enhancements that will make these cards even more valuable.
How to Get Cash Back on Chase’s Portal
Best Pure Cash Back Cards
Here’s a list of our “Best Cash Back Credit Card Offers” to guide you through choosing the best cash back cards with bonuses, rewards from spending, and cash back shopping.
Citi Double Cash® Card
Citi is an advertising partner of Travel Freely.
A great complement to the Citi Strata Premier® Card.
Pros
- Can earn ThankYou® Points
- Great card for carrying a balance
- Known to be an easy approval
- No annual fee
Cons
- Foreign transaction fees
Chase Freedom Unlimited
With this card, you typically earn 3x on dining (including takeout and select delivery services); 3x on drugstores; 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; and 1.5x on everything else.
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
Definitely worth considering if you're looking for a cash-back card, as you'll earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases in several categories. Terms apply.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
For a limited time, the current welcome offer includes a $100 credit to use towards travel booked through Capital One Travel during your first cardholder year. A top card for those building up credit or looking for an easy-to-use cash back card. You can earn 1.5% cash back on everything.
Pros
- Up to 1.5% cashback on spend
- Up to 15 months 0% intro APR on transfers and purchases, 19.24% – 29.24% variable APR after that
- No annual fees
Cons
- After the 0% APR period, you’ll pay high APR rates depending on your credit scores
Best Pure Cash Back Business Cards
Capital One Spark 2% Cash Plus
This card is very generous on sign-up bonuses. Beyond a doubt, this card is a great choice for small-business owners looking for a good cash back card.
Pros:
- Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases.
- If your card is lost or stolen, you pay $0 for Fraud Liability.
- As long as the account is existing, the rewards earned don’t expire and you redeem any amount.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Damage coverage for auto rental collision.
Cons:
- High APR.
- Lack of travel transfer partners.
- Has an annual fee of $95 after the first year.
- A card without an annual fee is a better option if you spend less than $1,000 monthly.
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Excellent signup bonus for a business card with no annual fee. Great for carrying a balance. 5x earning categories, and if paired with a premium Chase credit card (one that carries an annual fee), your points are worth even more.
This card is a top pick for cash back lovers and travelers. We have a complete guide for you to learn more about this card.
Great signup bonus for a card with no annual fee. Great for carrying a balance. This one should be in every business owner’s wallet. Incredible signup bonus for a no-fee card. Excellent companion card to Sapphire Reserve or Sapphire Preferred. Like the Sapphire cards, this card earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards. You can earn 5X rewards (on first $25k spent) for phone service, cable, internet, and office supply stores.
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Incredible offer on a no-brainer, great business card. Your choice to receive 1.5% cash back or 1.5x points.
This is a no-brainer, great business card from Chase. A great bonus with no annual fees. Great for carrying a balance. You can combine points with other cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards. Like the name says, you earn unlimited 1.5% cash back (or 1.5x points) per $1 spent on all purchases. Note that unlike many Chase cards, this card does charge foreign transaction fees.
American Express Blue Business Cash Card
This $0 annual fee card is intriguing for the 2% cash back on all eligible spending (up to $50,000 annually). Cash back is earned in the form of statement credits. Terms apply.
Maximize Rewards in Shopping Portals
Read our full article on maximizing rewards and cash back in shopping portals. Here’s a quick summary on maximizing rewards with online shopping: Check out CashbackMonitor.com; Join Rakuten and get an easy $10; Join your favorite airline’s shopping portal; and, Maximize your spending by getting a new credit card with a big sign-up bonus.
Final Thoughts
Getting into the habit of earning flexible rewards can be a great way to save money and earn points for when you’re ready to travel. Make sure you check out each of these offers, earn the points you need, and get ready to execute a very good points strategy. You can be traveling to your dream destination soon!
