When a rewards program or credit card is offering 3% cash back, it means that for every $1 you spend you will earn 3 cents ($0.03) in the form of cash back.
You can calculate 3% cash back multiplying 0.03 by the amount you plan on spending. So if you spend $1,000, it would be $1,000 x 0.03 which equals $30.
Use the 3% cash back calculator below to calculate cash back based on spend.
What's The Best 3% Cash Back Card?
There's only one popular credit card that earns 3% cash back across all purchases, and that is the AOD Visa Signature Card. The card requires you to be a member of the AOD Credit Union as well meet other requirements.
If you're not able to pick up that card, there's plenty of other credit cards that can earn you 3% cash back across specific categories. Listed below are a few of the best options for 3% cash back or more.
Best For 3% Back At U.S. Supermarkets
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
See Rates & Fees
Terms Apply.
Intro Bonus
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Rewards Rate
3%
3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%).
2%
2% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and at select U.S. department stores.
1%
1% Cash Back on other purchases.
Main Card Highlights
- Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 plan fees on plans created during the first 15 months after account opening. Plans created after that will have a plan fee up to 1.33% of each purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
- Low intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 13.99% to 23.99%.
- Plan It® gives t
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%).
- 2% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and at select U.S. department stores.
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases. he option to select purchases of $100 or more to split up into monthly payments with a fixed fee.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be easily redeemed for statement credits.
- No annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
Annual Fee
$0
Authorized User Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.7%
Best For 3% Back On A Select Category
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Intro Bonus
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Rewards Rate
3%
Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases).
2%
Earn automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases).
1%
Earn unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
Main Card Highlights
- No annual fee
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
- Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases
- 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 13.99% - 23.99% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee (min $10) applies to all balance transfers
- No expiration on rewards
- If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25% - 75% more cash back on every purchase
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap
Annual Fee
$0
Authorized User Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
3%
Best For 3% Back On Dining & Drugstores
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Intro Bonus
Earn a $250 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards Rate
5%
Earn 5% on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®.
3%
Earn 3% on dining and drugstores.
1.5%
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Main Card Highlights
- Earn a $250 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases, then a variable APR of 14.99 - 23.74%.
- No annual fee
Annual Fee
$0
Authorized User Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
3%
Learn More About The Rewards
Best For 3% Back On Dining, Entertainment, and Streaming
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Intro Bonus
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards Rate
3%
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®).
1%
Earn 1% on all other purchases
Main Card Highlights
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; 15.49% - 25.49% variable APR after that
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
Annual Fee
$0
Authorized User Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
0%
If none of these cards interest you, I recommend checking our list of the best cash back credit cards or using the Credit Card Finder Tool to find which cash back cards earn you the most back based on your spend.
FAQ
What is 3% cash back?
3% cash back means you will earn 3 cents ($0.03) back for every $1 spent.
How do I know what's the best credit card for my spend?
You can use the Search For Credit Cards By Spend calculator to get a list of the best credit cards based on your spend across categories.
