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While debit cards lack many of the perks of credit cards, there are some that offer cash back and other rewards.
To find the best rewards debit cards, CNBC Select reviewed offerings from top issuers, looking at fees, cash-back rewards rates, requirements to earn rewards and more.
For more on how we made our picks, read our methodology below.
Best rewards debit cards
- Best for no fees: LendingClub LevelUp Checking Account
- Best for no ATM fees: Axos Bank CashBack Checking
- Best for building credit: Extra Card
- Best for transferable rewards: American Express® Rewards Checking
- Best for 5% cash back: PayPal Debit Card
- Best for eco-friendly shopping: FutureCard Visa® Debit Card
- Best for a high APY: Bank5 Connect Checking Account
- Best for travel benefits: Wyndham Rewards® Debit Card
Find the right checking account
Best for no fees: LendingClub Level Up Checking
Who's this for? If you want to avoid excessive charges, the LendingClub LevelUp Checking Account comes with 1% unlimited cash back at gas stations, grocery stores and pharmacies, with no monthly maintenance fee, overdraft fee or fee for incoming wires..
Standout benefits: This checking account also offers 1% APY on account balances of at least $2,500 and 2% cash back on LendingClub personal loan payments (with direct deposit). LendingClub reimburses unlimited out-of-network ATM fees.
LendingClub LevelUp Checking
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
1.00% APY applies to balances of $2,500.00 and greater; no APY if don't meet requirements
Minimum deposit to open
$25
Minimum balance
None
Monthly fee
None
Free ATM network
None
ATM fee reimbursement
Unlimited surcharge rebates for ATM fees charged by other banks and ATM owners
Overdraft fee
None
Mobile check deposit
Yes
Terms apply.
Pros
- High APY for a checking account
- Low minimum deposit required
- No minimum balance
- No monthly fees
- Offers ATM fee surcharge rebates
- No overdraft fee
Cons
- Requirements to earn APY
- No ATM network
Best for no ATM fees: Axos Cashback Checking
Who's this for? With Axos Bank CashBack Checking, you get free withdrawals from over 91,000 in-network ATMs nationwide, plus unlimited reimbursements for domestic out-of-network machines.
Standout benefits: This no-fee option offers up to 1% cash back on signature-based purchases. You can earn up to $2,000 per month in cash back on your signature-based transactions.
Axos Bank CashBack Checking
Monthly maintenance fee
$0
Minimum deposit to open
$0
Minimum balance
No minimum balance
Rewards
Earn up to 1.00% cash back on all transactions that require a signature.
Free ATM network
None
ATM fee reimbursement
All domestic ATM fees reimbursed
Best for building credit: Extra Card
Who's this for? The Extra Card is one of the few debit cards that can improve your credit score by reporting purchases and payments to Equifax and Experian, two of the three main credit bureaus.
Standout benefits: Extra doesn't operate like a traditional debit card. The company pays for your purchase, then automatically deducts the funds from your linked bank account. There is a monthly fee of $25 for the Reward and Credit Building card.
Extra Card (Rewards + Credit Building)
Rewards
Up to 1% rewards points on all purchases
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$25 a month or $199 upfront for the year.
Foreign transaction fee
N/A — cannot be used internationally
Credit needed
None
Pros
- Does not require a security deposit like other credit cards for building credit
- No credit check or minimum credit score required
Cons
- Costs $199 annually
- Only reports to two credit bureaus, Equifax and Experian
Best for transferable rewards: American Express Rewards Checking
Who's this for? American Express® Rewards Checking is aimed at people who have American Express cards, especially those earning American Express Membership Rewards®, such as the American Express Platinum Card® or the American Express® Gold Card.
Standout benefits: This debit card earns 1 Amex Membership Rewards® point for every $2 spent in any category, with no cap ( a rarity among debit cards with rewards). The linked checking account has no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements and your balance earns 1.00% APY (as of 2/17/2026).
American Express® Rewards Checking Account
Monthly maintenance fee
$0
Minimum deposit to open
$0
Minimum balance
Min balance to open = $0
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
1.00% as of 06/24/2024
Free ATM network
37,000+ MoneyPass® ATMs
ATM fee reimbursement
None
Overdraft fee
N/A
Mobile check deposit
Yes
Terms apply.
Click here to view terms and conditions.
Pros
- Free ATM network
- No monthly fees
- ATM fee reimbursement
- No minimum deposit to open an account
- No overdraft fees
- Can transfer rewards
Cons
- Only available for existing Amex cardholders who've had a card account open for at least three months
Best for 5% cash back: PayPal
Who's this for? If you love the idea of earning cash back with a no-fee debit card, you can't do much better than the PayPal Debit Card.
Standout benefits: Each month, earn 5% cash back in the category of your choice, including restaurants, apparel, groceries, fuel and rideshares. Rewards are capped at $1,000 in monthly spending, meaning you can earn up to $50 in cash back if you maximize your spending.
The PayPal Debit Card allows you to earn up to 5% back (earned as PayPal points) in everyday spending categories, which is rarer for a debit card. See terms at paypal.com/rewardspal
- Earns up to 5% cash back in select categories
- No annual fee
- No credit check required
- Caps your monthly cash back
- Points can expire with inactivity
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- A debit card for you to spend your PayPal balance.
- Earn 5% back on a category (earned as points) you choose each month on up to $1,000 of monthly category spend. Pick a category each month – Groceries, Fuel, Restaurants, Apparel, and Rideshare/Public Transit. Find the latest available categories in the PayPal app. (5% back earned as points) you redeem at checkout or for other options on up to $1,000 spend/month in your selected category everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Terms apply.)
- Stack rewards with other offers. Find offers from top brands in the PayPal app. Simply choose a monthly category to earn 5% back (earned as points), save relevant offers in your category in the PayPal app, and checkout with the PayPal Debit Card online through PayPal checkout. (Offers are subject to availability. Redeem points at checkout and for other options. PayPal Rewards terms and merchant offer terms and exclusions apply. Offers change often so refer to merchant site for the most accurate information. We may earn a commission when you make a purchase.)
- Use your card online and in store, anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
- Pay with your phone. Add your card to your phone's mobile wallet and tap to pay in store with Apple Pay (Apple Pay is a service provided by Apple Payments Services LLC, a subsidiary of Apple Inc. Neither Apple Inc. nor Apple Payments Services LLC is a bank. Any card used in Apple Pay is offered by the card issuer), Google Pay (Google Pay is a trademark of Google LLC.) or Samsung Pay (Samsung Pay is a registered trademark of Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
- No monthly fees or credit check (This is not a credit card)
- Withdraw cash at ATMs. It's free at U.S. MoneyPass ATMs (ATMs must display the Mastercard®, Cirrus®, Pulse® or MoneyPass® acceptance marks. Up to $400 USD daily withdrawal limit applies. Transactions at non-MoneyPass ATMs have a $2.50 ATM Domestic and International Withdrawal Fee. No fee for MoneyPass ATM Withdrawals in the U.S. International Transaction Fee applies for International ATM Withdrawals. ATM operator fees may also apply. See Cardholder Agreement for details.)
- Easily manage your card in the PayPal app. The app is your hub to save offers, check your PayPal balance, quickly add money before you shop and track your transactions. Plus, redeem your points, lock and unlock your card, and find an ATM.
- Protection from PayPal and Mastercard(R). Get peace of mind with purchase protection on eligible items. Required Disclosure (Available on eligible purchases. Terms and limitations apply. See PayPal Purchase Protection Terms and exclusions.)
- Plus, Mastercard's Zero Liability, built-in chip technology, and temporary card locking capabilities help keep your money safe. (Conditions and exceptions apply – see Cardholder Agreement.)
Best for eco-friendly shopping: FutureCard Visa
Who's this for? The FutureCard Visa is a great pick if you frequently spend in green categories. Enjoy 5% to 10% back on EV charging, bikeshare rentals, plant-based foods, community solar or thrift-store shopping. (The elevated reward is capped at $150 per merchant within a calendar month and $25,000 per year)
Standout benefits: In addition to eco-friendly savings, cardholders enjoy unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases and a $5 welcome bonus in points after a deposit of at least least $10.
The FutureCard Visa Debit Card comes with no annual fee and earns high rates of rewards on eco-friendly purchases, like secondhand stores and EV charging
- No annual fee
- Earns up to 10% cash back in specific categories
- No credit check
- Limited cash back categories
- Doesn't build credit
Best for a high APY: Bank5 Connect
Who's this for? With the Bank5 Connect Checking Account, you can enjoy cash back when shopping at participating retailers with your debit card and earn 2.00% APY on your account balance.
Standout benefits: There's no monthly service fee if you go paperless, a low $10 opening deposit requirement, and, to earn the 2.00% APY, you only need to keep at least $100 in the account. You get a $15 credit for out-of-network ATM fees every statement cycle and if you return a purchase, you get to keep the rewards.
Bank5 Connect Checking Account
APY
2.00% APY
Monthly maintenance fee
$0
Minimum deposit to open
$10
Minimum balance
$100 is required to earn APY
Rewards
Offers are available once you sign up for an account.
Free ATM network
1,000+ SUM® Network ATMs
ATM fee reimbursement
$15 surcharge per statement cycle for fees charged by other banks. Bank5 Connect does not charge for using out-of-network ATMs.
Overdraft fee
$0
Mobile check deposit
Yes
Terms apply.
Pros
- Cash back on participating retailers
- High APY
- No ATM withdrawal domestic fees
- Low minimum deposit
Cons
- $100 minimum balance required to earn APY
- No physical locations
Best for travel rewards: Wyndham Rewards
Who's this for? Travelers looking to earn hotel rewards should check into the Wyndham Rewards® Debit Card. In addition to one Wyndham Rewards point for every dollar spent at a gas station, grocery store or Wyndham hotel, you get complimentary Wyndham Rewards Gold status, which includes perks such as preferred room selection and late checkout.
Standout benefits: Earn one point per $2 spent in all other categories and earn 2,500 bonus points if you spend $100 and make at least two direct deposits within the first 90 days after account opening. (Each anniversary year, you can also earn up to 7,500 bonus points, depending on your annual net purchases.) Account holders have access to more than a million fee-free ATMs in the Cirrus network.
The $6 monthly fee is waived if you maintain a minimum average monthly balance of $2,500.
Wyndham Rewards Debit Card
Welcome Bonus
Earn up to 2,500 bonus points after opening your account, making at least two direct deposits, and spending $100 in the first 90 days.
Monthly maintenance fee
$6; Options to waive
Minimum deposit to open
$0
Minimum balance
Min balance to open = $0
Rewards
Earn up to 1 point per $1 spent at gas stations, grocery stores, and participating Wyndham brand hotels; 1 point per $2 spent on all other purchases.
Free ATM network
2 Million Cirrus® ATMs
ATM fee reimbursement
None
Overdraft fee
N/A
Mobile check deposit
Yes
Terms apply.
Click here to view terms and conditions.
Pros
- Free ATM network
- No monthly fees
- No minimum deposit to open an account
- No overdraft fees
- Earn up to 7,500 bonus points each anniversary year depending on your annual net purchases.
Cons
- $6 monthly fee
How do debit card rewards work?
Debit card rewards are usually less generous than credit card programs, but they can still provide value. These are the most common types.
Cash back: The most common reward is a percentage back on purchases, with select categories often earning a higher return. The PayPal Debit Card earns 5% cash back in a category of your choice — including restaurants, groceries or gas.
Sign-up bonus: Some checking accounts come with a cash welcome bonus if you set up direct deposit and maintain a minimum balance.
Travel miles or points: While not common, some upper-tier checking accounts let you earn miles, points and gift cards by using your debit card. Wyndham Rewards® Debit Card offers one Wyndham Rewards point for every dollar spent at a gas station, grocery store or Wyndham hotel and one point for every $2 spent in all other categories.
What to look for in a debit card with rewards
Rewards structure
Look at how the bank has organized its rewards: Would you prefer a flat rate on all purchases or more back in certain categories, like dining or gas? Be aware of any limits on how much cash can be earned.
Fees and limitations
You should be able to get a rewards debit card without a monthly maintenance fee or minimum balance requirement. Make sure the cash back requirements aren't too strict and that rewards are automatically deposited into your account. If the redemption process is too complicated, it may not be worth it.
Account features
Your debit card is tied to a checking account, so make sure you're satisfied with its other features. Look for benefits like interest-bearing checking, early paycheck access, reimbursement for out-of-network ATMs
Your spending habits
No rewards program is worthwhile if it forces you to overspend or shop in categories you don't normally. Cash back is the most common reward, but if a card uses points or gift cards, make sure you'll use them.
Compare offers to find the right savings account
FAQs
What is cash back on a debit card?
Typically linked to a checking account, cash-back debit cards return a percentage of your spending, usually between 1% and 5%. The reward can be offered at a flat rate for all purchases or only for certain categories, such as restaurants or groceries.
Are rewards debit cards worth it?
If a rewards debit card has an annual or monthly maintenance fee, you'll need to decide if you'll use it enough to recoup the expenditure. Debit cards usually don't have all the perks of reward credit cards, so the answer may be no. But it's not hard to find a rewards debit card that doesn't have these fees or any minimum balance requirements.
Can a rewards debit card help improve my credit score?
Because they're not extending you credit, Banks don't typically report debit card activity to the credit bureaus. That means they usually don't affect your credit score. One exception is the Extra Card. Because the company technically pays for the purchase and then deducts the money from your linked bank account, it shows up on your credit report.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed financial decisions. Every debt card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of banking products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best rewards debit cards.
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Our methodology
To determine which rewards debit cards were the best, CNBC Select analyzed some of the most popular rewards debit cards on the market. We compared each card's rewards rates, whether a minimum balance was required, ATM fees, the size of the ATM network, monthly fees and other perks. If customer reviews were available, we referred to those as well.
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
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