The more you spend, the more you earn: That's the premise of some of today's top debit card rewards programs and cash back credit cards, which give frequent shoppers cash back incentives or the opportunity to earn points that they can redeem toward a future purchase. GOBankingRates rounded up the best cash back debit cards, points-based debit cards and relationship rewards debit cards based on the following criteria:
Points- or rewards-earning potential
Introductory offers
Fees
Balance requirements
Check Out: Best Cash Back Credit Cards of 2016
Compare these cash back and rewards program offers to see which card will pay you back generously for everyday purchases, travel reservations and even your bill payments. Be sure to factor in the cost of any annual fees and make note of any balance requirements on debit cards linked to a checking account to make the most informed decision.
Click on the links below to learn more about the 15 best cash back debit cards, points-based cards, and relationship rewards debit cards:
PayPal Business Debit Card
Bank of Internet Visa Debit Card
Discover Cashback Checking
Green Dot Visa Rewards Card
Capital Bank Cashback Checking
Kroger 1-2-3 Rewards Card
UFB Airlines Rewards Checking
Mechanics Bank Debit Rewards
KeyBank Debit Card
SunTrust Delta SkyMiles World Debit Card
First National Bank Checking
Fulton Bank Visa Debit Card
Chime Visa Debit Card
TD Bank Visa
Bank AmeriDeals Debit Card
Cash-Back Debit Cards
Best Debit Card Rewards Program: Cash-Back Rewards
Debit Card
Points/Rewards Earning Potential
Intro Offers
Annual Fee
ATM Fee
Foreign Transaction Fee
Balance Requirements
Learn More
PayPal Business Debit Card
Unlimited 1% cash back on eligible purchases
N/A
$0
$1.50
1%
None
Learn More
Bank of Internet Visa Debit Card
Varying cash back offers
N/A
$0
$0
2%
None
Learn More
Discover Cashback Checking
$.10 cash back on debit purchases, up to 100 transactions per month
N/A
$0
$0
N/A
None
Learn More
Green Dot Visa Rewards Card
5% cash back on all purchases, up to $100 annually
N/A
$9.95 per month
$2.50 withdrawal, $0.50 balance inquiry
3%
None
Learn More
Capital Bank Cashback Checking
$0.10 cash back for POS debit purchase from $1-$74.99
$0.25 cash back for POS debit purchases for $75+
N/A
$10 per month
$0, $2.50 for non-Capital Bank ATM
N/A
$100 to open, $1,000 to avoid annual fee
Learn More
PayPal Business Debit Card
If you're starting your own business or managing a business account the PayPal Business Debit MasterCard lets you earn unlimited 1 percent cash back on all eligible purchases made online, over the phone, or that require a signature. You can set up a backup funding source to make sure you have access to funds when your PayPal account is depleted. You'll also have direct online access to your PayPal balance, which you can withdraw from or spend as soon as your payments are deposited.
Bank of Internet Visa Debit Card
Whether you shop online or in store, you can activate exclusive cash back offers at various retail outlets with the Bank of Internet Visa debit card. Just use your debit card when checking out and cash back is automatically deposited into your checking or savings account. Cardholders need to view the Purchase Rewards available on the Bank of Internet USA website to activate an offer before they make the purchase. Offers include cash back on purchases for dining, entertainment and shopping, and can be combined with other coupons and discounts.
Discover Cashback Checking
Earn up to $120 cash back per year with the Discover Cashback Checking account and debit card. With every debit card purchase, you earn $0.10 on up to 100 transactions per month; the rewards keep adding up as you pay your bill online and also when you write a check. You can redeem your cash back reward for a cash deposit directly to your account or build on your Cashback Bonus account on the Discover card. There's no monthly fee or balance requirement with this card and you can get a replacement card for free at any time.
Green Dot Visa Rewards Card
Earn 5 percent cash back on all purchases, up to $100 annually with the Green Dot Cash Back Visa debit card. There's no credit check needed with this card and you'll never pay purchase transaction or overdraft fees. You can deposit checks with your smartphone and get paid up to two days earlier with free direct deposits. If you're looking for modern banking conveniences and a basic card to shop with wherever Visa is accepted, this could be the right cash back card for you.
Capital Bank CashBack Checking
Open a Capital Bank CashBack Checking account and use the debit card to earn $0.10 cash back on purchases between $1 and $74.99 and $0.25 on purchases of $75 or more. As you keep earning cash back on this account, your interest rate on a linked CashBack Saver account will increase as well. You can transfer funds between accounts easily and keep earning cash while increasing your savings potential. You'll also earn up to $20 in Capital Bank and ATM owner fees that are refunded every cycle.
Points-Based Debit Cards
Best Debit Card Rewards Program: Points-Based Rewards
Debit Card
Points/Rewards Earning Potential
Intro Offers
Annual Fee
ATM Fee
Foreign Transaction Fee
Balance Requirements
Learn More
Kroger 1-2-3 Rewards Card
1 point for every $1 spent on everything outside of Kroger Stores
2 points for every $1 on eligible Kroger Store purchases
3 points for every $1 on eligible purchases of Kroger family or brands
1,000 points = $5 in free groceries
Receive $10 bonus after first successful direct deposit
$0
$0, out of network $2
1%
None
Learn More
UFB Airlines Rewards Checking
1 mile per point for every $3 POS debit transaction
N/A
$0
$0
2%
$100 to open, no other balance requirements
Learn More
Mechanics Bank Debit Rewards
1 point for every $3 spent on signature-based transactions
N/A
$8 if balance drops below $100
$0; non-Mechanics Bank ATMs may charge
1%
$100
Learn More
KeyBank Debit Card
1 rewards point for every $6 spent on qualifying purchases
N/A
$0, but $40 to participate in relationship rewards
$0, $2.50 out of network
N/A
None
Learn More
SunTrust Delta SkyMiles World Debit Card
1 mile for every $1 spent on PIN POS
2 miles for every $1 spent on direct Delta purchases
5,000 bonus miles after first PIN point of sale
$25 for checking, $75 for rewards
$0, $3 out of network
N/A
Avoid $25 annual fee with $25,000 balance
Learn More
Kroger 1-2-3 Rewards Card
There's no credit check involved with the Kroger 1-2-3 Rewards Card and you can earn free groceries as you go about shopping at Kroger with this card. Direct deposit is free and you won't ever be charged overdraft fees if you do end up spending more than you have in your account. You'll need to pick up a temporary card at a Kroger location and then you can load up to $500 cash onto the card. Activate the card and then convert it to a reloadable card to start earning rewards. You can earn points towards free groceries and save on gas.
UFB Airlines Rewards Checking
Earn airline rewards every time you make a debit card purchase with the UFB Airlines Rewards Checking account. You'll earn one mile for every $3 POS debit card transaction posted to your account, up to 120,000 miles every year. You'll also earn free Purchase Rewards to get cash back when you shop and can coordinate are online transfers between other UFB Direct accounts. Purchase Rewards are earned by activating cash back offers listed on the website before making the purchase.
See: 5 Surprising Times to Use Your Debit Card Instead of a Credit Card
Mechanics Bank Debit Rewards
Earn rewards on everyday purchases with the Mechanics Bank Debit Rewards card. You'll earn 1 point for every $3 spent on signature-based transactions and can redeem those points for gift cards, merchandise, dining and travel purchases. There are no fees with this program and you can keep track of your points and redemptions online. Rewards start at 1,000 points and points expire five years after their issue date.
KeyBank Debit Card
Use the KeyBank debit card instead of cash for everyday purchases and earn points for using your checking account and your debit card. You'll earn 1 rewards point for every $6 you spend on qualifying signature debit net purchases and PIN/POS net purchases, with no monthly limit. Your annual fee is waived if you open a Key Privilege Checking Account. You can earn extra points by taking advantage of Shopping Deals and personalized offers based on how you use your debit card.
SunTrust Delta SkyMiles World Debit Card
Earn Delta SkyMiles on everyday purchases with the SunTrust Delta SkyMiles World debit card. You'll earn 5,000 bonus miles instantly after your first PIN Point of Sale or signature-based purchase and then 1 mile for every $1 spent on PIN Point of Sale or signature-based purchases after that, up to 4,000 miles per month. Use the card to make airline ticket and in-flight purchases directly through Delta and earn 2 miles for every $1 spent. Miles never expire and you can use them towards in-flight upgrades, Award Travel and First Class seats.
Relationship Rewards Debit Cards
Best Debit Card Rewards Program: Relationship Rewards
Debit Card
Discounts or Rewards-Earning Potential
Intro Offers
Annual Fee
ATM Fee
Foreign Transaction Fee
Balance Requirements
Learn More
First National Bank Checking
0.25% rate discount on auto, home equity, personal loans
$200 mortgage closing credit
$25 safe deposit box
N/A
$0
$0
N/A
None
Learn More
Fulton Bank Visa Debit Card
1 point for every $4 spent
Periodic bonus points
N/A
$0
$0, $2.50 out of network
3%
None
Learn More
Chime Visa Debit Card
Auto-pilot savings
Cash back rewards on bills and purchases
N/A
$0
$0, $2.50 out of network
3%
None
Learn More
TD Bank Visa
Receive special offers for purchases made with card
Discounts applied instantly
Special offers change regularly
N/A
$9.95 per month
$0, $3 out of network
N/A
None
Learn More
Bank AmeriDeals Debit Card
Choose cash back deals you want
Up to 15% cash back
N/A
$12 per month
$0, $2.50 out of network
N/A
$25 to open; avoid fee with $1,500 balance
Learn More
First National Bank Checking
You'll receive a First National Bank Visa debit card when you open a First National Checking account with no monthly service fees, transaction fees or annual fees. Make up to $3,000 in purchases per day with the Visa debit card and up to $10,000 in purchases per day with the Platinum Visa debit card. You can upgrade to one of the Fan Card designs to earn rewards such as ticket opportunities and free checks with the university logo. Cardholders also have access to one-of-a-kind fan experiences.
Fulton Bank Visa Debit Card
You'll be automatically enrolled in the Fulton Bank Relationship Rewards program when you have a checking account and start using your Relationship Rewards debit card anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Earn 1 point for every $4 spent on the card when you select credit and complete a signature-based transaction. Redeem your points for cash back into your checking account or a gift card. Earn up to 10x bonus points by taking advantage of exclusive offers and shopping at popular merchants.
Chime Visa Debit Card
Put your savings on autopilot with a Chime Spending Account, Savings Account and Chime Visa debit card. Chime accounts have no monthly fees or minimum balances, and you can earn cash back rewards on both bill payments and purchases made with the debit card. You earn credits when shopping at specific retailers, and offers are sent out based on your location. Earn extra cash by turning on Chime's Automatic Savings feature so that every purchase you make on the card is rounded up to the nearest dollar and the difference goes into your savings account. Chime will pay an additional 10 percent of everything you earned this way each week.
TD Bank Visa
Earn discounts and be eligible for special offers when using your TD Bank Visa debit card. You don't earn points with this card but can check the bank's Easy Rewards website regularly for information about travel, dining, and shopping discounts available exclusively for debit card holders. Offers change regularly and depend on how you use your debit card.
Bank AmeriDeals Debit Card
Choose the cash back deals you want with Bank AmeriDeals and pay for your purchase using your debit card to earn cash back automatically credited to your account by the end of the next month. You'll need to check the Special Offers & Deals tab in your account page to see available deals, and then add the deals to your card. You'll earn extra cash back by meeting the deal requirements such as using your debit card with a particular online retailer or in-store at a particular restaurant. There's no limit on how many cash back deals you take advantage of and you'll keep earning on top of any credit card rewards you are already receiving through Bank of America.
Methodology: GOBankingRates assessed information about debit card rewards programs, cash back offers and relationship rewards programs, including sourcing information from the financial institution provider's websites, as of October 11, 2016. To comprise this list of the 15 best debit card rewards programs, GOBankingRates ranked each debit card by (1) points- or rewards-earning potential; (2) introductory offers; (3) fees; and (4) balance requirements).
GOBankingRates is a personal finance and consumer interest rate website owned by ConsumerTrack, Inc., an online marketing company serving top-tier banks, credit unions, and other financial services organizations. Some companies mentioned in this article might be clients of ConsumerTrack, Inc., which serves more than 100 national, local and online financial institutions. Rankings and roundups are completely objective, and no institution, client or otherwise, paid for inclusion or specific placement. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author's alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the companies included in the article.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 15 Best Debit Card Rewards Programs