Best debit cards that offer rewards of September 2026

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While debit cards lack many of the perks of credit cards, some do 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.

Who's this for? If you want to avoid excessive charges, the Happen Bank LevelUp Checking (formerly LendingClub) 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 Happen Bank personal loan payments (with direct deposit). Happen Bank reimburses unlimited out-of-network ATM fees.

Who's this for? With Axos Bank CashBack Checking, you get free withdrawals from over 95,000 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.

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 $20 for credit building alone, or $25 for the Reward and Credit Building tier that adds points on purchases.

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 June 16, 2026).

Who's this for? The Venmo Debit Mastercard® could be a great option for people who want a little more control over where they earn rewards. Via the Venmo Stash rewards program, users can choose from different "bundles" of brands and earn up to 5% cash back when spending brands within their bundle, up to $100 per month.

Standout benefits: Outside of offering users more control in where they earn rewards, the card gives them direct access to spend their Venmo balance. While the default rewards rate is just 1%, you can increase it to 2% by turning on auto reloads, and up to 5% when you receive $500+ in Direct Deposits each month. You can withdraw money from 40,000 MoneyPass® ATMs in the U.S. with no fees.

Who's this for? If you love the idea of earning rewards with a no monthly-fee debit card, you can't do much better than the PayPal Debit Card.

Standout benefits: Each month, earn 5% back in the category of your choice, including restaurants, apparel, groceries, fuel, rideshare and public transit. Rewards are capped at $1,000 in monthly spending, meaning you can earn up to $50 in points if you maximize your spending.

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 an unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases and a $5 welcome bonus in points after a deposit of at least $10.

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.

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.

Who's this for? The United MileagePlus Debit Rewards Card is a solid pick for frequent United flyers who want to earn miles on everyday spending without a credit check, since this card doesn't require one to qualify.

Standout benefits: New cardholders can earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $500 in the first four months. Ongoing, you earn 1 mile per $1 on United purchases and 1 mile per $2 on other eligible purchases. There's a $4 monthly fee, which is waived if you keep an average monthly balance of $2,000 or more. You can also earn bonus miles based on your account balance, up to 70,000 miles a year with a $50,000 average monthly balance.

Who's this for? The Southwest Rapid Rewards Debit Card is a good fit for Southwest loyalists who want to rack up Rapid Rewards points through debit spending, without an annual fee or a credit check requirement.

Standout benefits: New cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of 2,500 points after making two recurring direct deposits and spending $100 within the first 90 days. You earn 1 point per $2 on qualifying everyday purchases, and 1 point per $1 on eligible Southwest purchases and qualifying dining and subscription purchases. You can also earn up to 7,500 bonus points each account anniversary based on your spending. The card also comes with complimentary Wyndham Rewards Gold status, adding perks like preferred room selection and late checkout.

Debit card rewards are usually less generous than credit card programs, but they can still provide value. These are the most common types. 

Rewards: The most common reward is a percentage back on purchases, with select categories often earning a higher return. The PayPal Debit Card earns 5% back in a monthly category of your choice — including restaurants, groceries or fuel.

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.

Just because a debit card earns rewards doesn't mean it's necessarily the right fit for you, as there are a few other aspects to consider.

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 and 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.

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.

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 consulted them 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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