Yes, but it depends on your card and how you want the money
Most credit cards do not give you cash back directly. Cash back is a reward your card issuer offers you for spending — it shows up as a credit on your bill or as a deposit to your bank account, not as physical dollars from an ATM. Some cards let you convert points into cash, others deposit it automatically, and a few let you take it out as actual cash at a store register. What you can do depends entirely on which card you have and what that card's program allows.
The confusion usually comes from mixing up two different things: cash back as a reward (money back for purchases you made), and getting cash from a credit card at an ATM (which is called a cash advance and works very differently). This article covers cash back rewards. If you need to withdraw cash using your credit card at an ATM, that is a separate transaction with its own fees and interest rates.
Key Takeaways
- Cash back rewards are credits you earn by spending on your card — they appear as statement credits or bank deposits, not as cash from an ATM.
- You must check your specific card's rewards program to see whether it offers cash back and how to claim it.
- Some cards deposit cash back automatically each month, while others require you to request it through your online account or mobile app.
- A few retail cards let you take cash back at the register when you make a purchase, similar to a debit card.
- Cash back rewards are not the same as a cash advance — a cash advance charges interest immediately and costs more in fees.
How cash back rewards actually appear on your account
When you earn cash back, the money does not land in your checking account or wallet. Instead, your card issuer records it as a credit — a reduction in what you owe. If you have earned $50 in cash back and your current balance is $200, your new balance becomes $150. You can then pay that $150, and the $50 cash back has effectively reduced what you paid.
Some issuers let you request that cash back be sent to your bank account instead of staying on your credit card. This is usually done through your online account or mobile app, in a section labeled "Rewards," "Cash Back," or "Redeem." The money typically arrives in your linked checking account within three to five business days. Not all cards offer this option — some only let you use cash back as a statement credit.
A small number of cards, mostly from retailers like Target or Walmart, let you take cash back at the register when you swipe your card. You tell the cashier how much cash you want, and they give it to you on the spot, deducting that amount from your purchase. This works only at that retailer's stores and only if your card is set up for it.
Where to find your cash back balance and redeem it
Log into your credit card's online account or open the card issuer's mobile app. Look for a tab or menu item labeled "Rewards," "Cash Back," "Redeem," or "Benefits." You should see your current cash back balance displayed there — usually in dollars, though some cards show it as points that convert to dollars.
From that same section, you can usually choose how to use your cash back. The options typically include: apply it as a statement credit (the most common), request a deposit to your bank account, or redeem it for a gift card or merchandise. Some cards automatically deposit cash back each month without you having to do anything. Check your card's terms or call the customer service number on the back of your card if you cannot find the rewards section.
If you cannot find your cash back balance online, call the customer service number on your card. A representative can tell you how much you have earned, explain your redemption options, and process a request if you want the money sent to your bank account.
Minimum balances and expiration dates
Many cards require you to have earned a minimum amount of cash back before you can redeem it — often $25 or $50. Until you hit that threshold, the cash back sits on your account but you cannot claim it. Once you cross the minimum, you can redeem whenever you want.
Cash back rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. If you close the card, you typically lose any unredeemed cash back. If your account goes delinquent (you stop making payments), the issuer may forfeit your rewards. Read your card's terms to confirm the expiration policy, as rules vary by issuer.
Cash back versus a cash advance — they are not the same
A cash advance is when you use your credit card to withdraw actual cash from an ATM or get cash from a bank teller. This is a loan, not a reward. You pay interest on it immediately — usually at a higher rate than your regular purchase APR — and you are charged a fee (often 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn). A $100 cash advance might cost you $3 to $5 just to take it out, plus interest starting the same day.
Cash back rewards, by contrast, cost you nothing. You earn them by making regular purchases, and you can redeem them as a credit or deposit with no fees or interest. Do not confuse the two. If you need cash, using a cash advance is expensive. Using your cash back rewards is free.
Cards that offer cash back and cards that do not
Not every credit card offers cash back. Some cards offer other rewards instead — points toward travel, miles with an airline, or bonus points at specific stores. Some cards offer no rewards at all. Before you open a card, check the issuer's website or the card's terms to see what rewards it provides.
Cash back cards vary widely in how much they give back. Some offer a flat rate — 1 percent cash back on all purchases, for example. Others offer higher rates in certain categories: 3 percent on groceries, 2 percent on gas, 1 percent on everything else. A few premium cards offer higher flat rates but charge an annual fee. The card you have determines what you can earn and how you can redeem it.
What to do if your card does not offer cash back
If your current card does not have a cash back program, you have two options: keep using it and earn no rewards, or open a different card that does offer cash back. Opening a new card involves a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can temporarily lower your score by a few points. If you are planning to apply for a loan soon, that timing matters.
If you decide to switch cards, do not close your old card immediately after opening the new one. Closing a card reduces your available credit and can hurt your score. Instead, keep it open but use it rarely. This maintains your credit history and available credit without costing you anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw cash back as actual cash from an ATM?
No. Cash back rewards are credits on your account, not cash you can withdraw. You can request that your cash back be deposited to your bank account, and then withdraw that money from your bank's ATM. But you cannot pull cash back directly from a credit card ATM.
What happens to my cash back if I close my credit card?
You lose any unredeemed cash back when you close the card. Redeem your cash back before closing the account. If you have already closed it, contact the issuer immediately — some will honor a redemption request within a short window after closure, but this varies by company.
Do I have to pay taxes on cash back rewards?
No. The IRS treats cash back as a reduction in the price of what you bought, not as income. You do not report it on your tax return. This is different from other types of rewards or rebates, which may have different tax treatment in certain situations.
Can I use cash back to pay my credit card bill?
Yes, if your issuer allows it. When you redeem cash back as a statement credit, it reduces your balance, which is the same as paying part of your bill. Some issuers also let you request a direct deposit to your bank account, and then you can use that money to pay your bill manually.
Why does my cash back take so long to show up?
Cash back usually posts to your account within one to three billing cycles after you make the purchase. Some issuers are slower than others. If it has been more than 90 days and your cash back has not appeared, contact customer service — there may be an error or a hold on your account.