PNC Cash Rewards leads with 4% back on gas, 3% on dining and 2% on groceries, a tiered structure that is generous at the top end for a card with no annual fee. The limit to understand is that all three categories share a single $8,000 annual cap, after which they drop to 1%, the same as everything else, so the practical ceiling on bonus earnings is fixed no matter how you split your spending. A $200 bonus after $1,000 in three months and 15 months of 0% intro APR on balance transfers give it a solid first year. Cell phone protection of up to $800 per claim when you pay your wireless bill with the card is a useful ongoing extra. The drawback is a foreign transaction fee, so leave it home when you travel abroad, and the regular APR of 18.49% to 28.49% means this needs to be paid in full.
Earn rates & credits
| Category | Rate |
|---|---|
Gas $8,000 combined annual cap with dining and groceries; 1% thereafter on first $8,000/yr, then 1% | 4% |
Dining $8,000 combined annual cap with gas and groceries; 1% thereafter on first $8,000/yr, then 1% | 3% |
Groceries $8,000 combined annual cap with gas and dining; 1% thereafter on first $8,000/yr, then 1% | 2% |
Everything Else | 1% |
Card details
Regular APR | 18.49%–28.49% variable |
Intro APR on balance transfers | 0% for 15 months |
Foreign transaction fee | Yes |