Cashback means that you get money back on everything you purchase with your card. A cashback credit card does not place restrictions on the types of products or services you buy or where you shop, whether it’s in a physical store or online, you earn money back regardless. Additionally, it is often possible to have the cashback paid directly into your bank account instead of being deducted from your credit card statement.
For every purchase you make, you receive a certain percentage back as cashback.
But how can you actually use the cashback you earn? This varies somewhat from one credit card to another.
Here are some common ways to use cashback:
It’s important to carefully read the credit card terms and conditions so you are aware of any limitations on how you can use your earned cashback.

General Cashback gives you a percentage back on all purchases. An example is Bank Norwegian, which offers 0.5% cashback on all card purchases, except transactions with airlines.
Category-Based Cashback gives you money back when you shop within specific categories, such as groceries, electronics or fuel. With the Trumf credit card, for example, you get up to 5% cashback at NorgeGruppen stores.
Time-Limited Cashback means you can earn cashback on purchases within specific categories for a limited period. For instance, you might get cashback on groceries one month and travel the next. An example is Instabank, which offers a new promotion every month. In November, for example, you could earn 5% cashback on all online shopping, including Black Friday deals.
Category-based and time-limited cashback rates are usually higher than general cashback.
This depends on which card you use, but in many cases you earn cashback on all purchases of goods. However, some credit cards do not offer cashback when you shop with competing partners or specific merchants.
Before applying for a new credit card, you should check whether the card provides cashback on all purchases or if there are any restrictions.
You can combine cashback credit cards with loyalty programs and memberships to maximize your savings. For example, you can use a Circle K EXTRA membership to get a discount on fuel, while paying with a Bank Norwegian Visa to earn an additional 0,5% cashback on fuel purchases. This combination allows you to benefit from both membership discounts and cashback on the same transaction.
If you’re looking for the best cashback credit cards in 2026, you’ve come to the right place. On Kredittkort360.com, you can find 100+ card reviews where you can learn more about each card’s advantages and disadvantages. We’ve compared all credit cards and ranked them into selected categories, making it easier for you to find a card that matches your spending habits.
Best Travel Credit Card with Cashback 2026
Best Credit Card with Cashback 2026 for Flights
Best Credit Card with Cashback 2026 for Groceries
Best Credit Card with Cashback 2026 for Drivers
You can benefit from having several credit cards that offer the best advantages across different categories. For example, you might choose one credit card that provides travel perks, a fuel card for discounts on petrol, and a third card that offers cashback on everyday purchases. This way, you maximize the overall benefits each card provides.
However, think carefully before applying for multiple credit cards. Choose cards that match your spending habits and provide the greatest savings on what you spend the most money on. If you have good financial control, using multiple credit cards can help you save money across different types of purchases.
We have looked at SIFO's reference budget and based it on what a family of 2 adults and 2 children spends money on each month. We have then matched the consumption with different credit cards to give you an indication of what it is possible to save:
| Consumption | Amount per month | Credit card | Cashback rate* | Savings potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Online shopping** | 9.110 kr | Bank Norwegian kredittkort | 0,5 % | 46 kr |
Groceries | 15.575 kr | Trumf kredittkort | 2 % | 312 kr |
Flight tickets*** | 2.904 kr | re:member black | 2 % | 58 kr |
Fuel and charging | 1.107 kr | Instabank kredittkort | 5 % | 55 kr |
Cashback is one of the most attractive benefits of credit cards. As shown in the examples above, it’s possible to save a significant amount of money. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it is always profitable.
There is a risk that your spending may increase in the pursuit of earning more cashback, leading you to buy things you don’t actually need. Even a small increase in monthly spending can quickly eliminate the savings gained from cashback.
Our best advice: Choose a cashback credit card that rewards purchases you already make, don’t change your spending habits just to earn cashback.
Speaking of reading the terms and conditions, you should be aware that you typically do not earn cashback when withdrawing cash from an ATM or transferring money from your credit card to another card. You also won’t receive cashback when paying bills with a credit card. Additionally, if you send money to someone via Vipps and charge it to your credit card, you will not earn cashback on that amount.

There are several credit card benefits that may seem similar. Cashback, bonuses, and discounts all help you save money when paying with your card, but they work in different ways.
Cashback vs. Bonuses
Cashback and bonuses share some similarities, as you earn a certain percentage back on your purchases.
However, bonus points often come with stricter rules regarding how they can be used, such as being limited to travel, gift cards, or specific partners.
With cashback, you usually have more flexibility and can use the money however you like.
Discounts
Discounts are typically direct price reductions applied at the time of purchase. In some cases, they may also appear later as a reduction on your credit card bill.
In short, cashback offers the most flexibility, bonuses can provide higher value in specific categories, and discounts give you immediate savings at checkout.
In addition to some credit cards having restrictions on how you can use cashback, certain cards also set a maximum limit on how much you can earn in cashback over a calendar year. This can be a significant drawback if you plan to use the card frequently.
You can avoid this by estimating how much you expect to spend with the card and calculating your potential savings based on the cashback percentage offered.
For example, if you spend 200,000 kr over a year and earn 3% cashback, you would save 6,000 kr. If the credit card you are considering has a maximum cashback limit below this amount, it may be worth looking for alternative options.
The competition for credit card users in Norway is intense. Banks and credit card providers constantly try to outdo each other by offering more attractive cards. Adding benefits like cashback encourages more people to apply for and use their cards. The more a credit card is used, the more the provider earns, especially when customers choose to carry a balance. If you don’t repay the full amount immediately, interest is added to the debt, which becomes profit for the bank or card issuer.
Another reason is that banks and credit card companies receive a commission from the merchants where you shop. A large portion of this commission is passed back to you as cashback, while a smaller share is retained by the card issuer as profit. This means the provider still earns money even while giving you a percentage back on your purchases.
And what about the merchants? Offering products and services through cashback programs is often more cost-effective than traditional advertising. Instead of spending heavily on ads, they incentivize purchases directly.
In this way, cashback becomes a win-win solution for all parties involved, you, the card issuer, and the retailer.

By using a cashback credit card, you can earn money back on everything you purchase. Over the course of a year, this can amount to several thousand kroner in savings. If you also manage to combine cashback with other card benefits, your total savings can be even higher.
Ultimately, it’s important to choose a card that aligns with your spending habits.
Bengt er en kreativ innholdsprodusent med lang fartstid i media bak seg. Hans hovedansvar er å innhente så mye data som mulig om kredittkortene vi presenterer.
Favorittkort: Bank Norwegian