Top 5 Cash-Back Credit Cards

It looks like the rumors of cash-back cards' demise were somewhat exaggerated. Despite tough CARD Act regulations that have put pressure on the industry's bottom line, these cards - some of the sweetest deals around, in my opinion - are operating as usual, according to Bankrate.com's 2011 Credit Card Rewards Survey. Researchers from the site examined features from the same cash-back cards included in the 2010 study; they found no major changes to annual fees, introductory bonuses, reward rates or expiration periods.

Based on those criteria, here are the top cards I found on Bankrate's list. Remember: Rewards cards lose their luster if you carry a monthly balance, since the interest payments may fast outweigh any cash back, points or miles you accrue. And if there's an annual fee - you've got to definitely make sure the benefits are worth it.

If you pay your balance off in full each month, however, consider these cash-back rewards cards:

AmEx True Earning Card from Costco

• No annual fee with a paid Costco membership.
• Users get 3% cash back on up to the first $3,000 in gas purchases. After that it averages about 1%.
• You also get 2% back on travel and 3% back on dining. Everything else: 1% cash-back.
• Cash reward coupon is mailed each February and expires Aug. 31 of the same year. You can redeem the coupon at any U.S. Costco warehouse for merchandise or cash.

• No annual fee
• Get $50 statement credit as a bonus after qualifying purchases.
• Cash-back ratio: 1.25%
• Cash reward check is valid for 90 days after issued.

• No annual fee
• Earn 3% cash back on gas, grocery and drugstore purchases for the first six months. Cash-back ratio after that is 1%.
• Get a $50 statement credit after qualifying transactions.
• Cash-back credits expire 90 days after date of issue.