There are two possible reasons. First, they may have been looking at reports from two different credit reporting agencies. A lender where you had a problem might have sent a report to one of those credit bureaus but not the other. Second, lenders have different criteria. Even when looking at the same report, they might reach different decisions.

Summary - We recommend the Blue Cash® from American Express to those who want to earn cash rebates on their credit card because at present, this is the only credit card that allows you to earn 5% rebates on supermarket, gasoline and drugstore purchases. Find out more about this card. Rebate Formula - This is how the American Express Blue Cash rebate formula works. For spending up to $6,500, you earn 1% rebate on everyday purchases (defined as spending at standalone supermarkets, gas stations and drugstores) and 0.50% on "other purchases". For spending above $6,500, you earn 5% rebate on everyday purchases and 1.5% on other purchases. You can earn unlimited rebates.

Summary - The HSBC Platinum MasterCard with Cash Back Rewards is a basic cash back credit card that allows you to earn a 1% cash rebate for every dollar you spend on the card. Unlike all other cash back credit cards, you can earn unlimited cash rebates. You also get a generous 0% apr on balance transfers for between 6 to 12 months. This card will appeal to those who spend a lot and want a basic cash back credit card. Cash Back Formula - The HSBC Platinum MasterCard with Cash Back Rewards gives you a 1% rebate for every dollar you spend on the card. You can earn unlimited rebates.

The Citi Dividend Platinum Select Card is a cash rebate credit card that pays 2% rebates on purchases made at standalone supermarket, gasoline stations, drug stores, convenience stores and utilities (including cable). Let us look at this card in more detail. Rebate Formula - The Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Card has a simple formula that pays a 2% rebate on purchases from standalone supermarkets, gas stations and drugstores, convenience stores and utilities. You can 1% rebate on other purchases. You can earn up to $300 rebates in a year. Purchases from Citi's Dividend Merchant Network are exempt from this cap. If you hit your $300 limit, you can always get another identical card from Citi. You can redeem your cash rebates in $50 denominations. You have to request your rebate checks yourself.

Summary - We highly recommend the Chase Cash Plus® Rewards Visa to those looking for a cash rebate credit card because You earn 5% cash rebate with purchases at gas stations, grocerries and drugstores. You have a choice to exchange your cash rebates for gift certificates There is no annual fee You get a 0% apr for balance transfers for 12 monthsLet us explore this card in more detail. Rebate Formula - The Chase Cash Plus Rewards Visa is an "everyday purchase" cash rebate credit card. You can earn 5% cash rebate from purchases at gas stations, groceries and drugstores. You get 1% rebate for "other purchase". In addition to being a cash rebate card, you can actually choose to exchange your cash rebates for gift certificates instead. Though it is not mentioned on their website or terms and conditions, a quick call to Chase revealed that you can earn up to $300 in cash rebates annually or 30,000 points.

Summary - The Chase Free Cash Rewards(SM) Visa® Card is a hybrid cash back credit card that allows you to earn earn cash rebates or exchange your points for gift certificates. Find out more about this card. Rewards - The Chase Free Cash Rewards(SM) Visa® Card is a cash rebate card. You earn 1 point for every dollar you spend on the card. Once you have accumulated 2,500 points, you can either redeem it for a $25.00 check or for $25.00 worth of gift certificates from partner merchants. The rebate percentage is 1%. You can earn up to 60,000 points in one calendar year ($600 in cash rebates). You get 1,000 bonus points after your first purchase.

Summary - The Chase Ultimate Cash Award Card is on our Editor's Choice List and recommended to those looking for a cash rebate card because You can earn up to 5% rebates on "everyday purchases" You can earn up to 2% rebates on "other purchases" There is no annual fee You can earn unlimited rebates Let's find out more about this card. Rebate Formula - The Chase Ultimate Cash Award Card is a tiered cash back credit card. This is how the rebate formula works. You to earn up to 5% for purchases at standalone supermarkets, drugstores, gas stations and home improvement stores. You start to earn 5% rebates once your annual expenditure exceeds $6,000. You can earn up to 2% rebates on other purchases. The 2% rebate starts kicking in once annual expenditure exceeds $6,000. You do not need to carry a huge balance to earn the full rebate (just $0.01 or more). You can redeem your cash rebates when you have earned $25.00. You can earn unlimited cash rebates.

Summary - The National City Bank Everyday Rewards Elite Visa is a cash rebate card that allows you to earn more than 1% rebates for a variety of purchases you make. But is this the best cash back credit card you can get? Find out more. Rebate Formula - Here is the rebate formula for this card. You earn 4% rebates on gasoline purchases up to $250 in monthly gasoline spending You earn 3% rebates on cinema and video rental purchases (up to $150 in monthly spending) You earn 2% rebates on groceries, restaurant and fast food purchases (up to $750 in monthly spending) For spending on "other purchases", you earn 0.5% rebates when your annual spending is below $10,000. Once your annual spending is above $10,000, you can earn unlimited 1% rebates for "other purchases". Fees and Rates - There is no annual fee for the Everyday Rewards Elite Visa. The apr is either prime rate plus 5.99%, 8.99% or 13.99%. The two-cycle average daily balance method (including new purchases) is used to calculate monthly balances.

Summary - The Wells Fargo Cash Back Visa is perhaps the worst cash back credit card that I have reviewed. It has a tiered rebate formula that requires you to spend above $450 within a billing cycle before you can even earn 1% rebates. Read further and find out which card we recommend instead. Rebate Formula - The Wells Fargo Cash Back Visa has a tiered rebate formula which summarized in the table below.

Summary - The US Bank Cash Rewards Visa Platinum is one of the worst cash rebate credit cards I have come across. It has a tiered rabate formula whose maximum rebates you can earn is only 1%. Furthermore, US Bank will charge you a $40.00 annual fee unless you use your card. Find out more about this card and our alternative recommendations. Rebate Formula - The US Bank Cash Rewards card has a tiered rebate formula. For spending up to $1,000, you earn 0.25% rebates. For spending between $1,001 and $2,000, you earn 0.50% rebates. For spending between $2,001 and $3,000, you earn 0.75% rebates. You earn 1% rebates when your annual spending exceeds $3,000. You can earn up to $350 in cash rebates every year. Your rebate check will be sent to you at the end of your anniversary year.