[Update: Some offers mentioned below have expired. You can view the current offers from our partners here — Chase Freedom. Disclosure: Cards from our partners are mentioned below.]
I'll admit that I'm one of those crazy souls that gets up in the early morning hours on Black Friday. I do draw the line at middle-of-the-night shopping. But I have no problem getting up at 5 a.m. when there's a good deal to be had.
Here are three cash back credit cards that offer savings to those who are braving the crowds on Black Friday. If you have them in your wallet already, keep them handy. If you're looking for a new card, you can take advantage of the sign-up bonuses to help pay for holiday gifts.
A reminder: These credit cards have quarterly rotating categories. You must enroll in the programs online every quarter to qualify for the 5 percent cash back bonus.
Chase Freedom Visa - $100 Bonus Cash Back
From now until the end of December, you can earn 5 percent cash back on dining, department stores, movie theaters, and charitable organizations. So you can get some holiday shopping done at department stores and then grab a bite to eat to keep up your energy. I love that this card gives cash back for charitable donations. If you can swing it, now's a good time to give to your favorite charity.
What you need to know: You earn 5 percent on the first $1,500 you spend. After that, you earn 1 percent on purchases in a category. You earn 1 percent cash back on all other purchases.
Sign-up bonus: Spend $500 within the first three months of opening your account and get $200 cash back.
Citi Dividend World MasterCard - $200 Cash Back
If you have small kids and you'll be spending time standing in line at places like Toys "R" Us, make it worth it. You get 5 percent cash back on toy stores, department stores, clothing stores, and electronics through the end of this year. That's a pretty good combo for the holiday season, don't you think? Plus, you get 1 percent cash back on all other purchases.
What you need to know: You can earn a maximum of $300 in a calendar year.
Sign-up bonus: Spend $500 within the first three months of opening your account and get $200 cash back.
Discover More Card - $150 Cashback Bonus with $1,000 in Purchases in First 90 Days
This is a special holiday offer from Discover. You get 5 percent Cashback Bonus on purchases at department stores, clothing stores and restaurants. This is another good lineup for holiday shopping (and eating!).
What you need to know: You earn 5 percent on the first $300 you spend. After that, you earn 1 percent on purchases in a category. You earn .25 percent on the first $3,000 you spend with this card, after that you earn a full 1 percent on purchases.
If you find that your feet can't take it any longer, go home and shop online. For a limited time, you get 2 percent cash back on purchases made at Amazon.com. This is capped at $250, but purchases in excess of that earn up to 1 percent. In other words, if your total spending for the year exceeds $3,000, you'll get 1 percent cash back on Amazon purchases.
Sign-up bonus: Spend $1,000 within the first 90 days of opening your account and get $150 Cashback Bonus.
At publishing time, Chase Freedom Visa - $200 Bonus Cash Back, Citi Dividend World MasterCard - $200 Cash Back and Discover More Card - $150 Cashback Bonus with $1,000 in Purchases in First 90 Days are offered on Credit.com product pages and Credit.com may be compensated if our users apply for and ultimately sign up for any of these cards. However, this relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment.
Main image: Thomas Hawk, via Flickr.com
