The federal government has enacted laws that limit the amount of money banks may charge for debit card transactions. While this obviously benefits consumers, there is one ancillary drawback. Namely: the majority of banks have had to either terminate or scale back debit card rewards programs, due to diminished capital. But while rewards programs have declined in number, they haven't disappeared altogether. The following debit cards continue to offer rewards programs:

Key Takeaways

  • Changes in laws have lessened the amount of fees debit card purveyors may collect, which in turn has tarnished their ability to offer reward programs.
  • Some banks continue to offer cash back and other perks.

1. Discover Bank Cashback Checking

Discover Bank--best known for offering the Discover credit card, also offers a checking account with no monthly fees, access to more than 60,000 ATMs worldwide, free official bank checks, and free check reorder. But most importantly, it also offers 1% cash back on debit card purchases of up to $3,000 per month.

2. Bank of America BankAmeriDeals Program

Bank of America's online and mobile banking customers enjoy access to the BankAmeriDeals program, which offers up to 15% cash-back rewards on Bank of America debit card purchases made at gas stations, restaurants, and other retailers. Cardholders must first activate their cards online, prior to making a purchase.

3. Bank of Internet USA CashBack Checking

While many consumers have never heard of Bank of Internet USA, its cashback checking account comes with a debit card that offers 1% cash back on all purchases. What's more: there is no annual fee, no monthly maintenance fees, and banking online is completely free.

4. American Express Serve Cash Back Card

The Serve Cash Back Card from the American Express Company is one of the few prepaid debit cards featuring a rewards program. The card offers a flat 1% cash-back reward on retail and online purchases. This American Express card boasts features usually associated with debit cards linked to checking accounts, including online bill payment and mobile deposits. The card comes with a $5.95 annual fee, but unlike other cards, there’s no limit on rewards. Before earning actual rewards, users must make $595 in purchases to pay for the $5.95 annual fee.

5. KeyBank Relationship Rewards Program

KeyBank offers its checking account customers access to the bank's Relationship Rewards program, through which KeyBank debit card users may earn points on purchases, and convert them into cash rewards at the rate of $25 for every 12,500 points earned. Cardholders earn one point for every $6 in debit card purchases, and earn 100 points for transactions such as online bill payments and mobile deposits. Cardholders even earn 500 extra points on their birthdays. Furthermore, members can sign up for shopping deals that offer extra rewards and discounts. On the downside, the annual fee can be as high as $40 in some states.

6. Chase Disney Visa Debit Card

The Chase Disney Visa debit card has no annual fee, however the card is restricted to checking account customers of Chase Bank--the consumer banking division of JPMorgan Chase & Company. This card offers a number of shopping and vacation discounts related to the Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts, including 10% off purchases of $50 or more at the Disney Store, and 10% off certain restaurants at the two resort parks.

7. PayPal Business Debit MasterCard

Available only to business-owners, the PayPal Business Debit MasterCard offers 1% cash back, with no monthly limits. Cardholders also receive rewards when they withdraw cash from their PayPal accounts at ATMs.

The Bottom Line

Despite changes in the law that made debit card rewards programs less financially feasible to card issuers, the aforementioned cards continue to offer cash back and a range of other attractive features.