PNC Cash Rewards leads with an unusually high tier for a no annual fee card: 4% back on gas, 3% on dining and 2% on groceries. The real constraint is that all three share a single $8,000 annual spending cap, after which they all fall to 1%, so anyone who fills their tank and eats out regularly will hit the ceiling well before the year is out. A $200 bonus after $1,000 in the first three months is easy to clear, and 15 months of 0% intro APR on balance transfers gives the card a second use for paying down debt, though purchases are not covered. Cell phone protection worth up to $800 per claim with a $50 deductible is a genuine extra if you pay your wireless bill with the card. The foreign transaction fee keeps it domestic, and once the cap is spent you will want something else for gas.
Earn rates & credits
| Category | Rate |
|---|---|
Gas $8,000 combined annual cap with dining and groceries; 1% thereafter on first $8,000/yr, then 1% | 4% |
Dining $8,000 combined annual cap with gas and groceries; 1% thereafter on first $8,000/yr, then 1% | 3% |
Groceries $8,000 combined annual cap with gas and dining; 1% thereafter on first $8,000/yr, then 1% | 2% |
Everything Else | 1% |
Card details
Regular APR | 18.49%–28.49% variable |
Intro APR on balance transfers | 0% for 15 months |
Foreign transaction fee | Yes |