Would you recommend a cash back credit card to a first-time credit card user? Why or why not? Yes, I would recommend a cash back credit card, provided it pays at least 2% on all purchases. Some cards pay only 1.5%, which is perhaps not as valuable as frequent flier miles or hotel points, depending on one’s activity and status with these travel partners. These days, frequent flier miles are worth only about 1% of what you’ve spent; so 2% is definitely more valuable.