I used to only have mileage cards but wised up after numerous attempts to use the miles with no flights available. Inventory is very limited and then on top of it they charge additional fees of some sort. Of course if you don't mind using 50000 miles each way there are more flight options. The way I think about the 2% cash back is for the same 25000 miles if you/re lucky enough to find a flight, I could have $500. Many or most of my round trip flights are less than the $500 and better yet, I can use the $500 on anything I want as opposed to being limited to flights.