Comments on: Credit Card Rewards Programs: Rewarding… Or Not?

By: MsBurgundy

MsBurgundy — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:57:34 +0000

It sounds like Card #1 is the American Express Blue Cash card. I'm quite familiar with that card's reward structure.

Assuming your monthly spending is even across the 12-month period, then you should go with Card #1 (AmEx Blue Cash). Here's why: Your average rewards for supermarket spending with card #1 will be 3% (i.e. (5% + 1%) / 2), while your average rewards for supermarket spending with card #2 will only be 2%. Your average rewards percentage on all non-supermarket/gas/drug spending for both cards will be 1%.

Note, however, that to really know the optimal card for you for certain, you should take into account your entire categorical spending profile (including gasoline spending, drug store spending, and any other special rewards categories with either card).

You might find that this credit card rewards calculator is helpful to you:
http://www.creditcardtuneup.com/

By: lyndsey7323

lyndsey7323 — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 04:13:43 +0000

Well there are cards that will pay you up to 1.5% on all your spending in general. There are also cards that will pay higher rewards percentages on some categories of spending for travel (car rentals, airline tickets, etc.). For example, the Chase BP Rewards card pays 2% back on airline tickets, hotels, vehicle rentals, and restaurants. Other cards will pay up to 3% back for your spending at restaurants and in some other categories like home improvement (e.g. the Citi Professional card). Still other cards pay up to 6% back on gas, groceries, and drug store purchases (e.g. Citi Driver's Edge). I found all these cards at the rewards calculator site here: http://www.creditcardtuneup.com/.

In general, to maximize your rewards (cash back, etc.), you'll probably want to pump all your normal spending through credit card(s) that pay the best rewards in the categories you normally spend the most. Then, just pay off your balance every month and enjoy the cash back rewards or other rewards.

To find the credit card (or combination of cards) that will pay you the most for your normal spending profile, you can use this rewards calculator:
http://www.creditcardtuneup.com/

You just plug in how much you normally spend in each of the various categories each month and it calculates how much you'll earn from the various rewards cards per year.

By: Gal E

Gal E — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:51:16 +0000

Hi,
You could find out and compare at this site under "Select By reward":
http://track.acclaimnetwork.com/apn_work/scripts/sclick.php?b2s=8790&SUBID=PARAM

By: Nikki

Nikki — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:41:36 +0000

Store sponsored reward programs aimed at increasing your loyalty to that store have no impact on your credit score if no credit card is involved.

For credit information, advice, and unbiased evaluations of credit cards, visit http://www.creditgumbo.com

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:30:31 +0000

I prefer cash back because I can use cash for anything. A great cash back card is the AmEx Blue Cash card.

However, if you're interested in travel, you can net more reward value from some airline rewards cards such as the Capital One No Hassle Miles Ultra for Professionals. (You can net about 2% rewards if you buy tickets that are $600+ or nearly but not over $350.)

You can use this rewards calculator to see which rewards card will pay you the most for your normal spending profile:
http://www.creditcardtuneup.com/

The calculator converts all reward currencies (miles, points, cash back) to dollars for an easy apples-to-apples comparison.

By: mrr86

mrr86 — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:36:44 +0000

I have a credit card from American Express that pays me 5% cash back on all the purchases I make with no annual fee. I got it from this website http://www.123gocreditcards.com I really recommend checking that site out because it has other rewards cards you might be interested in as well. Good luck.

By: bob123

bob123 — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 06:31:41 +0000

Its based on "Net" Purchases, otherwise known as Purchases – returns.

By: Elisha D

Elisha D — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 05:40:13 +0000

For those who have very good credit and have plans of taking advantage of the reward program, American Express designed a card for you, the Blue Sky Rewards.

What are the reasons why this card is simply for you? It has reasonable interest rate. You do not any annual fee to pay for. You can also take advantage of the 0% introductory rate for your purchases in six months time. It has to be made clear that the introductory rate for balance transfers only applies to those who initiate a transfer when applying online for the card.

The great thing about the Blue Sky from American Express, the credit card rewards program are amazing. There's no annual fee, low introductory rates, and free rewards program with no blackout dates or travel restrictions.

Other benefits offered by the Blue Sky from American Express include auto rental insurance, a Return Protection which credits cardholders with the maximum amount of $300 for purchases that are non-refundable in 90 days. This also includes a year end report.

You may find a great review here:

http://www.rewardcreditcardsite.com/travel-rewards-credit-cards/blue-sky-from-american-express/

By: Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 04:54:40 +0000

Citi PremierPass(SM) reward program enable cardholders to earn a point for each dollar spent for general purchases and a point for each three miles flown by a cardholder on any airline. It may include others who buy the ticket using the card.The points earned can be used for travel, products; gift certificates and the like. The most number of points that can be earned annually is 100,000. There is expiration if the account has no activity in every three years.

You may find a great Citi Premier Pass Credit Card Review here:

http://www.rewardcreditcardsite.com/travel-rewards-credit-cards/citi-premeir-pass/