Which Credit Card Reward Program Is Right For You?
Whatever type of credit card you’re shopping for, student credit card, business card, airline card, most all have a credit card reward program. To attract your credit card dollar the financial institutions spend millions of dollars advertising these incentives with direct mailings and media advertising. It doesn’t matter what your lifestyle, there’s a credit card that has a reward program that fits your needs.
One thing that lures many people into applying for a card are the bonus points offered that are activated when you use the card the first time. They then put the card away and never use it again. This can be a good strategy if you have a high credit score. Please be aware, that if you follow this type of plan, applying for a number of credit cards at once, can have an adverse effect on your credit history. The credit limits allowed by each credit card account you have open also effects your credit score.
So if you’re in the market for a new credit card, it’s best that you pick one card that would be the most benefit to your needs. Don’t fall into the trap of having five to eight credit card accounts opened all at once. Besides having these inquiries effect your credit score, you just may be tempted to use each or all of these cards at the same time, which can lead to financial disaster.
Not all credit card reward programs that suit your needs would be found under the credit card category of rewards. It depends on the type of benefit you want from your card. Look into the category of card you’re looking for, then review and compare the rewards offered by each issue.
Airline cards offer an accumulation of frequent flyer miles, car rental discounts, hotel discounts, and rewards points for using your card at specific restaurants. Business cards offer a variety of incentives from cash back, gift cards, savings on certain phone carriers, discounts on business purchases at partner retail outlets, airline miles and car rentals.
The cash rebate card offers cash back when your card is used at specific retail outlets and a lessor cash accumulation for purchases made at other retailers. Even the category of Low Interest credit cards offer a number of rewards from 1% for regular purchases to 5% at specific partner outlets. They even offer a way to double your redemption points when used as gift cards at specific retailers.
If it’s savings on gasoline you’re looking for, there are a number of gas cards that offer discounts at the pump for using their card. These offers are for specific brands of gas. But if these brands are not offered or convenient in your area, there are additional credit card reward programs that offer gasoline purchases in their eligible cash back program.
What it comes down to is, pick the category of card you’re looking for, then take into consideration the credit card reward program offered. Only apply for one card at a time. But be forewarned, that should you not meet the terms and conditions of the credit card offer (also known as the fine print) and fall behind in your payment, your reward points will be withdrawn.
Watch the video related to credit card rewards
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Help answer the question about credit card rewards
How do you like the American Express Bank of America Rewards credit card?I applied for the Bank of America points credit card with access to World Points and I was wondering how you like it. Does this credit card offer a special points program in addition with World Points and it says Bank of America Rewards? Also have you found AE to be wildly accepted like VISA in the USA and abroad? What are the benefits over the VISA world points credit card in terms of acceptance. I know the AE card has travel and retail protection and the Visa WP does not have travel protection.
September 4th, 2009 at 11:25 am
When I use my Emigrant Direct credit card I get cash back deposited into my online savings account I have with them. The interest rate on the savings account is great, no fees or minimum balance. No annual fee for the card either.
September 4th, 2009 at 11:36 am
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/
September 4th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
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/
September 4th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
It's a reduction of a non-deductible expense so it isn't classified as income on a personal return.
If the credit card is used by a business, any reward program funds must first be used to reduce the interest expense claimed so that effectively makes it taxable as if it was income.
September 4th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
There are credit cards that offer 1.5% – 2.0% rewards on all spending. For example, the Capital One No Hassle Miles Ultra for Professionals earns nearly 2% rewards on all spending, but the rewards have to be redeemed on airline tickets. Also, the Fidelity Investments Rewards Signature Visa earns 1.5% cash back on all spending.
You can use this rewards calculator to see which credit card will pay you the most for a given spending profile:
http://www.creditcardtuneup.com/
Incidentally, on the left hand side of that CreditCardTuneUp page toward the bottom, there's a blurb you might be interested in about BigCrumbs being able to save you 36% off your Ebay fees.
September 5th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
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.
September 5th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
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.
September 7th, 2009 at 6:15 am
citi driver's edge options gives 6% on gas, grocery,drug store for first year — after first year it is 3%. The cash can be only redeemed for auto repair/services or buying new car. It also has 1 cent per mile you drive – not a bad deal in this age of high food/gas prices
second one is chase freedom — gives 3%casback in top 3 categories. If you are patient to wait till you accumulate $200–it gives additonal $50 as bonus — equivalent to 3.7%cashback
September 7th, 2009 at 10:15 am
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