Now that you’ve nurtured your credit files, managed debt and maintained good credit scores, it’s time to earn the most bang for your buck from rewards credit cards.
Choosing the best rewards credit cards should depend on what works best for you, your family and lifestyle. Plus, how you spend money will be a big determinant in what rewards credit cards you choose.
Facts to consider when choosing rewards credit cards
- Earn a set number of rewards for every dollar spent.
- Earn rewards once you’ve spent a minimum of $3,000 on your card in a calendar year.
- Earn big rewards on certain categories and a smaller reward on all other spending.
- Annual fees are common with rewards cards that can range from $29 to $2,500 for the invitation-only American Express Centurion.
- Often, the higher the annual fee, the better the benefits.
- Some rewards expire if you don’t use them within a certain amount of time.
- The best reward programs don’t let your rewards expire, but most programs will forfeit your rewards if you fall behind on your credit card payments.
Types of Rewards Credit Cards and their Benefits
1. Cash Back Rewards Cards.
Earn cash rewards based on any purchase. You’ll earn “cash” that you can redeem that can be sent to you in the form of a check, redeem for purchases or to pay your credit card bill.
2. Rewards Points Cards.
Earn points based on the reward program’s structure. Once you obtain a certain number of points, you can use these points to purchase a variety of items, from gift cards and electronics to travel and jewelry.
3. Travel Rewards Cards.
Earn points for future hotel stays or airline tickets. Rewards can come in the form of a branded hotel card, branded airline-specific card; or, a broader travel card where you accumulate points that can be used for any type of travel, stay at any hotel or tickets on any airline.
4. Gas and Groceries Cards.
Take some of the sting out of the cost of grocery shopping with a cash back groceries rewards card. With the more general gas cards, you can get points for almost any kind of purchase but will receive extra points if you purchase gas or auto services. A more gas company-specific card will give you those extra points only when you purchase services from that specific gas company.
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- $150 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months.
- 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%).
- 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations and at select U.S. department stores, 1% back on other purchases.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be easily redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise.
- Terms Apply.
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5. Airline Miles/Frequent Flyer Rewards Cards.
Earn points on everyday purchases redeem them to help pay for airline tickets. Airline-specific cards are associated with one airline, and points are accumulated using that card for everyday purchases and purchases made with that specific airline. Typically, you’ll also receive extra points for flying with that airline. There are more “generic” airline cards on which you can receive points for everyday purchases and use those point towards any airline purchase.
5 Amazing Rewards Credit Cards
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No annual fee. No late fee on first late payment. No APR change for paying late.
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Get 100% U.S. based customer service & get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, number of recent inquiries and more.
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Freeze It® on/off switch for your account that prevents new purchases, cash advances & balance transfers in seconds.
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Receive FREE Social Security number alerts-Discover will monitor thousands of risky websites when you sign up.
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0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 14.74% – 23.74%
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No annual fee. No late fee on first late payment. No APR change for paying late.
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Get 100% U.S. based customer service & get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, number of recent inquiries and more.
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Freeze It® on/off switch for your account that prevents new purchases, cash advances & balance transfers in seconds.
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Receive FREE Social Security number alerts-Discover will monitor thousands of risky websites when you sign up.
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0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 14.74% – 23.74%.
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Get access to a higher credit line after making your first 5 monthly payments on time
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Monitor your credit profile with the CreditWise® app, free for everyone
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$0 fraud liability if your card is ever lost or stolen
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Pick the monthly due date that works best for you
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Get customized alerts and manage your account with the Capital One mobile app
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