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Finding which credit card rewards program is best for your situation

What Credit Card Rewards Program Is Best Is In The Eye Of The Beholder

by / 0 Comments / Mar 07, 2015

No one can say what credit card rewards program is best for you. But I adore credit cards that come equipped with rewards programs. After all, if you use the cards in the right way, you can come out ahead financially. Carry no debt, sidestep finance fees, and the issuer pays you! However, before you apply for one of these cards, brush up on your ancient Greek: gnōthi sea-son. Translation: Know thyself.

In order for a credit card to be economically appropriate, the rewards program must match your needs and lifestyle. Think about – there is no reason to get a credit card that helps you build mileage points if you dislike traveling and do it infrequently. Essentially, you’ll be analyzing the cash-back versus points, and cash-back verses miles.
To determine what credit card rewards program is best for you, understand the fundamental types that are available.

  • Cash-back cards.
    Every time you swipe the card to pay for something, you rack up points that can turn into money the bank will give you. I’m a fan of cash-back cards because, al-though other affiliated and reward cards might give higher values, the rules for these are so simple. Just charge, pay in full, get points that turn into cash. Done. What you earn won’t take the place of a second job, no matter how much you use the card, but charge often and in large enough increments and a free lunch every once in a while is in the bag.
    These types of rewards cards are readily available, and you probably don’t even need a super high credit score to qualify. Many don’t come with annual fees, and so are universally appropriate. Some debit cards even offer cash back reward programs, so they can be a great alter-native if you want to maintain a debt-free existence. When it comes to cash back vs points it is about your personal financial goals.
  • Elite cards (often called black, gold, or titanium cards).
    Love the finer things in life, such as reserved tickets for hard-to-get sporting events and concerts? Want to attend special events with stars and enjoy personalized concierge services? If you qualify for credit cards that provide such goodies, you can get these, as well as the opportunity to earn points for travel, services, and cash-back. Before you shout, “Sign me up!” check out the annual fees, as some can be quite pricey ($500 or more). They are typically are only available to high chargers with great scores and incomes, so forget about it if you’re ineligible. If you are, and you’ll make use of the rewards, go for it.
  • Affiliated cards.
    Perhaps there is one airline that you love to fly with, a hotel chain you’re dedicated to, or a service station that you always use. If so, go for one of their credit cards. The rewards for airline-affiliated cards include upgrades, tickets paid with accumulated miles, complementary checked bags, access to airport lounges, and other things you’d normally have to pay for. You may score premium rooms and floors and free breakfasts with the hotel cards, and points for fuel with the gas cards. What credit card rewards program is best? The one that gets you were you want to go. Choosing cash back vs miles credit cards really de-pends on how much you travel and how you best like your rewards.

What Credit Card Rewards Program is Best?

Know yourself. The rewards credit card has to be right for you. What do you value and what will you really make use of? When you identify that, you can pinpoint the plastic that will enhance your life.

About the Author

Erica Sandberg is a renowned personal finance editor, advice columnist, and reporter. She hosts her own video program, Making it with Erica, and is a frequent guest on national news shows, from Fox to CNN. Her book, Expecting Money: The Essential Financial Plan for New and Growing Families was the first to address the specific financial needs of new parents. Erica is the spokesperson for some of the finest businesses and products in the U.S., including Western Union, the Better Business Bureau, Bank of America, CVS Pharmacy, Michael Minna Restaurant Group, Bounty paper towels, Chase Card Services, and Assurant Solutions. Prior to her her current journalism career Erica was affiliated with Consumer Credit Counseling Service of San Francisco for ten years.

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