Whether it’s getting cash back, airline miles or just boosting your credit, we all want to feel like we’re winning the credit card rewards game. With so many choices out there, it can be tough to know what kind of card is best for you.
Before opening any line of credit, of course, make sure you know what you’re getting into. What’s the interest rate, or APR? (APR is the annual rate percentage rate of interest you’ll be charged on all or a part of the credit card balance if the full amount isn't paid by the due date.) Does it have an annual fee? Do you have to spend a certain amount before you earn any rewards?
Here’s a guide to maximizing your credit card choices:
Cash back cards
The appeal of a cash-back rewards card is pretty straightforward: You earn “cash back” on your purchases, typically 1%, 2% or more of the amount charged each month. So, for instance, if you make $2,000 in credit card purchases this month, you’d get $40 from your issuer if you have a 2% cash back card. Also note that some cards give more cash back depending on the category of purchase – 5% back at supermarkets, 2% at gas stations, etc.
Matt Schulz, senior industry analyst at CreditCards.com, recommends the Citi Double Cash card. Launched last year, Citi’s card comes with a twist – you get 1% cash back on purchases, and 1% back for paying off your balance. It comes with no annual fee and there’s no limit on the amount of cash back you can earn. And unlike many other cards, this one doesn’t have rotating categories, when you’re stuck only getting rewards from a specific source like groceries or travel.
If you’ve got good credit, you’ll likely qualify for cards that offer higher cash back rewards. Schulz says consumers with solid credit scores shouldn’t settle for less than 1% cash back.
Travel rewards cards
If you’re more interested in getting some bonus miles instead of cash back, make sure to look for cards with good sign-up bonuses. Some airline cards offer up to 50,000 miles that you can turn around almost immediately and use for a free domestic flight. “That’s something a cash-back card can’t really match,” says Schulz.
Schulz recommends the Barclay Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard for globetrotters. “When you sign up for that card you get 40,000 miles once you spend $3,000 in the first 90 days,” he says. You earn two miles for every dollar you spend on this card – and you can redeem your miles for nearly any travel purchase, including airfare, hotels and cruises.
Before getting an airline miles card, be realistic about how much you travel. If you don’t spend much time in airports, a travel rewards card might not be right for you in the long run. Also be aware that some travel cards come with fees and tricky restrictions like blackout dates that make it hard to redeem the miles you’ve earned.
Gas cards
For all you road warriors, using a gas card to fill up can shave a few bucks off your commuting costs. These cards offer on average about 10 cents off per gallon, according to a CreditCards.com's survey of the 20 largest major gas station-brand cards. Some gas cards offer other perks like cash back or points.
According to the survey, the average interest rate on a gas station credit card is over 24%, about nine points higher than the average credit card APR. While the gas cards may benefit some who use them wisely – the survey says, “restrictions on payouts and complicated rules make them a wise choice for only a few.” The sky-high interest rates mean these cards are not appropriate for consumers who typically carry a credit card balance.
To help you figure out what kind of rewards card suits your needs, check out CreditCards.com’s CardMatch tool or NerdWallet’s card finder tool. (Note that both CreditCards.com and NerdWallet receive compensation from companies whose card offers they list on their websites).
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