In the past years reward credit card offers were only limited to programs such as the Frequent Flyer Miles Programs. This is a rewards program beneficial only to those students who love to travel. Nowadays, because of the fact that more and more people have credit cards, the competition between credit card institutions grow a lot stronger and creating attractive rewards programs has been their focus in terms of marketing strategies.
It is very important to bear in mind that not all credit card reward programs truly bring rewards that are really beneficial to their users. As a consumer, it is your primary responsibility to have knowledge on the different deals that these programs offer and select a credit card with the most beneficial reward program.
Keep in mind that whether you choose a Gas Reward Credit Card, or a Cash Back reward credit card, or any other reward credit card, what you should take into utmost consideration is that those reward programs should match your lifestyle and spending habits to the letter. A reward credit card should have an Annual Percentage Rate that is reasonable. This is because interest rates can put the value of your card’s rewards to waste. Be on the safe side by making sure that your card has low APR.
Check also if your rewards credit card has no fees at all, if not reasonable fees. The fees to look at are the late fee, annual fee, over the credit limit fee, etc. In case you don’t know, there are a few reward credit cards that have great APRs plus no annual fees. If you have this kind of reward credit card, then you will be able to maximize what you get from your card.
The key to being able to earn rewards and convert them into things beneficial to you is to know every policy or every rule that comprises your rewards program. Ask if there is a reward limit, meaning you can only earn up to the maximum limit of the card. You’ll be better off with a reward program that has no reward limit.
You should also know whether your rewards program has a rule in forfeiting your earned rewards. Ask whether your points are convertible no matter if they were accumulated for one year, or two years, etc. If you fail to accumulate a certain number of points within one year, does that mean that those reward points will be forfeited and you have to start from scratch in the next year? Regular on time payments can also be a factor in obtaining rewards. Delaying a single payment may result to your disqualification in the program.
Knowledge is the key to making the most out of your rewards program. The most vital step to benefiting from your credit card’s reward program is to make sure that you thoroughly are aware and that you completely understand the terms and conditions on which your rewards program is dependent on. As a good credit card holder, you have to keep yourself up to date on the rules or policies in collecting as well as redeeming the rewards from your credit card.
This article is courtesy of CreditCardOffersWeb.com, where you can Compare Credit Cards and hundreds of Credit Card Offers and securely Apply for a Credit Card Online.
If you use credit card responsibly, is it better for your credit to have one or two?
I'm a college student and I'm trying to build my credit. I currently have Visa student credit card at about 12% annual interest, no annual payments, and a limit of $1000. I have been using this credit card responsibly for a year (it seems so easy with online payments!) Does it matter how high my credit limit is on my credit card for building my credit? Should I get a Mastercard or American Express to help build my credit? Or stick to one?
Answer
Great question!
It's good that you are concerned about your financial well being at such a young age. Keep in mind however, a high credit score is NOT a wealth indicator. There is a great book called "The Millionaire Next Door" that talks about normal, everyday people who saved and invested for 20-30 years and became millionaires. Every one of these "everyday Joe's" avoided buying new cars with big car payments and using credit cards.
You sound like a very intelligent person with a good head on your shoulders. While you are young, start saving as much money as you can. The only person you are helping by using credit cards is the bank! Notice how many Americans can't live without the prospect of borrowing money for everything? This is why we are in a recession. People want to build their credit score and borrow, borrow, borrow. Living beyond their means has finally caught up with them.
Check out these links. They provide some great advice for a young person like you. Merry Christmas!
Building credit scores:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/10/18/earlyshow/living/money/main951008.shtml
Buying cars:
http://www.daveramsey.com/etc/lms/drive_free/
The power of investing at a young age:
http://www.daveramsey.com/etc/cms/index.cfm?intContentId=64
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