How to Use Reward Card Programs to Your Advantage

Choose a Credit Card Reward Program Type

The first step in using reward programs is to decide what type of credit card reward you are most interested in. Choose rewards that fit your needs. If you work at home and do not travel a great deal, a gas card is probably not the best choice. Sometimes people choose a credit card merely because they were sent a pre-approved offer in the mail. Some department stores offer branded major credit cards that earn points toward store merchandise, such as Sears and Target. If you are not a regular shopper, you will probably find little use for this type of credit card. If you have no use for a particular type of rewards credit card, it is wise not apply for it. A good overall credit card for people that are unsure of what type of reward credit card to choose would be a general reward card. With a general rewards card, you are given many options and choices on how to redeem points once you have earned them. Another benefit reward cards offer is that they often have options to redeem for smaller rewards. A five dollar gift card to Starbucks or Blockbusters is an example of a smaller reward.

How to Double Credit Card Reward Points

Try Doubling Point Opportunities There are two ways to double points. First many reward points allow you to earn extra points by participating in partnership deals that the credit cards have organized with other merchants. Points can be doubled just by making purchases on participating websites. Financial institutions often give generous bonus points when opening new accounts. There have been offers where an individual could earn 25,000 or more by getting a mortgage with a lender partnered with the credit card site. Airline cards have been known to do this. Some offer 25,000 points just for getting approved. This sign-up bonus will earn a domestic round trip ticket on most airlines. A good way to find these cards is to ask friends and colleagues. You can learn what cards to avoid and which card to research further.

Choose the Right Reward Card to Fit Your Needs

Last Tip in Choosing Reward Credit Cards. Choose reward cards that best fit your needs where you earn points to use in your everyday life. Avoid cards for air travel if you only charge 5,000 a year. These cards often require that you pay a hefty annual fee to say 80.00 a year, and need 25,000 points to achieve a round trip ticket. At 5,000 dollars or 5,000 points a year you are not going anywhere anytime soon. There is also a danger with some reward cards that your reward points will expire before you can use them. In this case, it would be wiser to choose a gas card that you can use for car travel.

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Monica Kowollik

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