Rewards | Credit Card Topics

What are Credit Card Rewards? A Guide to Earning Points, Miles, and Cash Back

By: Eric Bank, 10/2/2024

I’ve always had a soft spot for iconic TV westerns like “Gunsmoke.” As a young child, I remember my fascination every time Marshall Dillon tacked up a wanted poster promising a $100 reward for the capture of a no-good scoundrel — dead or alive. Today's bounty hunters don't need a horse or six-shooter, just a rewards credit card. This kind of credit card dishes out cash, points, or miles whenever you use it. Credit card rewards are points, miles, or cash back you... read more »

What Are Credit Card Bonus Miles? How to Earn and Redeem Travel Rewards

By: Eric Bank, 9/16/2024

You can keep the raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens — bonus miles are one of my favorite things. I often earn bonus miles each time I swipe my card for select purchases, which can turn everyday spending into free flights, hotel stays, or other travel goodies. Credit card bonus miles are rewards you earn through signup offers or bonus spending categories that you can redeem for travel rewards such as free flights or hotel stays. Credit card bonus miles are additional... read more »

What Are Air Miles? A Guide to the Popular Credit Card Rewards Option

By: Eric Bank, 7/15/2024

If you spend a lot of time 40,000 feet above the ground, air miles should be a part of your lifestyle. Air miles are rewards you earn when you fly with an airline or use a credit card linked to an airline’s reward program. You can collect these miles for free flights, seat upgrades, hotel stays, or other travel-related benefits. The more you fly or spend with the associated credit card, the more air miles you can earn. Different airlines have different programs, so the rules and... read more »

What Are Cash Back Rewards?

By: Eric Bank, 5/2/2024

Cash back rewards are a small refund when you buy something with a credit card. Card issuers that offer cash back rewards usually return a percentage of what you spend. This reward encourages you to use their cards for your purchases. Other reward cards may offer points or miles instead of cash back. Navigate This Article: How Cash Back Works Maximizing Your Rewards Cash Back vs. Points and Miles ... read more »

7 Best Student Rewards Credit Cards (Oct. 2024)

By: Ray Prince, 10/1/2024

Whether you are a freshman in college or pursuing your master’s, the right student credit card can reward you handsomely for everyday purchases across some of your favorite spending categories. Other perks generally include no required credit score, 0% promotional APRs, entertainment benefits, and welcome bonuses. Continue reading to learn more about the best student rewards credit cards, including their benefits, disadvantages, and how to choose the right card for your needs. ... read more »

12 Best Flight Miles Credit Cards (Sep. 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 8/28/2024

With travel volume nearly at pre-pandemic levels, there’s never been a better time to own a flight miles credit card. These cards can reward you with free airplane trips or seat upgrades, and you may receive money-saving benefits such as lounge access and free baggage checks. Below, we review general-purpose, co-branded, and business flight-miles cards. These cards appeal to a broad range of consumers, from those looking to economize flight costs to those seeking luxurious travel... read more »

5 Best Credit Cards With Air Miles & Cash Back (Oct. 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 10/1/2024

You may be shocked to learn how few travel cards let you convert your air miles into cash. Once the airlines spoon out the miles, they are reluctant to allow you to use them for anything other than travel. We found the five best airline credit cards that let you cash out your miles and use your rewards as you see fit. Not surprisingly, all five deliver general-purpose miles — really, they’re points disguised as miles. If you want miles and cash back, these cards are for you. ... read more »

7 Best Cash Back Cards Redditors Love (Oct. 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 10/1/2024

Many Reddit members are quite knowledgeable about their topics of interest. For example, the Credit Cards Subreddit features numerous conversations and opinions about cash back cards. We have combed through the lot to find the cash back cards that Reddit users hold in the highest esteem. Let’s take a closer look at these favored cards and sample what some Redditors have to say. Reddit Recommendations For the Best Cash Back Cards The following cash back cards get the... read more »

15 Best 0% APR Cash Back Credit Cards (Oct. 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 10/1/2024

If you’re old enough, you may remember the commercial for Certs breath mints and its catchphrase: “Two, two, two mints in one!” Today, many people enjoy other products that combine features — like credit cards that offer cash back rewards and 0% intro APR promotions. These two-in-one cards save you money by offering cash back on eligible purchases and waiving interest charges on unpaid balances. Our article reviews the best double-duty cards for individuals and... read more »

7 Best Credit Cards with Rotating Categories (Oct. 2024)

By: Bob Haegele, 10/1/2024

I remember when I got my very first credit card. It was the Chase Freedom® card, a now-discontinued card that the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has replaced. I was ecstatic to have my first credit card, but what I didn’t fully appreciate at the time was its 5% rotating categories. Although I opened that card years ago, the 5% bonus can still compete with the best credit cards available today. In fact, the Freedom Flex is one of the cards on this list. But the Freedom Flex is just one to... read more »

9 Highest-Limit Cash Back Credit Cards (Oct. 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 10/1/2024

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently found that credit card limits are rising for most groups after stagnating during the pandemic. In 2022, credit card delinquencies neared a 10-year low. These trends — more income, lower credit utilization rates, lower debt-to-income ratios, and fewer delinquencies — allow credit card issuers to offer higher credit limits. Hey, big spenders, spend a little time with us as we show you how to earn more cash back. We review... read more »

The Credit Card Competition Act and What It May Mean For Issuers and Cardholders

By: Marcie Geffner, 9/7/2023

If you love your credit card rewards program, you may not like the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA) of 2023. This bill, introduced in both the US House and Senate, would make big changes in how credit card transactions are processed in the US. The bill's supporters say these changes would mean lower prices for consumers. The naysayers contend the same changes would, among other impacts, destroy card rewards programs consumers love. Who's right? New Requirements For Credit... read more »

7 Best $200 Signup Bonus Credit Cards (Oct. 2024)

By: Ashley Fricker, 10/1/2024

A signup bonus, also called a welcome bonus, is a marketing tactic credit card issuers use to attract new customers. Customers benefit by getting a windfall of credit card rewards by meeting the terms of the bonus. A win-win if you happen to be in the market for a new card to add to your wallet. You’ll need good credit — a credit score above 670 — to qualify for most credit cards with signup bonuses. If that describes you, read on for our top recommended cards with signup... read more »

5 Best Bank of America Preferred Rewards Cards (Oct. 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 10/1/2024

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines synergy as “a mutually advantageous conjunction or compatibility of distinct business participants or elements.” Bank of America understands the synergies among credit cards, bank accounts, and investment brokerage. The bank created its lucrative Preferred Rewards program to entice consumers to open Bank of America accounts for credit, checking, savings, and investments, the latter through its Merrill arm. A fee-paying customer... read more »

5 Secured Credit Cards With Cash Back Bonus (2024)

By: Ashley Fricker, 5/6/2024

More and more credit cards designed for people with limited or bad credit are beginning to offer rewards. And that includes secured credit cards, which we often deem the best credit card option for folks with subprime credit histories. That’s because secured cards generally cost less than unsecured cards for bad credit, and your security deposit is fully refundable. The secured cards below all offer cash back rewards that refund you a small percentage of every purchase you... read more »

5 Best Bank of America Cash Back Credit Cards (Oct. 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 10/1/2024

Bank of America serves more than 65 million customers, so it’s no wonder many consumers flock to the bank’s credit cards. This venerable financial institution offers several cards, but our focus will be on its cash back credit cards. We will, however, peek at its other credit cards and those of competing megabanks. Bank of America generally requires cardowners to have excellent credit to obtain an unsecured card, but it also offers a secured cash back card and a student... read more »

7 Best Luxury Credit Cards (Aug. 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 8/13/2024

You (or your parents) have worked hard and done well, so why not celebrate by applying for a few luxury credit cards? For this article, we're only covering cards with an annual fee of at least $199. Truth be told, many good credit cards cost less. We've drawn the line at a price point that buys you multiple premium benefits and card membership rewards. Luxury credit cards provide perks you can't get with (most) everyday credit cards. But different cards have different... read more »

4 Citi Cash Back Cards Compared (Aug. 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 8/13/2024

OK, let's stipulate from the outset that Citi cash back is a little weird. The bank labels four of its credit cards "cash back," but two actually pay rewards in the form of Citi ThankYou Points, and the other two are co-branded with Costco that pay Costco Cash Rewards. To add to the confusion, two other Citi cards also pay ThankYou Points rewards but are not part of the cash back group. So what gives? The answer is: Marketing! We think Citibank wants to compete directly... read more »

Best Cash Back Visa Cards of 2024

By: Eric Bank, 10/1/2024

The best cash back Visa cards can give you the chance to earn cash rewards for spending. Here’s how they work: Every time you use them to make eligible purchases, you’ll get cash back you can use for just about anything. You can usually redeem your cash back rewards via statement credit, paper check, or direct deposit. Let’s dive deeper into the best cash back Visa cards out there. Overall Consumers | Business | Bad Credit | Students | FAQs Best Overall Cash Back... read more »

8 Best Money-Back Credit Cards (2024)

By: Eric Bank, 8/1/2024

If you're interested in finding the best money-back credit cards, you've come to the right spot. Our experts have scoured the internet and come up with the best cards for a range of credit scores and stages of credit-building. Credit card issuers make products available to individuals, students, and businesses in all credit categories. And no product is more important to consumers than the cash back card. Money-back credit cards skip the complexities of points and miles. They reward... read more »

How Do Air Miles Work?

By: Marcie Geffner, 8/28/2024

For frequent travelers, air mile rewards are a no-brainer. But these premium travel cards aren't just for people who are constantly up in the air. They're also a great choice for people who have modest travel plans or aspirational travel goals. If you collect enough miles, you can score free or heavily discounted flights, hotel stays, or other desirable travel perks. Air miles can also be converted into other types of rewards, cashed out, gifted to family and friends, or... read more »

5 Best Secured Cards With Rewards (2024)

By: Ashley Fricker, 1/28/2024

Secured cards with rewards can be a big help when you want to rebuild your credit and need an accessible credit card with guaranteed approval. Secured credit cards can give you the chance to start building back your credit history. Over time, many secured cardholders graduate to an unsecured credit card after rebuilding their credit score. Our experts have reviewed a variety of secured credit cards, and these are the best secured cards that offer rewards programs. When... read more »

7 Best Credit Cards For Rewards (Aug. 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 8/13/2024

With so many to choose from, mustering the stamina to identify the best credit card for rewards requires copious amounts of caffeine. Hundreds of credit cards are vying for your attention this year, and many of them are terrific. What follows is our list of the best rewards credit cards, organized by various categories. It will help you quickly find a special card to match your circumstances and requirements. To assemble the list, we sacrificed weeks of sleep so you don't have... read more »

Miles vs. Cash Back: 5 Best Cards For Each (2024)

By: Eric Bank, 1/28/2024

The miles vs cash back controversy is truly a tempest in a teapot. The reason is simple enough: Most consumers can qualify for at least one rewards card of each type. However, each type has its strong and weak points that dictate when best to use them. And if you are the “one card is all I want” type (I’m looking at you, Gen Z), you’ll have to live with your decision every time you go shopping. With pressure like that, we suggest you continue reading to learn more about your... read more »

8 Credit Cards With Miles That Don’t Expire (2024)

By: Ashley Fricker, 1/24/2024

Credit cards with miles that don’t expire are like savings accounts for your next big trip. Instead of redeeming cash back and points rewards when they post to your account, you can build up your miles over time to pay for all or part of your next flight. And if you don’t have enough to cover the cost of your flight, you can still use your banked miles to pay for a seat upgrade, checked bag, or in-flight purchase. With the cards below, you won’t have to worry about losing your... read more »

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All articles tagged Rewards (65)