The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Friday, March 29, 2024

All articles tagged Rewards (page 2)

6 Best Double-Miles Credit Cards (Feb. 2024)

6 Best Double-Miles Credit Cards (Feb. 2024)

If traveling is your thing, one or more double miles credit cards might belong in your wallet. As Indiana Jones famously observed, “It’s not the years, it’s the miles.” These cards double those miles, making travel more affordable and a nicer experience. Buckle up and keep reading for a crash introduction to double miles. Best Overall | More Miles Cards | FAQs Best Double Miles Credit Card The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns top honors among double miles cards.... read more »

8 Best Credit Cards for $200 to $500+ Bonuses (April 2024)

8 Best Credit Cards for $200 to $500+ Bonuses (April 2024)

Not so long ago, opening a new bank account or credit card came with a small kitchen appliance. These days, new credit cards generally won't net you a toaster — but they do often come with the chance to earn a big signup bonus. We've put together a list of some of the biggest and best bonuses around. While some signup bonuses come in the form of a lump-sum cash reward, a number of high-value bonuses come in the form of rewards points. In the article that follows, we'll explore the... read more »

7 Alternative Ways to Redeem Travel Miles

7 Alternative Ways to Redeem Travel Miles

The main benefit of using an airline rewards credit card or joining a frequent flyer program is the ability to earn miles and redeem them for free flights. However, given the current pandemic, taking a trip may not be an option for most people. In fact, a recent report from ValuePenguin found that approximately 48% of Americans have canceled their summer travel plans this year because of Covid-19. But you don’t have to let accrued miles go to waste or hold off on using those... read more »

Discover Card Bonus Categories for 2020

Discover Card Bonus Categories for 2020

If you’re a Discover cardholder (or prospective cardholder), it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the Discover card bonus categories for 2020. Bonus categories allow cardholders to earn higher rewards for purchases made at predetermined merchants during different quarters of the year. Since these bonus categories change every three months, the purchases that give you the most cash back in January are different than the ones that maximize your reward earnings in June. ... read more »

7 Best Credit Cards for Cash Back & Travel (April 2024)

7 Best Credit Cards for Cash Back & Travel (April 2024)

Trying to decide whether a cash back or a travel rewards card is right for you? The truth is you don’t have to choose. The best credit cards for cash back and travel allow you to earn and redeem your rewards in a way that fits your individual needs. Cash back credit cards let you earn back a percentage of your spending in the form of a reward that can be used for whatever you want, including travel. Similarly, rewards earned using travel cards can be redeemed for cash instead of... read more »

8 Ways to Maximize Credit Card Points (April 2024)

8 Ways to Maximize Credit Card Points (April 2024)

A huge number of credit cards come with amazing rewards programs. Each time you charge a purchase to one, you’ll rack up valuable perks in the form of cash, miles, or points. Of course, you won’t get any of those rewards without using the card, so it’s time to spend. Here are eight great ways to maximize credit card points and other perks you get from credit card companies. 1. Focus on High-Value Categories Many credit cards offer higher point values for spending in certain... read more »

7 Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards with Rewards (April 2024)

7 Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards with Rewards (April 2024)

Today’s credit card marketplace is brimming with options for rewards. And consumers will have no difficulty finding a credit card that doesn’t charge an annual fee. But finding a no-annual-fee credit card with rewards is an extra special treat. Many credit card issuers tack on fees or higher interest rates to offset the cost of the rewards they pay to cardholders. By leveraging a card with no fee that still pays rewards, you can earn money for spending money. Who doesn’t want... read more »

14 Best Rewards Credit Cards: No Annual Fee (April 2024)

14 Best Rewards Credit Cards: No Annual Fee (April 2024)

There’s a reason why everyone wants to know what the best rewards credit cards with no annual fee are. People love to be rewarded, but who wants to pay to earn rewards? If you’re currently putting your money toward an annual fee just so you can earn cash back, points, or miles, you aren’t being rewarded -- you’re earning a return on your investment. If you’d rather invest your money in actual commodities (or just not hand it over to a credit card company), consider... read more »

7 Best Credit Cards to Use at Gas Stations (Feb. 2024)

7 Best Credit Cards to Use at Gas Stations (Feb. 2024)

Driving is America’s great pastime. Of course, driving requires regular stops at a gas station to fill up the old chariot for its next foray. Since you have to pay for gas, you may as well reap some rewards in the process by paying with one of the best credit cards to use at gas stations. And, if you need to pick up a container of antifreeze, a six-pack of synthetic oil, or for that matter, a six-pack of gum, even more rewards may accrue to your benefit, depending on the card you... read more »

3 Steps: Get Cash Back On a Credit Card? (April 2024)

3 Steps: Get Cash Back On a Credit Card? (April 2024)

Cash back is one of the most popular forms of credit card rewards on the market today. In fact, 4 in 10 Americans surveyed said cash back is their favorite credit card feature, according to a poll from Bankrate. So, yes -- you can get cash back on a credit card -- and, if you play your cards right, you can get a decent sum of money back. Below are three steps to help you earn this highly sought-after reward and start saving money on all your purchases. If you don’t already have... read more »

7 Best Credit Cards for Free Hotel Stays (April 2024)

7 Best Credit Cards for Free Hotel Stays (April 2024)

Hotel accommodations are one of the biggest travel-related expenses. Whether you’re looking for a place to crash for a night or want a relaxing home-away-from-home where you can pamper yourself, you’re going to have to pay for a place to stay — unless you have one of our best credit cards for free hotel stays. With the right credit card, you can earn free hotel stays and room upgrades by making regular purchases — which means you’ll have more money to spend on your... read more »

Game Over: Here’s Why the Best Credit Card Rewards May End Soon (April 2024)

Game Over: Here’s Why the Best Credit Card Rewards May End Soon (April 2024)

The lucrative game of maxing out credit card rewards may soon come to an end with some consumers hitting the points-and-miles jackpot and others being left out. The end appears to be near because card companies have tired of consumers who've binged on the best rewards without generating commensurate card company profits. Major retailers also have complaints about how big rewards programs work. Why Cards Offer Rewards Big banks originally offered attractive rewards to motivate... read more »

9 Best Cash Back Credit Cards (Feb. 2024)

9 Best Cash Back Credit Cards (Feb. 2024)

To a certain extent, cash back rewards are basically credit card rewards on "easy" mode. While you can still work to maximize your rewards with tiered bonus categories and other tools, redeeming cash back is often as simple as clicking a few buttons to receive a statement credit, with no points to transfer or values to calculate. It's that ease of use that makes cash back credit cards popular among cardholders who don't want to jump through hoops to earn and redeem rewards. And that... read more »

3 Steps for Maximizing Credit Card Perks & Rewards (Feb. 2024)

3 Steps for Maximizing Credit Card Perks & Rewards (Feb. 2024)

Maximizing credit card perks and rewards is a great way to make your plastic go even further, whether you're interested in dining, travel, or cash back. Still, credit card perks are one of the most underutilized benefits of having a credit card. A 2017 study from Bankrate found that 31% of cardholders aren't redeeming the rewards they've earned. If you're one of these people and paying an annual fee for your card — or interest charges on a revolving balance for that matter —... read more »

11 Best Rewards Credit Cards (Feb. 2024)

11 Best Rewards Credit Cards (Feb. 2024)

Over the past 30 years, credit card rewards have grown exponentially. What started in the mid-1980s with a handful of cash back credit cards is now a billion-dollar market home to literally hundreds of rewards credit cards and programs. Indeed, whether you want to earn points on gas, cash back on movies, or miles on groceries — there's a card for that. With so many options available, it's impossible to say which card is the best for everyone. Instead, we've selected the best cards... read more »

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card vs. Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (Feb. 2024 Review)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card vs. Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (Feb. 2024 Review)

All too often, one of the great pains of rewards redeemers everywhere is actually redeeming their rewards. Between brand restrictions, blackout dates, and variable redemption rates, it can be a daunting task to use rewards at all, let alone maximize them for the best value. For those who tire of the challenge of trying to redeem travel rewards, the No Hassle Rewards® offered by Capital One are a breath of fresh air. With no blackout dates, brand restrictions, or other hoops to jump... read more »

8 Best Credit Cards for Points & Miles (Feb. 2024)

8 Best Credit Cards for Points & Miles (Feb. 2024)

Besides the security and convenience, earning rewards is one of the driving reasons for using a credit card for everyday purchases. But which type of rewards are the best? Not only do you need to choose between cash back or points and miles, but within each category are dozens of credit cards from which to choose. For those who like simplicity, cash back rewards are a common choice, offering basic earnings and easy redemption. But cash back isn't for everyone. Many points and miles... read more »

13 Best Credit Cards for Rewards (April 2024)

13 Best Credit Cards for Rewards (April 2024)

Saving is awesome. And that's not just an opinion. Studies have shown that coupons not only entice us to spend more and try new things but can actually decrease stress and just plain make us happier — as much as 11% happier, in fact. That's right, your dedication to a good deal may be due to a physiological love of savings. And that sentiment for savings is hardly limited to clipping coupons from the paper. Indeed, so many consumers have experienced the oxytocin-rich rewards of a... read more »

13 Best 5% Cash Back Credit Cards (Feb. 2024)

13 Best 5% Cash Back Credit Cards (Feb. 2024)

Cash back perks are a common reward among today's credit card selections, and it remains popular with users as well. In this article, we'll provide a rundown of the best 5% cash back credit cards available today. Many of life's most basic concepts are the most reliant on relativity. Take percentages, for example. Whether a certain percentage is good or bad depends entirely on what it's a percentage of in the first place. If you were offered 5% of a pizza, for instance, you'd likely... read more »

11 Best Credit Cards for Cash Rewards (March 2024)

11 Best Credit Cards for Cash Rewards (March 2024)

In the article below, we'll take an in-depth look at some of the best credit cards for cash rewards in a variety of areas and for a range of credit scores. When it comes to making purchase decisions, I often tend to take comparison shopping to the extreme. Out comes my inner nerd — who brings with her spreadsheets and helpful financial formulae designed to calculate the best deal. So, if there's one thing that truly offends me, it's finally making my carefully-considered,... read more »

9 Best Airline Rewards Programs: Expert Guide (Feb. 2024)

9 Best Airline Rewards Programs: Expert Guide (Feb. 2024)

Although it may be hard to pinpoint when, somewhere along the line, flying turned from an experience into an ordeal. Yes, the fact is, between the magically shrinking seats, ever-growing list of security hoops to jump through, and apparent collective decision to adopt yoga pants as the official passenger uniform, flying simply isn't as special as it used to be. But some of the magic of yore can be regained if you know where to find the best airline rewards programs. With the help of... read more »

9 Best Balance Transfer & Rewards Credit Cards (April 2024)

9 Best Balance Transfer & Rewards Credit Cards (April 2024)

In the following article, we'll take a look at eight of the best credit cards for balance transfers and rewards, including 0% intro APR, cash back cards, miles, and points. As of June 2017, the average American household with credit card debt had a total revolving debt of $10,955. If each card with a balance charges the market average 16.7% interest rate, then the typical household will pay approximately $1,830 a year in interest on their credit card debt. Thankfully, those with good... read more »

12 Best Credit Card Signup Bonus Offers (Feb. 2024)

12 Best Credit Card Signup Bonus Offers (Feb. 2024)

The best credit card signup bonuses can translate into major savings for the cardholder, whether you're planning your next family vacation, friends weekend, or even your honeymoon. And getting married is expensive. I know because I’m planning my own nuptials next spring. Between the obvious costs like venue and food, you don’t realize how many other less-obvious things there are to pay for, like guest favors and dress alterations, and it all adds up so quickly. One expense we... read more »

5 Best Bank Bonus Credit Cards (April 2024)

5 Best Bank Bonus Credit Cards (April 2024)

Every time you use your favorite credit card to make a purchase, the merchant must pay the credit card issuer a fee for the pleasure of collecting your money. While the specific fee varies by issuer, it's generally around 2% of your purchase price -- and that adds up quickly. Because these purchasing fees are a big part of how many issuers make their money, it's in each one's best interest to encourage you to use its brand of card over its competitors. As the credit card market... read more »

7+ Best “2% Cash Back” Credit Cards (March 2024)

7+ Best “2% Cash Back” Credit Cards (March 2024)

As early as the 18th century, merchants were rewarding customers with free products in exchange for brand loyalty. One of the first programs required customers to send in proofs of purchase from a specific product or line in exchange for a premium promotional item. The success of these programs caused a wide range of businesses to adopt them. When the credit card industry saw rapid growth in the latter half of the 20th century, major card issuers experimented with their own loyalty... read more »

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