Credit card reward strategies: Getting more from each purchase
The right credit card rewards can help you get more out of everyday purchases and even boost your budget. But it’s important to avoid getting further into debt. To maximize your credit card benefits, you need to have good credit payment strategies as well as a plan for your rewards.
Let’s look at some of the best ways to maximize your credit card rewards—while keeping your overall debt level down.
Key Points
- Use a credit card for most purchases to increase your credit rewards.
- Pay off the balance each month, or you could end up paying more than you earn.
- Incorporate credit rewards and payment strategies into your regular budget.
How can I maximize credit card rewards?
Credit card reward strategies involve making a plan and integrating your credit card use into your budget. Follow these steps to get the most out of your rewards:
- Choose the best rewards program for you. Determine which credit card rewards program best matches your spending habits and redemption needs. Get a card that you know you’ll use.
- Use the card. Next, use your credit card for as many of your planned purchases as possible.
- Pay attention to bonuses and extra credit rewards. Some cards offer extra cash back on gas and grocery purchases. Other cards provide additional reward points or airline miles on travel or dining experiences. If you have multiple cards, know which ones will give you the best rewards for your regular purchases.
- Make regular payments on your credit cards. Only spend what you planned in your budget. Make sure you can pay off your balance each month. Depending on your situation, it might even make sense to review your weekly spending and pay off what you charge to your card each week, so you don’t get blindsided at the end of the month.
It’s important to pay off your credit card consistently. Otherwise, you’ll end up carrying a balance with double-digit interest charges, which will quickly outstrip the value of any rewards you get. Keep that in mind before you swipe/tap/insert that card.
Four strategies to get more from credit card rewards
It’s not just about getting more from your spending. There are other ways to use credit card reward strategies to come out ahead.
Strategy #1: Look for cards with signing bonus cash.
One of the most popular ways credit card companies entice you to sign up is through the promise of bonus cash. If you spend a certain amount of money in a relatively short period of time, a credit card issuer might provide you with extra cash. This cash bonus might be between $250 and $500—or even more—depending on the issuer and card program.
With some online bank accounts and CDs offering upwards of a 4% yield in 2023, it can make sense to take your signing bonus and put it in a safe account with a relatively high yield. This way, you compound your returns on the cash bonus. You could also consider investing in the stock market, but because stock market returns can be volatile, ideally you’d consider this route only if your emergency savings are already fully funded.
Strategy #2: Use introductory-rate incentives to pay down debt.
If you’re in debt and trying to figure out how to get out faster, the right credit card can help. Some cards offer introductory interest rates—often 0% for a period—on balance transfers. You can use one of these credit rewards programs to help with your debt repayment plan.
Transfer higher-rate balances to the 0% balance transfer card and work on paying off the debt. When the entirety of your payment goes to paying down the principal, you’re more likely to see results. Create a plan to pay off the balance before the end of the promotional period so you don’t end up with a big spike in your interest rate.
Strategy #3: Buy a big-ticket item with a promotional APR.
When you have your eye on a high-priced item, you can maximize the value of your purchase with the help of a promotional annual percentage rate (APR) from a credit card. You might even get credit card rewards on top of getting the special purchase APR.
This works by opening a credit card that offers a low (or zero) promotional APR for a set period of time—usually from six months up to 24 months. You make your big purchase and collect the rewards (cash back or points), then pay off the balance before the promotional period ends.
Once again, it’s vital that you have a plan to pay off the debt before the end of the promotional period, or you’ll end up with a much higher rate. Those interest charges could quickly exceed any rewards and/or incentives.
Strategy #4: Save money first, then use your credit card.
If you know you want to make a big purchase or take a vacation, you can save up the money first, but use your credit card for the actual purchase. Consider keeping your money in a high-yield bank account or short-term CD while you save. When you reach your savings goal, use your credit card and collect the rewards. Pay off the balance immediately with your savings. Any interest you’ve earned with the money in a high-yield account is gravy on top of the credit card rewards.
The bottom line
The best credit payment strategy is to pay off your card as you go. Try to plan your credit card spending in line with your regular budget. If you’re on a strict budget with little left over for discretionary spending, use your rewards credit card only to buy gas, groceries, and other items that you would purchase anyway. Save up for travel and other expenses ahead of time and then use your credit card to pay them off.
If you do find yourself in debt or carrying a balance, pay it down ASAP so you can get back on track toward becoming financially independent.
Credit cards can be a powerful tool in your financial kit. When used as part of an overall plan, they can help you maximize each purchase and put more money in your pocket. However, you need to be wary and careful. Credit cards are designed to make spending easy, so if you aren’t paying attention, you can end up carrying a balance and paying a high rate of interest.