If you thought credit cards only helped pay bills, book vacations, and bear emergency expenses, think again! Credit cards can be pretty rewarding. If you have a pile of credit cards and use them endlessly, surpassing your credit utilization ratio, it will hurt your credit rating.
On the contrary, if you don’t use your credit cards at all, this can also harm your financial credibility and lead to a massive loss of cashback and reward points that you could have earned from them.
It is important to maintain a balance when using your credit cards. Read on to learn about various ways to earn maximum reward points from your credit cards and enjoy the benefit of getting returns on your spending.
8 Strategies to Earn Maximum Rewards from Credit Cards
Here are some simple credit card hacks which will help you maximise your rewards while paying your bills:
1. Don’t Miss Out on the Welcome Bonus and Renewal Points
Not all, but several credit cards offer you a welcome bonus immediately credited to your reward section when you start using your credit card. Even your first purchase counts and almost every spending will help you form many reward points (facility provided by a selected few).
Besides the welcome bonus, you can earn a renewal bonus, which gets credited to your reward point section as soon as you renew your credit card every year (with or without fees). Watch out for such deals before you finalise your credit card provider.
2. Learn Everything About the Latest Offers and Schemes
Besides completely relying on what your credit has to offer you, check shopping sites, credit card payment deals, or travel deals, that offer various kinds of rewards and cashback programs. Grab the opportunity quickly, adding to the accumulated rewards, returns, perks, deals, and benefits.
3. Look for Rewards that Match Your Spending Style
You must trust those financial institutions with a reward system that complements your lifestyle. For example, if you are a travel enthusiast, and XYZ credit card offers you fantastic cashback deals on booking travel vacations – then that’s the one for you. Another example is if you are a full-amount payer, look for one that offers full rewards on credit card payments.
4. Pay Bills, Automate Payments, and Cater to Regular Expenses
The more you spend, the higher rewards you earn! But be careful. Don’t fall into the debt trap of credit cards. Limit your purchases, but make consistent and regular ones using your credit card. Also, automating credit card online bill payments will help you earn higher cashback opportunities, increase your chances of earning more rewards, and enhance your credit rating. The idea is to not spend but earn rewards on all your spending.
5. Check for Quarterly Bonuses
Yes! You can look for monthly/quarterly/half-yearly/annual bonus systems that many credit cards offer. Make the most of whatever you get in the form of returns and rewards.
6. Read the Fine Print
Before accumulating your reward points, you MUST read the terms and conditions. Several credit cards don’t provide rewards points on fuel, insurance, and utility bills, while some still benefit their customers. Pick the credit card that offers the best deals and allows you to earn rewards on every spend that you make.
7. Focus on High-Value and International Transactions
If you spend your card overseas or make an international transaction, you earn higher reward points. Similarly, making big purchases like making expensive travel bookings, jewelry, or other high-end purchases makes you more likely to earn rewarding cash back or purchase incentives from your credit card provider.
8. Look for a Card with ZERO Hidden Charges
Do you know that several credit card providers allow you to earn hefty rewards but charge you a rewards redemption fee? Be careful of such offers. Carefully review all rules and regulations, and stick to credit card providers that charge ZERO Rewards Redemption fees. Another factor you must consider is how many times your rewards get multiplied by your top spends to maximize your benefits. Such hidden factors are substantial and can offer you great returns.
Conclusion
If you follow the tips mentioned above, you earn better chances of adding higher reward points and cashback points to your credit card; you need to ensure that you don’t go overboard with your credit card shopping. Stick to smart ways that strategically enhance the value of your spending and increase your rewards and other benefits.
Also check – Can you refinance your home with a bad credit score?
