5 Tips for Making the Most of Your Rewards Credit Card
One of the best things about choosing to use a rewards credit card for your day-to-day spending is the points, miles or cash back you can earn every time you swipe. But it can be tricky. To make sure you’re getting the most out of your card, take a look at the tips below.
Pick a card that offers rewards you’ll actually use
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement around a new card that’s just hit the market. But before you apply, consider whether the card comes with a rewards program that actually fits your lifestyle. Otherwise, you might get stuck with a bunch of points or miles that you’ll never redeem — something that happens to 1 in 5 consumers, according to NerdWallet’s research on reward cards.
Doing some digging upfront to find a card that will be valuable to you is the key to ensuring you’ll get the most out of your plastic.
Know your card’s rewards earning structure
By investing a little time in reading your card’s terms and conditions, you might find there are ways to score extra points on certain kinds of spending.
For example, it’s common for travel credit cards to award extra points or miles for every dollar spent on dining out. Consequently, using your travel card when you take your family out to dinner or pick up your morning coffee is a smart idea, because it will help you get to your next vacation faster. Knowledge is power, so get familiar with the ins and outs of how to maximize earning your rewards.
Budget carefully every month
If you’re carrying a balance on your card and justifying it with all the rewards you’re earning, here’s a wake-up call: You’re paying out much more than you’re bringing in. Most credit cards return only about 1% of your spending in rewards, and charge double-digit interest rates on unpaid balances.
To make the math work in your favor, stick to a budget so you don’t put more on your card than you can pay off each month.
Keep your account in good standing
One of the biggest mistakes you can make with a credit card is to fall behind on payments. Miss one and your account will no longer be in good standing and your ability to earn rewards could be jeopardized. Also, your credit score will suffer.
The solution? Pay your credit card bill on time each month, preferably in full but at least the minimum due. Online bill pay can make that process fast and easy.
Be smart about redeeming your rewards
Many rewards cards have multiple options when it comes time to redeem points or miles. For example, in some cases you’ll be able to choose between travel credits or merchandise.
However, it’s common for points or miles to vary substantially in value depending on how you cash them in. Before you go through with a rewards redemption, do the math to figure out which choice will give you the most bang per point. After all, there’s no sense in using your rewards on a vacuum when they would go further if redeemed for airfare.
Following these tips can help sweeten the treats a rewards card can provide while you navigate the tricky ins and outs of how it all works.
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Five things you’ve got to do if you have a credit card
Establishing and managing good credit is an important responsibility in today’s world. Especially since your credit rating—that 3-digit number that defines your credit worthiness- depends on it. There are several factors that impact your credit rating, one of which is your credit card activity. We’ve come up with five best practices when tempted by the love of plastic money:
1. Watch your credit limit
Did you know that credit card companies start to monitor any account with a balance that’s more than 40% of the credit limit? Experts recommend keeping credit card utilization below 30 percent on each card and collectively. This shows lenders that you know how to spend responsibly and this can help raise your credit score. Anything more than that and it could indicate that you’re struggling financially and lenders might worry that you’ll have trouble paying it back.
2. Make your payments on time
If you’re late just one time, call the customer service representative and kindly ask if they’ll waive the late fee. If you’ve historically paid on time, they may do it as a courtesy. If you’re habitually late, it will cost you. Making your monthly payment on time impacts your credit rating, your interest rate, any promotions the company offers, and more.
We all slip up now and again, though. If you miss a payment, make it as quickly as possible because the amount of time really does matter. Paying five days late is better than paying 30 days late so act quickly—and then maybe think about signing up for auto pay.
3. Pay off your monthly balances in full
Paying off your monthly balance in full each month builds a practice of excellent credit habits. It will help to avoid late payments, unnecessary finance charges, and the accumulation of unnecessary debt. It will also benefit your credit score and keep your credit utilization ratio in check, which is an important factor in the calculation of your credit rating.
4. Open your statements!
Even if you pay your bills online, it’s important to view the activity on your monthly statements. Is there a random charge you didn’t authorize? Maybe a monthly subscription that you didn’t realize you agreed to? Has your payment due date changed? Is a promotional date ending or has there been a change in your interest rate or fees? Your statement includes lots of valuable information, much of which impacts your finances, so take a few minutes and read it carefully. We’re hoping not, but you may be surprised at what you find.
5. Store the customer service number, just in case
If your card is ever missing or stolen, the first thing you’ll need to do is report it to the credit card company so a hold can be put on the account. Without the physical card, however, you won’t have the customer service number. Write down the credit card name and customer service phone number now and keep it handy. If you choose to copy the credit card number, plan to put it in a safe place where it’s not easily accessible to just anyone.
Tips for how to get your credit card balances down
Revolving debt can wreak havoc on your financial health, especially when your spending is compounded by high interest charges. For many, it’s tough to regain control. Until you do, you’ll never be able to successfully manage your revolving credit and develop a realistic plan to reduce your debt.
Here are some tips to help get your credit card balances to a more manageable level and get your spending back in check:
Prioritize your debt. Your highest interest rate accounts are the ones that are have the strongest negative impact on your finances, so focus on them first. It might be tempting to simply pay off those pesky, little, low-interest balances, but stay on course. Managing your debt takes time and discipline. Having a plan of attack is critical.
Pay more than the required minimum payment. A specific amount of your payment is designated to pay down interest so you’ll need to make a bigger payment to reduce the outstanding principal. Curious about how long it will take to pay down your balance using different payment schedules? Check out one of the many online payment calculators to see which amount works best with your budget and goals.
Make a lump sum payment whenever possible. Did you get a bonus at work? How about your tax return? Those additional payments will make a substantial impact on lowering your outstanding balance.
Avoid additional fees at all costs. Companies make every effort to discourage delayed and missed payments as well as above credit limit spending, so consequential fees are typically an expensive slap on the hand. Be sure you’re organized in your bill paying and diligent about your limits so your hard earned money is not spent paying for something that can easily be avoided. Both of these oversights can cause an increase in your interest rate, which will obviously hinder your progress.
Leave your credit at home. When paying down your debt, the last thing you want to do is to increase your existing balance. Now is the time to seriously look at your budget and realistically consider what expenses you can afford. Without a credit card readily available, you’ll consider your purchases more carefully, especially when you’re paying with the cash you have on hand or with your debit card.
Ask for help. Georgia’s Own Credit Union has a Member Solutions department that is able to offer their members assistance in managing their debt. Sometimes it’s just too overwhelming. They’re experienced and knowledgeable representatives are there to answer your questions and help you put a realistic plan in place to get you back on your feet.