So, you want a new credit card and figure getting a reward card is the way to go. But you’re a bit confused about the difference between reward credit cards and cash back credit cards. It’s not surprising because even many credit card companies use the terms interchangeably. But they are different.
Make the right choice and you’ll find yourself with “free” gifts or cash. Make the wrong choice and you might not see any “free” rewards at all.
Invest just a little bit of time online comparing offers and when it comes time to redeem your rewards you’ll get what you want.
Here are some of the more important things to consider:
Would You Prefer Money, Products or Services?
Whereas a cash back credit card will send you cash periodically, a reward credit card issues points or miles for your purchases. You can then convert the reward points into discounts on travel and/or various services and products. The rewards vary from one card to the next.
How Do You Get the Most Value?
On the surface nothing beats a financial rebate. However, reward cards that give you points or miles often offer incentives that are usually worth quite a bit more than what you’d get for the equivalent use of your cash back credit card.
Thoroughly scrutinize what you can trade your points for because if you find things you like you will get much better value from reward card cards than from cash back credit cards.
The Big Problem with Reward Credit Cards
Reward credit cards can be a time-sucking hassle because you need to keep track of your points in order to get your rewards whereas cash back credit card companies either send you your money automatically or apply it directly to your balance due.
So, if you don’t want to bother tracking your miles and/or points a cash back credit card would be a better choice.