Credit Card Rewards

Youve finally come to that stage in life when you can afford to own a credit card, not as a supplementary cardholder but as the principal cardholder. Finally, youve earned the right to have a credit card in your own name and to be able to purchase whatever you want without having to ask anybody elses permission. But now that that time has come, you find yourself in a quandary what type of credit card should you apply for?

There are just two basic choices for you do you want a credit card that offers rewards and one that doesnt?

The Non Reward Type of Credit Card

These credit cards do not offer you any reward points or bonuses no matter how many times you use their credit cards or how prompt you are when it comes to credit card payments. Instead, this type of credit cards allow you to waive interest charges for a certain period of time or avail of lower interest rates than those offered by reward types of credit cards.

Basically, there are two choices that youre given when it comes to the non reward type of credit card. The first one would be a credit card that offers 0% APR intro rates. When you get yourself this kind of credit card, youll be able to purchase anything without having to worry about contending with high interest rates. But the 0% APR is only applicable for a certain period of time because its an introductory offer. Once its over, the APR will revert to normal.

The second type of non reward credit card is the low interest ongoing APR credit card. Although its not 0%, the interest rate may be lower than what the new APR would be for a credit card with 0% APR intro rates.

The Reward Type of Credit Card

If you dont find yourself excited with all those low interest rates being offered by non-reward types of credit cards then perhaps youll find your heart racing with credit cards offering rewards.

With this type of credit card, the interest charge is usually higher but you really dont care about that, do you, if it means being able to win a iPod Mini later on, does it? With reward types of credit cards, frequency of use and promptness of payment matter a great deal. There are also a whole variety of rewards being offered so youre surely be able to choose one that you truly desire.

With so many reward credit cards to choose from, how can you pick the best one for you? Here are some questions which you can ask yourself before deciding on which reward credit card you’ll be getting for yourself:

What type of reward do you really want? Rewards credit card may offer travel rewards, gas rewards, and cash back rewards. Which type of reward really suits your lifestyle? Make sure that the reward program you’ll choose is something that you can really benefit from.

Does it have an annual fee? Some reward credit cards charge for a high annual fee to continue your membership in the rewards program. If this is the case, does the annual fee off set the rewards you earn for the whole year? For example, if you need to spend $100 or more for the annual fee just to get a $50 reward points, then that’s not much of a benefit. However, there are many reward credit cards today that offer a free annual or a low annual fee plus the chance to earn unlimited reward points which truly make a great deal.

Does the credit card have a fixed rate or a variable rate? Most reward credit cards have a fixed APR or 0% APR as introductory offer. However, when the introductory period ends, a variable APR applies. Bear in mind that this means your interest rate will be based upon the Prime Rate so there is a risk that when the Prime Rate increases, your APR can also be incredibly high. Also, remember that credit cards have a minimum cap which means even if the Prime Rate falls dramatically, your interest will not go below the minimum cap.

How much will it take before you get a reward? Study carefully the point system that applies on the credit card reward program that you choose. You need to be especially aware about the exact conditions when it comes to earning and redeeming rewards even before you sign up the card.

Does the one point per dollar spent policy apply on general purchases or does it only apply to purchases you’ve made from selected stores? If so, then you might want to consider if the affiliate shop you need to purchase from is a store that offers reasonable prices. If you need to buy from an expensive shop every time just to collect points, then you might only be spending more than what you can afford.

Is if there is a limit on the number of points you can earn? Some credit cards give generous points for their cardholders but only for a limited time period. Afterwards, you may be restricted to earning just a few points in your account.

Is there also an expiration period for collecting rewards? Will the rewards be forfeited if not redeemed after a certain time period? Be sure that the credit card you choose will give you enough time for collecting and earning points, especially if it’s a travel rewards card. Otherwise, you might end up collecting points in vain just because you didn’t earn enough points in time. Better yet, choose the rewards credit card that lets you save as much point as you can for an unlimited period.

Airline Credit Card Frequent Flyer Miles – Reward Credit Card Air Miles

There is a difference between an airline credit card with frequent flyer miles or a reward credit card that offers airline miles. As when looking for any consumer product, it’s a good idea to compare the offers side by side.

Airline Credit Card With Frequent Flyer Miles

An airline credit card is for a specific airline. You earn air miles for every dollar you spend on that airline and your miles are routinely added to your frequent flyer account. If you have a preference to a particular airline, this would be the card for you.

The airlines generally have partners such as hotels, restaurants, and car rental agencies and you typically receive points when you use your card to purchase services from any of their affiliates. You may also be given a choice to spend your points to upgrade your flight to first class. Some airlines offer a special bonus of an additional ticket for each ticket your purchase at full fare.

An airline credit card generally carries a yearly fee, whether you use the card or not. They also tend to have higher interest rates, so if you’re not one to pay your balance in full each month, this may not be the type of card for you.

Reward Credit Card Air Miles

If you want a choice of airlines, a reward credit card with air miles may be what you’re looking for. You can earn bonus points to be used for air miles that can be spent on your choice of any airline. Most reward credit cards have no annual fee and lower interest rates than an airline credit card.

With air miles earned with a reward credit card, you are not allowed to apply your air miles earned with frequent flyer miles on another account. Unlike with an airline credit card where you can easily make last minute plans for your flight, generally a reward credit card requires a 21 day notice in advance and a Saturday night stay. Reward card airline miles are often limited to the continental U.S. or a specified zone.

For an international traveler, an airline credit card with frequent flyer miles could be just what you want. Those airline miles can mount quickly. However, if you are just hoping to earn enough points for a short vacation within the U.S. or a specific area, if you use your card for every day purchases and pay the balance each month, to earn free tickets, a reward credit card with air miles would be more suited for you.

Be practical when reviewing your personal needs and financial situation before choosing between an airline credit card with frequent flyer miles or a reward credit card with air miles.