Best credit card rewards program?

[LimpCock]

Looking to get a credit card mainly just to establish more credit. Which ones have the best rewards programs? That's what I am more concerned with because I don't really "need" a credit card.

[ColaCock]

My CapitalOne rewards are pretty basic...1% on all purchases, 3% on groceries & gas. I don't mind it though because I just spend on it monthly and pay it off, so it is better than nothing.

[The Yancey]

Shop around. Just make sure that you get one with no annual fee. Then add free rewards programs to the card. This works on debit cards as well. Here is one that I use: http://www.idine.com/. I use Groupon Rewards too (http://www.groupon.com//raf/UserRefe...t/lk/uu1546080) I got a $50 gift card from them last month. Upromise can help build scholarship money. many individual retail and hospitality chains have programs too. Just register your card with all.

I keep several. My PayPal Mastercard returns money. My Discover card has some super benefits. I keep a Visa with my bank that has their rewards tied to iit as well. No fees for any. Make them pay you, not vice versa.

[uscgmck]

This site has lots of info on just about anything involving money, especially bank cards.

http://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards.aspx

[RGHoskins]

Wells Fargo has a 3X rewards promotion for 6 months to a year.

[LimpCock]

thanks for the info. ive been looking and cant decide. im leaning towards getting a card that has rewards for hotels/travel.

[usc90grad]

Credit card companies have really cut back on rewards the past few years. I have AMEX but I doubt they're different then anyone else. It really depends what kind of rewards you want...gift card/merchandise, travel, etc.

[LimpCock]

Originally Posted by usc90grad

Credit card companies have really cut back on rewards the past few years. I have AMEX but I doubt they're different then anyone else. It really depends what kind of rewards you want...gift card/merchandise, travel, etc.

how is amex?

[usc90grad]

Originally Posted by LimpCock

how is amex?

You earn 1 pt for every dollar you spend. Certain types of purchases or at purchases at certain companies earn you 2 or 3 times the pts. You can then "shop" with your points and buy gift cards (which is the best deal), merchandise, air travel, etc.

You can probably go to their site and check it out.

[ColaCock]

Originally Posted by usc90grad

You earn 1 pt for every dollar you spend. Certain types of purchases or at purchases at certain companies earn you 2 or 3 times the pts. You can then "shop" with your points and buy gift cards (which is the best deal), merchandise, air travel, etc.

You can probably go to their site and check it out.

That reminds me, beyond my standard 1% cash back and 3% on gas/groceries...they do have businesses each week or month where you can get more back, you just have to check the website. For example, anything you buy in Starbucks during March gets you 5% back, Best Buy 4%, Amazon 5%, etc...which would be nice to use, except they change a lot and I would have to log in often.

[uscjeremynca]

Here's the deal. There are lots of credit cards out there and many with good programs. However, you need to find the one that suits your needs. What do you want - cash back, points, airline miles, travel rewards, flexibility, double points? You need to figure out what rewards you want and then find the right credit card.

[cockattorney2]

for me and my family, the kroger visa works. 1% back on all and more at Kroger. And rewards come as kroger dollars... which, with 6 of us, never fail to get spent.

[2000grad]

I would go with a debit card that has rewards. No debt associated with it.

[LimpCock]

thanks for the info. hotel rewards would probably be the best for me

[ColaCock]

Originally Posted by 2000grad

I would go with a debit card that has rewards. No debt associated with it.

He is trying to establish credit in the process.

[2000grad]

Originally Posted by ColaCock

He is trying to establish credit in the process.

You don't have to get a credit card to establish credit. That is a common misconception

[ColaCock]

Originally Posted by 2000grad

You don't have to get a credit card to establish credit. That is a common misconception

Again, I don't think a debit card is going to assist here OVER a credit card...in terms of establishing and bettering your credit.

There are many other things outside of this particular medium (mortgage, car payment, student loan, etc) that can effect credit score...but in terms daily payment options with cash vs check vs debit card vs credit card, I would like to hear why a credit card isn't the best (and only, honestly) option.

[usc90grad]

Originally Posted by 2000grad

You don't have to get a credit card to establish credit. That is a common misconception

True, you don't need a credit card, but a credit card certainly makes establishing your credit easier (as long as you pay the card balance in full each month and don't use all of your available credit).

[2000grad]

Best is relevant. I'm not saying worst or best. I'm saying you don't have to do that to establish credit. A car loan is one way. Student loans are another. Maintaining a healthy bank account is yet another way to establish a credit score, which it seems that you are referring to

[ColaCock]

Originally Posted by 2000grad

Best is relevant. I'm not saying worst or best. I'm saying you don't have to do that to establish credit. A car loan is one way. Student loans are another. Maintaining a healthy bank account is yet another way to establish a credit score, which it seems that you are referring to

You are dodging what I am trying to point out and going further than this topic (he is wanting a card...to improve credit).

Take 2 men with no mortgage, no car loan, no student loans, and both carry $5,000 in checking and $10,000 in savings in the bank.

1 uses a credit card and 1 uses his bank debit card.

The person using the credit card correctly WILL have a higher credit score. Not only that, it is the most frequent form of credit issued...which allows those others (car loan, mortgage) to happen and with better rates. A credit card is the "crawling before walking".