Tag: credit card shopping trick

Best Airline Credit Cards to Get You Off the Ground

Posted on | by Theresa Hammond | Leave a Comment on Best Airline Credit Cards to Get You Off the Ground
Stack of traveling luggage in airport terminal and passenger plane flying over sky

Are you ready to explore the world? Whether you travel frequently for business or always look forward to your next vacation, airline credit cards are the great choice for saving on airline miles and other travel expenses is essential. You want to spend less on transportation and hotels so that you can spend more on experiences that create memories you’ll never forget.

Airline credit cards are a subcategory of travel credit cards that allow you to earn free airline miles and other perks. They can substantially reduce the cost of travel if you fly even occasionally. You may also use your airline credit cards to book more direct flights or bump your seat up to first class. The more miles you accumulate, the more comfortable your flights may become.

Get ready to explore some of the leading airline credit cards available today! The first step to selecting a credit card is to compare credit cards online. We compiled a list of some of the most rewarding credit cards to get you started.

Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

1. Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

Delta may become your preferred airline if you’re looking for airline credit cards that give you a variety of options to earn miles. You can earn two miles for every dollar spent at restaurants and supermarkets. And the same deal extends to all purchases with Delta. If you spend at least $10,000 on your card over the course of one calendar year, you can earn an additional $100 in-flight credits.

The Delta Gold credit card also entitles you to one free checked bag and access to priority boarding when you fly with Delta. Redeeming your points is easy because you can pay with the miles rather than waiting for credits or cash to hit your account before you can book a trip.

Pros

  • Earn approximately 2 miles for each dollar spent. This includes purchasing takeout food and delivery, but in the United States
  • Earn approximately 2 miles for each dollar spent at a grocery store in the United States
  • $1 per mile on all other purchases
  • Earn flight credit from Delta in the amount of $100, which can be used for future Delta travel after reaching $10K annually in purchase
  • Rewards never expire
  • Free checked bag
  • 0% interest first year

Cons

  • Requires an annual fee of $99
  • Low APR is more than 16%
  • Credit must be either good or excellent

2. JetBlue Credit CardJetBlue Credit Card

JetBlue offers one of the most competitive airline credit cards because it allows you to earn miles for every purchase made with the card. Many cards limit your rewards miles to select purchases, but you will earn at least one mile for every dollar that you charge on this card. That makes it a great choice for an everyday credit card. You can use it for all of your daily purchases and then pay it off by the end of the month to accumulate points quickly without paying interest.

All of your JetBlue purchases will earn you three points per dollar. Purchases at restaurants and supermarkets will earn you two points per dollar spent. All other purchases are limited to one point per dollar spent.

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • 10,000 bonus points intro offer
  • Earn points on all purchases
  • 50% off some inflight purchases
  • First checked bag free for you and companions with the Jetblue Plus card
  • For every $1 spent, eligible for 3 times Jetblue purchases
  • For every $1 purchase at eligible restaurants and grocery stores, earn 2 times the points
  • All other purchases, earn a point for every $1 spent
  • No annual fees
  • Chip enabled
  • No fees for foreign transactions

Cons

  • No anniversary bonus
  • Paid checked bags

Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card

3. Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card

Forbes recognized this card as one of the best airline credit cards for first-time airline card-holders. It allows you to earn unlimited airline miles, and they never expire. There are also no blackout dates when scheduling your rewards flights. That means you don’t have to plan your travel dates around your airline miles.

Delta requires an annual fee of $550 on some of their rewards cards, but this one requires no annual fee. Other cards may offer more lucrative rewards programs, but you have to consider that high annual fee when determining which ones will save you the most on travel.

Delta often offers thousands of bonus miles for those opening cards during promotional periods. Comparing credit card rates and rewards programs online is a great first step. But make sure to check for temporary promotions to see if you can grab some extra miles just by timing your application correctly.

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • No blackout or expiration dates
  • Unlimited earned mileage with no expiration
  • Welcome bonus, easy to obtain
  • No fees for foreign transactions
  • Pay for airline ticket with miles earned - redeem $50 off airline ticket for every 5,000 earned miles. However, you must book the flight on Delta.com
  • Save 20% statement credit after using the card to buy food and beverages on a Delta flight.

Cons

  • Lowest APR is over 16%
  • Excellent credit score required
  • Small welcome bonus
  • No offer for 0% APR Intro
  • No priority boarding or free checked baggage

Capital One Venture Rewards Card

4. Capital One Venture Rewards Card

While Capital One requires an excellent credit score. This credit card lender is known to accept credit rates that are immediately denied by many others. The card comes with a lot of perks even though it does have a $95 annual fee that kicks in starting your second year. For starters, you can make purchases outside of the United States without any added fees.

You can also transfer earned points to other Capital One rewards programs. If you have other rewards credit cards from this lender, you may have the option of transferring points earned on those cards to your Venture card as well, which allows you to save even more on travel expenses. All points earned on this card are redeemable for airline miles, hotel stays and a variety of additional travel expenses. That gives you more flexibility when redeeming your rewards. You will earn two points for every dollar spent on this card. The type of purchase doesn’t matter.

Pros

  • Earn points on every purchase
  • Within first three months of owning the card, earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500
  • Annual fee waived the first year
  • 60,000 bonus miles can be earned
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Transfer points to other Capital One rewards programs
  • Rewards are unlimited
  • For every dollar spent on purchases, earn 2X miles
  • If you book a rental cars or hotels with the card, earn 5 miles for every dollar spent

Cons

  • Lowest APR is over 16%
  • Excellent credit score required
  • $95 annual fee after the first year
  • Interest rates start over 17%

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card

5. Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card

This is the upgraded version of Capital One’s popular Venture credit card. You will need a high credit score to get approved. But the lack of an annual fee immediately saves you some money over the Venture card and many other airline credit cards. The VentureOne card also offers credit cards with low-interest rates. Interest under 15% for select consumers, which is lower than many other rewards cards.

You will earn 1.25 points for every point spent on this credit card. That’s a slight increase over the points awarded for the Venture card. If you spend at least $1,000 in the first three months, you’ll also receive a bonus of 20,000 points. You can transfer those points to other Capital One Rewards programs as needed, allowing you to maximize savings if you have access to multiple cards from the lender.

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • 20,000-point introductory offer
  • Starting APR under 15%
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • For every dollar spent on purchases, earn 1.25 miles
  • Accumulated miles easy to redeem
  • Travel accident insurance

Cons

  • Excellent credit score required

Alaska Airlines Signature Visa Card

6. Alaska Airlines Signature Visa Card

If you rarely travel alone, this is possibly one of the most lucrative airline credit cards for your wallet. It allows you to earn discounts on companion fare. So you’re not the only one who gets to fly for less. You earn this perk every year on your account anniversary, and companion fares start at $121 with no blackout dates. Your card also entitles you to a free checked bag, and up to six guests can share this perk when they check in with you.

All purchases made on this card will earn you one mile per dollar spent.  All purchases from Alaska Airlines will earn you three miles per dollar spent. When you buy day passes to airport lounges, you’ll pay half price when paying with your card, and inflight purchases are discounted by 20%. There is no limit to the number of miles you can earn. Which makes this a great choice for a daily use card. Just make sure to pay your balance off each month to avoid paying interest.

Are you worried about timing your trips to take advantage of all miles earned before they expire? That madness is eliminated with this card because your miles never expire as long as your account is in active status. Your miles are redeemable with Alaska Airlines and a list of affiliated partners, including Korean Air, British Airways, and American Airlines.

Pros

  • Earn 3 miles for each dollar spent
  • Introductory rewards package offered
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Miles never expire
  • Not limited to Alaska Airlines
  • New applicants, earn 60K bonus miles, but you must purchase $3,000 or more within the first three months of being approved for an account
  • No cap on earning miles
  • Free checked bag
  • Yearly low companion fare starting at $121
  • 50% day passes for Alaska Lounge while traveling

Cons

  • $75 annual fee
  • Miles are limited to select airlines
  • Credit score of 670 or more required

Chase United Explorer Card

7. Chase United Explorer Card

Chase United Explorer CardThis is one of those airline credit cards that may not seem competitive at first glance. It does require higher interest rates than some of our other top picks. But it’s still worth considering if you travel with a companion at times or want to take advantage of travel perks beyond airline miles. Not only will you receive one free checked bag each time you fly, but your companion will receive the same benefit when checking in with you.

If you spend $3,000 or more on the card within your first three months, you’ll receive 60,000 bonus miles. The card allows you to earn at least one mile for every dollar spent. And you can earn two miles per dollar for all purchases from hotels and restaurants. You need to use your card to pay for your hotel stays directly through the hotel, so purchases from travel deal websites won’t earn you the miles. Purchases from United will also earn you two miles per dollar spent.

Chase offers some travel benefits that move beyond airline miles, which may make the card’s higher interest rates and annual fee worth the bargain. For instance, you’ll receive a statement credit of $100 every four years when you use your card to cover the application fee for Global Entry or TSA Precheck. Remember, the interest rate doesn’t matter much if you pay your charges off each month. This could work as a daily use card that delivers a lot of free miles, free checked bags and other travel-related discounts.

Pros

  • Annual fee waived for the first year
  • Companion checked bag benefits
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • No flight black out dates
  • Tap-to-pay technology
  • Other travel benefits for cardholders
  • Earn 2 miles for each dollar spent on restaurant and hotel purchases
  • Earn 1 mile for all other purchases
  • 10K additional miles after spending $6K in the first 180 days
  • Earn 60K bonus miles as a new applicant, but you must purchase $3,000 or more within the first three months of being approved for an account

Cons

  • $95 annual fee after the first year
  • Interest rates start at close to 18%
  • No annual bonus
  • High APR
  • Awards on flights are expensive and controlled

Are Airline Credit Cards Available with the Shopping Trick?

The credit card shopping trick allows you to secure fast credit card approval for store cards. While shopping with select retailers, you’ll receive a popup asking if you want to apply for a credit card. If you accept the opportunity, you may receive an offer of credit instantly. In some cases, the offer is extended without a hard pull on your credit, but that isn’t always the case. Always assume you will receive a hard inquiry and consider it a plus if you don’t with some cards.

If you have bad credit, this trick may appeal to you, but there are some downsides. The cards offered are limited to those backed by select financial institutions, namely Comenity Bank. The big retail stores that you may shop regularly may not offer credit cards with approval through pop-ups, so you may end up with credit cards that you will rarely use. You won’t find many airline credit cards offered if any.

What the shopping card trick may do for you is help you re-establish your credit. So that you can qualify for the airline credit cards you do want. If you open a few credit cards through the shopping trick and then make small purchases and pay them off each month, you can boost your credit score and prove you’re a responsible credit card user. Simply having those accounts open may also increase your available credit. Which can help you achieve a lower utilization rate if you don’t charge them up.

That may open the door to the most lucrative rewards credit cards, which are often offered only to those with high credit scores and limited blemishes on their credit reports.

Are Airline Credit Cards the Best Type of Rewards Card?

Airline miles are valuable rewards for making everyday purchases with a credit card, but there are other types of rewards credit cards that may make traveling more affordable and/or comfortable. If you don’t fly frequently or just want to weigh your options before applying for credit cards, you should consider a few other reward card options before making your final decisions.

Other types of rewards credit cards worth considering include:

  • Gas Credit Cards – The number of genuine gas credit cards is dwindling. But you may still find one here and there. They allow you to redeem points for free gas fill-ups, which may reduce the cost of everyday driving or cut the expense of a road trip.
  • Cashback Credit Cards – These cards allow you to earn cash without limiting what you spend it on. You may receive the cash as a credit on your statement or cash transferred to your bank account. Some cards give you the option to transfer your rewards balance to gift cards for a variety of retail stores and restaurants, which you could apply to food expenses and other supplies needed while traveling.
  • Luxury Credit Cards – Some luxury cards will give you access to VIP lounges and other upscale perks that make traveling more comfortable. If you only want to secure one rewards credit card, weigh the perks of a luxury carefully against the option to simply earn miles toward your next flight.

If you travel a lot or would travel more if it were affordable, you may secure multiple reward cards to enjoy a wider variety of benefits. One strategy is to use credit cards for everyday purchases and then pay the cards off within the same month. Instead of using money from your debit card or cash to make those purchases, you simply pay with a credit card to earn the rewards. And then use your bank account to pay it off so you don’t carry debt and pay interest.

Conclusion

Some airline credit cards have annual fees while others make it more difficult to redeem points earned. It’s important to figure out those cons before you start actively using the card. The most ideal airline credit cards will minimize fees while making the reward redemption process quick and easy. If there are too many restrictions on how you may redeem your rewards, you may never get the rewards that you worked so hard to earn.

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The 11 Top Business Credit Cards: CEO Approved

Posted on | by Brandy Woodfolk

It’s no secret that running a business- whether a large or small one- takes money. Sometimes, when expenses pop up, resources may not be fluid, so you need an alternative option. Business credit cards can be a great way to take care of these expenses. If you have the right one and handle it well. That’s what we are going to talk about today. The ups and downs and ins and outs of business credit cards.

11 Great Business Credit Cards

Before applying for a credit card, it is important to educate yourself. The first things you need to understand are the similarities difference between personal credit cards and business credit cards. On a very basic level, business credit cards and personal cards work the same. You use the money to pay for things, and then you repay the money. In this sense, a credit card is just a credit card. When you dig past the surface, though, there are some important differences.

Now let’s go through the list of best business credit cards.

Capital One Spark Cash for Business Card

1. Capital One Spark Cash for Business Card

This is a great card for the everyday expenses you face. You can earn 2% cashback on all purchases, so whether you are purchasing a pack of pens from Office Depot or gassing up the jet to fly off to your meeting across the country, you earn. Best of all, there are no caps on those earnings.

  • Interest: 0%
  • Annual fee: $150
  • Rewards: 2% cashback on all purchases

There is an annual $150 fee, but there is no interest, which is pretty awesome. However, you have to pay the balance in full each month. If you don’t, you’ll owe a 2.99% late fee – which is still lower than most interest rates.

You may also earn $1,000 or more for signing up and completing the spending requirements. This particular sign-on bonus may not last forever, but there are usually some good incentives. It comes with free employee cards and even some protections, such as purchase protection, extended warranty, and price protection.

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

2. Capital One Spark Miles for Business

If your business pays for a lot of travel, you should consider the Capital One Spark Miles for Business card, as there are some pretty sweet perks. First, you get 5 miles for every dollar you spend on hotel and rental cars through Capital One Travel and 2 miles for every dollar you spend on all of your other business purchases. There are no foreign transaction fees, and the annual $95 fee is waived for the first year.

  • Interest: 21.24%
  • Annual fee: $0 first year, $95 after
  • Rewards: 2x miles on each purchase, 5x miles on hotel and rental cars

This card also gets you up to a $100 credit if you enroll in Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, and employee cards are free. Additionally, you get the same purchase protection, extended warranty, and price protection of the Spark Cash card. However, you also get travel protections that include:

  • Travel accident insurance
  • Lost luggage reimbursement
  • Auto rental collision damage waiver

The Business Platinum Card from American Express

3. The Business Platinum Card from American Express

Another great credit card for business travel is from American Express. If you book your travel through AMEX Travel, you get 5x points for flights in first or business class. Currently, you can earn up to 150,000 membership points if you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of signing up.

  • Interest: 0% first year, 14.99%-22.99% after
  • Annual fee: $695
  • Rewards: 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels through amextravel.com

The Business Platinum Card from AMEX also gives you 1.5 points on your purchases of $5,000 and up, and then 1 point for every dollar you spend on anything else. There is an annual fee of $695, but there are no foreign transaction fees. Do some math: if you or your employees travel enough that you will save more than the $695 annual fee, this might be the credit card for you. You also get credits for purchases through companies like Dell and Indeed.

Brex Corporate Card for Startups

4. Brex Corporate Card for Startups

Brex offers an excellent option for some businesses. Let’s start by pointing out that this card is given depending on the information gathered from your EIN, so the self-employed, sole proprietorships, and so on will not get approved- move to the next card. If you are incorporated though, continue reading.

  • Interest: 0%
  • Annual fee: $0
  • Rewards: Points on travel, dining, rideshares, recurring software

The Brex Corporate Card credit limit depends on the amount your business has raised, but generally, the limits are 10% to 20% higher than small business cards. The first five cards are included in sign-up. Any additional cards cost $5 per user per month. There are no annual fees at all, no interest, and no foreign transaction fees. At the end of 30 days, the payment is automatically debited from your account, meaning you do not even have to think about it.

If all of that does not sound good enough, there is more. You earn 8 points on rideshares, 5 points on Brex travel, 4 points on restaurants, 3 points on recurring software, and 1 point on everything else. They even have partnerships with Quickbooks, Xero, Google Ads, and more. Check them out to see what they can do for your business. As it does not revolve around your personal credit, it will not hurt your credit to apply. You can also earn 10,000 points when you spend your first $1,000.

U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard

5. U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard

The U.S. Bank Business Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard lets you earn an unlimited 3% cashback on cell phone services as well as gas station and office supply store purchases. The rewards never expire and there is no limit to how much you can earn. You also earn a $100 annual statement credit for recurring software subscriptions.

  • Interest: 0% first year, 14.74%-23.74% after 15 billing cycles
  • Annual fee: $0
  • Rewards: $500 when you spend $4,500 on the owner’s card in the first 150 days

You can transfer balances to this card for 0% interest for the first 15 billing cycles, but there is a 5% or $10 cash advance fee. There is a 2% to 3% foreign transaction fee, depending on the purchase. However, there is no annual fee and an introductory 0% interest rate, which lasts for 15 billing cycles.

Higher Interest and Fees

You will often find that business credit cards charge much higher interest rates and tack on much higher fees than personal cards. And, worse, they can increase those interest rates, fees, and any potential fees without giving you a bit of warning. You can imagine that such a scenario would be no fun for anyone trying to run a business.

Ink Business Preferred Credit Card from Chase

6. Ink Business Preferred Credit Card from Chase

Ink is a great card to consider for any business, but especially digital ones. This is because you can get 3 Ultimate Rewards points for every dollar you spend on advertising on search engines and social media sites. Those same rewards points go for travel, Internet, cable, and phone services, and shipping purchases. On everything else, you earn 1 point per dollar spent.

  • Interest: 16.24%-21.24%
  • Annual fee: $95
  • Rewards: 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 in the first 3 months

With this card also comes primary rental car insurance, free employee cards, and cell phone insurance. There are no foreign transaction fees, but there is a $95 annual fee. Currently, there is a sign-up bonus of 100,000 points when you meet the spending requirements and extra points for booking travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select World Mastercard

7. CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select World Mastercard

This is another good card to consider for travel. You receive 2 AAdvantage miles for every dollar you spend on American Airlines, and 2 miles for every dollar you spend on telecommunications, cable and satellite, car rentals, and gas. For all other purchasing categories, you get 1 mile per dollar spent.

  • Interest: 16.74%-25.74%
  • Annual fee: $0 first year, $99 after
  • Rewards: 50,000 American Airlines if you spend $2,500 in the first 3 months

Additionally, you get baggage checked for free and even four companions. It comes with free employee cards, too. There are no foreign transaction fees. There is a $99 annual fee but it is waived for the first year. They also run sign-up deals that give you bonus miles when you meet spending requirements.

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

8. The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is beneficial for businesses that do a lot of traveling. This card lets you earn 12 Hilton Honors points for every dollar spent at Hilton properties, 6 points per dollar for gas, at restaurants, and on flights and car rentals from certain companies, and 3 points per dollar on everything else.

  • Interest: 16.49%-25.49%
  • Annual fee: $95
  • Rewards: 12x points on Hilton hotel or resort; 6x points on restaurants, gas, car rentals, telephone services, flights through Amex Travel

Employee cards are free and you even get access to expense tracking tools. This card also gives you travel protections like baggage insurance, travel insurance, roadside assistance, and more. There are no foreign transaction fees, though there is a $95 annual fee.

U.S. Bank FlexPerks Business Travel Rewards Card

9. U.S. Bank FlexPerks Business Travel Rewards Card

The U.S. Bank FlexPerks Gold American Express Card gives some pretty sweet perks, too. You can earn 5x FlexPoints on prepaid hotels and car rentals, 3x on restaurants, 2x on airlines, gas and EV charging stations, and 1x on everything else. Currently, you get 30,000 points if you spend $2,000 in your first four months.

  • Interest: 15.24%-25.24%
  • Annual fee: $85
  • Rewards: 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals; 3x on restaurants, 2x on airlines, gas, and EV charging stations; 1x on all other purchases

Additionally, you get TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, access to millions of WiFi hotspots around the world, and the option to Buy Now, Pay Later. That lets you split purchases over several payments. There is an $85 annual fee but no foreign transaction fees.

American Express Blue Business Cash Card

10. American Express Blue Business Cash Card

This card is good for businesses looking to grow. First, you earn 2% cashback on all eligible purchases that amount to $50,000 per calendar year. After that $50,000, it drops to 1%. For those that need to spend more than their credit limit, the Blue business card has an Expanded Buying Power option where you can go over your limit. How much over depends on your payment history and more, but it is an option.

  • Interest: 0% first year, 13.99%-21.99% after
  • Annual fee: $0
  • Rewards: 2% on all eligible purchases

There is a balance transfer option, which costs either $5 or 3% of the amount of the transfer- whichever is greater, though there is no fee on transfers in the first year. You get charged 2.7% on all foreign transactions. In the first year, purchases have 0% interest. Extras include purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, car rental loss and damage insurance, and more.

Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

11. Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

For those businesses whose travels land them at the Marriott pretty often, why not have a Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card? You get 6 Marriott Bonvoy Rewards points for every dollar you spend at Marriott properties. And you also get complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite Status. You even receive a free night every year you keep the account active. If you spend $60,000 on the card in a calendar year, you get another free night.

  • Interest: 16.49%-25.49%
  • Annual fee: $125
  • Rewards: 6x points on participating hotels; 4x points on restaurant, gas, and cell phone; 2x points on other purchases

That isn’t all, though. You earn 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants, gas stations, and cell phone services, and 2 points per dollar on other purchases. The card comes with baggage insurance, travel accident insurance, roadside assistance, and car rental damage and loss. There are no foreign transaction fees, but there is an annual fee of $125. If you have or have had a Marriott business card recently, you may not qualify for the application bonus, so check the fine print before you sign.

Anyone Can Apply for Either

Just because they are called business cards does not mean you need to have a physical location and employees to apply. If you are a freelancer or simply have a side hustle and want to keep your business expenses separate, you can apply for business credit cards with your personal information as a sole proprietor. In the same vein, a business owner might consider a personal credit card instead of a lower interest.

Pros of Business Credit Cards

There are plenty of good reasons to apply for business credit cards.

  • You can usually get approved for a business credit card much quicker than you can get approved for a personal one. As odd as it may sound, even if the lender is looking at your personal credit score, they tend to be more lenient with the credit cards. This is not always the case, but it typically is.
  • The rewards, bonuses, promos, and other incentives can be incredibly helpful. For instance, getting a 0% interest introductory rate for a year can give you that full year to work on increasing your income. This is great for startups and small businesses as it gives them a chance to get money coming in. Also, as mentioned above, earning points towards things you use can help you save. If you are going to have a credit card anyway, you might as well have one that will help you where you need to save.
  • Like a personal credit card, they can help build your business credit- something businesses desperately need to have.
  • When you run into problems, like equipment malfunctions, credit cards can help you take care of the problem quickly.

Cons of Business Credit Cards

Of course, there are downsides to business credit cards, as well. Two big ones are:

  • Interest rates are often high for business credit cards.
  • Fraudulent charges may slip through the crack. Because there are usually so many charges put on a business credit card, it is easy to overlook something that you did not put there. Often, it is easier for an identity thief to get his hands on a business’s credit card information than it is an individual’s. Also, as much as I wish it weren’t so, employees may use a business card for things other than business expenses, especially if they feel they are not being monitored. The best solution is to be sure that someone is going through every charge on your credit card bill. If something looks like it should not be there, investigate. This will ensure that you catch fraudulent charges more quickly. Also, if you are making your employees explain the charges they make, they will be much less likely to charge things that they should not.

Rewards and Bonuses

As business credit cards are intended for businesses, the rewards and bonuses offered appeal more to businesses than to individuals. For instance, business cards usually have better options on categories such as:

  • Travel- hotel stays, rental cars, airfare
  • Office supplies
  • Technology
  • Even advertising

Some personal cards use these categories, too, but you will likely see bonuses and rewards for personal cards such as:

  • Groceries
  • Home improvement purchases
  • Entertainment

Sometimes these categories will be found on both personal and business credit cards, but not always.

Credit Card Shopping Trick that Many People Try

Sign up for a card with 0% interest for the first year and perks you can use. At the end of that year, find another card that has 0% interest for a year, and close the first one so you are not charged any annual fees. Sometimes, though, rather than lose your business, your first credit card company will give you another good deal- it’s always worth trying to ask them.

If that does not work, you can sign up for a new card at the end of each promotion, unless of course your contract says otherwise. For this to work well, though, you will need to do one of two things: either make sure your balance is paid in full before the end of the promotional period, or make sure your new card allows for balance transfers and transfer that balance at least a month in advance. That way, by the time your promotional period is over, you have nothing on that card.

Handling Business Credit Cards Responsibly

You need to be as careful with your business credit cards as you are with your personal credit cards. Well, unless you are not responsible with your personal cards. If that is the case, it is time to be responsible with all of them. Here are a few tips to do so:

  • Only give cards to employees who you feel will be responsible with them, and then check to make sure that they are doing that.
  • Set limits on the cards so that neither you nor your employees can do any large spending without you authorizing it first.
  • Only spend money that you have either planned to spend or need to spend.
  • Set a budget for your spending and stick with it.
  • Try to have savings set aside for unexpected expenses instead of having to use your credit card all of the time.
  • Pay your bill on time every month.
  • Pay more than the minimum balance required. As stated above, if it is at all possible, try to pay your balance off every single month.
  • Remember that 0% interest is not a green light to spend like crazy. The amount you charge during that period needs to be paid off before the end of the promotion. Otherwise, interest will be added.

Conclusion

Running a business requires time, commitment, and money. Though credit cards can only take care of the money side of things, having the funds already available can save you time and make it easier to keep your head in the game. I said above that having a business line of credit and a business credit card available to you opens up your options. So does having more than one business credit card.

It might be beneficial for you to have two or three business cards open. First, when done well, they will help your business credit. Second, if you have three that offer different perks and cash back for different purchases, you can choose the best card for each move you need to make. Look into a few that you feel will benefit your business the most and apply.

Additionally, if you are currently in credit card debt that you cannot seem to dig your way out of, there is hope. Getting an installment loan can give you the funds you need to pay off your credit cards. Then, instead of making multiple payments and gaining insane amounts of interest every month, you have one simple payment to make.

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Rewards Credit Cards for a Rewarding Experience

Posted on | by Kevin Strauss

Rewards credit cards are a way to earn money back, points, or miles for your spending. You could get rewards for specific categories or you could get a flat rate for purchases. When shopping for a rewards card, you can see that the cards will vary widely in whether or not there are a sign-up bonus and annual fee, and the kind of rewards that are offered. Cash back cards may not have any annual fees but many travel cards will.

Different Types of Rewards Credit Cards

There are a number of different types of rewards credit cards, including airline loyalty cards, hotel, and cash back cards, along with gas and retail cards. About 60% of credit cards that are issued in the country are actually tied to a rewards program.

Gas

These can also be called fuel cards. This type of credit card started back in the 1920s for convenience. New rewards cards have pretty much replaced the gas credit card. However, there can still be some generous rewards for these types of cards and they only require a fair credit score to apply. If you are on the road a lot, this can be a good option for you.

Travel

There are different types of travel rewards cards, including general purpose, hotel, and airline. Some cards will reward you with an extra boost in your points through a redemption portal. This is a good option if you are okay with not traveling with a particular brand. If you choose a hotel or airline card that partners with specific brands, you can redeem your points for those brands. Since hotel partnerships are so large you are able to access hundreds of hotels in many different countries with just a single card.

Cash Back

Discover originally started the cash back program as a way to give money back at the end of the year based on the charges. This has since expanded to cards that give cash back in bank accounts, checks, and statement credits. Many cash back cards will give you a certain percentage for everything and there may be quarterly categories that give you more cash back.

Store

This type of rewards card is tied to a department store or store brand. The cards can give high percentages of cash back for first purchases and can help you save when you shop at that store.

Luxury

If you travel often then a luxury card can be a good choice since you get access to airport lounges and concierge services.

Business

You can get cash back for business-related spending with this type of card. If you spend a lot on business items then this type of card might make sense.

Popular Credit Card Rewards Programs

There are many different types of credit card rewards programs and you are sure to find one that suits your needs.

chase ultimate rewards

Chase Ultimate Rewards

This is a travel portal that you can use. Chase offers two types of rewards cards for a total of six cards. There are some with an annual fee and some without an annual fee. You can earn points through travel and dining, and for rotating categories, such as groceries, gas, and more. With the portal, you can book all types of travel, as well as enjoy redemptions for merchandise and gift cards.

American Express Membership Rewards

American Express Membership Rewards

You can use these rewards on eligible airfare, hotel stays, retail purchases, car rentals, and more. There are also eligible business purchases, such as office supplies, that can be used.

Hilton Honors

This includes other brands, such as Homewood Suites and Waldorf Astoria. You get the chance to earn points through partners for car rentals, cruises, and more. You can use the points as a gift by purchasing gift cards or treating yourself to a weekend away. Use the points toward flights, vehicle upgrades, and more.

Резултат слика за Citi ThankYou Rewards

Citi ThankYou Rewards

This program is offered through a handful of Citi cards with options to redeem for travel, gift cards, electronics, merchandise, and more. Depending on the product, you can earn 1.25x points when you book travel in the same way that some of the Chase cards are structured. There are about 15 different airline partners in this program.

Cash Back

is the most appealing travel reward among U.S cardholders.

Wells Fargo Go Far Rewards logo.

Wells Fargo Go Far Rewards

There are two ways to earn rewards with this program. You can get them by spending with a Wells Fargo credit card or by shopping on the Earn More Mall site. Unlike other programs, these rewards can’t be transferred to an airline partner. Redemptions can come in the form of cash back, statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, or travel.

Резултат слика за Bank of America Preferred Rewards

Bank of America Preferred Rewards

This program works a little differently from other card issuer programs. It also rewards you for how much you keep in your Bank of American bank accounts.

How to Choose a Rewards Credit Card

When choosing between different rewards credit cards, there are some things to keep in mind.

Travel or Cash Back Rewards: Determine if you prefer a cash back or travel rewards card.

How to Earn Rewards: See how to earn the rewards and if this would make sense with your current financial plans.

How Credits Are Redeemed: See how the rewards are redeemed with the card.

Minimum Spending: Make sure that you are able to meet any minimum spending requirements to actually earn the rewards.

When choosing a card, one credit card shopping trick is to pay attention to the sign-up bonus. See if there are any additional perks, such as access to airport lounges or tickets to some special events. Annual fees will vary from one credit card to another and can range from zero to several hundred dollars. You need to see if the annual fee is going to be worth the rewards you are getting. Some cards will also waive foreign transaction fees when using your card abroad. This may make sense for you if you travel abroad a lot.

Pros and Cons of Rewards Credit Cards

If you are going to have a credit card, it makes sense to use a rewards credit card or else you could be leaving money on the table. There can be great benefits, including waived fees, accrued points, and cash back. However, if you have trouble meeting the budget and tend to overspend with a credit card then these cards may not be the best option for you.

Pros

One of the main pros is you get points, miles, or cash back. Rewards cards can offer extended warranties, shopping and travel benefits, and rental car insurance. Just with other credit cards, rewards cards can be used as a way to build your credit, as long as you pay your bill on time each month. Another benefit is the fees waived on some of the best travel cards. Many of these cards don’t have any foreign transaction fees and some even waive the annual fee for the first year.

Cons

Even with so many positives of rewards credit cards, it helps to be aware of the cons. There may be a higher credit score required in order to qualify. While it’s possible to qualify with a lower score, the cards with better rewards tend to need a higher credit score. Be sure to check the required score of a card you are interested in before you apply. Some rewards cards can cost you in time since you have to spend some time to maximize cash or points. Some travel cards also have blackout dates that can limit your choices.

If you don’t want to invest any time then there are some rewards cards with flat rates. While it’s easy to improve your score each month with on-time payments, if you aren’t careful, the cards can destroy your score if you carry high balances. You also don’t want to destroy your budget if you aren’t paying attention to your spending and are only focusing on the rewards. Interest rates on some rewards cards may be higher. If you are going to pay off your card each month then it’s not a problem but that’s not always the case.

How to Maximize Credit Card Rewards

If you are spending wisely then you can earn a lot of cash back or points when you take advantage of rewards credit cards.

Choose a Card That Gives Rewards for Your Type of Spending

If you are loyal to a certain airline then their co-branded credit card can be a good option for you. When you choose a card that rewards where you spend the most money then you can get the most rewards possible. If you don’t travel much then you won’t benefit from a travel rewards credit card. In order to figure out what you spend the most money on, go through your credit card statements from the past few years to help you pick a card that lets you maximize your rewards.

Look at the Sign-Up Bonus

Cards offer a sign-up bonus as a way to get new customers. It’s a good way to be able to quickly get lots of rewards. If a sign-up bonus looks good to you, make sure you know the terms of the bonus. To earn the bonus, you likely need to spend a specific amount of money in a specified time frame. Be sure you are able to pay off what you spend with that sign-up bonus. If you don’t then the points you accumulate may not be worth the interest you are paying. Also, note what purchases qualify for the bonus offer. Things like balance transfers may not qualify.

Use the Card for Everyday Expenses

When you use your card for everyday expenses that you were going to purchase anyway, it’s a great way to get lots of rewards. Add utility bills, grocery shopping, gas, and streaming services to your card. Since these are things you are already paying for then they are likely to fit in your monthly budget. You may even get rewards for these spending categories.

Add Authorized Users to the Account

When you add an authorized user to your credit card, it can help build up your rewards. People will usually like to add family members, such as a child or spouse. You are responsible for paying off the purchases that the authorized user makes so be sure it is someone you trust.

Look for Other Opportunities

Some credit cards have revolving quarterly categories that give you more cash back. These cash back categories can include restaurants, gas stations, and rideshares. If you have one of these credit cards then try planning your spending throughout the year to get more rewards. Some rewards portals let you get more cash back if you purchase through online retailers when you link the card to their sites.

Pick Just One or Two Store Cards

During the holidays, every store you visit tries to get you to apply for its store credit card. The key to getting the most rewards is to hold back and then just have one or two cards that offer the most rewards at the stores you shop at the most.

Final Thoughts

There are plenty of different rewards credit cards to choose from that can help you earn miles, cash back, or points on purchases that you make. Choosing rewards credit cards will depend on your personal financial goals. If you travel often, you may find a travel rewards card is better suited for your needs. Keep in mind that there are pros and cons to rewards credit cards, just as there are to regular credit cards. Once you choose rewards credit cards, learn more about the program and some tips and tricks to maximize your rewards.

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