If you’re like me, you get at least one offer for a new credit card every time you go to the mailbox. There are cards out there for people with exceptional credit, no credit, and even for people who have so many other credit cards they need to transfer the balances, so they only have one payment with a lower APR. But, did you know there are credit cards that offer perks for your spending habits?
For the jetsetter type, a hotel rewards credit card may end up saving you money. IHG offers a Chase Mastercard with perks like one free hotel night a year, plus you get reward points for each dollar you spend. If you stay at an IHG hotel such as Holiday Inn or Crowne Plaza, you’ll receive ten points for every $1 you spend. You get one point per dollar for other purchases. Once these points add up, you can spend them on free nights. The Hilton Honors American Express card gives twelve points for every dollar spent at a Hilton hotel, such as Waldorf Astoria and Double Tree. You get three to six points per $1 spent for other purchases, depending on what they are. Just like with IHG, once the points add up, you can use them on a free room. Both chains will expire your points after twelve months of account inactivity.
Retail credit cards can have big time bonus perks for shoppers loyal to certain stores, if you keep the balance paid off to avoid high interest charges. Kohl’s Charge Card holders get twelve exclusive coupons and discounts all through the year of 15-30% off their purchases. You get a big coupon off your first purchase just for signing up. This card can only be used exclusively at Kohl’s. Amazon Prime Visa is a nice card for fans of the online retailer, but it can be used anywhere that accepts Visa. Eligible Prime members receive 5% back when shopping at Whole Foods and Amazon, non-eligible members earn 3%. You can also get between 1-2% back for other purchases. Lowe’s offers a credit card that gives users a blanket 5% discount off qualifying purchases at their stores.
If your daily commute finds you at the same gas station every morning, a gas card might be right for you. Marathon offers a card that gives the holder the opportunity to earn rebates that are given back in the form of Marathon Cash cards. Shell Fuel Rewards card gives users thirty cents a gallon off their first five fill ups and ten cents off per gallon after that. They also provide rebates for non-gas purchases made at the store.
If you’re going to spend money, you might as well benefit from the little bonuses credit cards can offer along the way. It can be as easy as opening your mail or a tab on your web browser.
Hotel point credit card would be my first choice