Why Rewards Credit Cards?

We all already use credit cards. They’re a part of our daily lives. If you’re like most people, chances are, you even have more than one. Given that we’re all already using credit cards in our daily lives, rewards cards are an optimal means to get extras out the plastic cards we use unthinkingly. Rewards cards provide all the convenience and benefits of a typical credit card with the chance to capitalize on free flights, hotels, meals and more.

Creditors offer rewards cards for every lifestyle. Frequent flyer mile cards are the most well known rewards credit cards. For regular travelers, miles cards offer a great means of accruing free flights and travel benefits. For those that stay closer to home, many rewards programs offer points that can be redeemed for gift cards, merchandise and services such as rental cars or hotel stays. There’s always the option of a cash back rewards card too—they typically refund 1% of all purchases you make with the card.

Rewards benefits and limitations vary from card to card, but there are some disadvantages of rewards cards to consider. Many rewards cards require that you pay an annual fee. Additionally, rewards cards don’t typically offer the low APRs of standard cards. Be sure to read the fine print before you commit to any rewards credit card.

On the whole though, rewards cards are a sound alternative to typical credit cards. We’ve taken a look at leading rewards credit cards and compiled our top ten picks. With side-by-side feature comparisons and in-depth reviews, we’re confident you can find the card that is right for you.

What to Look for in a Rewards Credit Card

Depending on your credit rating, lifestyle and desired rewards type, there are many features to consider as you select the best rewards credit card. For our top ten rewards card selections, we considered the benefits of their respective awards programs first and foremost. Our reviews also account for interest rates, annual fees, customer support and extras. A good rewards card should excel in the following categories:

Rewards Features: Rewards programs typically operate on a point-based system where one dollar spent earns you one rewards point. A good rewards card will offer bonuses such as double points at selected retailers or on certain types of purchases. Expiration dates and point limits are important elements of a rewards program.

APR:
While rewards programs are a nice bonus, we still expect rewards cards to offer reasonable interest rates to applicants with good credit ratings.

Fees/charges:
Many rewards programs charge annual fees. We looked for rewards credit cards with low or no annual fees. Further, we considered international transaction fees, late fees and other fees for our rankings.

Key features:
Trustworthy creditors provide cardholders with zero liability coverage in the event of unauthorized transactions. We also expect to see good online banking options, free account alerts and travel insurance benefits with rewards credit cards.

Customer support:
From telephone customer support to emergency card replacement. Good customer support is a must.

We want to ensure that you have the best experience possible with a new rewards card. On this site you’ll find side-by-side feature comparisons, in-depth reviews and informative articles to help you get the most out of your next rewards credit card.

At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don’t Have To.™