Comments on: Credit Card Points Reward Catalogs Reviews

By: SavingEverything

SavingEverything — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:15:32 +0000

And, dont forget FIA (Bank of America) credit cards’ WorldPoints Program rewards.

By: her every cent counts

her every cent counts — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:56:26 +0000

@Julio & Others: Do you think the cash back PenFed Visa is really better than points cards? If I can convert points to gas money, ultimately it’s just how many dollars equals how many points? I miss the old chase freedom, it’s a shame they killed it.

By: Julio

Julio — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:33:45 +0000

The cash back card that I started using after chase freedom took a dive was the PenFed Visa. 5% for gas, 2% for groceries (including Wal*Mart) and 1.25% on everything else. No caps, and the cash is credited each statement, so you don’t have to build up to a certain amount or request a check that may be lost in the mail. In addition they offer 5% on certain categories throughout the year. 5% for airline and 5% for back to school were the last two that I enjoyed. BTW: 5% for school included just about any purchase on Amazon, so I got 5% on my LCD TV. Can you say pay day!!

By: her every cent counts

her every cent counts — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:20:43 +0000

I’m so over cash back cards that start out great then change their policies so they aren’t worth much (ie Chase Freedom Card) and am trying to figure out if, between all the “points” cards, there’s much of a difference. I got a $50 gas card a few months ago and even tho it might not have been worth as much as my old cash back card in terms of percentage of what I spent, it was just as good as cash to me. I’d like to find a good “gas back” card, since I always need gas. Any suggestions?

By: Diasdiem

Diasdiem — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:38:28 +0000

I also prefer cash back programs. I can see where air miles programs can be useful if you travel a lot, which I don’t. But the thing about points programs is, as you say, the issuers control the value of the points. 5 points can can have any number of values, depending on what you trade it in for, but 5% of a dollar is still 5 cents, no matter what you spend it on.

By: PlanetG

PlanetG — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:23:16 +0000

If you are like me you pay off your cc balance each month and having a cash back rewards card makes a lot of sense. I try to put everything on my card even my monthly utility bills. I set it up all on auto pay. No hassle, No interest charges,No annual fees. If you don’t pay off your balance each month then the credit card company is just giving you a very nominal chunk of change back compared to the double digit interest rate you are paying and… its your money they are giving you back. The CC company is making you a slave to a vicious consumer spending cycle and only YOU can end the cycle. The other side of this is the exchange or transfer rate the retailer is paying the CC company, 2% to 6% on each purchase. Retailers are complaining loudly to their Congressmen about regulating these charges and most likely, if they are successful, the consumer will end up making up the difference if these fees are regulated. Do yourself a favor. End the Cycle NOW! If you can’t afford it…. don’t buy it.

By: zapeta

zapeta — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:33:38 +0000

I stick with cash back rewards cards that do actually pay me a set percentage, but I’m definitely interested to see what else is out there. If there are rewards networks that have things I’d use that I can get at a favorable rate then it might be worth exploring.

By: Julio

Julio — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:22:57 +0000

I personally like the cash back cards, because it’s like getting an instant discount on all of your purchases. Points give you a reason to shop for things that you may otherwise not purchase and therefore not a true discount. Just ask yourself, if you did not have the points, would you go out of your way to purchase the items in that catalogue?