Rewards Cards: Redeem Your Points!

Summary: A rewards card can provide to you, the cardholder, an opportunity to make your credit card work for you instead of against you. My rewards card redemption catalog came in the mail last week and I have been thumbing through it in search of items that I want to redeem. The pickings are terrific and I am glad to have selected this particular card. How about you? Do you have a rewards card; if not, why not?

I wrote previously urging anyone who still has a credit card that does not give them a "reward" for using that card to convert to a rewards card or switch to a credit card provider that has a rewards program. The reason? If you are going to use a credit card you might as well get something out of the experience. Of course, a rewards card makes no sense for the person who doesn't pay off their card every month as the interest on the card will likely offset any points accumulated. So, if you are a savvy consumer who lives debt free you can accumulate points quickly and get some nifty stuff. Let's take a look at one plan and how to make it work for you. Alright, I am not going to reveal this particular provider's name. However, I will tell you something about the program. If you spend a dollar on mostly anything, you accumulate a point. It is that easy. Moreover, this particular provider is automatically bestowing 500 points on new users for just using the card once within the first 90 days. Not bad, especially when you only need 2000 points to qualify for merchandise, cash credit, or travel. I realize rewards programs vary and this particular one allows for users to accumulate an unlimited amount of points per year. You must, however, redeem them within five years or start to watch points drop off. So, just what can you get with only 2000 points? Here are some examples:

A $15 Pizza Hut gift card or gift cards from one of four other retailers.

Sony Open Air Headphones. What's more is that you can see your points add up for even bigger and better prizes. Here are some examples:

At 5000 points you can receive a $50 Hertz certificate.

At 10,000 points you are eligible for a free night's stay on a weekend night at a Wyndham Hotel.

For 20,000 points you can get a $200 cash rebate on your credit card balance.

For 50,000 points you can get a $1000 cash rebate or merchandise including Sony's Home Theatre in a box. Point levels peak at 225,000 - you get a Bose Lifestyle 28 Series II DVD Home Entertainment System at this level - and you can redeem all or some of your points at any time. Generally there are no fees involved except on some travel related items. Everything is clearly outlined in a little redemption catalog the credit card provider sends out to all members and online or monthly specials are listed on their website for special or limited time redemption opportunities. You can redeem your points online or over the phone. As you can see, the points can add up to some very useful rewards. I only listed one per category as there are literally hundreds of choices [and many different point levels] from which you can make your selection. Not a bad way to reward yourself and at no cost to you. Shop around for the rewards program that fits your lifestyle and watch your points accumulate rapidly for rewards that are simply fun to redeem!