Almost all credit cards now have some rewards program to keep loyal customers returning. It's typical to receive rewards in cash back (money sent into your bank account) or a credit on your monthly billing statement (money applied to your outstanding card balance). Your money will be returned in cash or credit on your account statement. One is more straightforward, while the other necessitates some planning.
Identifying the best rewards might be difficult. It all boils down to your intended use of the funds. Credit card rewards can be maximized by planning for upcoming purchases and deciding whether you'd prefer to have the bonus applied to your balance or withdrawn as cash.
Refunds in cash or credit on your billing statement are both viable possibilities. The deciding factor is which one provides the greater financial return. We'll go over the benefits and drawbacks of each redemption option and recommend some great rewards credit cards in the following sections.
Distinguishing Cash Refunds from Credits
There are benefits and drawbacks to both cash back and statement credits. You'll get the biggest bang for your buck by cashing in your points and miles for travel incentives, which is why we constantly suggest doing so here at NextAdvisor. By reading this comparison, determine whether you should get cash or credit on your bill.
Provided in the Form of Cash For online retailers, "cash back" functions similarly to a rebate, according to Ian Sells, CEO, and co-founder of rebate platform RebateKey. An issuer of a credit card will often offer a rebate on purchases equal to a certain percentage of your total. You can withdraw the funds and spend them or save them.
There are unique frameworks for cash-back credit cards. The American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card, for instance, offers one percent cash back on all transactions, six percent cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 annually in purchases (then one percent), and three percent cash back at U.S. petrol stations. However, the rewards percentage on most other cash-back cards is a flat 1% to 2%. Some cards offer bonus cash back on specific purchases, while others let you pick and choose, such as with online purchases or subscription services.
You may check your cash-back balance by logging into your account at the end of every month. Most cash-back offers allow you to have the money deposited directly into your bank account or have a cheque or gift card mailed to you. Some cards can redeem rewards as soon as they are earned. However, usually, you can only withdraw funds after reaching a particular threshold, usually $25.
Allowance on Account Statement
Cash back allows you to earn money on all of your purchases. According to Nate Tsang, CEO of Wall Street Zen, an online stock research platform, "with statement credit, the points you earn go towards paying off your credit card amount."
You are getting a percentage of your purchases back as statement credit is a lot like getting cash back. But unlike cash back, a credit on your bill won't be deposited into your account. The interest you accrue can only be used to pay down your current balance.
Returns are a frequent cause of statement credits. When you make a purchase, it goes toward your balance; when you return an item, it deducts from your balance. Instead of issuing you a refund cheque, the credit card firm deducts the returned item's value from your account. The same applies to cash rebates that appear as credits on your monthly account.
Time for a Cash Refund
When it comes to cashing in rewards, timing is important. Cash-back rewards seldom, if ever, expire, but that doesn't imply you should save the cash. When your cash-back balance is large, or you're ready to make a purchase, it's a good idea to cash it out. If you have $250 in cash-back rewards, you may use that money to buy a plane ticket for a trip you're planning soon.
Credit card cash rewards should be cashed in before terminating an account. You risk missing out on the benefits otherwise. Instances Where a Credit Can Be Applied to a Bill
In certain cases, it makes more sense to apply a credit card statement credit toward the balance rather than the interest. For instance, if you've made several large purchases recently and your statement balance is greater than normal, you might benefit from using your statement credit.
Various Alternatives That Offer Refunds Check out your options to choose a credit card with the highest cash-back incentives. Cash back from some credit cards can be redeemed for other benefits, such as gift cards or points redeemable for travel.
You should evaluate multiple cash-back cards to determine the one best suits your spending habits, as the rewards structures vary widely between cards. Also, take note of any limited-time promotions, such as extra points for the first few months of membership, that may be available.
