Three Credit Card Rewards Programs Worth Checking Out

I'm not necessarily endorsing these credit card deals. It just seemed interesting.

Don't give the credit card companies any more power.

Thank you...

That's where they make their money. I don't put anything on a credit card (and I only have 2) that I can't pay off in full each month. One is my LL Bean card which gives me points toward basic clothing which I like (T shirts for instance). The other is my Chase card which gives me cash back for gas...I only use it for gas and for car maintenance and repair. I like to see, in one monthly bill, how much I have spent on gas each month, then I do a yearly count in late December. It helps me compare it to my budget and let's me see where my expenses are vis a vis what I had originally budgeted...and then I can adjust accordingly...it keeps me on track and gives me control.

One is a Pentagon Federal Visa, the other is a Chase Bank Visa I applied for through Amazon.com.

I get rewards on both...a certain percentage subtracted each month on the Pen Fed one, and, like your Chase, a certain number of points accrued for all purchases. At 2500 points I get a $25.00 gift certificate, which I've used for cool stuff for myself, and also toward gift cards for Christmas and birthdays, etc.

I make sure to keep my charges to less than 33% of my credit limits and I pay off the balances in full each month.

I also sometimes use a debit card, but am not real comfortable with doing that since it's my whole bank balance that's at risk if someone wanted to empty my account.

Cash cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.
Cash cannot get you discounts at national chain outlets, restaurants etc.
Cash cannot insure your purchases automatically.
Cash in itself cannot itemize your purchases for you automatically.
If something goes wrong with a purchase, cash cannot intervene for you free of charge.
If you're stuck in a travel emergency, cash may buy you out of some trouble but the credit card may have some options you can easily reach for.

However credit cards have dangers.
You could potentially build a debt that you cannot pay back.
You could get fined just for stepping a little bitty bit outside of your "cardmember agreement".
Your card could be turned down for any reason whatsoever.
You may need to wait a year for your "discount".
There may be a fee just to have the card.

Cash is great. It cannot bounce, once you've spent it, you've spent it, and you don't have any obligation to anyone to pay something for something you essentially got earlier "for free" with a "promise to pay later".

If you are presently debt free and in the market for a credit card, evaluate closely. That American Express Business Platinum Card is not for everyone, especially if you are not going to make use of the features of the card. You can "prepay" your credit cards by sending them a good old fashioned paper check (or electronic bill pay through your bank). However the main point is that credit cards are like power tools: in the right hands they can do some good work, used incorrectly they can cause you damage (though not necessarily physical damage but certainly emotional and mental damage).

Disclaimer: I do work in the credit card industry.

Capital One bought my bank, so I was switched to their "No Hassle" rewards.
Wanted to use them.
Could not log in to web site.
Called.
Spent half an hour on the phone.
Was informed I had no points.
After 20 minutes of debate, they found 15,000 points amassed over several years.
Was told the point value had been cut in half, so instead of $150 I was to get $75.
No cash, store merchandise card only.
Listed stores I would like credit. None on the list.
Finally, three weeks later, I got a $75 cash card at Macy's.
After years of "rewards" (plus the above hassle) I will get a pair of pants.

At the end of the conversation, I asked them to take the "rewards" off my account.