Credit Card Rebates - Offer the Best Benefits

Posted by Nick Niesen on October 29th, 2010

Credit card rebates are the perfect way for you to get some of the money back that you have spent throughout the year. More and more credit card companies are getting involved with rebate credit cards and reward credit cards because consumers have clearly shown increased interest in the rebate cards that offer the best benefits.

We all love to get something for nothing, but it very rarely happens. However credit card rebates give you that opportunity. If you have an existing credit card then you're going to use it to make purchases anyway, so why not get a little extra back every time you use your card with these credit card rebates?

The idea of rebate credit cards has been around for quite some time. The concept works on the principal that a percentage of cash is retuned to the cardholder at the end of each year, based on the total amount of card charges. The more times you make a purchase with your card, and the more money you spend, the more money you get back. The percentage of money you get returned when you use your rebate credit cards varies. Some companies will offer excellent deals that give you up to 5% cash back on selected purchases, others offer rates starting at 1% on all purchases. This type of card was introduced primarily to keep the business of cardholders who purchase most of their goods by credit card, and who pay the outstanding balance every month.

Like all other credit cards, it's prudent to shop around to find a rebate credit card that offers the best deal to suit your circumstances. If you don't pay off your balance every month then it may not be the card for you, as the APR can be slightly higher than other cards on offer. However, if you are the type of person who does pay their balance off each month, then it's the kind of card you should consider using. The rebate credit card is a good way to actually get paid for spending.

Many lenders offer credit card rebates in conjunction with other reward schemes. Some give discounts when you purchase selected items, or goods from partner companies. If you use a certain supermarket, gas station, or drug store regularly it would be extremely beneficial to you to get 5% of your cash back on every purchase. Find out which rebate credit card provider offers their rebate at the stores you regularly use. There are websites available online that will let you do a comparison on rebate credit cards, so you can find the best deals suitable for you.

Be sure to be aware of the terms and conditions of your credit card agreement, as some companies do have a limit on the value of rewards and credit card rebates you can claim in one calendar year. On a $300 reward maximum, you can spend $6000 annually on gas or at the supermarket, for example, if your card has a 5% rebate. If your family budget exceeds $6000 dollars why not apply for another card for your spouse. This way you can maximize the amount of money you are able to get back on your rebate credit card.

Some rebate credit cards insist you have a monthly balance remaining to qualify for the rewards. If you don't carry a balance into the next month then no rebate is accumulated. This type of card doesn't produce as many benefits. You end up paying interest on your balance, and as the rebate credit card normally has a higher APR, the benefits of the rebate can be negated. It's important that you look out for this when choosing a new card.

One thing you shouldn't do is buy goods you don't need in order to get a rebate. You should also be aware that if you return an item your rebate is deducted. On the whole credit card rebates can be very useful if used correctly, it just depends on your situation.