
Credit Card Selection: What to Look for
Credit cards have been a part of the American economic landscape for decades, and their evolution has been both rapid and exciting. In the last few years, we’ve seen an explosion of new credit card options that offer more value than ever before — from reward points to cashback opportunities and beyond. With so many choices on the market, it can be difficult to know which card is right for you. If you’re looking to pick a credit card, here are some key points to keep in mind.

Reward Points
The most common type of reward offered by credit cards is points. These points can be redeemed for cash back, travel rewards (such as airline tickets or hotel stays), gift cards, or even merchandise discounts. Some cards also offer bonus points when you make certain types of purchases (for example, bonus points when you use your card at gas stations). To maximize your earning potential with a rewards program, look for one that offers a wide range of bonus categories and/or high-value bonus categories like online shopping or dining out.
Cashback Opportunities
Another type of reward offered by some credit cards is cashback. Instead of earning points with each purchase, these cards allow you to earn a percentage of the purchase price back in the form of cash - usually 1% to 5%. Depending on how much you spend each month, this could potentially add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars over time. When evaluating different cashback programs, look for one that offers generous rates across multiple categories such as groceries, department stores, online shopping, etc.

