How do I use my credit card points?
Credit card points (e.g., Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express Membership Rewards, etc.) are flexible because they can be used in many ways. The best ways to use these points is often to transfer them to airlines or hotels or use them in lieu of cash when booking travel directly from credit card's travel portal.
To get the most value from your points, redeem them for high-value options like travel or points transfers to airline and hotel partners.
Many card issuers will allow you to redeem your cash back with a statement credit, a direct deposit to your bank account or a check payable to you. Some issuers also offer redemption options like gift cards, tickets to concerts and sporting events or even charitable donations.
Online redemption is the most convenient ways to redeem your Reward Points as it can be done without calling up the bank's customer care department. Most banks offer you home delivery for products purchased online against Reward Points. You can also convert these points into air miles and use them to buy air tickets.
Cash rewards can take a few forms: direct deposit, statement credit or check. Gift cards will sometimes be an option, too, as a "cash equivalent," but for more on that, see No. 4 below. Redeeming for a statement credit is a popular option, as it reduces your credit card balance.
Choosing whether to redeem your cash rewards right away or save them toward a specific goal often comes down to personal preference. Do you plan to travel soon, or could you use the cash to pay down debt? If you decide to save your cash rewards, you must monitor your account.
1,000 reward points are worth around $10 , on average, but the exact value depends on which rewards program is offering the points and how you redeem them. In some cases, your reward points could be worth a lot more or a lot less.
Unlike many airline miles and hotel points, credit card points don't expire as long as you keep your account open and in good standing (meaning you continue to pay off your balances or communicate with the bank if you need any financial assistance).
Travel, renting cars and staying at hotels spring to mind as the most obvious perks of credit card reward programs. Yet you can also redeem your reward points for statement credit or cash back to pay down a portion of your credit card balance.
Airline | Coach/Economy | Business class |
---|---|---|
American Airlines | 10,000-30,000 | 20,000-55,000 |
Delta Air Lines | 8,000-36,500 | 56,000-112,500 |
Southwest Airlines | 7,519-57,088 | 12,194-60,175 |
United Airlines | 10,600-20,800 | 25,000-75,500 |
Can I use my credit card points to pay my balance?
Most credit card issuers offer various redemption options for cashback rewards, and using them to offset your credit card balance is one of the common options available.
Some credit card rewards expire after a certain amount of time if you don't redeem them. In fact, some credit card terms state that other events, such as a late payment or even prolonged account inactivity, can put your rewards in jeopardy. So it's a good idea to read the terms closely.
In general, cash back is the better choice for simplicity seekers hoping to earn uncomplicated rewards on everyday purchases. Cash back credit cards offer a percentage of cash back on each dollar you spend, with some cards offering a higher rate in select categories, like groceries or gas.
Many rewards credit cards offer cash back, and you may even find some debit cards that offer cash back on certain purchases. Cash back is not free money, but rather a reward for making purchases on expenses like gas, groceries, restaurant meals or even streaming services.
- Learn how to read your credit card statement.
- Understand how your card's interest is calculated.
- Pay your credit card bills on time.
- Be aware of any credit card fees.
- Keep an eye on your balance and spending habits.
- Improve your credit score.
- Earn and redeem credit card rewards.
You need 100 credit card points to equal a dollar in most cases, though it can vary based on the card issuer and the redemption method.
The result was the Mastercard Elite 3X Rewards Card, which offers 3 points per dollar spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and a fixed APR of 17.99%. Taking on the big banks. Traditionally, major credit card issuers have offered the richest rewards credit cards.
- Log in to your American Express credit card account.
- Go to the Membership Rewards portal.
- Find the list of redemption options for your American Express rewards card.
- Determine which redemption options give the most value for your cash back, points, or miles.
Yes, rewards cards affect your credit score, since the major credit card issuers all report account information to credit bureaus each billing cycle. Your credit score is based on the information the bureaus collect in your credit report, so using your card responsibly is the best way to build credit.
Most credit card rewards are not taxable since the IRS considers them a rebate on your spending. However, if you receive rewards merely for signing up for a card without having to meet any spending requirement, the IRS would consider that income.
Do credit card points matter?
Yes, credit card rewards are worth it if you pay your credit card bill in full every month. By doing that, you won't be charged credit card interest on your purchases. The great thing about rewards is they allow you to get value back on every eligible purchase, just because you're paying by credit card.
A credit card statement credit is money credited to your credit card account. It is usually the result of a refund or it is earned as a reward, typically as a sign-up bonus or with a cash back rewards card. Credit card statement credits reduce the amount you owe without a payment from you.
Generally, you can pay your mortgage loan with a credit card, but it's not as simple as paying your mortgage lender directly through your credit card company. Most mortgage lenders won't accept mortgage payments from a credit card because they would be required to pay transaction fees.
You need 6,000 to 20,000 miles for a free one-way flight, depending on how far you're flying, which airline you're using and the dates of your travel. A one-way international flight will usually cost 35,000-50,000+ miles. Airline miles and points are generally worth around 1 cent each, but their value can vary.
Airline | Frequent Flyer Program | Average Value of One Mile |
---|---|---|
American Airlines | AAdvantage | $0.018 |
Southwest Airlines | Southwest Airlines | $0.014 |
United Airlines | MileagePlus | $0.013 |
JetBlue | TrueBlue | $0.012 |
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