How to Use Your Credit Card to Earn Free Gift Cards
Larger credit card companies such as Discover Card, American Express, and Nordstrom Bank have fantastic rewards programs. The general rule is that each dollar spent on a purchase results in one point. After accumulating a certain number of points, the cardholder can redeem the points for rewards, including gift cards. Higher card usage results in more points, and ultimately more gift cards. Check with your credit card company and determine if they offer a rewards program.
If the company offers rewards, read the fine print to learn how to earn the rewards. For example, only certain purchases may be eligible for rewards. Make sure you understand the qualifying purchases. Next, you will need to maximize the usage of the card making those qualified purchases. Use your credit card for as many qualifying purchases that you possibly can including groceries, gas, utility bills, clothing, medical expenses, car repairs, donations, and entertainment. Just be sure not to overspend and that y ou can pay the credit card bill when the statement arrives.
Next, monitor your points. Check your monthly statement or go online and view your statement. Understand how many points are required to redeem a particular gift card as cards with different values will require a different number of points. Don't be afraid to redeem your points! Get in the habit of redeeming your point regularly so you don't lose them. The credit card company is counting on the fact that cardholders will forget about the rewards program or won't even know about it in the first place.
Consider your credit card as a vehicle to earning free gift cards. Once you understand how to use the system and maximize earning points, you will find all kinds of ways to earn free gift cards and other items. Who says credit cards have to be all bad?
For more practical frugal living tips, visit my money saving blog.Suzanne Wells is a Silver Level eBay Power Seller, author of "The Stay-at-Home Mom's Guide to Successful eBay Selling," Senior eBay coach for Skip McGrath coaching, The National eBay Examiner, blogger, and mom of two in Atlanta, GA. Visit Suzanne's blog at http://ebaysellingcoach.blogspot.com/
