How to Pick the Best Rewards Credit Card
Last update: 1/4/2016
America is becoming a more plastic driven economy. Even the smallest of merchants can accept credit cards with an inexpensive Square credit card reader. People start getting credit cards when they are in college, with the majority of the public possessing several credit cards in their wallet. There are safety advantages paying with a credit card over cash or a debit card. It is time to make the best of this situation.
Everyone loves to get rewarded for spending money. This is kind of an absurd statement, but a reward helps lessen the damage from paying your insanely high credit card bill.
We wrote this article because BuyVia is focused on helping you save money and shop smarter. A Google search looking for the best credit cards will inevitability bring you to websites, which promote cards that pay them referral fees, rather than the truth. There is no need to worry about that bias factor with this article, we do not receive any kickbacks if you apply for any of these cards.
Getting 1% back on your purchases is way too boring and miniscule. Our goal was to find the best credit cards and apply for them ourselves.
Credit Card Criteria
Here are some assumptions that we made in selecting the best rewards credit card.
- We tried to minimize the total number of cards
- No annual fee unless it is worth paying the fee
- We pay off bills every month in full
- We are not looking for the best APR or balance transfer deal
- Cash back, not points
- No caps on rewards
Credit Score
Our goal is to maximize rewards, but we understand people with differing credit scores will affect which credit cards they can get approved for. If you are trying to build up your credit score, you will probably want to apply for all these cards at the same time, minimizing the impact. Older credit cards should be stored away even if they are not used, this helps with your credit score.
Each category has a different optimal rewards card. We will now examine the most popular areas of spending and show you which credit card BuyVia has deemed the best.
Smartphone Deals
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Anker Charger 2-Pack 20W Dual Port USB Fast Wall Charger Sale $14.40 + Free Shipping
($18.00)Sale. Amazon has an Anker Charger 2-Pack 20W Dual Port USB Fast Wall Charger Sale, $14.40 after checking instant coupon, Free Shipping $25 or with Prime. Expires: 9/24/2023 - Highly Rated at 4.6 out of 5 stars. Other colors may cost more.
2-in-1 Charging
Charge two devices simultaneously and enjoy lightning-fast charging speeds for your iPhone, Samsung phones, and other devices.
Unmatched Charging Speeds
Experience the power of 3X faster charging speeds and charge your iPhone 14 from 0 to 50% in just 30 minutes.
Pocket-Sized Power
The compact charger easily slides into your pocket, offering convenient on-the-go charging for your essential devices.
Stay Charged, Stay Safe
Built to protect against overcharging and overheating, the MultiProtect safety system ensures charging experiences while charging your devices.
Versatile Compatibility
Thanks to its extensive compatibility, power a wide range of devices without any issues.
Note：
Anker 20W Wall Charger (2 Ports) meets the standards of UL 62368-1:2019/R:2021-10 and CSA C22.2 No. 62368-1:2019/U1:2021-10.
To charge Apple devices such as iPhones with a Lightning connector, you need to use a USB-C to Lightning cable (not included).
Sales tax in: All Except AK, DE, MT, NH, OR
Posted: September 21, 2023 11:59 PM PDT
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Posted by:Up to $1000 off iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15Pro Max 5G - AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile
Time to switch to a better carrier with a new iPhone 15. Up to $1000 off iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15Pro Max 5G - AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile when you activate service and trade in select phones. Deals are way better than expected, time to upgrade and switch carriers. If you have anything older than an iPhone X, to time to upgrade. Shipping soon.
- iPhone 15 has 5G, better battery, better camera, satellite emergency, crash detection and more!
Trade-in Old iPhone or Android Phone
The best deals are when trading in an old phone. If you do not have one, you can buy one on eBay and save a ton. Buy a Samsung S20FE 5G in very good condition for $160 and get $830 trade in value on AT&T! Keep your old iPhone as a spare. Buying a used iPhone is more worrisome with many having replaced screen using 3rd parties.
Wireless companies are giving phones away in exchange for locking you in for bill credits each month.
Unlock your credit report if you locked it to pass credit checks.
Special iPhone 15 Promotions when you Switch
- AT&T - Get up to $1000 off iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max - up to $830 off iPhone 15/ iPhone 15 Plus with eligible trade-in when you purchase on an installment plan, with an eligible AT&T unlimited plan (speed restrictions apply)
- Verizon: Get up to $800 off this device when you trade in. New line required. Plus $200 when you switch.
- Xfinity: Save on iPhone 15 when you switch to Xfinity.
- T-Mobile: Get an iPhone 15 Pro ON US via 24 mo. bill credits when you trade in an eligible device on Magenta® MAX. Plus, Apple TV+ is included with Magenta MAX.
Some Older phones are available with less trade in. Trading in is a lot easier than selling your phone on eBay or Craigslist.
New iPhones 15:
- iPhone 15: Starts at $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1099 (512GB)
- iPhone 15 Plus: Starts at $899 (128GB), $999 (256GB), $1099 (512GB)
- iPhone 15 Pro: Starts at $999 (128GB), $1,099 (256GB), $1,299 (512GB), $1499 (1TB)
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: Starts at $1,199 (256GB), $1,399 (512GB), $1599 (1TB)
The biggest changes: USB-C port (no more proprietary Lightning cables!), all models have top of the screen Dynamic Island, better low light cameras, and the iPhone 15 Pro/ Pro Max models now have the new and faster A17 pro chip that speed up all tasks.
AT&T Unlimited Starter Plan
- 1 Line $65/mon for Unlimited Talk, Text, Web, standard definition Streaming, Max 3Mbps data speed, 3GB Hotspot
- 5G Access
- Standard Mobile Security
- 5 lines for $150
- Plus tax & fees
- To qualify for $1000 credit, minimum Trade-In value must be $230 or higher after device condition questions have been answered
- Eligible devices:
- Apple iPhone: 12 Pro Max, 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
- Samsung Galaxy: Z Flip4, Z Fold4, S22 Ultra 5G, S23, S23+, S23 Ultra
- Google: 7 Pro
- Eligible devices:
- To qualify for $830 credit, minimum Trade-In value must be $130-$229 after device condition questions have been answered
- Eligible devices:
- Apple iPhone: 11, 11 Pro, iPhone 12mini, 11 Pro Max, 12, 12 Pro, 13 mini
- Samsung Galaxy: S20, S20 5G, S20 FE, S20 FE 5G, S20+, S20+ 5G, S20 Ultra 5G, Note20, Note20 5G, Note20 Ultra, Note20 Ultra 5G, S21 5G, S21+ 5G, S21 FE 5G, Fold, Fold 5G, Z Flip3 5G, S21 Ultra 5G, S22 5G, S22+ 5G, ZFold2 5G, Z Fold3 5G
- Google: Pixel 6 Pro, 7
- OTHER: OnePlus 10 Pro
- Eligible devices:
Verizon Unlimited Welcome Plan
- 1 Line $45 for Unlimited Talk, Text, Web, DVD Quality Streaming
- 5G Nationwide
- No Hotspot
- Plus tax & fees
Verizon Special Trade-in Offer: Monthly price reflects net monthly payment, after Apple instant trade-in credit at checkout, and Verizon monthly bill credits applied over 24 months. Customer must remain in the Verizon Device Payment Program for 24 months to receive the full benefit of the Verizon bill credits. Bill credits may take 1-2 bill cycles to appear. If it takes two cycles for bill credits to appear, you’ll see the credit for the first cycle on your second bill in addition to that month’s credit. Requires purchase and activation of a new iPhone 15 mini, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max with the Verizon Device Payment Program at 0% APR for 24 months, subject to carrier credit qualification, and iPhone availability and limits.
T-Mobile Essentials Plan
- 1 line $60/month, Get 3rd line free
- Unlimited Talk Text and Web
- Unlimited 3G hotspot
- DVD quality streaming
Posted: September 21, 2023 6:00 AM PDT
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Posted by:iPhone SE 64GB (Gen 3) No Contract Sale $149.00 + Free Shipping
($379.00)Walmart has an iPhone SE 64GB (Gen 3) No Contract Sale, $149.00, Free Shipping. Expires Soon. In several colors.
For Walmart Family Mobile. Plans from $24.88/month for 5GB Data - Unlimited talk/text
- iPhone 13 speed at less than half the price! Time to upgrade that old iPhone
Includes
- 64GB Apple iPhone SE Smartphone (3rd Generation)
- 5G Network Support
- 13Mpixel camera
Posted: September 20, 2023 11:59 PM PDT
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Motorola Moto G 5G 2022 256GB Unlocked Sale $189.99 + Free Shipping
($399.99)Price drop. Amazon has a Motorola Moto G 5G 2022 256GB Unlocked Sale. Only $189.99 after discount with Free Shipping. Highly rated at 4.3 out of 5 stars.
- 5G speeds for all. Stream your favorite shows, download music, and video chat instantly without any lag.
- 50 MP camera system with Dual Capture. Take stunning pictures, portraits, and close-ups—even capture video and photos with rear and front cameras at once.
- Up to two-day battery
- Compatible with all major 4G U.S. carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. It also works with prepaid carriers, including Cricket Wireless, Metro by T-Mobile, Simple Mobile, Total Wireless, Tracfone, Net10, Mint, TracFone, and H2O
Posted: September 20, 2023 11:59 PM PDT
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Posted by:Expiring Today: $10/Mo Red Pocket Prepaid Plan 5GB/month for 1 Yr Sale $120.00 + Free Shipping
($305.00)Back to school sale. eBay (red pocket store) has a $10/Mo Red Pocket Prepaid Plan 5GB/month for 1 Yr Sale, $120.00 Free Shipping. Expires: 9/23/2023 - Highly Rated at 4.5 out of 5 stars.
8GB version $190
- Prepay to get 1 Year service at a big discount
- Uses same network as a major carrier
They offer no-contract mobile phone and internet service on the nation's best networks. Keep your phone, keep your number, and save money with Red Pocket Mobile.
Red Pocket Mobile is proud to be an American-owned company helping real people save money, every day.
Service will work with nearly any unlocked, GSM or CDMA device as long as your wireless contract has ended and your account is in good standing with your previous carrier (e.g., current on payments, etc.)
Sales tax in: Most States
Posted: September 20, 2023 6:59 AM PDT
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Posted by:
Universal Cell Phone Holder Mount Sale $7.99 + Free Shipping
($40.00)Big price drop. Amazon has a Universal Cell Phone Holder Mount Sale. $7.99 after instant discount and by checking coupon, Free Shipping $25 or with Prime. Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars with over 10K reviews. Normally $20+tax+shipping at amazon.
- It is illegal to hold your phone while driving in California and many other states
Get that phone out of your hand and into a holder where it belongs. We have several iOtties and find they work great. This is reviewed well, not a cheap knock off.
- Flexible: You can adjust your comfortable viewing angles due to 360 degrees of rotating ball joint.You can adjust your comfortable distance between you and the holder due to telescopic arm.
Posted: September 18, 2023 6:59 AM PDT
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Which Card to Use?
We place a little Post it note behind each credit card noting its rewards amount and categories. There are also apps that can give you this information.
There are several credit cards including the Chase Freedom card and a Discover Card, which rotate between 5% bonus categories every quarter. There is usually a limit of $1500, severely reducing the potency of the card.
Grocery – Supermarket
The average consumer spends $3800 on groceries every year. Let us get some money back, beyond the usual couponing and buying sale items.
American Express Blue Cash Preferred
- $75 per year
- 6% back from supermarkets on the first $6000
- 3% back from gas stations, department stores
- 1% back from everything else
- It does charge a foreign transaction fee
If you do not want to pay an annual fee or you spend less than $4000 on groceries, sign up for the American Express Blue Cash Everyday Card. It pays:
- 3% back from supermarkets on the first $6000
- 2% back from gas stations, department stores
- 1% back from everything else
Gas
$2000 is spent on average every year for gas. A typical household blows through $4400 annually. Here are some ways to get a little back.
Sam’s Club MasterCard
- Free with a Sam’s Club Membership ($45/year)
- 5% back from gas stations on the first $6000
- 3% back on dining and travel
- 1% from everything else
Even though the closest Sam’s Club is over an hour away from the San Francisco area, we signed up for a Sam’s Club membership just to use this credit card. You can apply online and join their membership online. You will also have access to purchasing items on samsclub.com. The downside is that they send a rewards certificate that needs to be redeemed in store, even if you want to credit your account.
TrueEarnings Business Card from Costco and American Express
Free with Costco Membership. This relationship is ending soon.
- 4% back from US gas stations and on gasoline at Costco on the first $7000 per year
- 2% back on US dining, and eligible travel purchases
- 1% from everything else including Costco
If you shop at Costco, this card is almost as good as the Sam’s Club Rewards credit card.
For those without a business account, the regular card is slightly lower in rewards.
TrueEarnings Card from Costco and American Express
Free with Costco Membership. This relationship is ending in 2016.
- 3% back from gas stations on the first $4000 per year
- 2% back on US dining, and eligible travel purchases
- 1% from everything else including Costco
Restaurants
Eating out costs a lot of money. The following credit card helps reduce the $2800 an average person spends on restaurants every year.
Sam’s Club Mastercard
- Free with a Sam’s Club Membership ($45/year)
- 5% back from US and Puerto Rico gas stations on the first $6000 per year
- 3% back on dining and travel purchases (Excluding purchases at wholesale clubs other than Sam’s Club)
- 1% from everything else
With one card, you can save on gas, dining, and travel!
Department Stores
It makes sense to apply for a credit card from a specific store, if you purchase many items from them every year. Here is a list of the top department store credit cards due to their rebate or coupon policy.
- Amazon - 3% back on amazon purchases
- Macys - Multiple % off passes each year
- Nordstrom - 2 points per net dollar spent at Nordstrom
- Kohls
- JCPenney
- Costco
- Target
Airline Miles
If you are loyal to a specific airline, you should sign up for the rewards card tied to that airline. Other credit cards that you should consider include those, which have transferrable miles. Also be on the lookout for special credit card offers which include a bunch of miles for spending a certain amount of money within the first couple of months.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
- Free for the first year, $95 per year there after
- Get 40,000 points when you spend $3000 in the first 3 months. That is worth $500 in travel from the Chase Ultimate Rewards site.
- Get 5000 points when you add an authorized user and they make a purchase within the first 3 months
- 2X points on travel and dining
- 1X points on everything else
- 1:1 point transfers to leading frequent flyer programs
- No foreign transaction fee
- 20% off travel when booked through Chase
The Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite offers a very similar reward profile but costs $89 per year after the first year is free. You do get a free copy of TripIt pro ($49/year value), access to a no fee travel planner and discounts on hotels.
Best Rewards Card for Hotel Points
This specific hotel chain credit card offers great rewards if you like their hotel brands. These include: Westin, Sheraton, W, The Luxury Collection, and more
American Express Starwood Preferred Guest
- Free for the first year, $65 thereafter
- Sign on bonus of 10,000 points after first purchase, additional 15,000 for spending $5000 within 6 months
- Up to 5 reward points on their hotels
- 1 point for everything else
- Transfer points directly to miles
The Best General Rewards Credit Cards
For regular consumers, we recommend:
Citi Double Cash Card
- No annual fee
- 2% cash back on all purchases
You get 1% reward after you make a purchase and the other 1% after you pay.
If you own a small business, we recommend:
Capital One Spark Cash for Business
- Free for the first year, $59 per year there after
- 2% back on all purchases
If you do not own a business, consider this Capital One credit card:
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
- No annual fee
- 1.5% back on all purchases
For those who like American Express and visit stores that accept it:
Fidelity Investments Rewards Visa Card
- No annual fee
- 2% back on all purchases
They deposit rewards into a Fidelity Investment account, so this is a major requirement. This is a great way to save for retirement though. This transitioned from an American Express card in 2016. A Fidelity 529 rewards credit card is also available.
US Bank Cash Plus Visa Signature Card
- No annual fee
- 5% cash back on first $2000 in combined net purchases each quarter on 2 categories of your choice (cell phone plans, gym membership, restaurants, and more)
- 2% cash back on your choice of 1 everyday category (gas, drug stores, or groceries)
- 1% cash back on rest
Must apply in a US bank branch.
Conclusion
With a little bit of effort, you can really maximize the rewards you receive from a credit card. We hope you enjoy this list of the best rewards credit cards. If you have other favorites please be sure to leave a comment below.
Tags: Cash Back Rewards, Credit Card, Shopping
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