8 Little-Known Credit Card Rewards That Add Up Big This Fall
-
Written by
Jordan Rosenfeld
-
Edited by
Amen Oyiboke-Osifo
As the pumpkin spice lattes and cardigans roll out, so do fresh opportunities to make your credit card work harder for you. Beyond well-known travel miles and generic cash-back perks, many cards offer little-known seasonal or specialty rewards that can save you money.
Check Out: Essential Dos and Don’ts for Using Credit Cards Wisely
Read Next: Ways To Elevate Your Summer Travel Adventures
These lesser-known perks may require a little credit card shopping, but they can stack up fast if you know where to look. Here are some of the most valuable credit card rewards to take advantage of before the year wraps up.
Seasonal Rotating Rewards
Credit cards with rotating seasonal rewards can make it easier to get either cash back or discounts on items you need at relevant times of year. These rewards might include home improvement or dining out perks or cash back from January to March or grocery stores or wholesale clubs in the spring months, to name a few. Make sure to read each credit card site closely or look for deals on cards that are courting new users.
Grocery Store Promotions
While general cash back or other rewards are always welcome, for those whose biggest regular expenditures tend to be groceries, you’ll want to look for cards that offer credit or cash back toward food purchases at either select grocery stores or on grocery and other food purchases. These may even include credits on food delivery services.
Gas Rewards Multipliers
For people who commute regularly or travel frequently, credit cards that offer additional gas rewards or credits can be a welcome benefit. While many of these may have limits, caps and other eligibility criteria, going this route can be an excellent way to stretch your gas budget further.
Big Box Loyalty Rewards
For the routine shopper who makes frequent trips to one particular store, be that for home goods or kids’ clothes, to name a few, look for either loyalty cards or credit cards that cater to a specific retail store. These often come with both cash-back rewards and discounts on products.
Credit for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and CLEAR
While many people use travel credit cards to earn miles, some cards go a step further and reimburse the fees for expedited travel programs like TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or CLEAR. These little fees can add up quickly, especially if you’re paying for the whole family.
Purchase Protection
If you bought a new item and accidentally damaged it, it can be a real bummer if you didn’t pay for an extended warranty. However, many credit cards offer purchase protection for a select period (and typically up to a price cap), which can add an extra layer of security, especially if you’re making a big purchase like electronics, appliances or furniture.
Discounts on Streaming Services
If the easy access age of streaming entertainment has turned your average Friday night into movie night on the couch, consider checking out credit cards that reward this behavior with perks. Some may offer cash back rewards or discounts on specific subscription services if you pay with their card.
Charitable Giving Bonuses
For anyone who uses their credit cards to do some charitable giving, particularly in the fourth quarter of the year, some credit cards motivate this kind of philanthropy with cash back rewards on select charities. While you never want to burden yourself with debt just to be generous, for people who have healthy credit repayment habits, this can be a great way to align your credit habits with your values.
While it’s important to maintain healthy credit hygiene and never to open a new card just for the perks, if you’re already shopping for a new card, it just makes sense to align your credit usage with your other needs.
More From CardCritics™
