Pay Attention to Bonus Categories Cash Back Rewards
There was a time when I ignored—and even avoided —the rotating categories of cashback bonuses on my credit card, convinced that any rewards weren’t worth keeping track of all the categories. This cashback was just a small extra amount each month that I could mindlessly put back into my balance. However, when I finally got deeper, I realized that I could apply a lot more to this balance if I bothered to pay attention – and actually activate the rewards. Here’s what you need to know about rotating bonus tiers and how you can use them to maximize your cash rewards.
What are credit cards in the category of revolving bonuses?
First things first: how do spinning credit cards work? These credit cards offer bonus cash back on purchases that fall into certain categories that change (or rotate) quarterly. These rewards are typically 5% back in bonus categories such as gas stations, grocery stores, and popular online stores. For those who like to turn the maximum rewards into something of a sport, these rotating bonus categories are a great way to flex their muscles and earn extra rewards. The bottom line is that you need to remember to activate new categories of bonuses every quarter.
How to increase cashback
Here’s what you need to know about the rules of the spinning bonus tiers: With spinning bonus tier cards, you usually need to activate new tiers before you can start earning cashback. Make sure you set a reminder to activate new bonus categories every quarter or you’ll miss the cashback window. To keep up with the rotating categories, mark the best time on your phone to make different purchases.
You also need to be sure you understand the rules and exclusions of your credit card. For example, as Experian explains, if digital wallets and one of your favorite online stores are two bonus categories at the same time, don’t expect to get double the bonus for paying with your digital wallet in the store. Likewise, some categories may have exceptions and limitations, such as only certain chains that qualify for the “Grocery” bonus category.
If you like the idea of maximizing cashback, you should look into the best rotating bonus category cards for your spending habits. Compare your options to various top lists such as this one from Nerdwallet or this one from Bankrate .
Finally, it’s worth noting that you should resist the temptation to make purchases just because they fall under the bonus category this quarter. Don’t fall into the trap of accidentally spending more to save money.