Supersize your credit card rewards program

By Ben Woolsey

With all the options available for credit card rewards programs offered by Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card and American Express, consumers today can earn significant rewards for simply using a rewards credit card for their everyday expenses. What most people don't realize is that there are several ways to increase the earning power of their rewards credit card to get even bigger savings.

A great example of this phenomenon is the online reward programs where you can register your rewards credit card and then earn additional points or cash back that goes into a separate account. The Upromise Credit Card program offers such a service where gasoline, grocery and other participating merchant purchases made with a registered card accumulate cash back rewards that can be applied to a tax-deferred 529 education plan.

Another example involves online shopping reward and coupon savings programs where you can earn additional rewards and enjoy savings above and beyond the regular rewards that come with making purchases with the credit card. Cool Savings coupons can add horsepower to your rewards card purchases -- all that's required is to register on their site, print out the coupons of your choice and then use your rewards credit card at the store. Other online shopping reward programs are available on the internet which merely require a one-time registration process and provide significant cash back incentives on purchases made through their site with national merchants. The programs vary but typically involve having to meet an earnings threshold before they will mail you a check with your earnings.

Other great sites for getting additional savings are provided by Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. The only restriction to enjoying online shopping discounts offered is that you must have that company's card to participate.

While these methods might require a bit more effort than just going directly to the store or merchant website they do offer ways to get even more mileage out of your rewards credit card. For other methods on wringing every last point out of your rewards credit card please read our article on "Leveraging Your Household Spending to Maximize Your Rewards Credit Card Program." Visit our comprehensive listing of leading rewards credit cards to compare and securely apply online today.

Published: November 2, 2005

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