If you’re looking for a new credit card that is best suited for you, our credit counseling advice is to research options. There are a few factors to take into consideration. Interest rates and rewards are among the most popular factors for consumers to research. Cash-back credit cards are especially popular, along with flyer miles and gas points. To make things easy for you, we’ve outlined the pros & cons of cash-back credit cards. Here goes nothing!
American Consumer Credit Counseling has the facts on cash-back credit cards.
Pros & Cons of Cash-Back Credit Cards
If you’ve recently reduced credit card debt, the last thing you want is to backslide into the same bad situation. So, it’s important to make careful money decisions. Cash-back credit cards can be helpful for a lot of consumers, but they can also lead to overspending in an effort to get “free” cash. Let’s take a look to help you decide if cash-back credit cards are for you.
Pros:
- Higher Credit Score – Consumers with a higher credit score will qualify for credit cards with the best rewards.
- Cash Back Deals – Cash back credit cards offer anywhere from one to two percent back on every purchase made. Some may also offer higher cash back rates for specific purchases, such as groceries or gas.
- Cash Bonus – Many card issuers will offer a cash bonus for spending a specific amount over a certain period, starting from the time they sign up.
Cons:
- High-Interest Charges – Some of these cash back rewards credit cards charge as much as 30 percent APR, which can add up significantly – causing some serious financial damage to consumers who carry a balance.
- Annual Fees – Many of these rewards cards charge annual fees. Consumers should do the math and make sure what they’re getting back is worth the yearly fee.
- Cash Back Cap – Some issuers may cap the amount consumers can acquire in cash back rewards per year.
Be Conscientious of Your Credit Card Use
No matter what kind of credit card you use, it’s important to exercise caution when you make purchases with your card. Credit cards make it tempting and easy to overspend. Keep your credit utilization under 30%, and make sure you can pay your credit card off on time and in full every month.
If you struggle to pay off credit card debt, schedule a free credit counseling session with us today.
