Credit card sign-up bonuses promise a quick way to earn more rewards, yet having to sign up for new cards all the time definitely has its downsides. Welcome bonuses are typically earned after account opening and meeting a minimum spend requirement within the first three months, so new cardholders should pay close attention to these details. Beyond having hard inquiries on your credit reports for each new credit application, new card bonuses have minimum spending requirements that can be cumbersome to meet. Card issuers have also clamped down on who can qualify for credit card welcome offers, meaning rewards enthusiasts become eligible for fewer new card bonuses over time. Annual fees and other fees can add to the cost of earning rewards, so it’s important to consider these costs when evaluating whether to keep an account open.
What’s the answer? In lieu of getting a credit card welcome bonus every few months, focus on earning more rewards with the cards you already have. A few simple strategies can help you do this, including pairing up multiple cards strategically to choose the right card for each purchase and earn the most rewards, maximizing the value you get from your credit card usage. Keeping track of bonus categories and adding an authorized user (or several) to your favorite rewards credit cards can also help you get more value and long-term rewards success.
➤ SEE MORE:How to earn a credit card welcome bonus
Pair up several cards to maximize rewards
One of the best ways to earn more rewards with current credit cards is pairing up a few with different reward-earning structures. When you do, you can focus on using the optimal card for every purchase in order to maximize rewards points or cash back throughout the year. Choosing cards with different rewards programs can help you maximize your earnings by taking advantage of each program’s unique benefits.
➤ SEE MORE:Can you open a credit card outside of where you bank?
While numerous card combinations can work, many users opt to pair up cards with bonus categories with options that boast a higher flat rate of rewards. For example, someone might pair up the Chase Freedom Unlimited(R) with the Chase Sapphire Preferred(R) Card. From there, they would use the Chase Freedom Unlimited(R) to earn 1.5% cash back on all non-bonus category spending, then switch to the Chase Sapphire Preferred(R) Card to earn bonus rewards on travel and dining purchases. Other popular pairings include premium options like the Chase Sapphire Reserve(R), which offers exclusive travel and lifestyle benefits, or the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card, a rewards credit card known for its straightforward cash-back rewards structure.
Additionally, some cards offer extra rewards or targeted offers that can further boost your earnings when used strategically.
➤ SEE MORE:Can you have two credit cards from the same bank?
Maximize rotating bonus category cards
Some users also pair up cards that offer a higher rewards rate in categories that change every three months. These rotating bonus categories often include gas stations and other purchases, so it’s important to use the right card for each instance to maximize rewards every quarter.
Many rotating bonus category cards come with no annual fee and require you to “activate” bonus rewards in your account every quarter, so you’ll want to make sure you never forget this important task.
➤ SEE MORE:How to maximize quarterly credit card bonus categories
Use shopping portals and dining programs
Rewards shopping portals let you earn more points or miles for everyday purchases, and all you have to do is log into your loyalty or credit card account and “click through” the portal before you buy something online. With Shop through Chase, for example, you can earn anywhere from one to 15 additional points for each dollar spent at more than 1,000 participating retailers like Best Buy and Macy’s.
The points and miles you earn through shopping portals can be redeemed in the form of statement credits, reward dollars, or other options. Understanding how and when to redeem your rewards can help you get the most value, whether you choose to redeem for travel, statement credits, or purchases.
Several airlines also have dining programs you can use to earn more miles when you dine at a participating restaurant. With Delta SkyMiles Dining, for example, you can even earn an additional 1,000 bonus miles when you sign up and meet a minimum spending requirement at a participating restaurant in the first 30 days. Bonus points or miles earned through these programs can be redeemed for dollars off your statement or for travel, and each point redeemed can have a different value depending on the redemption method you choose.
Utilize card issuer “offer” deals
Some major credit card issuers also have “offers” programs that let you boost your rewards with participating cards. In addition to these programs, some issuers provide targeted offers and retention offers to encourage spending or keep your account open—terms apply to these promotions. Examples include Amex Offers, Capital One Offers and Chase Offers, all of which let you add offers to your card and earn more points on eligible purchases.
Not only are credit card offer programs easy to use, but they also let you earn bonus rewards in addition to the rewards you earn with your card. If you add an Amex Offer to your American Express(R) Gold Card, for example, you can earn bonus miles tied to the offer itself and still earn rewards for paying with your eligible American Express credit card. American Express is a CardRatings advertiser.
Add authorized users
If you have a spouse, partner, or responsible older child, consider adding them as an authorized user on your credit card account. This allows both you and the additional cardholders to earn rewards on purchases, increasing your overall rewards potential. However, keep in mind that as the primary cardholder, you remain legally responsible for all charges made on the account, even if the authorized users promise to reimburse you.
➤ SEE MORE:Guide to adding authorized users to your credit card
Refer friends
Finally, know that many credit card issuers award bonus points when you refer friends to sign up for a card of their own. By sharing your dedicated referral link, you can earn additional bonus points for each successful referral, boosting your rewards without extra spending.
➤ SEE MORE:Guide to Chase Refer-A-Friend referral bonus program
Frequently asked questions
How to get credit card points without spending money?
You can earn bonus points without spending money if you get someone to sign up for a new credit card through your referral link.
What is a welcome bonus on a credit card?
The term “credit card welcome bonus” refers to the sign-up bonuses some credit cards offer when new users meet a minimum spending requirement within a set amount of time.
Can I earn rewards from multiple cards at the same time?
Yes, using multiple rewards credit cards strategically can help you maximize your earnings by taking advantage of different bonus categories and rewards programs.
How do targeted offers and retention bonuses work?
Card issuers sometimes provide targeted offers and retention bonuses to encourage spending or to keep your account open, allowing you to earn extra rewards beyond the standard rates.
The bottom line
If you’ve been wondering how to maximize your credit card rewards without constantly signing up for new cards, we hope this post has given you some valuable ideas. By strategically using different rewards cards for various purchases, referring friends to your favorite cards, enrolling in your issuer’s bonus offer programs, and taking other smart steps throughout the year, you can significantly boost the rewards you earn.
