8 habits of highly effective credit card users
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Just as experienced travelers know all the tricks to ensuring a pleasant journey, the most effective credit card users know how to maximize the terms of their cards. While the typical credit card user may pay very little attention to the nuances of these powerful tools, award travel enthusiasts should always be looking to earn as many rewards as possible while paying the fewest possible fees. In today's post, I want to share some of the ways that the most effective credit card users achieve these goals.
Hold out for the Best welcome Bonuses
There are dozens of amazing travel rewards cards offered by the major banks, and they almost always offer valuable sign-up bonuses and welcome offers to new applicants. But since it's not a good idea to apply for every card out there, you should look to only apply for the best offers. One great way is by using the CardMatch Tool, which matches you with current credit card offers for which you might be eligible. These offers can be higher — sometimes even much higher — than those available through other public channels.
I like to think of it in terms of safari animals. When you go on a safari, you see plenty of animals grazing on the grass all day. That's how I think of people who sign up for so-so offers just to get the credit card bonus. I try to be like a predator hiding in the bushes, waiting patiently for a juicy meal to come by. When I see truly great offers come by a few times a year, I strike.
Use Cards That Offer Flexible Point Transfers
You can move all four major transferable currencies over to Singapore Airlines to book awards like Singapore Suites.
Unless I'm trying to meet the minimum spending requirement for a sign-up bonus, I always try to boost my balances with one of the four major transferable point programs: American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Capital One miles. The Marriott Bonvoy program is also great for transferring rewards to airline miles.
Points with these programs are extremely valuable, as you can transfer your rewards to airline miles and sometimes to hotel points. This allows you to take advantage of tricks such as finding sweet spots in award charts and using airline geography to find loopholes. By keeping rewards with these flexible transfer programs, instead of with one particular airline, you're also insulated from sudden devalutions to award programs.
Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees
Plenty of credit cards still charge a foreign transaction fee of 3% (2.7% for American Express cards) on all charges processed outside of the United States. But as users have become increasingly aware of this outrageous practice, more cards have dropped this pointless fee. Since there are now plenty of travel rewards cards without this fee — and many rewards are worth less than 3% — experienced credit card users have learned to only use cards without these fees when traveling outside the U.S. or when making purchases from a foreign company.
Not Paying Interest
If you use your credit cards to earn rewards, then it should go without saying that you should always avoid interest charges by paying your statement balances in full and on time. If you can't do that, then you shouldn't be using a rewards card. That's because rewards cards will always have a higher interest rate than similar cards that don't offer rewards. If you do ever need to carry a balance, look for cards with the lowest possible interest rate; in most cases, the savings on interest will be worth more than any rewards you could have earned. Even when you avoid interest, you can still maximize the interest-free grace period that your credit cards offer. Another alternative is a card that offers both 0% APR promotional financing and travel rewards.
Receive Targeted Promotions
I'm not a fan of junk mail, but mail associated with credit cards is different. I always opt in to receive offers from my card issuers, which frequently include bonus offers for meeting spending thresholds or for adding authorized users. In fact, you don't even have to wait to receive a letter or an email; you can also contact your card issuer and inquire about any offers that may apply to your account.
Request Fee Waivers
I'll confess that I occasionally screw up and miss a payment, but in those rare cases I always request a waiver of any late fees or interest rates. I've also been successful requesting that an annual fee be waived, although this only works about half the time. I've even heard of people receiving one-time credits for foreign transaction fees that they weren't aware of. The credit card industry is extremely competitive, and card issuers are often willing to forgo a fee in order to retain a customer.
Utilize Travel Insurance and Purchase Protection Benefits
Most travel rewards credit cards come with a wealth of benefits that can be extremely valuable, but only if you know to use them. To that end, it's important to know each benefit's terms and conditions. For example, I try to rent cars with my Sapphire Reserve, which offers primary collision damage waiver coverage worldwide. Other valuable policies to be aware of include lost or delayed baggage compensation, trip cancellation and interruption coverage and purchase protection that covers theft or accidental damage.
Maximize the Premium Benefits of Your Card's Payment Network
In addition to any benefits offered by your card issuer, all of the major payment networks offer special perks for their premium credit card holders, which include holders of most travel rewards cards. For example, the Visa Signature program offers discounts on sports, entertainment and cultural events. The Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection offers guests automatic room upgrades (when available), free breakfast, free in-room Wi-Fi, a $25 food or beverage voucher and 3 p.m. late checkout (when available).
Mastercard World and World Elite benefits include elite status with the Avis, National and Sixt rental car programs. The World Elite Air Program offers upgrades to business class on several airlines with the purchase of a full-fare economy ticket, and you can get discounts of 20-30% off the purchase of some tickets. With American Express, the perks will vary depending on the card you have, but can include free upgrades and more through the Fine Hotels & Resorts program offered to The Platinum Card® from American Express members.