It may sound corny, but if you want to leverage your credit to save money there really is a credit card for every season. Like most Americans, I have a handful of plastic at the ready but prefer to use only one credit card at a time.
As we round the corner into colder temperatures, I choose which card to use depending on how my family is spending the holidays. Some credit cards offer cashback and attractive bonuses, but others provide points or specific perks that are useful for how we plan to shop or travel this season.
The credit card I’m using this year
Because we’ve just moved across the country and into a new home, we’ve been purchasing tons of home goods like light fixtures, door locks, security cameras and rugs.
I put all those purchases on my Prime Visa (including our moving costs) and now have hundreds of dollars worth of rewards to spend on holiday gifts, holiday home decor and other seasonal supplies.
Find out more about all of the perks of the Prime Visa credit card.
How I pick between my two favorite cards
If we travel for the holidays, like flying to visit family, I start piling my monthly spending onto my Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card to earn miles.
My partner will also stockpile miles on his account from his business travel so we can flex them for personal use. It offers cardholder perks like the free first checked bag and 15% off using miles to book travel through the Delta app or website.
If we’re staying home to host, I favor my Prime Visa instead. Staying home usually involves having more gifts, and my Prime Visa gives me some extra purchasing power.
We start putting all our purchases and monthly expenses on the card several months ahead of time and then use points to shop for holiday gifts or to snag Black Friday or Prime Deals on Amazon.
Strategies for using cards to maximize your savings
Here are a few strategies that can help you leverage your credit to get more bang for your holiday bucks this year.
Charge within your budget
The point of using credit for the perks is to avoid debt, not contribute to it. If your credit situation is already precarious, be very careful about how much you charge on your cards.
The goal is to never carry a balance from one month to the next so that you avoid accruing interest. That way, you’re not stuck paying off debt when you emerge from the holidays.
Scout out the best sign-up bonuses
If you don’t already have a card for travel or one that provides cash back, do your homework. The best credit cards offer very enticing welcome bonuses and robust reward rates.
While some cards charge an annual fee, you may find that the perks offset the cost, so lean into whatever makes sense in the long-term.
Choose rewards that matter
Not all travel or cash-back cards are created equal, so think about whether a credit card aligns with the way you spend. Look at how cashback is rewarded and where you’d need to shop to earn extra rewards or which travel benefits will be most useful to you and your family.
For instance, if you rarely fly with the whole family but take tons of road trips, you may prefer a gas credit card or a travel credit card with perks like roadside assistance.
Maintain healthy credit
The best credit card benefits are available to those with good credit who pay their bills promptly and avoid using too much of their available credit. Remember you don’t have to (and shouldn’t) confine yourself to using just one credit card.
Credit card companies are competing to earn your business, so don’t be shy about putting two or three different cards to work. You’ll be building credit and a better budget, as long as you charge within your means.
The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.
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