The content is accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change.

Whether you are looking for cash back, free hotel stays, free flights, gift cards, or merchandise, there's a credit card rewards program just right for you. You'll find credit cards geared toward frequent flyers, shoppers, students and business owners - but there are really three main types of cards:

  • Cash back cards - These cards give a percentage of cash back on each purchase. Typically, they give 1% on all purchases - that is the standard rate. Many of them offer extra cash back in specific categories or in rotating quarterly categories that change each quarter. For example, the Discover it® Cash Back and Chase Freedom* cards have rotating quarterly categories. Every three months they give 5% cash back in a certain category, such as movies and restaurants, or online shopping, gas and fast food, or department store purchases, etc. These categories require activation, and earnings are capped up to the quarterly maximum. Many cash back cards also offer the option of shopping through a bank's rewards portal to earn a higher percentage of cash back on purchases.

  • Travel rewards cards - Offerings include airline co-branded cards geared toward frequent flyers or hotel co-branded rewards cards that award points in a hotel loyalty program, and general travel rewards credit cards. With co-branded credit cards, you can use earned miles (they might also be called points) toward either hotel stays or flights with a certain airline or hotel chain. General travel rewards credit cards allow you to redeem rewards for award flights with any airline, merchandise or even cash.

  • Points cards - programs the ThankYou loyalty program give points instead of cash back or miles. One point per dollar is the equivalent of 1% cash back, so keep that in mind when you look at different reward card options. Many points cards let you earn up to five or even 10 points per dollar on certain purchases, and also offer online shopping portals to earn more points. Points can be redeemed for gift certificates (usually the best value), cash, merchandise or even charitable donations.

*The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by Credit-Land.com: Chase Freedom. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

tags : Cash Back Credit Cards Points Rewards Program Travel

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All rates and fees, and other terms and conditions of the products mentioned in this article/post are accurate as of the last update date but are subject to change. See the current products' Terms & Conditions on the issuing banks' websites.