07/10/2026
đź’ł Are You Really Getting the Most from Your Credit Card Rewards?
I recently read an interesting article in AAA’s The Extra Mile magazine about choosing the right rewards credit card. It reminded me that the “best” credit card isn’t always the one with the biggest sign-up bonus—it’s the one that matches your financial habits.
Before choosing a rewards card, ask yourself:
✔️ Do you pay your balance in full each month? If not, the interest charges can quickly outweigh any rewards you earn.
✔️ Does the annual fee make sense based on how much you’ll actually use the card?
✔️ Would cash back provide more value than travel points?
✔️ Do the rewards fit your spending habits? For example, do you spend more on groceries, dining, gas, or travel?
✔️ Do you have a plan to redeem your rewards, or are they just sitting unused?
As a CPA, I’ve found that the smartest financial decisions are often the simplest. A credit card should be a tool—not a source of debt. When used responsibly, rewards can be a nice bonus, but they should never encourage spending more than you normally would.
What’s your favorite type of reward—cash back, travel points, or something else?
Inspired by an article in AAA’s The Extra Mile magazine.
