This past year I’ve had some pretty generous bonus signup offers or points and miles. Which can help cover the fixed cost of travel from hotels to airlines. But I also focus my credit card spending on options that earn big cash back rewards.
I view it as a balancing act each time I take a card out of my wallet. Will I earn more points, miles or cash back with this purchase? It totally depends on the type of urchase and the bonus which your card offers on the type of that purchase. During Mrs. Weekly Flyer’s last round of applications she picked up a few cards including a card that offers 6% cash back on select purchases. She’ll use that card for the specific spending category, but will then use other cards depending on where she is making a purchase that day.
Third Quarter Cash Back Calendar
The cash back cards have there place and time. For example, cards that come with a cash back calendar, like the Discover it® card offer up to 5% cash back on particular spending categories each quarter. The 2014 3rd quarter 5% cash back calendar for the Discover it® card is for gas stations.
- July through September – summer break to be determined
But they’ve also previously announced their 4th quarter cash back calendar which includes online shopping and department stores, a great cash back option going into the holiday season.
- October through December – Online Shopping & Department Stores
The Discover it® card offers up to 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in spending on the current categories. If you have the Discover it® card, be sure and use it for these categories so you can earn 5% cash back on eligible spending.
Application Link: Discover it®
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- Save $1 Off Gas With 2x Promotion For Summer Travel – So Easy To Save
- How To Save $1 Off Every Gallon Of Gas: 4x Kroger Fuel Points Extended
About The Weekly Flyer
The Weekly Flyer writes about travel from a business traveler perspective. He travels the world every week accumulating points and miles along the way.
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This cashback category (and several other Discover categories offered in the past) makes no sense if you already have the Chase Ink Plus or Bold cards and can buy gas cards at office supplies stores and earn 5 points per dollar. Since Ultimate Reward points can be simply converted to cash at 1 cent per point, at 5 points per dollar spent you are earning the same rate as a 5% Discover cash back, with the BIG difference that until you decide to cash in the Ultimate Reward points, you have the flexibility of using them for travel and get more value out of them, and you don’t have to wait until you spent $1,000 with Discover to cash in the minimum $50 accumulated cash back amount you’re required to earn before you can even have access to the money. Using this card only makes sense if you don’t have the Ink Plus or Bold cards. Otherwise it’s not the best way of pumping gas.
Mike – before you rule out Discover Card, I just went into the area to redeem the $40+ change I had accumulated. Voila I found you can buy $40 dollar Car Rental eGift Certificates for just $20. A whopping 100% doubling of value. eGC’s valid for 6 months from Alamo, National Enterprise and others. Now are you so sure the 5% CB is not valuable?
Not that it isn’t valuable at all, but it’s not my first choice when pumping gas. True, you can double your value on some items such as car rentals and extra value when redeeming for restaurant gift cards, but usually you can get cheaper rentals through Priceline, Costco Travel, etc., and I don’t like that you have to wait so long to be able to take some of the cash back. If you rent a lot, especially for personal reasons, it’s a valid point. If most of your rentals are for business and your employee is reimbursing you it might not hold as much value.