What are the OneMain Financial BrightWay Card categories for rewards?

A rewards card is a credit card that gives points, miles or cash back, either for making purchases with the card or as a bonus for meeting a spending threshold in a certain time period. People with any level of credit can qualify for a rewards card, but you’ll need at least “good” credit to be approved for the ... read full answerbest credit cards with rewards. Rewards cards also have a wide range of annual fees. Some of the best rewards cards have no annual fee, while others charge hundreds of dollars per year.

What you should know about rewards cards:

Rewards Currencies

Credit card rewards come in three basic currencies – cash back, miles and points. Cash back credit cards give you a certain percentage of your purchases back. Miles credit cards offer miles that are either tied to a specific airline or are generic miles that can be used for any travel-related expense. Points credit cards either offer hotel points or generic ones that can be redeemable towards various products and services. Generic points and miles credit cards make for the best travel credit cards on the market.

Rewards Program Structure

Regardless of the rewards currency that your rewards credit card offers, you will generally earn them as initial/sign-up bonuses (often offered as a lump-sum rewards bounty after spending a certain amount in a specified time period), spending-based rewards (flat or different earning rates for various sending categories) or anniversary bonuses (such a free hotel nights, free flights, or a certain amount of points, miles or cash back each year).

Redemption and Value

Common ways of redeeming your rewards include statement credits (crediting your rewards balance to your account), checks, gift cards, merchandise, charities and special experiences. All these redemption methods will have different values, so your goal should be to redeem your rewards in a way that get you the highest dollar-value. While cash back is straightforward, always consider what you can redeem miles and points for and what they’re ultimately worth.

Earning limits

Some cards implement monthly, quarterly or annual earning limits in certain spending categories or across. Always make sure to check what they are and consider whether they may affect your situation.

Rotating Categories

Some credit cards offer certain earning rates for spending categories that may change in a given time frame (e.g.: quarterly) and you have to sign up to earn that rate whenever that happens.

Devaluation and Expiration

Points and miles may have certain plateaus you have to reach in order to redeem them for goods and services. These plateaus aren’t guaranteed to be static and if your credit card issuer increases them, your accumulated points/miles may be worth less by the time you can redeem them. In terms of rewards expiration dates, most issuers have done away with them, but always check to make sure that is the case.

In addition to paying for purchases with rewards credit cards, consumers can save money using a loyalty rewards card when shopping. Many resorts, hotels, and retailers have loyalty programs, and they’ll often have a corresponding loyalty card or number that you can present when you make a purchase. CVS and Office Depot are two retailers with good loyalty card programs. The loyalty card keeps track of your eligible purchases and any rewards you’ve earned. Loyalty cards aren’t credit cards, but they are a good way to rack up rewards for hotels or retailers you visit often.

Store credit cards and co-branded credit cards – which are affiliated with specific retailers and organizations – can also be used in conjunction with loyalty rewards cards to help you save as much as possible with your favorite brands.

Finally, you might hear gift cards referred to as reward cards, especially those awarded as a prize or incentive, or as credit in lieu of a refund.

The best cash bonus credit card offer is $250 statement credit for spending $3,000 in the first 6 months, which can be earned with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. This card also offers 1 - 6% cash back on purchases.

There are many cash bonus credit cards that give you money for meeting a spending requirement in the first few months. These cards are a good way to get a hefty rebate on your purchases at the start, especially if they also have ... read full answerno annual fee. But it’s important to remember that initial bonuses are just that – initial. You’ll want to choose a card that provides great everyday perks even after you earn the bonus.

Here are some of the best cash bonus credit cards:

The Blue Cash Preferred offers $250 statement credit for spending $3,000 in the first 6 months. Plus, you can earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 spent per year), 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% back on all other purchases, earned as statement credits. The card’s annual fee is $0 intro 1st yr, $95 after and you need at least good credit for approval.

The Capital One Savor offers $300 for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, you can earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 4% cash back on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, 3% back at grocery stores and 1% back on all other purchases (except for 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and 10% back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats). The card’s annual fee is $95 and you need at least good credit for approval.

The Capital One Quicksilver offers $200 for spending $500 in the first 3 months. Plus, you can earn 5% cash back on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, as well as 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. The card’s annual fee is $0 and you need at least good credit for approval.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash offers $200 cash rewards after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, you can earn 2% cash rewards on all purchases. The card’s annual fee is $0 and you need at least good credit for approval.

The Ink Cash offers See Terms. Plus, you can earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent per year in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services; 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent per year at gas stations and restaurants combined; and 1% back on all other purchases. The card’s annual fee is $0 and you need at least good credit for approval.

It is worth noting that some cash bonus credit cards offer the same rate on all purchases. Other cards give even higher earning rates in certain bonus categories – for example, gas or groceries. And others, such as the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card and the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card, allow you to customize your reward categories.

Ultimately, the best cash back credit card is the one that fits your individual needs. So, if you don’t want to worry about categories, a flat-rate cash back credit card will be the better option. Otherwise, pick the one that rewards you most in your largest spending categories.

You can redeem your credit card rewards online, through the issuer’s mobile app, or over the phone, depending on the card. The most common credit card rewards redemption options include cash back, travel purchases, and gift cards.

Once you redeem your credit card rewards, they’ll be subtracted from your rewards balance immediately. If you wish to redeem your rewards for a statement credit, it will generally be credited to your account within 2-3 business days, depending on the card. In some cases, rewards will expire if you do not use them by a certain time.... read full answer

Types of Credit Card Rewards

• Points: Credit cards that offer points generally give at least 1 point per $1 spent on purchases. You can redeem points for hotel stays and other travel expenses, statement credits, gift cards, or merchandise, depending on the card. Points cards are sometimes affiliated with hotel chains.
  
  Credit card points are worth an average of 1 cent apiece, depending on the card and the redemption method.
• Miles: Credit cards with miles are travel oriented, often affiliated with a specific airline. Rewards typically start at 1 mile for every $1 you spend on purchases. Miles can be redeemed for airfare, other travel expenses, gift cards, cash, or merchandise. Cards co-branded with a particular airline may reward you with seat upgrades, early boarding on flights, free checked bags, and more.
  
  Miles are worth an average of 1 cent each. The value varies based on the airline or credit card rewards program as well as how the miles are redeemed.
• Cash Back: Credit cards with cash back rewards return a portion of each purchase cardholders make, usually at least 1%. You can redeem cash rewards as a check, direct deposit to your bank account or statement credit, depending on the card. Some cash back rewards can also be redeemed for gift cards and merchandise through the issuer’s online rewards portal.

How to Redeem Your Credit Card Rewards Online

1. Log in to your online account. Specifics will vary by issuer, but your rewards will usually be featured on a main account page.
2. Click on your rewards balance. Once you click on your rewards balance, you’ll be taken to a page with more information about your redemption options.
3. Select how you’d like to redeem your rewards. You may be able to redeem your rewards for travel purchases, cash back in the form of a check or statement credit, merchandise, or gift cards, depending on the rewards card.
4. Redeem your rewards. Once you redeem your credit card rewards, the points, miles, or cash back will be deducted from your rewards balance immediately. If you’re redeeming for statement credits or covering past purchases, your account will usually be credited within 2-3 business days. If you redeem your rewards for gift cards or merchandise, you can expect them to arrive in the mail within 2-3 weeks.

While many rewards cards will let you choose from multiple redemption options, you’ll usually get the most value with one in particular. For example, travel rewards credit cards will often give you the most value when you redeem your rewards for travel purchases. Also, your rewards may be worth less if you redeem them for cash back or gift cards.

On average, credit card rewards are worth 1 cent per point or mile. Most major credit card issuers (like Chase, Capital One, and American Express) advertise that your rewards will not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. But you should check the exact terms and conditions of your specific credit card to make sure you don’t lose any rewards you’ve earned.