Credit card experts have plenty of tips and tricks to help you make the most of your credit card. Card issuers have their own tips and tricks, but they work a little differently than what experts say.
After all, this is the business of card issuers and is full of smart marketing tactics to make sure they are successful. Furthermore, the way an issuer succeeds does not always match the way he succeeds as a card user.
“We’re accused financial therapist and assistant professor of personal finance planning at Kansas State University,” said Megan McCoy, a certified financial therapist and assistant professor of personal finance planning. She cites MIT Sloan’s research showing that using a credit card activates brain reward centers in the same way as addictive behaviors.
This dopamine hit can promote more frequent and valuable purchases, greater hints, and increased impulse spending.
– Megan McCoy, Certified Financial Therapist
To recognize that advertising may lead you to unwise decisions, you will often want to learn what type of card companies you use. Let’s take a look at what the most common marketing trick card issuers employ and how you can make them work for you rather than oppose you.
1. Large welcome bonus
A welcome bonus is probably the best opportunity to earn a large amount of rewards with your credit card. These offers are very appealing. After all, if they spend a certain amount within the specified months, they provide the opportunity to earn hundreds of dollars, sometimes even more.
“This creates a strong incentive to quickly apply and start spending,” says McCoy. “For many people, even if they ultimately encourage increased spending and potential long-term debt, it feels like free money.”
Before taking advantage of the welcome bonus offer, please check out our spending requirements. Considering your budget, is the amount realistic? Are you risking debt just to get a bonus? Please be honest with yourself about such questions before you apply.
2.0% APR Offer
One of the main risks associated with credit cards is the high APR fee. If you remove that risk, it may be appealing to overuse it. When you’re not paying interest and have a long time to remove your balance, debt is almost unrealistic.
But that time is limited. Offers you get with a 0% APR credit card are end date promotions. If you are gaining balance after that date, you will start to gain interest again.
Additionally, credit card stores generally advertise postponed interest offers. This means that if you still borrow a credit card after the offer expires (even if it’s just $1), you’re borrowing all the exempt interest.
Please read the fine print carefully before signing up for a credit card that offers a 0% interest period. For example, if you are planning a large purchase or transferring balances to pay off existing debts, it is best to use them strategically. The key is to have a solid plan to repay your balance before the 0% promotion expires.
3. Pre-approval offer
Sometimes I receive pre-approved offers by email of cards I admire in my work. It feels good to receive them. That means the issuer thinks I will make a good cardholder. It approves my credit history, which I worked hard on.
“Languages that imply exclusive or guaranteed approval, such as “you’re pre-approved” or “you’re chosen,” play the desire of people to feel special and chosen,” says McCoy. “This recognizes and increases barriers to applying the possibility of impulsive sign-up, especially when framed as a limited time opportunity.”
You will not apply for such an offer just because you have all the cards you need. It is also recommended to approach it carefully. Even if it is not “selected”, only apply for the cards you can obtain. Each application should be a thoughtful decision, not an impulse.
4. Status Image
Some credit cards are more than just payment methods. It is also a status symbol and is advertised as such.
Credit cards are framed as tools of empowerment and suction. This encourages people to identify card membership with success. This becomes a powerful social comparison dynamic of catching up to Jones. It is a subtle but constant pressure to adapt and surpass other people’s lifestyles, at the expense of long-term financial health.
– Megan McCoy, Certified Financial Therapist
Premium credit cards come with triple digit annual fees. Often, they are metal cards. It is a heavy, refined and attractive design. They offer benefits that make you feel like a part of an exclusive club:
- Elite Airlines and Hotel Status
- Access to the airport lounge
- Hundreds of statement credits at luxury resorts and popular restaurants
What do you not want?
If your existing spending naturally fits what a certain premium card offers, that may certainly be a good option. Those who don’t consider the $600 North annual fee as a particularly large expense may appreciate the perks without worrying about ongoing costs. However, if neither of them applies to you, you may find more value with a different kind of card.
5. Statement Credit
Speaking of statement credits, they fall into it easily. Card issuers usually advertise these benefits and say they win hundreds of dollars each year in a designated category or a specific brand.
Certainly, you can get hundreds of dollars worth such cards, or even thousands of dollars. However, you must pay attention to the terms of use. In many cases, statement credits are paid with a slight increase. For example, you may get a $10/month credit for food delivery that doesn’t roll over, but the promotional material highlights that you get $120/year. Alternatively, a $500 annual hotel credit may consist of $250 credits every six months.
Tracking multiple statement credit merits makes it easy to miss something. Alternatively, you will be adjusting your spending to take advantage of the card benefits. This ultimately results in unnecessary costs.
Before applying it, make sure to understand how these benefits work on the cards of interest. And if they are your main selling point, be honest with yourself: do you really use them enough without changing your spending habits? If the answer is no, the card may not be the best choice.
Conclusion
Credit card promotions are designed to intrigue you. Many of them are incredibly valuable, but only on purpose as to which cards you get and how to use them.
Before applying, consider the main reasons why you need a credit card. If rewards and perks are a priority, they should match your lifestyle and current spending patterns. Consider whether you expect to balance it out or, if so, plan to pay it off.
And finally, McCoy proposes, “I look beyond the first year perks and focus on long-term costs and benefits.” Once all promotions for a limited time have expired, if you rarely offer them to your card, it may be best to leave that “apply” button.
