Here's How Making This Simple Change Can Boost Your Credit Card Rewards in 2024

Many people use rewards credit cards to earn rewards when they spend money with their cards. If you're using credit cards as a payment method, ensure you take advantage of the opportunity to earn as many rewards as possible. Using a rewards credit card is a good start, but it's also important to be strategic about which rewards credit card you swipe at the checkout line. I'll share one way to boost your credit card rewards in 2024.

Pay with a credit card that offers the most rewards

There are many rewards credit card options. Here are a few examples:

• Airline credit cards
• Travel credit cards
• Hotel credit cards
• Gas and grocery credit cards
• Dining and restaurant credit cards

Your ideal rewards card depends on your typical spending habits and goals. If you don't travel often, you may not benefit much from a travel rewards credit card. Each credit card earns rewards in different ways. Some reward cardholders more when they spend money on specific purchases. Other cards may simply earn rewards at a flat rate on all purchases.

Pay attention to how each card earns rewards

Whether you have existing rewards credit cards in your wallet or are considering applying for a new card soon, knowing how the card earns rewards is essential. This will allow you to make more informed purchase decisions whenever it's time to swipe your card. Paying for a purchase with a card offering more rewards is an easy way to boost your potential for credit card rewards.

Let's imagine you're meeting friends for dinner at your favorite Italian eatery. You have the following two credit cards in your wallet:

• A restaurant rewards credit card that earns 3 points per $1 on eligible restaurant purchases.
• A cash back credit card that earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

For this scenario, you'll want to use the restaurant credit card for payment to maximize your rewards. This is just one example, but you can benefit by considering the cards in your wallet before making any purchase, whether shopping online, doing your weekly grocery run, or booking a hotel stay. You can get more value from your credit cards by earning more rewards.

I'm going to be more strategic about how I use my cards in 2024

I've been using rewards credit cards for nearly a decade. However, I haven't always put enough effort into maximizing my rewards. In 2024, I'm going to take extra care to boost my credit card rewards. I don't have many cards, so it shouldn't take more than an extra moment or two to decide which one to use. Earning more rewards could be a major win for my bank account.

Get more value from your credit cards

Being strategic about which credit cards you swipe for purchases could help you earn more rewards faster. You might also consider reviewing the benefits offered with each card in your wallet. You may be ignoring valuable perks that are available.

In addition to earning rewards, many credit cards include benefits that could improve your life. Don't let these benefits go unused. You can get more value from your credit cards by maximizing your reward potential and using the benefits provided.