Getting rewards on no annual fee credit cards

No annual fee credit cards are usually a variety of “no frills” credit cards that offer credit cards in return for a lower level of service and fewer extra services.  One of the services that do not tend to included are rewards programs.

Rewards programs are offered in return for spending on a credit card.  There are a number of types of rewards programs that are offered.  The most traditional types of reward cards are those that offer points for a certain amount of spending.  They will then be able to be redeemed for rewards on a catalogue.

Another type of reward card is the branded or rewards credit card.  These are cards that are tied to a brand and offer rewards in terms of the brand.  This can include money off goods that are sold by a store that is offering a store card or it can include extra flights on an airline card.  These tend to be more generous than the more general rewards programs although they are far more flexible.

Cash back cards are a credit card that instead of offering vouchers, offers cash.  These tend to be less generous and as it pays in cash it is far more flexible.  There are some cash back cards that do not charge an annual fee.  These tend to offer lower cash back rates than those which have fees, and also to charge slightly higher interest rates.  They also tend to have tighter credit history criteria than cash back cards that charge annual fees, as these tend to be one of the highest costs to credit card providers.

Gold cards tend to offer better rewards programs.  These tend to be on the traditional pattern, although they can sometimes offer personalised rewards which are rewards that are chosen by the card holder.  Gold cards tend to have higher annual fees than other credit cards in return for the higher level of service.

However there are some gold credit cards that have no annual fees.  These tend to belong to no annual fee credit card ranges.  These usually consist of standard credit cards, gold credit cards and platinum credit cards.  Gold and platinum credit cards both have higher rewards, but also higher interest rates.

Instant rewards are a different type of reward that offers a person a discount or a bonus, for example an upgrade to a better room, for shopping at a certain shop or using a certain service provider.  These are often offered with no annual fee credit cards.