How to decide which credit card to use during the holiday season?

It’s the holiday season and the beginning of celebrations with family and friends. Everyone is creating a to-do list which may include ideas for accessorizing the home, buying presents and booking tickets to go visit their dear ones. While there may be a lot of expenses coming your way, by being mindful during these times will help you get the best deals and maximize your benefits.

We may have many credit cards in our wallet but picking the right one to pay for purchases can make all the difference.

Chase Freedom for Shopping at Department Stores

Chase Freedom credit card is ideal if you are going to be spending at a department store. Chase offers 5% cashback on combined purchases up to $1500 each quarter. For this last quarter of 2019, you can activate your category and gain 5% cashback on department store purchases. In addition, you continue to get 5% cashback this quarter if you are using PayPal or Chase Pay with your Chase Freedom card. You must activate this benefit before 14th December 2019.

OUR BOTTOM LINE
OVERALL SCORES
Rewards Rate
2 Year Benefits Value
WHAT WE LIKE
    HIGHLIGHTS

      You can click on the link below to view the list of department stores that are covered under this benefit.

      https://creditcards.chase.com/freedom-credit-cards/merchants#DepartmentStores

      All your other purchases will automatically earn you 1% cashback. With Chase Freedom card each quarter you have a new category where you will be able to earn rewards. Chase Freedom is a no annual fee credit card that earns you points and when these points are combined with a premium Chase card such as Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve the redemption value of the points increases. Also, redeeming the points for travel through Chase Ultimate portal gives you the maximum benefit.

      Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card suitable for Dining and Entertainment

      Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card remains the best choice for those who love get-togethers whether it’s eating out or ordering in. This card offers the best cashback on dining and entertainment which is at 4% and those who love to cook also benefit as the purchase made at the grocery store will earn you 2% cashback (purchases at Walmart and Target superstores do not earn cashback). Everything else you spend you will receive cash back at 1%.

      OUR BOTTOM LINE
      OVERALL SCORES
      Rewards Rate
      2 Year Benefits Value
      WHAT WE LIKE
        HIGHLIGHTS

          If a large portion of your expenses is food, going out to movies, sports events, and tourist attractions then using this card is beneficial as it earns maximum reward points for your purchases.

          If you do not have a Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card then applying for one now would set you up for the year 2020. The annual fee is waived off for the first year, however, the following year onwards you would have to pay $95 as fees.

          Chase Sapphire Preferred for Travel

          Chase Sapphire Preferred is a good card to use to pay for the travel expenses not just during the holidays but also throughout the year. The 2x points earned on airfare, hotel bookings and dining at cafes and fine dining restaurants ensures a quick accumulation of reward points. If you want an extra 25% value for the points earned then you can make your hotel, airfare and car rental reservations through Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal.

          View Offer Details Terms Apply
          OUR BOTTOM LINE
          OVERALL SCORES
          Rewards Rate
          2 Year Benefits Value
          WHAT WE LIKE
            HIGHLIGHTS

              The option to transfer your points to popular travel programs at 1:1 value makes Sapphire Preferred a versatile card for travel. Beyond these perks the Sapphire Preferred comes with add-on benefits such as trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance and more.

              Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card for Everyday Purchases and Balance Transfer

              The cards mentioned above address a specific holiday requirement but here we have a card which is good for overall daily usage. There is no need to track rotating categories or monitor merchant code for the specific restaurant as every purchase you make using Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card earns you cashback.

              OUR BOTTOM LINE
              OVERALL SCORES
              Rewards Rate
              2 Year Benefits Value
              WHAT WE LIKE
                HIGHLIGHTS

                  You get 1.5% cashback when you spend on gas, groceries, clothing and more. The points earned do not expire as long as your account is active. It is also advantageous that there is no foreign transaction fee for the purchases you make abroad.

                  Balance Transfer Offer

                  If you have acquired a large amount on another credit card that has a higher interest rate you may want to consider transferring it to using Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card. First-time applicants can qualify for the 0% interest rate on balance transfers for 15 months, beyond which variable APR will be applied.

                  If you apply for this card and are approved the introductory APR offer is available for new purchases. Essentially you would get 15 months to pay off the balance of any large purchase that you may make. Not having to pay an annual fee makes Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards an attractive credit card.

                  Each of these cards carries additional benefits such as travel accident insurance, extended warranty, and to know more about them you can click on the learn more option. We hope that by choosing the right card you are able to gain maximum value out of your credit cards during your holiday shopping.