Business & Finance Finance

Get To Know Debit Cards With Rewards More

In the past, more people prefer to use credit cards over debit cards. Today however, prepaid debit cards have grown in popularity as people try to avoid bad credit. To match the competition, many issuers of this type of cards offer reward programs to attract potential cardholders. In this article, let us take a closer look at debit cards with different reward programs:

Debit Cards with Cash Back Rewards

When it comes to reward programs, cash back credit cards are a favorite among cardholders. Not surprisingly, the same thing can be said about debit cards. Yes, cash back debit reward cards are obviously preferred by more and more people compared to other types of debit reward cards.

Typically, issuers of of this type of cards offer 1% cash back or 1 point for every dollar spent using the card. PerkStreet Financial and Pay Pal Debit Card are just to name a few. PerkStreet Financial offers1% Cash Back Rewards on Non PIN-Based Transactions while Pay Pal Debit Card offers 1% cash back for every purchase for cardholders who are enrolled in the PayPal Preferred Rewards Program.

Merchant-Affiliated Debit Rewards

You can also find debit reward cards that are sponsored by a specific merchant or a group of merchants. Bigger rewards are usually being offered by these cards since sponsors are aiming to boost their sales and brand image at any cost.

For example, Chase introduced a cash back debit card known as the Real Cash Rewards Debit Card which offers up to 3% cash back, depending on the cardholder's purchases per month. Chase debit cardholders can also earn up to 30% cash back for purchases that have been made from more than 600 merchants that are part of the Chase Real Cash Mall.

MasterCard has also introduced the MasterCard Marketplace for both debit and credit cardholders. The MasterCard Marketplace features different retailers that sell various products and services. MasterCard debit cardholders are entitled to cash back bonuses by purchasing from affiliate merchants online.

Visa Debit card offers 3 cash back points for every dollar spent on partner retailers such as Staples, Expedia, BestBuy, Linens n' Things and up to 20 cash back points on purchases made at selected stores like 1-800-Flowers, SmartBargains, and more.

Special Program Debit Reward Cards

Then there are debit cards that offer special reward programs that appeal to specific niches. Let us take for example the Citizens Bank which has come up with what they call the Green$ense cashback debit card. This has surely helped them attract environmentalists. With this card, you will get 10 cents for every paperless payment charged to the card. Each year, a Green$ense cardholder can earn up to $120 plus a monthly newsletter that has tips for green living.

Choosing Your Cash Back Debit Reward Card

We have discussed the three major types of reward programs offered on debit cards. Before applying for one, you will have to make sure that the reward program matches with your personal lifestyle and needs. Be sure to understand the rules of the reward system. More importantly, check the fees involved in using your chosen debit reward card to avoid unexpected charges and hidden fees.

Copyright (c) 2010 Tara Tiemann


Leave a reply