5 Credit Card Hacks That Can Help You Save Money

Credit Card Hacks

Credit cards are the most widely used mode of payment today. The main reason for their popularity is convenience. However, the flipside of using credit cards is that some of us have the tendency to mismanage and overuse them. This can result in huge bills and outstanding payments that accumulate overtime. And the most undesirable consequence of this is credit card debt. But what if you could use your credit card to save money? What if you could make guilt-free credit card purchases? As unlikely as it may sound, the fact is that there are many ways in which you can use credit cards to your advantage. Here are some of the best credit card hacks that you should be aware of.

Top 5 Credit Card Hacks to Save Money

Get a Zero-Interest Card. With increasing competition, many credit card companies are coming up with offers to attract more customers. Some companies even provide a promotional offer of 0% interest on your new credit card. Although this may be temporary, some of these offers last for up to 12 months. So you could make the most of it and save a significant amount of money during this period. 

  1. Don’t Turn Down Credit Cards with Annual Fees. If you’ve been dismissing credit cards that charge an annual fee, it’s time to reconsider. You should bear in mind that credit cards that come with the best reward programs usually charge a fee. And it may be worthwhile paying this fee once a year to enjoy the benefits and rewards provided throughout the year. 
  2. Keep Track of Credit Card Offers. Credit card deals and offers are usually available only for short periods of time. For instance, credit card companies frequently offer discounts on flights and hotel bookings. If you find such discounts just when you’re looking for a flight or hotel room, you can save a good amount of money. It is wise to  check for offers and deals every now and then so that you don’t miss out on the best ones. 
  3. Redeem Points for Gift Cards. Most credit card loyalty programs allow you to redeem your reward points for gift cards. By choosing this option you will be able to save a considerable amount of money on your bills. For example, you can get an Amazon or Walmart gift card with your reward points and use this to order groceries and other supplies for your home. Similarly, you can also use your credit card to buy gift cards for others from grocery stores. Since most credit cards provide cash back on grocery purchases, it gives you a chance to save money on what you spend. 
  4. Save on Foreign Exchange. Foreign exchange is one of the major expenses when you travel to another country. Exchanging currency at banks, airports, or hotels can cost you up to 10% extra.  But some credit cards come with the best exchange rates. If you opt for a credit card that has no foreign transaction fees, you will be paying a significantly lesser exchange rate while using it in a different country. 

Besides these hacks, one of the best ways to save money is to avoid late payments. Late payments can quickly land you in debt and damage your credit score. Be sure to make payments on time. One way to do this is to set up automatic payments from your bank account. Remember, credit cards are not as harmful as they are often believed to be. Making prudent use of your credit card can bring great benefits and can even turn a portion of your expenses into savings!