Today, both businesses and consumers have accepted online shopping as a cheaper and more convenient way to go. The primary motive of retail giants, especially in the face of digital transformation, is to keep giving shoppers a seamless experience. With innovation at the centre, they facilitate several efforts to ensure everyday purchases are hassle-free for customers.
Companies like Amazon.com, which remain committed to this direction, spend large amounts of money searching for ideas to improve the shopping experience further. One of such ideas is the concept of cash back. Read on to understand how cash back credit cards work.
What are cash back credit cards?
Cash back credit cards are a special kind of credit card benefit that gives back cardholders a percentage of the amount spent on a purchase. It usually is calculated as a threshold on the retail price of the item purchased. For example, with the best cash back credit card in Canada, imagine how much you can save on a luxury watch if you enjoy a cash back reward and a promotional discount on a single purchase. Worth the hype, right?
You can even buy an octagonal bezel watch with a bit of money back to save for another type. Depending on the card type and your credit score, you can either use this at the same store or elsewhere. And if you’re after something fancy like a Patek Philippe watch, some stores will offer a 5% cash back. Good idea, right? What’s even better is that these cash back rewards don’t come in the form of discounts. They’re actual cash.
The entire concept of cash back is more like spending money to make money. If it was your first time, you might turn in your credit card for the second Patek Philippe watch. Well, try not to purchase your third without a glance at this complete Patek Nautilus guide. Generally, the end game is that the customer becomes happy, whilst retailers are even happier. That then becomes a great way for companies to generate high levels of customer loyalty.
How do cash back credit cards work?
So exactly how do these modern retail wonders work? They all do differently depending on several factors, including credit score, spending habits, annual percentage rates, etc. Generally, fair to good credit is all it takes. Applicants with low creditworthiness are likely to end up with a low rate of cash back rewards. Some cash back credit cards even require a specific credit score to be accepted.
Before signing up, it’s ideal for assessing your spending habits and the features of the card issuers. While some cards pay a flat rate on every purchase, others only apply in specific categories and a lower rate on other items. By and large, the perks with Chase Freedom Unlimited like its no-annual-fee policy may differ from a Capital One Quicksilver One cash rewards credit card.
This is possible because credit card networks use category four-digit category codes to categorize and track purchases. With an ideal card selection, you’re well on your way to earning your rebates. How can you redeem cash rewards? A buyer earns points that will accrue over a specific period and be converted into rewards. Depending on the merchant or issuer, there may be limitations to how many points you can earn over the stated period. Generally, credit card points can build a fortune, especially from high-value cash back credit cards.
Buyers may redeem their cash rewards through a check, bank account deposits, or a statement credit—which is the most common. It provides increased flexibility in how you can redeem your cash back. When you’re due for cash out, you can either go to the official website or inquire from the call centre for any other alternatives.
