How to Make the Most of Your Credit Card Rewards in 2025
Perks are a large reason why we get the credit cards we do, but studies show we don’t use them to their full potential. Here are some tips to maximize credit card rewards.

We may get compensation if you visit partner links on our site. We may not cover every available offer. Our relationship with advertisers may impact how an offer is presented on our website. However, our selection of products is made independently of our relationship to advertisers. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.
When we think about the credit cards we have, there’s a reason why we signed up for them. It could be the exceptional cash back or travel rewards offered, or it was a generous low introductory rate that allowed us to get some high-interest debt paid down quicker.
Ultimately, there was an incentive involved that compelled us to action. But are we using those rewards to their full potential? According to a Cardrates.com survey, 83% of people signed up for a credit card because of their rewards. Yet, only 33% of people surveyed used the travel perks offered on their card, despite it being the reason they signed up for the card.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is your concierge to see the world while earning you 6.5% cash back on travel through Chase.
It shows there’s a gap between why we signed up for the card and getting the most rewards from them. The main cause relates back to communication, where 62% of cardholders surveyed said they would use their rewards more, if notified about them. With that in mind, here are some strategies to be more proactive in keeping that information front of mind.
Tips for tracking credit card rewards
- Stay connected: Download the card issuer’s app and review statements, as they contain rewards earned. I also visit my lenders’ websites regularly to see if there are any new promotions or features I might be missing.
- Use a tracking app: Apps like The Points Guy or AwardWallet keep track of card rewards from many lenders.
- Factor rewards into your budget: When I budget, I also pay close attention to my credit cards – not only the balances owed, but my rewards, expiration dates for redemption (if applicable) and redemption limits in my spreadsheet.
- Prioritize cards based on rewards: Most of us carry more than one card, so it’s important to prioritize them based on maximizing rewards. To demonstrate, if you have a card offering 5% cash back on groceries, choose that card when checking out at the grocery store and get 5% cashback.
Foodies delight, as this card earns you four points for every dollar spent at grocery stores and restaurants.
Credit card reward considerations
- Know the fine print: You may have to squint or get a magnifying glass, but pay attention to any asterisks or plus signs in those footnotes of your credit card disclosure statement, as they might contain restrictions.
- Set reminders: For credit cards with quarterly rotating categories, I set a reminder on my phone to check them when they change. From there, I might switch up which card I use based on the rewards offered.
- Hit the intro bonus: When I get a new card, I’ll place regular expenses like utilities or groceries on it until I hit the spending limit to earn the intro bonus.
- Prioritize redemption bonuses: With some cards, we might earn more value by taking the travel perks over cash back redemptions, so pay close attention to the card terms and prioritize rewards based on value and preferences.
- Determine value: In all instances, cash back rewards only make sense when we pay balances off each month. Also pay close attention to the annual fees the card charges and evaluate whether the rewards earned more than the fees.
Earn 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 within the first six months of opening the account, and receive a free, roundtrip companion certificate every year you renew the card.
The bottom line
Credit card rewards are often the reason why we sign up for a card. That said, studies show there’s a communication gap between the card issuers and their customers on remembering perks. By taking these proactive steps into account, it can help us stay informed about our credit card rewards and ensure we’re maximizing them to their fullest potential.
Related content
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Sean is a veteran personal finance writer, with over 10 years of experience. He's written finance guides on insurance, savings, travel and more for CNET, Bankrate and GOBankingRates.
-
Are You a Retirement Millionaire Too Scared To Spend?
If you are too scared to spend money in retirement, you may be saddled with regret. Here are three ways to safely enjoy your sizable retirement nest egg.
By Donna Fuscaldo Published
-
U.S. Treasury to Eliminate Paper Checks: What It Means for Tax Refunds, Social Security
Treasury President Trump signed an executive order forcing the federal government to phase out paper check disbursements by the fall.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
-
Bigger Social Security Checks Are Arriving in April
Payments to eligible retired public sector employees will increase starting in April due to the Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA)..
By Donna LeValley Published
-
5 CDs to Put Your Tax Refund Into
Planning to get a tax refund this year? Treat your future self with a risk-free way to grow your money. Here are the 5 best CDs to consider.
By Sean Jackson Published
-
Seven Questions to Ask When Evaluating Personal Loan Options
Taking out a personal loan too hastily could lock you into unfavorable terms with an untrustworthy lender. Ask these questions before signing anything.
By David Kimball Published
-
What Can a Donor-Advised Fund Do for You? (A Lot)
DAFs and private foundations go about helping charities (and those who donate) in different ways. Each comes with its own benefits and restrictions to navigate.
By Julia Chu Published
-
6 Great Vacation Ideas for Wheelchair Users
These six places provide plenty of travel inspiration for people who use wheelchairs.
By Becca van Sambeck Published
-
Is Chasing the American Dream Ruining Your Financial Life?
Too many people focus on visible affluence as a marker of success. Here's how to avoid succumbing to the pressure and driving yourself into debt.
By Anthony Martin Published
-
What the Senate's Vote to Repeal CFPB Bank Overdraft Fees Cap Means For You
The Senate voted to overturn the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's cap on overdraft fees. Here's what you need to know.
By Sean Jackson Published
-
These Eight States Have the Most Expensive Home Insurance in 2025
If you live in one of these eight states, you’re probably paying $1,000 or more above the national average for home insurance.
By Rachael Green Published