Discounts, points and bonuses: How to save when using credit cards
The credit card providers can come up with even more ideas to win you over as a customer. A very popular “attractant” are the benefits that are offered to you when you use your credit card. But: Discount programs, points systems and other bonuses are not just “cheap advertising”, depending on consumer behavior and credit card use, the bonuses can pay off in your wallet (and on your credit card statement).
Tank discounts, which are available with several credit card models, are very popular. If credit card users pay with the corresponding credit card at the gas station, they often get a fuel discount of up to five percent. After the payment process, the discount will automatically be credited back to the credit card account. The “Gold Credit Card” from the ADAC could be of interest to frequent tankers, which not only offers a five percent discount at the petrol station, but also when renting an ADAC vehicle.
But not only frequent tankers can look forward to discounts when using credit cards, but also frequent flyers. With one of the most popular customer credit cards, the Lufthansa credit card Miles & More*, there is, for example, one flight mile for every two euros spent on the card. There are also many bonuses if you pay by credit card with Lufthansa partners. For example, if you rent a vehicle from Avis, you will even receive up to five flight miles for every euro spent with the “Miles & More” credit card. The accumulated flight miles can then be exchanged for travel allowances or non-cash awards from time to time.
Even with everyday purchases, customers can save with the right credit card, often up to ten percent of the purchase price are included with the partner companies of the credit card provider. This applies to both physical stores and online shopping. Two examples: With the Payback credit card, you receive one point for every two euros spent on the card with every purchase, whether you shop at a Payback partner or not – the only exception is gas station sales. And with the online retailer Amazon, you receive two points for every euro spent when shopping with the Amazon credit card, and one point for every two euros spent with third-party retailers.
Do you like shopping online? With the Amazon Visa credit card, you can secure great advantages with the shipping giant. Owners of this card have the opportunity to combine the product range with the credit card bonus program – and can save money in the process. If you use your Amazon credit card to pay for your purchases, you collect bonus points that you can redeem for future Amazon purchases.
When choosing a credit card, however, you should pay close attention to whether the discounts, points and bonuses are actually worthwhile given your consumer behavior. For example, if you rarely drive a car, a high fuel discount on your credit card will do you very little. And for frequent drivers, the tank discount may not be high enough, as it is usually limited to a certain tank turnover per year.