Deciphering Tricky Cash-Back Rebate Card Terms

These days consumers are watching their expenses more carefully than they have in decades, and any opportunity to save a few dollars is greeted with eagerness. Credit card issuers know what makes consumers tick, and these days they are using their marketing campaigns to appeal to the urge to save while Americans struggle to pay their bills. But credit card cash back programs, rewards card offers, and advertisements for the newest and most exciting rebate card should be read carefully before signing up on the dotted line. That’s because many of these offers have contingencies or terms that need to be met in order to qualify.

Some rewards come in the form of gifts or merchant discounts, for example, but those will only be valuable to you if you shop for those items or with those particular retailers. Other rebates kick in after an introductory period or only if your spending limits reach a certain amount. Then there are cards that offer a higher percentage of rebate or reward for specific categories of purchases – but in other categories the perks are less. Card companies naturally emphasize the topmost rewards and highest values in advertising, so the prominent reward or percentage in an ad or mailed offer may only apply to some situations, while the average rebate is smaller.

Almost all of them offer perks, for sure, and many are rewarding and valuable. But to make sure you get the right card for your particular needs, be sure to read the smaller print. Thanks to new federal rules and regulations regarding transparency and clarity, that smaller print may have gotten a few font sizes larger in recent months. The consumer protection laws have forced card issuers to be more up-front about the terms of their agreements, and they are starting to use more user-friendly language. So generally speaking card statements and offers are now easier to comprehend. But smart consumers are choosing their credit cards carefully and avoiding the habit of carrying lots of different cards. So if you are searching for the ideal rebate card for your spending and savings needs, read the entire offer and the small print so that you can make a wise and informed decision.
Offshore Pro Group