Credit Cards Offer Springtime Benefits

We have endured a long, harsh winter – and now spring is here in all its glory. While credit card companies aren’t handing out tulips, some of them are offering cardholders a few springtime rewards.

DISCOVER

From April 1 to June 30, Discover cardholders can sign up for a variety of rewards, including 5% cash back bonuses, discounts on ShopDiscover.com and expanded redemption options.

Consumers can earn 5% cash back bonuses on purchases in department stores, clothing stores, and home improvement stores on purchases up to $400. After cardholders reach the $400 limit, they will still be eligible to earn 1% cash back.

Other springtime rewards include higher quality brand-name products for redemption at ShopDiscover.com, Discover’s online shopping mall. Discover cardholders already earn 5% to 20% bonuses on ShopDiscover purchases. The mall already features more than 200 top retailers like Sears, Groupon, and Best Buy. This quarter it will add Lowe’s, Expedia, Golfsmith and Bed Bath & Beyond. Some products even offer free shipping.

“With summer right around the corner, we’re giving our cardmembers more ways to save money and earn meaningful rewards while they shop for home improvement projects and other essentials,” said Dana Traci, vice president of rewards and product management at Discover, in a press release. “We’re always working with Discover Cardmembers to offer more value through our generous rewards program.”

VISA

Like Discover, many Visa cards offer quarterly cash back bonuses in various categories. Check with your bank for special offers; you may have to sign up online. The Chase Freedom Visa card, for example, is offering 5% cash back in home improvement, lawn and garden and home furnishing stores.

The British Airways Visa signature card from Chase offers consumers who apply by May 6 travel miles that can take them across the globe. Upon first use of the card, the cardholder gets 50,000 bonus miles. Cardholders who spend $2,500 within three months will be issued another 50,000 miles. The card does not have any surcharge for foreign purchases.

MASTERCARD

Spring is time for growth, and MasterCard has implemented a program that will help small businesses grow this spring. MasterCard is expanding its inControl program, which helps users manage their budgets, from individuals to businesses and their employees.

The program divides spending into different categories like entertainment and dining out. Once the limit is reached, the cardholder cannot charge any more until the next budgeting period begins. The program provides spending alerts, so consumers don’t go overboard with their purchases in the spring and throughout the year.

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