Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card
A solid rewards card for active duty military members.
8 min read
Aug 28, 2024
Claire Dickey
Former Editor, Credit Cards
EXPERTISE
- Rewards credit cards
- Travel credit cards
- Credit card news
- Building credit
EDUCATION
- A.B.J. Advertising, Grady College of Journalism at The University of Georgia
There’s no reason to feel intimidated by a credit card. As long as you pay off your purchases every month, there’s little risk and tons of upside.
— Claire Dickey
Claire Dickey is a credit cards editor at Bankrate, focusing on news, product guides and educational content. Her areas of expertise include rewards and travel credit cards, building credit and credit card news. Always on the lookout for the latest credit cards and card perks, as well as cards-related legislation and regulations, Claire is passionate about demystifying personal finance topics. Her goal is to help readers save money, earn rewards and protect their credit scores.
When she’s not strategizing about how to maximize rewards on her next trip, Claire is an avid runner and day hiker.
Claire wants you to know
If you’re trying to build credit, my best advice is to keep things simple. A credit card is a great way to show your creditworthiness, but picking one can be overwhelming since there are so many options out there and so many features to consider. Stick to the basics: Look for a card with low fees and the option to put down a large deposit and get a matching credit limit. If you pay on time and only charge small purchases to the card, your score can grow surprisingly quickly.
Claire's recommended readings
- How do travel credit cards work?
- Tips for planning summer travel with your credit card
- Bilt is offering double the points on flights to Europe today only, plus other Bilt Rent Day perks
There’s no reason to feel intimidated by a credit card. As long as you pay off your purchases every month, there’s little risk and tons of upside.
— Claire Dickey
Claire's latest articles
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Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard®
The Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard® helps frequent travelers and loyalists to the Virgin Atlantic airline earn miles on travel and all other purchases.
8 min read Aug 07, 2024 -
Citi Rewards+℠ Student Card
The Citi Rewards+ Student Card is a no annual fee rewards option for young adults looking to build credit and earn points for everyday purchases.
3 min read Aug 07, 2024 -
Credit One Bank® Unsecured Visa® with Free Credit Score Access
A bad credit score doesn’t mean you’re exiled from earning rewards—you’ll earn a flat 1 percent cash back on eligible purchases.
2 min read Aug 07, 2024 -
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
The Platinum Select World Elite card offers an ample sign-up bonus, no annual fee for the first 12 months ($99 thereafter) and great yearly bonuses that add to your mileage pool.
6 min read Jul 18, 2024 -
Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®
For the devoted American Airlines flier, the Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® is worth considering — especially since you can test drive it for a year without paying the $99 annual fee.
6 min read Jul 11, 2024 -
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
For a $450 annual fee, American Airlines loyalists can fly in style with perks like Admirals Club membership, priority boarding on flights, credit for TSA Pre✓® or Global Entry and more.
4 min read Jul 09, 2024 -
Achieve New Year’s goals with these cards
Earn credit card rewards on spending you’re already doing.
7 min read Jun 19, 2024
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5 ways to build credit with no credit history
There are alternative ways to build credit, like becoming an authorized user, opening a store card or reporting your utility payments each month.
5 min read Aug 15, 2024 -
JetBlue Card
The JetBlue Card is a good choice for the JetBlue traveler who typically takes a trip or two each year.
7 min read Aug 14, 2024 -
First Progress Platinum Select Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
This credit card is one of three secured cards offered by First Progress issued by Synovus Bank, and all of them can help you rebuild your credit.
4 min read Aug 13, 2024 -
Control™ Prepaid Mastercard®
The Control Prepaid Mastercard offers a high APY with the attached savings account, but it comes with fewer cash-back options than other prepaid cards.
4 min read Aug 13, 2024 -
Best Marriott credit cards for 2024
In terms of hotel credit cards, Marriott co-branded credit cards can be a great choice.
6 min read Aug 08, 2024 -
Susan G. Komen® Cash Rewards Visa® credit card from Bank of America
Bank of America pledges to make a donation to breast cancer research when you get the Susan G. Komen Credit card.
3 min read Aug 07, 2024 -
SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express
You’d be hard-pressed to find another small business card that lets you customize your rewards like the SimplyCash Plus Business Credit Card from American Express.
2 min read Aug 07, 2024 -
How the Chase Sapphire Preferred pays for itself
When you break down the benefits, the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s $95 annual fee is a steal.
4 min read Jul 10, 2024
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Adverse selection in life insurance
Learn about adverse selection and how it affects the life insurance industry.
7 min read Sep 20, 2023 -
Use a balance transfer card to ditch holiday debt
Balance transfer cards let you ditch debt at a faster pace due to their intro rates.
4 min read Aug 10, 2023 -
How credit cards can help you beat inflation
With inflation running hot, everyone is looking for ways to save, and credit cards can help.
4 min read Jul 26, 2023 -
How to upgrade or downgrade your Capital One credit card
Upgrading or downgrading your Capital One card can be a smart financial move.
6 min read Jul 26, 2023 -
Cash management account vs. money market fund — Which is better?
Here are key pros and cons of cash management accounts and money market funds
5 min read Jul 13, 2023 -
How to maximize your rewards with Chase Offers
Chase Offers lets you earn additional cash back on selected purchases – learn more with our guide.
6 min read Apr 21, 2023 -
How to buy Spotify stock
Here’s how to buy shares of Spotify stock and what to consider before you buy.
4 min read Feb 22, 2023 -
Buying a house to tear it down
Whether you want to rebuild or just want the land, buying a tear-down can be complicated.
4 min read Feb 10, 2023