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New welcome offer: 60,000 points

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Earn 60,000 bonus points (worth $750 toward travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards®) after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

See Details

8 wacky credit card rewards

Jeanine Skowronski @JeanineSko
August 1, 2016  in  Credit Cards

1 of 9

8 wacky credit card rewards

Credit card points can fund your next vacation or add some much-needed cash to your wallet. But these days, issuers also will let you put rewards toward other unconventional gifts, like autographed sports memorabilia.

These interesting redemption options are meant to attract and retain the most valuable credit card holders.

Bankrate dug up 8 of the more unique items and experiences issuers are offering with their credit card rewards programs and how much a customer must spend to get them.

Keep in mind, the following calculations look at the maximum you would have to charge, based on the card’s lowest points earning potential (typically 1 point per dollar on straight purchases).

You can, however, reach rewards thresholds faster by utilizing bonus categories (which may offer 3 points per dollar), buying items from your issuer’s online shopping portal or securing a lucrative sign-on bonus.

RATE SEARCH: Let Bankrate help you find the best rewards credit card today.

The Bankrate Daily

2 of 9

Drone and a 2-hour pilot lesson © Dmitry Kalinovsky/Shutterstock.com
Drone and a 2-hour pilot lesson

© Dmitry Kalinovsky/Shutterstock.com

Approximately 250,000 rewards points

How much you have to charge: $250,000 at most on the American Express Gold Card.

3 of 9

Cooler scooter | Thomas Northcut/Getty Images
Cooler scooter

Thomas Northcut/Getty Images

115,600 ThankYou rewards points

How much you have to charge: $115,600 at most on the Citi ThankYou Preferred Card.

4 of 9

17-shelf stainless steel wine cellar © hxdbzxy/Shutterstock.com
17-shelf stainless steel wine cellar

© hxdbzxy/Shutterstock.com

369,707 rewards points

How much you have to charge: $369,707 at most on the Wells Fargo Rewards Visa Card.

5 of 9

Blackjack and card-counting lesson from a professional player © Serg Shalimoff/Shutterstock.com
Blackjack and card-counting lesson from a professional player

© Serg Shalimoff/Shutterstock.com

Approximately 900,000 rewards points

How much you have to charge: $900,000 at most on the American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card.

RATE SEARCH: Let Bankrate help you find the best rewards credit card today.

6 of 9

Kiddo Octopus Jump 'N' Slide Fun House © Brocreative/Shutterstock.com
Kiddo Octopus Jump ‘N’ Slide Fun House

© Brocreative/Shutterstock.com

67,700 ThankYou points

How much you have to charge: $67,700 at most on the Citi ThankYou Preferred Card.

7 of 9

Bahamas shark-diving experience © Amanda Nicholls/Shutterstock.com
Bahamas shark-diving experience

© Amanda Nicholls/Shutterstock.com

Approximately 4,580,000

How much you have to charge: $4,580,000 at most on the American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card.

8 of 9

Spider-Man first edition cover poster signed by Stan Lee | Mario Tama/Getty images
Spider-Man first edition cover poster signed by Marvel Comics creator Stan Lee

Mario Tama/Getty images

51,427 points rewards points

How much you have to charge: $51,427 at most on the Wells Fargo Rewards Visa Card.

9 of 9

7-day Indonesian yacht cruise for 12 © soft_light/Shutterstock.com
7-day Indonesian yacht cruise for 12

© soft_light/Shutterstock.com

Approximately 19 million rewards points

How much you have to charge: $19 million at most on the American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card.

RATE SEARCH: Ready to rack up some crazy credit card rewards? Let Bankrate help you find the best rewards credit card today.

Related Links:
  • 6 careless ways to squander your cash-back rewards
  • Black card: If you get the invitation to own one, should you take the offer?
  • Posh perks for elite credit card holders
Related Articles:
  • 9 fun credit card uses
  • Get more from credit cards
  • Get the most from rewards cards

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