6 common mistakes to avoid when using a cash-back credit card

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Cash-back credit cards offer cash rewards on the purchases you make. Many come with other perks and features that can save you money on your monthly statement or on interest charges.

But with so many different options out there, it’s possible that you’re not using the best card or strategy to maximize the value you can get from your cash back card.

Here are some common mistakes people make with cash-back credit cards — and how to avoid them.

You’re not using the right card for your spending

Cash back rewards programs come in all shapes and sizes; to avoid leaving real money on the table, you should check that you’re using the right card for your spending habits.

Review your budget and where you spend most of your money (i.e., gas, groceries, dining etc.). Determine how well your current card aligns with those specific spend categories, and then take some time to look into other cards that might provide more cash back based on your top expense categories.

For example, suppose you spend a lot on groceries and want a card with no annual fee.

In that case, the no-annual-fee Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (see rates and fees) offers 3% cash back on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and U.S. online retail purchases on up to $6,000 per calendar year in purchases for each category (then 1%), and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

If you spend a lot in different areas of your budget and want more flexibility, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card could be a good fit.

It offers 3% cash back on the category of your choice from the following options: gas and electric vehicle charging stations, online shopping (including cable, streaming, internet and phone services), dining, travel, drugstores/pharmacies, home improvement and furnishings.

The card also offers 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% back on everything else (on up to $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter).

Finally, if you’d rather earn a solid reward rate on every purchase — regardless of the category — the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) might be the ticket. It offers 2% cash back on everything — 1% back when you make a purchase and another 1% back as you pay it off.

You’re only using one card

Sticking with just one credit card simplifies things, but even if your card’s rewards program hits all of your top spending categories, you could still get more value by using multiple credit cards.

For example, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. However, the rest of your purchases will net you just 1% back.

In contrast, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (see rates and fees) offers a flat 2% cash reward on purchases.

With the Capital One Savor card, most of your purchases will likely fall into the 1% rewards rate, which is uninspiring. With the Wells Fargo Active Cash card, you’re getting a great rewards rate on non-bonused spending, but you don’t have the option to earn more in your top spending categories.

By combining the two cards, you get to earn at least 2% cash rewards on purchases, with the chance to earn more on top spending categories. This is only one example of credit card combinations that can power up your wallet.

You’re excluding cards with annual fees

Many cash back cards don’t charge an annual fee, so it’s natural to bristle a bit when you see one. But some cash-back cards with an annual fee make up for the cost by offering even better reward rates than their no-fee counterparts.

Take the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, for example. The card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year (then $95; see rates and fees), but it also earns more on select purchases than many other cash-back cards.

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred earns 6% back on U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) and select U.S. streaming subscriptions. With the U.S. supermarket category alone, you can get up to $360 in cash back every year, far outpacing the card’s annual fee. Cash back is issued in the form of Reward Dollars and can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

Related: How to decide if a credit card’s annual fee is worth paying

You’re paying more in interest than you’re getting in cash back

Credit cards make it simple to carry a balance. Most have no set repayment terms, and minimum payments are often easy to meet. But if you don’t pay your bill in full every month, you’ll be slapped with high-interest charges on your unpaid balance.

It’s best to prioritize paying your bill on time and in full every month to avoid losing some of your rewards value to interest charges. Use your card’s AutoPay feature or set a reminder for yourself so that you never miss a payment.

You’re not using shopping portals or offers to earn more

Some card issuers have shopping portals or specific offers that can help you earn more rewards on top of what your cash-back credit card already offers.

For example, Amex Offers allows you to add specific discounts or bonus opportunities to your card in your online account (enrollment is required, and terms apply; not all cardmembers will be targeted for the same offers).

Past offers have included discounts like $100 off a charge of $500 or more at Hilton and $35 off a Ray-Ban purchase of $150 or more. Chase does this with its own similar platform, Chase Offers.

Taking advantage of either of these options is an easy way to multiply your rewards haul on certain online and in-store shopping trips.

Additionally, you can take advantage of cash back websites like Rakuten and TopCashback to earn even more.

You’re not activating rotating bonus categories

If you have a card like the Chase Freedom Flex® or Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card, you might be able to earn as much as 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases in various categories that change every quarter.

You could be missing out if you’re not paying enough attention to the current quarter’s bonus categories while shopping. Even if you’re using another card for most of your spending or for other bonus categories, it’s still worth taking advantage of a quarterly bonus category until you’ve hit the spending cap to rake in all that extra cash back.

Additionally, you’ll need to activate the bonus every quarter. Fortunately, there’s usually some leeway with how much time you have to activate it, but if you forget, you’ll leave money on the table.

The information for the Discover it Cash Back has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: Chase Freedom Flex vs. Discover it Cash Back: Earn 5% cash back on rotating categories

Bottom line

If you’re using cash back credit cards, it’s important to ensure that you have the right ones in your wallet and that you’re taking advantage of all the benefits they offer. If you’ve committed one or more of these mistakes, look for opportunities to adjust your approach and get even more value out of your cards.

Related: Amex vs. Chase cash-back: Which is best?

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday Amex, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred Amex, click here.