Holiday shopping season is upon us—and that means now is the time to start planning your financial strategy. Last year the average American spent $1,050 on holiday gifts, food, and related travel. Whether you plan to spend more or less this year, you’re probably looking for ways to save and make the most of your spending. And choosing the right credit card is an excellent way to earn extra rewards for your holiday shopping. 

What to look for in a credit card for holiday shopping 

The best credit cards for holiday shopping are those with cashback points and a selection of rewards you can use, such as travel and merchandise rewards. Here’s what to look for in a credit card: 

• Low interest rates 
• High rewards rates
• Points to cash 
• No balance transfer fees
• Zero annual fees 
• No cash advance fees 
• Rewards points that never expire 

Ideally, you want to choose a credit card with low fees and high rewards. If your credit card comes with hidden costs, such as annual fees or balance transfer fees, it can end up costing you more in the long-run. 

How to maximize your holiday purchases 

Putting your holiday purchases on a credit card can help you earn cashback and rewards. But there are other ways to maximize your spending, too. Strategically spending with one or more cashback rewards cards can be very lucrative. The key is to pay off your balance in full and on time to avoid counterintuitive interest rates. If you follow this rule, you can maximize rewards on purchases you planned to make regardless. How you use your rewards is entirely up to you. 

Earn more with a DEXSTA Visa Platinum Rewards card 

With a DEXSTA credit card, you get a 2.99% introductory rate on all credit card purchases for the first 12 months—and no annual or balance transfer fees, ever. Plus you can earn points to cash, travel rewards, and merchandise rewards with the DEXSTA Visa Platinum Rewards card. Apply today to earn rewards on your holiday shopping.