Earn Cash Back with the Top Holiday Toys of 2017

If you’re the type who likes to plan ahead, chances are you’re already trying to strategize how to get the best Holiday gifts at the lowest prices. And Walmart’s trying to appeal to early shoppers: The retail giant has recently released its list of the most popular toys for the 2017 Holidays.

Sales are great, but if you’re looking to take your savings even further, a cash back credit card might be the most powerful tool in your wallet. We’ve calculated the total amount of Walmart’s list — which includes Hatchimals, Fingerlings Interactive Baby Monkeys, and the littleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit — to be $597.67. We’ve measured that amount against our list of the best cash back credit cards of 2017, to show just how much you could save.

Note: For toys with multiple prices, we’ve selected the average amount. Cash back is rounded to the nearest cent. Pricing does not include shipping and handling costs.

Credit Card Cashback Rate Total Return
Discover it® – Cashback Match™ 5% for rotating categories, 1% on everything else $5.98
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express 6% at U.S. Supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), 3% at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores, 1% on everything else $5.98
Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card 3% on gas, 2% on grocery stores, and 1% everywhere else $5.98 + Bonus
Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card 1.5% on all purchases $8.97 + Bonus
Chase Freedom® 5% for rotating categories, 1% on everything else $29.89 + Bonus
Barclaycard CashForward™ World Mastercard® 1.5% on all purchases $8.97
Chase Freedom Unlimited® 1.5% on all purchases $8.97 + Bonus
Capital One® QuicksilverOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card 1.5% on all purchases $8.97


The Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card, Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card, Chase Freedom® card, and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® each offer a $150 signup bonus when cardholders spend $500 or more within a specified amount of time. 

Breaking it down, card by card

Earn 6% at U.S. Supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores, 1% on everything else

  • While cardholders earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, American Express considers Walmart a “superstore” instead of a grocery store, so cardholders only earn 1%. But if you spend $1,000 in purchases within your first three months of card ownership, you’ll earn $200 back. That’s an impressive savings. And rewards dollars can be redeemed as statement credits, good for any purchase.

Earn 5% for rotating categories, 1% on everything else

  • The card offers 1% cashback on all purchases, as well as 5% cashback on purchases made within select categories that rotate quarterly. Through December, that includes 5% cash back for purchases made through Amazon.com and Target. (Discover members should be sure to activate their 5% bonus through their account.) It’s possible that cardholders could find more value at either Amazon or Target as opposed to Walmart. And don’t forget about the dollar-for-dollar cashback match at the end of your first year of card membership!
  • cardholders earn 5% cash back in rotating categories each quarter (so long as they activate via their Chase profile). From October to December, that includes 5% cashback at all Walmart stores and other department stores. Otherwise, cardholders earn unlimited 1% cashback on all other purchases.

Earn 3% on gas, 2% on grocery stores, and 1% everywhere else

  • If you’re a Bank of America® customer, and you participate in Preferred Rewards, the holds the most value for you. In addition to the 1% cash back you’ll earn on Walmart purchases, you’ll be able to earn anywhere between a 25-75% customer points bonus! That’s in addition to the $150 online cash rewards bonus earned after spending $500 in the first 90 days of card membership.

Earn 1.5% on all purchases

  • The offers one of the simplest, highest reward rates of any cash back card. Cardholders earn 1.5% cashback on all purchases, period. Combined with no annual fee, this is one of the most no-frills, flat-rate credit cards available on the market today.
  • The is a useful cash back card for stacking rewards. Cardholders earn 1.5% cashback on all purchases throughout the year. Every time you redeem rewards, you’ll earn a 5% cash reward bonus toward your next redemption. That’s a solid, consistent bonus that lasts past the holidays.
  • The card combines a 1.5% cash back flat rate with a $0 annual fee and a 15-month 0% intro APR period. Customers can earn rewards without accruing interest or fees, making this card a perfect choice for anyone looking to open a new card during the holidays. And you can redeem rewards at any time.
  • The offers a straightforward, flat-rate 1.5% cash back for cardholders. It’s designed for those with average-to-fair credit and can help build up your credit score over time. (As a bonus, cardholders get 50% off of a Spotify subscription.)

Lastly, consider how you’ll use your card post-holiday. Cash back credit cards offer differing rewards rates based on spending habits: Some are optimal for spending in specific categories, while others are optimal for everyday expenses. For more info on the cards in this list, and to see which card is right for you, check out our list of the best cash back credit cards of 2017.

 

The post Earn Cash Back with the Top Holiday Toys of 2017 appeared first on The Simple Dollar.

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