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If you use credit cards often but have a credit card that doesn’t earn rewards, you’re missing out. You can earn points, miles, or cash back when you swipe your card.

But are you worried you may go into debt while trying to earn rewards?

I have good news — you can earn rewards without accumulating debt. You just need to take care when using your cards. I’ll share a few strategies to help you succeed.

Don’t spend more than you can afford

When you take extra care to manage your credit card spending, it’s easier to avoid debt. It’s best to treat your credit cards like a debit card. When swiping your debit card, money is taken directly from your checking account. That means you can only spend the money you have.

Treating your credit cards like this is a good strategy. Only spending what you can afford helps ensure you don’t rack up a high credit card balance.

If you struggle to manage your spending, budgeting can be helpful. You can use digital tools to set spending goals and monitor your progress. Click here to review the top budgeting apps that include useful money management tools.

Always pay your entire statement balance

In addition to spending what you can afford, you should prioritize paying your entire statement balance every month. Your credit card bill will list a minimum payment amount and the statement balance. You’ll be charged interest if you only pay the minimum amount due.

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the average credit card interest rate was 21.76% in August 2024. That’s a high interest rate and a recipe for disaster once interest fees begin to hit your account. The more your balance climbs, the harder it is to get out of debt.

Getting into the habit of paying your statement balance in full is wise. This way, you never carry a balance on your card — allowing you to avoid debt.

If you’re spending within your means and want to simplify your life, consider enabling automatic payments. You can enable this through your online credit card account, and be sure to set it up so the entire statement balance is paid off.

Choose rewards cards that match your spending

Here’s one final tip: Choose credit cards that provide rewards that match your spending. You’ll earn rewards faster when you choose a card that aligns with your spending habits. Plus, it can reduce the temptation to spend beyond your means just to earn rewards.

If you typically make purchases in several top spending categories, choosing a card that offers bonus rewards in select spending categories may be the best strategy.

But make sure you choose a card with bonus rewards categories that align with your spending. If you mostly spend money on groceries and gas, getting a travel card with bonus rewards on travel purchases doesn’t make sense. Instead, look for a gas and grocery rewards card.

However, a flat-rate rewards card may be a better choice if you have scattered spending across purchase categories. These cards earn at a set rate, such as 2% cash back on all purchases. This provides a simple way of earning rewards without having to track bonus categories.

Don’t be afraid of credit cards

Credit cards can offer many benefits. You can use them to improve your money management skills, build credit, and earn rewards. Don’t assume that using a rewards card will result in you ending up in debt. If you make responsible decisions when using, paying, and managing your credit cards, you can earn rewards while saving money on expensive interest costs.

Don’t have a rewards credit card? Now is an excellent time to start earning rewards. Explore our list of the best cash back credit cards with big rewards.

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