While Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions tend to capture the spotlight during the holiday shopping season, consumers looking for excellent deals might find that cash back credit cards offer as good, if not better promotions than so-called “door-busters”.

This holiday season a number of major credit card companies are offering consumers substantial cash back sign-up bonuses of up to $200 that can go a long way in reducing holiday credit card bills. Other credit card deals provide slightly lower sign-up bonuses, but 0% interest rates that can prevent the cost of holiday gifts from escalating for those who need a little extra time to pay off expenses.

Here are noteworthy deals worth considering:

1.) Citi Dividend Card with $100 Cash Back:  While not the largest cash back deal available this season, the Citi Dividend $100 cash back offer is an ideal card for consumers who will be paying off holiday purchases over time as well as for those who currently have high rate balances on their credit cards. The Dividend card offers a 0% interest rate for 15 months on new purchases and balance transfers. This intro period can be used to pay down existing balances as well as to prevent new purchases from racking up interest. Plus, consumers who spend $500 within three months get a $100 cash back reward on top of the 1% to 5% that can be earned year round. Continue Reading »

Although the attention of deal hungry shoppers may be focused on “door buster” sales and other Black Friday discounts, some of the best deals to be had this holiday season aren’t available in stores. Credit card deals, particularly credit card rewards promotions, offer consumers as much as $500 in sign-up bonuses. Other credit card deals offer less tantalizing bonuses, but do provide long lasting 0% interest rates that can help take the bite out interest expenses that can arise from shopping on credit.

Below are details on credit card deals that can help offset Black Friday shopping expenses.

Top Black Friday Credit Card Deals

The Chase Sapphire card provides the largest cash back sign up bonus available this year. The Preferred version of this card offers consumers 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed for $500 cash back or $625 towards travel. In order to obtain this bonus, applicants must simply spend $3,000 within three months of signing up. Between holiday shopping, travel, and everyday expenses, this is a target many consumers can easily hit. And compared to most Black Friday deals, the $500 that can be obtained makes waiting in-line at any store seem foolish. Continue Reading »

Although the Chase Freedom rewards card is one of the most heavily advertised credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card with its 50,000 Ultimate Reward point bonus offered to new card-members is a much richer offer for consumers who spend heavily. Unlike most credit card reward promotions, the Chase Sapphire 50,000 point bonus requires a somewhat substantial $3,000 of spending within three months of approval. This is pretty hefty compared to the $500 spending requirement to obtain the Chase Freedom $200 bonus.

However, consumers who use this Chase card for everyday purchases will likely have no issue spending an average of $1,000 a month during the next three months and obtaining the 50,000 points that can be worth as much as $625 when redeemed for travel.

Earning the Chase Sapphire 50,000 Point Bonus

When approved for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, the three month clock starts ticking. Because of the somewhat limited period of time card-holders have to reach the $3,000 spending threshold, it is best to apply for this card only if you are confident you can reach the spending threshold needed to obtain the 50,000 Ultimate Reward bonus without incurring debt or having to make large last minute purchases to qualify. The holidays are an ideal time to take advantage of this Sapphire promotion, as is any time a large purchase is on the horizon, such as a vacation. Continue Reading »

The battle to get to the top of consumer wallets during the holidays is beginning to heat up with the introduction of a new version of the Citi Diamond Preferred card, the Citi Diamond $200. While similar to the Chase Freedom $200 cash back offer in terms of upfront bonuses, this new limited time offer from Citibank differs in many significant ways, most notably in the 0% interest rate department, but also in the spending requirement needed to obtain the Diamond card’s $200 cash back bonus.

The Citi Diamond $200 Bonus Offer

The Citi Diamond Preferred $200 bonus offer provides consumers who make $500 in online purchases within three months of becoming a card member a statement credit for $200.  This differs from similar $200 credit card offers in two key ways. First, while $500 is typical as far as spending requirements go, the online purchase requirement differs from standard offers, which grant bonuses regardless of where money is spent.  The online spending element of this deal is a factor that should be weighed carefully by consumers, particularly those who expect to do the bulk of their holiday shopping off-line. Continue Reading »

Every three months, 5% cash back credit card categories on the Chase Freedom, Citi Dividend and Discover More cards refresh. Typically, bonus cash back categories align with seasonal spending habits and this trend holds true ahead of the holiday season. This fall, Citibank is offering the most consumer friendly 5% cash back options, though Chase is not far behind. Discover, on the other hand, has mediocre and very limited bonus opportunities.

Citi Dividend 5% Cash Back Categories

The Citi Dividend card’s fourth quarter 5% cash back bonus categories are clearly tailored to family Christmas shopping. From October 1st until December 31st, card-holders earn 5% cash back on purchases made at department, clothing, electronics and toy stores. This essentially covers retailers from Macy’s to Best Buy. In other words, just about anywhere a person shopping for their family would need to shop qualifies for a nice discount. Continue Reading »

Throughout 2011, credit card offers have grown increasingly generous. In the past, only airline credit cards offered substantial sign-up bonuses. Today, a wide range of rewards credit cards are being promoted that provide new card-members with bonuses ranging from $50 to $500. While there are always strings attached, the hurdles that stand between applicants and the bonuses being advertised are minimal and are simply based on meeting certain spending requirements within a three month period.

Below are some insights on credit card reward promotions worth considering ahead of the holiday season.

Credit Card Offers with the Largest Credit Card Reward Bonuses

As has been the case throughout the year, Chase Sapphire and Chase Sapphire Preferred offer consumers two of the largest bonuses. Each card requires new applicants to spend $3,000 during the first three months of card-membership in order to obtain the bonuses offered. Of the two cards, Chase Sapphire Preferred leads the pack, serving up a 50,000 Chase Ultimate Reward point bonus that, at bare minimum is worth $500. However, if these miles are redeemed for travel rewards, the value of the bonus increases to $625. This card charges no annual fee the first year, but does charge $95 in subsequent years. Continue Reading »

In advance of the holiday season, Citibank is releasing a Citi Dividend $200 cash back promotion. This offer is very similar to the Chase Freedom $200 offer in terms of sign up bonuses and long term rates.

However, while the Citi Dividend $200 offer is extremely generous in the sign-up bonus department, consumers interested in this card should also consider the Citi Dividend $100 cash back card, as this less generous offer does provide a long lasting 0% introductory rate on purchases and balance transfers.

The 0% rate feature offered on the $100 version of this card could end up netting consumers greater savings, as those who carry balances from month to month could save more on interest with the $100 offer than they could by opting for the $200 offer. Continue Reading »