5 Credit Card Hacks to Avoid

1. Sending Money Using Payment Apps

Many payment apps, such as Venmo, PayPal and CashApp, allow you to connect a credit card for payments. The apps can be a safe way to send money to friends or family members and to make purchases.

And while using a connected credit card to send payments might seem like an easy way to earn rewards, the hack doesn't actually work. Payment apps generally charge a fee for each payment or transfer you make using a connected credit card, such as 3% of the transaction amount. The fee could be more than the rewards you'll earn.

Additionally, your credit card issuer might consider the transaction a cash advance, which won't earn rewards. You might have to pay a cash advance fee and your cash advances could start to accrue interest immediately.

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Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express

Intro bonus:

As High As $200 Cash Back. Find Out Your Offer.

You may be eligible for as high as $200 cash back after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.

Intro APR:0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months

Ongoing APR:19.74%-28.74% Variable

Rewards:

1% - 3% (cash back)

Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on eligible purchases for each category on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.

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(187)Rated 4.56 out of 5 stars, 187 reviews

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Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

Intro bonus:

$100

Earn a $100 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

Intro APR:0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

Ongoing APR:18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% Variable APR

Rewards:

2% (Cash Rewards)

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

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(171)Rated 4.53 out of 5 stars, 171 reviews

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Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express

Intro bonus:

As High As $300 Cash Back. Find Out Your Offer.

You may be eligible for as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.

Intro APR:0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 12 months

Ongoing APR:19.74%-28.74% Variable

Rewards:

1% - 6% (cash back)

Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases 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 and at Amazon.com checkout.

Annual Fee:$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

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(892)Rated 3.89 out of 5 stars, 892 reviews

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Credit One Bank^® Platinum Rewards Visa^® Card

Ongoing APR:29.74% Variable

Rewards:

1% (cash back)

Earn 1% cash back rewards on eligible gas, grocery purchases and mobile phone service, internet, cable and satellite TV services, terms apply

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(65)Rated 4.58 out of 5 stars, 65 reviews

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Delta SkyMiles^® Blue American Express Card

Intro bonus:

10,000 Miles

Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

Ongoing APR:19.74%-28.74% Variable

Rewards:

1x - 2x (Miles per dollar)

Earn 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2X Miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, and 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.

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Credit One Bank^® Platinum X5 Visa Signature^® Metal Card

Ongoing APR:29.74% Variable

Rewards:

1% - 5% (cash back)

Earn 5% cash back rewards on the first $5,000 of eligible gas, grocery, internet, cable, satellite TV, and mobile phone service purchases each year, and then 1% thereafter. Plus 1% cash back rewards on all other purchases, terms apply.

Annual Fee:$95

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(87)Rated 4.31 out of 5 stars, 87 reviews

Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Intro bonus:

$200

$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening

Intro APR:0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days

Ongoing APR:17.49% - 27.49% Variable

Rewards:

1% - 6% (cash back)

Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice. You’ll automatically earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category. Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.

Annual Fee:$0

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(42)Rated 4.62 out of 5 stars, 42 reviews

Bank of America^® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

Intro bonus:

$250

Limited Time Offer! $250 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Intro APR:0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days

Ongoing APR:17.49% - 27.49% Variable

Rewards:

1.5% (cash back)

1.5% cash back on all purchases

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2. Purchasing Prepaid Cards to Earn Rewards

Buying prepaid gift cards also might seem like an easy way to earn credit card rewards. You could even try to use the money on the prepaid gift card to pay off your credit card bill.

However, buying prepaid cards is also often considered a cash advance. Even if the prepaid card company doesn't charge you a fee, you still won't come out ahead if you're paying a cash advance fee and interest.

3. Purchasing Gift Cards to Earn Rewards

Buying gift cards is a gray area rather than something to avoid altogether. Depending on your card issuer, where you buy the gift card and the type of gift card you're buying, the transaction might be classified as a standard purchase.

For example, if your credit card offers bonus points at grocery stores and you buy someone a $25 gift card at your local grocery store, you might receive the bonus points for the purchase. However, if you regularly buy gift cards to boost your rewards points, the card issuer might consider that to be gaming the rewards program, take your points and close your account.

Additionally, if you use a gift card for a purchase, you won't receive the purchase protections and benefits that many credit cards offer.

4. Opening Lots of New Cards for the Intro Bonuses

Many credit cards offer an intro bonus that you can earn for opening a new card or completing certain requirements. These intro bonuses can be quite large, and some people open new credit cards to earn the bonus without any intention to use the card later.

Repeatedly opening and closing credit cards for the intro bonus is sometimes called credit card churning or credit card flipping. You might be able to earn lots of rewards quickly, but credit card issuers may view this as gaming their rewards programs.

As a result, the card issuer might take back your rewards and close your credit card account. It also might close other credit cards or bank accounts you have at the company and deny new applications you submit.

Even if you're not regularly opening or closing new cards, you also might lose your rewards if you earn an intro bonus and then close the card within 12 months of opening the account.

Beyond implications to your credit card accounts, your credit score can drop from opening and closing multiple cards, especially in a short time period.

5. Lying About Your Income

While it can be tempting to enter a higher income on your application to potentially get a larger credit limit, this is not a good idea. Even though card issuers don't ask to verify your income like loan applications do, you should only enter an accurate income amount. Inflating your income is considered fraud, and if your card issuer finds out, your account can be closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get Matched With Great Rewards Cards

Many credit card hacks focus on increasing your credit card rewards and credit scores. Often, these hacks can backfire and cost you money. But there are many legitimate ways to improve your credit scores and benefit from a rewards card.

You could start by checking your FICO^® Score^Θ for free to see where your credit stands. Your Experian account also comes with free credit report monitoring. And once you log in, you can get matched with credit card offers based on your unique credit profile.