Maximize Benefits With A Reward Student Credit Card

Rewards credit cards can be a great way to earn a little extra cash or perks like airline tickets, rebates towards the purchase of a new or used car, tickets for MTV events, gift cards and much more.

When researching reward credit cards, look for the card that offers the best incentives on purchases you frequently make. Some cards, such as Citi® mtvU™ Platinum Select® Visa®, awards you a full five points (roughly equivalent to a 5% cash back) on charges made in restaurants, bookstores, record stores, video rentals and movie theaters and one point for other purchases. You also get rewarded for getting good grades (up to 2,000 points a year) and for paying your credit card bill on time. Points can be redeemed for gift cards, CDs, airline tickets, or tickets to the MTV Music Video awards.

If earning a straight cash back on purchases sounds more appealing to you, check out cards like the Discover® Student Card, which gives a 5% cash back in popular categories that change four times a year, like travel, clothing stores, movies, and department stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. The Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Card for College Students gives you a full 5% cash back on the purchases you make at supermarkets, gas stations, convenience stores and utilities for the first six months (2% thereafter) and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Finally, some cards, such as the Citi® Driver's Edge® Card for College Students, enable you to earn credit towards the purchase of a new or used car, towards car maintenance expenses, or for gas gift cards. You earn a 3% rebate for purchases in supermarkets, drug stores and gas stations, and 1% on all other purchases. You even earn points for each mile you drive.

To determine which card best fits your needs, look at your spending patterns and which type of rewards you prefer to earn. Remember that if you will be carrying a balance, you may be better off looking for the student credit card with the lowest APR.