Take Advantage Of Loyalty Programs That Allow Points Pooling
Many rewards programs allow points pooling between member accounts, and you and your partner should definitely be taking advantage of the opportunity to combine points into one account.
For example, Citi ThankYou cardholders can share points with another ThankYou Rewards member for free. Make sure to redeem the points within 90 days or they will expire.
The Chase Ultimate Rewards program allows point transfers in three cases:
- If you share the same household.
- If youre an authorized user on your significant others account.
- If you hold a business card, you can transfer points to a co-owner of the company.
If you meet one of the requirements, you and your plus one can link Ultimate Rewards accounts and send points to each other as necessary. By doing so, you can keep flights on one reservation number or book more nights at hotels.
Speaking of hotels, and World of Hyatt allow free point transfers to another loyalty program member. Hilton Honors takes it a step further and allows points pooling among 11 program members.
Because couples typically stay in the same hotel room, you can extend your stays by pooling points. Marriott and Hilton allow booking five nights for the price of four when redeeming points, and you can take advantage of this perk by combining your rewards. Even better, consider the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card* which offers the fourth night free on award bookings to cardholders.
Best For Bonus Categories American Express Gold
Annual Fee
The American Express Gold is one of the best overall credit cards when you look at the signup bonus, spending rewards, and other card perks. First, youll get 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 in the first six months. And they currently have a special going where you can earn 75,000 points. Those points are worth between 0.5 and 2.0 cents per point, depending on how you redeem them.
One of the biggest benefits of the Amex Gold is the spending rewards. Here are a few different ways you can earn points:
- 4X points on dining, including restaurants, takeout, and delivery
- 4X points on groceries
- 1X points on other purchases
In addition to the signup bonus and spending rewards, the Amex Gold offers several other perks. For example, youll get a $120 annual Uber credit for either food delivery or rideshare services. Youll also get a $120 annual dining credit to be used for other delivery services like Grubhub, Seamless, and Boxed. Thats $240 just in food delivery rewards.
Finally, other travel perks this card offers include rental car insurance, baggage insurance plan, no foreign transaction fees, and more
Pros
- Low rewards on non-bonus categories
Pros
- Low rewards on non-bonus categories
Best For Cash Back Citi Double Cash
Annual Fee
The Citi Double Cash Card is one of the most popular cash back credit cards on the market because of its high rewards rate on every purchase. When you spend with your Citi Double Cash, youll get 2% back on every purchase. Youll get the first 1% when you make the purchase, and the other 1% back when you pay it off. Its a great way to make the most of your wedding spending.
The Citi Double Cash doesnt come with a welcome bonus or many of the other perks that more premium cards have, but it does exactly what a cash back card should do. It also offers a few additional benefits, including identity theft solutions and special access to tickets on thousands of events, including presales.
Finally, if youre looking for a card to put some of your wedding spending on while also taking advantage of a balance transfer, the Citi Double Cash might be the right option. This card offers 0% interest on balance transfers for 18 months.
Pros
- 2% back on all purchases
- 18-month intro APR for balance transfers
Cons
- Introductory APR doesnt apply to purchases
Pros
- 2% back on all purchases
- 18-month intro APR for balance transfers
Cons
- Introductory APR doesnt apply to purchases
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How To Pick The Right Credit Card For Wedding Spending
With several great credit cards to choose from, the best credit card for your wedding would require some forethought.
Once you have your wedding planned, you can look into which credit card will yield the most rewards based on your expected wedding expenses.
Your rewards dont necessarily have to help you save on the wedding itself. The rewards may also go towards your honeymoon or preparing your new home as a married couple.
And, theres always the option to use your rewards towards sensible financial goals such as building an emergency fund, saving for a home down payment, or growing your retirement funds.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Credit Card For Your Wedding Expenses
0% Annual Percentage Rate
If youre looking for a new credit card that offers long periods of 0% introductory APR, look no further. Cards available right now offer lengthy 0% APR periods, so its easier to pay off your balance over time without incurring any interest charges. This is especially helpful when couples need some extra help with their budgeting!
Miles & Points bonuses
With a honeymoon right around the corner, many couples use the points and miles they accrue from their wedding expenses to travel hack their way into fancy hotels and upgraded flights! One way you can do this is by getting a credit card with sign-up bonuses before your big day. These cards typically offer cash or points as an incentive for spending more than a certain amount in a specific time frame.
Loans
I never promote couples going into debt for their wedding, but for some, its their preference. It is important to understand what options you have when it comes to obtaining a loan. Banks may offer personal loans but sometimes lenders will not provide small amounts, which can make things difficult for those in need of financial help with their wedding. Credit cards are another option that lets people borrow an instant amount without having to request the specific dollar amount they would like from banks and similar lending institutions. Credit cards allow for more flexibility on how much money you want through customization instead of committing to the loan at once.
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Can Using Credit Cards For Wedding Expenses Help Save Money
There are lots of people who have a fear of credit cards. But a little research work on credit cards can make it abundantly clear that by using a credit card you can earn lots of perks and benefits. There are various kinds of credit cards that can be used as your money-saving tool. You just need to make use of the right credit card for your wedding expenses with self-discipline as well as caution. Here is a very basic brief about the reward structure for a credit card.
Should You Charge Your Wedding Expenses On A Credit Card
by Christy Bieber | Updated July 27, 2021 – First published on April 10, 2019
Image source: Getty Images
It’s your big day — should you break out the credit card to make it a dream wedding? Find out here if charging your wedding costs is a good financial plan.Image source: Getty Images.
Weddings are extremely expensive. Estimates for the average wedding cost in 2017 ranged from $25,764 to $33,391. With expenses so high, it’s no wonder 74% of couples plan to go into debt to pay for their big day.
Unfortunately, this is a terrible idea. You don’t want to start your married life off owing money that it could take you years to pay back. Especially when that $25,000 to $33,000 could be used towards a home down payment, repaying loans, or accomplishing other financial goals to get your married life underway.
Despite the big downsides of going into debt for a wedding, the reality is many brides and grooms are probably going to do it anyway. If you’re one of them — and you can’t be convinced to cut costs — you’ll have to decide what the best way to borrow is. One of the options you may decide to consider is using a credit card.
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Best Credit Cards For Weddings For 2022
According to the wedding site The Knot, the average wedding cost $19,000 in 2020, down from $28,000 in 2019. Whether you’re getting married or paying for your adult child’s wedding, you may be wondering which is best for wedding expenses. Here’s the thing: It depends on your needs and what’s important to you. There are so many good options that finding the best credit cards for wedding expenses is a matter of choosing which ones offer you the rewards that benefit you the most.
What Wedding Expenses Should I Put On A Credit Card
Just because you can use a credit card to pay for your wedding doesnât mean you have to pay for everything with it. Being strategic with what you use your credit card for can save you time, stress, and of course, money.
So, what should you use your credit card for?
No two weddings are alike, and so the expenses you and your fiancé will have to spring for might not match the expenses your best friends will have to pay for. But hereâs a breakdown of the big costs involved in most weddings.
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How To Find The Best Credit Card For Wedding Expenses
After hunting down the perfect venue and vendors, you may be ready for the next chase: finding the best credit card for your wedding expenses.
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Weddings are a day filled with love, dancing, and memories to last a lifetime. And while those aspects supersede the headaches that come with wedding planning, we cant avoid the struggles that come with orchestrating your big day. According to the Wedding Wire Newlywed Report, the average cost of a wedding is typically around $28,000. Considering the state of the economy, its safe to assume that not every couple is sitting on a near $30K nest eggespecially if youre paying for your wedding yourselves. Reportedly, 32% of them found assistance in the use of credit cards.
Before you join the population of couples who used credit cards to sponsor their nuptials, here are the details you should know when searching for the best credit cards for wedding expenses.
Uob Absolute Cashback Card: Best For Highest Unlimited Flat Cashback
On the hunt for a fuss-free cashback credit card thats rewarding altogether? Look no further than the UOB Absolute Cashback Card.
No minimum spend, no cashback cap, and no spend exclusions you can earn a flat 1.7% cashback on literally everything you purchase with this credit card.
At the time of writing, the UOB Absolute Cashback Card offers the highest unlimited flat cashback rate amongst the competition. Most credit cards of this nature offer 1.5% – 1.6% cashback.
While 1.7% cashback may not sound like much, it can mean a whole world of difference when you consider the many large expenditures youll be splashing out for your wedding.
Examples include venue booking, hair and makeup services, gown and suit rental services, photography and videography services, and much more.
Remember, your wedding will be one of the most expensive expenditures in your life. So why not make your hard-earned cash work even harder by charging your wedding expenses to a credit card? Check out our latest promotions and deals today!
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Know Your Credit Score And How Applying For A Card Can Affect It
Applying for a credit card can result in a hard inquiry for your credit report. It can lower your score, often by a few points, or be considered when a lender determines your application’s status. One hard inquiry in a short amount of time likely wont affect your credit much. However, if you start applying for several credit cards, you could face greater consequences.
Our Pick For: Luxurious Honeymoon Perks
Card details
Rewards:
-
5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel.
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5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
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2 points per dollar on other eligible travel expenses booked with American Express Travel.
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1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus:Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
Annual fee:$695. Terms apply.
Why we like it:
The Platinum Card® from American Express can enhance the travel experience for big spenders. The cards steep $695 annual fee wont be easy to keep up with if you don’t already live a high-end lifestyle. Assuming you travel enough, though, the cards long list of perks can make up the cost. It offers a $200 credit for airline incidental fees like checked bag fees and in-flight beverages, a $200 annual credit for Uber , $100 a year at Saks Fifth Avenue, airport lounge access and a fee credit for either Global Entry or TSA Precheck, among other perks. You can also use the card to get hotel benefits like Marriott Gold Elite status or Hilton Gold status that earn you additional goodies like room upgrades. Enrollment is required to take advantage of these benefits. Terms apply.
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Best For Cashback On All The Little Things: Citi Double Cash Back
- Benefits: 2% cash back 1% on purchases and an additional 1% as you pay
- Category: Rewards
If youre just looking for a great, flat cash back rate without worrying about spending categories, the Citi Double Cash Back card is hard to beat. You can earn 2% cash back with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers.
Benefits
One of the best things about the Citi Double Cash Back rewards card is its simplicity. There are no categories or spending caps to deal with. They dont charge any yearly fees and youll receive a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months.
When you use the card, youll earn 2x cash back rewards. You get 1% when you make the purchase and another 1% when you pay.
And you only have to make your minimum payment each month to earn the rewards, though its always advised to pay your balance in full to avoid interest.
Downsides
You could get higher credit card rewards in certain categories from other cards. But for general purchases, most rewards cards only offer 1% to 1.5% cash back.
This card also doesnt offer a signup bonus to new cardholders, and with big wedding expenses on the horizon, now would be an easy time to qualify for another cards bonus. Finally, youll have to pay a 3% foreign transaction fee for all spending overseas, meaning this card might not be one to bring on the honeymoon.
Recommended Credit Score
Citi Prestige Credit Card: Best For Luxury Perks
Are you and your soon-to-be betrothed avid travellers? If so, you will appreciate all that Citi Prestige Credit Card has to offer.
Apart from the status symbol associated with holding this credit card, you will enjoy unlimited, expiry-free rewards points on every purchase you make.
There is no limit to the number of times you can use the complimentary night stay benefit with a minimum consecutive four-night stay at any hotel or resort around the world simply make your reservations through the Citi Prestige Concierge.
Thats not all. Youd also have access to World Elite luxury vacations, private and bespoke travel experiences, discounted luxury cruises, private jet and chauffeured car services. Plus, you and your other half can visit Priority Pass airport lounges globally however many times you want, at no extra cost.
Additionally, you can look forward to earning up to 30% additional ThankYou Points think of this as Citis way of rewarding their loyal customers.
SingSaver Exclusive Offer: Receive a Dyson Supersonic or a Sony WH-1000XM5 or an Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen + MagSafe Charger Bundle or S$350Cash when you make a min. spend of S$500 within 30 days of card approval. Valid till 15 November 2022. T& Cs apply.
In addition, earn up to 2% cashback on all qualifying spend with this card, plus a total of up to S$756 cash rewards when you join Citi Plus. T& Cs apply.
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What Credit Score Do You Need For A Credit Card For A Wedding
The higher your credit score, the better your odds of approval for the type of rewards credit card you can use to pay for the wedding, like a card offering cash back, travel miles, or 0% introductory APR. Credit card issuers like to see a steady income, strong credit score, and history of paying bills as agreed. The type of card you qualify for will depend, in large part, on your score. Here are some general guidelines.
Use Points And Miles To Cover Travel
If you’re in a wedding, there’s a good chance you’ll need to travel for both a bachelor/bachelorette party and the wedding itself. Covering this travel with points and miles is the easiest way to manage your largest expense.
Look at your travel options in advance and, if you can, get a card with a welcome bonus that will cover your travel costs.
For example, if this bachelorette party were being held later in the next year and I was planning now, I would consider getting the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card or the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card. Both cards are currently offering a sign-up bonus of 75,000 Rapid Rewards points after you spend $3,000 on qualifying purchases in the first three months from account opening, which would easily cover my flights for the cruise and give me plenty of points left to book for a post-wedding trip of my own.
As you work out your points and miles strategy, keep in mind that you won’t have much date flexibility in your booking, so you likely won’t be able to get the best deals when you book these trips. Plan to spend more of your points and miles for your wedding party travel than you would if you were going for a great deal.
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