Sports credit cards are a great way to show your enthusiasm for a sport or team. Whether you’re a soccer mom or a diehard sports fan, there is a sports credit card waiting for you. Many credit cards today allow you the choice of personalizing a credit card with an image of your choosing, such as a sport logo. You also have a wide selection of professional teams and sports credit cards for which you can apply.
Sports credit cards can be very general and theme related or very specific to a professional sport or team. You can personalize your card with a simple basketball graphic, or you can apply for a National Hockey League card. Or maybe your card will show your love for the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox. Cards are available for every professional sport, such as the National Football League, the Canadian Football League, Major League Baseball, NASCAR, and the PGA. You can also get a card that promotes a specific team of your choosing. All sports are included in the sports credit cards arena, including the American Quarter Horse Association, hunting clubs, and water sports such as Sea-Doo’s and Ski-Doo’s. Harley-Davidson credit cards are available for the motorcycle sport lover.
Sports Credit Card Rewards Programs
Very often sports credit cards have reward programs associated with them. After your first purchase, some cards give out welcome gifts in the form of free sport branded merchandise or gift cards for specific sport merchants. For example, some cardholders who made their first qualifying purchase with their NASCAR credit card received a NASCAR licensed chair absolutely free. For a limited time, golf enthusiasts can receive a dozen Titleist Pro golf balls from Golf Magazine and Bicycling Magazine offers an Elite Carbon Bottle Cage after your first purchase(s). In addition, you can earn points for qualifying dollars purchased with the card which can be redeemed for sport branded or team branded merchandise or they can be redeemed for sporting events. Specific sporting goods stores will increase your rewards for purchases made within that store or offer you store merchandise for your redemption of points.
Not all sport offers have to come from a sports credit card. Some non-sport credit cards offer rewards programs or special cardholder offers that involve sport incentives. As a cardholder you may be able to attend a sporting event for free or at a discounted rate. Or you may be able to redeem your points for sport specific merchandise. A common sport merchandise reward for earned points is a golf outing.
Sports Credit Card’s Fees, Features And Fine Print
As with all credit cards, the fees and features vary by card, so you’ll need to find the one that makes the most economical sense for you as well as showcasing a favorite sport or a team. APRs (Annual Percentage Rates) can vary from a 0% introductory rate all the way to 17.99% and even higher. Many cards do not carry an annual fee, but some can be as high as $125. Rewards programs also vary by card so you’ll need to be aware of what is specific to your program, such as if the points expire or what counts as a qualifying purchase. Typically, cash advances and balance transfers do not qualify for a rewards program.
Other things to keep in mind when shopping for a credit card are safety and insurance. Perhaps you are getting your credit card with the intention of making small purchases to build your credit score, so you don’t think you have to worry about safety. But what if your card gets used for a large purchase that you did not approve? Fraud happens every day and everyone who has been a victim never expected it either. So don’t be afraid to ask questions.
- Does the credit card company offer fraud protection, and if so, what is your liability?
- Do they have customer service available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week?
- Can you reach an associate online and by phone?
- What are the procedures for fraudulent charges and how easy or hard is it to dispute a charge?
- What happens if my card gets lost or stolen?
- What services are featured for no additional charge and what optional coverage is offered?
Optional coverage fees are often dependent on the current monthly balance that is carried, so depending on the service and the cost, you will have to decide if you need it. If you already pay for a credit report monitoring service, you probably don’t need to duplicate the service. But if you don’t have any travel insurance and see a vacation in your future, you may want to consider it.
Determining Whether You Need A Sports Credit Card
Is there any reason that you shouldn’t get a sports credit card? Absolutely. For some people the fun of getting promotional items or discounts to certain events might not be worth the cost of the card. If you know that you don’t pay off your balance on time, or if you consistently have a balance that is more than 30% of your approved limit, this may not be your ideal option. In these cases, you might be better off looking for a cash back rewards card that will help you to pay down your balance. Keep your ultimate goals in mind whenever you are working with credit.
However, if you are a devoted sports fan who is already making purchases that might qualify for freebies, it might just make sense. Whether you enjoy playing a sport or love cheering from the sidelines, a credit card personalized with your favorite team, sport, or recreation can identify you as a sports enthusiast every time you shop with your card.
Sports Credit Card Comparison
To quickly compare the options available in sports credit cards, use the free credit card chaser provided above. Quickly and easily compare several reward option and make the best decision for your lifestyle. Click on it now, and get back to watching the game in just minutes!
