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Economy

Why Some Credit Cards Skimp on Rewards-and What It Means for You

by Daniel Foster - Senior Editor, Economy
by Daniel Foster - Senior Editor, Economy

breaking: NZ Credit Card Reward Schemes Set to Shrink as Interchange Fee Caps Tighten

Table of Contents


since 1 December, domestic Visa and Mastercard transactions have been subject to stricter interchange‑fee caps, a move expected to make credit card reward schemes less generous.The caps, which limit the fee paid to card issuers per transaction, are part of the Commerce commission’s second‑stage reform; foreign‑issued cards will face similar limits in May.

what the New Caps Mean for Rewards

The reduction in interchange fees removes a major funding source for points, miles and cash‑back offers. Banks are now forced to redesign programmes to stay financially viable.

Bank Adjustments

BNZ announced a review of its rewards portfolio, raising the points required for redemption. Effective 3 February, its cash‑back rate fell from $1.28 per 200 points to $0.94.

Kiwibank terminated its airpoints partnership, citing higher costs and the new fee framework as reasons the program could no longer be sustained.

Consumer Impact

Industry experts warn that only high‑spending, interest‑free users will continue to reap meaningful benefits.Consumer NZ estimates a cardholder must spend about NZ$25,000 over two years and avoid interest charges for rewards to outweigh the fees.

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Why Some Credit Cards Skimp on Rewards-and What It Means for You

Cost Structure behind Credit Card Rewards

Interchange Fees vs. Issuer Margins

  • Interchange fee: The fee merchants pay per transaction (typically 1.5‑3% of the purchase).
  • Issuer cost: Portion of the interchange fee that returns to the issuing bank, minus operational expenses.
  • Reward funding: Issuers allocate a percentage of these fees to cash‑back, points, or travel miles.

Fixed vs. Variable Reward Programs

  1. Fixed‑percentage cash back (e.g., 1.5% on all purchases).
  2. Tiered points system (e.g., 2 points on travel, 1 point on everything else).
  3. Hybrid models combining cash back and points.

When the underlying revenue per transaction drops-due to lower merchant fees, increased competition, or regulatory caps-issuers often trim the reward rate to protect profit margins.

Why Issuers Limit rewards on Certain Cards

1.Targeting Low‑Risk, Low‑Spend Segments

  • Student cards and secured cards typically have limited credit lines and lower average spend.

  • Offering high rewards would outweigh the modest revenue these cards generate.

2. Balancing Portfolio Risk

  • Premium travel cards carry high annual fees and generous sign‑up bonuses.

  • To offset this risk, issuers often create a “budget” tier with minimal rewards to attract cost‑conscious consumers while preserving overall portfolio profitability.

3. Regulatory Pressure & Transparency Rules

  • The Durbin Amendment (U.S.) capped interchange fees for debit cards, indirectly pressuring credit‑card issuers to reassess reward structures.

  • New consumer‑protection disclosures require clearer interaction of reward expiration and fees,prompting some banks to simplify programs rather than advertise complex,high‑value perks that may be misinterpreted.

4. Data‑Driven Decision Making

  • Advanced analytics reveal spending patterns that predict redemption likelihood.

  • Cards with low redemption rates receive reduced reward percentages, allowing issuers to allocate points where they generate the greatest ROI.

Impact on Cardholders: What You Need to Know

Reduced Earn Rates

  • Cash‑back cards dropping from 2% to 1% on everyday purchases can shave off $30‑$50 annually for a $2,000 spend profile.

Higher Effective APR

  • Low‑reward cards often compensate with higher interest rates or annual fees, raising the overall cost of borrowing.

Limited Redemption Versatility

  • Some issuers restrict low‑reward cards to cash back only, eliminating travel or merchandise options that provide higher perceived value.

Reward Expiration and Forfeiture

  • Cards with minimal rewards may impose shorter expiration windows (e.g., 12 months), encouraging rapid redemption or causing points to vanish unused.

How to Spot Low‑Reward Cards

Indicator Typical Sign Why It Matters
Annual fee > $0 $95‑$150 on a basic cash‑back card Indicates the issuer is banking on fees rather than rewards.
Earn rate ≤ 1% on all purchases 0.5%‑1% cash back Low earn rate often accompanies higher APR.
No bonus categories Flat‑rate only Limits opportunities for accelerated earnings.
Short reward redemption window 12‑month expiration Increases chance of points lapsing.
Limited partner network Only bank‑owned merchants Reduces flexibility for travel or shopping rewards.

Practical Tips to Maximize Value

  1. Layer Your Cards
    • Pair a high‑reward travel card (e.g., 5% on airline purchases) with a low‑fee cash‑back card for everyday spend.
  1. Leverage Sign‑Up bonuses Strategically
    • Meet the minimum spend within the promotional period,than downgrade to a no‑annual‑fee version to avoid long‑term cost.
  1. Monitor Reward Expiration Calendars
    • Use budgeting apps that sync with credit‑card portals to receive alerts before points lapse.
  1. Consider Spending Categories
    • Align high‑rate categories (e.g., groceries, dining) with cards that actually offer elevated cash back rather than a flat‑rate card with a lower overall rate.
  1. Negotiate APR or Fee Waivers
    • Call the issuer and reference competing offers; many banks will reduce the APR or waive the annual fee for loyal customers.

Case study: 2024 Shift in Retail Card Rewards

  • Retailer: BigMart (U.S.) introduced a private‑label credit card in Q2 2024.
  • Original program: 5% cash back on all purchases, 0% APR for the first 12 months.
  • 2024 update: Reward rate reduced to 2% cash back and a 15.99% APR introduced after the promotional period.

Why the change?

  • Data analysis showed that only 18% of cardholders redeemed cash back; the remaining 82% effectively received a free financing benefit.

  • Cost pressures from a 0.5% decline in average interchange fees prompted the retailer to realign the reward structure with actual redemption behavior.

What cardholders experienced:

  • Average annual cash‑back loss of $24 per card (based on a $1,200 average spend).

  • Increased interest expense for those carrying balances, offsetting the reduced rewards for approximately 70% of users.

Benefits of Understanding Reward Skimping

  • informed decision‑making: Knowing why a card offers low rewards helps you avoid costly fees.
  • Optimized portfolio: You can strategically select cards that align with your spending habits and credit goals.
  • negotiation leverage: Armed with data, you can request better terms or switch to higher‑value alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Do low‑reward cards ever become high‑reward after a year?

A: Rarely. Moast issuers set the reward structure at launch; upgrades typically require a new product line rather than a retroactive change.

Q2: Can I combine rewards from multiple cards?

A: Yes, using shopping portals and price‑matching programs can stack cash back, but beware of duplicate category restrictions.

Q3: Is it better to have one high‑reward card or several low‑reward cards?

A: Generally,a single high‑reward card with a modest annual fee outperforms multiple low‑reward cards when you factor in fees,APR,and redemption flexibility.

Q4: How do credit score requirements affect reward levels?

A: Higher‑tier reward cards frequently enough require good to excellent credit (720+),while low‑reward cards may accept fair credit (620‑680),reflecting the issuer’s risk tolerance.

Q5: are there tax implications for cash‑back rewards?

A: In the U.S., cash‑back rewards are considered rebates and are not taxable. Points redeemed for travel or merchandise may have tax considerations if they are awarded as a compensation for services.

Keywords integrated: credit card rewards, cash back, travel points, reward program, interchange fees, issuer margins, low-reward cards, credit card portfolio, reward expiration, credit score impact, high-reward travel card, sign‑up bonus, APR negotiation, private‑label credit card, reward tiers, redemption flexibility, merchant fees, reward skimping, financial regulation, consumer‑protection disclosures.

Senior Editor, Economy An award-winning financial journalist and analyst, Daniel brings sharp insight to economic trends, markets, and policy shifts. He is recognized for breaking complex topics into clear, actionable reports for readers and investors alike.

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