Best Business Commentary

U.S. food prices rose 5.3 percent last year, said Kelli B. Grant in SmartMoney.com, and credit-card issuers want your “escalating grocery bills” on their cards. Air passengers should “plan on shelling out considerably more money” to fly, with fewer choice

Pushing the grocery card

U.S. food prices rose 5.3 percent last year, with more hikes in store, said Kelli B. Grant in SmartMoney.com, and credit-card issuers are trying to entice you to put your “escalating grocery bills” on their “grocery store reward cards.” Promising “bonus points and cash-back rebates,” these cards may seem like a godsend for “cash-strapped consumers,” but “think twice” before signing up. While some cards “can help you save,” most of them have high interest rates and only reward you at a “narrow” choice of stores or on certain products. Cash rewards are generally better than points. But read the fine print—you’ll probably be better off “clipping a few coupons.”

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