5 Things to Know About the MINI Credit Card
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Like the car it’s named after, the MINI World Mastercard® Credit Card comes with a lot of options.
Not only can you earn rewards in a variety of ways, but you also have broad redemption possibilities. You can use your rewards toward cash back, travel, MINI gift cards and merchandise, as well as loan or lease payments.
The $0-annual-fee card, issued by Elan Financial Services, a division of U.S. Bank, offers a lot of big perks for MINI fans. Here are five things to know about it.
1. Its biggest rewards are on MINI-related purchases
Cardholders earn 4 MINI Reward Points per $1 spent on MINI purchases, which include eligible transactions at dealerships (cars, yes, but also accessories and service).
Points are worth at least a penny each, though it's possible to boost that value. More on that below.
2. It also rewards gas and restaurant spending
In addition, the card earns:
3 MINI Reward Points per $1 spent on eligible gas station purchases.
2 points per $1 spent on eligible restaurant purchases.
1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
That's a decent rate of return and is comparable to other cards that reward gas and dining spending.
3. It offers flexible, valuable redemption options
MINI Reward Points are worth an industry standard of 1 cent each when you redeem them for cash back, travel, merchandise or a loan or lease payment.
But if you redeem them for a MINI Rewards Card, points are worth 25% more (1.25 cents each).
MINI Rewards Cards can be used in a variety of ways, including on MINI servicing, accessories and lease end costs.
4. There's a modest bonus ...
The card provides the following welcome offer, phrased this way: "Earn 5,000 bonus MINI Reward Points after you spend $500 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening."
Given the point values above, that means this sign-up bonus is worth between $50 and $62.50.
That isn’t bad considering the card's low spending threshold and the fact that there's no annual fee. But you can find higher bonus offers elsewhere.
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, for example, offers this: Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply. (see rates and fees).
5. Plus a 0% intro APR offer
New cardmembers get an intro 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 billing cycles, and then the ongoing APR of 19.24%-29.99% Variable.
That could be useful to anyone looking to finance a large purchase.
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