It’s easy to get swept up in the appeal of a rewards program. Cashback, points, discounts—they all sound like free money on the table. But the truth is that many people end up spending far more than they intended, all in the name of unlocking those perks. What starts as a clever way to earn back on purchases can quickly turn into a habit of justifying unnecessary expenses.
That doesn’t mean you should avoid cashing in your points altogether. When used wisely, credit card rewards can genuinely help you stretch your budget and get more value from your usual spending. It all comes down to choosing rewards credit cards that work with your lifestyle and understanding how to use them without falling into the trap of chasing benefits you don’t need. At Maya, the #1 digital bank in the Philippines, we provide tools and products that support smarter financial choices. The Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card is a prime example of a cashback credit card that rewards everyday purchases without pushing you to overspend.
In this blog, we’ll walk through some practical ways to make your credit card rewards work for you, not the other way around.
Choose a Card That Matches Your Real Spending Habits
You don’t have to change how you live just to make a credit card work for you. In fact, the best rewards cards are the ones that fit seamlessly into your current routine. If most of your budget goes to groceries, a card that offers cashback at your go-to supermarket or membership store will give you far more value than one focused on travel miles or gas perks you rarely use.
The Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card is a good example. It offers up to 5% cashback on purchases at Landers, a store many Filipinos already visit for their regular grocery runs and essentials. If you’re also someone who dines out often, the 2% cashback on dining spend adds up quickly, all without requiring you to spend outside your usual categories. And for any other discretionary purchases you were already planning on making, you’ll enjoy a neat 1% on transactions in qualified categories.* The point is to choose a card that rewards you for what you already do, not what you feel pressured to start doing just to earn a few perks.
Understand Your Rewards Program’s Mechanics before Swiping
Assuming you’ll just “figure it out later” is one of the fastest ways to miss out on rewards, or worse, overspend for benefits you don’t fully understand. Every rewards program comes with its own rules, thresholds, exclusions, and redemption mechanics. Taking time to learn how it works before you start using the card can help you avoid disappointment and plan your spending more effectively.
In the case of the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card, for instance, it’s worth reading up on how exactly to boost your cashback rate for Landers purchases to the full 5%. Your cashback rate on these transactions increases as your monthly total spend on your Maya credit card goes up: 3% below PHP 20,000, 4% once you hit PHP 20,000, and the full 5% once you reach PHP 50,000. But you can spend that PHP 50,000 anywhere, not just at Landers. Understanding this detail changes the game, since it means you can qualify for higher cashback without loading up your cart unnecessarily.
Don’t Spend Just to Earn Rewards
Buying something just to “earn a few extra points” might feel justifiable in the moment, but it’s rarely a smart financial move. The psychological pull of reaching a cashback tier or redeeming a shiny reward can override the more practical question: do you actually need what you’re about to buy? If not, then whatever reward you’re earning likely isn’t worth it.
That’s why it’s important to let your needs drive your spending, not your rewards program. It also helps to time major expenses within a billing cycle instead of inventing new ones just to unlock a better rate. In general, loyalty programs work best when they reward behavior you were already committed to.
Track Your Progress within the App
It’s hard to stay intentional about your spending if you don’t know where you stand. That’s why visibility is a critical part of managing any rewards program. You’ll find it easier to stay accountable to your financial goals if you can track your rewards balance, how close you are to a spending threshold, and when you last redeemed.
Most reputable credit card providers, Maya included, allow you to track your progress right from their dedicated app. You’ll see not just how many points you’ve earned, but also where they came from and how much more you need to spend if you’re aiming for a higher cashback tier. A real-time view will help you make informed decisions, whether that means pulling back or choosing to time a necessary purchase more strategically.
Redeem Points Regularly to Stay Grounded
Letting points pile up might feel like a win, but it can actually lead you to feel more detached from the value you’re earning. When you treat rewards as some future bonus rather than a practical benefit, it’s easy to lose track of how they fit into your financial strategy.
Regular redemption keeps you grounded; it reminds you that the points you’re earning have real value today, not just someday. This is especially true with cards that let you use your points as direct discounts at checkout, no complicated conversion processes needed. The immediacy reinforces the mindset that rewards are there to support your financial goals, not distract you from them.
Credit card rewards can be a powerful ally or a costly distraction. The difference lies in how you use them. If you’re ready to make loyalty programs work in your favor, the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card is a smart place to start, so don’t hesitate to apply today.
*Transactions that don’t qualify include: cash in, cash advance, quasi cash purchases, casinos and gambling, fuel, supermarket, pharmaceuticals, utilities, telco, and government.
