on December 12, 2024
Credit and debit cards continue to be the two most common ways to pay, far outranking cash and other methods as digital wallets and contactless transactions become more popular. Data shows that it’s about an even split, with one-third of U.S. consumer spending done by credit card and one-third by debit card.
How do you prefer to pay?
“We see some members who are debit card heavy, and vice versa with credit,” said Steve Juodawlkis, Director of Product for Honor Credit Union, which has 28 member center locations in Michigan.
“Everyone’s got their own preference — whether they’re comfortable using a credit card or a debit card. We’re not going to make that decision for our members, but we’re going to provide solutions for each.”
As you wrap up your last-minute holiday shopping and look to make the most of your personal finances in 2025, now is a great time to see how to get the best bang for your buck when it comes to spending. Whether you love the freedom of a credit card or the debt-free discipline of a debit card, you may be able to find a better option with Honor Credit Union.
Check out these rewards cards that earn you points on everything from routine gas and groceries to big-ticket gifts and experiences:
Honor Select Rewards Credit Card
Honor Credit Union keeps it smart and simple with the Select Rewards Credit Card . You earn 2% back on all your spending, with no annual fee.
That’s two points per dollar on every transaction, every day—whether you’re fueling up at the pump, enjoying a night out, or buying gifts for your loved ones. You can redeem your points anytime for cash back, gift cards, travel, merchandise, and more.
“You generate points, and when you redeem them as cash back it’s applied as either a statement credit to your credit card or directly into your checking account to help fight inflation,”
said Steve Juodawlkis, Director of Product.
“Redeeming points for gift cards is also very popular.”
You can visit any Honor Credit Union member center and walk out with your Select Rewards Credit Card the same day thanks to instant issue—so you can start earning points right away.
For a limited time, you can earn 3x rewards points on all your holiday shopping with the Select Rewards Credit Card. That means 3% back on every dollar spent in select gift categories, plus 2% back on everything else. And in 2025, you’ll see new seasonal bonus categories available throughout the year.
Connect Checking With Debit Card Rewards
Unlike a typical debit card, Honor’s Connect Checking comes with built-in rewards. You’ll earn 1% cash back on everyday spending like groceries, gas, and dining — categories that make up about two-thirds of most people’s purchases.
Just swipe or tap with secure chip technology.
Connect Checking also gives you access to more than
30,000 surcharge-free ATMs, with no minimum balance and no monthly fees.
“Some people want the reward and convenience of a card, but they don’t want to risk building a balance they can’t easily pay off,” said Steve Juodawlkis, Director of Product. “Now, we’ve added a rewards component to using a debit card.”
Honor Credit Union also offers high-yield Benefits Checking , which pays an industry-leading 5.15% APY on balances up to $10,000 when you meet simple monthly requirements. If you usually keep a larger balance, Benefits Checking may be the better fit.
Since many checking accounts hold less than $1,000 at a time, members who use their debit card frequently may get more value from debit card rewards with Connect Checking.
“A lot of our members don’t carry a high balance in their checking account, yet they’re using their debit card a lot,” Juodawlkis added. “This is our way to reward that group of members.”
You can also pair Connect Checking with an Honor credit card and Honor’s Amplify Money Market Account to get the best of both worlds — debit rewards plus a savings option that earns up to 4.00% APY with no maximum balance.
Cash still makes up about 20% of spending in America, especially for smaller purchases. But contactless payments are growing fast — nearly half of all transactions are now done that way. Whether you prefer to pay with a physical card from your wallet or a digital card on your phone, Honor Credit Union has the tools to help you get the most from every purchase.
“We want to be top of wallet, so we’re trying to be more things for more people,” said Steve Juodawlkis, Director of Product. “We want to provide an all-inclusive experience for our members.”
Connect Checking with debit card rewards and the Select Rewards credit card can both be managed easily through the Manage My Cards feature in Honor Credit Union’s mobile app or online banking.
Contact Us
Our team is here to help, give us a call at 800.442.2800, or schedule an appointment with an expert to talk about your options today.
*Three reward points (2 base points plus 1 bonus point) are earned per $1 spent on qualifying net purchase transactions (purchases minus returns/credits) POSTED to cardholders’ Select Rewards accounts from November 29, 2024, through December 31, 2024, at retailers whose Mastercard Merchant Category Codes (MCC) are classified as follows: Department Stores (discount, variety, general merchandise), Electronic Stores (computers, software, digital goods and games), Clothing Stores (clothing and accessories, sports apparel, shoes), Home Supply Warehouse Stores (hardware, home appliances and furnishings, auto supplies), Wholesale Clubs, and Miscellaneous Outlets (toy and hobby shops, bicycle shops, sporting goods stores, pet shops, card and gift shops, book stores including Amazon merchandise purchases). Transactions associated with gambling, sports betting and/or gaming purchases are not eligible to accrue reward points. All other terms and conditions of the credit card agreement and rewards program remain in effect during this promotional period. Cardholders are advised to refer to the credit card agreement and rewards program terms for comprehensive details on point redemption, limitations, expiration, and other pertinent information. Some restrictions may apply. Insured by NCUA.