Congratulations. You compared your credit card options, and you found one that’s right for you — rewards credit cards. But before you rush out and apply for your new rewards card, there are still a few more things to think about. You’ll need to consider how you plan to use your new credit card before choosing a specific offer. That way you’ll be able to get the most out of your rewards card from day one.

Here are a few tips on how you might be able to get more out of a rewards credit card, including a few things that might influence the actual card you apply for.

1. Stick to rewards programmes you will actually use.

Rewards always sound good on paper — you basically get something extra for making purchases you would have made anyway. But if you’re choosing a rewards card (and potentially paying higher annual fees for access to that rewards programme), it’s important to choose a card with rewards you’ll actually use.

Many people never get around to redeeming rewards points. That means they are paying extra for nothing. Don’t become one of them. Track your rewards points and redeem them when you have enough for the rewards you want. If you’re not particularly interested in things like merchandise and shopping vouchers, choose a rewards card with a cash back option where cash back will be automatically credited to your account.

2. Make your rewards credit card your only credit card.

A rewards credit card is only as good as your points-earning potential. If you split your purchases among five different credit cards, you’re not putting your spending to good use to maximise your rewards points.

Think of it this way — if you could earn 10,000 points, would you rather have them on one card where you have enough to redeem them, or would you rather have 2000 here and 3000 there accumulating much more slowly?

3. Choose rewards cards with low annual fees.

One of the biggest downsides of rewards credit cards is the fact that they can come with higher annual fees than other types of cards. That’s because the annual fee often includes a rewards programme membership fee on top of the typical account annual fee.

If you’re paying more in annual fees than you’re getting in reward redemptions each year, you’re on the losing end of the deal. The American Express Gold Ascent card is one option currently with no annual account fee attached (and complimentary enrolment in the rewards programme).

Rewards credit cards can indeed prove to be rewarding — but only if you’re smart about using them. Make sure you’re not paying more to the credit card company than you’re getting in return, maximise your points by minimising your number of credit cards, and you’ll be well on your way to getting the most out of your new rewards card.