Cash back credit card sign-up bonuses and over-the-counter (OTC) health incentive programs represent two distinct approaches to obtaining financial benefits and free products. These programs operate through different mechanisms: one involves financial institutions offering incentives for new account usage, while the other provides funds for health-related purchases to eligible insurance members. This article details the specific offers available through credit cards and the structure of OTC reward programs, based on current data.
Cash Back Credit Card Welcome Offers
Several financial institutions offer cash back credit cards with substantial sign-up bonuses. These bonuses typically require a specific amount of spending within a set timeframe after account opening. The following offers are currently available on cards with no annual fees.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- Welcome Offer: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Cash-Back Rewards: Unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Welcome Offer: $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Cash-Back Rewards: 3% back on a category of your choice (selected from a list), 2% back on grocery stores and wholesale clubs for the first $2,500 of combined bonus category/grocery store/wholesale club spending per quarter; then 1% back on these purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Note: For the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card and the Student version, elevated rewards are currently earned during the first year. Instead of the standard 3% on the chosen category, cardholders earn 6% back. After the first year, the rewards revert to 3%. These elevated rewards, plus 2% back on groceries and wholesale clubs, apply up to $2,500 in combined spending per quarter.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- Welcome Offer: Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases on the new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply.
- Cash-Back Rewards: 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in spending per year; 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases on up to $6,000 in spending per year; 3% cash back on U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 in spending per year; and 1% cash back on everything else. Terms apply.
- Annual Fee: $0.
Chase Freedom Flex®
- Welcome Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Cash-Back Rewards: 5% cash back in quarterly bonus categories on up to $1,500 in combined spending each quarter (activation of bonus categories is required); 5% back on travel booked through Chase; 3% back on dining; 3% back on drugstore purchases; 1% on all other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Special Note: Through March 31, 2025, all cardholders earn 5% back on qualifying Lyft services purchased through the Lyft app.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Welcome Offer: Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Cash-Back Rewards: 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase; 3% back at restaurants and drugstores; and 1.5% on all other non-bonus-category purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0.
Citi Custom Cash® Card
- Welcome Offer: Earn $200 in cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer is fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Cash-Back Rewards: 5% on up to $500 spent per billing cycle in the highest spend category out of 10 categories, including grocery stores, restaurants, and streaming services. 1% cash back thereafter, and on all other purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed as a direct deposit, check, statement credit, or for gift cards, travel, and Shop with Points at Amazon.com.
- Annual Fee: $0.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Welcome Offer: Limited-time offer: Earn $300 in welcome bonuses. Cardholders receive a $100 credit to use towards flights, stays, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel during the first cardholder year.
- Annual Fee: $0 (implied by context of comparison, though not explicitly stated in the specific snippet provided for this card, other cards in this category have $0 fees).
OTC Rewards and Healthy Living Programs
Incentive programs provided through health insurance memberships offer funds to purchase over-the-counter health and wellness items. These programs reward members for completing healthy activities.
Program Structure and Benefits
The "Your Extras" program provides an OTC rewards card for healthy living. When members complete healthy activities, they receive funds to buy everyday drugstore items. After completing an activity, the OTC Rewards Card is mailed to the member; processing takes up to 30 days. The card is available to all members of the household and is addressed to the head of household or parent/guardian. The card retains its balance, and funds are added as further activities are completed.
Earning Limits
Members can earn a maximum of $250 in cash and non-cash goods and services each State financial year, which runs from July 1 to June 30. Incentives that apply to this limit are marked with an asterisk (*).
Usage and Retailers
The OTC card can be used to pay for qualifying items at specific retailers. Members have several options for using the card: * In-store: At participating retailers. * Online: At mybenefitscenter.com. * Mobile App: By downloading the OTC Network App for Apple or Android devices. * Phone: By calling 833-875-1816 (this number can also be used to check balances). * Walmart.com: The card is accepted here, though specific fees and restrictions apply.
Walmart Purchase Options and Fees
When using the OTC card at Walmart.com, specific fees apply to different fulfillment methods: * Pickup: $6.99 fee (no fee for orders over $35 or for Walmart+ members). * Shipping: $6.99 fee (no fee for orders over $35 or for Walmart+ members). * Delivery: $7.95-$9.95 fee (no fee for Walmart+ members with orders over $35).
Members will see any fees in their cart at checkout. These fees cannot be paid with the OTC Network card and must be paid separately.
Broader Financial Context
While not directly related to free samples or credit card bonuses, financial management strategies are relevant to consumers seeking to maximize their resources. One resource discusses the "Cash Management Triangle," identifying three main buckets for cash reserves: the emergency fund (Oh S*IT $$), taxes, and investments.
Emergency Funds
The emergency fund is designed to cover scenarios such as a sudden drop in revenue to zero, a dip in revenue without adjusted expenses, or unexpected expenses like equipment failure, lawsuits, or illness. The amount needed varies by business type and cash flow. General recommendations include: * At least 3 months of expenses (more for businesses with long sales cycles or seasonality). * A buffer on top of those expenses (e.g., $25,000-$30,000, depending on gross revenue). * Specific savings for business-specific risks (e.g., saving for new truck/equipment downpayments or replacing a computer).
Tax Savings
It is recommended to always set aside money for taxes. State and local taxes are noted as particularly complicated due to variability; users are advised to look up the specific percentage required for their location.
Conclusion
Current cash back credit card offers provide significant sign-up bonuses ranging from $200 to $300, typically requiring $500 to $2,000 in spending within the first 3 to 6 months. These cards generally feature $0 annual fees and ongoing rewards rates of 1% to 5% depending on the category. Separately, OTC reward programs offer a tangible method for health insurance members to access funds for drugstore items, with a maximum annual limit of $250, though specific usage fees apply for services like Walmart delivery.