 TITLE: How to Maximize Rewards by Switching From Debit to Credit CONTENT: Imagine this: You have $1,000 in your checking account that you've earmarked for this month's spending. Instead of using your debit card to pull cash from your checking account in real time, you use your credit card for the $1,000 in purchases. At the end of the month you then use the $1,000 in your checking account to pay your $1,000 credit card balance—and just like that, you may have racked up several thousand reward points for your spending.\nIf you want to take it a step further, pay attention to the types of credit cards you're using so that you can maximize your rewards in certain categories. Some cards offer amplified rewards earning for different popular categories of spending, like the American Express® Gold Card, which offers 4 points per $1 spent on restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and The Platinum Card® from American Express, which offers 5 points per $1 spent directly with airlines or for hotels booked through the American Express travel portal. Keep in mind, unlike typical credit cards, the American Express® Gold Card only lets you carry a balance for certain charges—not all of them. END