How do people survive an economic downswing -- GET THE BIGGEST BANG FOR YOUR DOLLAR. One way to achieve this goal is through "credit card rewards" programs. Just think, you are already using your credit card so why not get rewarded for your spending. Let's take a look at the TOP-5 "credit card rewards" programs and who are the companies offering the best credit card rewards?

• American Express - American Express Membership Rewards
• Bank Of America - Bank Of American Worldpoints
• Citibank - Citibank Thank You Network
• Visa - Visa Extras
• Chase - Chase Freedom

Just know, the devil is in the details. All credit card reward programs are not equal. There are factors to considered - like, your spending habits, what are the rewards, and most importantly "the rules of the game". Some might say, choosing a reward program is a matter of perceptions, and they would be right! The reward the suits me, may not suit you. Therefore, finding the best credit card reward program involves doing some homework.

Below you will find:

• What are the Best Credit Card Rewards?
• When the Reward Isn't Good Enough (Video)
• The Word on the Streets about Credit Card Rewards Programs (Video)
• Best Credit Card Rewards that Shouldn't Be Overlooked
• Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards (Video)
• What to do With Surplus Reward Points (Video)

• Top 5 Credit Card Reward Programs

• Maximizing your Rewards

Here is a list of the Best Credit Card Rewards being offered:

• Hotel Credit Card Rewards
• Airline Credit Card Rewards
• Cash Back Credit Card Rewards
• Gas Credit Card Rewards
• Student Credit Card Rewards
• Balance Transfer Rewards
• Rebate Rewards

Don't Overlook These Credit Card Rewards:

• Credit Card Benefits other than the Rewards
• Credit Card Rebates
• Low APR Credit Cards
• Credit Cards that Reward your situation (small business cards, student cards etc.)
• Great Customer Service

CitBank Thank You Network Credit Card Rewards

The Citibank Thank You Network offers products, travel, gift cards, and cash as rewards. Here's how it works. First you need to join the network with a participating Citibank credit card and a Citibank checking account, or just sign up to Expedia.com. Once you've joined the network, the next step is to set-up a username and password via Citibank website. Now that you're ready to start getting points let's go over how you earn them. Thank You rewards are earned by shopping with participating merchants. You get points for every dollar you spent with participating retailers. You also earned Thank You points with your Citibank checking account too. Once you've reached 1,000 you can cash them in for a reward. Rewards are updated every month. So, if you don't see something this time, come back. Points can be redeemed online or by phone.

American Express Membership Credit Card Rewards

American Express Membership Rewards program offers an amazing group of travel, shopping, dining and entertainment rewards. Here you can earn a point for every buck you spend, there are no maximum or minimum numbers of points you can earn. However, you can purchase points that do have some restrictions. The best of all feature is -- your reward points don't expire. To enroll your American Express credit card into the membership rewards program all you need is your card and the last 4 digits of your social security number.

Here are some other feature American Express Membership Rewards program offers :

• Card holders can covert points into cash credit on their bill statement (For American Express Consumer and Small Business card holders only) -- $100 per 20,000 points
• You can link your Membership Rewards with your frequent flyer program
• You can shop with ShopAmex. ShopAmex allows you to shop with the security you expect while offer comparison prices from various retailers
• Don't miss out on American Express exclusive offers. Via the American Express website, you'll have access to exclusive deals. These exclusive deals can be discounts on shopping, travel, and tickets that may be sold out elsewhere.
• You may also want to check out the "Flight finder/Room Finder" feature.

Bank of America World MasterCard WorldPoints Credit Card Rewards

Bank Of America World MasterCard with WorldPoints starts off by offering a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers and cash advances for the first year. So you can easily transfer higher rate cards to Bank Of America World MasterCard, and if you act now they will give you a $50 credit. The Worldpoints card has no annual fee and you earn one point for every dollar spent. Best of all, there's no blackout dates on travel points you earn. You can also earn points toward cash, hotels, car rentals and gift certificates rewards. To start you will need 2,500 points before you can redeem them. There are no point limits, however points expire after 5 years. Other features include a standard APR of 9.9% for World MasterCard and Platinum Plus or 15.99% for Preferred accounts.

Although I have listed the features of the World MasterCard you should know that there are several other chooses on the Bank of America's website.

Visa Extras Credit Card Rewards

Visa Extras allows you to earn points for purchases you sign for, Internet purchases, bill payments and phone/mail order purchases. However purchases that require your PIN do not count towards your points. When you enroll for the Visa Extras program you can use your Visa check card or Credit card. Visa Extras provides an online catalog for you to redeem points. When I browsed the site I seen items like: Women's Beijing Nike Dri-Fit Tee (15,000 points) - Old navy $10 Gift card (5,500 points) - Hatteras Hammocks (193,000 points).

I don't necessarily think a hammocks for (193,000 points) is a good deal, but Visa states that points are earned per dollar and fee and that they are set by the card issuer. So, you be the judge.

Chase Freedom Credit Card Rewards

Chase Freedom seem like the best deal to me, but I should say that I have been a Chase customer for many years. Nevertheless, the freedom card truly lives up to its name. First off, Chase allows it's freedom card holders to convert points into cash and cash into points which is a feature that none of the other cards allow. Then there are the triple points, which allows you to earn triple the points from your spending habits. Every month they look at your top 3 purchases and award triple the points. So, I might get triple the points for purchases at Staple, Macy, and Bestbuy -- you will get triple the points from your top 3. If there is no top 3 then you get 3% cash back. And all of your other purchases get 1% cash back or 1 point (additional to the Triple points and 3% cash back). Good deal, right?

When you sign up for Chase Freedom you can earn $50 cash back after your first purchase. Here are the categories where you can earn Triple points:

• Grocery stores
• Gas & Convenience stores
• Department stores
• Drug stores
• Beauty Shop/Salon/Spa
• Pet Supply/Veterinarian office
• Telecommunications
• Cable/Internet service provider
• Fast Food restaurant
• Local commuting (i.e. parking garages)
• Gym
• Utilities
• Dry cleaners
• Video rentals
• Movie theaters

You can redeem your points for gift certificates, gift cards, travel, car rental, hotels, airline tickets, and merchandise. I have browsed the site and here are some of the rewards:

• $5 gift card - 1,000 points
• $50 gift card - 5,000 points
• $100 hotel certificate - 10,000 points
• 1 roundtrip airline ticket 25,000 points
• espresso maker - 7,000 points
• 5 piece luggage set - 28,250 points

Because of the triple points I like this card the best.

Learn how to maximizing your chances of getting the best credit card rewards package:

• Choose the rewards that benefit you
• Keep your credit card account current and paid up to date
• Do away with multiple cards, be loyal to the company offering you the best reward deal
• Annual fees are a thing of the past, so avoid cards with annual fees
• Double check how the reward points are allocated. If the credit card uses a tier system, you may want to save points until the next tier is reached
• Participate in point promotions when offered

We use credit cards everyday. Reward programs offered by our credit card companies are a way to keep our business. With a little homework, you too could be reaping the rewards. And why shouldn't you - it's an additional benefit. Just be sure to read the fine print and understand the programs before you go in head first. And remember, the BEST CREDIT CARD REWARDS program for you may not be the best program for the next guy. Double check your everyday habits against the rules and restrictions of the program to see if it's a good fit. Once you've found the perfect program, stay current to the changes. If the program changes no longer fit, search for a new program. Note: These programs were created to keep your business. So, make them work for it.

I noted above that I like the Chase Freedom rewards program the best. Although I am a Chase customer, I think their program would be a good fit for anyone. And in the past I have called Chase and requested them to lower my interest rate and they did. So remember customer service is a huge factor as well. As long as you are holding up your end (current balance, timely payments etc.), your credit card company should be able to accommodate your needs.