By Sabrina Karl

Anyone still using a credit card that doesn’t pay back rewards is leaving money on the table, since there are more than a hundred different credit cards on the market that will return points, cash, or travel miles to you.

But deciding the type of rewards you want is a personal choice. And can feel overwhelming. So here are some helpful ways to think about it.

Many experts advise that cash rewards are best, as they’re entirely versatile. You can still apply it to travel, if you like, but you won’t be restricted to that — you can use the cash on anything you like.

With cash rewards you can also redeem more regularly. You can still leave them to accumulate in your card account until redeeming them all at once. But you can also redeem them monthly, to regularly trim your budget.

Still, some prefer travel rewards because they like the idea of making their next vacation more affordable. Here again, though, one strain of advice is to choose the most versatile option. For instance, a card that offers statement credits for any travel expense can be more useful than one that only allows you to book flights or hotel rooms with a certain airline or hotel chain.

Another rewards option is a card that pays points, which can be redeemed not just for travel, but potentially for gift cards or online purchases. If the redemption calculation is standard, you might still be better off choosing cash rewards. But some cards offer a bonus bump on gift cards and online shopping paid for with earnedpoints.

What you ultimately choose is up to personal preference, but one bit of advice holds true throughout: be sure to check out the various options, so you can make your own best choice.