• Compare fees when opening a checking account at a bank.bank image by Pefkos from Fotolia.com
  
  Debit cards are a convenient way to access the funds in a checking account. Consumers can use them at ATMs to withdraw cash. You can also use them to make purchases at retail stores, pay for gas at a service station or pay the tab at a restaurant. Banks have developed various programs to reward their customers for using debit cards.
  
  

Cash Back

• Some banks offer their customers a cash back percentage, depending upon the amount of their overall purchases. According to Perk Street Financial, it offers customers up to five percent cash back for purchases made within certain categories. It provides either one percent or two percent for other purchases. According to Paypal, its debit card gives consumers one percent cash back when you sign for purchases instead of entering a personal identification number (PIN). In addition, according to Bank of America, with its Keep the Change program, it will round your debit card purchase up to the nearest dollar then transfer the difference from your checking account into your savings account. It then matches that difference up to five percent a year. For cash back rewards, follow the program guidelines carefully to maximize your savings.
  
  

Airline Miles

• Banks also offer airline miles as a rewards option for debit cards. These cards usually carry an annual fee, however. Citibank has one such program in partnership with American Airlines entitled Basic AAdvantage. Bank customers pay a fee of $25 and receive one mile for every two dollars spent. The Premium AAdvantage program costs $65 per year and provides one mile for every one dollar spent. Bank of America has a similar program for $30 per year and includes one mile for every one dollar spent using your debit card. The program is good for flights on US Airways and Alaskan Airlines. With mileage programs, make sure the airlines are ones that you frequent, otherwise, you may end up with a lot of points but no use for them.
  
  

Rewards Points

• Rewards points allow consumers to collect points toward the purchase of an item or service. The types of rewards vary from bank to bank. Chase has a Disney Rewards program which allows customers to earn one Disney dollar for every $200 spent using the debit card. The program costs $25 per year. Still, not all rewards programs carry a fee. Through its Thank You Network, Citibank grants points to customers based on the number of Citibank products and services used. Customers can use the points at over 300 retailers. If you sign up for rewards points, make sure you use them prior to the expiration date, if applicable.