TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — This time of year spending is inevitable. The gifts, travel, food; all of that adds up and chances are you are pulling out the plastic to pay for it.

This holiday season Americans are expected to spend an average of $974 per shopper. I spoke with the Money Coach Lynette Khalfani-Cox about her favorite credit cards this holiday season that could help put some of that cash back in your pocket.

“There are a lot of credit cards out there that will offer you tons of benefits. Everything from travel rewards, free airline miles, hotel stays, discounts, and even cash back offers,” says Lynette Khalfani-Cox, who markets herself as the Money Coach.

The Money Coach picked her favorite credit cards with the best perks if used right.

“Overall I really love the Discover It credit card this holiday shopping season,” says Khalfani-Cox.

RELATED: The best shopping loyalty programs that actually offer you something

This card will match all cash back earned at the end of your first year. You get even more cash back if used at Amazon.com and Target now through December; 5 percent on up to $1,500 in purchases, 1 percent cash back on everything else.

“The Chase Freedom card is a really good offer for those looking purely for cash back,” says Khalfani-Cox.

There’s no annual fee and the card gives you 5 percent cash back on spending up to $1,500 in categories that rotate quarterly. Right now the bonus categories include Walmart and department stores. Chase is also giving customers $150 after you spend $500 during the first three months.

“The Citi Simplicity Card is great for people who carry a balance and want to do a balance transfer offer,” says Khalfani-Cox.

Citi will give you a zero percent APR on that balance and new purchases. That’s great if you plan on paying that off in the next 21 months.

“It’s really about how you’re going to use the credit card. Whether or not you plan to pay it off in full and what kind of perks are most valuable for you,” says Khalfani-Cox.

A warning here though; Americans have more than a trillion dollars in credit card debt. This is not something you want to get into if long term debt negates any perks or savings you may earn.

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