We’re just weeks away from the official start of the holiday season, and if you’re like many people, you might not even think about buying gifts until then. But preparing before Black Friday can help you find the best deals.

Planning how you will pay for your purchases can also help you reduce costs. You may already have a top rewards credit card in your wallet. But if you’re considering opening another one, doing so now could offer four valuable benefits.

1. Better bonus rewards in the categories you need

A great travel rewards card can be a valuable addition to your wallet, especially if you travel frequently, but it may not be what you need for your holiday shopping. You could benefit much more from a rewards credit card that offers bonus rewards at department stores or certain online retailers.

Or, if you prefer a card that offers a high cash back rate on all purchases, check out our list of the best cash back credit cards. These cards make it easy to earn rewards no matter where you shop.

Think about where you plan to shop the most during the holiday season and see how that matches up with the credit card rewards you’re currently earning. If you think you won’t be able to earn standard 1% cash back on most of your purchases, you may want to add a new card to your wallet before Black Friday to maximize your rewards.

2. An introductory APR of 0%

Generally, it is not advisable to carry a balance on a credit card, as it can cause you to accumulate costly debt. Many people find themselves in a cycle of debt that they struggle to escape from and pay much more than their original balance due to high interest charges.

However, some credit cards have a 0% introductory rate, so they don’t accrue interest at first. The exact duration varies by card, but in some cases it exceeds a year.

One of these cards could be a smart choice for your holiday shopping if you’re confident you can pay off everything you owe before the 0% APR period ends. The best part is, many of these cards also offer rewards, so you don’t have to choose between cash back and zero interest. Check out some of our favorite 0% APR intro cards to see which one could give you the biggest savings during the holiday shopping season.

3. A sign-up bonus you wouldn’t normally achieve

Credit card sign-up bonuses allow you to earn additional bonus points by meeting certain criteria during the first few months after account opening. Usually, you have to spend a certain amount during this time, and therein lies the challenge. If you don’t spend enough, you risk missing out on the bonus.

But the holiday season usually brings increased spending for most people, so now could be the perfect time to grab that credit card bonus and get $300 back. Read all the fine print before opening the card so you understand exactly what you need to do to earn the bonus.

4. Buy protections on your items

Sometimes we buy Christmas gifts months in advance. Most stores understand this and adjust their return policies to account for the holidays. But that is not always enough.

Credit card extended warranties are a big help if you realize that an item you purchased is broken or defective long after purchase. Your card issuer may pay to have the item repaired or replaced even if the original retailer or manufacturer does not.

Some credit cards also offer purchase protection, which protects your items against theft or accidental damage for a limited time, as well as price protection. This refunds you the difference if you later find an item you purchased with that card on sale for a lower price. However, you usually need to monitor sales and contact your card issuer to get this refund.

Not all credit cards offer these protections, so you’ll need to check the cardholder’s agreement to see if yours does. Make sure you understand the limits offered by these services and contact the credit card issuer if you have any questions.

Keep in mind that it may take a week or more to receive your credit card in the mail after it is approved. If you’re planning to open a new one before Black Friday, it’s best to act quickly. Choose a few cards that interest you and compare their benefits to see which one will save you the most this holiday season.