Reward cards are beginning to dole out less perks because the giant monster mega banks that issue them are financially ailing.

This trend especially affects the 1 in every 3 of you who pay your balance in full every month. Historically, banks have had a love/hate relationship with what they call "deadbeats" -- those of us who do pay in full each month.

On one hand, they lost money by making an interest-free loan to you each month. But they were making up for it with the merchant fees they charge to the retailers you might patronize.

Be sure to read those mice-type notifications you get in the mail about possible changes to your card's rewards program. You may suddenly need to rack up more points for that free airline mileage, cash-back payment, etc.

Of course, there are several institutions out there not cutting back on the rewards. See Clark's recent discussion of Charles Schwab and Fidelity Investment and their great reward cards offers for details.