By CCRB in zero percent on August 19 2010
Credit cards are everywhere. When was the last time you went someplace and couldn’t use your credit card because the vendor didn’t accept credit cards? It has probably been a while.
The Chase Freedom cash back credit card is gaining momentum across the country. Why?
The Chase Freedom:
-offers 3% cash back on gas, department store and home improvement purchases
-offers 1% cash back on all other purchases
-give you $50 after you make your first purchase
-offers 0% APR
-comes with No Annual Fee
Let’s focus on the last two points.
-0% APR. What exactly does 0% APR mean? It means that you will never pay interest on your credit card. Even if you use your card responsibly, it is smart to only use zero percent interest credit cards. There will come a time in all of our lives that we run into hard times. What if you had your entire world come crashing down and you had to supplement with a 25% APR credit card? Even when you got back on your feet, your feet would be swept from under you because you would have to pay 25% interest compounded monthly from all of your purchases. It is just smart to stick with a 0% cash back credit card because you never know when hard times are going to strike.
-No annual fee. It’s quite sad when people sign up for a cash back credit card and have to pay an annual fee. What point is there to earning cash back? Virtually all of the cash back you will earn for the entire year, or at least a good portion of it, will have to go towards paying your annual fee. It just doesn’t make sense. If you want your cash back credit card to really work for you, you need to choose one without an annual fee. Be cautious with the cash back cards that require no annual fee for the first year. After you have had your card for a year, those annual fees will start sucking your earned cash back from you.
The Chase Freedom credit card offers you everything you need. No annual fee and 0% APR, not to mention all of the cash back you will earn.
By ccblogger in General on February 26 2010
When it comes to offering outstanding travel benefits, no other credit card company comes close to what American Express offers. American Express is not only the industry leader in customer service, but it is also the industry leader in travel benefits and rewards.
Customers who hold American Express credit cards are able to take advantage of a wider variety of benefits than customers who hold a Visa card, Discover card, or any other credit card. The travel benefits that American Express offers are more numerous and more advantageous.
American Express cardholders are automatically entered into the AMEX network. This network joins customers with prestigious travel companies throughout the world. A few companies that are included in the AMEX network are:
- LXR Luxury Reports and Hotels
- Avis Car Rentals
- Sandals Resorts
- Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
- Icelandair
- The Ritz-Carlton Hotels and Resorts
- Delta Air Lines
- Starwood Hotels and Resorts
- JetBlue Airlines
- Costco
American Express has teamed up with literally hundreds of international businesses to offer its customers the most rewarding travel benefits. Some of American Express’ most beneficial travel credit cards include:
Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
- For every dollar you spend, you will earn at least 1 SkyMile
- The miles you have earned will never expire and there is no limit to the number of miles you can earn
- Every year you renew your card, you will automatically earn one companion Coach class ticket
- After you make your first purchase, you will earn 20,000 SkyMiles bonus points
- Each time you add an additional cardmember to your account, you will earn an additional 2,500 Skymile bonus points
Blue from American Express
- Get approved in less than 60 seconds
- Points you earn can be redeemed for entertainment rewards, travel rewards, shopping, gift cards, etc
- There is no annual fee
- Receive 0% APR for the first 12 months
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Card
- After you spend $500 within the first 3 months with your card, you will automatically earn 10,000 Membership rewards points
- There is no annual fee for the first year and a low annual fee after that
- You can earn 1 Membership Rewards point for every $1 you spend
- There is not a pre-set spending limit so spend all you want
When it comes to offering amazing travel benefits, American Express is way ahead of any other credit card company. You can’t afford to travel without an American Express card so get yours today.
By ccblogger in Credit Cards on February 23 2010
Credit cards are completely necessary these days. Such forms of payment are required for many transactions such as purchases via the Internet and over the phone.
First National Bank of Omaha can help you be approved for the credit card that you need-the credit card that you want.
First National Bank of Omaha’s slogan is “One with You.” Never has a credit card lender been so correct. This is because it offers credit cards for your every need.
There are personal credit cards, small business credit cards, commercial credit cards and more. All of these cards come with extremely competitive rates. This means that you won’t have to pay an arm and a leg for a credit card.
Just like almost every card on the market, First National Bank of Omaha allows you 24/7 online access to your account. You can even view up to seven years of past transactions and statements.
A unique benefit that only First National Bank of Omaha offers is Platinum Edition Benefits. This is a benefits package that ensures car rental discounts, purchase protection, travel assistance services, travel accident insurance, extended warranty coverage and more. No other credit card lender offers this amount of coverage. No other lender offers this amount of benefits.
Another standard feature that comes with First National Bank of Omaha cards is one to really get excited about…personalized credit cards. You have the option of adding a picture of your choice to the front of your card. All you have to do is upload the image of your choice as you finish the credit application.
First National Bank of Omaha has incredible credit card offers. These offers can’t be beat. Each card comes with an amazing set of standard features, including Platinum Edition Benefits. There are personal cards, small business cards, commercial credit cards and more. Simply put, there is a card for you at First National Bank of Omaha.
By ccblogger in Credit Card Offers, Prepaid on February 9 2010
It is kind of a given that credit cards affect your credit score and credit history. The more responsible you are with your card, the better your credit score is. The less responsible you are with your credit card, the better chance you have of your credit score going down.
Some credit cards affect your credit score more than others. Some credit cards even come with a built in Credit-Builder feature. This feature greatly enhances your credit score. If you need your credit to improve quickly, check out these credit cards that come with this feature.
AccountNow Prepaid MasterCard
- Works just like any other prepaid MasterCard credit card
- When you sign up for Direct Deposit, you can take advantage of a $0 Activation Fee
- Use Online Bill Pay for free
- Comes with Credit Builder for free
- No minimum balance required
- No overdraft fees
- You can loan and re-load up to $10,000 onto the card
- You can qualify for this card even if you have bad credit
Wired Plastic Prepaid Visa Card
- Participate in Tap-n-Pay purchases worldwide
- No bounced check fees
- No Insufficient Fund fees
- No Overdraft fees
- Participate in the Rewards program for free
- For every $1 you spend, you can earn 1 point that is redeemable for wireless airtime minutes, music downloads, LD calls
- Use the Bill Pay service for free. This can be done online or over the phone
- Free Credit Builder program
- Free Overdraft protection program
- You can get e-mail messages or mobile alerts for free
- Accepted at over 100,000 retail locations
Eufora Prepaid MasterCard with Credit Builder-Elite Level
- The perfect card to build credit quickly
- No credit check necessary
- 100% Guaranteed approval
- Many services for free including: direct deposit, 24/7 Online access, point of sale transactions, live customer support, etc
- Safer to carry than cash
- You can reload the card at thousands of places nationwide
- Safer to carry than cash
- Great for people with bad credit
Credit cards are a great way to build credit. These prepaid credit cards come with a Credit Builder program that allows you to build credit quickly.
By ccblogger in Credit Card Offers on February 2 2010
The Citi Platinum Select MasterCard is the perfect credit card for just anyone and everyone these days. This credit card comes with all of the bells and whistles. For instance, it features:
- Instant approval
- $0 liability on unauthorized purchases
- Online account management tools that are free and secure
- No annual fee
- 0% APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for up to 12 months
Doesn’t that sound great? The Citi Platinum Select is accepted worldwide and can really help you get on top of your finances. How? With it’s amazingly low APR.
All you have to do is fill out an easy and quick online application to be on your way to more financial freedom. The Citi Platinum Select MasterCard can help you do this, especially with the low interest rate it offers its cardholders.
Depending on your credit history and credit score, you can earn 0% APR for the first 12 months. Even if you aren’t able to enjoy 0% APR for 12 months, it is worth it to earn no interest for as long as you can. But, the real perk shows up when the introductory period is over.
Many credit cards offer 0% APR for 6 months or 12 months and then the cardholder is stuck with an outrageously high interest rate. This isn’t the case with the Citi Platinum Select credit card. As soon as the introductory period is over, you can take advantage of an interest rate as low as 11.99%. Have you heard of a credit card interest rate that low? Well, it is reality with the Citi Platinum Select MasterCard.
Why not sign up for a credit card that can actually get you somewhere. The Citi Platinum Select MasterCard can help you manage your account and your finances by offering no interest for up to zero percent for 12 months and only 11.99% after that. The Citi Platinum Select MasterCard is worth looking into for that reason alone.
By ccblogger in General on September 26 2009
When it comes to making financial decisions, wouldn’t you trust a bank that has been around a while? Isn’t it easier to trust a financial institution that has a rich history of customer service and quality products?
IBERIABANK is one of those banks that you are sure to be pleased with and one in which you can trust with your finances.
IBERIABANK was established 122 years ago on strong customer-related principles. Its mission statement is focused on 1) providing exceptional value-based client services 2) being a great place to work 3) growth that is consistent with high performance 4) the shareholder 5) a strong sense of community. It is a subsidiary of the IBERIABANK Corporation. People around the country have already trusted IBERIABANK with their assets. As on June 30, 2009, IBERIABANK held over $5.7 billion in assets alone.
IBERIABANK is the second largest bank holding company, which is headquartered in Louisiana. There are over 50 locations around the state, as well as over 750 employees to assist you with your financial needs. Even if you don’t live in Louisiana, you can take advantage of IBERIABANKS products and services.
IBERIABANK offers credit cards with some of the best features on the market today. Its rates are reasonable and allow you to hold a credit card that won’t put into a mountain of debt. IBERIABANK knows where you are going and follows the motto, “Life Doesn’t Wait.” That is why it offers credit cards that also keep the fees you will be responsible for to a minimum.
Although IBERIABANK is headquartered in Louisiana, anyone around the country can take advantage of its products and services, especially its credit cards. IBERIABANK offers quality credit cards that come with reasonable and realistic rates, fees and features.
Check out the IBERIABANK credit cards offered to see which ones suit your financial needs.
By ccblogger in Credit Cards on September 11 2009
Did you know that credit cards can receive prestigious awards, just like celebrities can win an Oscar? These awards are called The Freddie Awards.
For the past 21 years, frequent travelers have voted on which credit cards provide the best travel programs, member service, etc. After the votes are tallied, a huge gala event is hosted and the awards are given.
For 2009, the awards are as follows:
Industry Impact Award
Continental OnePass
United Mileage Plus
Best Elite-Level Program
Americas Airline: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Americas Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Europe/Middle East/Africa Airline: Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
Europe/Middle East/Africa Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Japan/Pacific/Asia/Australia Airline: Jet Airways JetPrivilege
Japan/Pacific/Asia/Australia Hotel: Starwood Preferred Guest
Best Affinity Credit Card
Americas: Starwood Preferred Guest American Express
Europe/Middle East/Africa: Lufthansa Miles & More Credit Card
Japan/Pacific/Asia/Australia: Virgin Blue Velocity NAB Gold Card American Express/Visa
Best Award Redemption
Americas Airline: Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
Americas Hotel: Hilton HHonors
Europe/Middle East/Africa Airline: Etihad Airways Etihad Guest
Europe/Middle East/Africa Hotel: Hilton HHonors
Japan/Pacific/Asia/Australia Airline: Virgin Blue Velocity
Japan/Pacific/Asia/Australia Hotel: Starwood Preferred Guest
Best Customer Service
Americas Airline: Midwest Airlines Midwest Miles
Americas Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Europe/Middle East/Africa Airline: Virgin Atlantic Airways Flying Club
Europe/Middle East/Africa Hotel: Hilton HHonors
Japan/Pacific/Asia/Australia Airline: Kingfisher Airlines King Club
Japan/Pacific/Asia/Australia Hotel: Hilton HHonors
Best Award
Americas Airline: British Airways Executive Club
Americas Hotel: InterContinental Hotels Group Priority Club Rewards
Europe/Middle East/Africa Airline: Virgin Atlantic Airways Flying Club
Europe/Middle East/Africa Hotel: Hilton HHonors
Japan/Pacific/Asia/Australia Airline: Virgin Blue Velocity
Japan/Pacific/Asia/Australia Hotel: Starwood Preferred Guest
Best Web Site
Americas Airline: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Americas Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Europe/Middle East/Africa Airline: Etihad Airways Etihad Guest
Europe/Middle East/Africa Hotel: Starwood Preferred Guest
Japan/Pacific/Asia/Australia Airline: Virgin Blue Velocity
Japan/Pacific/Asia/Australia Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Best Bonus Promotion
Americas Airline: American Airlines AAdvantage
Americas Hotel: InterContinental Hotels Group Priority Club Rewards
Europe/Middle East/Africa Airline: Etihad Airways Etihad Guest
Europe/Middle East/Africa Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Japan/Pacific/Asia/Australia Airline: Kingfisher Airlines King Club
Japan/Pacific/Asia/Australia Hotel: Hilton HHonors
Best Member Communications
Americas Airline: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Americas Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Europe/Middle East/Africa Airline: Etihad Airways Etihad Guest
Europe/Middle East/Africa Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Japan/Pacific/Asia/Australia Airline: Virgin Blue Velocity
Japan/Pacific/Asia/Australia Hotel: Starwood Preferred Guest
Program of the Year
Americas Airline: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Americas Hotel: Marriot Rewards
Europe/Middle East/Africa Airline: Virgin Atlantic Airways Flying Club
Europe/Middle East/Africa Hotel: Starwood Preferred Guest
Japan/Pacific/Asia/Australia Airline: Virgin Blue Velocity
Japan/Pacific/Asia/Australia Hotel: Starwood Preferred Guest
As you can see, the same credit cards won awards over and over again. If you have been considering a travel reward credit card, it would do you some good to check out these cards. Frequent travelers from around the world have voted that these travel reward credit cards are the best of the best. It’s also nice that each award is broken down into different categories. You can choose the best travel reward credit card for your individual needs. When in doubt, the Marriot Rewards credit card and the Starwood American Express credit card are good options for anyone looking to travel a bit more for free or with major discounts.
By ccblogger in Discover Card on September 9 2009
I am the type of person that is extremely meticulous when it comes to my finances. I make sure that my bills are paid in full before the due date. I make sure that I read all of the fine print…every time. I make sure that I am not going to be caught unawares of anything that is going to charge me more money.
It isn’t that I am just made of money. I like to think of it as I am just smart with my money. I never spend more than I make and I am a complete ’saver.’ So, when I decided to sign up for the Discover Clear card, I was pretty sure that I understood all of the ‘in’s and out’s’ of the card.
Even though I read the fine print every time, I have still had credit card companies find ways to weasel more money out of my pocketbook. It didn’t take me long to figure out that this would not be the case with the Discover Clear card.
What first attracted me to the Clear card was the fact that I could earn so much cash back. I could earn up to 5% cash back on my purchases, up to 20% cash back whenever I shopped online, and I could earn double the rewards when I shopped with Discover’s long list of ‘preferred vendors,’ Cashback Bonus Partners.
The application process was fast, easy and pain-free. I received my actual credit card in the mail within a few short days of filling out the application. This was proof to me that Discover wanted me to go ahead and start using the card and start earning cash back.
All I had to do was use the card to earn cash back. I checked my account balance (a service that Discover offers free of charge) often and loved watching my cash-back points pile up. I didn’t have to do anything special to earn these points. All I did was simply use my card.
I also loved the fact that I didn’t have an annual fee and that I earned 0% APR for the first 12 months. I never pay interest on credit card purchases anyways, but it was such a relief knowing that if I came across an emergency within that first year, I could take as long as I wanted to pay off the balance without accruing interest charges.
I would recommend this card to anyone and everyone. In fact, I already do! The Discover Clear card has benefited me and my financial situation greatly.
Jennifer D.
By CCRB in American Express Credit Card Reviews on July 29 2009
How often do you use your credit card? How often do you shop at Costco? A few years ago, Costco was a warehouse retailer that was only in a few prime locations. Now, there are several Costco stores in each state (larger states obviously having more locations).
The point is, no matter where you live, there is sure to be a Costco nearby. Costco offers regular people like you and me the opportunity to buy products in bulk and at wholesale prices. But, when you combine your TrueEarnings card from American Express with your Costco membership card, you can save a lot more.
Costco, and other warehouse wholesalers, do not give members the option of purchasing their products with a credit card. However, Costco has teamed up with American Express and now you can use your American Express at any Costco. You don’t necessarily have to use the TrueEarnings card, but why would you not want to save additional money?
When you pay for your Costco membership each year, you get your TrueEarnings credit card for free-no annual fee. You also can earn unlimited cash back every time you use the TrueEarnings card. The TrueEarnings card really lets you earn a big percentage of cash back, especially for gasoline purchases. You can earn 3% cash back for all of your gas purchases before you spend $3000 annually. After you spend that $3000, you will earn 1% cash back.
The TrueEarnings card doesn’t just reward you for gasoline purchases. You can earn 3% cash back at all restaurants and 2% cash back for travel purchases. For all of your other expenditures, you’ll earn 1% cash back. Therefore, the TrueEarnings card lets you earn cash back literally every time you use your card.
If you are a Costco member, you should really consider getting the TrueEarnings card from American Express. Your opportunities to save more and get rewarded are doubled when you combine your Costco membership with the TrueEarnings card from American Express.
By CCRB in Citi Forward on July 15 2009
The Citi Forward Card Makes Money Magazine’s ‘The Best Credit Card for You’ List
Money Magazine is a great resource to find advice and information on countless financial topics. Recently, Money Magazine produced a ‘best credit card for you’ list. It chose six credit cards that really prove to be unique in terms of the benefits and service you’ll get. The Citi Forward card made this list, coming in at #3.
Money Magazine chose the Citi Forward card because of its shrinking APR. What exactly is a ’shrinking APR’? Well, the Citi Forward card rewards you for using your credit card responsibly. Each time you do so, you have the opportunity to reduce your APR by 0.25%. Here’s how you make your APR shrink.
1. Make at least the minimum payment
2. Make your payment on-time for three consecutive billing cycles
3. Stay under your credit limit
And that’s it! That is all you have to do to shrink your APR!
Your APR can be reduced a maximum of eight times throughout the life of your account. That means that you can reduce your APR by 2%!
The Citi Forward credit card has been hailed as ‘the credit card of the future’ because these types of rewards have never been offered before. Financial experts suspect that these rewards will be so popular that other credit card companies will begin to follow suit.
The Citi Forward card comes with a variable interest rate that starts at 12.24%. The grace period also comes with unique terms…you will have a 20 day grace period if you pay the entire balance in full by the due date each billing period. If you don’t, you will not be able to take advantage of a grace period at all.
Check out the Citi Forward card and see what it can do for you. This card is really something special if you already use your credit card responsibly. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!
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