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Cool Offers from the Best Cash Back Credit Cards

admin — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:36:49 +0000

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Cash back credit cards are a shoppers delight and have proven to be a huge success after the innovation of the credit card itself. True to its name, the cash back credit card provides cash rebates or cash rewards to cardholders for making purchases using the card. The best cash back credit cards gives a higher rebate on purchases. Cash back programs have been in vogue from the middle of the twentieth century. Initially, they started with a flat rebate (about 1%) of the total purchase made by the customer.

Components of the Best Cash Back Credit Cards

The best cash back credit card can be evaluated on two components – the percentage earned on purchases and the method of its delivery to the customer. With plenty of options to entice you into spending more, it is important to consider certain things when choosing cash back credit cards. This includes – the rebate percentage, Annual Percentage Rate (APR), card partnerships with merchants and other services (like gas, restaurants), the method of getting the money back, and your annual fees. Some cards may have limitations like number of rebate points earned per year and validity period of the earned rebate points.

These cards are more suited for those who do not carry monthly balances. The APR for these cards tend to be higher than the normal cards, which in effect means that if the bill is not paid in full, it would cost more for the borrower than it should and could be. As a customer, you should be aware of the APR on the card, in order to determine if the ultimate finance charges will be more or less than the actual reward benefits earned. Most of the cards do not have an annual fee, have very low or 0% introductory APR, with the facility of balance transfer and attractive gifts. The best cash back credit cards have a higher percentage rebate on certain category purchases like grocery or fuel.

Most credit card companies offer a standard cash back percentage of 1%. Some might offer 5% or 2% in mutual partnership with select merchants like gas stations or drug stores. Certain cards may offer higher rebate percentage for the introductory period and then revert to a standard 1%. The customer should look for higher rebate percentage as higher the rebate percentage; the greater amount of money that can be earned by them. Some cards may offer higher cash rebate percentage with increased usage and others may offer a higher cash back percentage at select merchant or retailers like gas stations or supermarkets. It is important for the customers to choose a cash back credit card that provides special incentives with merchants or services the consumer uses frequently.

How the Best Cash Back Credit Card Works

Typically, most of the best cash back credit card companies offer cash back or reward on purchases, not on balance transfers or cash advances. Cash back programs can prove to be very expensive for credit card companies and they normally charge an annual fee for it. Nevertheless, with competition, many of these cards now have zero annual fees. In case annual fees are charged, it is worthwhile for you to ensure that enough is earned by way of rebate to justify the annual fee payment.

The best cash back credit cards credit the rebate back to the cardholder account. However, different credit card companies adopt different methods of repaying the customer. Some companies pay the cardholder once per year, some pay back as statement credits, while others require the cardholder to request for refund once enough points have been accumulated. Cash payment methods could be as varied as the reward credit cards. These include gifts, gift vouchers, statement credits, cheques, or deposits to bank accounts.

Eligibility for Cash Back Credit Card

Generally, companies require you to have a good or an excellent credit history to qualify for the best cash back credit card. With myriad of options, shopping for the best cash back credit card can be an overwhelming task. Yet with prudence, cash back credit cards provide a fantastic opportunity to get back part of the money that is spent on purchasing and using your credit cards.

Credit Card Incentives And Choosing The Best Credit Card

admin — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 20:44:05 +0000

It is a well known fact that there are many different credit cards available today. In order to pick a credit card that will work for you, pick one that reflects your lifestyle as well as your ideal spending limit. In order to find the best credit card company and the best possible deal, you will need to do your research to find the perfect card for you.

When picking a credit card, you will first need to decide what you need the credit card for. Some people want a credit card simply for the purpose of cash flow. Making purchases on a credit card, can then free up your income. You can put that money in your bank account and let it draw interest. This allows your money to earn interest, all the while you are still able to buy the things you need. Then, when the credit card bill comes in, you pay it in full, in order to avoid finance charges.

Instant cash purposes is another popular reason people get credit cards. They are then able to use the credit card at any ATM to obtain cash. Credit cards used for these purposes are great for an extended vacation or when traveling in general. If this is your sole purpose for obtaining a credit card, make sure that you find one with the lowest instant cash transaction rate.

With any credit card, it is always important to consider the monthly payments. You will either need to pay the credit card balance off each month or make the minimum required payment. When choosing a credit card, be sure to look at the balance transfer rates, any introductory rates, as well as any incentives that might apply to new credit card holders. Often times, if you have good credit, you can receive some amazing deals.

Credit card incentives are another important area to keep in mind. Many credit cards offer incentives such as reward points or cash back for certain purchases. Simply look around for credit card incentive programs that are appealing to your needs.

The APR or Annual Percentage Rate is another important area to look at. Whenever the incentive period ends, you will then pay the APR. Since APRs vary from credit card to credit card, it is important to shop around and compare rates. The lower the APR is the better.

The minimum monthly payment is another area that must be looked at when choosing a credit card. Often times, credit card companies require you to pay about 3% of your total balance. Some credit cards are considerably lower, while others require a considerably higher amount. Choose a credit card with the longest interest free period available. This will help to keep your monthly payments lower.

After you have done the research and know exactly what you are getting into, you can then choose a credit card with ease. Credit cards can be a great thing to have. However, they can cause financial troubles if not used properly. If you do your homework, you will quickly be able to find the credit card that is right for you. As long at you pay your monthly bill on time and take care of your card, you will increase your credit rating, allowing you to eventually make larger purchases, like a house or a car.

Check That Pre-Approved Credit Card Offer

admin — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 01:15:36 +0000

If you have received a pre-approved credit card offer in the mail make sure you read everything. There are good and bad offers and you need to know which credit card offer is for you.

Look for:

* The Annual Percentage Rate (APR). If the interest rate is variable, how is it determined and when can it change?
* The periodic rate. This is the interest rate used to figure the finance charge on your balance each billing period.
* The annual fee. While some cards have no annual fee, others expect you to pay an amount each year for being a cardholder.
* The grace period. This is the number of days you have to pay your bill before finance charges start. Without this period, you may have to pay interest from the date you use your card or when the purchase is posted to your account.
* The finance charges. Most lenders calculate finance charges using an average daily account balance, which is the average of what you owed each day in the billing cycle. Look for offers that use an adjusted balance, which subtracts your monthly payment from your beginning balance. This method usually has the lowest finance charges. Stay away from offers that use the previous balance in calculating what you owe; this method has the highest finance charge. Also don’t forget to check if there is a minimum finance charge.
* Other fees. Ask about special fees when you get a cash advance, make a late payment, or go over your credit limit. Some companies charge a monthly fee regardless of whether you use your card.

The Fair Credit and Charge Card Disclosure Act require credit and charge card issuers to include this information on credit applications. The Federal Reserve Board provides a free brochure on choosing a credit card and a guide to credit protection laws at their web site.

Comparing Cards

* Bank Rate web site provides free credit card tips and information.
* Consumer Action web site has a site that features credit card surveys of interest rates, fees and other terms from dozens of credit cards, as well as free brochures and guides on choosing and using credit cards.
* Card Web lists credit cards and offers e-mail newsletters, frequently asked questions and online credit card calculators.
* Card Ratings lists and reviews credit cards, and offers tips and credit card calculators.

Lost and Stolen Credit Cards

Immediately call the card issuer when you suspect a credit or charge card has been lost or stolen. Many companies have toll-free numbers and 24-hour service to deal with such emergencies.

By federal law, once you report the loss or theft of a card, you have no further responsibility for unauthorized charges. In any event, your maximum liability under federal law is $50 per card.

Complaints

To complain about a problem with your credit card company, call the company first and try to resolve the problem. If you fail to resolve the issue, ask for the name, address and phone number of its regulatory agency.

If the word national appears in the name or the letters N.A. appear after the name, the Office of the Comptroller oversees its operations.

To complain about a credit bureau, department store or other FDIC-insured financial institution, write to the Consumer Response Center.

Cool Offers from the Best Cash Back Credit Cards

admin — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 00:13:04 +0000

Components of the Best Cash Back Credit Cards

How the Best Cash Back Credit Card Works

Eligibility for Cash Back Credit Card

0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards – Too Good to be

admin — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 02:53:00 +0000

0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards – Too Good to be True?

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On the surface, 0% balance transfer credit cards are incredibly enticing, especially if you have outstanding credit card balances. But there are a few details you need to understand before taking the balance transfer credit card plunge.

Some consumers seem to get in trouble overnight with credit cards. Seemingly broke and deeply in debt, some desperate card holders are constantly on the lookout for a quick fix for the credit problems. A 0% credit card balance transfer
might appear to be the perfect solution. Many among us desperately jump at such offers without much forethought. 0% deals on balance transfers or purchases might seem irresistible even to the most credit worthy person. But especially if you have a large outstanding card balance (or balances), a 0% credit card balance transfer will seem especially lucrative. And to no surprise, there is no shortage of these type of balance transfer offers currently available in the marketplace.

Regardless of your credit circumstances, you should exercise caution and thoroughly investigate all aspects of any credit card offer that you consider. Despite the obvious attractions of a balance transfer credit card, it is worth giving a second thought before you cut up your old credit card to make room in your wallet for the new one. Companies often fail to clarify the fine print, hiding those rather unpleasant details which could cost you dearly in the long run.

Let us start with a very typical credit scenario. Imagine having a $10,000 outstanding balance on a credit card with a 10% annual APR, translating to $1000 in finance charges on a yearly basis. On the other hand, imagine securing a credit card that offers you 0% on balance transfers for the first year of membership. Transferring your card balance to a 0% balance transfer offer would cut down your annual interest expense by $1000. Exciting, isnt it?

But did you bother to check what the interest rate would be after the introductory interest-free period? The rate might turn out to be significantly higher than your existing card, and you do not want to be caught on the wrong side of a high APR. Forewarned is forearmed. You will need to plan ahead and not just a day or two before the interest-free period comes to an end. Some consumers might be surprised to discover that when an introductory APR offer expires that the rate of interest can revert retroactively to an APR of 23% and beyond. If you do not pay off your balance systematically and end up with a large balance when the introductory offer expires, many times consumers are stuck paying out an outrageously high APR because they did not pay down their card balance at all. So above all, make sure to plan on paying off that balance before the introductory period expires or you may regret it.

0% Balance Transfer Some Pointers

When considering balance transfers credit cards, help yourself by asking these questions:

- What will be the interest rate once the initial introductory 0% balance transfer period is
over?
- Is it comparable to my current APR or will it be significantly higher? What is the net difference?
- Particularly if you plan to carry a card balance over time, what will be the long-term net effect of the difference in APR’s?
- Do I want to get into the habit of switching from one 0% balance transfer card to another?

If your current credit card offers a better long-term ongoing APR than the new one, it makes more sense to stick with what youve got, especially if you have the means to pay off your card balance without incurring large finance charges. A balance transfer card most certainly has its own pros and cons but if you wish to use balance transfers to your advantage, make sure that you understand the net benefits of the card over the long term.

Choosing The Best Credit Card For You

admin — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:56:13 +0000

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When choosing the right credit card for you, it is extremely important that you are aware of the conditions and terms that apply to the credit card. There are a few things you should take into consideration, for example take a look at the finance charges, method of balance computation, annual fee, and any periods of time that are interest free on any purchase made with the card, if the payment is made on time and in full.

Everyday, nearly every consumer becomes hit with many different offers of this credit card or that credit card. The choices can seem overwhelming, you could receive offers that include no annual fee, low yearly percentage rates, additional insurance, or reward programs. It becomes extremely difficult with each new offer to determine which credit card is suitable for you and your situation.

Other things you should consider when choosing a credit card includes your credit history, you will need to understand if you have excellent credit, slightly damaged credit or poor credit. With perfect credit or even credit that has the minimal of damage, you can likely be approved and choose any type of credit card you desire. For those with average or slightly damaged credit and those with poor credit will need to choose a credit card very carefully in order to receive the best possible value.

Additionally, close examine your habits in spending when you are choosing your credit card. Consider the following very carefully, how will the card be used, do you intend to pay the balance off monthly, or do you intend to have a balance carry over each month? If it is likely that you will allow your balance to carry over each month and make minimal payments you should probably consider a credit card that has a lower APR or Annual Percentage Rate. For those that intend to pay their balance off monthly in full, they will likely benefit from a card that will offer you some sort of reward program.

Reward programs are great because they can offer you many things such as, frequent flyer miles, extended grace periods that are interest-free, or cash back on purchased made with that credit card.

You should also take into carefully consideration your personal interests when choosing a credit card. For example, if you are a frequent traveler it could be of high value to opt for a credit card that will offer you specific rewards like travel vouchers or discounts to use while traveling. Do you prefer to shop at one specific store? Then you should think about getting a credit card that offers you the opportunity to gain cash back or rewards when you make purchases at that particular business.

0% APR Credit Cards Make It Possible To Save Money

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:42:55 +0000

0% APR Credit Cards Make It Possible To Save Money

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I’m sure you’ve seen direct mail offers, promotional brochures and Internet ads announcing:

“0% APR credit cards. Limited time offer. Apply today!”

You can’t beat that for a credit card. That’s just like buying something with cash. A great deal, especially if you don’t have cash on hand. But you may be wondering, “How can the credit card companies and banks make money if they aren’t charging interest?” Well, read on to find out whether or not these 0% APR credit card offers are just pulling your leg.

Deal Or No Deal

Every time you buy something using 0% APR credit cards, you pay absolutely no finance charges or interest rate charges on your entire credit card balance. Just think… you can refurnish your home, pay for your child’s college tuition or go out on a spending spree without paying a penny more.

However, most 0% APR credit cards offer only “introductory rates” at 0%. This low rate may be limited to a specific time period, such as 3 months or as long as a year. In addition, 0% APR credit cards often allow you to transfer balances (up to a specific amount) from another credit card to take advantage of the zero interest deal. Once the introductory rate period ends, then the APR can go through the roof.

Okay, so maybe you can’t get 0% interest into eternity. But, if you play your card right, you can still reap the benefits of these unique offers.

Making Zero Interest Work For You

You may already have several credit cards and can’t imagine what you’d do with another. After all… personal finance experts advise against having too many credit cards. Before getting a 0% APR credit card ask yourself, “What is the APR on my credit cards?” and “Do I carry a balance on my cards from month to month?”

The average interest rate for credit cards is around 14%. On the low end, you may have a card that charges as little as 5% interest, whereas cards for those with bad credit or no credit can be a whopping 29%. Retail credit cards tend to have a high interest rate around 19%, even if you have A1 credit. If the interest rates on your cards are up into the teens, then you definitely need to consider other options (a 0% APR credit card), unless you pay off your balances on a monthly basis.

Don’t throw money out the window and into the pockets of the credit card companies. If you have high interest cards and pay only the minimum balance, then it can take years to pay off. $1000 spent could nearly double to almost $2000 by the time it’s paid off. The best thing to do is transfer the balance to a 0% APR credit cards.

Where To Find 0% APR Credit Cards

If you have good credit, chances are you’ve already been bombarded with mail offers. You might even find these special values available through organizations you belong to or companies that you do business with regularly. Other sources include your local banks and credit unions. And don’t forget to search the Internet. It’s a great place to comparison shop for numerous credit cards. Keep in mind that you usually need to have good credit to qualify for a 0% APR Credit Card.

0% APR credit cards allow you to avoid finance charges altogether. If you are in debt, this is especially helpful in that you can pay down your balance much more quickly. But be sure you don’t end up in a situation where you transfer balances from one card only to fill the old card back up again with new purchases. If you’ve been thinking about making a large purchase but don’t yet have the funds and don’t want to take out a loan, then a 0% APR credit card will be like paying cash. Just be sure to pay off your balance before the introductory rate ends and finance charges begin.

Best Reward Credit Cards Offer Smart Choices

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:05:13 +0000

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When comparing the best reward credit cards, it makes sense to investigate everything, including the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) as well as any reward features that the card may offer. Potential cardholders should take into account the manner in which they handle their credit purchases. For instance, if the cardholder intends to make a large purchase using a credit card but plans to pay for the charge over the course of several months, then a low interest credit card will be a better financial choice over a reward credit card. If a cardholder plans on repaying the charge immediately (even if the card features a higher interest rate), reward credit cards might be a better choice simply because the interest rate will have no financial impact and will almost always provide a greater range of rewards than a lower interest card.

Balance Transfers

If it is your intent to take advantage of a reward credit card that features a 0% balance transfer offer, it might make sense to choose a card that offers 0% on purchases as well, if at all possible. The reason this may be an appropriate step is that when you take advantage of the 0% balance transfer card offer, many times the APR on purchases will be significantly higher comparable to other card offers. So if you make a purchase using that credit card during the life of the balance transfer your new purchases will be subject to significant finance charges until the purchases are paid off. This can result in significant interest charges before you can begin paying on the newly purchased item. If you are unable to locate a reward credit card with a competitively low ongoing APR, it would make sense to obtain a secondary card for new purchases with a low interest rate, which would make the card balances more cost effective and easier to manage over time. The ideal scenario for cardholders would be to use a card with a 0% balance transfer offer that extends to new purchases during the introductory period.

Interest Rates

While researching card offers, you may notice that reward credit cards typically have a higher interest rate and in many cases require an annual fee. These fees and finance charges are used by the card issuers to help finance the rewards program that cardholders participate in. But if you are disciplined enough to pay off your credit card each month, the value of your rewards should dramatically exceed the cost of interest charges and fees that you might otherwise pay the card issuer. While credit card companies are well aware of that premise, they also know that the majority of our “spend-now-pay-later” oriented society will most likely not utilize the card in this manner.

By shopping for the best reward credit cards online, you have a fantastic opportunity to comprehensively evaluate offers, their benefits and their associated fees and potential finance charges. A thorough approach the card offer research will help determine which card provides the greatest benefit as well as long-term savings for your particular situation.

In short, if you are paying for purchases over a long period consider a lower interest card. If you pay back quickly, consider more of a rewards component in your search for the very best reward credit cards.

Cash Back Credit Cards – Finding the Best Available

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:35:28 +0000

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Cash back credit cards provide fantastic opportunities for those that carry them. For every purchase a cardholder makes with one of these cards, a cash rebate is earned. This makes cash back credit cards potentially very profitable for those that take the time to choose the best card available and then, of course, use it effectively. When looking for the best cash back credit cards, it is important to take several things under consideration.

One of the most important features to consider when searching for the best card is the actual rebate percentage provided. Most cash rebate cards provide cardholders a percentage of the amount charged to the card. Obviously, the higher the rebate percentage, the greater amount of money that can be earned so the consumer should look for the greatest rebate percentage available.

Most cash back credit cards are partnered with certain businesses that derive mutual benefit from cardholder purchases. For example, a cardholder may receive a 1% rate of return on general purchases, but a 5% rate if purchases are made at a certain gas station. Therefore, it is important for consumers to choose a cash back credit card that provides special incentives with businesses or services the consumer uses frequently. It certainly would not make much sense for a consumer to use a cash back credit card providing a special 5% rate for purchases made at a restaurant if the consumer never dines out!

The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of the cash back credit card also needs to be taken under consideration. Many cash back credit cards tend to have a higher APR than those without special rewards programs. The consumer must be aware of the APR of the card in order to determine if the ultimate finance charges will be more or less than the actual reward benefits earned. If the finance charges will cost the consumer more than the rewards he or she will earn, then the card is not worth keeping. But cardholders that pay their balance off in full each month do not need to be overly concerned with the APR.

Just as the APR must be considered when looking for the best cash back credit card, it is also important to look at the annual associated with the card. A rebate card with an annual fee may not be worthwhile in the long run. Therefore, the cardholder needs to be sure that he or she will earn enough cash back during the year to make the annual fee worth paying for.

Not all cash back credit cards are created equal. Some send money to the cardholder once per year while others will credit the rebate back to the cardholder account. Still other cash back credit cards place the money in interest earning accounts or in special college savings accounts. With some cards, the points toward cash back earnings are calculated and sent to the cardholder automatically. Still others require the cardholder to request the refund once he or she has accumulated enough points. All of these need to be taken into consideration when determining which card is best.

Some cash back credit cards have limitations to how many rebates can be earned per year. For some cardholders, this is not an issue because the limit is much higher than they will ever spend. For others, this cap can be a concern. In addition, some cash back credit cards place an expiration date on how long the rebates are good. Therefore, those that think they may not cash in on their rebates on a frequent basis need to consider whether or not they will be able to use the rebates before they expire.

Best Reward Credit Cards Offer Smart Choices

admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:18:23 +0000

Balance Transfers

Interest Rates

Find the best credit card deals and offers online » Finance Charges

Cool Offers from the Best Cash Back Credit Cards

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