08-01-2010 by admin
Let’s take a look at several cash back reward credit cards.
One of the highest rated by a consumer services firm is an American Express cash back reward credit card. Designed for those with at least good, but preferably excellent credit, the cash back reward on these credit cards is exceptional.
Through this card’s rebate program, the cardholder will earn a varying cash award, depending on how much is spent in the past year. Purchases that are considered every day buys, such as at gas stations, grocery stores and
pharmacies, earn five percent back. Other purchases earn the cardholder one and one half percent rebate. The limit on the cash back reward for this particular credit card is $50,000 each year.
Common benefits of its other credit cards are included in this cash back reward program. These include a buyer’s assurance plan, a plan for purchase protection and travel accident insurance up to $100,000.
These cash back reward credit cards have no annual fee, with a six month zero percent introductory rate, not only for balance transfers but for all purchases with the credit cards as well. As long as the initial loan whose balance is
transferred remains unpaid the interest rate paid on its balance after the introductory period has run out is a low 4.99 percent.
The rate on purchases subsequent to the introductory period on this cash back reward credit card is 12.74 percent at this writing, although it is variable. While you can get a cash advance with this credit card, the rate on that
transaction is a hefty 22.74 percent. The payment grace period is 20 days.
Another of the excellent cash back reward credit cards is a Visa. This offer is for those who have very good credit. With this cash back reward credit card the cardholder earns a point for each dollar used for a purchase. The first purchase
using the card gives the cardholder 1000 bonus points. The accrual of 2500 points with this cash back reward credit card means a $25 gift certificate or check from the cardholders choice of retailer or merchant. With this card you can earn up to 60,000 points for the year.
This card’s zero percent introductory interest rate lasts for one year, on both balance transfers and purchases. The card has no annual fee. One of the things that make this one of the best cash back reward credit cards its additional
benefits such as insurance on auto rentals, its extended purchase warranties, and its travel accident insurance coverage of up to $500,000.
Tags: Accrual, American Express, Assurance Plan, Balance Transfers, Bonus Points, Cardholder, Cash Advance, Cash Back Reward Credit Cards, Gas Stations, Grace Period, Grocery Stores, Interest Rate, Introductory Period, Introductory Rate, Pharmacies, Rebate Program, Reward Credit Card, Reward Credit Cards, Reward Program, Travel Accident Insurance category: Credit Cards | No comments »
07-01-2010 by admin
Reward credit cards and charge cards are offered everywhere. From cash-back to travel, it seems like everyone is offering something, often times with strings. Here is how to find the right rewards card for you.
First, determine the reward you really want. This is one of the most important steps in the process. What good is getting a card with airline miles rewards if you never fly? Wanting to get cash back on the purchases you make? Maybe you prefer something with hotel rewards. Either way, determining the correct type of reward you want will help point you in the right direction in selecting your new card.
Next, find out what the requirements are. Applying for a credit or charge card that requires excellent credit when your credit is average at best is a mistake. Sure, there may be a slight chance you could get it, but most likely you won’t. However, there will be another inquiry on your credit report which will not only have some effect on your score, but could also signal to a credit company that you may have recently approved credit. Applying for future cards may then be hindered.
After that, pay attention to the details. They may offer 10,000 bonus airline miles with your first purchase, but how are the miles used when you need them? Are there blackout dates that restrict your travel? Can you use them at any airline, or just one? Some rewards may sound great, but in reality there is no way to use them. In this case, only the credit card company makes out!
Finally, look at the rates and fees. If you have narrowed your choices down to just a couple of cards, take a look at the interest rate APR, terms of how the rates are computed and the fees involved. Just because they waive the fee the first year does not mean it is the better card, especially if it is higher than the annual fee of the other choice.
Tags: Airline Miles, Blackout Dates, Bonus, Cards Credit, Charge Card, Charge Cards, Choices, Credit Card Company, Credit Card Rewards, Credit Report, Fly, Hotel Rewards, Interest Rate, Mistake, Pay Attention, Reward Cards, Reward Credit Cards, Right Direction, S Market, Score category: Credit Cards | No comments »
02-01-2010 by admin
The best gas reward credit cards are almost always tied in to one type of gasoline and gas merchant. Let’s look at one of the best gas reward credit cards.
This is a Visa credit card offering gas rewards for Hess, Hess Express and Wilco Hess. You must have very good credit to quality for this gas reward card.
Through the card’s rebate program you earn a rebate of one percent on all purchases but a five percent rebate on purchases – gas and others – made at the Hess stations. In the first 90 days of this best gas reward credit card offer
you will earn not five, but ten percent rebate on the Hess purchases. Best of all, there is no annual limit to the gas reward you can earn on these credit cards. The rebate total is directly applied to the credit card account of the cardholder, too – another plus.
This gas reward credit card has both the best annual fee and the best introductory interest rate anywhere – zero. The introductory period is six months long. The rate of interest on the balance after the introductory period
is 13.74 percent – not the best, but still a reasonable rate. The rate for cash advances, however, is quite high (though this is commonly the case). That rate is 23.74 percent, although it varies.
Another perk that makes this one of the best gas reward credit cards is its excellent reporting system for stolen or lost cards, its insurance offer for auto rentals, its travel accident insurance with a hefty ceiling of $500,000 and
the fact that the card holders is not held liable for unauthorized transactions.
The one disadvantage of this card, which, depending on your spending and payment habits may or may not matter to you, is that its finance charge method is called
a two-cycle average daily balance method. This is more costly than that used by most issuers of credit cards – the method of determining finance charges by the average daily balance.
The various fees which you should always study and compare in detail include a fee for late payment that can be as high as $39 depending on the balance you are
carrying; a $35 fee for charging over your limit; and a balance transfer fee of three percent, although this has a minimum charge of $5 and a maximum of $75.
The best use of this gas reward credit card, therefore, is to pay your balance in full each month after the expiration of the introductory rate, and to make frequent purchases at Hess, Hess Express and Wilco Hess.
Tags: Balance Method, Best Gas Reward Credit Card, Credit Card Offer, Finance Charge, Finance Charges, Gas Merchant, Gas Reward Credit Cards, Hess Express, Hess Stations, Introductory Interest Rate, Introductory Period, Payment Habits, Rate Of Interest, Rebate Program, Reward Card, Reward Credit Card, Reward Credit Cards, Travel Accident Insurance, Unauthorized Transactions, Visa Credit Card category: Credit Cards | No comments »
13-12-2009 by admin
So, you want a new credit card and figure getting a reward card is the way to go. But you’re a bit confused about the difference between reward credit cards and cash back credit cards. It’s not surprising because even many credit card companies use the terms interchangeably. But they are different.
Make the right choice and you’ll find yourself with “free” gifts or cash. Make the wrong choice and you might not see any “free” rewards at all.
Invest just a little bit of time online comparing offers and when it comes time to redeem your rewards you’ll get what you want.
Here are some of the more important things to consider:
Would You Prefer Money, Products or Services?
Whereas a cash back credit card will send you cash periodically, a reward credit card issues points or miles for your purchases. You can then convert the reward points into discounts on travel and/or various services and products. The rewards vary from one card to the next.
How Do You Get the Most Value?
On the surface nothing beats a financial rebate. However, reward cards that give you points or miles often offer incentives that are usually worth quite a bit more than what you’d get for the equivalent use of your cash back credit card.
Thoroughly scrutinize what you can trade your points for because if you find things you like you will get much better value from reward card cards than from cash back credit cards.
The Big Problem with Reward Credit Cards
Reward credit cards can be a time-sucking hassle because you need to keep track of your points in order to get your rewards whereas cash back credit card companies either send you your money automatically or apply it directly to your balance due.
So, if you don’t want to bother tracking your miles and/or points a cash back credit card would be a better choice.
Tags: Card Cards, Cash Back Credit Cards, Credit Card Companies, Credit Card Issues, Free Gifts, Free Rewards, Hassle, Important Things, Incentives, Little Bit, Money Products, Reward Card, Reward Cards, Reward Credit Card, Reward Credit Cards, Reward Points, Right Choice, Send Money, Travel Services, Wrong Choice category: Credit Cards | No comments »
28-05-2009 by admin
Whether you want the zero percent APR credit card with platinum benefits, the one with cash back or travel rewards, the one with car purchase rebates or the one with the ability to establish new credit; there is an HSBC credit card for you. In the American banking landscape, HSBC is a relatively new name but it is one of the largest financial organizations in the world. HSBC stands for the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation and it has banking operations in Europe, Asia and North America.
HSBC recently purchased Household Bank which is the leading issuer of consumer credit. After this acquisition, HSBC got a firm foothold on the U.S. credit card market. Through their headquarters in London, HSBC provides a variety of credit card services for consumers throughout the world. You can easily apply for an HSBC credit card by visiting their website online.
The GM Card The biggest part of this acquisition for HSBC was the GM Flexible Earnings Card. This was one of the first and largest co-branded reward credit cards that started the new approach to earning a reward currency for just using your credit card. Now many such programs can be found in the credit card marketplace and many are offered in partnership with nearly every brand of automobile. However, the GM Card remains a consumer favorite.
Other Options Other HSBC credit card options include two very competitive reward programs. The first of these is the HSBC Platinum Master Card with Cash Back which gives a full one percent cash back on all your purchases. The other is the HSBC Platinum Master Card with Cash or Fly Rewards Card which gives you either cash back or travel rewards for free flights on any U.S. airline.
One last HSBC credit card that you should consider is the Orchard Bank Platinum Master Card. This card is designed specifically for those who don’t have a credit history and need to build their credit rating. The card can also work for those who have bad credit or a less than perfect credit rating. For those with bankruptcy on their record, this credit card can give a needed lifeline to start a new financial standing with lenders and credit rating agencies.
After considering just four of the main HSBC credit card offers it is easy to see why HSBC continues to be a big player in the credit card industry. HSBC carefully studies the credit card market in order to understand the needs of various consumer segments so that they can provide credit cards to matches everyone’s needs. You can visit HSBC online to learn about every type of HSBC credit card they offer, you are sure to find one that matches your specific needs.
Tags: American Banking, Banking Operations, Car Purchase, Credi, Credit Card Options, Europe Asia, Foothold, Free Flights, Gm Card, Household Bank, Hsbc Credit Card, New Approach, Orchard Bank, Platinum Benefits, Platinum Master Card, Reward Credit Cards, Reward Programs, Shanghai Banking Corporation, Travel Rewards, Zero Percent Apr Credit Card category: Credit Cards | No comments »