Saturday, October 28, 2006

Credit Card Rebates

All You Need To Know About Credit Card Rebates

Credit card rebates are the rage, after all, who can resist the temptation of earning while spending? However, don't you think that before getting a new card, you should spend a little time going over the pros and cons of the credit card cash back offer? We have outlined everything you need to know about rebate credit cards and how to get the most out of all the various credit card rebates available.
The idea of being paid to spend money seems incredible but that is just the idea behind credit card cash back or rebate credit cards. With the growing popularity of credit cards, companies are sweating it out to make you believe that theirs is the best option for you. Here are certain guidelines on credit card rebates that can help you make the best of your cash back card:
Taking Stock of Credit Card Cash Back Offers
Take stock of your normal purchases and then get a cash back card that pays you for these items. The best option for credit card rebates, of course, is to look for a card that pays you for ALL your purchases, regardless of where you make them. The highest rate of credit card rebates may not be the best one for you. You might get rebate credit cards rates as high as 5% but these may cover only certain purchases and merchants and not necessarily the ones you need.
Choose your rebate credit cards according to your personal choice of reward. Some cards offer immediate discount on purchases, some send you gift cards from time to time, still others will reflect as points in your card statement. Who said a credit card cash back offer was simple? If you would prefer a bonus check, then go for cash back offer that pays dividends on a yearly or six-month basis. This way you could have a decent rebate in your wallet for Christmas!
A gasoline cash back card can be of good use when you have to fill your tank. Every gallon you buy earns discounts. Moreover, you might even receive cash back on purchases at a particular gas station. Cards that pay you on all purchases generally have a lower rate (usually 0.5%) but it might give you decent rewards in the long run, unless you go to only a select range of merchants. In this case, you should go for a card that covers such merchants, though beware, these might carry higher rates of interest.
Regularly compare cash back credit cards on websites to ensure that you don't miss out on better APRs and rewards. In fact, if you are carrying balance on your accounts, interest charges might actually be eating into your cash back rewards.
Are Cash Back Credit Cards For You?
Think of the cash back card as a card that rewards you for taking a loan. These discounts may range between 1% and 5%, depending on the purchases. Make sure you know what you are getting into - for example, only apply for a gas rebate credit card if you own a car!
Look for the rebate percentage before sealing the deal. Credit card rebates are given out in different forms. Some companies offer discounts through cash incentives on an annual basis; others may directly send it to the customer's account. You may also find options that link your rebate to a savings account or you may accumulate a certain kind of points. There could also be a deadline by which you have to spend your points, so do not hoard points without knowing the expiration date. If you have a monthly shopping schedule or if you prefer buying products in bulk then this type of card is likely to work for you. Chances are that before you are allowed to use all the privileges offered by the company, you will need to demonstrate a good credit history.
Most importantly, you must be aware that the credit card rebates may not cover all the things you wish to purchase. If you keep this and other basics in mind, you can soon be on your way to saving significantly with credit card rebates.

Fun With Plastic

You Can Have Fun With Plastic!

A few generations ago, no one would have thought much about a society that did the bulk of its transactions with a little plastic card. Today, few would think about using cash for most purchases as credit cards and now debit cards have taken the world by storm. Like it or not, plastic is an important part of today's society with billions of dollars in transactions being accomplished every hour. Did you know you can have fun with your plastic? Yes, read on and we'll take a look at how you can make a little piece of plastic work to your advantage.
To get the most out of a credit card, use it to your full advantage. Don't run up balances you cannot pay but do take advantage of the rewards that come with your card. What, no rewards are offered? Well, then time for you to search for a card that pays you to use it.
Much of the fun with plastic comes in the form of the card's many different rewards. No card is worth it to you if they don't give you at least one point for every dollar spent. Better yet is the card that automatically rewards you with thousands of points upon your first purchase.
With a rewards card you can:
Choose to eat out at a variety of restaurants from famous name fast food stores to well known chains of sit down restaurants.
Take in a movie with the family and have your tickets paid for. You'll still have to spring for the popcorn and soda but you can save $40 bucks on theatre tickets.
Stay one night or more at a luxury hotel. Accumulate enough points and one or more nights at a highbrow hotel could come to you courtesy your credit card. Accumulate enough points and a four day getaway to a luxury resort could be yours for no charge!
Fly anywhere in the USA for free or get one free companion ticket and take your wife along at no charge thanks to the points accumulated via plastic.
Purchase fun gifts such as an HDTV, a state of the art stereo system, a china pattern, printer, you name it.
Most rewards cards come with a trusty little booklet outlining all of the different rewards you can work toward. Sift through the book, plan your spending, and start accumulating points toward some truly nifty prizes.
Who said you can't have fun with plastic? Use your rewards card today and start heading down the road to great prizes!

Rewards Credit Cards

How To Use Your Credit Card To Really Save You Some Money

Today it is very common to think of credit cards as one of the major causes of so many people getting in debt. While that certainly is true for some, it may come as a surprise to you to know that by using a credit card in a certain way, that you could actually get sizable savings. Here are some tips for getting the maximum benefits of your credit card.
Get A Card With 0% Interest
If you have had your card for some time, then you have already passed the limit of getting 0% interest on it. Of course, if you regularly pay your credit card bills in full and on time, then you already are practically getting 0% interest. When you get a new credit card, you often are given a promotional benefit of getting the 0% interest for up to 15 months. After that, you either want to make sure you pay every bill on time, or get a new card.
Balance Transfers
This is another fantastic feature of a good new card. By putting the balance from other cards that you are paying a higher interest on, onto the new card, you can save a good deal of money from the interest. Before you sign onto the new card, however, check to see if there are any balance transfer fees, and how often you can make a balance transfer. Some credit card companies take away some of your potential savings by charging you as much as 4% for any balance transfers. Other companies will only allow you to use this feature when you sign up for the credit card.
Rewards
Apart from the other items that have been mentioned, here is where you can get a lot of savings, too. The key here is to know exactly what you can get rewards for. If you are looking for a new card, then make sure that you get rewards for the things that you buy the most. For instance, if you are a businessman or businesswoman, and you have to travel a lot, then you want to get a card that gives you a good percentage of rewards for either your air miles, your gasoline, and / or for your hotel and restaurant usage.
Daily Uses
Most credit cards also give you the opportunity to get a percentage back of your daily necessities. This includes things like your groceries, your prescriptions, and your gasoline. The reward amounts range anywhere from about 1 to 3% on this type of purchase.
The Key
As with any credit card, you need to pay off the entire amount in full each month. This is where many go wrong with their cards. Remember that unless you actually do this, then it is costing you much more for the credit card than it would if you use cash. By paying off your bill each month, you not only enjoy the convenience of not having to carry cash with you, but you could also see monthly rebates or reward checks coming to you. This is where it could start getting exciting, and you might actually start looking forward to getting your credit card bill in the mail.

Credit Cards

Bad Credit Credit Cards

You know you have bad credit but you need a bad credit credit card!
Your financial institution is not being helpful as they usually frown on these types of bad credit credit cards. What is important to know is what a bad credit credit card can do for you.
It is wise to go online and find a reputable company to work with you.
They will be able to get you a bad credit credit card faster and without making you feel foolish for not having a good credit history. They realize that you need help to re establish your credit score. Your credit history can be greatly improved with the use of a bad credit credit card. Applying for and receiving a bad credit credit card is one of the most important steps you can take to rebuilding your credit.
If you've had recent financial troubles and have been unable to get a car loan or auto loan, applying for a bad credit credit card is a good idea. Usually, credit cards with low limits can be a tool for obtaining higher loan amounts. Using a credit card wisely is one of the fastest ways to re-establish good credit practices. By getting a bad credit credit card and paying it off in full monthly you are on the road to fixing your bad credit.
Before you apply for a credit card, you will need to get a copy of your credit report. There are three major credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The best way to determine your true credit score is to get your credit report from all three institutions. This way you can compare the items listed and make any corrections if need be. Any false reports can make your credit score worse. Make sure to go over your report with a fine tooth comb. If there are any errors on your credit reports, you can write the credit reporting agencies to fix the errors. This may help raise your credit score a bit and will put you into a better position to apply for a credit card. Facing your actual credit score may be tough, but it's a necessary step in rebuilding your credit.
When you apply for a credit card, make sure to apply for one at a time. Having too many credit inquiries on your credit report can negatively impact your score. The best policy is to try one credit card, and then wait to hear from them before applying for another.
Do your research before you apply to find the best credit card to rebuild your credit. There are many bad credit credit cards out there to choose from, and with a little patience, you can find the right one for your needs.

Bad Credit Credit Cards

0 Apr Credit Card

Skyrocketing Savings With A 0 Apr Credit Card

Every working individual has their own priorities to think of. Some are thinking about the mortgage they have availed when they have purchased their present residence. Others are prioritizing the education of their children through availing educational plans. These are priorities in which they need to invest a portion of their salary.
Despite of differences in terms of setting their own priorities, every working individual is bounded by a common goal-and that is, to save money from their salary, which they can use to fund other important things aside from their everyday living. With prices of commodities increasing nowadays, it is quite hard for every ordinary working individual to budget their salary for various needs. In fact, there are instances wherein they have work other than their regular job to keep up with the increasing prices of commodities and other essential needs.
There are many ways of saving money from your meager salary. You may switch to brands that are quite cheaper from the previous brand that you are using. You may also cut back on the quantity of goods that you have previously purchased. If you tend to buy 5 dozens of eggs for $4.50 per dozen, for instance, you may save a lot if you will just buy 2 dozens of eggs, that is $8.00. You have save some $14.50, which you can use on other expenditures.
If you are planning to get credit cards for your future purchases (if your cash is really not enough), you can save substantial amounts of money by getting 0 percent APR credit cards. Different credit card companies also need to cope up with the change in market conditions, and in order to attract more clients, expect that the 0 percent APR credit card always comes along with their offerings.
Definitely, a 0 percent APR (annual percentage rate) credit card lets you pay the amount that you have actually borrowed from the credit card company, with no additional charges. In other words, if your credit card's monthly credit limit is $1,000 and it is at 0 percent interest, you will just pay the total amount without any additional charges.
With 0 percent APR credit cards, you will be able to save substantial amounts of money out of interest rate payments. However, in order to qualify for this kind of credit card offering, you need to consider several things first.
1.Individuals who qualify for 0 percent APR credit card are those who possess good credit standings. Individuals with good credit standings are considered by credit card companies as "low risk consumers". Thus, you need to check first your credit report and clear any bad credit so that you will be able to qualify for 0 percent APR credit card. By the way, you are entitled to 1 free credit report every year.
2.Once you have now a clean credit report, you may now apply for a credit card without doubt.
There are two ways that you can get your 0 percent APR credit card.
a.If you have credit cards at present, you may ask if they can convert your account into 0 APR credit. In most cases, you will be given 0 APR credit for a period of 6 months to a year. Before the term ends, you may set up the 0 APR credit on a different card and transfer the remaining balance.
b.You may open new credit cards that offers 0 APR. However, this is usually an "introductory offer", thus you will switch to a higher APR after a certain period of time (usually from 6 months to a year).
Your salary is your hard-earned money. Take the opportunity of getting 0 APR credit cards and save your hard-earned money for your future.

0 Apr Credit Card

Charge Cards

A Guide To Charge Cards

Whether you have a credit card or not, it pays to know the alternatives to them. If you have a card, you might have heard the term charge card before. However, many people don't really know the difference between a charge card and a credit card, and what the benefits and drawbacks of a charge card are. If you want to know more about charge cards then here are some useful tips to get you started.
What is a charge card?
A charge card is a plastic card much like a credit card, in that you can pay for goods and withdraw money using the card. However, unlike credit cards, the balance of a charge card has to be settled in full each month. The most common examples of charge cards are American Express and Diners Club cards, as well as some gold cards.
Paying the balance in full
The main feature of a charge card is that you have to pay the balance off in full each month. If you currently have a credit card and pay your balance off each month, then having a charge card would be very similar to this. Settling the balance each month means that you can budget an exact amount that you can afford to spend. However, you must remember that if you cannot pay off the balance then the penalty interest will be much higher than a normal credit card.
No limits
Another feature of charge cards is that there are no real pre-set spending limits on the card, meaning in theory you can spend what you want on it. This is brilliant if you can afford to pay off large amounts each month, but can be disastrous if you are not disciplined. You could easily run up very large debts that you have no means of paying off at the end of the month. However, having no limit is useful in an emergency because it gives you more flexibility.
Benefits
Although charge card bills need to be settled each month, many people get charge cards because of the excellent benefits that they offer their customers. Although benefits differ from card to card, privileges can include free travel insurance, as well as access to business lounges in airports. Charge cards are a good tool for people who travel around a lot and want to be comfortable wherever they go.
Not always accepted
One of the main disadvantages of charge cards is that they are not as widely accepted as Visa or MasterCard credit cards. This is because charge card issuers charge a higher percentage to businesses, meaning that a number of them are unwilling to allow purchases with these cards.
Who should get charge cards?
Getting a charge card is really a personal choice, although people who find it hard to budget should not get a charge card. However, if you can afford to pay off the balance in full each month and want to have a card that gives you a large number of benefits, then a charge card might be for you.

Credit Card