New AAA Credit Card Offers Cash Back With No Annual Limits on Rewards

LOS ANGELES, CA -- (MARKET WIRE)
-- May 31, 2007 -- The Automobile Club of Southern California is introducing a new credit card that will allow users to earn 1% cash back on all their purchases, with no annual limits on cash rebates and no annual fee.

"Our members have overwhelmingly indicated to us that cash rebates are the preferred type of credit card reward," said Wendy Sabins, senior vice president for marketing products and services. "Cardholders will earn one point for every dollar spent on net retail purchases using the AAA Cash Rewards MasterCard® credit card and will be eligible to redeem their first reward, after collecting 2,500 points."

The AAA Cash Rewards credit card will give cardholders cash back for their everyday purchases including grocery store, restaurant and gasoline purchases; providing members with multiple options to save money as they accumulate points on everything they buy.

Members may obtain applications for the AAA Cash Rewards MasterCard credit card, provided by Bank of America, in all 75 Auto Club offices throughout Southern California, or members can apply by calling (800) 545-7899 and providing the priority code: FABCKT.

The Auto Club will continue to offer its AAA Gas Rebate Visa® credit card, which provides monthly cash rebates of up to 5 percent on all gasoline purchases made at the pump with the credit card. AAA Gas Rebate Visa cardholders have the option to keep their current credit card, request the Cash Rewards credit card and use both cards, or request the Cash Rewards credit card only.

The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest member of the AAA federation of motor clubs, has been serving Southern California since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by roadside assistance, insurance products and services, travel agency, AAA credit cards, automotive pricing and buying programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services and highway and transportation safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at .

For information about the rates, fees, other costs, and benefits associated with the use of this credit card, visit AAA.com/CREDITCARD or call 800.545.7899. The Auto Club Credit Card is issued and administered by FIA Card Services, N.A. The 5% rebate for total gasoline purchases paid for at the pump during a billing cycle is capped at 2% of your total retail purchase transactions made during the same billing cycle. Additional terms apply. MasterCard is a federally registered service mark of MasterCard International Inc., and is used by the issuer pursuant to license. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association, and is used by the issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Bank of America is a registered trademark of Bank of America Corporation.

Credit Card Fees: Where are the Free-Market People? |

Interesting comments on   We should debate policy, but we should be clear on the numbers:  Every time a consumer makes a purchase on a credit card, the credit card networks skims a fee off the top.  The fee is typically 2%-3% of the purchase price, but sometimes as high as 15%.  The level of fee relates to the merchant's industry and size and, most crucially, the level of rewards.  Merchants pay more when a customer puts down a cashback/frequent flier super-gold high premium card than when another customer puts down a plain-vanilla card.  As several readers explained, this means that if a customer pays for $100 worth of merchandise at Home Depot with a credit card, the store would keep somewhere between $85 and $98, depending on the card the customer used.

According to research published by Adam Levitin, credit card transactions cost merchants, on average, about six times as much as cash transactions and twice as much as check or PIN-debit card transactions.

Because Mastercard and Visa prevent it, the merchant doesn't have the option to charge $10 extra to use a credit card rather than cash, even if the credit card costs the merchant $10 more. 

The numbers cited in Save $6 Billion came from different sources.  The report on the total dollars for these fees ($57 billion) came from .  The numbers for convenience stores and gasoline purchases ($6.6 billion in fees, 65-86 cents per transaction came from ).  I estimated the cash costs based on the  on the relative costs of cash and credit cards. 

We've had some really good posts, but, if I may, I want to re-frame the question just slightly:  Whatever your views of credit cards and consumers, why shouldn't merchants be allowed to pass along higher costs of credit cards--and pass along the savings when customers use cash?  I know how the consumer advocates feel about this, but where are the free market people?  Why aren't those who believe in unrestricted markets jumping up and down over this restraint on trade and demanding that merchants be allowed to determine their own pricing structures?  Isn't this an issue on which two ends of the political spectrum should unite? 

Credit card fees, penalty rates have risen, survey says - Seattle Post Intelligencer

By EILEEN ALT POWELL/nTHE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK -- The average late fee on credit cards has soared to $28 in the United States, while penalty interest rates average 24.5 percent, according to a survey released Thursday by Consumer Action.

The San Francisco-based consumer watchdog's report came a day after the Federal Reserve Board proposed sweeping revisions of the rules governing the way consumers are notified of changes to the terms of their accounts, including the way penalty rates are applied.

Consumer Action looked at the terms of 83 cards issued by 20 banks, including the top 10 U.S. card issuers.

The average annual percentage rate was 14.53 percent, up from 12.61 percent when the survey last was done in 2005.

That largely paralleled the Fed's boost in interest rates.

Penalty fees and rates generally kick in when consumers pay their bills late, and they've risen sharply.

This year's average late fee of $28 was more than double the $13 that prevailed in 1995 and was up from $27.46 in 2005.

Some card issuers charge as much as $39 per incident, the study found.

The penalty rates, which ran as high as 32.24 percent, were up from an average of 24.23 percent in 2005 and 21.91 percent in 2004.

Linda Sherry, a Consumer Action spokeswoman, said she did not think Fed adoption of the truth-in-lending proposals would necessarily change credit card rate and fee practices.

"But I think it will make people more aware, especially of the penalty rates," Sherry said.

One of the Fed proposals would require credit card issuers to give people 45 days notice before making any changes to the terms of an account.

That would give consumers time to repair the problem or pursue other credit options.

Among the credit card provisions that have been criticized by consumer activists is "universal default," which allows a card issuer to boost a consumer's interest rate if the consumer gets into trouble on another loan.

The Consumer Action group found that in the past year, many credit card companies are saying they no longer impose universal default rate increases.

But the group found that instead, many have inserted language into their contracts allowing them to change a customer's rate "at any time for any reason."

This, Sherry said, "means credit card companies may be hiding universal default -- one of their most insidious practices -- in a different section of the credit card contract."

Add P-I Business headlines to/n

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Business Credit Cards

For startup entrepreneurs having an excruciatingly difficult time raising capital for their project, borrowing against business credit cards becomes a very real temptation; and sometimes, it is the only option immediately available. The caveat is that if you do not manage your business credit cards wisely, you may end up failing in the venture that you have long wanted to establish. Without proper management, the debts that one incurs from business credit cards will simply pile up.

Business credit cards undoubtedly are very convenient to use. The moment you get approved for business credit cards, you get a guaranteed credit line that you can use virtually anywhere, anytime you need it. In spite of not having the cash, you can purchase what you need for the business with your business credit card. The convenience that business credit cards provide can also be the pitfall; and to the unwary user, business credit cards can be dangerous.

Knowing that business credit cards can be dangerous does not mean to say that you should not resort to using business credit cards to prop up your business. The key thing in minimizing the danger is to use the business credit card wisely, or to use it within bounds.

You might be too excited about a new business and get carried away about making more money and having a better life. But wait! Have you ever considered your fallback options should things not work out as you expect them to be? Remember that filing for bankruptcy is no longer an attractive option; the bankruptcy laws have been amended recently, and it is more difficult now for debtors to escape creditors in this way.

There is a way to avoid the debt trap. You should keep track of purchases you charge to your business credit card — which you can easily do by logging onto your account at the business credit card issuer's website. You should then work out your payment plan in advance by estimating your cash flow per month, and using this figure to calculate how much you can afford to pay against your business credit card debt. Pay off the entire business credit card balance as often as you can afford to. If that proves difficult to do, try to pay more than the minimum required payment for each month. This is the only way you can stay ahead of finance charges and the very painful bite of late payment fees and default APRs. Unless you have already arranged to remove the personal guarantee you signed in favor of your business, anything that happens to the business credit card account will have repercussions on your personal credit report.

It is necessary – and quite educational, really – that you do comparison shopping on trends in business credit card rates. You must educate yourself about how you can effectively use the float period on purchases, the fees for cash advances and late payments, over credit limit charges, balance transfer fees, and penalties for late payments. Then, there are also the annual fees: some business credit cards charge annual fees while others do not. There is a lot of information about business credit cards on the huge variety of websites devoted to the subject. Manage your business credit cards well, and they will help you finance your business.

Cash Back Credit Cards: How To Play The Cash Back Game

You have got seen them advertised on your television. Likely, you have got gotten their solicitations in your mailbox. Your neighbour have one and he just got a trade name new gas wicket for free! So, what am I talking about? Cash back credit cards, of course. Millions of consumers are making the electric switch over from apparent credit cards to cash back cards. They have got learned that a game can be played that warrants that they will be a winner. Bash you cognize how to play the cash back game? If not, read on for some helpful tips that tin aid you get started down the route to free money.

So, you believe that there aren’t free things in life, right? Well, in the lawsuit of cash back credit cards there are. You just need to cognize how to play the game.

For starters, there are a few regulations for you to remember. If you carefully follow these regulations you can gain handsomely and come up away with money...not just a few dollars, but 100s of dollars annually…even more. All for just using your cash back credit card!

Rule #1 – You have got to be in it to win it. Yes, your card must be a cash back card in order to collect points that tin be redeemed for money. Many credit cards offer rewards or other “come ons” to get you to utilize your card, but not too many give you money back. You can take one of the numerous cash back credit card deals offered online to get playing the game today.

Rule #2 – To maximise possible earnings, you must charge everything. That’s right, in order to have the most points – redeemable for money – you must get in the wont of charging all of your purchases. Not just clothes and not just household items. Charge your gas, your groceries, your visit to Burger King, you name it. The more than your charge, the quicker you collect points. The more than than points you accumulate, the more money back in your pocket.

Rule #3 – Wage off your cash back credit card monthly. Okay, so there is a catch! In order to do this type of card work for you, you need to pay off your balance every month. If you don’t, then the points you collect will easily be offset by interest charges and then some!

Rule #4 – Redeem and have got got fun. Yes, sooner than you cognize it, you will have accumulated enough points to deliver for money. Once you hit the threshold you desire [check your credit card provider’s salvation book] you can cash your points in for money or have it as a credit toward your current balance. Either way, you have got money in your pocket!

Do cash back credit cards sound too good to be true? They can look as if they are, especially when you cognize that no 1 gives away free money without a enlistment to it. What the credit card companies make to give money back to you is to put aside some of the money they accumulate from merchants and bend around and give that money to you. Merchants win because you purchase their product, credit card suppliers win because you utilize their card and they get merchant fees with every purchase you make, and you win because you chose the right card. A true win-win-win state of affairs for everyone, but you must be “in it, to win it” inch order to harvest your reward. You’d be surprised how many people make not play “the game” Oregon they interrupt the rules, costing them money in the long run.

Like your neighbour enjoying his free $450 Weber grille, you can be a victor too. Select the right cash back credit card today and you’ll soon be enjoying your free money too!

Copyright 2006 Erectile Dysfunction Vegliante. Free online reissues of this article are allowed provided the resource box stays integral with a unrecorded nexus back to http://www.credit-card-surplus.com

What Are Platinum Credit Cards?

Platinum credit cards are generally offered to those people with good credit evaluations and an income of around £20,000 per annum or more. Platinum credit cards have got many benefits and characteristics compared to a criterion or gold credit card. Conventional school of idea would happen platinum credit cards to be a status symbol. However, relaxed regulations and upper bounds have got brought them within range of the average individual too.

A platinum credit card can be a good pick if you frequently utilize credit card for your routine and high purchases and pay back the whole credit at the calendar month end. You get a high bounds of credit and sometimes no bounds at all if you demo a high earning powerfulness of annual income £25,000 or more. However the existent high degree of credit you’ll get depends on your income and credit rating.

Platinum card proprietors are privileged because they make not have got to pay the usual high interest rates on credit. Generally there is a low or no annual fee. You can get a number of benefits and rewards such as as free air miles, price reduction points, reward points for purchases and cash back. If you cannot do the most of platinum card deals it is better to choose for standard credit card. Since, maintaining a platinum credit card can turn out to be a costly matter in the long tally if not used and managed properly.

A number of credit card companies offer particular installations such as as:

Protection against accidental injury, illness and involuntary unemployment
Protection against card theft and loss
Online credit card fraud protection
Travel insurance and particular travel services
Flexibility to share it with friends and family

Platinum Card Guidelines

There are certain things you must never overlook while sign language up for a platinum credit card. Brand certain you pass only that much amount that you can easily payback because even if you neglect to pay one monthly payment it will account for a negative credit rating. Bottom line is that the benefits should always amount up to more than than you pay.

Small Business Credit Cards Review

These days small business credit cards play a very important role. It is easier to start new small business. So the owners should looking into small business credit cards for so many reasons.

The reason to get small business credit cards is for separating personal credit cards from any business elated finance. it is accepted everywhere so its great for those how need in hurry.

It can build your business credit when you pay with your credit card.It also gains financial companies respect. If you have good standing with your credit card for few months then you can get small business loans with best rates.

With the help of these cards you can grow your business even if your business may not have a 5 or 6 figure income. You don't know when you need money for your business so its great to have a credit card for your business in case of emergency if you don't have credit cards the financial alone could shatter your daily operations.

With theses cards you can get plenty of rewards options.most cards will give you cash back and some cards offers rewards on just anything you purchase from your credit card.You can also increase your profit margin which is always a great thing. You can get more rewards from these cards if you have workers who are authorized to use your credit card, This is also easier on your business, as your workers will be able to get what they need, when they need it.

It is great to have small business credit cards around.they will provide your business great rewards as well. theses cards protect your business in future and allow it yo grow.

If you are the owner of small business then you don't have to hesitate from applying
for small business credit card. once you find the best credit card for your business apply for that credit cards even if your business getting started don't hesitate to apply because Credit cards are always great to have around.Before you know it, your small business credit cards will more than pay for themselves.

Credit-card miles: Flight to nowhere

Dear Dave,

I'm a senior in college, and my roommate just got a credit card that features airline miles. He want me to get one, too, so we can take a trip together at the end of the year. What do you think about this idea?

Tim

Dear Tim,

This is a bad idea on so many different levels. First, you're close to graduation and beginning your real life. You don't want to start out with a bunch of hanging over your head.

Second, have you seen the restrictions on airline miles lately? Jupiter has to align with Mars while you're standing on one leg to cash in on those things. It's ridiculous! Plus, statistics from Consumer Reports show that 78 percent of all airline miles are never redeemed. What does this mean? It means in most cases people end up with no cool trip and a bunch of debt.

(Column continues below)

I'm not against going nice places and having fun, and you probably deserve to celebrate a little after finishing college. But going into debt for it is a really bad idea.

Just for a trip, Tim. Today, many debit cards have airline miles associated with them. So there's no reason to take a chance with credit cards.

Dave

Long-term disability insurance?

Dear Dave,

My husband is 31 years old and has been offered long-term disability insurance through his employer. It only costs $25 a month, but we're trying hard to live on a budget and get out of debt. Is this coverage worth it?

Rebecca

Dear Rebecca,

Yes!

is a fantastic buy. It's inexpensive, and in return it will pay you about 60 to 70 percent of his salary if something bad happens and he becomes disabled. That's not a bad deal for just $300 a year.

Statistics show that a man in his early 30s is 12 times more likely to become disabled than to die before the age of 65. Everyone needs to have long-term – not short-term – disability insurance.

Hopefully, you'll never find yourselves in a situation where you have to use this type of policy. But in the event that something awful does happen, it can help save you from financial ruin!

Dave

Perpetual debt

Dear Dave,

My father-in-law is telling us we should apply for an interest-only loan when we buy a house and then pay extra on the principle. What do you think about this idea?

Nick

Dear Nick,

Interest-only mortgages are horrible. Stay away from them!

Lots of folks get into these traps by promising themselves they'll pay extra on the principle. But according to FDIC statistics, 97 percent don't pre-pay on their loans.

Some lenders will also try to use a flashy or "sophisticated" analysis to convince you this is a great way to get into a great house. But the funny thing about most of these sales pitches is that there's no mention of the fact that you've exponentially increased risk. And risk can be mathematically entered into the equation, making your supposed gains disappear.

The best thing you can do – short of saving up and paying cash for a home – is make a huge down payment on a . Then, pay it off as quickly as possible.

When you have an interest-only loan, you end up paying only on the interest. And that's a great way to find yourself in debt for the rest of your life!

Dave

Low Interest Credit Cards Have Many Advantages

When credit cards are used wisely they can be very beneficial to the consumer. A low interest credit card can be exceptionally beneficial. Many people use the same credit card that they have had for years. Some people still have the very first credit card that they ever received and just simply have never thought to switch to a card with a lower rate. There is a degree of comfort in habit, but shopping around for a lower interest rate credit card can quickly prove that switching is worth the little amount of effort it takes to do so.

With credit card companies aggressively competing for your business, it is easy to find a card with a low interest rate these days. Of course your credit score will determine how low of an interest rate you will be able to get. There are many helpful websites that have made the process of comparing credit card offers easy for the consumer like http://www.amex-visa-mastercard.com

If you carry a balance on your credit card from month to month like many people do, switching to a card with a lower interest rate can save you hundreds of dollars in interest. If paying off your credit card debt is your goal, having your credit card balance on a low rate card will allow you to pay it off much faster than a higher rate card will. Many credit card companies even offer a 0% interest rate on balance transfers. This is a great way to get your credit card debt paid down without having to pay interest on it.

Even if you pay your credit card balance in full each month, having a low interest credit card can still be advantageous. We all hope that nothing will ever happen to negatively effect our financial situation but as the saying goes, you just never know. Having a low interest credit card in your wallet can serve as a safety net if something should ever happen that would not allow you to pay off your balance every month.

Having a low interest credit card can help your financial situation, whatever it may be.

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Cash Back Credit Card: Earn While You Spend!

Cash back credit cards are an first-class manner to earn money while you spend! Instead of making purchases with standard credit cards, you might desire to see applying for cash back credit cards because such as cards reward you with cash back on every purchase you make! Further, in improver to cash back on all of your purchases, cash back credit cards offer you the chance to afford further savings, in ways you might not have got imagined possible.

Cash Back

The obvious benefit derived from having cash back credit cards is the money that consumers get back on every purchase. Frequently, credit card issuing companies will provide credit card users with approximately 5% cash back on certain purchases like those made at drug stores, supermarkets, and gas stations. Additionally, many credit card companies will give 1% cash back on all other purchases. Needless to say, if you utilize your credit card frequently, such as benefits can add up quickly. Further, your accumulated nest egg can be used for just about anything, but you can really salvage if you follow the illustration provided below.

Savings

Due to the fact that you salvage 1 to 5 percent on many of your purchases made with cash back credit cards, you can happen yourself saving quite a spot of money. Let's return a expression at the illustration provided below to analyse the possibilities.

If you pass $1000 at supermarkets, $200 at drug supplies and $300 dollars at gas stations in three calendar months time, you will have got spent $1500. Now see this:

$1500 x 5% = $75.00

Thus, you salvage $75.00 for every $1500 you pass with your cash back credit card! Now undertaking such as nest egg over one year's time. For instance, if you pass approximately $1500 every three calendar months at constitutions that do you eligible to have got 5% dorsum on your purchases you will have spent $6000.00 for the year. Now, see the savings:

$6000 x 5% = $300.00

Making Your Savings Work for You

So, what can your nest egg make for you? Plenty! With the $300.00 you save, you can hive away it away for a rainy twenty-four hours or you can reward yourself for being so credit understanding and for economy yourself some money!

Copyright 2005 Erectile Dysfunction Vegliante. You may freely reissue this article provided the resource box stays integral with a unrecorded nexus back to http://www.credit-card-surplus.com .

Credit Card Balance Transfer Revisited

Credit card balance transfers are one of the financial world's great empowering features, but they can only be done successfully if you follow the regulations and don't fall disgusting of them. Firstly you must see the benefits, then the pitfalls. These two facets are more than or less lasting characteristics of the credit card balance transfer system.

The benefits can be summarised as the merchandise of a twofold strategy:

You can transfer credit card balances once the initial interest free clip period is up to another card, and so go on your interest free credit.

You can more or less program to make this in advance as long as you have got a manner of determination new cards to transfer to, and you remain in control of your finances and spending.

Taking these two together - the transfers and the planning - you can take to give yourself interest free credit for a long time, even interest free credit for years.

The pitfalls are as follows, and must be considered carefully. These are:

Overshooting the Interest Free period

This is a important and cardinal issue. There is no point taking out a card with a known nothing interest clip time time period or low interest period if you just travel and breach that time period. Check the day of the month that the interest free allocation ends, and then backtrack by about 10 years before then. Ten years is about the right clip to apply for a new card. Remember that the application itself will take time, and that this clip will change from card to card. Take into account seasonal changes in the velocity and effectivity of the mail delivery. In the tally up to Christmas, for example, it would be wise to allow two weeks.

Minimum Repayment Obligations

Remember to check on what your agreed monthly repayment arrangements are. You may have got to pay back a certain percentage (three percent or more, depending on the card) or hazard incurring minimum payment fees. This is true even if it happens within the interest free period, as the credit card supplier will desire to cognize that you can at least keep a minimum repayment to warrant the assurance in you when you originally signed up. On some cards, however, such as an arrangement may not apply.

Late Payment Obligations

Much the same as above, but this clip the accent is on paying within a certain clip per month. Again, the card issuer may desire some sort of self-assurance that money will be repaid even though interest is not being charged. There will be an extra fee charged if your payment is late, and for small balances this may well be proportionally higher than the interest which would otherwise have got been collectible (if the charge is a lump sum, as is usually the case). If this arrangement exists, then the best policy is to pay the minimum the same twenty-four hours as you get the statement.

Annual Fees

Remember to check the small black and white before you apply for the card. This may include information about an annual fee, which is the fee that the issuer will charge you every twelvemonth for using their credit card. By no agency all credit cards have got an annual fee, but you must retrieve to construct this in to the sum cost of using the card. Things like annual fees be given to muddy the APR figures, which would otherwise give a good indicant of how much your credit card actually costs. It is therefore an of import factor to see when crucial which credit card is the right 1 for you.

Exceeding Your Credit Limit

Whatever you do, don't transcend the credit bounds that you agreed and signed up for at the clip you applied for the card. If you make this then you will probably be charged (depending on the card supplier) a percentage or a level fee. This would be particularly reckless, as it would travel against everything that you put out to make in the first place, namely to derive a fixed amount of credit without paying any interest on it!

Of the above five negative factors to be considered, it is always best to believe of them all together, as each of them may impact in different proportionalities depending on the credit card and lender. For example, one card may not charge annual fees, but will come up down very heavy on late payment charges; while another card will be indulgent about an overextended credit bounds but will offset this with a fixed annual charge.

It is possible to ran into the criteria of the first two positive benefits, as well as avoid all the pitfalls by careful timing. As long as you transfer your credit card balances in a timely fashion, and detect the regulations of the transfer itself, you cannot travel wrong. Always retrieve that there are more than credit cards out there to transfer your balances to.

Credit Card Mergers Do Not Affect Card Usage, Says Cardbeat

WESTBURY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In the past few years, the credit card industry has witnessed landmark
mergers between issuers such as Bank of America and MBNA, JPMorgan Chase
and Bank One, and Barclays and Juniper Bank, among numerous others.
Two-thirds of cardholders whose issuers have been a part of a merger
have not changed the ways they use their credit cards post-merger,
according to research recently published in Cardbeat®,
the syndicated market research report by Auriemma Consulting Group (ACG).

“These consumers were pleased with the
customer service, card pricing and rewards of their credit cards, and
chose to continue using them because the products and features did not
change after the merger,” says Megan
Bramlette, managing editor of Cardbeat.

Overall, consumers are neutral on bank mergers, with 68% expecting
little change to their opinion of their credit card company if their
card issuer was bought or sold.

“Consumers care less about the bank that
issues their card and monthly statements than the benefits they receive
from that relationship,” Bramlette says.
Falloff in activity occurs when card rewards are not as rich post-merger
as they were before, or when interest rates and account fees on the
portfolio rise.

“Merging banks need to consider how consumers
will react to their products post-merger,” she
continues. “Our research shows that most
consumers are confident about the ongoing independence of their current
credit card issuers and have made it clear that they will remain loyal,
even after a merger, as long as cardholder benefits and service levels
remain the same.”

The information in this release includes data from 401 credit card users
surveyed in February 2007. The findings were originally published in the
February 2007 issue of Cardbeat.

ACG is a management consulting firm in the payments and lending
industry. Cardbeat is a syndicated market research study from ACG that
provides insight into how consumer perceptions impact credit card
acquisition and usage.

Low Interest Vs. Cash Back: Credit Card Questions Answered

Ahh, credit cards. All those offers, dozens of mulct print... what makes it all mean? Whether you're applying for your first credit card or are a long-time cardholder investigating every other options, it's wise to get the facts before moving ahead with a new program of action. Read on for replies to commonly asked questions.

What's a low interest credit card?

A low interest credit card offers reduced APR (annual percentage rate) for cardholders with an first-class payment history. If you consistently wage your sum monthly balance, or if you at least pay the minimum payment owed on time, you may be eligible for a low interest credit card. Look into money-saving options with a low interest credit card!

Exactly how low are we talking?

First-time credit card holders may be required to pay anywhere from 17.999%-23.99% interest on your balance per month. If you've maintained good standing with your credit card company for at least a year, you may be able to have got your interest lowered to 12.9% Oregon even 10.24%.

Are the offers for 0% APR too good to be true?

0% APR Credit Card Offers are existent and legitimate publicities that tin save you a short ton of cash in the long run. All it takes is a balance transfer from your existent credit card. Depending on the promotional details, you can enjoy exceptionally low rates for as long as a full year. Smart consumers cognize that offers like these are a great manner to begin chipping away at that outstanding debt and get back on path toward financial freedom!

What's a cash back credit card?

A cash back credit card affords solid value to cardholders who pay their balance every month. Interest rates are typically the highest, but that's not a concern for a client who incurs small or no debt. With this type of credit card, you'll earn discount dollars which get in the word form of mailed checks. Free money back on purchases you'd be making anyway... now that's A wise move.

How much money can I earn with a cash back card?

For every supermarket, gas station or apothecary's shop purchase, a typical cash back credit card reward is 5%. For most other purchases, 1% is given. To set this in perspective: if you pass $2,000 on wares that outputs a 5% return, you'll earn $100 cash back.

When can I anticipate to be paid?

Credit card companies have got now set the ownes on their clients to bespeak payouts for cash rebates. So do that phone call or set in that online petition during the clip that the card is active, and harvest the rewards of a credit card that just maintains on giving. No matter which offer you're considering, read the Terms and Conditions and maintain a transcript of this information handy. This way, you can take advantage of every chance to salvage money while edifice your credit. Before you cognize it, you'll be making informed credit card determinations with confidence!

Copyright 2005. Erectile Dysfunction Vegliante. All rights reserved.

Why Use Cash Debit Cards?

Cash debit cards are an excellent way to make payments for all purchases. In the past, most banks offered the ATM option (Automatic Teller Machine) card along with a separate debit card. But nowadays, more and more institutions combine the two for extra financial power.

This card serves two purposes - to withdraw money at ATM machines and to pay at point-of-scale terminals. These are the swipe-card machines which were used before to make credit card payments.

Cash debit cards hold a nice advantage over credit cards, in that the money limit cannot be exceeded. When using debit cards, there is a set amount put on the card and every withdrawal or purchase helps that card to reach closer to zero, which means going over a bank balance is impossible. On the other hand, credit cards allow people to have a preset amount of credit, which is money borrowed by the financial institution. Interest repayment does not come with using cash debit cards.

Checking cards are another name for cash debit cards. It works like a check in that the holder carries no money with him. The cards remove the need for personal information and identification. Furthermore, debit cards are safer, in that personal information may not be taken from it. A secure PIN number is used, which lets the customer access his account from ATMs. The PIN number should be safeguarded at all times and should be written down and put aside for future reference. See below for more information on Cash Debit Cards.

Rewards Cards Only Reward the Credit Industry |

Many Warren Reports readers wrote to us following Professor Warren's .  If you haven't done so already, I encourage you to listen to her discussion about the credit card industry.

In the coming weeks I'm going to try to highlight on this blog some of the stories and feedback that folks have asked us to look into and publicize.  Let's start with merchants rather than consumers.

One small business owner wrote regarding the high costs that card processors charge retailers for every credit card transaction.  These fees can range as high as 6 to 7% depending on the volume of transactions and type of card, with rewards card incurring the highest fees. 

Interestingly, some consumers don't realize that the rewards percentages that kick back into their accounts are not coming from the credit card company.  Rather, the business on the other end pays that amount (and then some) towards the transaction.

Many consumers might find these types of redistributions perfectly acceptable, but the point is often missed that businesses often compensate for these expenses by raising prices. 

Moreover, as our reader points out, retailors are not allowed to give discounts to customers who pay by cash or check.  Doing so will cause them to lose the "privilege" of accepting credit cards as a form of payment.

Thus, the merchant's credit card-related expenses get transferred to all customers, those with rewards cards and otherwise, and everyone ends up paying more for every item and every purchase.  What good are those rewards if you're simply paying more up front?

The only group making a profit or deriving a benefit from these arrangements is, of course, the credit card industry.  Our reader suggests that this "smacks of a monopoly." 

But the credit industry wants you to believe that your "1% cash back" or miniscule airline miles reward is a little something extra that you wouldn't receive if you paid by cash.  They're right, to some extent -- but only because they've forced all of us, cash customers included, to systematically pay extra up front.

Sort of puts a damper on the whole reward card/incentive program, no?

Saving Money with Credit Cards

Having a credit card is a fantastic convenience for those modern times when you don't have got contiguous access to your cash. It can allow you to purchase something on clip for which you can pay later, thereby giving you the ability to afford something NOW that you'd have got had to salvage for later. But purchasing on credit will also cost you money - in that manner it's no different than taking out a loan to purchase something that you want. There are, however, ways to salvage money when you purchase with credit cards.

0% Balance Transfers

One of the most common ways to salvage money with credit cards is by transferring your balance from a high interest credit card to one with a low or no-interest card. It's easy to illustrate your nest egg there. If you are carrying a balance of $1000 on a credit card that have a 19% APR and transfer it to one that offers 0% introductory APR for 9 calendar calendar calendar calendar months and a 15.9% regular rate, here's how your nest egg stack up:

Interest on old card for one year:

1000
x .19
$ 190 annual
$ 15.83 per calendar calendar calendar calendar month for 12 months

Interest on new card for one year:

1000
x 0
$ 0 per month for 9 months

$1000
x .159
$ 159 annual
$ 13.25 per month for three months

for a sum of $39.75 for the year.

That's a sum nest egg of $159.25 for one year.

You can, however, salvage the full $199 by paying off the full $1000 during the 9 month introductory period.

Save money on credit cards with lower interest rates

It's fairly obvious that you'll pay less in interest charges if you take a card with a lower APR, but before you leap for the card with the lowest interest rate, take the clip to calculate out your ain purchasing habits. If, for instance, you be given to carry no balance or a very low balance from calendar calendar month to month, a low interest rate matters far less than say - a good rewards or cash back program, or no annual fee. If, on the other hand, you carry a balance from calendar calendar calendar calendar calendar month to month, the APR is the biggest determining factor in how much your credit card will cost you.

Just as an example, if you generally carry less than $100 on your credit cards from month to month, even an interest rate of 19% only works out to $19 a year, or $1.58 per month. In that case, it do small sense to take a credit card that offers a 10% APR with a $29 annual fee.

On the other hand, if you carry a $500 balance from calendar calendar month to month, you'll pay $95 in interest for the twelvemonth at 19% - but even adding in a $29 annual fee, you'll only pay $79 for the twelvemonth at 10%.

Don't just presume that the lowest interest rate is the least expensive card. Bash the mathematics - and salvage money with your credit card.

Save Money with Your Credit Card Rewards Program

Cash back and reward points programs are another manner to salvage money with your credit card. If you utilize your card often but still manage to maintain your balance low, you can salvage 1-5% on purchases that you'd do anyway. Many cards these years offer 5% cash discounts on any purchases made at gas stations, convenience supplies and supermarkets. In many cases, those discounts are applied directly to your bill. If you purchase your grocery store stores with your credit card AND wage THE CARD OFF immediately, you'll stop up economy 5% on your grocery measure all twelvemonth long.

CreditCards.com: Weekly Credit Card Rate Report

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Average rates for instant approval credit cards edged higher this week,
potentially in response to increased default risk associated with
instant credit decisions. Rates on other popular credit card categories
tracked by CreditCards.com remained unchanged from the previous week and
are listed below:




 


 




Credit Card Rate Averages


 




 




Low Interest


11.59%




Balance Transfer


11.41%




Instant Approval


14.18%




Reward


13.72%




Cash Back


13.13%




Airline


15.07%




Business


13.95%




Student


17.88%




Bad Credit


12.81%




 




 


 

Source:







Updated: 05-03-07


 

Several major credit card companies offer instant online decisions for
their cards as a method for differentiating their products. Issuers are
able to access certain credit bureau facts in near real-time in order to
make rapid credit decisions, usually within 60 seconds. When
insufficient data is available to make an instant online decision,
issuers reserve the right to take a greater amount of time in which to
grant approval or denial of an application involving offline review.

The CreditCards.com national weekly credit card rate survey is conducted
each week using data from the leading credit card issuers in the United
States.

Introductory offer periods and actual regular interest rates can vary
depending on individual applicants’ credit
quality and issuer risk-based pricing policies.

About CreditCards.com

CreditCards.com ()
is an Internet publisher and marketing organization that operates the
leading and fastest growing online destination for consumers to search,
compare, and apply for credit cards. The company matches millions of
consumers each year with the credit card offers that best meet their
financial needs. CreditCards.com is based in Austin, Texas and was
founded in 2003.

NOTE TO EDITORS: The information contained in this release is available
for print or broadcast with attribution to CreditCards.com.

N.Z. Dollar May Gain Versus Australia's on Interest-Rate Gap

New Zealand's dollar may gain against
Australia's currency on speculation that nation's central bank
will leave interest rates unchanged today.

New Zealand's official cash rate is 1.5 percentage points
higher than Australia's 6.25 percent cash target rate. There's
just a 2 percent chance the Reserve Bank of Australia will raise
the benchmark rate at 9:30 a.m. today in Sydney, according to a
Credit Suisse index based on overnight trading in interest-rate
swaps.

``If Australia doesn't go then people will lean toward the
New Zealand'' dollar Alex Sinton, currency dealer at ANZ National
Bank Ltd. in Auckland. ``It's all about the relativity of
interest rates.''

The New Zealand dollar has advanced 7 percent against the
Australian dollar in the past 12 months. That's the biggest gain
of any major currency against the Australian dollar in that time.
New Zealand's 7.75 percent benchmark rate is the second-highest
after Iceland's among countries with the top rating at Moody's
Investors Service, helping swell demand for the local dollar.

New Zealand's dollar bought 89.56 Australian cents at 8:41
a.m. in Wellington, from 89.41 cents in late Asian trading
yesterday. It may rise to 89.80 cents if Australia's central bank
does not increase rates, Sinton said. It fell to 74.07 U.S. cents
from 74.28 cents yesterday.

RBA Governor Glenn Stevens will leave the overnight cash
rate target unchanged today at a six-year high, according to all
26 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News.

Bollard's Strategy

There is a 12 percent chance on the Credit Suisse index
Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor Alan Bollard will boost
rates at his next monetary policy review on June 6. Bollard
boosted rates twice by a quarter-point in March and April, and
did not warn of further increases at his last review April 26.

The local dollar may extend its drop against the U.S. dollar
today as signs of more economic growth in the world's biggest
economy stokes demand for its currency, Sinton said.

The dollar rose from near an all-time low against the euro
and touched a two-week high versus the yen after a private report
released yesterday showed U.S. manufacturing strengthened last
month by more than economists forecast.

New Zealand government bonds rose after the yield on the
benchmark 10-year note fell 0.04 percentage point to 6.05 percent,
according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The country's one-year swap spread over the U.S. rate
dropped 0.01 points to 2.86 percentage points today. The one-year
swap over Japan is at 7.33 percentage points, from 7.32 yesterday.

To contact the reporter on this story:
Emma O'Brien in Wellington at

Increase Your Sales By Accepting Small Business Credit Cards

It is really very convenient to receive the payment by means of credit cards. Small business enterprises are not aloof from it and they are also receiving payments by means of credit cards these days. The trend is following an uphill as the number of small business enterprises in any country that is accepting the credit card payment is continuously going up.

It's a given that running an online business means that you need to accept credit cards. If you don't then you are losing as much as 70% of your sales to competitors who do accept Business credit cards according to an article published by Forbes Magazine. But it's not just online businesses that suffer lost sales by not accepting credit cards. That same 70% figure, and higher in some cases, is applicable for off-line businesses as well

Many business owners report a sharp increase in profit when they begin accepting credit cards as a means of payment.Online businesses greatly benefit from accepting credit cards, as payment can be made immediately over the Internet and your business can quickly ship their purchase without having to wait for a check to arrive by mail, and then waiting for the check to clear the bank before sending orders out to customers.

For accepting the credit cards, the small business entrepreneur has to open a merchant account. These accounts are meant specially for receiving payments through the credit cards. There are many financial institutions in the market that are opening merchant accounts at affordable rates. After opening a merchant account, the small business owner can easily receive all the payments through the credit cards. As is known to many of us that the some of the small business activities are also carried from home, it becomes very essential to adopt the mode of payment that is easy. The credit card is the perfect solution to the above problem.

There was a time in the not so distant past that it was very difficult to be approved for merchant accounts. In previous years, a business would need a high volume of credit card usage in order to make the fees for having the ability to accept electronic payments affordable. Currently, it is very inexpensive to set up merchant accounts whether you are a large business with a physical location, or a small business operating only online thanks to the increase in merchant account providers available to businesses.

The biggest advantage is that as soon as the payment is made, the merchant account of the small business entrepreneur is credited as soon possible. So, there is no lapse of time in receiving the payments and the amount received can easily be utilized for other productive acts.

SO Small business Must accept credit cards.