Sunday, August 17, 2008

Not All Credit Cards Are Suited For Everyone

Category: Finance, Credit.

Thinking about applying for an airline rewards credit cards?



Each frequent flier credit card may claim to be the best one in the market and promise to give you the best deals. If you browse online and shop around for choices, you may find your options confusing. But how can you determine which one will really work for you? Focusing on the best features of each frequent flier credit card can only confuse you even more. Don t Focus on the Best Features. Remember that all credit card companies put out well- thought up ads to entice consumers to choose their credit card over competitors. Credit card review websites can help you narrow down your options of frequent flier credit cards in the market.


The best way to compare your choice of credit cards is by considering the terms and conditions that apply. After narrowing your choices to only three or two credit cards, take the time to visit the credit card s official website and read the terms and conditions in full. If there are certain terms that sound vague or confusing, do not hesitate to call the issuer or the bank for further assistance. Make sure that you understand all implications on the contract. Which Airline Credit Cards Best Suits Your Needs? Each of us live a different lifestyle and different credit cards are designed to match the variety of needs of individuals.


Not all credit cards are suited for everyone. Don t get a reward credit card just because it was recommended to you by a friend. In this case, you ll want to consider which frequent flier credit card suits you best. What works for him may not necessarily work for your own lifestyle and spending habits. For instance, do you have a particular airline or carrier of choice? Is there a particular destination that you usually travel to?


If so, then it s best to look for the credit card that has affiliations with the same airline you most often fly with. Then make sure that the credit card you ll choose has provisions on this particular destination. If you re a business owner, then don t forget to take a look at the selection of business credit cards with frequent flier miles program. Do you own a business? There are fewer choices of business credit cards with travel rewards in the market so you ll have an easier time picking out one. Because businesses are big spenders, business credit card, naturally holders are entitled to more privileges and reward opportunities. Nevertheless, business credit cards with rewards do give more opportunities for its holders to earn rewards.


Regardless of which frequent flier credit card matches your needs, make sure that it also comes with a reasonable rate of interest, a reasonable annual fee and allows you to enjoy your rewards with flexibility and ease. To avoid possible problems in the future, read and understand carefully the terms and conditions that bind you to your airline rewards credit card. Check for blackout dates or restrictions which can hinder you from redeeming your well- deserved rewards.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Things Are Always Changing In The Credit Card Industry

Category: Finance, Credit.

Things are always changing in the credit card industry. And let s face it, credit cards are in the business to make profit- just like any business.



One of the latest and most widespread trends in the business is the increase of fees and the addition of newly created fees. They ve found that people want lower interest rates and more rewards with their credit cards and one of the ways they can deliver those advantages to their customers is by making up the profit in other areas, such as fees. Here are the 7 things you need to know on how to avoid credit card fees. But that doesn t mean that you as a credit card holder must take getting nickel and dimed to death for granted. Mail That Check Early- Credit card companies seem to be sending out account statements later than ever before and requiring payments earlier at the same time. If you pay by mail, send that check right away to avoid any problems!


This causes late payments and therefore increased fees and extra charges too. Pay Online Every Time- An even better solution than mailing the check early is to pay your bill online. Usually, paying online a few days before the due date is your very safest bet. This helps to assure that your payment doesn t get lost, or anything else, delayed that can happen to a check in the mail. Keep a Schedule and Set Reminders- Life is hectic these days and staying on top of every last bill can be quite a daunting challenge. By putting together an organizational reminder system to pay each of your bills on schedule, you ll be removing a stressor from your life and avoiding late fees at the same time. Don t let them get the best of you.


Read the Fine Print- The use of annual fees by credit card companies is becoming really popular again. Be sure the rewards you re receiving will be worth the annual fee charged to your account. You ll see this trend especially with rewards cards or other credit cards that give you significant incentives for signing up. Don t Make Cash Advances- Fees for taking a cash or ATM advance from your credit card can be really pricey. Any convenience usually comes with a price and this situation is no different. In fact, a 3% fee is not unusual at all. Beware of Balances Transfers- Charging a large set fee or charging a percentage of the balance to be transferred is common practice with balance transfer offers nowadays.


Keep Copies of Your Statement- Hopefully you ll never need to go back and retrieve old credit card statements for any reason. Again, the advantage of transferring a large balance to a low or zero interest card usually far outweighs the fee charged, but sometimes the fee can be avoidable. But if the situation does arise and you don t have the past statements tucked away on file somewhere, credit card companies will gladly produce a copy for you- for a fee of course!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Credit Cards Are Somewhat Notorious For Giving Us The Ability To Run Up Debts Without Really Realising What We' Re Doing

Category: Finance, Credit.

While there are some very organised people out there who open every piece of mail as soon as it arrives, and take the appropriate action straight away, many of us don' t quite take the same approach. This, is not really, however a good way to deal with things, and here are three reasons why.



In our time- pressed lives, opening mail may not be a priority, and especially in the case of credit card statements which are usually easily recognisable from the envelope, they may sit unopened all through the month until the next one arrives. Credit cards are somewhat notorious for giving us the ability to run up debts without really realising what we' re doing. Opening your statement each month as soon as it arrives helps us to keep a realistic impression of how much we' re spending. Because it's so easy to spend when you' re within your limit, there can be little to stop us from making impulse purchases or even using the card to pay essential bills from time to time. If you don' t check your account very often, it's all too easy to receive a nasty surprise, with the debt being a lot larger than we anticipated. We tend to think that if somehow our card details find their way into the hands of criminals, then the account will be cleaned out straight away. The second reason that you should examine your statement each month is to detect any possible fraud before too much damage is done.


Not all fraudsters work in this way though, with more subtle attempts to' fly under the radar' by only withdrawing small amounts. By checking that you recognise each transaction on your statement, you stand a much better chance of minimising the damage caused identity theft and fraud. By doing this they are less likely to be detected, as the card issuers' monitoring systems might not spot the fraud as easily. Thirdly, your statement will include details of any charges or changes made by the credit card issuer that you might not have been aware of otherwise. Or, a change to the minimum repayment may mean that you need to change the amount you automatically pay each month- only by checking your statement will these circumstances be made clear, especially considering the legalese used in the typical credit card terms and conditions leaflet! For example, a change to your statement date may mean that your regular payment now misses the due date, leading to late payment fees. So, even though dealing with regular mail such as credit card statements may seem like a chore, and something that we can neglect in favour of more interesting or important activities, reading your statement could actually end up saving you time and money, and it really only needs to take a few minutes a month!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

The Easiest Way To Know This Is To Know The Reputation Of Your Credit Card Company

Category: Finance, Credit.

The internet has become the fastest and most convenient way to be able to locate and compare a credit card company from another. However, with a significant incidence of fraud online, consumers are now in a critical situation.



No doubt it has become widely used in financial transactions such as credit card applications. One thing should be certain, though. The easiest way to know this is to know the reputation of your credit card company. In applying for a credit card online, make sure the credit card company you are applying is one- hundred percent safe and secure for customer's use. Reputable companies that have a clean track record of serving many satisfied customers is one sure way to determine the credit card company is safe from fraud and privacy issues. Let us take the why first.


There would probably be nothing new about the next things to consider except of course that like a personal credit card application, you have to ask these things because it will help you decide which credit card and which company will you apply to. Why do you want to apply for a credit card? Is it only for pleasure or is it for business? How do you intend to use your credit card? First time credit card applicants should ask this question more often than dreaming about the benefits involved with owning a credit card. If so, then you will need an international credit card, which you can use in countries other than the country where the credit card was issued. If you travel a lot to different countries, will you be able to use the credit card?


Are you able to pay monthly or only at a minimum? Now this is very important because later, the lack of finances might make you not in good terms with your credit card company. By answering these questions, you will know your financial capability. After this assessment, compare credit cards. You can put cards side by side and weigh each pro and con. Again, the best way to do this is online.


What are the benefits as well as the disadvantages of both cards? And while you' re at it, get information about the company itself who will issue the credit card. Many websites could give you this information. Are they credible enough? Will information be a private transaction between you and the bank? Can their system be trusted? Since credit card companies are also a business, carefully investigate any detail or specifics that go with the application.


With just one click of the mouse, you can easily compare rats, and terms, fees, making the tedious chore of doing your homework informative as well as exhaustive. The internet is a rich source for this information. Once you have selected your credit card company, it is also very convenient to apply at once for a credit card. This proves to be one of the most convenient ways to apply for credit cards today. After a filling out and submitting a form, approve applications would be receive a confirmation e- mail with your credit card information in it.

Monday, August 11, 2008

MasterCard Provides Insurance For Its Credit Card Holders

MasterCard is one of the largest credit card issuers in the United States.



Providing a great value in terms of rent saving, travel rewards, reduced repair costs, and a lot more these reward cards are true money savers. The reward programs offered with Gold and Platinum MasterCard are truly exceptional. MasterCard provides insurance for its credit card holders. If you travel a lot MasterCard has a lot to offer for your travel and stay in a hotel to be truly rewarding. As MasterCard is growing in popularity and is being accepted worldwide, MasterCard has launched its global service to cater to this growing clientele. The travel assistance services offered by MasterCard will help you greatly. While traveling if you are having a MasterCard gold or platinum card you are covered for hotel/ motel burglary, lost or damaged luggage also.


The purchase assurance coverage, extended warranty coverage, baggage delay coverage will take the blues out of your travel and renting experiences. For a great shopping experience that rewards you handsomely MasterCard provides purchase assurance, extended warranty, satisfaction guarantee, price protection and not to mention fabulous discounts with their preferred partners. There are numerous credit cards, which offer one, offered by MasterCard or more combinations of above mentioned rewards. Having a good credit history can easily get you a Gold MasterCard, while Platinum MasterCard might require excellent credit history. To get more details one should contact the financial institution that has issued the credit card for complete and accurate details of the benefits that will apply for that credit card are eligible for. This can lead to a particular reward being extended, improved or in some case dropped from the benefits list. Moreover, it pays to stay in touch with the credit card issuer because the reward programs constantly get reviewed.


However, the credit card issuer will notify you at least 60 days in advance before cancelling any benefits or rewards. Make sure to checkout with the existing terms and conditions minutely before buying any reward card.