Moving Debt Between Cards Can Save You Money. February 14, 2011 No Comments

If youre like most people, you have plenty of credit cards, and you have stacks of offers for more. The credit card industry is so competitive that, whatever card you have, the chances are that somewhere out there is one that would be cheaper or better for you and you can change as often as you want!

Take Up Teaser Offers.

To try and get customers, credit cards are still offering massive discount rates when you transfer balances over to them. These teaser rates will only last for a set period (check the terms and conditions), but they can still save you a lot of money especially if you switch to another cards teaser rate each time one ends.

Yes, this does mean applying for a new card relatively often but if you do it online, youll find its quite painless. Is it really worth hundreds of dollars to save the trouble of applying for a new card?

Extend Your Offers.

You might not even need to move to another card to get a teaser offer for longer. If you phone and ask, many lenders will extend the preferential rate for longer, in an effort to get you to stick around.

Check the Small Print.

You might find that the low, low rate only lasts a few months, and you might also find that it only applies to balance transfers, not new purchases. A common trap is for a card to allow you to transfer your balance of thousands at 0% APR, only to charge you 20% or more on anything new you buy with it. Of course, as soon as you ditch that card and move to the next, the new purchases become a balance transfer again.

A more nasty thing you might find is that youre signing up to a minimum term to get the teaser offer they wont let you transfer your balance away again for a year, or even more. Avoid these cards like the plague.

Keep Track of Time.

Your card issuer isnt going to go out of their way to alert you when your teaser rate is over. Make sure you keep track: make a mark on the calendar. Months can go by far more quickly than youd think, and missing the end of the teaser period by even a day will mean that youll end up paying interest at the normal rate.

Moving Around and Your Credit Rating.

Moving debt around between cards often affects your credit rating in an odd way. On the one hand, it shows that you could be an unprofitable customer after all, you change cards before they can make a profit from you. On the other hand, it also shows that youre likely to take up offers that youre sent, and companies tend to believe that they have a great strategy to keep you with them where others have failed.

In other words, some companies will hate you for it, and some will love you. Bear in mind, though, that the longer you do it for, the fewer companies will want to send you their very best teaser rates.

Making a Difference with Cash Back Credit Cards February 7, 2011 No Comments

Getting cash back while using your credit card makes all the difference in the world, especially as high as prices are today. Cash back providers can provide cardholders with cash rewardsrebates and more while employing the credit card. Cardholders make purchases using the credit card, and in exchange, the card providers will add points per purchase made on the card. Cardholders can take advantage of the cards, since some cards make it easy to build up cash rebates, based on pound amounts. The industry average per rebates is 1%; however, cash rebates differ, depending on the credit card and provider.

How does it work? The cash back card providers will charge the business where the card was utilized a fee. The card provider then provides the cardholder a portion of that fee in the form of a cash rebate.

It is important to shop around while considering cash back or rewards credit cards. Some credit card lenders will charge higher than average Annual Percentage Rates (APR’s), in an effort to recoup some of the fees paid out. The annuals fees can range from 25 up to 100 yearly and some lenders will charge more.

Rebates and Balance Transfers

Card issuers can also offer certain cardholders superior rebate percentages providing the card is utilized often. Other lenders may offer superior rebates, while making purchases at supermarkets, gas stations, and selected retailers. Balance transfers or cash advances are often excluded from the rebate deals, i.e. you will not receive cash back per cash advance or Balance Transfer made.

Over the Internet there are various cards offered, which include the cash back cards. Potential cardholders should apply for suitable cards with cash back rebates, especially cardholders who will not carry a balance monthly.

Interest Rates and Rebates

Standard platinum credit cards often have lower APRs, and most often will be lower than cash back credit cards. Therefore, if the interest rates are high on cash back cards, it will counterbalance the rebates received. This means you will repay the credit card lenders, paying back the rebates through interest payments.

As you can see, if you are not vigilant about paying your monthly balance on the cash back credit cards before the grace period, you will pay more on the cards via interest rates and will more than likely be paying more in interest charges than receiving in reward point benefits.

The Chase Cash Plus Rewards card offer offers 5% cash back for purchases at drugstores, gas stations, or grocery stores. The cards offer 1% cash back on all other purchases made with the card. The introductory fees are 0% up to one year on APR and balance transfers, purchases, and there is no annual fee. And remember, typically you must have very good credit to get approval for cash back credit cards.

Make Money With A Cash Back Credit Card January 31, 2011 No Comments

Cash back credit cards are a fantastic way for you to make some cash while spending on your credit card, although it does only suit the customers who pay their bill in full at the end of each month.

A cash back credit card will give you the chance to earn as you spend, as a percentage is returned to you on an annual basis for every pound that you have spent. This is usually set at between 0.5% and 2% depending on how generous the credit card lender is. I cannot stress enough, you must be able to pay off your credit card statement in full each month, and this is the only way that a cash back credit card will work for you.

If you are a borrower then a cash back credit card will only cost you, even though you will be earning a little back, you will find that this will be eaten up and more by the interest charges, which are usually on a higher scale of APR.

Is a cash back credit card for everyone?

By not incurring the interest payments, then for every pound that you spend on the card you will see a little coming back to you. If you pay your credit card balance in full every month, then why not switch to a cash back credit card. A cash back credit card is a fantastic opportunity to reward you for spending money!

There is a word of warning that will come with this though, if you decide that you want to balance transfer a amount from your existing credit card company on to a cash back credit card, then you should try and avoid this. As a matter of fact avoid it altogether, as any payments you make to the credit card will only go on to pay the amount transferred and interest will only mount up on any purchases that you have made on the credit card. You will then be paying back more than the cash back card is making you.

Here are some of the best deals

There are a few good deals on the go right now, with the Amex Blue cash back card the Amex Platinum and the First Trust Bank cards worthy at a look if you decide that a cash back credit card is for you.

So if you have a clear statement at the end of each month then go for it and make that bargain in the sales save you even more cash.

Instant Approval Credit Cards – The New Plastic Cash January 24, 2011 No Comments

Instant approval credit cards are plastic cash resources, which are difficult to resist. The instant approval credit cards are marketed very well by their respective card issuers, yet once the card is in hand, cardholders can sometimes find it difficult to manage their debt. Few people understand how to manage payments. The cardholders will utilize the cards to make payments while meeting the grace period payoff date. Meeting the grace period deadline enables the cardholder to take full advantage of the card, since additional interest and fees are not applicable.

Credit Cards differ from loans, i.e. collateral is unnecessary. Still, if you fail to repay the debts incurred, fees higher interest is the result. Nowadays, we all need credit cards, since many businesses will not accept checks anymore. The advantages are that you can utilize most credit cards almost anywhere in the world. In addition, the cards come with monthly statements, which enable you to keep track of your expenses. If the debts are paid in full before the grace period ends, rates of interest and fees are minimal. Furthermore, the credit cards are convenient, since you are essentially taking out what amounts to a payday loan without going through paperwork.

Associated Charges on Credit Cards

It depends on the credit card, but most have a number of associated charges. The instant approval cards, e.g. may include annual percentage rates (APR), interest rates, late fees, fees on cash advances, and so forth. The annual fees are often waived providing the potential cardholder does not have credit issues. The card providers waive the fees up to fifteen months in some instances. Interest rates vary, however the rates increase if the grace period payoff date is not met, yet some card providers will allow flexibility on payments. The APR on some cards are a fixed rate, while others are variable. Fixed rates differ, therefore read the terms & conditions carefully while considering instant approval credit cards. The grace period is always important, since if you do not pay debts by the grace periods end, you will pay higher charges. Therefore, check the grace period on the cards, since some providers will allow 21 days on instant approval credit cards, while others will allow 25 days. Other fees might include charges on cash advances, late fees, etc.

Instant approval credit cards are designed mostly for people with excellent credit. So if you have the required credit score, there’s a good chance that you’ll get approved for the card instantly, however if your credit presents a risk, expect a delay. If your credit meets the cards stipulations on particular credit cards, the lender likely will give you a chance, however if your credit is bad, dont expect an instant credit card.

Your best chances of understanding and applying for credit cards is to research them thoroughly. Utilize the internet where you can rapidly compare and research offers and to locate card providers, instant approval credit cards and more!

Instant Approval Credit Card – The New Plastic Cash January 17, 2011 No Comments

Instant approval credit cards are plastic cash resources, which are difficult to resist. The instant approval credit cards are marketed very well by their respective card issuers, yet once the card is in hand, cardholders can sometimes find it difficult to manage their debt. Few people understand how to manage payments. The cardholders will utilize the cards to make payments while meeting the grace period payoff date. Meeting the grace period deadline enables the cardholder to take full advantage of the card, since additional interest and fees are not applicable.

Credit Cards differ from loans, i.e. collateral is unnecessary. Still, if you fail to repay the debts incurred, fees higher interest is the result. Nowadays, we all need credit cards, since many businesses will not accept checks anymore. The advantages are that you can utilize most credit cards almost anywhere in the world. In addition, the cards come with monthly statements, which enable you to keep track of your expenses. If the debts are paid in full before the grace period ends, rates of interest and fees are minimal. Furthermore, the credit cards are convenient, since you are essentially taking out what amounts to a payday loan without going through paperwork.

Associated Charges on Credit Cards

It depends on the credit card, but most have a number of associated charges. The instant approval cards, e.g. may include annual percentage rates (APR), interest rates, late fees, fees on cash advances, and so forth. The annual fees are often waived providing the potential cardholder does not have credit issues. The card providers waive the fees up to fifteen months in some instances. Interest rates vary, however the rates increase if the grace period payoff date is not met, yet some card providers will allow flexibility on payments. The APR on some cards are a fixed rate, while others are variable. Fixed rates differ, therefore read the terms & conditions carefully while considering instant approval credit cards. The grace period is always important, since if you do not pay debts by the grace periods end, you will pay higher charges. Therefore, check the grace period on the cards, since some providers will allow 21 days on instant approval credit cards, while others will allow 25 days. Other fees might include charges on cash advances, late fees, etc.

Instant approval credit cards are designed mostly for people with excellent credit. So if you have the required credit score, there’s a good chance that you’ll get approved for the card instantly, however if your credit presents a risk, expect a delay. If your credit meets the cards stipulations on particular credit cards, the lender likely will give you a chance, however if your credit is bad, dont expect an instant credit card.

Your best chances of understanding and applying for credit cards is to research them thoroughly. Utilize the internet where you can rapidly compare and research offers and to locate card providers, instant approval credit cards and more!

How To Get Your Best Cash Back Credit Card January 10, 2011 No Comments

A very popular option these days is the credit card that gives you cash back on some of the purchases you make. A couple of credit cards are even giving back as much as 5-10%. But before you go out and get one of these for yourself, there are some things you should know about first. This article will give you some tips on how to make the right choice in order to get the best cash back credit cards.

The first thing that you need to remember is that the credit card company is a business. Of course – you knew that. But what that means is that they are not giving you all that it may seem. They are doing it because money can be made from it – one way or another. Their financial planners have looked long and hard at how to offer one thing that looks like a real good deal, and still makes them money – lots of it.

The temptation is to look at the percentage promised, and to make a decision based only on that. This is just what they wanted you to do. In most cases, the higher the percentage offered means that they are simply getting their money back from other charges. Here are some things to look at when deciding on your cash back credit card.

The Standard Rate of Interest

This is the amount of interest you will pay if you do not pay off the balance each month. It can vary anywhere between about 12% all the way to 32%. Many of the higher paying cash back credit cards have the higher interest on them. So if you do not plan on paying the balance every month, for sure you will want to take note of this figure.

Balance Needed To Qualify For Cash Back

Some cash back credit cards have the stipulation on them that you need to carry a balance on the card in order to qualify for the reward. A neat little thing they tucked in there somewhere to take back what they give. Watch out for this one. If you are paying 23% interest on the balance, and they are paying you 5% – are you really coming out ahead? No, not really. The way to get that best cash back credit card is to make sure that you have both a low interest card, and also can pay it off each month – and still get the rewards, too!

The Cash Back Cap

Some cards have a maximum amount of cash that you can receive in a year – called a cap. This could be good for you if you do not make purchases that would bring you over the cap amount. But if you do make a lot of purchases, then you will want to get your cash back credit card without a cap.

Items That Qualify For Cash Back

Many of the cash back credit cards will only give you cash back for food, medicines, and gas. Other cards have different percentages that apply to these things, and then another percentage, usually 1%, that will go toward other purchases you make.

Percentage Needed For That Level Of Cash Back

Some cards have different levels of purchases needed in order to get the full percentage of cash back that was promised. For instance, on a 5% cash back credit card, you may only receive 2% if you buy less than 1,000 per month. Then, another 1% might be added for purchases totaling up to 2,499, and the full 5% may be given only on purchases that exceed that amount.

The best cash back credit cards are the ones that will benefit you the most in your particular situation. A card that is good for someone else may not be the best for you. It would be a good idea to figure out just how much of what type of item you purchase (Especially food, medicine, and gas) each month, and how much you might put on a particular cash back credit card before you make your final decision. Then, by careful consumer comparison – you should be able to find your best cash back credit cards.

How Your Credit Rating Affects You, and How to Check January 3, 2011 No Comments

How Your Credit Rating Affects You, and How to Check It.

You might not know it, but every time you take out any kind of loan or credit or pay something back, it gets counted on your credit rating. Who keeps a record on you will vary according to where you live, but the big three credit reference agencies are Experian, Equifax and Trans Union. They will provide your credit rating to any company that is thinking of lending you money.

What is Included in Your Credit Rating.

All the debts you currently have are included in your credit rating. There is a history of all the debts youve had in the past ten years or so, and special emphasis is put on anything that has gone wrong. Defaulting (never paying) on any debt will ruin your credit rating completely. Borrowing a lot before you start paying anything back will make you look like a very bad risk, and so will going all the way up to (or even over) your limit on a credit card.

It is also worth considering that the credit reports of anyone you live with may be linked to your report, and could reflect badly on you your wife or husbands credit rating is tied to yours quite closely.

How Your Credit Rating is Worked Out.

The most common method of coming up with your rating is called FICO, named after the Fair Isaac Corporation, who invented it. Your current credit status is prioritised, in this order: whether youve paid past debts, how much debt you currently have, your credit history, the types of debt you use, and how many times your rating has been checked recently. Things that happened more recently are given more weight than things that happened a long time ago.

Why Your Credit Rating is Important.

Any time you get turned down for a credit card or any other loan, the chances are that it was because of your credit rating. Companies giving out small loans are far more likely to rely completely on this rating than to bother checking your income, and a worse rating will mean that you are offered a higher interest rate.

Your rating is important when you get car loans and mortgages too. You dont want to find a house you love only to get turned down for the mortgage thanks to your habit of paying your credit card bills late.

How to Check Your Credit Rating.

Credit reference agencies cant hold your information on file without telling you what it is they have. If you write them a letter and pay a very small fee, they have to send you the full credit report that they have about you.

You can then check over your credit rating, and send a letter back to the agency telling them about anything that you think isnt right. You might find that a screw-up has made you look bad when it wasnt your fault. They will include anything you send in your file.

In some countries, you may find that you can sign up to get credit reports regularly for a small fee, or even for free! Make sure to check your local laws.

How to Get the Best Rates on Your Current Credit December 27, 2010 No Comments

How to Get the Best Rates on Your Current Credit Cards

So youve got a few credit cards, and youre quite happy with them overall. Still, wouldnt it be nice to save a little money on interest? It all adds up over time, and more quickly than youd think. If youre a good customer, youd be surprised how easy it is to get a better rate.

Pay on Time, But Not Everything.

The most desirable customers for the credit card companies are the ones who make a payment on time every month but dont pay off the whole balance. After all, running no balance every month means that you pay no interest, and the company makes no profit. If you keep up the pattern of running a relatively small balance each month, then the companies will start falling over themselves to offer you better interest rates.

Threaten to Go to Their Competitors.

Have you ever noticed that it seems like every company offers a credit card? That makes the credit card industry extremely competitive. Collect ads and offers for better rates than your company has given you, and then phone them up and tell them all about it. A good rouse is to start the conversation like this:

Them: Hello, what can I do for you today?
You: Oh hi, I was just calling to ask if theres anything that you need to do to transfer my balance to this new card Im getting?
Them: Well may I ask what card that is?
You: Oh, I got the offer in the mail this morning. [Tell them all about the great interest rate and everything. You could even make things up they wont know].
Them: And youve accepted that offer?
You: Im just about to, yes.
Them: Well, hang on we might be able to offer you a better rate on the card youve got

The trick is in getting the company to think youre just another fool who responds blindly to advertising, and theyre in danger of losing you as a customer. Dont whine about how youre such a good customer they already know what kind of customer you are, but they definitely want you to stay their customer.

A fun alternative is to phone your current company, get an offer from them, and then phone around more and try to get them to beat it. Once its beaten, call your company back and let them know.

Drive a hard bargain, and be prepared to walk away (well, hang up). If you turn down their so-called best offer, hang up and wait half an hour, theres a good chance that youll get a call offering you a better one!

It isnt just on credit card companies that these tricks get results. It works because it costs a company so much to get a new customer (the cost of acquisition), and so its cheaper for them to offer you a better deal, just to keep you. Try it with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) sometime.

History of the Cash Back Credit Card December 20, 2010 No Comments

Cash back credit cards have been an option for cardholders for around 15 years. Despite having been around for awhile, cash back credit cards continue to remain popular with consumers. The reasons for this are obvious – everyone enjoys receiving free money!

A Change in Thinking

When cash back credit cards were introduced to the market, they were warmly received. Three out of four credit card holders are still primarily concerned about obtaining a credit card with a low interest rate or a 0.00% introductory APR, but the demand for cash back credit cards remains strong.

The Target Market

Credit card companies hoped to draw in large numbers of new cardholders when they introduced the cash back credit card – and the strategy worked. As time has gone on, however, more people have started to realize that the best candidates for cash back credit cards are those that pay off their balance at the end of each billing cycle. This is because cash back credit cards tend to have higher APRs than credit cards that do not offer special programs. Therefore, you will probably pay more in finance charges each year than you earn from the program if you do not pay off the balance in full at the end of each billing cycle.

The Evolving Percentage of Rewards

When cash back credit cards were first introduced, they simply offered a flat percentage rate of return. With most cards, this rate was 1% and the rebate was sent to the customer at the end of the year. This practice, however, became too costly for credit card companies. Therefore, they began introducing earning structures. With these structures, cardholders earned back a fraction of the original 1% on their purchases for all purchases below a specific amount. Often, this specific amount was 2,500 each month. The form of determining rewards continues with most cash back credit cards today.

Breaking the Mould

Although many cash back credit cards follow a strict earning schedule, some of the best cash back credit cards are still quite generous. The Citi Dividend Rewards MasterCard, for example, provides cardholders with a 5% return on purchases made at gas stations, grocery stores, and drug stores. All other purchases receive a 1% cash back return – and there are no caps on how much can be spent, and earned.

Keeping You Organized

Cash back credit cards have also changed to make keeping track of the money you earn. Many cash back credit cards simply print the amount of money earned back onto the billing statement each month. Some will send the money automatically after it reaches a certain amount or at the end of the year. Yet others require cardholders to call to order a check after the earned cash reaches a certain threshold.

Beware, however, that some cash back credit cards are not quite as simple to understand and to follow. Some can be a bit confusing because the credit card company does not show the amount of money earned on the billing statement and does not specify how much is earned for certain purchases. Sometimes, you will have to contact customer service in order to find out how much money you have earned up to a certain point.

If you are somebody that is not very organized, you might want to take advantage of a cash back credit card that automatically sends a check to you and that keeps track of your earnings for you. Credit card companies that require cardholders to call to request their checks are counting on your forgetfulness and hoping you will never ask for your check. Of course, this results in greater profits for the credit card company and leaves you without the reward you have earned. So, be sure to know yourself well enough to take full advantage of the rewards offered by cash back credit cards.

Getting the Most from Your Cash Back Card December 13, 2010 No Comments

A cash back card is a great way in which to earn some money off products you normally purchase. These type of rebate credit cards are great for people that always immediately pay off their balance each and every month instead of having a balance.

In essencs, what a cash back card does is allow you to earn money while you spend money. You receive a percentage returned to you either monthly or yearly, according to the terms of your credit card company. Most of the time the credit card rebates you can earn are around .5% to 2%, once again according to your credit card company. You may even find that you can earn 1% on some purchase and 2% on other purchases with the same credit card.

Now for the reason you must pay off your balance each and every month is that the money you earn can be gobbled up by the interest you are paying on your balance. A cash back card usually has a higher APR than a regular card, so any money earned can be used to pay off your interest fees and then you will not be earning as much as you could.

If you wish to earn money on your purchases do not transfer balances to your cash back card, either. If you do this, then all payments will be going toward the amount of money you transferred instead of to the new purchases. Then you will once again be losing precious money that you earned.

Check out each of the rebate credit cards to ensure that the card can be used at your favorite stores to purchase items that you normally buy. If not you will find yourself shopping in stores that you do not shop at just to try to earn some cash back. The best way to apply for a cash back card is to find one that fits your lifestyle, with your favorite stores, a high percentage rate given back and of course if at all possible with a low APR.

A cash back card can be great if you pay off your balance each and every month without fail, remember you can be paid monthly if you do not owe any money to the credit card company, and never to a balance transfer unless you can pay it off immediately. If you follow these simple rules, you will be making money as you spend what a great concept. You may even earn enough money for the vacation you have always wanted. However, you must also remember not to purchase items just to earn money back with your cash back card, going in debt and not being able to pay off your balance will not put money in your pocket. The only one benefiting then will be the credit card company.

Use your cash back card when needed and purchase like normal and you will be to reap the potentially handsome benefits of rebate credit cards.