All About American Express
Posted on July 22, 2008
Also known as AMEX, American Express is easily one of the most recognized names in the world of credit cards. Even though many people have Visa or MasterCard credit cards, they are still interested in AMEX. With Visa, MasterCard, and AMEX being the most popular and preferred types of credit cards, they are all great although there are also differences between them as well.
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Air Miles - Use It Or Lose It
Posted on July 16, 2008
Most airline companies encourage you to apply for their mileage accounts by offering the chance to earn miles that can be redeemed for flights and many other rewards.
Generally your miles do not expire as long as your account remains active for a period of time. For accounts with no activity however, expiration times will vary but on average it is about 36 months.
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Chase TravelPlus® Visa® Card
Posted on July 11, 2008
Issued by Chase
Overall Rating
Benefit Rating
Special Offer: 0% APR for 12 Months and is applied to Purchases, Balance Transfers.
APR (Purch): 17.24%
Annual Fee: $0
Category: Reward - Travel
Review
The Chase TravelPlus® Visa® Card, issued by Chase, is designed for those with very good credit who plan to take advantage of the travel rewards program.
Through the reward program, cardholders earn one mile for every dollar spent on general purchases and two miles for every dollar spent on travel purchases. Earned miles can be redeemed for free hotel stays, car rentals, retail gift certificates, and other various attractions. An unlimited amount of miles can be earned, and there are no blackout dates or seat restrictions applied.
The card also offers platinum cardholder benefits provided by Chase, such as up to $1,000,000 in travel accident insurance, auto rental insurance, and various travel and emergency assistance services.
The card offers an attractive 0% introductory rate on purchases and balance transfers for the first twelve months. However, the APR for purchases is above average once the introductory rate expires. Although there is no annual fee for the credit card, there is a $29 annual fee to participate in the rewards program, which is quite reasonable.
Therefore, those who plan to take advantage of the rewards program will benefit most from what the Chase TravelPlus® Visa® Card has to offer.
Review Date: 1/17/2008
Most Attractive Feature(s): Access to rewards program; no yearly limit on miles; 0% introductory rate.
Least Attractive Feature(s): Points cannot be combined with frequent flyer programs; annual fee for rewards program.
Additional Perks
Various Internet account related services.
Personal concierge service.
Lost luggage insurance.
Emergency card replacement.
Emergency cash replacement.
Lost and stolen card reporting.
Up to $1,000,000 in travel accident insurance.
Auto rental insurance.
Various travel and emergency assistance services.
Extended warranty for purchases.
Year-end financial statement (upon request).
Access to TravelPlus Rewards program.
See website for additional benefits.
Important Notations
See website for complete terms and conditions of card usage and application disclosure.
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Pier 1 Rewards MasterCard®
Posted on July 9, 2008
Issued by Chase
Overall Rating
Benefit Rating
Special Offer: 0% APR for 6 Months and is applied to Purchases, Balance Transfers.
APR (Purch): 14.24%
Annual Fee: $0
Category: Reward - Retail
Review
The Pier 1 Rewards MasterCard®, issued by Chase, is designed for those with very good credit who plan to take advantage of the rewards program.
Through the rewards program, cardholders earn 4 points per dollar on purchases made at Pier 1 Imports and one point per dollar on all other purchases. Once the cardholder earns 2,000 points, a certificate valued at $20 can be redeemed for purchases at Pier 1 Imports. Cardholders will also receive a 20% off coupon upon approval redeemable at Pier 1 Imports.
The card has no annual fee, a 0% introductory rate for both purchases and balance transfers for the first six billing cycles, and an average interest rate once the introductory rate expires (for those who qualify).
Therefore, those who plan to frequently shop at Pier 1 Imports (to earn the additional points) and can afford to pay in full each month after the introductory rate expires (to avoid finance charges) will benefit most from what the Pier 1 Rewards MasterCard® has to offer.
Review Date: 1/17/2008
Most Attractive Feature(s): Common benefits; no annual fee; four points per dollar spent at Pier 1 Imports; bonus points.
Least Attractive Feature(s): Higher APR for less qualifying applicants.
Additional Perks
See website for additional benefits.
Important Notations
See website for complete terms and conditions of card usage and application disclosure.
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Brighter Planet Visa® Credit Card
Posted on July 9, 2008
Issued by Bank of America
Overall Rating
Benefit Rating
Special Offer: 0% APR for 12 Months and is applied to Balance Transfers.
APR (Purch): 9.99% / 15.99%
Annual Fee: $0
Category: Reward - Other
Review
The Brighter Planet Visa® Credit Card, issued by FIA Card Services, N.A., is designed for those with very good credit who would like to support an organization dedicated to monitoring and protecting the environment and will take advantage of the EarthSmart™ reward program.
Through the reward program, cardholders earn one EarthSmart™ point for every dollar spent on all purchases. Points are automatically redeemed to help fund renewable energy projects.
Cardholders will also receive 1,000 EarthSmart™ bonus points after their first qualifying purchase and 1,000 EarthSmart™ bonus points when they choose paperless billing. Essentially, every 1,000 points cardholders earn will fund an estimated 1 ton of carbon offsets. In addition, for every two points earned through December 2008, Bank of America will make a matching contribution of one additional point.
Aside from the reward program, cardholders can expect benefits such as fraud protection and online account access. Cardholders may also create a profile on the Brighter Planet website, which can be used to track their impact on the enviroment.
The card has no annual fee and the fixed interest rate for purchases is reasonably low (for those who qualify). There is also a 0% introductory rate that can be applied towards balance transfers and cash advance checks for the first twelve months.
Therefore, those who may occasionally carry a balance, plan to take advantage of the reward program, and would like to support improving the environment will find the Brighter Planet Visa® Credit Card a suitable option.
Review Date: 2/6/2008
Most Attractive Feature(s): No annual fee; reward program; 0% introductory rate.
Least Attractive Feature(s): No extraordinary benefits or discounts offered to cardholders aside from the reward program.
Additional Perks
Various Internet account related services.
Access to Mini Card service.
Fraud protection.
See website for additional benefits.
Important Notations
The fixed APR for purchases and balance transfers varies according to the applicant’s credit history and will be either 9.99% or 15.99%.
**After April 19, 2008, the APR for cash advances will be 24.99%.
See website for complete terms and conditions of card usage and application disclosure.
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