Category: Capital One

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Cards That Earn Bonus Rewards On Every Dollar Spent

There are plenty of options for cards that earn bonus rewards for spending. These are cards that offer you either cash back or points on each purchase you make. Some of the most popular rewards credit cards will give you bonus points or bonus cash back. The Discover It, for example, offers bonus cash back on rotating categories. The idea of rotating categories is that the categories will switch quarterly. You will earn 5% cash back (or 5% points, depending on the card) for that quarter.

Popular categories for the bonus rotating categories include purchases made at gas stations, grocery stores, dining, online shopping, home improvement stores, and department stores. They can be anything that the credit card company chooses and thinks that their customers will enjoy. Typically there is a cap on the spending in the bonus categories. Going back to the Discover It example, it has a $1,500 spending cap for their rotating bonus categories.

Fixed bonus categories would refer to cards that offer bigger bonuses on certain categories all the time. For example, the Barclaycard Rewards MasterCard offers two points per dollar spent on all gas station, grocery store and utility purchases. This is offered year round with no spending cap. With no annual fee, cardholders get great rewards at a fixed rate all year long.

What if I don’t like rotating categories?

If rotating categories are not for you and you would prefer to get great rewards all year long on all purchases, you are in luck. We have put together a great list of options for you. Each of these cards offers greater than 1% cash back on all purchases. Take a look and see if any of them are right for you!

Citi Double Cash

Want to earn cash back—twice? The Citi Double Cash card lets you do just that. Earn 1% cash back on every purchase, plus earn another 1% cash back for every payment that you make. In addition to the great cash back offer, the Citi Double Cash card offers a 0% introductory rate for the first 15 months that you have the card.

After that, the card offers a competitive APR of 12.99-22.99%, based on your creditworthiness. There is no annual fee for the Citi Double Cash card, so you have nothing to lose with this gem. No worries about spending in certain categories, or registering for rotating rewards. You get the same rewards year round, with no spending cap other than your credit limit. There is no limit to the cash back that you can earn with this card.

Capital One Quicksilver Card

Unlimited cash back is the name of the game with the Capital One Quicksilver Card. You will earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make using this card with no limit to the cash back you can earn. There are no specific spending categories or bonus categories to think about. Just use this card for any purchase and get the full reward. Capital One Quicksilver also offers you a $100 cash back reward after you spend $500 in the first three months that you have the card. This is a substantial bonus right off the bat for new cardholders, at 20% cash back!

The cash back rewards are easy and flexible to redeem. You can redeem them at any time for a check, gift card(s), statement credit, or even merchandise. There is no annual fee for this card. You can also enjoy a 0% introductory APR for a limited time on all purchases and balance transfers made using the Capital One Quicksilver card. After the introductory period, the APR will be 12.9-22.9% on purchases and all balance transfers. Another great perk is being able to track your credit score for free so that you can stay on top of any changes right as they occur.

Capital One BuyPower Card

Are you in the market for a new vehicle? The Capital One BuyPower Card might be just the answer. This card offers you 5% cash back rewards on the first $5,000 you spend each year, and 2% on all purchases you make after that. This is a huge reward. You can use the cash back rewards toward the purchase of a new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, or Cadillac.

The earnings never expire, as long as you have the card. You can really rack up a lot of cash back toward your next vehicle with this card. Because there are no rotating categories, you can use this card for any and all purchases, and watch your cash back rewards add up. Also, Capital One BuyPower card offers an introductory 0% APR for the first 12 months that you have the card, for all purchases and balance transfers. When the introductory period ends, you will pay 11.90, 15.90, or 19.90% variable APR, depending on your creditworthiness.

Looking For Travel Rewards?

Rewards cards come in many shapes and forms. Some offer cash back or credit toward a new vehicle, like the cards listed above. Others will offer some pretty tremendous travel rewards for those who really want to maximize their rewards. Travel rewards are some of the best in the credit card world, since you can often get more than $1 for each point or mile earned. Here are a few of the best ones we can find for you.

Barclaycard Arrival Plus

Super value can be found for travelers when they have the Barclaycard Arrival Plus card. You can earn 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days that you have the card. Earn 2 points for every dollar spent on travel purchases or earn one point for every dollar spent on every other purchase. One of the biggest perks of this card is that cardholders get an extra 10% rewards when booking their travel through Barclaycard or anytime they redeem their miles for statement credits.

The Barclaycard Arrival Plus also offers a 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months on purchases and balance transfers. After that, the APR will be either 14.99% or 18.99%, depending on your creditworthiness. There is an $89 annual fee for this card, but that is waived for the first year.

Capital One Venture Rewards Card

Earn travel rewards fast at a rate of 2 points per dollar spent on every purchase you make with the Capital One Venture Rewards Card. Earn an additional 40,000 points when you spend $3,000 in the first three months of having the card. Cardholders will get a 0% introductory APR rate for the first 12 months after approval on purchases and balance transfers, with a 13.9-20.9% APR after that period ends.

The miles that you earn using the Capital One Venture Rewards card can be flexibly redeemed for flights, hotel, rental cars, and other travel benefits. There are no blackout dates or restrictions on airlines if you book through Capital One. If you prefer to book through your travel agent, the Purchase Eraser feature will allow you to redeem your miles and get credit within 90 days of making a travel purchase using your Capital One Venture Rewards card. Track your credit simply, with your credit score being available every month on your statement or through the online access. There is a $59 annual fee, which is waived for the first year.

BankAmericard Travel Rewards Card

With the BankAmericard Travel Rewards Card, you will earn 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases made with the card. There is no limit to the number of points that you can earn. Apply online and earn an additional 10,000 points by spending $500 within the first three months. This adds up to a $100 statement credit when you book any travel rewards.

Conveniently, there are no blackout dates and no restrictions on your travel rewards. There is no annual fee for the BankAmericard Travel Rewards card. Cardholders will enjoy a 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months on purchases and balance transfers when they are approved for the card. After that, an APR of 14.99-22.99% will apply. There are no foreign transaction fees for this card.

Wyndham Rewards Visa

The Wyndham Rewards Visa is a great card for those who love to travel and want to earn free nights at Wyndham hotels and participating partners. Earn 5 points for every dollar spent on participating hotel stays, and earn 2 points for every dollar spent on all other purchases.

You can earn an additional 30,000 points after making your first purchase using the Wyndham Reward Visa card, and another 5,500 bonus points each year. That is enough for a one night stay at any participating hotel. This card has a $69 annual fee, which is not waived for the first year. The APR is 15.24% or 19.99%, depending on your credit history.

Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve

With the Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve card, you will quickly build up plenty of points toward your next vacation at any Hilton hotel or participating partner. You can earn 10 HHonors points for every dollar spent on hotel stays at participating hotels. Or earn 5 HHonors points for other travel purchases, including flights and rental cars. Earn 3 HHonors points on all other purchases made using the card.

Cardholders will enjoy Gold Elite status with HHonors, which will be upgraded to Platinum status if you spend $40,000 in one calendar year. Spend $10,000 per year and earn a free weekend night each year on your anniversary. Earn two free weekend night certificates after spending $2,500 within the first 4 months after being approved for the card. This card has a $95 annual fee. There is a variable 15.24% APR for this card.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are a variety of rewards cards available right now, with more being added frequently. One of them is right for you. Some people prefer rewards cards with straight cash back rewards options, but if you are not a fan of rotating categories and just want to earn tons of points, or you are a frequent traveler (or want to become one), then choosing one of the awesome travel rewards cards that are available will help you quickly earn points toward your next travel adventure!

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Comparing the Capital One Quicksilver and Chase Freedom Rewards Cards

Credit cards that offer rewards programs for card members are a smart way to earn extra cash toward purchases for savvy users. In recent years, the number of credit card rewards programs made available to qualified applicants has grown substantially, making it difficult to weed through the good, the bad and the ugly. For example the Chase Sapphire Preferred & Capital One Venture compare quite differently than marketed. And both the Chase Freedom and the Capital One Quicksilver credit cards are strong contenders for cash back rewards, but they differ greatly in terms of their rewards programs, additional card member benefits and total costs associated with owning the card. Here’s the skinny on each.

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Rewards Program Breakdown

The Chase Freedom credit card offers a rotating bonus cash back schedule, on top of a flat rate rewards program. Under the rotating bonuses tier, card members earn 5% cash back on purchases made within each applicable category for the time frame defined within the cardholder agreement. For the 2016 calendar, Chase Freedom card members earn 5% cash back on purchases made from gas stations and local commuter transportation, not including parking, Amtrak purchases or tolls. The second quarter offers the same cash back bonus on grocery store purchases, not including Walmart or Target stores, while the third quarter includes restaurants. The fourth quarter is typically geared toward holiday shopping with specific retailers and online partners added as the season begins. Card members earn the 5% cash back bonus on up to $1,500 in purchases, each quarter. All other purchases made with the Chase Freedom credit card earn 1% cash back with no limit.

The Capital One Quicksilver card differs from the Chase Freedom option in that it does not offer bonuses on specific spending categories. Instead, the credit card is a flat rate rewards card that offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no limit. The idea behind the Capital One Quicksilver card is focused on simplicity as card members do not need to track spending in certain categories or time purchases to ensure they receive the most benefit from their card.

Card members with Chase Freedom have the potential to earn more on certain purchases than Quicksilver cardholders, but the cap on earnings with Chase makes it difficult to capitalize fully on cash back rewards. Additionally, card members have the activate each bonus cash back category at the beginning of each quarter to ensure they receive the additional rewards points. Capital One Quicksilver card members can redeem rewards in any amount at any time, while Chase Freedom account holders have to accrue $20 worth of rewards before redemption is an option. Both credit cards offer statement credits and cash deposits as options for redeeming rewards, and rewards do not expire. Chase Freedom offers additional ways to redeem rewards, including shopping directly through the Chase mobile app or purchasing gift cards directly through Chase from partner retailers.

Added Card Member Perks Comparison

Currently, new card members can earn $100 cash back bonus if $500 in purchases are made within the first three months after account opening. The Chase Freedom credit card has a $150 one-time bonus with the same spending and time frame parameters. Both cards also provide for authorized users to be added to the accounts, and no annual fee.

Both the Chase Freedom credit card and the Capital One Quicksilver card provide additional benefits and protection to card members through the following comparable features:

  • Purchase protection up to certain limits
  • Extended warranty protection
  • Trip interruption/cancellation insurance
  • Travel accident insurance
  • Rental card damage waiver
  • Lost luggage reimbursement

In addition to these benefits, Chase Freedom also offers price protection and return protection on purchases made with the card, as well as Roadside Assistance Dispatch services. Capital One Quicksilver card members have access to a 24/7 concierge, luxury hotel discounts, sports experiences and other shopping discounts. Capital One stands out in the additional perks category by also offering free access to Credit Tracker which allows card members to access their credit score and changes to their credit profiles any time from the mobile or desktop apps. Chase Freedom does not currently offer credit information directly to card members.

Card Member Costs

Both rewards credit cards are currently offering new card members low introductory interest rates on purchases and balance transfers, although one is a stronger offer than the other. Chase Freedom has a 0% purchase APR for the first 15 months after account opening, after which time the interest rate reverts to a variable rate ranging from 14.24% up to 19.24%. Chase is also offering a balance transfer promotion for new card members that includes a 0% interest rate for the first 15 months after the balance is transferred. The balance transfer rate reverts to the same as the purchases APR after the promotional period expires. Card members should note the balance transfer fee of 5% is applied.

Capital One Quicksilver card members have access to a 0% purchase APR for the first nine months after account opening, after which time the rate reverts to a variable APR that ranges from 13.24% up to 23.24%. Balance transfers are also available through Capital One with a 0% APR for the first nine months. After the promotional period ends for balance transfer made through the Quicksilver card, card members receive a variable rate that is the same as the purchase APR assigned at the time the account was opened. The balance transfer fee for Capital One is 3%.

Neither the Chase Freedom Card nor the Capital One Quicksilver card carries an annual fee. However, Capital One does not impose foreign transaction fees on its card members, while Chase does at a clip of 3% per transaction. The late fee assessed for both cards can be as high as $35, while the fees for returned payments vary.

Final Thoughts

Both the Capital One Quicksilver and the Chase Freedom cards offer strong rewards programs to card members, but the variations may suit some spenders more so than others. For those who spend heavily in bonus categories each quarter, the Chase Freedom credit card is a no brainer. But for account holders who prefer simplicity and a flat rate rewards program, the Capital One Quicksilver card definitely takes the cake. The one-time bonus cash back offers are similar for each card, but those who want to take advantage of a 0% purchase or balance transfer APR may be drawn more toward the Chase option. Without an annual fee and no expiration on earned rewards, both the Chase Freedom and Capital One Quicksilver cards provide cost effective benefits to card members.

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Review of the no annual fee Capital One Venture Card

Finding the right travel rewards credit card fit for your specific needs and spending habits can be a challenge, especially given the onslaught of advertisements flooding the television and online. Capital One is arguably the leader in terms marketing efforts pushed out to the masses, with notable celebrity endorsements and amusing commercial spots. But all the pomp and circumstance surrounding a credit card does not always mean it is the best option for spenders. To help you determine if the Capital One VentureOne credit card is the one for you, we’ve cut through the fluff to bring you the clear upsides and downsides to the card. Here is our review of the no annual fee Capital One VentureOne credit card.

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VentureOne Card Basics

The VentureOne credit card offered by Capital One is a flat-rate travel rewards card. Card members earn 1.25 miles on every dollar spent, regardless of the category of purchase. Each rewards mile through Capital One is worth $0.01, and there is no cap on how many miles can be earned. Also, miles don’t expire, making this an attractive travel card for those who do some heavy spending.

Currently, Capital One is offering a bonus to new card members of the VentureOne card. A one-time 20,000 bonus – or $200 worth of miles – is credited to the card member’s account if at least $1,000 in purchases is made within the first three months after account opening. The combination of miles earned on everyday spending and the initial bonus potential makes the VentureOne card stand out among some of its travel credit card peers.

As a true travel rewards credit card, VentureOne card members are restricted in terms of how miles are redeemed. For now, accumulated miles can only be used as a statement credit toward travel-related purchases. As an example, a card member who purchases airfare on her Capital One VentureOne credit card could use her accumulated 20,000 miles – or $200 – to offset the total cost of her flight. What makes the VentureOne card unique is that there is no need to redeem miles through a dedicated travel site; instead, card members can book their travel how they see fit, directly through the provider or through a partner site. That means no blackout dates and no other pesky restrictions as seen with other travel rewards cards.

Miles cannot be exchanged for cash back or gift cards, nor can a statement credit be applied for anything other than a travel purchase. If you’re seeking out a travel credit card with more flexibility in terms of how miles can be redeemed, the VentureOne card may not be the best choice for you.

Capital One Perks

In addition to the rewards program, Capital One VentureOne card members have a slew of perks at their fingertips. The most notable is the Credit Tracker app, which provides access to the individual’s credit score and activity at no cost. Through Credit Tracker, card members can also gain valuable information regarding what implications changes to their credit profile will have on their score, for better or worse.

Card members also have access to online banking through Capital One, as well as mobile and tablet apps that are helpful for checking balances and payments on the go. In terms of enhanced security, VentureOne card members receive real-time alerts regarding suspicious or fraudulent activity on their account, either through phone, e-mail or text. On top of that, lost or stolen cards are covered by a $0 fraud liability protection program.

One of the unique features of the Capital One VentureOne credit card is the Second Look program, through which Capital One keeps an eye out for duplicate or unusual charges. Should a questionable charge post to the card member’s account, the bank automatically sends an e-mail alerting them to the issue. Capital One also offers Apply Pay for card members who are comfortable using mobile payment applications, as well as personalized payment due dates and various ways to establish payments. Card members have access to 24-hour travel assistance services, auto rental insurance, and travel accident insurance with the VentureOne credit card.

What the Card Costs

Capital One states that the VentureOne credit card is for individuals with excellent credit, typically meaning a credit score of 720 or higher is required for approval. Once approved, the interest rate for purchases starts at 0% and remains there for the first 12 months after accounting opening. Currently there are no promotional APR offers for balance transfers. After the promotional period ends, both purchases and balance transfer rates are based on individual creditworthiness, and will be 12.24%, 17.24% or 22.24%. Cash advance transactions carry a standard APR of 23.24%.

The VentureOne credit card does not assess an annual fee, nor does it carry any foreign transactions fees. From this perspective, the travel rewards card is relatively inexpensive. However, other fees are charged for specific transactions. Card members who initiate a cash advance pay a fee of either $10 or 3% of the amount advanced, whichever is greater. Late payment costs $35, although there are no fees for exceeding the credit limit.

The Final Word

The Capital One VentureOne credit card is a great choice for individuals seeking a travel rewards card that is simple to understand and easy to use. The VentureOne card comes with a flat-rate rewards program, meaning there are no special categories to keep track of over time. Additionally, card members have the ability to redeem rewards through statement credits for travel purchases, without the need to book travel directly through CapitalOne. The introductory APR for purchases, the additional card member perks, no annual fee and potential for bonus miles within the first three months come together to make this a solid travel rewards credit card.

Individuals who want to maximize on a sign-up bonus or who want to earn more miles with purchases may be better off with a different travel credit card. Capital One offers a travel credit card (Venture) that earns higher rewards and provides a sign-up bonus that is double that of the VentureOne card; however, card members who hold the Venture credit card are assessed an annual fee for access to greater rewards.

 

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Card Comparison: Capital One® QuickSilver and Discover It® Cash Cards

Some credit cards can have a range of bonus points that can be used for flights, hotels, gift cards or the classic pay-with-points kitchen blender. Other credit cards give their rewards as cold hard cash. There is a wave of new credit cards that offer this benefit, and this article will compare two of the longest running and most popular cash-back cards: Capital One® QuickSilver and Discover It®.

 Capital One Quicksilver  Discover It

Getting Paid to Pay

Both credit cards have a cash back rewards system. As you spend money using your credit card, a certain percentage of the total spent is added to your cash back rewards balance. Upon your request or if you set up an automatic payment system, you will receive an account credit, a cheque or an electronic deposit for the money you racked up in your cash back account. The huge benefit is that this money is not tied to any certain online store or type of reward. The cash is yours to use however you like; you can buy boring but important groceries at the market, splurge on sweet new shoes online or even pay down your credit card balance with this cash.

The Capital One QuickSilver cash-back rewards system is simple: you receive 1.5% of everything you put on your card back as cash rewards. No matter what you use your card on, you will always receive 1.5% back. The Discover It card has a two-pronged rewards system. On certain, changing, categories, you can receive 5% cash back for purchases that fall within that category up to $1,500. On everything else, you receive 1% cash back.

If you are willing do your homework and track the categories, the Discover It card can reap big rewards with its 5% cash back rewards. The categories change seasonally, and currently, the 5% cash back is rewarded to purchases in restaurants and movies. The upcoming seasons will be home improvement stores and Amazon.com, followed by Amazon.com and more. Anything else will fall under the 1% reward that still provides a nice reward for your purchases. However, if you have no interest in tracking the categories or shifting your spending habits, the Capital One Quicksilver is a solid bet as you will get the slightly higher overall cash back rate.

First Time Perks

Both cards are offering first-time cardholders an appealing cash reward for your business. The Capital One Quicksilver card is currently offering $100 if you spend $500 on your card in the first three months. The Discover It card is offering to double all the cash back rewards you collect in the first 12 months of using the card. The quick math on these rewards shows that big spenders could fare well with the Discover It sign-up bonus, but a guaranteed bonus for smaller spenders (but who can still spend $500 in three months) is on the Quicksilver card. With the Quicksilver card, by putting your regular monthly spending on your credit card will get you $100 cash. However, for Discover It, you would have to spend $2,000 on the right categories at the 5% rewards level to earn $100 that can be doubled with this sign-up bonus. If you’re a big spender and follow the categories, you could earn lots with Discover It. A safer bet is Quicksilver’s $100 sign-up bonus.

The Fine Print: Annual Percentage Rates

As much fun as cash in the bank can be, the rates on your card are important considerations. Both cards offer the very appealing introductory annual percentage rate (APR) of 0%. Discover It offers this nice rate for the first year of your card contract. Capital One QuickSilver, however, only offers 0% until February 2017. After the 0% period, the Discover It APR can range from 11.24% to 23.24% while the Quicksilver APR can range from 13.24% to 23.24%. To compare APRs is difficult to do effectively as it will vary depending on your credit score. However, Discover It has a slight edge in this competition with its extended 0% APR period and a lower bottom end of the APR range.

Wondering how your credit score is doing? Discover It also provides a nice addition of your FICO® credit score on your account statement and online.

Annual Fees & Balance Transfers

Both cards tie when it comes to the annual fee to use the card: $0. The card pays you to use it, but you don’t have it pay for it, which seems to be a very nice arrangement.

Both cards also tie on a 3% balance transfer fee. If you are transferring a balance to your new card, remember that Discover It offers a longer 0% interest period than Quicksilver. The 0% APR applies to transferred balances, but Quicksilver’s ends in February 2017, but Discover It’s lasts for the first 12 months.

Travel, Card Recovery, and Other Benefits

Capital One Quicksilver comes with Visa Signature® benefits which include travel upgrades and savings, discounts at certain stores both online and offline, and other perks. If your card is lost or stolen, Discover It will overnight you a new one anywhere in the United States. Quicksilver does not provide a timeline other than “quick”, but they do provide the service worldwide. Neither card charges foreign transaction fees, and both include fraudulent activity protection.

This range of benefits is quite wide and someone difficult to compare, but Capital One Quicksilver comes out on top as there’s no equivalent for the Visa Signature benefits on the Discover It card.

Conclusion

 Both the Capital One Quicksilver and the Discover It cards are good options for a cash back card. Overall, the winner depends on what kind of cardholder you are. If you are a keen cardholder who tracks the big percentage categories or if you are someone who will keep a balance on their card for some time, Discover It is the card for you because the categories can provide big cash back rewards and the extended 0% APR period is a relief for a new or transferred balance. If you have no interest in tracking which categories are which season, if you’re not a big spender and you won’t carry a balance on your card, Capital One Quicksilver is a great pick as it provides a consistent 1.5% cash back with a $100 sign up bonus, but its 0% APR period is not as long. Either way, these cards will start paying you once you start paying with them.

 

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Review of the Capitol One Quicksilver Card

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Capitol One Quicksilver Card Review

 

Picture yourself at the movie theatre, about to score some buttery popcorn and a bright blue slushie. You pull out your credit card and swipe it at the register, ready to earn those sweet, sweet, cash back rewards…but they never appear on your statement. Little did you know that the reward category was movie theatres LAST month – this month it’s coffee shops. So what’s the point of a rewards card if you never know what qualifies? Enter the Capitol One Quicksilver card.

Capitol One’s Quicksilver card stands out because of its lack of categories, opt-ins, or other gimmicks that keep you from earning the promised rewards. With the Quicksilver card you will earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases, and there is no limit to how much you can earn.

 

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Below we’ve broken down the pros, cons, and mehs of the Capitol One Quicksilver card and outlined who the ideal cardholder might be. With flexible cash back rewards, sign-on bonuses, and no annual fees, this card should definitely be a contender in your search for the next best credit card.

 

The Basics

Right now, Capitol One is offering 0% APR on all purchases and balance transfers through your first billing cycle of 2017, and a $100 bonus for new cardholders who spend $500 in the first 3 months with their Quicksilver card. These sign-on bonuses are great for applicants, but there are several cards that offer an introductory 0% APR for 2x or 3x as long as the Quicksilver card, so don’t let these deals be your sole deciding factor.

After this introductory period, purchase interest will be 13.24%, 18.24%, or 23.24% variable APR depending on your overall credit score and history. Balance transfers are subject to 23.24% APR, with a disclaimer that these rates are subject to change with the market. The Quicksilver card charges the industry standard of a 3% fee on all balance transfers. To put it simply, there are much better options out there if you are looking to transfer an existing balance to a new card.

This card has no annual fee, and for those who travel – for work or for pleasure – the Quicksilver card does not charge any additional fees on foreign purchases. You can use your card wherever Visa is accepted without being penalized for your wanderlust.

 

Earn Every Time You Pay

If cash back is your game, this might just be the card for you. While 1.5% is certainly not the pinnacle of cash back rewards, this rebate is earned on every single purchase made with your Quicksilver card, not just those at obscure retailers. No need to worry about signing up for featured categories each quarter, and your rewards will never expire – just spend and earn.

Like most cash back rewards cards, you can redeem your earnings as a check, a statement credit, gift cards from featured retailers, or even a charitable donation. You can cash in at anytime for any amount, so you won’t have to wait to hit an arbitrary benchmark before you splurge.

 

What to Expect from Your Credit Score

There is no officially recognized credit score required for the Quicksilver card, but Capitol One recommends this card for those with “Excellent Credit.” Capitol One suggests this somewhat vague category includes individuals who have had a credit card in good standing for over 3 years, with no late payments in the past year. There are several other factors that will determine whether you qualify for this card or not, but this definition provides a basic guideline for deciding if it is worth the time and hard inquiry for you to apply.

Capitol One does offer an alternative for consumers with “Average Credit” called Quicksilver One, which offers the same cash back rewards but with a $39 annual fee, no sign-on bonus, and higher interest rates for purchases and balance transfers.

 

Who Should Apply

For the average consumer with good credit, this card is an easy, hassle-free way to rack up rewards, especially if you are in the habit of using your credit card for daily purchases and paying off your statement each month. If you are looking for a credit card to fund a large purchase, or if you qualify for exclusive cards for being a student or through your employer, it may be in your best interest to compare competitor interest rates and rewards before jumping straight into the Capitol One Quicksilver card.

 

Your Credit Card On-the-Go

In addition to Quicksilver card’s own features, Capitol One also offers one of the most user-friendly credit card apps on the market. Available for both Apple and Android, the Capitol One Wallet lets you activate convenient push notifications for credit card purchases, sync your account information with Apple Pay, save photos of your receipts with each transaction, and electronically store your gift cards for retailers such as Gap, Kohl’s, and Toys R Us (your phone’s GPS will even alert you when you have a gift card for a nearby store!)

Unfortunately, a separate Capitol One app is needed if you wish to make payments to your account through your mobile device, and the Wallet app does not provide any way to categorize past purchases. With the popularity of budgeting apps like Mint it would not surprise us if a categorization feature comes along in a future update, but the lack of integrated bill pay at this point is decidedly inconvenient.

 

The Final Verdict

The Capitol One Quicksilver card is a strong contender, but its cash back rewards and interest rates are comparable to many other cards on the market. However, the lack of annual fee does score a point for this card, and the sign-on bonuses, while not out-of-this-world amazing, are definitely a plus for any new cardholder. At the end of the day, this card is best suited for consumers who want to filter day-to-day purchases through a credit card to earn some extra cash back, rather than those who are looking to maximize their savings with a more elaborate rewards program or sign-on bonuses.

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A Comparison of the Top 3 Fixed Value Travel Rewards Cards

Travel credit cards offer some of the best rewards in the business. Usually you can earn tons of points, and, in some cases, these points can be redeemed for travel rewards worth more than $1 per point. Let’s take a closer look at the top three fixed value travel reward cards that you can choose from right now.

 

BankAmericard Travel Rewards

The BankAmericard Travel rewards card has great earning potential and very nice bonus opportunities. There is no annual fee for this card. You will earn 1.5 point for every dollar spent, with no limit to the amount of miles that you can earn.  They offer a 10,000 point bonus to new cardholders after spending $500 in the first three months that you have the card, if you apply online; this corresponds to a $100 statement credit! There is a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers and purchases for the first 12 months. After the introductory period, the APR will range from 14.99-22.99%, depending on your credit. There are no foreign transaction fees.

Redeeming your points earned using the BankAmericard Travel Rewards card is simple. There are no blackout dates, and no restrictions. BankAmerica checking and savings customers will receive a bonus of 10% of their annual points each year, based on their total spending for the year. Chip technology makes this card very safe to use, and helps reduce fraud and unauthorized transactions.

 

Barclaycard Arrival Plus

The Barclaycard Arrival Plus is one of the most popular travel rewards cards, and it is not hard to see why. Cardholders pay an $89 annual fee, which is waived for the first year. You will earn double miles on all purchases, with no limit to the miles you can earn. New cardholders will receive a bonus of 40,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months. This is the equivalent of a $400 travel credit! Barclaycard Arrival Plus offers a 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months for purchases and balance transfers, with an APR of 14.99-18.99% at the end of that period.

Booking your travel is simple with the Barclaycard Arrival Plus. There are no blackout dates or restrictions that apply. For each travel booking, you earn 10% bonus miles, based on the travel spending, making each mile you redeem worth even more. The card is EMV chip enabled, giving you confidence that fraud is unlikely and your personal information is safe. There are also no foreign transaction fees.

Apply Now: Barclaycard Arrival PlusTM World Elite MasterCard®

For those who do not want to pay an annual fee, there is another version of the Barclaycard Arrival that offers no annual fee with smaller, yet still substantial travel rewards available. Link: Barclaycard ArrivalTM World MasterCard®

 

 

Capital One Venture

Capital One has an excellent option for those who love to travel. The Capital One Venture Rewards card offers two points for every dollar spent on all purchases. Earn an additional 40,000 bonus points by spending $3,000 in the first three months you have the card. There is no limit to the number of points that you can earn. There is no annual fee for the first year, after that you will pay an annual fee of $59. There is no introductory APR rate, the APR is 13.9-20.9%, depending on your credit.

Redeem your Capital One Venture rewards with the No Hassle guarantee for flights, hotels, rental cars, gift cards and more, with no blackout dates or restrictions. Capital One will help you book your travel, or you can use the Purchase Eraser to pay for the cost of booking the travel through an agent. There are no foreign transaction fees to use this card abroad and it comes with smart chip technology. Capital One offers free credit tracking for customers, too, making it easy to stay on top of your credit score.

For those who wish to earn travel rewards without having to pay any annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card has no annual fee, offers 1.25 points for every dollar spent, and a bonus of 20,000 points for spending only $1,000 in the first three months.

 

Conclusion

Each of these travel rewards credit cards has something great to offer. If you’re looking for the most rewards possible, the Barclaycard Arrival Plus stands out from the crowd. It offers the highest fixed travel rewards rate in the industry right now, and the flexible process to redeem the points (as well as additional bonuses available when you redeem for travel rewards) makes this our first choice. Take a look for yourself to compare the options, and see if you agree!

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Capital One BuyPower Credit Card Review

For Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac loyalists, your card has arrived! With the Capital One BuyPower credit card, you can earn tons of points that can go toward the purchase of your next vehicle. Use this card over the course of a year or two and you will find that you can build up a great rewards account that will seriously bring down the price of your next car!

 

 

The Benefits

Solid Points Earning Potential

You will earn 5% points on all purchases for the first $5,000 you spend, and 2% after that. This can add up quickly, as you will have 25,000 points after the first $5,000. There is no cap on the points that you can earn, and they never expire. So feel free to use this card consistently if you know that you will be sticking with one of these brands for your next new car.

No Annual Fee

The Capital One BuyPower credit card has no annual fee, so you can accumulate tons of points toward your next car without ever having to pay an annual fee.

0% Intro APR 

Cardholders will enjoy a 0% intro APR for the first 12 months that they have the card. After that, the APR will be between 11.90%-19.90%, depending on your credit history and the current prime rate.

No Balance Transfer Fees

The Capital One BuyPower credit card has no balance transfer fees. This is great for someone who wants to take advantage of the introductory 0% APR, but, since you won’t be earning any points if you are not spending, then you might want to move your balance transfers to another card if you are trying to build up points toward your next vehicle.

Redemption Options

You have several options when it comes to redeeming your points from the Capital One BuyPower credit card. When you are ready to make a purchase of your next Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac, you will select your model and negotiate a price with the dealer. You can then apply your points in several ways:

  • Apply points to the overall purchase price
  • Use points for a down payment
  • Apply points to upgrades and extras

Often, when you combine the extra deals with any current incentives being offered, you can really get terrific pricing or great add-ons.

Capital One Extras

As a Capital One cardholder, you will be eligible for many great perks, including extended warranties, excellent travel insurance coverage, trip cancellation insurance, identity theft and fraud protection, concierge service and more.

The Nitty Gritty

The Capital One BuyPower credit card has no annual fee. There is a 0% introductory APR that lasts for the first 12 months. After that, you will pay 11.90-19.90% in interest rates. Balance transfer fees are $0. Cash advance fees are 3%. There are no foreign transaction fees. Earn 5% points on the first $5,000 you spend, and 2% on every dollar spent after that. There is a late payment fee of up to $35.

Conclusion

While this card may be great for Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac lovers, there are definitely other cards out there that offer similar, if not better cash back options. You could always use that cash back toward a new vehicle. Consider your options, and you may decide to not limit yourself to being only able to redeem your points toward a new vehicle.

Capital One is always a great company for a credit card, and they do have plenty of other options. The Discover it® is another popular choice for those looking for a flexible cash back rewards credit card.

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Card Comparison: Chase Freedom vs. Capital One Quicksilver

It’s time for yet another credit card comparison!  Up today are the Chase Freedom® and Capital One Quicksilver credit cards.  Each offer up cash back to card holders, but have their differences in bonus cash back execution.  Which one is superior?  Let’s check it out below, and see which one reigns supreme!

 

Here are links to full reviews of these cards:

Chase Freedom Credit Card Review

Capital One Quicksilver Review

Apply Now: Chase Freedom®

 

Sign-Up Bonus

The sign up bonus is a very important factor for anyone signing up for a credit card. For the Capital One Quicksilver Credit card, you’ll see yourself netting $100 for spending $500 in three months.  The winner here is clear, the Chase Freedom® credit card.

 

Bonus Spending

With the Capital One Quicksilver credit card, you’ll net one and a half percent back on every purchase that you make on the card.  There are no categories or rotating calendars to remember.  The Chase Freedom card gives you 1% cash back on every dollar spent, as well as 5% cash back in a rotating group of categories (Restaurants and Lowe’s for April-June, Gas Stations and Kohl’s for July-September, and Amazon/Zappos/Department stores for the rest of the year).  The winner here, in my opinion, is the Quicksilver credit card, since you don’t have to remember any pesky categories!

 

Other Benefits

With your 15 months of 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers (then a variable APR of 13.99%-22.99%) and cash back rewards, you can’t go wrong with the Chase Freedom card.  Furthermore, you’ll have access to the Ultimate Rewards travel network if you have another credit card that earns Ultimate Rewards points with Chase.  This is huge, as it gives you the versatility to really expand on your rewards.

For the Quicksilver credit card, it offers 0% APR until March 2015.  Afterwards, it’ll be 12.9%-22.9%.  It also has no foreign transaction fees, and is a Visa Signature card, with purchase protection and travel benefits.  So, I would say that it depends on what your life is like for the winner between these cards.  If you value travel, and have another Chase card, the Freedom card wins in my book.  But, if you like travelling abroad, you could see the Quicksilver card winning this round.

 

Conclusion

So, who is the winner here?  It’s hard to say.  I think that the 5% benefits puts the Chase Freedom card ahead of the Quicksilver credit card.  But, I still am a firm believer in higher return for regular spending, not in specific categories.  So, if you see yourself spending a lot on these cards, I would edge yourself towards the Quicksilver credit card.  Ultimately, it’s up to you to analyze your spending and see which card is the best for you and your family.  Which one did you choose? Or, did you choose both?  Let us know below in the comments!

Apply Now: Chase Freedom®

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Card Comparison: Capital One Venture vs. Discover it

There are many great credit cards out there.  The Discover it® credit card is an awesome one because of its large cash back rotating categories and its no annual fee.  Another card, the Capital One Venture, is an excellent one as well, and is advertised often in multiple venues.  But, how do they compare?  Let’s check them out below and see how the benefits of each stack up!

Apply Now: Discover it® 

 

Annual Fee

One major category of benefits that is important to cardmembers is the annual fee for opening the credit card.  There is good news in this category for one of the cards: there is no annual fee for the Discover It credit card.  So, any benefits you earn could potentially be “free” if you manage your expenses well and not pay interest on a revolving balance each month.  However, the Capital One Venture credit card features a $59 annual fee, which is waived for the first year.  Advantage: Discover It.

 

Introductory APR

An introductory APR is important for some, since opening up a new credit line may be for a new, large purchase that will take time to pay off.  With an intro APR, you have interest-free lending for a specific amount of time.  For the Capital One Venture credit card, you’ll have 13.9-20.9% APR, depending on your credit history.  For the Discover It credit card, the period is 14 months of 0% APR, with an APR of 10.99 and 22.99 percent after that.  Advantage: Discover It.

 

Sign-Up Bonus

Another big draw for customers, the sign-up bonus is that beautiful mannequin in the window to draw you in.  For the Capital One card, you’ll earn $200 cash back with $2,000 in spending over three months.  For the Discover It credit card, there actually is no sign up bonus!  Advantage: Capital One Venture.

 

Bonus Categories

These two credit cards each feature unique ways of giving you cash back, either they offer “bonus categories” that rotate four times a year, or straight 2% back on every purchase.  The Discover It card offers 5% cash back for each category, up to $1,500 cash back.  At the time of writing, the Discover It card has ‘Home Improvement’ as a category for the second quarter, which includes any store in that category, as well as Bed Bath and Beyond.

The next quarter will be gas stations, and the final quarter ‘holiday shopping.’  In addition, the Discover It card has an online shopping mall offering 5%-20% cash back for purchase.  The Capital One card offers 2% back, but on every purchase you make.  Winner: I would say it depends on your spending preferences– if a lot of your purchases fall in the Discover It bonus categories, that’s the clear winner.

 

Regular Spend 

You will also receive bonus points for regular spend.  The Discover It card offers you one point per dollar of regular spending, but the Capital One card offers 2% back on every purchase.  Advantage:  Capital One.

 

Redemptions

One thing to note is that for the Capital One Venture card, if you redeem for cash back, you won’t get the full value of your points (only a 1% cash back rate).  Thus, the Venture is the winner for travel rewards and the Discover it wins in the cash back category.

 

Other Benefits

The Capital One card offers no foreign transaction fees, and easy redemption for travel with your cash back.  However, the Discover It card offers free FICO scores every month, and no foreign transaction fees, which are valuable benefits in my book.  I would say that this is a tie.

 

Verdict

With no annual fee, the Discover it® credit card is certainly a valid contender.  However, the $59 annual fee Capital One card offers two points back on every purchase you make on the card, allowing you to most likely rack up benefits quicker with this card. That said, it really depends on how you plan to redeem your points. If you’re looking strictly for cash back rewards, the Discover it® is your best bet.

Apply Now: Discover it® 

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The Best Credit Cards for Those With Fair or Average Credit

You don’t have to have a perfect credit score to get a credit card, there are certainly options for those with less than stellar scores, or scored in the “fair range.” Here are a few examples of credit cards that we have found that offer customers the option for credit while their scores are still in the “fair” range.

Barclaycard Rewards MasterCard

This card is targeted toward those with fair to average credit scores. With no annual fees and plenty of great perks—including cash back rewards—this card is certainly a front runner when it comes to a middle range credit card. You can earn one point per dollar spent, with two points earned for every dollar spent on gas, groceries and utilities. The points that you earn can be redeemed for flights, dining, hotels and more. Enjoy no cash back limits, and no blackout dates when you are ready to redeem your points.

Link to Apply : Barclaycard® Rewards MasterCard® – Average Credit

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

This card offers a fantastic 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no spending limit. When you figure in the fact that there is no annual fee, as well, this card can offer those with average credit a great deal. Accumulating a nice little cash back account is not going to be difficult at this rate! The Capital One Quicksilver Rewards Credit Card offers an introductory special of 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers until December 2014.

Discover It for Students

Students often need a special break when it comes to credit cards, and this is something Discover is recognizing. With the Discover It card, card holders pay no annual fee and can earn 1% cash back on every dollar spent, with bonus categories earning 5% per quarter on a rotating basis. There is no penalty for late payments, and you get your FICO score reported on every monthly statement. This is something that can be especially helpful to those trying to improve their credit scores.

Link to Apply: Discover it® for Students

Credit One Bank Credit Card 

Although this card has a somewhat higher annual fee that ranges from $35-99, it does offer some unique advantages that are not as commonly found on other credit card programs. You will earn 1% for every dollar spent on gas, which can certainly add up over the course of a few months, with gas prices so high! The APR for this card ranges from 17.9-23.9%, depending on your credit worthiness.

Which One is Best?

The Barclaycard Rewards MasterCard is clearly a front runner in this race, offering no annual fee and great rewards. When you factor in the savings of no fees and bonus rewards, the competition barely stands a chance. Each of the others listed certainly has advantages that should be considered, from higher cash back percentages to rotating bonus categories.

When it comes to choosing a credit card that is available to those with average or fair credit, the choices may be limited, but the benefits can still be extensive.