Posted on

Barclaycard Announces New AAdvantage Aviator Cards

chase unlimited

As the US Airways and American Airlines merger becomes more of a reality, many customers are wondering what will happen to their miles, whether a new frequent flyer program will arise from the merger or how it might change. The details are not yet finalized, and the timing is not completely pinpointed, but there are certainly some new developments to announce, particularly with some co-branded cards to be offered by Citibank.

For now, Barclays still has these accounts, and will keep them until the merger occurs. This is the reason why Barclaycard is marketing tough these days, trying to gain as many new cardholders while they still can offer great bonuses. Let’s take a look at the new AAdvantage Aviator cards you can still get.

Barclays Introduces AAdvantage Aviator Silver Card

Available in two different versions, the AAdvantage Aviator Silver Card offers some great rewards. Until the merger, Barclays cannot accept new applications for American Airlines cobranded cards, so they are offering the AAdvantage Aviator Silver Card to existing cardholders as an upgrade. The Premium version of the card has an $89 annual fee.

You earn 40,000 bonus points after your first purchase. You will get a free checked bag for yourself and up to four travel companions when you fly US Airways. Earn one companion certificate for up to two companions for $99 each, on a US Airways flight. Get Priority 2 boarding on US Airways. Earn two miles for every dollar spent on US Airways, and American Airlines, and one mile for every dollar spent on any other purchases. Get 25% off of all in-flight purchases on US Airways and American Airlines. There is a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on balance transfers and purchases, the APR will be 15.99-19.99% after that.

The second version of the card, the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Mastercard, comes with an annual fee of $195, which is waived for the first year. You can earn 3 miles for every dollar spent on US Airways and American Airlines purchases, 2 miles for every dollar spent on hotels and car rentals, and one mile for every dollar spent on the rest of your purchases.

You can earn elite mileage in the form of EQM, earning 5,000 for each $20,000 you spend annually, with a maximum of 10,000 EQMs earned per year. You will get your first bag checked, for yourself and up to 8 travel companions.  You will be refunded 10% of your redeemed miles each year, up to 10,000 miles (this can basically cover the cost of the annual fee). You will earn a companion certificate good for two guests at $99 each, for a US Airways flight. Get priority boarding, in-flight discounts and more. There are no foreign transaction fees, and the card comes with chip technology for increased security.

US Airways Mastercard to Become AAdvantage Aviator Red

The AAdvantage Aviator Red card will be the replacement for the US Airways Mastercard holders once the merger becomes official in 2015. The card has an annual fee of $89. You earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on US Airways and American Airlines purchases, and one mile for every dollar spent on other purchases. Get your first bag checked free, for yourself and 4 travel companions.

Get priority boarding for your travel party. You will also get a refund of 10%  of the miles you redeem on US Airways and American Airlines, up to 10,000 miles per year. Earn $100 flight discount when you spend $30,000 per year. Cardholders get a 25% discount on in-flight purchases. The card has chip technology to protect your personal information.

Act Now for Great Deals!

Because you won’t be able to apply once the merger between US Airways and American Airlines formally takes place, you want to take advantage of these deals from Barclays now if you are interested.  If you received an invitation to upgrade to the AAdvantage Aviator Silver card, you will only have until December 1, 2014 to apply. Beginning in January, accounts will be converted. The bonuses for the AAdvantage Silver card are significant, and you should take advantage of them now.

Conclusion

There are some significant benefits to consider for each of these cards, and if you are interested, then you should not wait to apply. There will still be great options after the US Airways and American Airlines merger, but you never know exactly what will be offered. If you are a frequent flyer on US Airways or American, then now is the time!

Posted on

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!

Posted on

The Chase Freedom Quarter 4 Spending Bonuses, 2014

Chase has announced its Quarter 4 spending bonuses for the Chase Freedom card. When you shop in these categories, you will earn 5% cash back on all of your purchases, up to a total of $1,500 in spending. This adds up to a bonus of up to $75, right in your pocket!

For the final quarter of 2014, beginning October 1 and running until December 31, 2014, you will earn the 5% bonus in the following categories: amazon.com, zappos.com and select department stores. Some of the department stores included are JC Penney, Kohl’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom and Sears. There are plenty more on the list, these are just the most popular choices. Get a head start on your holiday shopping and get your 5% cash back bonus.

Activate to Receive the 5% Bonus

You do have to activate in order to be able to earn the 5% cash back, but you have until December 14, 2014 to activate your account and be able to earn the bonus. You will earn the bonus retroactively to October 1, 2014 if you activate in time.

Unlimited Cash Back Bonuses on Purchases

With the Chase Freedom, you not only earn 5% cash back on the bonus categories, but you earn a steady 1% on all purchases in any category, year round. There is no spending limit, so take advantage of the bonus and let the cash back rewards add up! One of the greatest things about the Chase Freedom cash back rewards is that they never expire—but, why would you let them sit when there are so many great ways and great reasons to redeem them?

0% Introductory APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers

For the first 15 months after you are approved for the Chase Freedom card, you will enjoy a 0% APR on all purchases that you make using the card. You will also enjoy the same 0% APR on all balance transfers, making the Chase Freedom a great choice for paying off higher interest rate credit cards and getting caught up. After the initial 0% APR rate ends, you will pay 13.99-22.99%, depending on your credit history.

No Annual Fee!

One of the most attractive perks of the Chase Freedom credit card is that you will pay no annual fee, ever. You will enjoy all of the great perks, at no cost to you, all year long.

Bonus Cash Back After First Three Months!

Right now, new Chase Freedom card holders will get a $100 cash back bonus after spending only $500 during the first three months that they have the card. You can earn another $25 bonus for each authorized user that you add to the account during the first three months.

Conclusion

The Chase Freedom credit card is certainly a contender when it comes to cash back credit cards. With no annual fee, cash back rewards with bonus categories, and a great 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers, this is one card you should take a closer look at!

Related posts:

Chase Freedom Review

Chase Freedom vs. Discover it

Posted on

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.

Posted on

Card Comparison: The Discover it and the Discover it Chrome

Discover it offers two different options for you—the regular Discover it and the Discover it Chrome. Let’s take a look at the similarities and differences so that you can decide if one or the other is better for you. Each of these cards currently offers two separate ways to enjoy the benefits, so, hopefully we can clarify how you can make the best choice for you!
 

 

Discover it

The Discover it is growing in popularity, and certainly offers many benefits. Currently, there are two Discover it options available (not including the Student card offers). Let’s break down the two Discover it offers first.

The difference between the two offers

Discover it®

  • 0% intro APR on purchases & balance transfers for 14 months–then a variable purchase APR applies, currently 10.99% – 22.99%. A 3% fee applies to each transferred balance.

Discover it® – 18 Month Balance Transfer

  • 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months–then a variable purchase APR applies, currently 10.99% – 22.99%. A 3% fee applies to each transferred balance.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months. Then the variable purchase APR applies, currently 10.99% – 22.99%.

The similarities

No Annual Fees

Both Discover it options have no annual fee, so you can enjoy all of the perks and benefits without having to pay a dime!

Avoid Other Fees

There are also no late fees for your first late payment, your APR won’t increase if you pay late, and there’s no foreign transaction fee or overlimit fee. Gotta love it!

Big Rotating Rewards

You’ll receive 5% cash back on quarterly rotating categories throughout the year (up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter) and 1% cash back on all other purchases. From July through September 2014, receive 5% cash back at gas stations.

 

Discover it Chrome

The Discover it Chrome offers two options as well. Discover likes to keep things interesting! Let’s examine the differences and similarities.

The differences between the two offers

Discover it® chrome

  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 14 months-then a variable purchase APR applies, currently 10.99% – 22.99%.A 3% fee applies to each transferred balance.

Discover it® chrome

  • 0% Intro APR* on balance transfers for 18 months. Then the variable purchase APR applies, currently 10.99% – 22.99%. A fee of 3% applies for each balance transferred.
  • 0% Intro APR* on purchases for 6 months. Then the variable purchase APR applies, currently 10.99% – 22.99%.

The similarities

No Annual Fees

Discover it Chrome offers all of the advantages, with no annual fees. This makes it a terrific everyday credit card with tons of perks!

Avoid Other Fees

With the Chrome, there are also no late fees for your first late payment, and there’s no foreign transaction fee or overlimit fee.

Rewards that Stick

Receive 2% cash back on gas station and restaurant purchases, up to $1,000 each quarter. You’ll earn 1% on all other purchases.

 

Different Options for Earning Points

With the regular Discover it options, you will earn one point per dollar spent for all purchases, with rotating categories that offer 5% earnings. With the Discover it Chrome, you will earn a flat rate of 2 points per dollar spent on gas stations and dining, and one point per dollar elsewhere, with no rotating bonus categories. The major difference is that the Chrome, points rates are consistent and permanent, while the basic Discover it has a flat rate with rotating bonus categories. Consider which card might earn you more points!

While it might be difficult for you to choose between the various options, there are a few factors to think about that could affect your decision. First, review the options for the 5% bonus categories and see if these are major spending categories for you. Consider how much spending you do in the dining and gas categories, and this may help you decide between the Discover it and the Discover it Chrome versions.

When it comes to evaluating the APR options offered by each (the regular it and the Chrome it) then you need to think about whether or not you will be transferring balances or if you would benefit more from no interest on purchases.

 

Classic Discover Perks

All of the Discover it options offer access to the ShopDiscover online portal, where you can find discounted merchandise—from 5-20% off regular prices! Not only will you get great discounts, you will earn additional rewards points.

As with all Discover products, you will have your free FICO score printed at the top of every statement. Discover believes in helping people be financially responsible, and keeping tabs on your credit score is an important part of this.

You will also have human customer support available, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Any problems or issues you run into will be handled promptly and professionally.

Full fraud protection is available with both of these offers. Discover is consistently protecting their customers from any liability related to fraudulent transactions.

 

How to Choose?

Choosing Discover it is the easy part. Choosing which offer is going to suit your needs best may take a little more thought. For those looking for a great way to save interest on balances from other cards, both the Discover it and the Chrome offer an 18-month introductory period of 0% APR. This gives you a full year and a half to pay off your balances from other cards. Remember that balance transfers do not qualify for cash back earnings. But, you can certainly save a bundle on interest by transferring balances from higher-interest credit cards.

For those who are looking to save interest on purchases, the other options which offer a 0% introductory period on purchases may suit you best. But, if you are the type of person who pays off their credit card in full each month, you will never pay interest anyway.

When it comes to rewards earnings, we think the Discover it comes out ahead, with its higher potential earnings with 5% rotating categories and a higher cap of $1,500 instead of $1,000 with the Chrome. But if rotating categories aren’t your style, then by all means, go with the Chrome! It’s still an excellent offer.

Considering all of the shared benefits between both Discover it and Discover it Chrome offers, you really can’t go wrong! It all depends on your personal goals and your rewards earning style.

Posted on

The Best Credit Cards for Restaurant Dining

Love dining out? Then maybe getting a credit card that helps you specifically earn points for dining is a great idea for you. There are several cards out there that are aimed toward those who just love being in restaurants—whether you prefer sitting on a nice outdoor deck during the warm summer months, or cozying up in your favorite Italian restaurant with a fireplace during the freezing winter months.

Enjoy year round dining perks with these cards. Surveys show that dining out is one of the most common leisure activities for people, so it makes sense that there would be plenty of credit cards dedicated to this.

Let’s take a look at some of the best restaurant credit cards and see what you have to choose from!

Chase Sapphire Preferred 

After you spend $3,000 in the first three months, you get a huge bonus of 40,000 points. Add an authorized user and ear another 5,000 points! With no annual fee for the first year this card is very attractive.

Although the annual fee does go up to $95 after the first year, you do earn two points per dollar spent on dining and travel purchases, and one point on every dollar for other purchases. Points can be easily redeemed for many different options, including travel, cash back, merchandise and gift cards.

Apply Now: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Citi Thank You Preferred 

Those who sign up for the Citi Thank You Preferred credit card will enjoy 20,000 bonus points after they spend only $1,500 in the first three months. This translates into several nice restaurant meals for those who love dining out! This card also has no annual fee and a 0% introductory APR for the first year.

Earn one point for every dollar spent on purchases, and earn double points on all dining purchases and entertainment purchases. After the introductory period ends, you will have an APR between 12.99-22.99%, depending on your credit. Tons of redemption options and no expiration of points make this card a great choice, especially for those who tend to spend a lot on dining out!

Discover it 

This card is a definite favorite—with no annual fee, one point earned for every dollar spent, and rotating bonus categories that allow you to earn 5% cash back, it’s hard to turn away.

Discover is also heavily committed to ensuring that their customers are responsible with their credit, and provide a FICO score every month on the statement. Introductory APR of 0% for 14 months on purchases and balance transfers should seal the deal, but decide for yourself!

Apply Now: Discover it®

Citi Thank You Preferred for College Students

Another great card with no annual fee, this one offers students the chance to earn 2,500 bonus points after spending only $500 on purchases during their first three months. With a 0% introductory APR for the first 7 months, cardholders can enjoy paying no interest for a while.

After the introductory period, cardholders pay 13.99-23.99%.  Earn one point for every dollar spent on purchases, but two points for every dollar spent on dining and entertainment! Build up points quickly with this card!

Chase Freedom

The Chase Freedom is definitely a good option when it comes to dining perks. With no annual fee, and a great introductory bonus of $100 when you spend $500 during the first three months on any purchases, you can certainly enjoy a nice meal out—for free! Add an authorized user during that same period and get another $25 bucks.

The Chase Freedom gives you one point for every dollar spent, with rotating categories on a quarterly basis (often including restaurants!) which earn you 5% cash back. With an introductory APR of 0% for the first 15 months, and a reasonable (if you have a good credit score) 13.99-22.99% APR after that, this card is certainly a solid option.

Conclusion

Each of these cards has something great to offer. Is there one that stands out to you as the best? We like them all, and suggest that you do your own comparison to see what works best for your unique situation! Get your dining perks and rewards—basically, have your cake and eat it too, literally!

Posted on

Introducing the Discover it Chrome Card

The latest offering from Discover, the Discover it® chrome credit card actually has two different offers available to applicants. Both are great offers and very attractive to just about anyone. Let’s take a look at what the Discover it Chrome has to offer and you can decide for yourself which offer you like best!

Apply Now:

 

The Benefits

Annual Fees?  Nope!

The Discover it® chrome  has no annual fee, ever. This makes the Discover it card, in all of its forms and various offers, pretty nice for anyone looking for a great everyday credit card. When you learn about all of the perks that you get for free, you will be impressed!

Two Great Offers to Choose From!

The Discover it Chrome credit card currently has two different offers to choose from, both offering a great introductory APR. The first offer allows you to enjoy a 0% APR for the first 14 months that you have the Discover it Chrome card, on all purchases and balance transfers. After that, you will pay 10.99-22.99% APR, depending on the prime rate and your credit history.

The second offer gives you 6 months of 0% introductory APR on purchases, with an APR of 10.99-22.99% after that period expires. For balance transfers, there is a 0% introductory APR period that lasts for a full 18 months, if you make the balance transfer prior to September 10, 2014. After the introductory rate expires, you pay 10.99-22.99% APR.

Both offers have a 3% balance transfer fee.

Great Options for Earning Cash Back

For both of the current Discover it Chrome offers, you will earn 1% cash back on all purchases. There are bonus categories of gas stations and restaurants—which you will earn 2% cash back for every purchase, for up to $1,000 in quarterly purchases.

Great Options for Redemption

With the Discover it® chrome , you have many options for redeeming your cash back rewards. Get a check mailed to you, get a statement credit, use the cash back at Amazon for online purchases, or use the online shopping portal, ShopDiscover.com, to find some amazing deals that will really maximize your ability to redeem your cash back—with a 5-20% bonus rate!

Track Your Credit Score

Like the other great Discover products, the Discover it Chrome offers cardholders the opportunity to keep careful track of their credit score by putting the FICO score on every statement, every month. As soon as your credit score changes, for better or worse, you will know about it!

This is great if you are working on building up your credit score, because you can watch it rise! But, perhaps even more importantly, you will immediately know if there is any problem that is negatively affecting your credit score so that you can promptly address any issues.

Always Great Discover Service

Discover is well recognized for outstanding customer service. Customers are treated well, and able to get the answers that they need, any time they need them.

 

Conclusion

The Discover it® chrome is yet another great addition to the Discover family of credit cards. With two great offers to choose from, you really can’t go wrong. Decide which one might work better for you, it might depend on how much money you intend to transfer from another card (if that is a priority for you). If you are not going to be transferring a balance, then the first offer (0% APR for 14 months) is most likely going to be the best deal.

 

Posted on

Introducing the Discover it Chrome for Students

It’s not always easy for students to get approved for credit cards, and there are only a few decent ones out there. Fortunately, Discover recognizes the need for students to begin building their credit and offers several great options for student credit cards, including the Discover it Chrome. Let’s take a look at some of the great benefits to this ideal student card, so you can decide if it’s the right one for you!

 

The Benefits

No Annual Fee!

Once again, Discover comes through, and there is no annual fee for the Discover it Chrome credit card. When you consider that most credit cards, especially ones intended for students (generally a riskier crowd in the eyes of lenders), this is a big deal. Enjoy all of the perks of having a Discover card, without having to pay a dime in annual fees.

0% Introductory APR for 6 Months

Not only will you pay no annual fees, you will pay nothing in interest for the first 6 months that you have the card. This introductory APR applies purchases. After the 6 month introductory period, you will pay between 12.99-21.99% APR on purchases.

Low Balance Transfer APR

For the first 6 months that you have the card, you can transfer balances from another card and enjoy a low APR of 10.99%. At the end of the introductory period, your APR 10.99% – 21.99%( Variable) for balance transfers, as well as any remaining upaid balance previously transferred.

Earn Great Rewards and Bonuses

For every dollar that you spend, you earn 1% cash back. This reward rate is doubled for gas stations and restaurants, allowing you to earn 2% cash back on the first $1,000 in purchases made in these categories quarterly.

Online Shopping Deals

You can get some amazing deals, and save between 5-20% when you shop online from many major retailers through the ShopDiscover.com online shopping portal.

Instant Redemption at Amazon.com     

Redeem your rewards instantly at the amazon.com checkout! Rewards are equal to 1 point = 1 dollar at the Amazon checkout. Seamless and simple, one of the easiest ways to redeem!

Great Customer Service

One thing that Discover is consistently recognized for is great customer service. You have access to live help 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, to answer questions and resolve issues. You will never have to wait for service hours or spend endless hours on hold to get a problem solved with Discover.

Monitor Your Credit Score

Discover provides a FICO score for every customer right on the monthly statement. You will never wonder where you stand when it comes to your credit score, because it is so easy to monitor this way.

Full Fraud Protection

Discover protects its customers from any fraudulent transactions and any identity theft, with a zero liability policy. As long as you report your card lost or stolen right away, you will not be held responsible for unauthorized purchases.

 

The Nitty Gritty

Discover it Chrome credit card for students has no annual fee. There is a 6-month introductory period with 0% APR, after which you will pay 12.99-21.99% APR. Balance transfers have an APR of 10.99% for the first 6 months, and 12.99-21.99% after that. Balance transfer fees are 3%.  There are no late payment fees for your first late payment. There are no foreign transaction fees.

 

Conclusion

The Discover it Chrome credit card for students offers some terrific rewards. With cash back earning rates higher than any other student credit card, and bonus categories available, this card is very attractive for those just starting out. No annual fee and a great introductory period of 6 months with no interest really seal the deal!

Posted on

Why You Shouldn’t Apply for the Wells Fargo Cash Back Card

For those already doing banking business at Wells Fargo, the Wells Fargo Cash Back credit card may seem like the next logical step in your relationship. With a hearty 3% cash back on certain categories (drug store, grocery and gas station purchases), the card offers the everyday person plenty of opportunities to maximize their cash back options on a daily basis.

But, all is not what it seems to be, and when you read closely, it might not be quite as great as it first appears. Fortunately for you, we took the time to read the fine print and break it down for you, hopefully sparing you from making the mistake of applying for this credit card.

When Something Seems Too Good to Be True…

Just like your mama always told you, if something seems too good to be true, well, then it is probably not true. This is the case with the Wells Fargo Cash Back credit card. If you are intrigued by the promise of 3% cash back on certain very popular categories, you may be lured into applying for the card. If you fail to read the fine print, then you may not realize that this 3% only lasts for the FIRST 6 MONTHS. That’s right, folks, after 6 months the deal is off. Talk about a honeymoon period coming to an end! After the introductory period of 3% ends, you will earn a flat 1% cash back rate on all purchases. Big deal. Lots of cards can offer that, and more.

This card is not horrible, and there are many that offer far less in terms of perks. But, in this particular case, this rate of 1% is average at best. Many cards offer a flat 1% on all purchases, PLUS a 5% bonus cash back on quarterly rotating categories. Discover it is among the top when it comes to this kind of cash back.

Apply Now: Discover it®

Not only will the initially good cash back rate come to an end, you are promised that you can redeem your rewards “your way.” What this really means is that you get rewards when your cash back rewards balance reaches $25. You can redeem in $25 increments. Seems like “your way” means that you get to choose between getting a check in the mail, a statement credit or a direct deposit into your Wells Fargo checking account.

The Bottom Line

To be fair, this is certainly far from the worst credit card that is available. But, it is also far from the best when it comes to cash back rewards. Even with a 12-month 0% APR for purchases and balance transfers, this card truly can’t compete with some of the bigger fish that are out there. We say, don’t waste your time with this one. Instead, explore the Discover it, Citi Simplicity or Chase Freedom if you want a card with great benefits. Right now, the Freedom is an excellent choice, since you’ll receive $200 cash back after meeting a minimum spending requirement of $500 in three months.

Apply Now: Chase Freedom®

Posted on

Earn More Rewards with Chase Freedom Cash Back Boost

With the Chase Freedom® cash back rewards already being pretty fantastic, you might find it hard to believe you can do better. But, when you use the Ultimate Rewards shopping portal to redeem your rewards, you can get some really amazing deals through their Cash Back Boost.

With hundreds of merchants to choose from, you can certainly make the most of your rewards points and see an even quicker return of cash! When you shop through the Ultimate Rewards portal using your Chase Freedom card (you can use other cards, but will not get the extra perks or points), you can earn significant bonus points.

For example, shopping at ProFlowers through the Ultimate Rewards portal will earn you an extra 15% in Cash Back Boost rewards, which can either be used toward a bigger redemption or cost you fewer points for the same purchase you would otherwise be using your points for.

Apply Now: Chase Freedom®

 

Benefits of the Chase Freedom

The Chase Freedom credit card is well known for having great cash back rewards already. You earn 1% on every purchase, plus 5% on rotating categories in some of the most popular categories of gas, groceries, dining, home improvement and more. Watch for the quarterly offerings to maximize your cash back! Quarterly bonuses are limited to a $1500 spending cap, but the 1% cash back is unlimited.

No Annual Fee!

All of the perks of the Chase Freedom card are available to cardholders with no annual fee required!

Bonus Sign Up Cash Back Reward

New cardholders will receive $200 cash back, in the form of 20,000 bonus points, after spending only $500 in the first three months that they have the card. This is a limited time offer, so if you are considering this card, now is the time to act!

0% Introductory APR for 15 Months

For the first 15 months that you have the Chase Freedom® card, you will pay no interest on purchases or cash advances. After the introductory period expires, the APR will be 13.99-22.99%, depending on your credit.

Chase Checking Customers Get Extra Benefits

If you have a Chase checking account, you will receive an annual bonus of 10% of the points you earn each year, which will be deposited into your reward account on your anniversary.

 

The Nitty Gritty

The Chase Freedom credit card offers some terrific cash back rewards, especially if you are using the Ultimate Rewards online portal and taking advantage of the Cash Back Boost offers that are available. The Chase Freedom credit card has no annual fee, an introductory APR of 0% for the first 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (will rise to 13.99-22.99% after that), and 1% cash back on every purchase with 5% bonus categories that change every quarter.

Balance transfer fees are 3%, cash advance fees are 3%. Cash advance APR is 23.99%. There is a late payment penalty fee of $15-35, depending on your balance at the time your payment is late.

Conclusion

Once again, Chase comes through with an exceptional offer on the Chase Freedom credit card. Consistently leading the pack when it comes to great credit cards, the latest deal offering $200 cash back after three months, combined with the great offerings through the Ultimate Rewards online portal and Cash Back Boost offers, leads many to the quick decision that this is the ideal credit card!

Apply Now: Chase Freedom®