Category: Credit Cards

  • Rewards Points: Expert Strategies To Collect And Redeem Your Hard-Earned Points

    Rewards points could be a collector’s best friend but also a procrastinator’s worst nightmare. One mistake and you could end up losing years of work and a collection of tens of thousands of points in an instant. Ouch! We have heard horrifying stories from the collectors who lost thousands of points simply because they did not pay attention to the expiration dates.

    Rewards points are a great motivator for many of us who prefer to spend a dollar and gain something back in return. We will share some expert strategies and tips to collect and redeem your rewards points. Let them grow!

    Click here to find and compare credit cards that offer rewards, points, and other bonuses to loyal customers. Some offer 0% intro APR.

    For first timers, we will first explain what a reward point is and how it works

    Companies offer rewards points in a bid to foster loyalty and repeat purchases. Customers, on the other hand, stand to gain from deep discounts, loyalty rewards, and other benefits when they redeem the points. These points make sense, especially if you like the brand and prefer to work with the same company over and over.

    From retailers and credit card companies to hotels and airlines, rewards points are offered by millions of companies in a bid to foster repeat purchases. Companies offering rewards often use different terms, such as discount cards, points card, loyalty card, advantage card, club card, and other similar variations.

    A customer simply needs to present the card to either accumulate the points (on every purchase) or receive discounts and special deals.

    How to collect rewards points?

    Generally, you accumulate rewards points automatically. For every dollar you spend on your shopping, the system would automatically add a few points to your membership account. The system varies depending on how the program is setup. Certain programs are setup to award you one point for every dollar spent, others may double the number of points, while still others offer fewer points on every dollar spent.

    Click here to find and compare credit cards that offer rewards, points, and other bonuses to loyal customers. Some offer 0% intro APR.

    How to redeem your rewards points?

    Redeeming rewards points is not hard. When you accumulate a certain number of points, you need to notify your provider as to the number of points you have accumulated. In case of retailers, you would just need to visit the store and exchange your points for items you can purchase with the points. Some companies provide online accounts where you can manage and redeem your rewards.

    What about travel rewards?

    Some companies, especially credit cards and airlines, offer travel rewards wherein you accumulate a certain number of points for the amount you spend. When the total points reach a higher figure you can either obtain discounts on your next trip or book a ticket with another airline from the company’s website. If you accumulate a substantially larger number of points, you can even fly free ($0).

    Where to redeem the rewards points

    Usually the company’s website would be the best place to start but in case of retailers a store location would do the job as well. Most consumers prefer the convenience of an online redemption policy.

    DontSpendMore.com is a free site that allows consumers to compare offers and discounts and save hundreds of dollars on credit cards, long distance, Internet, and so much more. Click here to compare the Web’s best deals.

    Advantages of rewards programs and points

    – Receive special prices and percentage discounts that are reserved exclusively for loyal customers.

    – Receive preferred customer service

    – Get a preference, at least where priority tickets and purchases are concerned

    Rewards points dos and don’ts

    Dos

    – Track your spending and your points

    – Use online services that would do all the work for you

    – Read the fine print to maximize your purchases and your points

    Don’ts

    – Don’t spend just for the sake of collecting the points

    – Don’t ignore expiration dates and redemption policies

    – Don’t ignore guidelines for purchases and points

    How does a company/brand benefit from rewards points?

    First, they develop a loyal customer base. Customer may not be aware but they are truly priceless for any company/business that is serious about its bottom line. Cost Per Acquisition is the term used to indicate the cost of acquiring a single customer and in many industries this cost could run in the hundreds or even thousands of dollars. By fostering loyalty and offering discounts, companies can benefit from a loyal customer base and reduced marketing spend.

    In addition to the direct financial benefit, when a customer signs up for a rewards program, there is a clause that allows marketing departments to track purchase patterns and send extremely targeted marketing messages and promotions. This strategy further boosts the sales funnel and impacts the ROI in a positive manner.

    Click here to find and compare credit cards that offer rewards, points, and other bonuses to loyal customers. Some offer 0% intro APR.

    In conclusion

    Rewards points could be a great value-add tool for getting discounts, booking cheaper flight tickets, and getting something in return for the purchases you make. One caveat, though, carefully monitor both your spending and your program’s expiration and redemption policies. Some programs do not have an expiration date while others have much stricter guidelines.

    DontSpendMore.com is a free site that allows consumers to compare offers and discounts and save hundreds of dollars on credit cards, long distance, Internet, and so much more. Click here to compare the Web’s best deals.

  • Reward Credit Card Reviews: Points, Card Cash, Travel Miles

    Reward Credit Card Reviews (card cash review)

    I love the idea of spending a dollar on items I already need and setting aside a small percentage of it elsewhere, especially if all the work is done by an automated system or algorithm without my intervention. It wouldn’t be a wise choice to go splurge on a spending spree but using your reward card for items you already need (such as groceries, gas, travel tickets) wouldn’t be a bad idea.

    Reward card offers several advantages (and some unwanted features as well). In our reward credit card reviews, we will focus on some basic features you should be looking and also warn you about unwanted ones that you should try to avoid as far as possible. Further, we have dedicated a special page to a review of the best credit reward credit cards (including points, card cash back, and travel miles).

    Click here to see the reward credit cards that made it to our top cards list

    Reward card review

    Reward cards provide a variety of bonuses:

    Cash back: A certain percentage of your spending will receive a reward in the form of cash back bonus).

    Points: For every dollar you spend, some credit card companies will offer you a certain number of points. The ratio varies. At the lower end, it could be one point for every dollar spent while at the higher end it could be much higher and you could receive several points. Furthermore, when you sign up for a reward credit card, your account will be awarded a sign-up bonus of X,000 points.

    Where can you redeem these points? In most instances you can redeem the points for cash, other items, airline tickets, hotel deals, and more. Your agreement will dictate the terms governing these purchases.

    Travel points: Just like the points described in the previous section, travel points can be redeemed as an exchange for airline flight deals, hotel discounts, car rentals, and more.   

    Frequent flyer miles: If your credit card offers airline miles as a reward, you will receive miles in lieu of points. So, for every dollar you spend your account will show X number of miles as a bonus. I have personally managed to collect thousands of miles in the past. You can exchange the miles for a free (or discounted) flight deal.

    Click here to see the reward credit cards that made it to our top cards list

    We reviewed several reward credit cards and as a general overview, here’s what we like and dislike:

    Reward card review Likes

    – Generous reward points and bonuses

    – Longer expiration dates

    – Low (or $0) annual fees

    Reward card review Dislikes

    – High annual fees and APRs

    – Restrictions on where and how you can redeem the rewards

    – Unreasonable redemption policies

    Card cash review

    Cashback cards are a hit with our reviewers. What we love is the fact that every dollar spent generates some form of cash back. The percentage of cash back bonus could range from five percent to up to twenty percent. Who doesn’t like cash, right?

    Conditions: Some credit card companies will set aside the cash back bonus for a selected category of purchases (such as gas, airline tickets, and others). Additionally, you may be required to buy on designated websites only. These policies are generally for the higher end of the cash back spectrum.

    Click here to see the cash back credit cards that made it to our top cards list

    Card cash review Likes

    – Higher cash back bonus percentage (the cash back bonus ranges from 2% to 20%)

    – $0 Annual Fee

    – 0% Intro APR and a low APR thereafter

    – Friendly redemption policies

    – Longer expiration periods

    Card cash review Dislikes

    – Annual fees

    – High APR

    – Shorter expiration periods

    – Redemption restrictions

    – Purchase restrictions (such as purchase at XYZ location or site only)

    What you should know

    Most reward credit cards will set forth stringent expiration dates and redemption policies that must be respected in order to redeem the bonuses. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of the rewards and your hard-earned effort. You will have to have to watch out for restrictions, such as the spending patterns that will earn you the rewards (categories and places).

    Fortunately, you can track and monitor your rewards through an online interface provided by the credit card company.

    What you should do

    – Perform some basic analysis to determine the net gain, especially if the card charges an annual fee or comes with a higher APR requirement.

    – Regularly monitor your credit card spending and points accumulation

    – Keep tabs on expiration dates and redemption policies

    – Know your terms and conditions thoroughly

    What you should not do

    – Sign up for the credit card just for the sake of rewards

    – Rack up purchases to collect points or miles (not a good idea)

    – Purchase items that you don’t need

    – Neglect monitoring the points accumulated on your account

    We hope you found our reward credit card reviews useful. If so, please let us know in the comments section.

  • Temporary Credit Card Number Or Virtual Credit Card: What You Should Know

    Temporary credit card number (or virtual credit card) may be an additional, though not impenetrable, layer of defense in your fight against fraud.

    In recent years, over a third of credit card users have been subjected to some form of credit card fraud or digital theft. The statistics are staggeringly high and account for billions of dollars in losses every single year. The problem is pervasive not just here in the United States, but across international borders as well.

    Vigilance and education may be potent defenses in the fight against credit card fraud but in the past several years, credit card companies have become more proactive and have offered new tools, such as temporary credit card numbers (AKA virtual credit card, disposable credit card, one-time use credit card, use-and-throw credit card, online-only credit card, and many such commonly-recognized names).

    Click here to compare 0% credit card offers, including no annual fee offers, travel rewards, and more. Free comparison tools and reviews.

    A temporary credit card number is a computer-generated e-version of your physical credit card. While the virtual credit card is linked to the original, the numbers on the virtual credit card are completely different from its physical plastic cousin.

    Why use a virtual credit card?

    Using a disposable credit card has several benefits. First, it serves as an additional obstacle that digital thieves have to cross over. Although, it is not completely hacker proof, it does serve as a slight deterrent to lazy hackers — if they weren’t lazy would they resort to stealing other people’s hard-earned credit?

    Theoretically, if your temporary credit card is compromised, you would need to cancel just that number as opposed to your entire account and all associated information. Further, some credit card companies place a cap on the total dollar amount that could be charged on a disposable credit card so your risk is minimized. Remember, it is still possible to reach your primary account but there is an additional barrier that makes the work that much harder. For many digital thieves, this additional level of security could be a great “put off”.

    Technically, you could opt to sign up for either a one-time use credit card (100% disposable) that could be used for one pre-approved transaction or a temporary credit card that could be used with multiple merchants, for a much longer duration of time, and for substantially higher amounts. Your credit card company’s website should provide basic information about obtaining and using a disposable credit card.

    Click here to compare 0% credit card offers, including no annual fee offers, travel rewards, and more. Free comparison tools and reviews.

    Are the terms on a temporary credit card different?

    Ideally, no, but you would need to check with the credit card company that is providing you with the virtual credit card. As a general observation, the terms (such as interest rate, grace period, repayment terms, and other charges) would mimic the primary credit card to which the virtual clone is linked.

    How can I obtain a virtual credit card?

    Under most circumstances, you will be able to obtain a temporary credit card number on your issuer’s website or by calling the customer service hotline.

    Does my company offer a temporary credit card number?

    Most major credit card companies offer temporary credit card numbers. You can check your issuer’s online provider or call their toll free number to obtain additional information. If, for some reason, your credit card company does not offer a virtual credit card, you can purchase one online from third party services. The ideal way, however, would be to obtain one from your credit card company.

    Where can I use it?

    It works pretty much the same way as a physical card and for most purposes it would be accepted anywhere your regular card is accepted.

    What else should I know?

    A virtual credit card is not 100% hacker safe; it is simply an additional layer or hurdle that a hacker needs to cross. You still need to monitor both your account and your credit report to ensure there are no unwanted charges or thefts taking place on your account. If your security has been compromised and unauthorized purchases have taken place, you can always dispute the transaction. You can read more about disputing a credit card transaction.

    You can also have a virtual card account associated with a debit card but there is a catch here. If your security is compromised, your balance could be at stake as well.

    Can I have more than one virtual credit card?

    Under most circumstances, yes, you can have more than one disposable card. You can have more than one temporary credit card, provided your issuer allows you to obtain more than one number.

    How much would my credit line be?

    Ideally, your credit line would be equivalent to your regular account but both you and the credit card company would have the discretion to adjust the limit as well as daily spending restrictions on the card to avoid unwanted purchases from taking place.

    How is virtual credit card different from a regular credit card?

    Not much difference. Other than being unable to carry it in your wallet, the digital counterpart functions in pretty much the same way as its plastic twin. Furthermore, you can use your temporary card for phone purchases and in rare circumstances physical, in-store purchases as well (the merchant would have to key the numbers in — most merchants may not accept them in store but would welcome them online).

    Further, some merchants will find it difficult to process these cards, but most should be able to work through it just fine. As a precaution, you may want to have an alternate source of payment read should the digital card fail to do its job.

    Click here to compare 0% credit card offers, including no annual fee offers, travel rewards, and more. Free comparison tools and reviews.

    Can I get a prepaid version?

    Yes, both your credit card provider and third party services would be able to offer you a prepaid version (which is just like a debit card) that allows you to purchase a prepaid credit card for any amount you need. In such a case, you could fund $100 and obtain a prepaid credit card that would have a credit line of up to $100. The advantage of a prepaid temporary credit card is that you won’t need to worry about security issues, unless, of course the site where you purchase the virtual prepaid version is compromised.

    How long does it take to obtain a temporary credit card?

    Instantly. Since the temporary credit card is computer-generated you can obtain it in real time and start using it almost instantly. No need to wait for the plastic version to arrive via snail mail.

    What is a substitute credit card number?

    A substitute credit card number is the same as a virtual credit card number or a temporary credit card number. Some banks prefer to use that term.

    What is the expiration date?

    When you purchase the card, you can set a pre-determined expiration date either at your choice or based on the conditions and guidelines imposed by the issuer.

    Is there a fee?

    Again, you would have to refer to the terms and conditions outlined by your service provider but, theoretically, there should not be any fee.

    How to protect your temporary card number?

    The basic precautions are the same as those that apply to traditional credit cards. Ideally, you should do at least the following:

    – Verify the security certificate of the merchant

    There are several ways to check the authenticity of the security certificate. You should take a look at your browser’s settings. There should be an option that will walk you through identifying and authenticating security certificates. Also, if you see a “lock sign” at the bottom of your browser, that is an indication that the site is secure.

    – Check online if the merchant has negative reviews

    Don’t trust every review sites. There are plenty of review sites that have some form of a “paid relationship” with the business being reviewed. If so, the review is going to be biased and you shouldn’t be trusting it. There are, however, genuine review sites that don’t sell reviews. The wisdom goes in favor of both positive and negative reviews. Just as positive reviews can be purchased, jealous competitors may purchase negative reviews as well. Use your judgment and plenty of common sense.

    – Query BBB to evaluate complaints

    The Better Business Bureau may also be able to provide you with a better idea about the company’s reputation and complaints. There are plenty of other sites that provide an unbiased overview of the company’s reputation and track record.

    – Call the merchant to determine privacy policy, security practices, and other similar parameters

    If you have any doubt, do not hesitate to call the company’s toll free number and ask pointed questions about the provider’s security policies and privacy policy.

    Remember, it is your personal financial information that is at stake. A few extra minutes of research may sound cumbersome but could go a long way toward protecting your financial instruments.

    In conclusion

    Temporary credit card (or one-time use credit card) is not a complete solution. It does provide an additional layer of protection under many circumstances and for many that in itself is a sufficient benefit to continue using disposable credit cards.

    DontSpendMore.com is a free site that allows consumers to compare multiple offers and save on credit cards, cell phones, long distance, insurance, and many similar items. With free comparison tools and hundreds of offers, the site cuts down research time significantly.

    Nimish Thakkar is the founder of DontSpendMore.com. He holds two graduate degrees, including an MBA in Finance. Thakkar has been featured on major media outlets, such as The New York Times Blog, Reuters, and numerous others.

  • What Is A Credit Card Temporary Hold, Authorization, Or Pre-Auth

    Credit card temporary hold or authorization is a commonly-appearing item on most credit card statements. Sometimes, you will see a temporary authorization for items you may have checked out but not purchased. Customers often panic when they see a temporary hold, authorization, or pre-auth on their credit card statement, especially credit card users who review their online transaction histories on a daily basis.

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    So, what is a credit card temporary hold (or temporary authorization, pre-auth)?

    We will clarify the term with the help of an illustration:

    Let’s say you visit an online merchant who sells Widget X for $20. You like the widget, add it to your shopping cart and go through with the order. The moment you enter your credit card information on the merchant’s website, the payment processor used by the business will place a temporary hold on your credit card account in an amount equivalent to the purchase price of the item.

    In this case, a temporary authorization in the amount of $20 will be placed on your credit card account immediately.

    At this stage, one of two things may happen:

    The merchant may have setup the payment processing to “Sale”

    If the merchant has setup his/her payment processing system to use a “Sale” parameter, your credit card will be charged in that amount immediately and your account statement will immediately show a purchase of $20. Despite the temp charge (pre-auth), a temporary hold will still be placed on your account until the merchant “Settles” the transaction with the processor — in other words, the merchant instructs the payment processing company to go ahead with the transaction. Once cleared, the temporary hold will be converted into a final charge that you will have to pay at the end of the month.

    It is also possible that the merchant may have setup the payment processing system to “Authorize Only”

    Every system would use different jargons (instead of “Sale” and “Authorization”) but the concepts are mostly similar, and the process somewhat uniform.

    Some merchants prefer to review orders manually before they process and fulfill them. In this case, the merchant may just put a “credit card temporary hold” on your account until the order has been reviewed manually by an authorized representative at the company. Once satisfied, the merchant would instruct the payment processor to go through with the transaction. The process is called “Settlement”. At this stage, your credit card will be charged the amount of $20 (the purchase price mentioned in the preceding illustration).

    If the merchant is not satisfied, however, the transaction will remain as an Authorization on your credit card statement. Sometimes, it could be in an undecided state for several weeks.

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    How long does the transaction remain as a temporary authorization? When will the hold be removed?

    If you decide to go through with the transaction, the temporary authorization on your credit card will remain until the payment settlement process is completed. While the duration ranges, an average could range from a few days to several weeks.

    If you decide to cancel the order, however, before it is processed and settled, your seller may just “Void” the order (that is it won’t be submitted to the payment processing system) and the transaction will continue showing up on your credit card statement as a hold or temporary authorization.

    It may remain in that status either until the next billing statement or a shorter duration depending on how your credit card company’s internal policies are defined. If the order has truly been cancelled you won’t be charged.

    Why is my total credit line reduced by an amount equivalent to the temporary hold?

    When a temporary authorization is placed on your credit card, essentially, the bank is setting aside the funds in that amount should the transaction follow through. To ensure the merchant is paid before you use your credit card for another process and exhaust your available credit limit, the credit card company will reduce your total available credit limit by an amount equivalent to the temporary authorization on your credit card.

    You can liken the process to setting aside funds in a real world transaction.

    Do I need to do something to remove the hold from my account?

    Generally, there is not much you can do. The hold would be automatically lifted if the merchant doesn’t follow through on the transaction. Even if the hold is lifted, if you did purchase the goods or services from the business, it is possible for the company to follow through and convert the hold into an actual charge even after a few weeks. It occurs rarely, though, as the business would have to pay higher transaction costs to process a transaction that is relatively old.

    What if I decide to dispute the transaction?

    If the business has cheated you on the transaction or has engaged in otherwise unconscionable behavior, you could actually dispute the transaction and file for a chargeback. You can read our article about disputing a credit card transaction and filing for a chargeback.

    Can I file for the chargeback while my credit card is on temporary hold?

    Generally, no, because at the stage of a temporary credit card authorization, the transaction is not yet completed and fulfilled so you will have to wait until the process has been completed. Technically, as long as the amount is on hold, the merchant does not have your money so you cannot really take it back.

    Can the credit card temporary hold (or authorization) be higher than the purchase amount?

    The amount of the hold could be higher (or even lower). Some systems will place a hold in a nominal amount of $1, whereas other systems could set aside a much higher amount. Some gas stations, for instance, will place a temporary authorization in an amount as high as $90 even before you fill the tank. As soon as you complete the transaction, however, the station will charge the actual amount of your purchase price. These are safeguards merchants use to protect their interests.

    Are you paying too much on your credit card? Click here to review 0% APR credit card offers with no annual fee, rewards, bonuses, and more. Free comparison tools.

    By Nimish Thakkar (c). Nimish is the founder of DontSpendMore.com. He holds two graduate degrees, including an MBA in Finance.

  • How To Get A Credit Card For Free

    By David

    If you have been considering getting a credit card, you may have been so overwhelmed by all the information that is out there to even know where to begin. In order to help you figure out how to get a credit card for free we’ll give you a few tips about things to watch out for and walk you through the typical application process.

    Click here to get a credit card for free. Multiple offers, free comparison tools, rewards, and more.

    Things to watch out for

    Once you’re ready to start applying for credit cards you’ll want to remember a couple things to make sure that you get a credit card for free.

    1)      Prepaid Cards – prepaid credit cards work on a different principle than a traditional credit card. Typically with this type of card, you’ll add money and then spend it, making it more like a gift card than a credit card. As this type of card costs money up front you will want to choose an option for another type of card.

    2)      Balance Transfers – If you need to do a balance transfer when signing up for your new credit card, you will want to be sure this transfer does not have any associated fees. If it does, your application may end up costing you those fees upfront. In this case try to find an offer that does not include these associated fees.

    3)      Annual Fees – While an annual fee will cost you nothing up front, it will charge you once you have had your card for a year. This is basically a charge just for having the card and will show up each year, whether you use the card or not. Do your best to avoid offers that include these fees.

    Click here to get a credit card for free. Multiple offers, free comparison tools, rewards, and more.

    The application process

    Once you’ve identified an offer that looks promising you can get a credit card for free by applying and awaiting a response. Start by going to the webpage with the offer and clicking “apply”

    1)      General Information – The first thing that will come up is a page for you to enter your information, such as name, address, age, and tax id information. Fill these fields out and continue to the next page.

    2)      Employment Information – This field will ask about what you do for a living and what your average total annual income is. If you are living with others who are also working, you can add their income to this total. Enter the information in the appropriate places and move to the next page.

    3)      Options – This page will typically ask a few questions about how you intend to use the card if approved and give you a couple options to choose from (such as paperless billing or express card delivery). Choose what you’d like (but avoid things with fees) and go to the last page.

    4)      Terms and Conditions – This will present the terms and conditions for your approval. Look through them and click the check box acknowledging you agree.

    Once you have done this you simply click “submit” to send them your application and then wait for their response.

    Click here to get a credit card for free. Multiple offers, free comparison tools, rewards, and more.

  • Find Me A Credit Card!

    By David

    While it is not difficult to do a web search and find hundreds of credit card offers to apply for, finding one that is right for you and your situation can be a bit more challenging. There are so many factors to consider that you can get lost in all the information flying your way. To help, here is a step-by-step guide to help find you a credit card.

    Click here to review multiple credit card offers in one place

    Identify your situation

    The type of credit card you should apply for depends on your present needs. A first year college student is going to want a different type of card than a retired investment broker or a single mother. Deciding in advance what you would like to use your card for is your first step to find you a credit card.

    Card Types

    Once you know what you would like to do with your card, you will want to take a look at the different card types and choose the one that is right for you. To simplify the process of finding me a credit card, the most common card types and a description of what they are best for is listed for you below.

    1)      Prepaid Cards – Prepaid credit cards are like a store gift card, except that they can be used anywhere that a credit card from the same company is accepted. These cards are best used for those new to credit cards and for quickly getting money into another person’s hands (from a parent to a student for instance).

    2)      Low-Interest Cards – A low-interest credit card is one that has an APR (annual percentage rate) of 10.4% or lower. These cards are good for balance transfers from higher interest cards, or for use as an emergency line-of-credit.

    3)      Rewards Cards – Rewards cards offer you additional perks for utilizing the card and carry an average APR around 15%. Many will offer things like frequent flyer miles, donations to a charity of your choice, or cash back. These cards are best for short term borrowing (30 days or less) on the things you typically buy throughout the month like groceries or gas.

    Click here to review multiple credit card offers in one place

    4)      High-Interest Cards – High-Interest credit cards are those with an APR at 22% or higher and typically have low credit limits. These cards are designed to help those with bad or no credit repair any damage that has been done.

    Match a Card Type to Your Needs

    At this point all you need to do is pick the type of card that is right for your situation. Are you that first year college student we mentioned earlier? Maybe a prepaid card would be best so you can learn the system and get last minute help from your family quickly. Maybe you are that single mom. A low-interest credit card could get you out of a tight spot, or help reduce your other credit card bills. Whatever your situation, you can be sure that there is a credit card out there that is a perfect fit for you. Just decide which and apply.

    Click here to review multiple credit card offers in one place

  • How To Find A Credit Card For Someone With No Credit

    By David

    With the economic downturn as bad as ever, credit card companies are being more selective than they ever have about who they’ll give a credit card to. If you are one of the many who have bad credit or who have not even started building credit yet, you may find that obtaining a credit card can be a difficult and challenging endeavor. While there are plenty of cards out there to apply for, there are those that will bring you more success than others. Below we will show you a few different ways to find a credit card for no credit.

    Click here to compare credit card offers and save hundreds. Compare multiple lenders in one place.

    Prepaid cards

    While using a prepaid card is not going to repair or build your credit, it can be a good option for those struggling to obtain a credit card. If you just need the card for online purchases, a more efficient way of carrying or managing your money, or to initially learn how credit cards work and how best to use them, than a prepaid card is a good choice for you. The prepaid option is one of the easiest ways to find a credit card for someone with no credit. Just sign up online and deposit the amount of money you want on the card to get started.

    Bank credit cards

    Many banks will offer credit cards to their account holders that are easier to get approved for than credit cards you try to get on your own merits. These cards typically have a slightly higher annual percentage rate, but are also attached to your online bank account making your credit card payments a quick and easy, hassle free process. If you need to use a credit card to repair or build your credit you will want to start by applying for a credit card from your bank before exploring other options.

    Click here to compare credit card offers and save hundreds. Compare multiple lenders in one place.

    High interest credit cards

    If you have been turned down for other cards due to extremely bad or no credit, this may be your best option. Many card companies use these high APR cards with relatively low credit limits as a part of credit recovery programs intended to help people restore severely damaged credit. These are arguably one of the worst credit cards to use, but in some cases may be among the only options when trying to find a credit card for no credit.

    Choose a card and apply

    Once you have decided between the different types of cards available to help find a credit card for someone with no credit, you will want to go ahead and apply. As is often the case with bad credit or no credit, you may be turned down several times, but do not get discouraged. If you do not get the first one you apply for, try a few others. There are many different programs available, each with its own set of rules for whom to issue cards to. Odds are that eventually you will find a lender who is willing to extend a line of credit to you.

    Click here to compare credit card offers and save hundreds. Compare multiple lenders in one place.

  • Credit Cards With Rewards

    By David

    Though there are many types of credit cards available to consumers these days, the credit card with rewards that are available are arguably the most exciting. These cards give you something back simply for using the card and so long as you pay your whole balance within the grace period; your rewards are interest free. So what kind of rewards are we talking about? There are actually three different types of rewards programs that have become prominent in today’s credit card market.

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    Travelers Miles

    One of the most common rewards programs available, and the one that has been around the longest is the frequent flyers miles programs. Often, these will be associated with a specific airline, which does restrict in a small way your ability to redeem your rewards. Even so, some cards offer a broader spectrum of airlines to choose from and even a few introductory perks like a large number of bonus miles after your first $1,000 in purchases over the course of your first 3 months. For a frequent traveler this can be one of the best credit cards with rewards.

    Thank You Points

    Another interesting type of credit card with rewards is the thank you point rewards cards. With these you typically will earn 1 point for every dollar spent on your card and will usually earn a large number of bonus points after spending a qualifying amount on your card in your first few months of using it. Each card has an associated online store where you can redeem your points for different types of merchandise, gift cards, and sometimes even cash. This flexibility makes the point rewards cards among the most versatile of the credit cards with rewards.

    Click here to compare rewards credit cards. Win rewards, pay no annual fee, and sign up for 0% intro APR offers.

    Cash Back

    The final type of rewards cards and one of the newer available programs is the cash back rewards card. These cards will earn you cash back on many or sometimes even all the purchases you make on them and like the other programs have an introductory offer of usually around $100 for spending a qualifying amount in the first few months. Often times these cards will offer 1% back on all purchases and occasionally 2% on groceries and 3% on gas up to a certain amount each quarter. While not as versatile as a point rewards card as far as what type of reward you can claim, getting a percentage of your money back is always a nice perk. Some of these cards will even offer a little bonus on the amount redeemed (10% or so) for redeeming it to an account you have with the lender. This card is a great option for anyone looking to get a little extra cash back from their everyday spending.

    Now that you have a good idea of what is available out there as far as credit cards with rewards go, you can pick your favorite type and start searching for the specific card that meets your needs. The options are numerous, so it is up to you to decide what works best for you.

  • Understanding Your Credit Card Monthly Payments

    By David

    As each of us use our credit cards, we become more and more familiar with the credit card system. However what many new credit card users may not understand is why their credit cards monthly payments are so much lower than what they have spent. To help make this easier to understand we’ll take a look at how credit cards work and what that all adds up to.

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    How a credit card works

    A credit card is essentially a means of getting a loan whenever you need or want one. Once you have a credit card, you don’t need to apply for it again, giving you access to additional funds above and beyond your normal income. This money is borrowed from your lender and your future income is used as the collateral. As with any loan, a credit card will charge you interest on your borrowing. The amount of interest charged depends on your cards APR (annual percentage rate) and can vary widely ranging from 8% all the way up to 22% or more.

    Interest calculation and minimum payments

    The combined value of purchases made with your credit card becomes what is called principle (the amount which interest is charged on). Interest is charged on the principle every day and is then added to the principle meaning that the interest charged on day 31 is going to be less than that charged on day 34.

    Your minimum credit card monthly payment is based upon the total balance on your card and tends to vary. However, you should keep in mind that credit card companies are very crafty and set up your minimum payment so it is mostly the interest you are being charged and hardly any principle. This is their way of making the most money from the borrower as possible.

    Strategy for avoiding prolonged debt

    The best strategy for avoiding continual, prolonged debt on your credit cards is to pay more than the minimum on your credit card monthly payment, preferably as much as you can afford. In this way you are paying not only the interest, but also a larger chunk of the principle thus reducing the amount of interest being charged and allowing you to catch up on your payments. If you do not already have debt built up on your credit cards, one of the best strategies to avoid any significant debt is to only purchase on your credit card what you presently have money to pay for. This allows you to build credit and take advantage of card rewards programs, while still bringing your card back to a $0 balance right away. The best part about this strategy is that it takes advantage of the 30 day no interest grace period inherent on all credit cards.

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    Now that you have a firmer understanding of how your credit cards work and what your minimum payment is and what paying only it can mean for your financial future, you can make informed decisions about your credit card monthly payments.

  • Credit Cards From Top Lenders

    By David

    There are so many various options these days when it comes to trying to find the right credit card that it can be difficult to decide which one to go with, or even to know where to begin. To help with this process, we have compiled a list of the best credit card from top lenders and what makes them so great.

    Click here to compare credit cards from top lenders and banks. 0% APR, awesome rewards, and free comparisons.

    1)      Visa – Arguably one of the most prolific card issues in the world, Visa has a huge number of possible card options for any of your needs. This is a result of their primary issuing method being through banks and other financial institutions, bringing great variety in what they have to offer. Combine this with the fact that Visa is accepted almost everywhere and you realize why they’re on our list of top credit card lenders.

    2)      Mastercard – Nearly as prevalent as Visa, Mastercard is widely accepted and widely used. Though Mastercard does not issue cards directly, but rather does so through your bank, they function as an overseer to make sure everything is running smoothly. Many would argue that they do well with this as they have become one of the top credit card lenders in the world.

    3)      American Express – Though the American Express brand is not as widely accepted throughout the world as Visa or Mastercard, they still find their way on our top credit card lenders list. This lower acceptance rate is a result of their higher fees. These higher than average fees however come with additional exclusive features that make this brand of credit card a good option for those burdened with an overabundance of money.

    Click here to compare credit cards from top lenders and banks. 0% APR, awesome rewards, and free comparisons.

    4)      Discover – While not as large as the other three lenders Discover still manages to be a popular and widely accepted credit card. Unlink Visa or Mastercard, Discover issues its cards directly rather than through banks, meaning they have a more limited line of cards to choose from. This independence as a financial institution however also gives them unique options to offer to its customers, like high interest certificate of deposit accounts and other investment features.

    Though these are certainly not the only lenders out there, these are arguably the largest and best of the bunch. Most still have quite a few different products to choose from, designed to work well for all types of people in various situations, locations, and with different needs. The card selection process can be a long and arduous one, but armed with the knowledge garnered above you can at least know where to start looking for a credit card from a top lenders.