Category: Credit Cards

By Matt

Credit card gift cards are now widely available for purchase. They can be found at your local supermarket or gas station, or they can be easily purchased online. Gift cards give the gift recipient the option to spend wherever credit cards are accepted. If you are having trouble coming up with the perfect idea for someone on your gift list, then consider giving them the gift of choice. They will be able to choose something that they will value, and you can rest assured that your gift won’t end up collecting dust in the back of the closet, or worse yet, being re-gifted.

Click here to compare credit card gift cards

Who to give it to?

Basically, anyone could potentially appreciate a credit card gift card. However, as with all instances of gift giving, some discretion is advised when determining if it is an appropriate gift. For example, you probably wouldn’t want to give one to your mom any more than you would consider cutting her a check for her birthday. Here are some circumstances where gift cards are ideal:

• Friends who live far away or overseas. You will be able to avoid costly shipping charges, and remain secure in the knowledge that the gift card has almost universal acceptance. In these circumstances a credit card gift card is superior to a store gift card, because you can guarantee that it can be used almost anywhere
• Wedding or engagement gifts. If you feel uncomfortable handing over an envelope full of cash, then a gift card makes a suitable alternative.
• Gifts for children and young adults. You won’t have to research the newest and most popular items for specific age groups. They can choose to spend as they please, and they will probably think having their own credit card is pretty cool.
• Virtually any situation where you can’t come up with a suitable gift idea. To a certain extent a gift card may offer a personal touch over cash or a check.

What to watch for

Beware of gift cards with a multitude of fees that will chip away at the face value of the card.  Here are some charges that you might run into:

• Activation fees.  These only apply on some cards; they are generally deducted from the original balance of the card.
• Service or transaction fees. This is where you can really lose your shirt.  Transaction fees can be up to four dollars. Kind of a bummer if you’re eight years old and you use your gift card to buy a one dollar chocolate bar for five bucks.
• Maintenance fees. Cards that do not get used within the first twelve months are typically subject to maintenance fees which will mean a monthly deduction from the card balance until it dries up.

A credit card gift card is a great idea for that person who is difficult to buy for, or in circumstances where a physical gift is impractical. Make sure you understand the fee structure, in some cases it may be more expedient to simply give cash or a check.

Click here to compare credit card gift cards

Beware of gift cards with a multitude of fees that will chip away at the face value of the card.  Here are some charges that you might run into:

 

·           Activation fees.  These only apply on some cards; they are generally deducted from the original balance of the card.

·           Service or transaction fees. This is where you can really lose your shirt.  Transaction fees can be up to four dollars. Kind of a bummer if you’re eight years old and you use your gift card to buy a one dollar chocolate bar for five bucks.

·           Maintenance fees. Cards that do not get used within the first twelve months are typically subject to maintenance fees which will mean a monthly deduction from the card balance until it dries up.

 

A credit card gift card is a great idea for that person who is difficult to buy for, or in circumstances where a physical gift is impractical. Make sure you understand the fee structure, in some cases it may be more expedient to simply give cash or a check.

By Matt

Shopping for others can be a challenging task. Even if you know the person well it can be a time-consuming endeavor to find the perfect gift. You want to get them something that they will use and enjoy without breaking the bank. Choosing a gift for someone you don’t know very well, or for younger people with constantly evolving preferences, can be nearly impossible.

So why not keep it simple. Offer the people on your gift list the opportunity to choose something you know they will like. Give a gift card, and keep reading to find out how to buy gift cards with your credit card and get the most bang for your buck.

Click here to review offers that will allow you to buy a gift card with credit card

Use your cash back credit card

Gift cards for a wide variety of retailers are available for purchase at most supermarkets and gas stations. If you have a credit card that offers a premium at these types of stores then use it to purchase your gift card. If you receive 5% cash back on purchases at your favorite supermarket, then you’ll save $5 on $100 worth of gift card purchases. The bonus here is you can make it a one stop shopping experience. You will be able to cross a handful of people off your list in a few minutes and earn a little something for yourself in the process.

Use your reward points

Are your reward points collecting digital dust in cyberspace? See what types of gift cards are available through your reward program. Shopping through the online portal of your reward program is simple and can offer you savings. Often gift cards are available at a discount of their face value. A $25 gift card might only cost you the equivalent of $20 in cash back earnings or points. Better yet, keep an eye on the website watching for sales. Gift cards can occasionally be discounted by 35% to 50%. This option, however, limits your choice of retailers from whom gift cards are available.

Take advantage of bonus offers

Many retailers and restaurants, especially around the holiday season, will offer bonuses for purchasing gift cards.  In these instances the cards must be purchased from the retailer directly.  For example, you might get a small gift with the purchase of a specific dollar amount in gift cards. You might also receive a bonus gift card or a coupon for a purchase at a later date.  These bonuses can be kept for you or passed along.

Remember that gift cards do not need to be given away.  All of these money saving ideas can be applied to your own spending throughout the year.  If you get a card at discount, then use it to buy something for yourself at a store sale, you are multiplying your savings.  Clever methods for buying gift cards abound, and they can be used to save you money and turn you into a gift-giving superhero.

Click here to review offers that will allow you to buy a gift card with credit card

By Matt

Credit card gift cards have become an increasingly popular gift idea in recent years. The cards are easy to use, allow freedom of choice, and are widely available. Like store gift cards or gift certificates, credit card gift cards give the illusion that the gift-giver has put some thought into the process. Perhaps the giver believes that a card is more personal than a check or cash.  Regardless of the reason for the choice, it is important to be aware that the face value of the card may not be the amount that is available for use by the recipient.

Click here to compare the best credit card gift cards

Benefits of credit card gift cards

• Widespread acceptance. Credit card gift cards are generally accepted anywhere the credit card company whose logo appears on the card is accepted. It may be hard to keep up with your friends’ or family members’ ever-changing  tastes. A card is an easy way to let the recipient decide where to spend their gift, while maintaining the appearance that some thought went into the purchase.
• Ease of use. Like a regular credit card, all it takes is a swipe and your transaction is complete. Once the balance is used up, the card can be destroyed. Most cards can also be used to make online purchases, increasing purchasing options.
• Can be purchased at a discount. If you are using your own rewards to make the purchase, a discount may be available through your reward program. For example, a $25 gift card may only set you back $20, or the equivalent amount of points.

Avoiding fees

The drawback to giving a credit card gift card is that they are often subject to fees that can eat away at the value of the card. Here are a few tips to minimize their impact:

• Buy the cards in-store. This will avoid potential shipping fees, which can be as high as $15 or more for priority handling. A wide variety of cards are widely available at supermarkets and gas stations.
• Read the fine print. Dormancy or maintenance fees are often charged when cards go unused for a certain period of time. Find out how much they are, or if they exist at all.  These small charges can slowly eat away at the card balance.
• Steer clear of cards with high transaction charges. A $3.95 fee per transaction quickly devalues a $50 gift. If you know where the recipient likes to shop, consider a store specific card. These cards usually offer unlimited, free transactions.

Be sure that a credit card gift card is the best option for the individual on your list. Consider why the card option makes more sense than cash, if it doesn’t, then keep it simple. If a gift card seems like the best option in the situation, then make sure you are offering a card than can provide at or near face-value.

Click here to compare the best credit card gift cards

By Matt

With an abundance of credit cards to choose from you might be wondering which one is the best for making everyday purchases. The answer really depends on you; your spending habits and the way you use credit are extremely important factors in determining your best credit card fit. Don’t let yourself be dazzled be credit card sales pitches. Bonuses and rewards don’t mean anything if you’re not shopping at the right places or spending the required amount of money to maximize the benefits.

Click here to use our free credit card comparison tool

Where do you shop?

Determining where you make most of your purchases is a good place to start if you are looking for the best credit card for yourself. If you make most of your purchases at supermarkets and gas stations, you will want to focus on credit cards that will reward you for shopping there.

Cash back reward programs generally offer two tiers of incentives. They will offer a lower rate of cash returned to the consumer (usually one percent) on all purchases made with the card, and a premium rate (up to five percent) at select retailers. If you are looking at a cash back credit card then make sure the premium categories align with your shopping patterns. Other reward programs also offer bonus points for shopping at sponsored partners.

How much are you spending?

Be honest with yourself; how much do you expect to purchase on your credit card? A lot of rewards and sign up bonuses have spending thresholds which must be met before they are triggered. Also check to see if the reward program limits the amount of points that can be earned in a year.

If you don’t carry a balance and are able to pay your monthly statement in full, then you should consider using your credit card on all of your purchases. In a credit card transaction the retailer is usually charged a fee, but the cardholder has unlimited monthly transactions on retail purchases, with some exceptions. This differs from a debit transaction where the number of free debits per month depends on the bank account plan.

Effectively, you can use a credit card and earn rewards without incurring any costs aside from the annual fee associated with the credit card. It should also be noted that credit cards offer more protection for consumers against fraud, defective products and undelivered services.

Reward programs or low APR

We have pointed out how paying your balance allows you to maximize your reward, but what if you do carry a balance? With typical interest rates between 12% and 22%, even a modest balance can add up to hundreds of dollars a year in interest charges. Reward cards often carry higher interest rates and annual fees than standard credit cards. No big deal if you don’t carry a balance, but if you do then all those “free” points are being offset by your interest payments.

Collecting points for shopping might sound appealing, but you have to make sure it’s not costing you money in the long run.

By Matt

If you landed here then you are probably searching for credit card websites. As with most things on the internet, there are innumerable credit card websites, a few are good. The trick to not getting swindled in your search is to know what to look for — and what to avoid.

A good credit card website can save you hundreds of dollars by pointing you in the right direction, helping you find the credit card that best fits your needs.

Click here to compare credit card offers – 0% APR

Features of a good credit card website

1. User friendly – This can be a personal preference. Side by side comparisons will make it easy to measure one card’s features against another. Filters will let you compare the card features that are most important for you.
2. Current – Credit card offers are continually changing, and are usually available for a limited time. What was available last year or even last week might not be available today. Make sure you are getting up to date information or else you will just be wasting your time.
3. Complete disclosure – Most importantly, the site will direct you to a full disclosure of terms and conditions so you know exactly what you are getting into.

Red flags to avoid

Finding good information depends on your ability to recognize bad information. The problem is that online scammers put a lot of effort into making their website look credible. Steer clear of the following:

• Websites that seem to promote only a single brand, or make a specific brand look far superior to others.
• Credit cards issued by banks you’ve never heard of. They might be legitimate, but you will want to take the extra time to corroborate authenticity.
• Poor grammar and spelling. You can be sure these websites are fly by night operations looking to make a quick buck.
• Sponsored partners. These cards will usually make it to the top of the list in a website’s ranking system, regardless of how they stack up. The inclusion of a sponsored partner does not necessarily mean that it is a bad website. In fact, if it is marked as a partner, that’s a pretty good indication of honesty, just be aware that its inclusion has probably been paid for.

If you’re still not sure that you are getting genuine, accurate information on a card, then check out the bank’s website. Banks have reputations to uphold and are held to legislated advertising standards. Just make sure you always read the fine print.

By David

The Internet has a lot to offer, with everything from free email accounts to free credit card offers online. However, you need to be careful about what you sign up for on the Web, as there  are a number of terms and conditions you must know before you sign-up.

Click here to compare free credit card offers online

While there are many free credit card offers online, if you don’t read the fine print you could be hit with hefty charges after signing up for what you thought was a free credit card.

So here are a few things you should examine:

• The offer: It is necessary that you understand the offer before signing anything. Sometimes, offers are for a limited period with specific terms and conditions. If you are unsure about anything while going over the offer, don’t hesitate to contact the lending institution.
• Brand: Before writing down your personal information on an application form, it is important to verify that the offer is from a reputable company.
• Terms and conditions: We often forget to check out the complete terms and condition of things we sign up for and credit cards are no different. Free credit card offers online have their own intent, which is not always comprehended by the customer.
• Credibility: Is the card provider a known brand. Does it have a substantial presence on the Web? Have you ever heard of or seen the brand? What do those who have used their services in the past have to say? By researching the credibility of the lending institution before you sign up for anything, you’ll significantly reduce the odds of running into problems down the road.
• Financial implications: Does the credit card really come free? Well. You need to find out before you sign on the dotted line. While you’re at it, find out the interest rates as well so you are not hit with any surprises. When you decide to go with a particular lender, make sure you go through all your statements regularly, and if you find any strange charges made by the bank, don’t hesitate to contact them and find out why!

While sorting through all the offers you’re bombarded with can be overwhelming, you should not have any problems weaving through the bad offers if you follow the advice listed above.

By David

Today, there’s a huge collection of credit card deals available to consumers around the world. Some offer low interest rates and fees, while others reel you in with enticing rewards and benefits.

So how do you find and compare the right credit card deal? Well, all you have to do is to compare the various options being offered and decide what matters the most to you.  Are you more interested in keeping your fees at a minimum or do you want to get more value for your purchases with card benefits and rewards?

Here are a few things you should pay attention to when trying to compare credit card deal:

Charges and fees: Every charge card comes with some fees and charges. Some charge an annual fee, and most have fees for everything from going over your allocated credit limit to late fees.

Click here to compare the hottest credit card deals

Interest rates: This is another important factor you should consider while trying to compare credit card deal. Typically, many banks give a 30-day interest free period, after which the regular interest rate applies. Interest rates can sometimes change after the card has been issued, so make sure you go through the fine print before selecting which one is right for you.

Transaction limits: Most people opt for a credit card because of the freedom and convenience it provides, thus it is important to make sure the daily transaction limit on the card you select is high enough to accommodate your spending habits. The transaction limits on most credit cards are typically high enough for most users, but small business owners and the like need to ensure their regular transactions will go through hassle free.

Benefits and rewards: Every card comes with some benefits and rewards. Each time you swipe the card, you move a bit closer to earning some freebies, as per the terms and conditions of your card provider. So, when you compare credit card deal, look out for benefits and rewards that will save you money.

Validity: If you do a lot of travelling around the world, for business or pleasure, it is important that your card is accepted wherever you go. Find out what parts of the world your card can be used before selecting a lender.

Repayment cycle: While credit cards have a lot of benefits, they can also cause some financial difficulties down the road if misused. Learn everything you can about the repayment cycle of your credit card issuer, as you do not want to fall victim to predatory lending practices. If your provider doesn’t offer a grace period, that is something you want to know.

Additional cards: If you are thinking about authorizing other family members to use your account, you should find out if additional cards will cost you extra, and if you are even allowed to have multiple people on the account.

Customer support: You also want to look for lenders with professional customer support. Hour of operation are also important, since you want to always have the ability to contact your credit card issuer if any problems arise.