Posts Tagged ‘Cards:’
Discover Credit Cards: A Look At The Top 3
Although Visa and MasterCard might be the forerunners of the credit card industry, Discover card has been increasing in popularity over the last decade or so. Except for student credit cards, most Discover cards have a comparatively low APR, and they never have an annual fee. They have also been commended for customer service and for fraud prevention. With more than 50 million cardholders and more than 4 million merchant locations, Discover is proving their critics wrong. When they first opened in the early 90’s, their competition scoffed and it didn’t look as though they would make it in the credit card industry. They were hoping to brand a new trend in credit cards, and they have succeeded after years of marketing and communication.
Here are three popular Discover credit cards:
The Miles Card from Discover
The Miles Card is one of the most versatile frequent flier credit cards in that it allows you to earn miles as well as gift certificates or cash back. Customers earn one mile for every dollar spent, and can choose how they want to redeem their points.
Discover recently increased the bonus miles card holders can earn with the Miles Card to 12,000. On both purchases and balance transfers, the introductory rate is 0%. There are no blackout dates and miles can be redeemed both online and over the phone. In addition, you can redeem your points for flights on any airline. Discover might not offer some of the fringe benefits that accompany Visa and MasterCard credit cards, but they make up for it in rewards.
Discover Platinum Gas Card
With gas prices rising nearly every day, many consumers are turning to gas rebate cards to offset the amount they’re spending at the pump. Gas rebate cards, such as the Discover Platinum Gas Card, offer cash back rewards for every dollar you spend at gas stations.
The Discover gas rebate card is singularly unique because of its double-reward program. Typically, customers earn 5% cash back on all purchases at gas stations, but if you redeem your cash back rewards with select merchants, you receive double the original amount. Discover offers a 0% introductory APR, which applies to both purchases and balance transfers.
Customers also enjoy 0% fraud liability and free online Bill Pay. This card does require excellent credit, however, and they do have a minimum spending limit to receive the full 5% cash back. This card has up to a $50,000 credit limit.
Discover Gold Card
The Discover Gold card is one of the oldest Discover credit cards, and is still popular today. Like the platinum card, the Gold card allows customers to earn up to 5% cash back on purchases at select merchants and the cash back doubles if used within the Discover Merchant Network.
Customers can choose between three unique card faces and enjoy 0% fraud liability. Stores within the Discover Merchant Network include Red Lobster, Sharper Image and the Sunglass Hut. As with most Discover cards, there is a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for the Gold card.
The Gold card requires a good credit rating and there is a minimum spending limit in order to receive the full 5% cash back rewards. The card offers up to $25,000 in auto rental insurance coverage and up to $500,000 in travel accidental death insurance.
Discover Card is the newest credit card company, but it is growing in popularity as they continue to offer excellent customer service and valuable rewards programs. Take a look at our top three Discover cards and choose the one that works for you.
Copyright Ed Vegliante. Free online reprints of this article are allowed provided the resource box remains intact with a live link back to http://www.credit-card-surplus.com
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0% Credit Cards: Relief from Rising Interest Rates
If you haven’t checked your credit card statement lately, you should. Why? Because just about every time the Prime Rate increases, the interest rate you pay on a variable rate credit card rises accordingly. Over the past two years, the prime rate has skyrocketed to 8.00%, up 100% from January 2004, when this benchmark rate was a mere 4.00%. That means many credit cards that once charged rates around 10% are now charging close to 14% or more. Fortunately, credit card issuers have continued to offer 0% interest rates on balance transfers and purchases. For many, these 0% APR offers represent the best way to cut down on mounting interest charges.
Currently, American Express® leads the pack in 0% offerings, with the American Express® Blue credit card offering a 0% APR for up to 15 months. However, it takes excellent credit to attain this great introductory rate. In addition to the 15 month 0% APR offer, the American Express® Blue credit card also offers fixed APR balance transfers. Unlike the variable rates that apply to most balances, fixed APR balance transfers allow you to fix in your interest rate until the balance is repaid.
If you’ve been stung by rising interest rates, but don’t have the excellent credit needed to obtain an American Express® Blue, there are still a number of 0% APR options on the market. Just about every credit card issued by Chase offers a 0% interest rate on purchases and balance transfers for up to 1 year. Similarly, most Citi® credit cards offer at least a 0% for 12 months on balance transfers, with some cards offering 0% on purchases as well.
So, knowing what’s on the market, the question becomes: just how much can I save with a 0% APR credit card? While the precise value will differ from person to person, the basic answer is quite simple: a lot. For example, a $5,000 0% balance transfer can save a person with a 14% interest rate close to $800 over the course of one year. That’s no small change. If you don’t need a 0% balance transfer, but want flexibility in paying back your balance, a 0% APR on purchases will also provide great savings. For example, using a 0% credit card on just a $1000 of new purchases would still save you over $100 in interest expenses over the course of a year.
Smart credit card usage can save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars a year in interest. With current credit card rates moving higher and higher, a 0% credit card is more of an asset today than it was just a few years ago. Remember, however, that not all 0% offers are the same. Be sure to read the fine print. And enjoy the money you will save.
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