Credit Cards

When choosing a credit card, the interest rate should be the first thing to consider. Low interest rates only mean one thing: more savings! The bigger the balance of the account, the bigger sum of money will be saved. As more money gets saved, more money gets stored and more interests will roll in the bank account.

Other credit cards companies have reasonable interest rates and offers more like giving the percentage of money back. The more money spent on credit, more money will be returned to the card’s user. Most credit cards use 5% on special purchases and 1% on regular purchases.

Some banks give “Reward Points.” These “Reward Points” accumulate as the credit card is used and it may be exchanged for certain items catalogued by the bank. Points may be exchanged for microwaves, cell phones, televisions and the like. This is yet another great feature to be considered when looking for a card.

A number of major banks offer low interest rates. A few major banks would be: Citibank, American express and JP Morgan Chase. These banks are known to give 0% introductory APR (Annual Percentage Rate) for 12 months. Most of these cards offer no annual rates.

Here are some credit cards with low interest rates:

Citi Dividend Platinum Select Card (Citibank):
-it features 0% APR (Annual Percentage Rate) for 12 months
-it rewards the user. The more this card is used, the bigger the rewards.
-earn 5% return from expenses in supermarkets, drug stores and gas stations.
-earn 1% return from other expenses.

Citi Premier Pass Card (Citibank):
-0% introductory APR.
-get points by flying. Every mile gets you a point.

American Express Blue Card (American Express):
-3.99% fixed interest rate.
-0% introductory APR for 15 months.

Chase Cash Plus Visa (JP Morgan Chase):
-0% interest rate for 12 months.
-has other cash back promos.

Chase Flexible Rewards Platinum Visa Card (JP Morgan Chase):
-0% introductory APR for 12 months.
-a dollar spent equals a point.
-no annual fee.

Pulaski Bank Visa Master Card:
-0% on balance transfers for 5 months
-6.99% fixed rate
-$35 annual fee

Discover Card:
-0% APR for the first 10 months.
-$0 annual fee.
-9.99% fixed interest rate.

These cards have the lowest interest rates in the credit card market today. These cards do not only offer low rates, but they also give certain rewards for the frequent users of the card.

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Southwest Airlines, one of the biggest international airlines, goes hand-in-hand with Chase, a big credit card company, to produce: Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Visa Card.

Southwest Airlines is known for their Rapid Rewards. Unlike most airline companies, count the round trips made and not the miles of every trip. Only eight roundtrips are required to be able to avail of rewards. This concept was combined with their credit cards so that the people may enjoy their services more.

Chase Credit Cards operates under Bank One and First USA brands and offers cards that are flexible, trusted and superb customer service.

Southwest Airlines together with Chase, produced two types of credit cards: Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Visa Signature Card and Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Visa Business Card.

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Visa Business Card:

This is the card recommended for small businesses. It is ideal, because it can separate the personal expenses from the expenses of the business. Every time this card is used, the user has a chance to win a roundtrip Award.

Reward Dollars may be earned in all purchases.

-two Reward Dollars may be earned by spending $1 on Southwest Airlines.
-one Reward Dollar may be earned by spending $1 on all other types of purchases.

This will also entitle the applicant to an internet account that may be used to maintain and organize the expenses of the business. With the online help, quarterly reviews may be seen and reports may be downloaded by the card holder.

This card also gives up to a $100,000 limit even for small businesses. Grace periods are offered for easier pay.

This card also boasts low annual fee. It only has an annual fee of $59 dollars and is relatively less than other companies that go from $60 - $100.

Rewards are easily earned, because a reward may already be cashed in when the expenses reach $19,200. That is pretty low, compared to the $25,000 minimum of other card companies.

Additional cards do not have a fee, but a minimum amount is needed for it to be availed.

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Visa Signature Card:

The Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Visa Signature Card offers all the Visa Business Card offers and more.

It does not have a credit limit. Also, it does not have a limit when accumulating Award points by using the card.

It offers zero liability on unauthorized purchases. In addition to that, it has purchase security, travel and emergency assistance and other offers from Visa.

Additional Benefits:

Get four (4) bonus credit cards upon purchase.

Today, most parents contend that it is okay to let college students obtain their very own credit card. Not only because they want to let their kids manage their finances alone but also because having credit cards or a credit history for that matter is extremely important.

With the advent of credit cards, most people would always be looking into someone’s credit history before they can approve anything.

They even insist that without a credit history, people tend to become a total outcast in the society, someone who is not worthy to enjoy anything and everything without a credit history. That is why most college students would struggle just to get one.

But what makes the student credit card different from the other credit card? Why is it that it is highly classified as “student credit card,” and not just any credit cards for that matter?

Basically, student credit cards do not make such big difference as compared to the other types of credit cards. However, because it is a student credit card, the benefits stated therein are completely focused on providing the student’s their basic needs.

Moreover, student credit cards are entitled to lower interest rates especially for students who have good grades. They can negotiate their interest rates for a lower rate provided that they pay their balance dues on time and that they maintain good grades.

On the other hand, student’s credit cards are actually secured credit cards. But the difference that sets the students credit card apart from the other credit cards is that their parents can set the credit limit.

Also, parents can let their child’s credit card to hook up with them so that they can keep track on their child’s credit transactions.

Another thing that sets the student cards apart from the other credit cards is that the student credit cards are mainly focused on and quoted for students only considering the fact that they have limited credit history.

Normally, student credit cards have no annual fees and have credit limits that are only set to $500. And according to some surveys of financial institutions, the average student credit card annual percentage rate is 17.66% for purchases and 19.67% for cash advances.

So, even if student credit cards are different from the other credit cards because of its considerable interest rates, it is still a credit card. Thus, students must really be responsible in handling them; otherwise, they are bound to suffer bad credit history in the end.

Shopping had never been lousy since the advent of credit cards. Since then, people had always been indulging into various cashless shopping due to the convenience of the credit card.

However, most people get credit cards only for the sake of shopping. They do not even read the fine print on their credit card and the least that they have considered is the one with the low annual percentage rate or APR. Most of them did not even know how interest rates could affect their billing.

On its general since, low APR credit card are those that have lower APR. This means that the cost of the interest rate will be according to the purchases obtained by the customer.

Normally, APR vary from 6% to more than 30%. Of course, it would be clear that the card with the lowest APR credit card is those that have 6% or lower.

But consumers should remember, that APR can be very tricky especially if the consumer have no idea what interest rates mean.

Basically, credit card companies would offer the consumers very low APR credit card so as to get the consumers on the hook. In fact, credit card companies could lower their APR to as much as 0%.

Low APR credit cards are usually expressed during the introductory rate so as to entice new credit card holders to sign up to them; and once they are all hooked up, the credit card company would start changing and increasing their credit cards.

People should know what makes a low credit card really low and the best option for retaining that low APR even if the introductory offer is over.

First, they should know that APR has two faces: the fixed and the variable.

The fixed APR has more stable interest rates than variable rates. Variable rates, on the other hand, can start really low but it all depends on the prime rate of the Federal Reserve. This means that at any point in time, it may increase.

Needless to say, there are really quite a few credit cards that have low APR. The reason behind it is that APR is actually where the credit card companies get to earn a living. If they continue to give people the low APR that they used to claim, chances are they wouldn’t be in the business for so long.

The bottom line here is that consumers should be really conscious on their APR and other interest rate. Low APR credit cards will not be very beneficial if it will only last for 6 months or so.

With credit cards dominating the market world today, even college students are already prospective clients of most credit card companies. This is because studies have revealed that most college students have difficulty in maintaining their expenses especially to those who are far way from home. That is why credit card nowadays had been a “must-have” for most college students.

Basically, college credit cards do not differ that much to ordinary credit cards. In fact, college credit cards are classified as secured credit cards because students do not have any credit history that will enable them to get a regular credit card.

But the fact remains them. Why would credit card companies be willing to provide college students with credit cards where in fact there is no basis where they can tell whether the student is capable of paying or not.

For two reasons, the credit card companies see a greater opportunity in them. One, survey shows that most college students remain loyal to their credit card company even after they have graduated from college and got have their work.

Second, reports show that college students are actually good customers. Most of them really do pay on time. Moreover, their balances tend to provide workable income to the credit card company.

On the other hand, college credit cards are also preferred by most parents, even if they know there will always be the tendency to overspend, due to the fact that college credit cards offer some fringe benefits that other credit cards cannot provide.

A good example of this is the student loans that will be used to pay the tuition fees. In doing so, students, as well as parents, will have an easier way of paying tuition fees at a more considerable rate and payment plan. Plus, there are college credit cards that had tied up with some establishments that are very useful to college students. They can, in turn, get fringe benefits and rewards from these establishments whenever they pay their balances on time.

Best of all, college credit cards have lower rates than most regular credit cards in the event that they maintain good grades.

Indeed, college credit cards are part of the “must-haves” of the college students. In fact, it is also one way of letting them know the ins and outs of good financial planning and budgeting.

The goal here is for the students to know how to use the plastics responsibly, and they should know that whatever they do, it’s under their responsibility.

With so many credit cards dominating the market these days, people can no longer tell the difference between one card to another. It all seems like a wide array of credit cards all committed to provide the consumers with substantial means in cashless shopping.

However, there is one credit card that aims to be above the rest. This is the chase credit cards.

On its facade, chase credit cards may look just like the other credit cards, works like the others, and has the basic features of a typical credit card. But what people still don’t know about chase credit cards is that what it has basically more than meets the eye.

Here are some facts about chase credit cards in order to guide those who are contemplating to get hold of it:

1. Chase credit cards are easily accessible online.

Just like the other credit cards, chase credit cards are also available online. But the fact that people can do transactions online is a remarkable modification in credit cards.

In fact, consumers who want to get a chase credit card can easily apply online, and once approved they can continuously track their balances, statements, and details of their transactions all in just one click.

2. Chase credit cards have free alerts.

These are the notifications that a chase credit card holder receives through e-mail or phone.

If the consumer chooses e-mail alerts, notifications shall be sent to the user’s e-mail address, wap-enabled mobile phone, pager, or even a PDA device. In this way, the consumer can be updated about his or her account at any time of the day.

Free alerts can even jog your memory whenever there is a due payment. It will also ring a bell in the event that your balance is about to reach its limit. Best of all, it is free so people don’t have to worry about additional charges just for this service.

3. Chase credit cards offers versatility when paying bills.

Chase credit cards can be used automatically to pay all the bills on due. The consumer has to arrange for the specific requirements needed before they can get their chase credit card start paying bills.

So, for a new way of enjoying credit cards with all the functions still intact but has a different way of managing the consumer’s accounts, chase credit cards are certainly the best of its kind.

Credit card rates have always been an issue in applying for a credit card. These rates are what everyone should know before choosing a credit company from another. Shopping around for the best rates will give you the best deal.

For you to own a credit card, you should first know what are credit card rates? What is an APR? What are the different kinds of rates?

Credit card rates are used to measure the interest of your credit card. It is used to know how much you would pay if you hold a balance on your account, if you have a cash advance or loan, and if you transferred a balance from other credit cards. The credit card rates are usually computed annually.

1) APR. The APR signifies the annual percentage rate of the interest. The APR is used by the bank to know how much would be charged on your bill for a yearly basis. There are two kinds of APRs:

* Fixed. This kind of APR is an interest rate which has been arranged by the bank. The fixed APR would not be changed unless the bank or the credit card owner would amend the contract of agreement. Majority of credit card accounts that has fixed rates does not change often.

* On-going. This kind of APR is a kind of interest rate that could change even after the signing of contracts and the grace period.

Note: Both the fixed and APR rates would depend on consistency of the bill payments, if you would request your APR to be changed either lower or higher and if certain government provisions was made regarding the annual rates of your credit card.

* Special APRs. These kinds of annual rates would depend on the contract you have signed. If your terms specify a penalty APR when you would not be able to pay for your bills, this kind of rates would apply.

2) Interest rate.

* Fixed. A fixed interest basically means that your rate cannot be changed unless the bank informs you that there have been some changes in the policies.

* Variable. A variable interest rate changes automatically whenever the basic rate of the bank increases or decreases.

Note: Both the fixed and the variable rates could be changed by the bank anytime. This means that any bank could alter the terms and conditions of your credit account for a fifteen-day notice.

So you just opened an envelope that contained a shiny piece of plastic with your name on it. Awesome … a bank or financial institution just gave you a line of credit! Before you start joyously swiping it on just about any cash register, take the time to read this article to understand the credit card interest rates.

A credit card is an authority to spend the money of the company that issued it, in return for a promise that you will repay them in the future, called payment-due date. This date is written on your card’s monthly billing statement together with the total cost of the items you purchased for that month (outstanding balance). Smart credit card users pay for the total outstanding balance on the payment due date. However, there maybe instances that you will not be able to. During these times, the card company let’s you borrow the money longer, until the next month’s payment-due date, for a fee. This fee is calculated based on the credit card’s interest rate.

Usually, credit card companies quote the APR (Annual Percentage Rate) as the “interest rate” for using their card. But, this is not entirely true. When you do not pay the total outstanding balance, interest is applied to it, called the monthly periodic rate (equals APR/12). This is added on to the unpaid amount and becomes next month’s outstanding balance. Every month, the periodic rate is applied to whatever outstanding balance is unpaid. This process is called compounding interest. So, the total of the compounding interest is the Effective Annual Rate (EAR), which is in-fact bigger than the APR. This is the TRUE interest rate of the credit card. Consult http://www.abcguides.com/creditcards/cci_faq.htm#interest for an illustrated example of the discussion above.

An introductory rate is an interest rate that is offered by a card company for a limited period (say 1st year of using the card). This is usually very low, sometimes 0% to attract you to apply. After the limited time, the EAR will be the on-going interest rate. Be sure to check this before signing up.

Also, ask whether your rate is fixed or variable. Fixed interest rate does not change from month to month. A variable interest rate changes monthly, based on some industry rate (for example, Fed Rate or Prime Rate) from which your rate is calculated (your rate is 5%+ Fed Rate). It may be smarter in the long run to choose a fixed-rate card.

Now that you have a better understanding on credit card interest rates, it is still wise to settle the total outstanding balance monthly. Else, pay only for what you can afford, as if you did not have the credit card.

Today when everything is just a click away, owning a credit card or two is nothing knew. Plastic cards have replaced paper money. Why it’s very convenient! You don’t have to worry about running out of cash every time you go shopping. Spending time counting pennies or loose change is no longer a problem. Credit cards have made life easier for every consumer.

Visa is the most common credit card in the market with more than one billion users. It is also the first credit card known to everybody since its debut in 1976.

What can you do with your Visa Credit Card?

1. Pay your taxes. Standing in queue to pay for your taxes is long over. You can now pay your taxes using the Visa Credit Card.

2. Pay your bills. Now you don’t have to make stops to the billing centers to pay your bills. Paying them is a phone call away with your Visa Credit Card.

3. Donate to charity. Feeling generous? Give your share to those in need using Visa and feel great with the help you gave.

4. Travel with Visa. Pay your air fares and other needs while you’re away for vacation. Travel has never been this fun using Visa with its Visa Traveler’s Check, Visa Travel Money and even the Visa currency converter.

Now that you know what you can do with a Visa Credit Card, it’s time to get one. But first, let’s see which visa credit card that would best suit your needs.

1. Visa Classic. This credit card type is the most convenient for the first timers. It’s the roadway to building a good credit history.

2. Visa Gold. This is the card created to suit your need. This is for holders that have a good strong credit history.

3. Visa Student. This card is offered to students. It includes special discounts for books and computers when you use your card to purchase.

Now that your equipped with the basics about your Visa Credit Card, it’s time to know a little more about what Visa has to offer.

There’s no pleasure like gift-giving. Visa offers The Visa Gift Card. This is a prepaid debit card perfect for birthday gifts and for other occasions.

Teach your teens how to spend their money wisely with the Visa Buxx. This is a prepaid card for teenagers that could be loaded by their parents.

Enjoy your dream vacation with no worries. Let the Visa TravelMoney take care of your purchasing needs while on vacation.

Responsible use of your credit card allows flexibility and leverage as it helps people manage their money. By using the principle of interest rates in credit, it allows large and expensive purchases like buying furniture and appliances. Payment for these large purchases can be extended over a specific period to make it more flexible for the credit user. The credit card company on the other hand is able to earn income charging interest rates for credit used over a specific period of time.

Credit card companies use as promotional or marketing strategies the giving of rewards to their card customers by giving points for every time they use their credit cards when making transactions. These reward points can be in a form of free gifts, appliances, electronic gadgets, cash rewards or travel miles. The number of points per card transaction may depend on the amount purchased. For travel point rewards for example, a 1 dollar purchase transaction sometimes equals 1 travel reward mile. The number of travel miles will usually depend on the travel destinations, the credit card company’s rewards program and the airline companies they have tied up with in their air miles points program.

Travel rewards from using credit cards in making purchases are quantified in air miles. Heavy credit card users are able to benefit from these programs the most as the huge accumulated points that they may make may already equal the points equivalent to one plane ticket. The more purchases a person does on his credit card, the more points his credit card rewards him and the person has the options to convert these to travel air miles.

To determine if the accumulated air miles rewards points a person has is enough to avail of a plane ticket, lets say flying domestic within the US, they can do this by checking with their credit card companies how much air miles they need to accumulate in order to avail of a plane ticket to their desired destination. The number of accumulated air miles points on their card doesn’t necessarily equal the actual miles required to make the trip. In order to determine the actual equivalent of miles their accumulated miles rewards points from their credit card purchases, they’ll need to check with their credit card hotline numbers or from their credit card’s consumer websites to receive more detailed information in determining how much actual miles their accumulated air miles reward points has made, how to claim them and how to work out the travel arrangements with the airline company the credit card company has tied up with regards to the travel rewards promotions.