Credit Cards News Archive
News Archive: 2008
We all would love to obtain credit cards with no fees at all, but somehow those plastics we use almost every day have so many various fees and charges that it's getting difficult to manage them.
Typically, when applying for a card, customers pay attention mostly to an interest rate and an annual fee if there's any. But somehow, they overlook numerous hidden fees that may cost them dear. To be more exact, they cost millions of dollars a year. Read more and learn how you can identify and avoid hidden fees and surcharges.
Click here to read more...Like it or not, in today's world a credit card is a must-have for every customer who tries to go with the times. Gone are the days when cold cash prevailed, these days plastics are undisputable leaders, and if you've got long-term plans concerning your financial well-being, a credit card happens to be a great financial tool for building your credit score.
When it comes to first credit cards, college years may be the right time to start your credit life. The great thing about student credit offers is that they are designed to meet wants and needs of youngsters, they give an excellent opportunity to start establishing credit history when still in college. All the more so, there's no shortage of these deals in the credit market, so that you can easily take advantage of a credit card for students!
Click here to read more...For those people who are carrying heavy debts, a balance transfer game can save a large sum of money. However, this game can be a tricky one. On the one hand, you can take advantage of teaser rates and pay off your debts during the introductory period, on the other, you may end up paying much more than you expected. A balance transfer can be a smart idea and you can easily eliminate your debts. But before you take this step and shift your debt onto another card, you should know the rules of this balance transfer game.
Click here to read more...It would be great to apply for the card that requires no interests to be paid. Unfortunately, it's not possible. You will pay interests on a credit card, regardless of your credit history. The only difference here is how much you will pay.
Though there are no such plastics in the US, many issuers offer 0% APR for a specified period of time. The length of the introductory period ranges from six months to twelve or fifteen months. Anyway, you've got enough time to benefit from interest-free period and save a round sum of money in interests. Learn how to make the most of the cards with 0% introductory interest rates.
Click here to read more...[01:35:20 AM Monday, September 24, 2007]
Credit card market is so varied today. Really! There are cards that are aimed at completely different groups of consumers. It is hard to name the group that credit card companies have ignored. There are credit card deals for everybody.
Let's take a look at credit card consumer categories: cards for pets, students, children, travelers, businessmen... Credit companies have truly diversified marketing strategies.
A modern consumer wouldn't be surprised that there are special credit card offers for car owners as well. A car for a modern person is more than just a vehicle. It's a lifestyle, prestige. All the car companies position their best cars as elements of glamour, chic, and, certainly, speed! Cars targeted at an average income consumer are also widely advertised.
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[01:59:15 AM Thursday, September 27, 2007]
Making a profit out of someone's mischief has become a good business for scammers. Credit card issuers are rolling in money and credit fraudsters can snatch large sums. Very often people with bad credit history become victims of numerous credit scams. Generally, it's a tough task to come out of the red. And people give way to despair and take desperate steps in order to improve this awful situation. Your bad credit history may cost you even more if you fall for one of these credit scams. Shady credit card deals may add a tidy sum to your debt. How can they play nasty tricks on you?
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[01:34:07 AM Monday, October 01, 2007]
We live in the times of figures and numbers, when some plastic thing can give all the gen about your life and financial state. The days of stalwart knights and fair ladies are gone. And now our reputation depends on our IQ, SAT results and even credit card scores. Our credit card deals leave the mark on our credit history, and therefore on our well-being. It's clear as day, why lenders and auto-finance firms not to mention credit card companies require our credit card score. And what about employers? Why do they find credit card deals of potential employees so important?
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[12:22:58 AM Thursday, October 04, 2007]
The idea that credit card companies make money from cardholders seems quite common. The amount of publications about various credit card traps is enormous. Still, we keep on making credit card deals for the benefit of credit companies and our mistakes become their income. Meanwhile, some cardholders venture on a very bold step to make a profit on credit card deals. It sounds almost impossible but it is true. If you are a savvy person, you can try and earn "free money". But be careful! It resembles a stock market game - one false move will be costly for you.
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[03:27:52 AM Monday, October 08, 2007]
It is estimated that US customers have got addicted to credit cards so much that they are desperate for a new one even if deep in debt and facing bankruptcy. Very often, either because credit users don't read the terms or just don't understand them, they make deals which are actually against their interests.
Subprime, or bad, credit cards are disclosed as the last whatsoever resort for people in debt. Though these credit cards are aggressively marketed by companies and readily accepted by customers, credit unions and some financial experts insist that you are more likely to face an utter financial crash rather than recovery with them.
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[02:04:15 AM Thursday, October 11, 2007]
These days, high-tech goods are in great demand. We are ready to fork out an enormous sum of money for something full of gadgets. Credit card companies keep in step with up-to-the-minute technologies in order to amaze their customers. And they succeed to do that. The recent trend of credit card industry is a so-called "contactless" credit card. This card stores its data on a microchip, not on a magnetic stripe. So, you need just to wave the card within a couple of inches of the special reader and your credit card deal is made in mere seconds. But the tests of these cards have interesting results.
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[05:10:21 AM Monday, October 15, 2007]
As a rule, credit card issuers are likely to raise interest rates, and when it comes to lowering, they hang their legs. After Fed's half-point rate cut in September, millions of Americans sighed with relief. Credit crunch seems to be the thing of the past, and cardholders sincerely hope for better interest rates on their credit card deals, not to mention those who try to settle their debts. Financial experts cast doubt on this point. There are many factors that influence your interest rates. The question is, "Who will see the results of this cut and when?"
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[02:54:10 AM Monday, October 22, 2007]
There are a lot of credit users who like travelling. A couple of weeks at the deluxe hotel can really make wonders. By all means, the purpose of your trip does matter. But it's a real pleasure to stay at your favorite hotel even if it's your business trip. If you are a loyal customer of a certain hotel chain, you may consider a hotel rewards credit card as a good option for you. Like many other rewards credit card deals, they are extremely tempting. But before making your hotel rewards credit card deals, you may put a relevant question, "Are they worth it?"
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[05:21:51 AM Thursday, October 25, 2007]
The security for online credit card transactions, be it purchasing or online banking, has been a hot issue for the government of the USA. For some customers, the only fact of being unprotected from hackers stealing personal data online is a good enough reason to turn down the mere idea of making a credit card deal.
Let's admit it, the present-day business making is unthinkable without the Internet, so many customers take their credit card as the major tool to buy things online. And it is true not only to American credit cardholders but also to the majority in Belgium, as we have learnt from the news.
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[06:10:07 AM Monday, October 29, 2007]
A customer's buying decision is the result of a complicated mental work aimed at sorting out benefits and drawbacks of the deal and estimating the rate of ultimate satisfaction. A credit card is just like other products you buy, and your buying decision depends on how well the issuer advertised the plastic and what boons it actually has to offer.
As the market law requires, the participants must compete with each other not only to survive but also to draw funds for prosperity, and credit companies seem to be well armed warriors in their fight for customers. According to the results of 2007 Credit Card Satisfaction Study, American Express appears to be the strongest player and its credit card deals are of great demand among customers.
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