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US Bank Offers No Fee 0% Balance Transfer Cards

By on June 9, 2010 in blog

Important Update: The Discover More card now offers a no fee 0% balance transfer for 12 months.

In a sign that balance transfer offers are back in full swing, US Bank has brought back the no fee balance transfer. On three specialty cards, US Bank is offering a 0% balance transfer for 12 billing cycles with no balance transfer fee.

Here’s a look at each credit card offer, along with links to the card for more information:

Children’s Wish Foundation Select Rewards Visa Platinum Card

The Children’s Wish Foundation Select Rewards Visa Platinum Card from US Bank is designed for those that want to support a nonprofit organization dedicated to fulfilling Wishes for seriously ill children around the world, creating precious smiles and memories their families cherish for a lifetime.

Summary

  • No Pre-Set Spending Limit
  • Earn 1 reward point with every net purchase dollar charged.
  • Redeem points for travel, merchandise, gift certificates, cash back and more!
  • Redeem points sooner — start redeeming with just 1,500 points.
  • 0.00% APR for the first 12 billing cycles on purchases.
  • 0.00% APR for the first 12 billing cycles on balance transfers.
  • No annual fee.

The Linux Fund Visa Signature Card

The US Bank Linux Fund Visa Signature credit card is designed for those that want to support Linux and open source software. Each time you buy lunch, gas, a new game box, or a big screen, a portion of your “cardholder rewards” becomes a charitable donation to Free and Open Source Software (F/OSS).

Summary

  • No Pre-Set Spending Limit
  • Earn 1 reward point with every net purchase dollar charged.
  • Redeem points for travel, merchandise, gift certificates, cash back and more!
  • Redeem points sooner — start redeeming with just 1,500 points.
  • 0.00% APR for the first 12 billing cycles on purchases.
  • 0.00% APR for the first 12 billing cycles on balance transfers.
  • No annual fee.

Baylor University Alumni Association Visa Signature Card

The Baylor University Alumni Association Visa Signature Card is designed for those that want to support Baylor University.

Summary

  • No Pre-Set Spending Limit
  • Earn 1 reward point with every net purchase dollar charged.
  • Redeem points for travel, merchandise, gift certificates, cash back and more!
  • Redeem points sooner — start redeeming with just 1,500 points.
  • 0.00% APR for the first 12 billing cycles on purchases.
  • 0.00% APR for the first 12 billing cycles on balance transfers.
  • No annual fee.

One of the big questions here is whether the US Bank balance transfer offers are the best available. While they are the only 0% offers we know of with no transfer fee, they are not the longest. That honor currently goes to Citi, which offers a card with a 0% balance transfer for 18 months with a 4% transfer fee. Which one is best likely depends on your specific situation, but if you need the cash for more than one year, the Citi offer is probably the best bet. The 18-month card is the Citi Platinum Select MasterCard.

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Slate(SM) from Chase Goes Vertical, Dude

By on June 4, 2010 in blog

Does it matter to you what your credit card looks like? It must matter to some, because many credit card companies go to great lengths to design their cards. Chase recently made a subtle change to its Slate(SM) with Blueprint card–they turned it vertical and added the Visa logo.

The terms of the card haven’t changed. It’s still a top pick if you are looking for a no annual fee card with a solid 0% introductory rate offer. But the question is whether the new design will be a marketing boon or bust. Your thoughts in the comments below are of course appreciated.

And while you’re contemplating the new design, here are a few more from other card issuers to consider.

Discover Mix Tape Student Card

Discover® Mix Tape Student Card

Zync(SM) from American Express

Zync(SM) from American Express

Orchard Bank Classic MasterCard

Orchard Bank Classic MasterCards - Sunset

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How to Apply Online for a Credit Card

By on May 25, 2010 in help

The Internet has made applying for a credit card quick and easy. Not only has the Internet made online applications a reality, but it also has made finding, reviewing and comparing credit card offers a snap.

While it may at first seem complicated to apply online for a card, it’s really simple. We’ll walk you through the process here, which only takes a couple of minutes. An online credit card application involves just three steps:

1. Compare, review and pick the card you want
2. Visit the card’s secure online application page
3. Fill out the online form to submit your application

Let’s take a look at each of these steps.

Step 1: Compare, review and pick the card you want

The first step is to choose a credit card. We’ve made that task easier by organizing credit card offers by category. In the left sidebar you’ll see five primary categories of credit cards: (1) low interest rate cards, (2) rewards cards, (3) cards by credit history, (4) cards by type, and (5) cards by issuer. These card offers include credit cards from major issuers such as Citi, Discover, Chase, and American Express.

On each page you’ll find the information you need to choose a credit card. This information includes the card’s interest rate, any 0% introductory offers, and details on any rewards offered by the card. Once you’ve chosen a card, it’s time to move to step two.

Step 2: Visit the card’s secure online application page

With each credit card offer you’ll find here at Credit Card Offers IQ, you’ll see a green or orange apply button. Pressing this button will take you to that card’s official online application page. It’s important to note that you’ll never be asked for confidential information here at Credit Card Offers IQ. All of your application information will be provided directly to the credit card company on their secure website.

Step 3: Fill out the online form to submit your application

Once you’ve chosen the card you want and gone to the card’s online application, it’s a snap to apply online for the card. By federal law, credit card companies must collect certain basic, identifying information. This information includes your name, address, date of birth, and social security number. You will also be asked about your occupation and income, and whether you have any bank accounts.

If you are applying for a card with a 0% balance transfer option, you may also be asked about the balances you wish to transfer. And if you want to add other authorized users, you will be asked for their name.

Once you’ve submitted your application, you should receive a confirmation e-mail from the credit card company stating that your application has been received. For some cards, you can actually get the results of your application in about 60 seconds. Called instant approval cards, you can check out our list of instant approval credit cards that we update daily.

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3 Ways a Credit Card Can Protect Your Next Purchase

By on May 10, 2010 in credit card tips

Some benefits of using a credit card are obvious. For example, some use credit cards to take advantage of 0% offers, cash back rewards, or miles. But there are some additional perks to using a credit card that aren’t as well known. One of those perks is purchase protection
Purchase protection offers you additional assurance that the product you are about to buy is protected from certain types of losses. Whiles these protections vary from one credit card to another, purchase protections usually come in three flavors:

  • Protection for purchases
  • Warranty extensions
  • Protection for returned items

Let’s take a look at each of these benefts.

Protection for Purchases

Protection for purchases cover merchandise that has been damaged or found to be defective. In some cases, the protection also covers you if the item you purchased becomes available for less than you paid. These protections usually lasts 90 days from the date of purchase. Depending on the card, there may be a minimum monetary requirement to qualify for a refund.

Examples from several popular credit cards:

American Express

  • Embedded Protection: Use your Card and Purchase Protection protects eligible purchases against accidental damage or theft for up to 90 days from the date of purchase.
  • Worldwide Coverage: Coverage includes eligible purchases made worldwide with the Card, including gifts purchased for others.
  • Shop Worry Free: Purchase Protection repairs, replaces or reimburses you for up to the amount charged to the Card.

Citi Diamond Preferred Card

  • Price Protection: If you buy something with your Citi card and then see it advertised in print for less within 60 days, you will receive a refund for the difference up to $250.
  • Retail Purchase Protection: Most items purchased with your card are eligible for protection against accidental damage or theft for up to 90 days from the date of purchase.

Warranty Extensions

Many credit cards extend the terms of any original manufacturer’s warranty, which is typically an additional year added to the warranty. Some credit card companies, however, will not extend the warranty if you haven’t registered your product.

Examples from several popular credit cards:

MasterCard

  • Extended Warranty: Doubles the original manufacturer’s or store brand warranty for up to one year when you pay with your eligible MasterCard card.
  • Satisfaction Guarantee: If you become dissatisfied with a product you purchase using your eligible MasterCard card within 60 days of purchase, and the store will not accept a return, you may be eligible for a refund for the cost of the product up to $250.

American Express

  • Embedded Protection: Charge your covered purchases that have a valid U.S. manufacturer’s warranty of 5 years or less to the Card.
  • Extend Your Warranty: Charge your covered purchases that have a valid U.S. manufacturer’s warranty of 5 years or less to the Card.

Protection for Returned Items

These features guarantee customer satisfaction on covered items charged to a card. If a card holder tries to return an item and the manufacturer or vendor won’t take it back within the allotted time, the card holder will receive a refund from the credit card issuer.

Examples from several popular credit cards:

American Express:

  • 90 days of Protection: If you try to return an eligible item purchased in the U.S. within 90 days from the date of purchase and the merchant won’t take it back, American Express will refund the purchase price.
  • Up to $300 Coverage: You are covered for up to $300 per item, excluding shipping and handling, up to $1,000 annually per Card account.

MasterCard

  • Satisfaction Guarantee: If you become dissatisfied with a product you purchase using your eligible MasterCard card within 60 days of purchase, and the store will not accept a return, you may be eligible for a refund for the cost of the product up to $250
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American DreamCard Review

By on May 6, 2010 in credit cards

American DreamCard™ MasterCard®

The American DreamCard is a rewards credit card issued by HSBC. The card is perhaps best known for the large monthly jackpots it awards to card holders every month. Here are the American DreamCard’s key features:

  • Over $1.1 Million Awarded to Date!
  • Large monthly cash jackpots
  • Earn entries from everyday shopping
  • Get 1,000 entries just for applying!
  • A New Winner Every Month!
  • Refer your friends and automatically receive 50 entries for each referral and get a signing bonus of 1,000 entries for each referral who is approved for the American DreamCard™
  • See terms and conditions for important rate, fee, and other cost information, and limitations

    Apply Now!

American DreamCard Sweepstakes

for every $1.00 you spend up to 1,000 entries per qualifying transaction, you get a sweepstakes entry to win the monthly American DreamCard sweepstakes jackpot. Now the American DreamCard is NOT a lottery; it is a MasterCard so there is no need to stand in line, buy tickets or pick numbers, simply use your credit card for everyday purchases and you could win!

Here’s how it works:

  1. Hit the Jackpot! – Every net $1 you spend on your American DreamCard credit card gives you an entry, up to 1,000 entries per qualifying transaction to win the monthly American DreamCard Sweepstakes Jackpot!*
  2. Receive 1,000 Sweepstakes Entries just for Applying!
  3. Tell your friends and family and earn extra sweepstakes entries! For every referral you provide to www.americandreamcard.com you will receive 50 sweepstakes entries and for those referrals who apply for the American DreamCard credit card and becomes a cardholder, you will receive a signing bonus of 1,000 sweepstakes entries for the next sweepstakes jackpot drawing!*
  4. Entries Grow! – Sweepstakes entries are good for all drawings for the current sweepstakes!

Other Features

The American DreamCard is a variable interest card with rates ranging from 14.99% to 21.99%. The annual fee for the card is $0, $39, or $59 depending on credit worthiness.

If you’d like more information about the American DreamCard or to apply online, visit www.americandreamcard.com.

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American Express Launches Zync

By on May 6, 2010 in Credit Card News

Some time ago we reviewed Zync by American Express. Zyne is a charge card aimed at the younger generation. Among other things, Zync is the first charge card that let’s you decide what rewards you want added to the card. Called Packs, card holders could choose between rewards such as travel, food & dining, and even eco (green) rewards.

In its beta launch, Zync offered four Packs. This week American Express moved the Zync card out of beta and officially launched the card. With the official launch, American Express is offering 10 Packs. According to an American Express press release:

American Express (NYSE:AXP) today announced the launch of ZYNC from American Express, a new Charge Card designed for and with a new generation of Cardmembers in their 20s and 30s. Offered in beta since December 2009, the ZYNCSM Card brings together the financial control of the pay-in-full Charge Card with the added flexibility to select bundles of rewards and benefits called “Packs” that are tailored to specific lifestyle interests and spending habits in categories such as music, fashion, food, travel and more.

Here are the 10 Packs now available with the Zync card:

PackBenefitCost
Give Back 1,000 Membership Rewards® points for each logged hour of volunteer service and one Membership Rewards point for every charitable dollar donated using your American Express Card No fee, must enroll
Family Travel Access a family travel specialist to assist in booking vacations, family-specific travel benefits and savings with hotels, cruise, car rental and tour partners, and more No fee, must enroll
Personal Finance Complimentary credit score and report, access to money management tools and tips No fee, must enroll
Eco2X Membership Rewards points at more than 4,000 select green merchants as rated by Greenopia, discounts on eco-friendly merchandise in the Membership Rewards program and access to an eco concierge service to answer green questions No fee, must enroll
Music2X Membership Rewards points on concert tickets, pre-sale access to select music events and concert tickets $5
Go2X Membership Rewards points on airfare ticket purchases, lost wallet protection and travel discounts $20
Food & Wine A one-year subscription to FOOD & WINE® Magazine, savings on Cookbooks and wine guide and discounted membership to FOOD & WINE Connoisseur Club $20
Connect 2X Membership Rewards points on mobile phone, cable, broadband and internet charges, plus discounts on select mobile merchandise in the Membership Rewards program $20
Style2X Membership Rewards points at department stores and specialty retailer Gilt.com, enhanced Return Protection, and special offers from Gilt.com and Lucky Magazine $25
Restaurant 2X Membership Rewards points at restaurants plus special dining discounts and offers from restaurants including Lettuce Entertain You®, Morton’s The Steakhouse®, Patina Restaurant Group, Seasons 52® Dunkin’ Donuts® and Cold Stone Creamery® $25

ZYNC Cardmembers also enjoy the peace of mind and security that comes with carrying an American Express® Charge Card with benefits, such as:

  • Emergency assistance when Card members are 100 miles or more away from home with Global Assist ® Hotline
  • Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, at no additional charge
  • 24/7 Roadside Assistance Anywhere
  • Baggage Insurance Plan
  • Purchase Protection
  • Extended Warranty
  • Return Protection (An enhanced return protection is available with enrollment in the Style pack.)

To get more information on the the Zync card and to apply for a card online, visit the American Express Zync website.

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Citi Forward® Card

By on April 14, 2010 in credit cards

The Citi Forward® Card offers innovative rewards with a low introductory interest rate offer, all with no annual fee. In a first for the credit card industry, Citi Forward will reduce the regular APR on the card by 0.25% each quarter in which you pay your bill on time and stay under the card’s credit limit. The Forward card also offers several ways to earn Citi ThankYou Points.

Citi Forward® Card
  • $100 in gift cards - When you redeem the 10,000 bonus ThankYou® Points received after you make $650 in purchases and sign up for paperless statements within the first 3 months
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers and for 7 months on purchases. After that, 12.99% - 22.99% variable
  • 5 points for every $1 spent at restaurants and on books, movies and music. 1 point for every $1 you spend on all other purchases
  • APR reduction on purchases when using credit wisely
  • No Annual Fee*

Citi Forward ThankYou Points

Arguably the best feature of the Citibank Forward card is its reward points. The card comes with several ways to earn both bonus points and ongoing points through everyday purchases.

Bonus ThankYou Points

  • 1,000 bonus points when you sign up for paperless statements within 3 months of account opening
  • 100 points each billing period when you pay on time and stay under your credit line

Everyday ThankYou Points

  • 5 reward points for every $1 you spend on books, movies, music and at restaurants.
  • 1 reward point for every $1 you spend on other purchases

Purchase APR Reduction

Citi Forward also offers one of the most unique options to actually lower your interest rate. Simply make a purchase, stay under your credit line and pay on time 3 billing periods in a row, and Citi will reduce your purchase APR by 0.25%. You can continue to lower your interest rate by a total of 2%.

0% Introductory Offer

The card offers an introductory rate of 0% for 7 months on purchases*. After the introductory rate, the APR you receive is 12.99-22.99% (Variable)*, based on your creditworthiness.

Other Citi Forward Features

As with other Citi credit cards, the Forward card offers a number of additional benefits. In fact, Citi offers so many additional perks with its credit cards, it’s difficult to list them all in one article. But here are some of the more popular features:

  • Virtual Account Numbers: With one click, you can generate a random credit card number and make it virtually impossible for anyone to steal your account number while shopping online. Then, you enter this number into the merchant’s form and complete your purchase without revealing your real card number.
  • Citi® Photocard: Citi® Photocard offers added security and a great form of photo identification by putting your picture and signature on the front of your Citi card. Now that’s something to smile about. Simply call the telephone number on the back of your card for details.
  • Retail Purchase Protection: Retail Purchase Protection protects most items purchased with your Citi card against theft or accidental damage up to 90 days from the date of purchase.
  • Extended Warranty: Extended Warranty coverage may provide extension of up to one additional year on manufacturers’ U.S. warranties of one year or less with most purchases on your card.
  • Paperless Statements: Receive monthly statements online only and get instant access to your last 12 statements in PDF format. Less paper in the mail means less chance of your sensitive information ending up in the wrong hands.
  • The Lost Wallet® Service: If your Citi card is lost or stolen, Citi will issue a new card at no cost. Citi can also provide you with emergency cash, subject to your available cash limit, and information to help you replace important documents.

How to Apply

To apply for the Citi Forward card, you must have a valid social security number and be at least 18 years of age. Citi offers a secure online application that can be completed in just minutes. To get more details about the Citi Forward card and to apply online, go to the Citi Forward® Card official website.

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Welcome to the Best of Money Carnival

By on April 12, 2010 in blog

The Best of Money Carnival showcases the 10 best personal finance articles over the past week. This week we have articles on everything from iPhone apps to job interview strategies to ATM skimmers. Enjoy!

1. Imagine going to your nearest ATM to take out money for the weekend. Like always you dip you card into the ATM, take out your dough, and everything seems just fine. Only a few days later you learn your bank account has been cleaned out by bandits who had stolen your ATM card number and security PIN using an ATM skimmer. So how did they do it? And more importantly, how could you have spotted the skimmer when you used the ATM? To find out answers to these questions, check out 10 Tips to Save You from an ATM Skimmer (via Wisebread).

2. For those that think “budget” is a four letter word, controlling your spending can be a real challenge. Fortunately, there are ways to manage your money without recording every single penny you spend. So if you want to learn how to optimize your spending without budgeting, check out How to Optimize Your Spending (via PT Money).

3. One of the great things about personal finance is that there are many different ways to accomplish financial freedom. While some have “systems” that they claim are the only way to meet your financial goals, the truth is that different approaches work for different people. And to this principle in action, check out With Apologies to Dave Ramsey, One Size Doesn’t Always Fit All (via Personal Finance by the Book). We particularly like the point about credit cards!

4. One of the things that drives me crazy is when folks don’t take responsibility for their own decisions. It’s always somebody else’s fault. These same folks tend to have perfect kids who can do no wrong. Well here’s a great example of just this kind of person in Your Take: Who Pays the $200? | Budgets Are Sexy (via Budgets Are Sexy).

5. Interviews take lots of preparation. Having interviewed a lot of people in my day, it’s easy to tell whether somebody is prepared or not. And preparation goes a long way to landing that job. So if you’re looking for work, be sure to check out 25 Interview Questions Asked (via Christian PF).

6. As Tax Day approaches, it’s the perfect time to consider opening a ROTH IRA. If you ever wondered what your options were, wonder no more. Instead, check out Best Places to Open and Setup a Roth IRA (via The Consumer Boomer).

7. So what should my mom invest in? I ask because she’s been asking me. In her late 60s and nearing retirement (she’s a school teacher), she worries about the risks associated with the stock market. So what exactly should a sound investment portfolio look like for retirees? You’ll find some answers to this question in the article, Asset Allocation for Retirement Portfolios (via The Oblivious Investor).

8. Having owned an iPhone for some time now, I can attest firsthand just how awesome and useful they are. And the number of iPhone apps available is growing each day. Many of these apps can help us manage our money, and here are 10 Smart iPhone Apps that will Save you Money (via Fire Finance).

9. Do you spend more money if you shop with a credit card then you would if you shopped with cash? This perennial question seems to evade a clear answer, but you’ll find one valiant attempt at Credit Cards Vs. Cash: Spend More With Credit? (via Money Help For Christians).

10. Ever wonder how you could translate an ABA routing number into the actual bank it represents? Well believe it or not, there is a free tool to do just that–Reverse ABA Routing Number Lookup (via Bargaineering).

We hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s Best of Money Carnival. If you are a blogger and would like to submit an article to the carnival, you can do so by clicking here. And a quick shout out to Free Money Finance, the brains behind the Best of Money Carnival.

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Discover Card Offers Cash Over Purchase Amount

By on March 30, 2010 in credit card tips

My wife and I are big fans of the Discover More card. It offers a 0% balance transfer for up to 12 months, 0% on purchases for 6 months, and up to 5% cash back on purchases. And recently, it added a $50 cash bonus for new card holders when you purchase $599 with the card during the first three months.

Because of the cash back feature, we use the card for everyday purchases. Recently I noticed at the grocery store something odd. When we slid the card through the machine at the cash register, we were asked whether we wanted cash back. You may have seen this when using a debit card, but I had never seen it with a credit card.

We pushed the “No” button, of course, believing that we would be charged a cash advance fee and high interest rates if we took any cash over the purchase price. But then a funny thing happened at the grocery store yesterday.

You’ve probably seen the coupons that print out at the store when you make a purchase. The computer analyzes your purchases, and prints out coupons for products it thinks will be of use to you. Well yesterday we got a “coupon” for the Discover More card. Here’s what the coupon said:

Skip a trip to the ATM and avoid transaction fees by getting cash over your purchase amount. The cash you get is treated just like any other purchase–there are no hidden fees and your purchase APR applies.

In small print, the coupon notes that cash over transactions cannot exceed $200 daily and $4,000 monthly. Also, retailers may set their own limits that are less than Discover’s limits. We haven’t taken advantage of this feature yet, but it seems like a low-fee convenient way to get some extra cash when you need it.

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Upromise World MasterCard Review

By on March 29, 2010 in credit cards

Going to college is one of the best, and most important, decisions a young person can make. But college isn’t cheap, so there’s no time like the present to start saving.

Upromise World MasterCard can help.

This card provides students and parents with an opportunity to take advantage of a whole spectrum of good decisions by emphasizing college savings, retail discounts, and a solid relationship with a company that’s invested itself in young people’s education. Imagine if most everything you bought helped you salt away money for college tuition. Getting to college takes a lot of hard work – but saving for college has just become drastically easier!

Upromise is a college saving service that links savings from accounts of parents, family and friends. The savings from every day purchases allow students to begin earning money for college at an early age.

Essentially, the Upromise Card allows the cardholder, whether a prospective student or the parent of one, to earn “rebates” that are credited towards a Upromise college savings account. You can get $25 in college savings after the first qualified purchase with the card, 2% additional college savings on gas purchases at Exxon and Mobile, and 1% savings on all other purchases. Cardholders can receive an additional 10% savings on purchases at more than 600 online merchants, travel sites and more than 22,000 grocery and drug stores. For “other purchases” that earn you a 1% rebate, you can get $300 or (1% of 30,000) “rebates” in a calendar year.

There is no annual fee for the Upromise Card. The APR is determined by the prime rate plus 5.99%. You can also get an introductory rate of 0% APR for 12 months on any balance transfer, although a balance transfer fee applies with this offer. The Upromise card does allow you all 12 months to make this first transfer. The card’s average daily balance method (which includes new purchases) is used to calculate the balance. Otherwise, there are no hidden fees, and no annual cap to the amount of college savings a prospective college student or parent can earn.

The UPromise College Fund is a 529 plan that functions like most 529 plans. Contributions are made with after-tax dollars (as opposed to a 401K plan) although withdrawals are currently free from federal taxes. The investment manager is the Vanguard Group.

Considering how important a college education is, it’s never too early and never to late to start saving. Upromise Worlds MasterCard makes this possible.

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