When it comes to saving money at the grocery store your first thought is probably a coupon. While coupons are a great way to cut your grocery bill, you can also save by using a cash back credit card. Cash back cards give you a percentage back on what you spend, thus saving you money. There are cash back cards designed to give more cash back to those that use the card to make their grocery purchases. You have probably heard of some of the popular ones the Discover More Card and the Blue Cash Everyday from American Express, but there are many cards you probably haven’t heard of and we are going to feature some of those cards here.

Blue Cash(SM) Preferred from American Express

The Blue Cash(SM) Preferred from American Express has one of the highest cash back offers for your trips to the grocery store. This card gives 6% back and your earnings are unlimited. The card also gives 3% for your gasoline purchases and 1% on everything else. As a bonus, new cardmembers will receive $100 cash back when you spend $500 within the first 3 months. This card is packed full of perks for a low annual fee of $75.

BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card

The BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card gives 5% cash back on grocery store, gas and drugstore purchases for the first 6 months. With the holiday’s quickly approaching this could give you just the savings you need. After the 6 months is up you will receive 1% cash back on all your purchases. The card comes with a nice 0% offer on purchases, offers a competitive APR and gives a $100 bonus once you spend $500 within 3 months.

1-2-3 REWARDS® Visa® Card

The 1-2-3 REWARDS® Visa Card gives you unlimited rewards at the Kroger Family of Stores which includes Kroger, King Soopers, City Market, Dillons, Baker’s, Smith’s, Fry’s and QFC. To start the card gives 3 points for every $1 you spend on the Kroger family of quality brands, 2 points per $1 in the Kroger® family of stores and 1 point per $1 everywhere else. On top of that for every 1,000 points you earn you get $5 in free groceries.

You can find a student credit card just about anywhere these days, but the trick is to pick the card with the best offer. We have put together a list of 5 student credit cards that we believe are some of the best. We have developed our list by comparing interest rates, 0% offers, bonus offer, rewards programs and annual fees. In no particular order, here are our top credit card offers for college students!

Discover® Student Card with $25 Bonus

The Discover® Student Card with $25 Bonus has a nice little bonus offer of $25 after you make your first purchase. That’s basically just a free 25 bucks! This cards offers 0% for the first 6 months on purchases. After that, the APR will be 12.99-18.99% (Variable)* based on your creditworthiness. Discover cards are known for their 5% cash back offer and the Discover® Student Card is no different. You can earn 5% Cashback bonus on shopping categories as well as 5% Cashback bonus on seasonal spending categories that change each yearly quarter. You enroll in each spending category as the calendar date arrives, giving you even more chances to accrue Cashback bonuses every quarter. You can earn up to 1% Cashback bonus on all other purchases. There is no annual fee.

Discover® Student Card
	Experience Discover's great rewards program. Earn $20 Cashback Bonus®* when you make your 1st purchase within 3 months of approval 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 12.99% - 18.99%* 5% Cashback Bonus®* in categories that change like gas, groceries, restaurants, department stores and more. Limitations apply* Up to 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus on everything else you buy $0 Fraud Liability- you will not be responsible for unauthorized charges No Annual Fee Text and Email Alerts
Intro APR Intro APR Period Regular APR Annual Fee Balance Transfer Credit Needed 0.00%* 6 months on purchases* 12.99-18.99% (Variable)* $0.00* No Fair Credit*

Citi Forward® Card for College Students

The CCiti Forward® Card for College Students makes our list because you get rewarded for being a good cardholder. The card offers a special introductory rate of 0% for the first 7 months on purchases. After the introductory period, the APR you receive will be between 13.99%-22.99%* (Variable), based on your creditworthiness. If you are a responsible cardholders you can get your APR reduced up to 2% when payments are made on time. Cardmembers will earn 5 Reward Points for every $1 spent on books, movies, music and at restaurants and 1 point on other purchases. You will receive up to 1,200 Rewards Points a year for paying on time and staying within your line and 2,500 Bonus Points when you sign up for paperless statements.

Citi Forward® Card for College Students
	Earn a $75 statement credit after you spend $150 on back-to-school purchases at apparel, book or electronics stores within the first 3 months of opening your account* No Cosigner required APR reduction on purchases when using credit wisely 100 ThankYou Points each billing period that you pay on time and stay under your credit limit Earn 1,000 points after you sign up for paperless statements within the first 3 months of account opening
Intro APR Intro APR Period Regular APR Annual Fee Balance Transfer Credit Needed 0.00 0% Intro APR for 7 months on purchases* 13.99%-22.99%* (Variable) 0.00 No Good Credit*

Discover® Student Open Road Card

The Discover® Student Open Road Card is an ideal choice for students because it offers 0% on purchases for the first 9 months and the card gives a Double Cashback Bonus on gas and restaurant purchases. After the intro period, APR will be 12.99-18.99% (Variable)* based on your creditworthiness. With this card you earn Double Cashback Bonus automatically on your first $250 in purchases at any gas station and any restaurant each month. You also earn up to 1% on all your purchases. In addition, you can earn 5% to 20% cash back when you shop at the exclusive online mall. When it comes to redeeming your rewards you can choose from Partner gift cards, merchandise, Discover gift cards, Charity, or Cash.

Discover® Open RoadSM Card for Students
	0% intro APR on purchases for 9 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 12.99% - 18.99%* Double Cashback Bonus®* at gas stations and restaurants Up to 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus on everything else you buy $0 Fraud Liability- you will not be responsible for unauthorized charges No Annual Fee Text and Email alerts
Intro APR Intro APR Period Regular APR Annual Fee Balance Transfer Credit Needed 0.00%* 9 months on purchases* 12.99-18.99% (Variable)* $0.00* No Fair Credit*

Citi® mtvU™ Platinum Select® Visa® Card for College Student

The Citi® mtvU™ Platinum Select® Visa® Card for College Student is a cool offer because being a cardmember gives you special access to exclusive mtvU experiences like free concert tickets, tickets to the mtvU Woodie Awards or VIP status at mtvU’s Spring Break. More importantly, this card gives bonus points for getting good grades! Now for the serious stuff, the card also offers an introductory rate of 0% for the first 7 months on purchases. After that, the APR will be 13.99-21.99% (Fixed)* based on your creditworthiness. You will earn five ThankYou Points for every dollar you spend on purchases at book stores, record stores, restaurants, including fast food restaurants, motion picture theaters, and video entertainment rental stores . You will also earn one ThankYou Point for every dollar you spend on all your other purchases. You will earn 25 bonus ThankYou Points at the end of every billing cycle during which you make your Minimum Payment or more on time, and at the end of which you are not over your credit limit.

Citi® mtvUTM Platinum Select® Visa® Card
	No Cosigner Required Earn 5 ThankYou Points® for every dollar you spend at restaurants, bookstores, record stores, movie theaters and video rental stores Earn 1 ThankYou Point for every dollar you spend on all other purchases Earn up to 2000 ThankYou Points twice a year for having a good GPA
Intro APR Intro APR Period Regular APR Annual Fee Balance Transfer Credit Needed 0.00% 7 months* 13.99-21.99% (Fixed)* $0.00* No Good

Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Card for College Students

The Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Card for College Students has a limited time offer for students that gives them $50 cash back after making $150 in purchases within the first 3 months. This is a nice way to put some cash back in your pocket. Like the other Citi cards, this card offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases for 7 months. After the introductory rate, the APR you receive will be between 13.99-21.99% (Variable)*, based on your creditworthiness. On all purchases you will earn 1% and you will earn 1% on cash advances and cash convenience check amounts billed at the standard cash advance rate. You can earn at least 2% cash back on popular, rotating categories each quarter as long as you enroll. Plus, earn an average of 5% additional cash back when you shop at over 400 leading retailers through the Citi Bonus Cash Center.

Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Card for College Students
	No Cosigner Required Earn 5% Cash Back on eligible purchases at supermarkets, drugstores, gas stations, convenience stores & utilities (including cable) for 6 months, and 1% thereafter* Earn at least 2% cash back in popular rotating categories like restaurants, apparel, hotel and more. Enrollment required* Earn a full 1% cash back on all other purchases*
Intro APR Intro APR Period Regular APR Annual Fee Balance Transfer Credit Needed 0.00%* 7 months on purchases* 13.99-21.99% (Variable)* $0.00* No Good

Sometimes life just isn’t fair and one of those times is when you have to have a credit card or you are out of luck! There are transactions you can’t make unless you have a credit card like reserving a hotel room, renting a car, or even rental equipment like skii equipment. As a matter of fact, there are some purchases that are just better to make on a credit card. Especially, purchases where you might need some sort of purchase protection. Many credit cards offer their cardholders purchase protections like extended warranties, longer return times, and protection against damaged items. Plus, let’s face it, you can’t build your credit with a card other than a credit card and we know how important it is to establish good credit for yourself.

The problem is not everyone has a credit history that affords them the ability to have a credit card. If you don’t have good or excellent credit then there are some transactions you are going to have to forgo because you don’t have a credit card. This is where secured credit cards come into play. Many people don’t know much about secured cards and people often get them confused with all the other card types out there, like prepaid cards. Secured cards are great for those that need a fresh start in the credit department. If you are a credit challenged consumer then you need to read this article and find out how a secured credit card can help you get on the right track.

Why Secured?

You want to choose a secured card when you know you can’t get approved for a traditional credit card or even after you have been turned down for a card. If you don’t have good credit then you probably already know it, but in the event you don’t know what your credit looks like then check out your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com. Using a secured credit card is one great way to rebuild your credit. These cards are also a nice option for those that don’t have any credit history or limited credit history. Either way, using a secured card will get you positive marks on your credit history and over time you can start to improve your credit score.

What Is A Secured Card?

A secured credit card is a credit card. It works just like a traditional credit card, meaning you make purchases, get charged interest (if you don’t pay your balance in full) and then you receive a bill each month. There is one difference and that difference is with a secured card you are required to put down a security deposit. This is because you don’t have good credit and the bank needs some assurance that if you don’t pay your bill they can easily collect the money you own them. It’s the security deposit that often keeps people away from a secured credit card. You have to think of it as a trade off. You get to have a new beginning by making some positive strides with your credit and until you prove your creditworthiness, the bank is going to hold onto your security deposit.

More About The Security Deposit

It’s actually pretty simple. You cough up a security deposit which is typically $300 on up and in return you get a credit card with a limit comparable to your deposit. If you put down a $500 security deposit then your credit limit will be $500. The required security deposit can vary from bank to bank, so be sure to check out the details closely. By the way, you can eventually get your security deposit back, but the details surrounding that vary on the bank too.

What Happens Next?

You use the card as you please and each month you will receive a bill for what you have charged to the account. You pay your bill on time each month and those payments are reported to the credit bureau. Most secured cards charge interest just like a traditional credit card. If you pay your bill in full each month then you won’t be charged interest. If you carry a balance over you will be charged interest. The interest rate the card charges is something to consider when you are searching for a card.

To get you started on the right foot we are going to suggest some of the secured cards that we think are the best. In no particular order, here are 2 secured credit cards to get you going in the right direction. Don’t forget to read all the details and Good Luck!

Capital One® Secured Mastercard®

The Capital One® Secured Mastercard® makes the list because it is issued by Capital One and we know Capital One is a reliable card issuer. The other reason it’s on the list is because this card reports to the 3 major credit bureaus. This is important! You want a card that reports to the major credit bureaus or it’s not going to help you build credit. The card offers a low annual fee of $29 and they have a sliding scale of security deposits based on your creditworthiness. They require a deposit of $49, $99 or $200 and it is refundable based on your credit. Your minimum security deposit will get you a $200 credit line. For every dollar you deposit above that, you will get an additional dollar towards a higher credit line—up to your maximum approved credit line. You may also earn credit line increases based on your payment and credit history. There is a catch, the interest rate is 22.90% (Variable)* and in the credit card world that is high. However, most secured cards have a high interest rate and if you pay your balance off each month you won’t have any interest to pay.

Orchard Bank Secured MasterCard®

Orchard Credit Cards are known for being ideal cards for people who need to rebuild their credit. The credit criteria they require is more lenient than other banks. The Orchard Bank Secured MasterCard® is an excellent choice for a secured card. The card offers a very low APR of 7.90% Variable and they even wave the annual fee for the first year which saves you $35 bucks. One cool thing about this card is when you apply for the card, they first see if you qualify for one of their traditional cards. If not, they set you up with the secured MasterCard. This card also reports to the 3 major credit bureaus and the minimum security deposit is $200. The amount of your security deposit determines the amount of your credit limit.

Going out for a night with friends can sure be a great deal of fun, that is until you wake up the next day and see the damage that has been done to your bank account. Not too long ago J. Money featured a post that provided some tips on how to Keep Your Wallet From A Hangover. We are going to take it a step further and suggest a few credit cards that might take the bite out of your night out. It’s no secret that going out can be expensive. Especially, once you start feeling generous and before you know it, you’ve just bought the entire bar drinks. There is a way to go out, have fun and not feel the remorse the next day when you look at your bank account. One way to do that is by using a credit card instead of a debit card for your night out. Here are 4 reasons why you should choose credit over debit for your night out:

1. Disputing a charge is easier: If you have ever had to dispute a charge that occurred on your debit card then you know just how painful the process can be. The reason it’s painful is because the charge you are disputing has already been withdrawn from your account which means you are out that money until the bank refunds you. The banks has to go through their process and as a result it could be a while before you get your money back. If you use a credit card then atleast your checking account hasn’t been affected and your not out the cash.
2. Pre-Authorizations suck: There is one local pub that I love to go to, but they have a pre-authorization policy in place that is annoying. If you open a tab they automatically authorize your card for $30. In addition, to the authorization they also charge you for the amount of your tab. So if you spend $50 for your tab you will have a $50 authorization, as well as, the $30 authorization. Now, the $30 authorization will end up dropping off, but sometimes it’s takes 5 days before that happens. That means $30 is not available to you until it drops off. If you use a credit card then such pre-authorizations won’t hurt as much because again, it’s not linked to your checking account.
3. You can’t overdraft: Have ever gone out only to find the next day it was at the expense of over-drafting your bank account? If you have experienced this then you know just how much you can’t stand yourself the next day! If you use a credit card you could go over your credit limit (which I am not suggesting), but you won’t risk bouncing checks, missing important payments, or all the other things that could potentially happen from an overdrawn bank account.
4. Zero Liability: Just about every major credit card issuer has a Zero Percent Liability policy if your card is lost or stolen. If they don’t offer that then it’s probably not a card you want. In the event you’re out and lose your card or forget to close out your tab (both of these scenarios suck!) and someone has racked up charges on your card then your card company is going to take care of it for you. If you have to get your card replaced, it’s much easier to be without a credit card than a debit card.


Now that we have established a few reasons why choosing credit over debit is a good choice, we have a few card suggestions for you below. We have broken down our suggestions in 3 categories: 0% Card Offers, Sweet Bonus Offers, and Solid Cash Rewards Cards. If you have any cards you think are worth mentioning please send them our way. Also, if you have any experiences you want to share about card mishaps on your night out we would love to hear them.

0% Card Offers

There are so many amazing credit card offers out there right now that give 0% on purchases. A 0% offer means you pay no interest on your purchases for a specified time. An offer like this is ideal if you need a little extra time to pay off your card like because you went out and spend way too much money.

The Citi® Simplicity Card gives 0% on purchases for 18 months on balance transfers* months. This is one of the longest offers out there and as long as you pay off your balance within 18 months on balance transfers* months you won’t be charged any interest. Also, if you are in need of a balance transfer card, Citi Simplicity would be a great choice because it gives the 18 months on balance transfers* months on balance transfers too.

The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is another card that gives 18 months on balance transfers* months of 0% on all your purchases and balance transfers. This card also offers many great perks, ranging from travel and Emergency assistance to virtual account numbers and there is no annual fee for this card. This card is not a rewards card so if you are in the market for a card that offers rewards this one isn’t the one you want.

Sweet Bonus Offers

There is nothing better than making money because you spend money. That’s basically what’s taking place when you find a sweet credit card cash back bonus offer. There are many card companies that offer new customers a bonus when they spend a certain dollar amount. If you like going out then how about using a credit card that is going to put some cash back in your pocket! Check out these offers:

If you are a college student then you will like this offer. The Citi Forward® Card for College Students is giving $75 cash back after you spend $150 on back-to-school purchases such as apparel, book or electronics stores within the first 3 months of opening your account. Citi is pretty much just handing your $75 bucks to go out and have a good time with!

How about $200 cash back? That’s right with the Chase Freedom® Visa – $200 Bonus Cash Back you can put $200 bucks in your pocket after you spend just $500 within the first 3 months. Now that would be a fun night out! This card also has a bunch of other great features like, 5% Cash Back on up to $1,500 spent on Gas, Hotel and Airline purchases from 7/1/11 – 9/30/11.

Solid Cash Rewards Cards

If you are going to go out and do it up right then you might as well earn some rewards on your purchases. Rewards cards are awesome because you get a little something back for the money you spend. Some cards give extra rewards for certain types of purchases, some cards give a flat % for all purchases and some cards do both. Check out the two we are featuring below that a great cards to earn some cash back rewards for your night out.
If you are looking for a rewards card the Discover® More Card is a one to consider. This card gives you 1% cash back on all your purchases and you can even earn up to 5% cash back in rotating categories that change each quarter. A card like this that gives cash back on all your purchases means that you even get cash back for the purchases you make when you are out on the town.

The Discover® Open Road Card is a great card choice for going out because it gives Double cash rewards on your gas and dining purchases, plus it also rewards you on every purchase you make. So if you make lots of gasoline purchases or like to dine out then this is a great choice. As a bonus, this card gives $150 gift certificate to restaurants.com after your first purchase and that’s an awesome bonus.

Now that back to school season is in full effect we are going to give a few tips for college students looking for a credit card. Using a student credit card while you are still in school is a fantastic way to build your credit. To build positive credit you need to be a responsible card user by doing things like paying your bill on time, staying within your credit limit and paying your card off each month. By doing things like this you won’t find yourself in credit card debt, but rather you will start down a path that builds a strong credit history. With that said, there are certain features you should look for in a credit card to make sure you are getting the best of the best. Here are 4 things students should look for in a credit card offer.

0% On Purchases

Finding a credit card offer that gives a 0% introductory rate is a great way to start off with a new card. An offer like this means you will pay no interest on your purchases for a specified time. For example, you might see an offer that gives 0% for 7 months, like the Citi Forward® Card for College Students. A card that offers 0% is ideal for those that are planning on carrying over a balance. This will give you extra time to pay the card off before the interest hits. Students could use an offer like this when it’s time to buy books or any school supplies you might need. This kind of offer is also great when you need to make a big purchase because you don’t have to worry about paying interest if you pay the card off within the terms of the agreement.

Rewards Program

A credit card that offers a rewards program is one way you can save yourself money. We all know any college student can stand to save some money and a rewards card is one way to save. Take the Discover® Student Open Road Card for example, with this card you earn Double Cashback Bonus automatically on your first $250 in purchases at any gas station and any restaurant each month. You also earn up to 1% on all your purchases. In addition, you can earn 5% to 20% cash back when you shop at the exclusive online mall. When you are ready to redeem your rewards you can cash in for gift cards, merchandise, cash or charity. The key to maximizing a rewards card is to choose a card that rewards you in the categories you most often make purchases in. Like with the Discover® Student Open Road Card, this card gives extra cashback for gasoline and restaurant purchases so if you don’t make those kind of purchases than there might be a better rewards card for you.

Bonus Offers

From time to time there will be student cards that give limited time bonus offers, like the Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Card for College Students. This card gives $50 cash back after you make $150 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. That breaks down to just spending $50 a month and within 3 months you can get a cash back bonus of 50 bucks. That’s an easy way to put some extra cash in your pocket. This particular card also gives 0% for 7 months and has a nice rewards program that gives 2% cash back in rotating categories and 1% in everything else.

A Competitive Rate

If you are a college student with limited credit history or even unfavorable credit don’t fall for cards that have outstanding interest rates. Typically, the better cards are going to offer a rate from as low as 13.9% up to 21.9%. The rate you receive will be based on your creditworthiness. If you can’t qualify for a low rate then you could see if a parent would co-sign for you. As a matter of fact, if you are under the age of 21 you will have to have a co-signer in order to qualify. Stay away from cards that offer extremely high interest rates. Anything over the rate of 20% for a student card is probably one you should not apply for.

This article was featured in the Carnival of Personal Finance!

The American Express Membership Rewards® Program allows Amex cardmembers to earn points for every dollar they spend with no limit the number of points that can be earned. This program is a built in feature to most American Express cards, which means cardholder don’t have to enroll. Members can redeem their Membership Rewards points for a variety of rewards specifically selected for Cardmembers at membershiprewards.com or explore more than a million products offered online at shopamex.com. Members also have the option to use their point for their Amazon.com purchases.

• It’s flexible: Use as many or as few points as you want. You can choose to use points for part of your order and have the remaining balance charged to your related credit card.
• It’s convenient: Use Membership Rewards points for electronics, movies, books, and more – millions of eligible products sold on Amazon.com.
• It’s easy: After you link your rewards account, we’ll display the available points.

How Shop With Points At Amazon Works

The ability to shop at Amazon with your Amex points offers customer the ability to use your rewards points from American Express and pay for your Amazon.com purchases. All you have to do to get started is complete a registration process at Amazon and then you can start shopping. You use your rewards points to pay for your Amazon.com purchases just like you would use another form of payment when checking out. If you want to use your rewards points to pay for part or all of your purchase, you just proceed to checkout through your Shopping Cart. When you choose your payment method for the purchase, you can chose the amount of points you want to apply. You will see the points that will be applied to your order under Order Summary which is just below the “Place Your Order” button. You have to option to use a portion of your points for your order and then use your credit card as well. If points are not applying to your order, click “Change” under Payment Method to use your available points.

Get Registered With Amazon

In order to use your Amex points when shopping at Amazon.com, you first have to register with Amazon. It’s a simple process that just requires you to complete an online registration form. By completing the form, you will then have the points you have earned with your Amex card available to use when shopping on Amazon. You will need to complete registration by providing the correct information requested and accepting the terms and conditions. If you are ready to get registered today, it will only take a few minutes and then you can start shopping with your points.

A credit card that has a good bonus offer is much more appealing than those that don’t have an offer. That’s why we picked out 5 travel rewards cards that have pretty sweet bonus offers for new card members. If you are a big traveler and are considering a travel rewards card, be sure to check out the 5 cards below. Earning bonus points up front can be a great way to get you a free flight, free hotel stay, and more. Here are 5 travel rewards cards with bonus offers:

Citi® Gold/AAdvantage® World MasterCard®

Bonus: 30,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® Bonus Miles
The Citi® Gold/AAdvantage® World MasterCard® is for those who are seeking a travel rewards card and those that fly American Airlines. When you spend $750 on your card within the first 4 months you will earn 30,000 bonus miles. This is more than enough points to earn a round trip domestic flight. This card has a $50 annual fee that is waived for the first year.

• Earn 30,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of cardmembership*
• Your first eligible checked bag is free*
• Priority Boarding* and 25% savings on eligible in-flight purchases*
• Earn a $100 American Airlines Flight Discount every cardmembership year with qualifying purchases and cardmembership renewal*
• Double AAdvantage® miles on eligible American Airlines purchases*
• Earn 10% of your redeemed AAdvantage® miles back - up to 10,000 AAdvantage® miles each calendar year*
• No mileage cap* and your miles may never expire*

Citi® Hilton HHonors™ Visa Signature® Card

Bonus: 40,000 Hilton HHonors Bonus Points
The Citi® Hilton HHonors™ Visa Signature® Card is designed for those that love to travel. You earn the most points when you make purchases at Hilton hotels. You can earn bonus points after you spend $1000 within the first 4 months. That’s enough for a free 1 night (for standard room, double occupancy) at participating hotels within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio. There is no pre-set spending limit and this card is for those with excellent credit.

• Earn 40,000 Hilton HHonors Bonus Points after spending $1000 within 4 months of account opening*
• Earn 6 Hilton HHonors Bonus Points for each $1 spent at a participating hotel within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio*
• Earn 3 Hilton HHonors Bonus Points for each $1 spent on purchases at supermarkets, drugstores and gas stations*
• Earn 2 Hilton HHonors Bonus Points for each $1 spent on all other purchases*
• No annual fee.*

Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express

Bonus: 25,000 Bonus Starpoints
Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express is one of the most rewarding travel programs available. The Starwood Preferred Guest(R) Credit Card from American Express is ideal for those that want a great rewards card and for those that love to travel. The card is geared towards benefiting those that spend high dollar amounts on their card.

• Starpoints® Bonus: 10K with your first purchase and another 15K when you spend $5k within 6 months - enough for up to 6 free nights at a category 1 or 2 hotel
• Free nights, free flights: Redeem Starpoints with over 350 airlines through SPG Flights and more than 1,000 hotels and resorts worldwide. No blackout dates
• 2011 SmarterTravel® Award for "Best Travel Rewards Card"
• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $65

Blue Sky(SM) Preferred from American Express

Bonus: 7,500 bonus points
The Blue Sky(SM) Preferred from American Express is a travel rewards card designed so members can earn points fast and cash them in for free travel. The card offers a 0% introductory rate on purchases and members earn a bonus of 7500 welcome points after you charge your first $500 to you Blue Sky Prefferred American Express card within 60 days.

• 7,500 bonus points - redeemable for a $100 statement credit
• 2X points on all dining, hotel, and car rental purchases, and 1 point per dollar for all other eligible purchases
• $100 annual Airline Allowance to cover baggage fees and other incidental in-flight purchases
• The points you earn are good for any airline, hotel, cruise, or car rental, anytime - no blackout dates, no travel restrictions
• Flexibility to pay over time

Marriott Rewards Premier Visa Signature Card from Chase

Bonus: 30,000 Bonus Points
Marriott Rewards Premier Visa Signature Card is designed for those that like to stay at Marriott Hotels when they are away for business or vacation. Every purchase you make earns points toward Marriott® hotel stays, airline miles, elite guest services and more. As a cardmember you will also earn free stays at Marriott Hotels. This card is for those with good to excellent credit who are seeking travel rewards card. The annual fee is $65 per year.

• Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after your first purchase
• Receive a free night stay upon account approval and each year upon account anniversary.
• Earn 5 points for every $1 spent at Marriott® locations
• Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on airline, dining, and rental car purchases
• Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on other eligible purchases
• Receive 15 nights credit toward Elite status
• Redeem Marriott Rewards points at other Marriott properties including Renaissance Hotels, Courtyard, Residence Inn, and Fairfield Inn & Suites

Identity theft is serious business because your credit could be at risk if you are a victim. There are things you can do to protect yourself and your credit portfolio. One way you can protect yourself is to use an identity theft monitoring service. There are a variety offers out there for these services in which the service will monitor your activity and alert you if there are changes to your accounts. Many of the services only monitor one of the three major consumer reporting companies. If you’re considering signing up for a service, be sure you understand what you’re getting before you buy it. Always check check out the company with your local Better Business Bureau, consumer protection agency and state Attorney General to see if they have any complaints on file.

Identity theft monitoring services work by monitoring an individuals’ credit reports for any activity, such as inquiries and new accounts opened like credit cards. Some services will even go beyond credit reports by monitoring other types of consumer reports, and even monitor private and public records. It’s important to keep in mind that these identity theft monitoring services don’t prevent identity theft, but instead are more of an early warning to those who could be in danger. By having this in place you can prevent yourself from further harm.

If you are interested in using an identity theft monitoring system, there are guidelines in place to help you choose a reliable system. There are best practices to help you choose wisely, which are composed of 24 guidelines governing marketing practices, how services are explained, and fraud assistance services. Here are a few of those practices:

• Misrepresentations about protecting against identity theft. Identity theft service providers should avoid making claims that would lead consumers to believe that they can provide complete protection against all forms of identity theft, detect all instances of identity theft, or stop all attempts to commit identity theft – claims that no service can legitimately make.
• Testimonials and use of statistics. Identity theft service providers should be careful in using testimonials and statistics to ensure that they are not misleading.
• Disclosures. The best practices call for clear disclosures about costs, cancelation and refund policies, how to resolve complaints with the service, and other important information.
• Program features. Identity theft service providers should clearly explain how the features of their programs work and how those features may help consumers.
• Protecting individuals’ information. The best practices recommend that identity theft service providers have clear and transparent privacy policies, use reasonable and appropriate safeguards for individuals’ personal data, and be careful about sharing it with others.
• Fraud assistance. Identity theft service providers that offer assistance to victims should explain what they do to help them and any limitations or exclusions that may apply.
• Insurance and guarantees. Identity theft service providers that offer insurance or guarantees should make thorough and accurate information easily available about what the policies or guarantees provide and any limitations or exclusions that may apply.
• Powers of attorney. Powers of attorney should only be obtained when needed to help customers who request assistance and should be used only for that purpose.

When you apply for a loan or line of credit, the bank is not obligated to approve your application. They receive tons of new applications for credit, and they look to find applicants that are low risk borrowers. Banks typically receive information about their applicants in three different ways: from the application, from your history with the bank and from the credit bureaus. Below provides you with more details on how they obtain your information.

The Application Form You Fill Out

When filling out the application form, be sure all the information you provide is accurate. You need carefully provide your information accurately and always review the application once complete. You are letting your lenders know about your salary, address, the reason why you want the loan, if you possess or hold any personal property, and the size of your family. If you make any mistake when filling out the form, even a small one, you jeopardize not only the application you just made, but any future relationship with the company.

History With The Company

The past history you have with a company can affect your future relationship with them. For example, if yo have a Chase car loan and you are now applying for a credit card, you can believe your car loan history will be a factor in their decision. Depending on the your past relationship with that company, your creditors will evaluate you and decide accordingly whether or not to give you the credit you’re asking for. You have a better chance of being given the credit you’re asking for if you’ve acted responsibly with that company.

The Credit Bureaus

The credit bureaus keep a large database of financial data about consumers. The three major bureaus in the U.S. are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Before a lender lends you money, banks and lenders check your credit report. Your credit report is issued by the credit bureaus and provides detailed information about your financial history, employment history, marital status, habits, borrowing and spending practices, etc. Your credit report will contain both the positive and negative aspects of your credit such as your late payments and how much money you owe in each of your accounts, your credit card limits and current balances. Your credit report also includes any lawsuits you might have been involved in, if owed child support, any liens or bankruptcy information.

Credit cards and debit cards not only look identical, but they can be used at just about all the same places. They are often used interchangeably, but there are differences between the two cards. This article will review those differences and discuss some of the advantages of credit cards.

Debit Cards

A debit card is a card issued by a bank and the card gives you access to the funds you have in the account the card is associated with. This gives you direct access to your money without have to write a check or withdrawing money from an ATM. With a debit card you can make purchases or make ATM withdraws if you need cash. With every debit card transaction, your bank balance goes down, unlike credit cards. A debit card is not a line of credit.

Credit Cards

A credit card, is a line of credit that is not linked to your bank account. When you make a purchase with your credit card, you are essentially borrowing money for the purchase. Unlike with debit cards, you are not using money that is in your bank account. With a credit card you do have the option to withdraw money from an ATM, this is known as a cash advance. Credit card companies often charge additional fees or higher rates when you make a cash advance. Depending on your agreement with the card company, you could be charged interest on your credit card purchases if you don’t pay your balance in full each month.

Why Choose Credit Over Debit

When you use a credit card, you are borrowing money. As a result, you could technically spend more with your credit card than what you have in your bank account. You can’t really do this with a debit card. With a credit card you are borrowing money and as long as you repay the money you owe within the billing period, which is usually 15 to 45 days, you don’t pay any interest on it. People often find themselves in trouble when they don’t pay back the money they have borrowed because you will be charged a high interest rate, usually around 11%-20% per year.

A benefit of credit cards is you get better protection than with debit cards. If a credit card gets stolen, once you report the loss, you will only be liable to pay up to $50 if any money from the account has been used. With a debit card, if you report it more than 2 working days after it is stolen, you will be liable to pay up to $500 and if you fail to report it after 60 days, then your liability could be unlimited, depending on the state you live in.

There are many credit cards that offer benefits that debit cards don’t. There are numerous credit cards that offer rewards programs and many debit cards don’t have these programs. For example, cash back credit cards let you earn cash rewards on your purchases which helps you save some money. If you are a big traveler, a travel rewards card might be ideal for you because they offer a wide range of travel-related benefits such as free flights, free hotel stays and more.

Credit cards also help you build your credit history. Using a credit card to build your credit is one of the best ways to establish your credit. This does require you to be a smart and responsible card user. Having a credit history is essential if you want to apply for car or home loans in the future.