It’s True! Credit Cards Can Build Your Credit

By on March 14, 2012 in credit card tips

Whether you are just starting out or you have veered off the path a little, know that the rumor is true – credit cards can be the path to a good credit score. We all know that a credit card is a great way to get into trouble, but, on the flip side, using a credit card can help you establish or improve your credit. This two-edged sword can swing the wrong way if you are not careful.

There are three credit bureaus that figure your scores and they all do it a little differently so your score can vary somewhat between the three. To assure that your score is a good one, let’s look at some of the basics you need to know to achieve a positive credit history.

  • Make payments on time: This means ALL bills, credit cards, utility payments, student loans, etc.
  • Stay within your credit limit: Don’t max out your limit. Your debt to credit ratio is a big factor in your score.
  • Type of debt: Do you just have a store credit card? Maybe just a car loan? Well, most of us have a big mix of loans, a mortgage or rent, student loans, etc. All of this goes into the formula that equals your credit score.
  • Recent Activity: If you have opened several accounts lately it may give the appearance that you are about to go off the deep end. Each time you apply for a new account (maybe to get that extra 10% off at the register) that inquiry is added to your credit report.
  • Age matters: The age of your accounts, that is. The longer your account history, the more information that is available about your habits. This gives lenders a better picture of your stability.

If you have not yet established credit, don’t worry. Lenders also take other things into consideration, such as your job history and annual income information. But the main thing here is to get started.

Is a bad score really that bad?

You bet! It will cost you thousands in higher interest rates and cause delays in getting approvals. It can mean getting denied altogether. Believe it or not, it can even mean that a prospective employer can turn you down because you appear to be irresponsible or untrustworthy. I still can’t believe that an employer can have access to this information, but the reality is they can.

Now What? Okay, let’s say you’ve been at this a while and have dug yourself in a hole. You have poor credit and you have multiple cards, and just maybe, some or all are maxed out. You are determined to turn things around. What should you do?

  1. First, call to see if you are in a position to have your credit limit raised on your cards. It doesn’t cost anything to call (other than the normal frustration of being on hold all day) and you may be successful. This goes back to the debt to credit ratio mentioned earlier. Accomplishing this alone will improve your score. Remember, you are not raising this limit so you can spend more!
  2. Next, start paying down your balances. This can be a challenge but very rewarding, and a huge credit booster. There is a way to approach this goal so that you get the maximum benefit. As you pay them off, don’t close them. Just cut up the card. Closing an account has a negative impact on your credit.

Secured Card To The Rescue

If you have been turned down for a traditional credit card you might qualify for a secured credit card. This is a card marketed specifically for individuals with bad or limited credit. Using this type of card will help build and improve your credit score if used wisely.

How does a secured credit card work?
A secured card is basically secured by a “security deposit.” A deposit must be made in an FDIC insured savings account. This “security” deposit assures the card company they won’t lose out if you default. If you do default you will lose your deposit. Here are some things you should know about secured cards:

  • Your credit limit will typically be 50% to 100% of the amount of your deposit depending on which card you go with.
  • Pay on time and benefit. Pay late and pay dearly. You will pay a hefty late fee and suffer a reduced credit limit if you are late on your payments.
  • Interest rates vary from card to card and typically the lower the interest rate, the higher the annual fee.

Unlike most prepaid credit cards, a secured credit card reports automatically to credit bureaus and your good and bad habits will be reflected in your score. Take for instance the Capital One® Secured MasterCard® that reports all 3 of the major credit bureaus. This type of card is ideal for building credit. Depending on the card you choose, your deposit may be placed in an interest-bearing account. No one is getting much in the way of interest these days but what the heck, it’s still worth mention.

Some cards charge an application fee and processing fees. Fees can make a big difference so review them carefully.

Credit Card vs. Secured Card

A traditional credit card can be used to build credit for future purchases, experiences and proof of reliability and trustworthiness. It’s the world we live in. Starting off on the right foot and maintaining the basics of good credit habits will make life a little less stressful – at least in the financial realm.

A secured card is a great way for the person with no credit, limited credit, or bad credit to improve their position. The same basic principles apply in both situations. Whichever route you take, you can build great credit with the proper effort.

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Target Credit Card® Review

By on March 12, 2012 in credit cards

The Target Credit Card® is for those that love shopping at Target stores. This is a basic credit card that can only be used at Target stores or online at www.target.com. The card has a high APR, but there is no annual fee. I love Target stores, but I’m not a big fan of this card. There are much better cards that offer lower rates on your purchases.
  • Can be used at Target stores or online
  • Get 5% off on all Target purchase when using your Target Credit Card® - including online purchases
  • Free shipping for online purchases
  • Manage your account online
  • No annual fee

Rates and Offers

The card has an APR of 22.90%. There is are no introductory rates available with this card.

Rewards Program

The one thing I do like is when you use your Target Credit Card® you will receive 5% off your purchases. If use your Target Credit Card® and another form of payment then you only get the 5% off on what you actually charge to the card. For example, if you spend $100, but only $60 of that goes on your Target Credit Card® then you get 5% off of $60. You get the 5% off at store (including pharmacy) and online purchases. The other perk I like is that when you shop online with the card you get free shipping.

How to Apply for the Target Credit Card®

Applying for the Target Credit Card® can be done at the store or by printing off an online application. If you want to apply in the store you can fill out an application and turn it in customer service. If you choose to print the form online then you mail your application to:

Target National Bank
PO Box 5329
Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5329

Once your application has been received you will hear something back in 2 to 4 weeks.

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Which Credit Card Should You Pay Off First?

By on February 24, 2012 in credit card tips


The first time I heard the term “debt snowball” I thought it meant the horrible problem of debt growing bigger and bigger and careening out of control. But, in fact, I found out that it’s quite the opposite. As you may already know, the debt snowball is the process of reducing that out-of-control debt in a methodical way that continues to gain momentum – yes, like a snowball rolling down a hill.

Why Use The Debt Snowball Method

The debt snowball is a method for paying down any debt, not just credit cards, and it’s extremely easy to implement. By tapping into this method, the debt snowball can save you thousands of dollars in interest payments and significantly (by years) reduce the time it takes to get you out of debt.

How To Get Started

  • Make a list of all of your credit card debts (you can include other debts as well, such as school loans, auto loans, and home equity loans).
  • For each loan, list the creditor, the outstanding balance, the monthly minimum payment, and the interest rate.
  • Add up all the minimum monthly payments due, and continue to pay at least this amount until all of your debts are paid in full.
  • As your balance goes down, so will the minimum payment, but continue to apply the higher amount to the accounts each and every month. When you pay off the card with the highest interest, take the amount you were paying on that card and put it toward the card with the next highest interest rate and so forth.
  • Pump it up! When you have extra money (tax return, rebate from your new phone, etc.), apply it to your highest interest rate card. These extra payments result in great savings for you.

Why Pay Down the Highest Interest First (and not the lowest balance)

There are two schools of thought on how to approach paying off your credit card debt using the Debt Snowball.

  1. Pay off the smaller ones first and work up to the bigger ones.
  2. Pay off the higher interest rate cards first and work down to the lower ones

Think Bigger and Bigger vs. Faster and Faster

Attacking the cards with the highest interest first makes the most sense. Your savings will be greater and the time to pay off the total debt will be significantly less– effectively reducing the total amount of debt in a shorter amount of time.

If you approach the smallest debts first, without concern for the interest rates, you can still get to your goal, but it will take you longer and cost you money. The psychological benefit of the quick payoffs might be the key for many people but consider this; the need for “instant gratification” is what got you in this fix in the first place. Once the small accounts are paid off and the big ones are still looming ahead, it may become disheartening for you and the positive (and small) initial boost will be a dim memory.

Better Credit = Less Interest = More Savings

But wait, there’s still another way to save — an added bonus to the effectiveness of the debt snowball plan is your improved credit standing. As you start paying down your balances, your payment history will improve and your credit score will begin to go up. Take this opportunity to contact your credit card companies and ask to have your interest rate reduced. Often it can be as simple as a phone call. With auto loans and home equity loans, it will likely require a refinance, but the savings can be substantial. Again, keep paying the amount you were paying before the interest was reduced for some serious momentum.

How to Avoid the Pitfalls

As straight forward as this debt repayment method is, you need to be prepared for some temptations and some pitfalls. These are a few of the biggies.

  1. Watch out for more debt. When you start to get some breathing room, don’t take this as the go ahead for more spending. While expenses (and impulses) are sometimes unexpected, do everything in your power to avoid new debt.
  2. Have an emergency fund. Start by setting money aside for the unexpected. Even a small cushion of money will help you avoid more debt in a crisis.
  3. Don’t get discouraged. Whether you are motivated mathematically or psychologically, consider the end result (most money saved) and pick the approach that will sustain your efforts and get the (snow)ball rolling.

The whole idea is to get you out of debt and save you money. We’re talking your personal finances here! Review your accounts, use the debt reduction calculator provided at CNN.com and see how long it will take you to roll yourself out of debt, and how much you will save by paying off your high interest cards first.

Photo Credit: lemonjenny via Flickr

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American Express® Prepaid Card Review

By on February 23, 2012 in Prepaid Credit Cards

On the ever expanding prepaid card market, the new American Express® Prepaid Card just may be the best of the bunch. The American Express Prepaid Card cuts away most of the fees and comes with many of the features associated with the respected American Express name. As with most prepaid cards, there are no credit requirements for applying for this card.


  • The benefits of Cardmembership start here!
  • No Monthly, Annual or Purchase Fees
  • No Overdraft, Inactivity or Foreign Exchange Fees
  • Purchase Protection*
  • Fraud Protection
  • Roadside Assistance*
  • No Credit Check

After reviewing this card, I had to wonder if the marketing experts at AMEX all have kids and realize that there are some unique scenarios that parents face. You certainly don’t have to have kids to use this card but I immediately realized this card could offer some great opportunities to teach responsibility and for parents to be able to rest easy anticipating the inevitable times when kids don’t think ahead.

So how can this card help with the needs of your young family? You may have students away at college or high school kids living at home. Giving them a card to use in case of emergency will benefit you as much as them; mostly because you won’t have to worry about the “what ifs.” The card purchaser can get up to three cards. All three cards can be in the names of other people or one for the purchaser plus two other users. The minimum age of a card user is 13.

What This Card DOESN’T Have

  • NO overdraft fees
  • NO credit check
  • NO debt
  • NO purchase fees
  • NO annual fee
  • NO monthly fee

What This Card DOES Have

  • Roadside Assistance (jump starts, gas, locksmith, flat tires, tows)
  • Fraud protection (not responsible for charges resulting from a lost or stolen card)
  • 24 hour customer service
  • Discounts and special offers
  • First ATM transaction each month is free – after that it’s $2 per transaction

Loading the Card

To load the card you have options. You can transfer from your bank account (for which there is NO charge) or you can load cash. You can load cash by purchasing a MoneyPak for $4.95 at one of 50,000 retail outlets, including the biggies — Walmart, Kmart, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens and 7-Eleven. With MoneyPak you can load as little as $25 or as much as $500 per transaction. Your first MoneyPak purchase is “on the house” and will be refunded by AMEX, but this offer is only good through the end of May.

The American Express Prepaid Card requires no minimum balance and no initial load requirement. Minimum reload is $25. Maximum card balance is $2,500 and you can’t load more than that amount at one time.

Card Controls

What sets this card apart from the other cards on the market are the controls that are in place for parents. If you are thinking this might be great for your family members, especially your children, you might find these monitoring features appealing, if not critical.

  • ATM access can be turned on and off
  • Cards can be limited to a maximum of $200 (or certainly less) per week
  • Cards can be suspended and reactivated
  • Email notifications can be turned on and off
  • Transactions can be viewed

While great for meeting the supervisory needs of parents, you certainly don’t need to have kids to benefit from the features of this card. You don’t even have to take advantage of multiple cards to benefit. In the rapidly expanding world of prepaid cards, the American Express Prepaid Card is an impressive product.

How to Apply for the American Express® Prepaid Card

Applying for this credit card is quick and easy. The application takes just a few minutes to complete, and Amex will even notify you about the outcome of your application.

To get started, visit the American Express® Prepaid Card official website.

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PASS from American Express® Review

By on February 20, 2012 in Prepaid Credit Cards

The PASS Card from American Express is a prepaid card that has been designed to teach teens how to be financial responsible. The PASS Card is a reloadable prepaid card that parents give to teens and young adults. Any adult 18 years or older can purchase the PASS Card for anyone 13 years of age or older. The Card purchaser loads the Card with funds and can reload it so that the card user can use it again and again.


  • Prepaid reloadable Card parents give to teens
  • Parents and teens can log in to their own online accounts to check the PASS Card balance, view transactions and setup alerts.
  • Limit overspending and avoid teen overdraft fees
  • Safer than Cash
  • Automatic reloads
  • Purchase Protection*
  • Entertainment Access*
  • Global Assist*

Using the PASS Card

PASS Cardmembers can use the Card at any merchant that accepts American Express® Cards worldwide. This includes mail-order, online and in-store locations. You can also use it to withdraw cash from ATMs. The Card cannot be used at cruise lines, casinos or for car rental charges. The PASS Card is not intended for use for alcohol, gambling, adult entertainment or illegal activities.

Managing Your Account

Both parents and teens are involved when it comes to managing the card. Its easy and safe. All you do is load the card, use the card, and then check your account information online. Here’s how it works:

  1. Load/Reload: The person who purchases card is the only one who can load the card. The initial load must be made online, but you can it can be reloaded either online or by calling Customer Service at 1-877-405-7277.
  2. Using the Card: The Card can be used at millions of locations around the world – anywhere American Express® Cards are accepted.
  3. Managing the Card: Both the PASS Card purchaser and PASS Cardmember can create online accounts to view transaction history, check balances and set up account controls.

Choosing your Card design

One of the cool features of the PASS card is that you can choose your own design. Cardmembers and purchases get to choose from four different card colors and you can even have your own photo or image added to the card. This is a great way to personalize your card. There are guidelines about what type of images are acceptable and you can see this guidelines once you start the process of adding your own design. When you apply for the card online you will get to choose if you want to add your own image or not.

Rewards Mall

The Rewards Mall is basically an online shopping mall that gives PASS Cardmembers special access to discounts and offers at hundreds of merchants. Some special offers many include things like free shipping or a percentage off a purchase at merchants. When you shop at the Rewards Mall, American Express will make a charitable donation to United Way for each eligible purchase. The Rewards Mall shows the percentage of your purchase that American Express will donate to the charity. For additional details about the Rewards Mall and charitable contributions, log into your PASS account at americanexpress.com/pass in the “Teen Manage Your Account” section and click the “Rewards Mall” link under the Perks section.

Benefits for Parents and Teens

  • Money can be added 24/7, online or by phone, from an American Express® Card or bank account.
  • Teens can use the card at millions of locations around the world: in stores, online, at ATMs American Express charges a fee of $1.50 to the PASS Card for each ATM withdrawal.
  • Both you and your child can Log in to your online account to check the Card balance, view transactions and set up alerts.
  • Teens can learn how to better manage their money by tracking purchases online. Plus, they can visit the JA Student Center to learn more about budgeting and planning.
  • Teens can also become “Financially Certified” through an online assessment.
  • PASS also includes Roadside Assistance
  • Teens can also view balances online, or track their funds via text messages2Carrier charges may apply for receiving text messages and mobile web browsing.
  • Make it yours, pick a color. You can even add an image for free when your parents order PASS.

PASS Card Fees

The PASS card does not charge interest and you cannot overdraft the account. The only fee you need to be concerned with is the fee for withdrawing money from an ATM. The fee is $2.00 per withdraw, but you get one free ATM withdrawal per calendar month. Keep in mind that banks may also charge their own fees for each withdrawal. There are no fees for activating or reloading the PASS Card.

How to Apply for the PASS from American Express®

Applying for this credit card is quick and easy. We’ve provided a link below that will take you to the official PASS from American Express® website. From this page, you can click on the apply now button to go to the PASS from American Express® secure online application. The application takes just a few minutes to complete, and they will even notify you about the outcome of your application. To get started, visit the PASS Card from American Express official website.

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4 Credit Cards that Offer Sweet Sign Up Bonuses

By on January 17, 2012 in Credit Card Offers

We can all use some extra cash from time to time. And with some of the best credit card offers, you can earn a $100 bonus in the form of cash, a statement credit, or gift cards. We’ve put together a list of those $100 offers all in one place for easy comparison.

The Chase Freedom® Visa is ranks first on our list because this card gives $100 cash back. All you have to do is $500 within the first 3 months and you will get your $100 bucks. This breaks down to just spending $166 each month. In addition, this is a solid rewards card because you get 5% cash back for every dollar you spend in rotating categories and 1% cash back on all your other purchases. The rate you receive will be between 12.99-22.99% (Variable)*, based on your creditworthiness.

With the American Express® Gold Card you will earn 10K Membership Rewards® points which are redeemable $100 in gift cards. You are eligible once you make $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. Amex cards like this one are know for their exclusive access to select concerts, shows, and major sporting events. When it comes to rewards you’ll earn one point for every dollar you spend.

Next on our list is the Chase SapphireSM because of it’s limited time bonus offer. You can earn 25,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months. That turns out to be $250 toward a flight or any other reward you choose. This is a great travel rewards card because you earn double points on airfare purchased through the Travel Booking Tool. You also earn 1 point for every $1 you spend on all your other purchases.

There’s nothing better than cold hard cash and that’s exactly what you get with the Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Visa® Card. As a bonus you can get $100 cash back after $500 in purchases within the first 3 months. If that’s not enough to convince you then how about this – the card comes with a 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases*.

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Cash or Credit–How should you spend your dough?

By on January 12, 2012 in blog


Is it better to use Cash or Credit? There are some who swear off credit cards completely, believing they only bring financial ruin to most. At the same time, others swear by credit cards for their security, convenience and rewards. While this isn’t a one-size-fits-all issue, it’s worth considering the pros and cons of cash versus credit transactions. Ultimately it’s a personal decision and you have to decide what works best for you.

To give you a few things to consider we have come up with the following:

The Benefits of Spending Cash

  • Control Spending: Spending cash can help many control how much the spend in two ways. First, as the old saying goes, you can’t spend what you don’t have. If you stick to cash, once you’re out, you’re out. Second, study after study has shown that many folks tend to spend less many when they use cash as compared to credit. I think this is true. For example, if you only have $20 bucks on you then you can’t spend $30. This isn’t the case when using a credit card.
  • Avoid Fees & Interest: By spending cash, you eliminate the possibility that you’ll pay interest charges or credit card fees. And if interest and fees start to rack up, they can create a snowball of financial turmoil that’s hard to stop.
  • Accepted Everywhere: I have yet to find a place that doesn’t accept cash. On the otherhand, there still are some places out there that don’t accept plastic. If you carry cash then you can be pretty sure you aren’t going to get turned away.
  • Possible Discounts: Some places will give you a discount if you use cash instead of a card. Remember, it costs to process a credit or debit card transaction. If you are willing to pay cash then it might save you some money.

The Benefits of Using Credit Cards

  • Security: There is no doubt using a credit card is safer than using cash. If you lose your cash it can’t be replaced. If your credit card is lost or stolen and it is used without your permission the most you can be held liable for is $50. Also, you have the ability to dispute a charge if a purchase goes wrong when using a credit card.
  • Rewards: Credit cards that offer cash back, travel or other rewards can pay off, so long as you pay the balance off in full each month. Just putting everyday spending on a card can result in hundreds of dollars in cash back rewards each year.
  • Better Tracking: When you use credit you can keep close tabs on how you spend your money. Managing your money is much easier because it’s done electronically. You don’t have to keep receipts and write down transactions because it’s done for you. Plus, if you use money management programs like Quicken or Mint.com you can easily export your transaction history and manage all your accounts in one place.
  • Interest Free: If you pay your balance off each month then you are bascially getting an interest free loan for 20 to 30 days based on your billing cycle. This is about the only time you can borrow money from a bank with no intrest. Also, you can always take advantage of an offer that gives 0% for a longer time period like 12 months. This is ideal for a big purchase that you might need extra time to pay off.
  • Purchase Protections and Waranties: Many credit cards come packed with purchase protections and waranties which safeguard your purchases. This extra security helps you in the event you purchase an item that ends up being damaged or has a defect. Each card works different so you have to check the terms of your agreement, but this type of protection can save you money.

Photo Credit: YIM Hafiz via Flickr

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Low Interest Credit Cards Aren’t Always The Best Option

By on January 9, 2012 in blog

It’s a no-brainer that the lower a credit card’s interest rate, the better, right? Well, not so fast. It turns out that low interest rate credit card offers are not always the best option. While this seems counter-intuitive, it is a really important consideration when evaluating credit cards. To understand why, consider the following:

  • A credit card’s interest rate only matters if you have a revolving balance. Pay off your card every month, and you pay no interest at all, regardless of the interest rate.
  • Many low interest credit cards do not offer other card features, like cash back or travel rewards, or they offer these incentives in lower amounts than other cards.

To see this in action, let’s take a look at two card offers: Iberia Visa Classic and Discover More card.

  • The Iberia Visa Classic offers one of the lowest interest rates available from a credit card. Based on your credit, you might qualify for a rate of either 7.25-13.25% (Variable)*. The card comes with an introductory rate of 0% balance transfers for 6 months on balance transfers* months, but no other rewards.
  • Discover More comes with an interest rate ranging from 10.99-20.99% (Variable)*, depending on the cardholders’ credit history. At those rates, the Discover More card charges an interest rate roughly 2x to 3x more than the Iberia card. But it comes with much richer rewards. The card offers an introductory rate of 0% for 15 months on purchases*. It also comes with rich cash back rewards as high as 5% to 20%.

So as between Iberia Visa Classic and Discover More, it’s the higher interest rate card that would be best for many who pay off their card each month. In fact, even the occasional revolving balance for a month or two may still favor the higher rate Discover card.

Why do higher interest rate cards often offer better benefits? The simple answer is that with higher interest rates, the card issuer has more revenue that it can use to fund richer reward programs. Cards with rates as low as 7.25% can’t offer the same rewards and still turn a reasonable profit. Of course, if you regularly carry a balance on your card from month-to-month, than the lower interest rate card is probably the best bet.

There are, however, some cards that offer both lower interest rates and rich rewards. Another good example of this type of card is the Capital One® VentureSM Rewards Credit Card. The No Hassle Miles card comes with an interest rate between 13.90-20.90% (Variable)* and offers up to 2x miles for every dollar spent.

Generally lower interest rate cards offer fewer rewards, but you can find offers like the Discover More Card and the Capital One® VentureSM Rewards Credit Card that give you the best of both worlds. So if you pay off your card each month in full, remember that the interest rate on the card may not be the most important consideration.

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No Fee 0% Balance Transfer Offer from Discover

By on January 6, 2012 in credit cards

The 0% No Balance Transfer Fee is no longer available. Check out more No Fee Offers by clicking here.

Once upon a time credit card issuers did not charge a balance transfer fee. If you’re like me then you probably just expect to be hit with a fee anywhere from 3% to 5% of the amount you transfer. Nobody really wants to pay a transfer fee, but with increasing bank fees this fee is no surprise. What is a surprise is that we are now starting to see cards that are bringing back the No Transfer Fee option.

The Discover® More® Card – No Balance Transfer Fee* is a popular rewards card that has a limited time No Balance Transfer Fee offer on the table. Discover is only making this offer available until February 28, 2012 and you must transfer balances by July 10, 2012. After this date the transfer fee will be 5%. The card still has other great features and we have all the details below.

0% Introductory Offer

The card offers an introductory rate of 0% for [showoff template=cc_purchase_period offer=ncs22186045]. After the introductory rate, the APR you receive is [showoff template=cc_reg_apr offer=ncs22186045], based on your creditworthiness.

Rewards Program

The Discover® More® Card features the Cashback bonus program. This is Discover’s popular rewards program that earns you Cashback bonuses on every purchase you make. 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 – Your Discover® More Card earns you .25% Cashback bonus on every purchase up to 3,000 dollars yearly.

Additional Discover® More® Card Details

This card offers a variety of additional benefits for being a card member. Here is a list of some of the additional benefits the card offers:

  • Fraud Protection and Account Security: You can expect $0 Fraud Liability guarantee means you’re never responsible for unauthorized charges, advanced early warnings if we suspect unusual activity on your account, dedicated Fraud Specialists who are available to you 24/7 and secure online account numbers that let you shop online without ever revealing your account number.
  • Merchandise Protection on Your Purchases: Up to $500 of Purchase Protection against loss, damage or fire for 90 days and up to 1 year of Extended Product Warranty coverage.
  • Travel Protection—At No Cost to You: Get $1,000,000 Travel Accident Insurance when you travel on a common carrier, up to $50,000 in Car Rental Insurance when you decline coverage offered by the rental agency and additional exclusive benefits that keep you protected while you travel.
  • Account Management and Customer Service: Dedicated Business Card Specialists who will answer your call within 60 seconds to address your needs from the initial point of contact—no need to repeat yourself, intuitive, secure online account center where you can review charges, pay bills and redeem rewards and account statements you can download right into QuickBooks® for immediate financial analysis
  • Unlimited Rewards: You can always earn extra rewards by making online purchases through our exclusive online shopping site, ShopDiscover.

How to Apply for the Discover® More® Card

Applying for this credit card is quick and easy. We’ve provided a link below that will take you to the official Discover® More Card website. From this page, you can get started with the secure online application. The application takes just a few minutes to complete, and they will notify you about the outcome of your application.

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Best Credit Cards for 2012

By on January 6, 2012 in credit cards

The New Year has brought with it some extremely rewarding credit card offers. Whether you are looking for cash back rewards, 0% APR balance transfer offers, a credit card for your small business, or points redeemable for travel or shopping, there is a credit card offer to meet your needs.

Listed below are the Best Credit Cards for 2012 as selected by the editors of Credit Card Offers IQ.

Best Cash Back Cards

The [showoff template=text_link offer=ncs22125665] is one of our favorite cash back offers because get $200 cash back when you spend $500 within the first 3 months. You also get 5% cash back for every dollar you spend in rotating categories and 1% cash back on all your other purchases. The rate you receive will be between [showoff template=cc_reg_apr offer=ncs22125665], based on your creditworthiness.

See our Chase Freedom® Visa – $200 Bonus Cash Back review for more card details.

With the Blue Cash Everyday(SM) from American Express there are no spending limits, no rotating categories and you don’t need to enroll to earn. The rewards program is as follows: 3% cash back per dollar spent at supermarkets, 2% cash back per dollar spent at department stores and gas stations, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. The card offers an introductory rate of 0% for 12 on purchases and a regular APR between 17.24-22.24% (Variable)*, based on your creditworthiness.

See our Blue Cash Everyday(SM) from American Express review for more card details.

The Discover® More® Card is a rewards card that offers cash back on all your purchases. You can earn up to 5% cash back in rotating categories and 1% Cashback bonus on all other purchases. The card offers an introductory rate of 0% for 15 months on purchases*. After the introductory rate, the APR you receive is 10.99-20.99% (Variable)*, based on your creditworthiness. Best of all this card has no annual fee!

See our full review of the Discover® More® Card for more details.

Best Balance Transfer Cards

The Slate® from Chase one of two cards currently offering No Balance Transfer Fee. This is a limited time offer and you are required to make your balance transfer within the first 30 days to avoid the fee. The card offers 0% for up to 12 months on balance transfers. After the introductory rate, the APR you receive is 11.99-21.99% (Variable)*, based on your creditworthiness.

For more details, see our Slate® from Chase review.

The Citi® Platinum Select® MasterCard® is a great choice for a balance transfer card because it offers 0% for a full 21 months. This is one of the longest offers available. What makes this card even better is that it also gives 0% on purchases for 21 months. After the introductory period, regular APR is between 11.99-21.99% (Variable)*, based on your creditworthiness.

For more details, check out our Citi® Platinum Select® MasterCard® review.

Capital One® Platinum Prestige Credit Card

The best feature of the Capital One® Platinum Prestige Credit Card is the 0% introductory rate on both purchases and balance transfers until Until 09/2013 on purchases*. If you plan on carrying balance or want to transfer balances from other cards with high interest rates this is a solid card. After the 0% introductory period, the APR for both purchases and balance transfers is a low go-to APR of 10.90-18.90% (Variable)*.

See our Capital One® Platinum Prestige Credit Card review for more details.

Best Travel Cards


The Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® Plus Card makes our list as one of the best cards for 2012 because of the great bonus offer it gives to new cardmembers. To start, you will earn a free flight after your first purchase. With this card you earn double points for your Southwest Airline purchase and you will receive bonus points on your anniversary. This card is offering a limited time balance transfer option with allows you to earn 1 point per every $1 you transfer to the card.

For more details, check out our Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® Plus Card review.

The Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express is arguably one the best travel rewards card available. The best perk about this card is that your rewards can be cashed in for a variety of travel rewards, including a network of hotels as well as airlines. for most of your purchases you will earn 2 points for every dollar you spend, but you can earn up to 7 Starpoints per dollar.

For more details, check out our Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express review.

The Capital One® VentureSM Rewards Credit Card is ideal for those individuals with excellent credit looking for a travel rewards credit card. This card offers one of the best rewards programs available allowing cardholders to earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase. As a bonus you get 10,000 bonus miles after $1,000 is spent during the first 3 months. There is no limit on the miles you can earn and they will never expire. Even with the great rewards program, this card has no annual fee for the first year and a regular APR of 13.90-20.90% (Variable)*, making it a great choice for a travel rewards card.

For more details, check out our Capital One® VentureSM Rewards Credit Card review.

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