Friday December 30, 2005
Sunday December 25, 2005 Finding the Best Travel Credit Cards
Finding the Best Travel Credit Cards
While many airlines offer enticements of frequent flier miles, there is a second prevalent option - travel credit cards - for discounting your airline travels. There is a very solid reason that these travel credit cards are so popular for avid travelers.
These travel reward credit cards - i.e., those with a feature that lets you earn air mileage discounts as you make purchases with your travel credit card - offer a double dipping opportunity. What this means, simply, is that you now have two ways to earn mileage discounts with the same trip - if you use your travel credit card to book the flight. You can earn credit not only towards your flight, but also towards an auto rental or a hotel room. You can also get mileage credit for purchases with your travel credit card that are not flight-related, such as meals and shopping from retailers.
Many credit cards work as travel credit cards, offering miles or points for your purchases with the card. There are four types of travel credit cards to consider. You might want to choose a credit card that has partnered with a hotel chain or specific airline. This may well be a good choice if your travel destinations are consistent, and you use the same airline continually; or if you have a preference in hotel chain. You might choose a common brand of travel credit card, such as American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover or Diners Club. Your local bank, or another reputable banking firm might issue its own credit card with a program that offers travel rewards. You could also choose a debit card that acts as a travel credit card.
It's difficult to say in general which are the best travel credit cards. So much depends on individual need. Most folks new to travel credit cards start with what are known as co-branded or affinity travel credit cards - those specifically tied to the frequent flyer offering of a certain airline. So, let's look at a couple of those.
American Airlines, for instance, has a partnership with Citibank, offering the AAdvantage mile program. With this American Airlines travel credit card, the traveler card user earn one AAdvantage mile for each dollar she or he charges on the travel credit card.
United Airlines has a similar travel credit card offer, called Mileage Plus First Card, and Delta Airlines has an American Express Optima mileage frequent flier travel credit card. Northwest's travel credit card is called the WorldPerks Visa. Most affinity travel credit cards are MasterCard or Visa, Delta being the most notable exception.
While travel credit cards certainly offer great mileage perks to those who fly the friendly skies often, they also have the disadvantage of comparatively hefty annual fees, however. The fees can range anywhere from $25 to $125. Besides credit history, the other factor that determines your travel credit card annual fee or your annual percentage rate (APR) is your choosing a standard, a gold or a platinum level card. APRs are high for travel credit cards as well. You'll usually end up paying 15 to 18 percent.
About the Author
Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning
Credit Cards. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting http://www.Find-Cards-Now.com
Friday December 16, 2005 Selecting The Right Credit Card
Not all credit cards are created equal. There are many various types of credit cards, and if you are looking to apply for a credit card, it may be difficult to decide which type of card is best for you. In this article, we will look at several popular types of credit cards, to help you figure out which type of credit card meets your unique needs. Low-Interest Credit Cards These credit cards are often useful if you are currently carrying a balance on some of your current credit cards. Low Interest credit cards, also know as balance transfer credit cards, are offered at significantly lower interest rates than what you may be used to. They are good for transferring balances to a new card at a lower rate. Often times, this will allow you to pay off your balance in a shorter amount of time, and for less interest. Rewards Credit Cards As the credit card industry becomes more and more competitive, companies are scrambling to get and keep cardholders and they are willing to bribe you to use their cards. This is where rewards cards come in. Each program has their own rules, but they all work in a similar fashion. By using your rewards credit card, you accumulate points that can then be redeemed for prizes, and sometimes even cash. There are many options available as to what type of reward cards you can choose. If you use credit cards frequently anyways, you might as well get something for it, right? Bad Credit Credit Cards Even if you have poor credit, you can still be approved for a credit card. Now, credit cards offered to people with bad credit often times have much more restrictive terms, higher fees, lower limits and a higher interest rate. If your credit is particular poor, you may have to go with a secured credit card where by you put down a security deposit, or prepay your credit limit. Why do that? Because, by using one of these credit cards and diligently paying your bill on time, you can actually improve your credit and before long you will be eligible for lower rates through a traditional credit card. Student Credit Cards These credit cards often have a lower limit than their more grown up counterparts, making them a perfect "starter" credit card for students. Young people can learn how to control debt without the risk of getting in too deep. As you can see, there are many choices in credit cards. By choosing the right credit card for your particular situation, you can build your credit in a responsible way and enjoy perks that suit your lifestyle. Apply for a credit card here. [General] ( December 16, 2005 03:54 PM ) Permalink | Comments [91]How To Save Money with Gas Rewards
Did you know that you an save serious cash at the gas pump in a very unlikely way? Gas Station Credit Cards, also known as Gas Rewards Cards make it possibe for you to get cash back for gas purchases, thus taking he sting out of the high gas prices. If you want to learn how to save money at the gas pump with Gas Station Credit Cards, check out this site: http://www.gasstationcreditcards.info [General] ( December 16, 2005 03:53 PM ) Permalink | Comments [349]
