The Chase Freedom Card offers unlimited cash back rewards that never expire. There is no annual fee, and promotions offer 1% cash back on all purchases, and 2% on each dollar you spend on air travel booked through the Chase booking tool.
Cardholders with a U.S. mailing address can also earn 3% cash back in a quarterly bonus on rotating categories.
A current promotion offers 0% interest for 6 or 12 months, depending upon your credit history. To qualify for this card, you must possess a credit history clear of any bankruptcy and clear of any serious delinquencies. In addition, you must not have been turned down for credit in the past 6 months.
While credit card rates and programs are always subject to change, as of this writing, the Chase Freedom card offers 3 different pricing schedules:
Elite Pricing at a 13.24% variable rate
Premium Pricing at 18.24% variable
Standard Pricing at 23.24% variable (0% introductory rate limited to 6 months)
(These quoted rates are based on the prime rate of 3.25% on 12/22/08)
All rates are subject to change and based on the prime rate, which is defined as the highest prime rate published in the Money Rates column of The Wall Street Journal two business days before the Closing Date on the statement for each billing period.
Rates are also subject to change based on the consumer’s use of the account or “at any time for any reason.”
Balance transfers and cash advances are charged at 3% of the amount, but not less than $10. International fees are also charged at 3%.
Chase will charge a late payment fee of $15 on balances up to $99; $29 on balances of $100 up to $249; and $39.00 on balances of $250.00 and over. The over-limit fee is $39.
Using a credit card to save money really is possible, with wise use of gasoline rebate cards. When you pay your balance in full each month and avoid interest charges, it’s like free money – as long as you aren’t paying an annual fee.
Here’s what to look for when you compare gas cards:
The annual fee, of course. If you travel extensively and the rebate is high, it might be worth choosing a card with a fee. But do the math before you choose.
Next, the amount of the rebate. Cards vary from 1% up to 5% for some station-specific credit cards. And that makes a huge difference! Say you spend $300 per month on gas – which is not at all unusual with today’s prices. A 1% rebate would earn you only $3, but a 5% rebate would bring back $15! Over a year’s time, the difference really adds up.
When choosing your credit card, check to see if rebates apply only to gasoline, or if other expenses will also earn you rebates. Some cards offer 3% on gasoline and 1% on other purchases.
Since brand-specific cards generally pay a higher rebate than others, check to make sure you choose a card that is good at stations where you regularly stop. If the locations are off your beaten path, or if you have to drive a few extra miles to get there, your savings aren’t worth much.
If you do a good deal of cross-country travel for business, you’re probably better off choosing a credit card that will give you a rebate at any gas station – rather than trying to find the right brand in unfamiliar locations.
Next check to see how and when you’ll get your rebates. Will the amount be credited back to your card, or will you get a check in the mail? Can you get your reward any time you choose, or when your rebate reaches a set amount? Or, does the card issuer give all rebates at a certain time each year?
Even though you may intend to pay your balance in full each month, check to see the interest rate you’ll be paying if you have to carry a balance at any time. If the interest rate is high, your rebate for the year could be wiped out in just one month.
If you’re planning a trip that entails extensive car travel, find a gas credit card that offers a greater rebate for the first few months. Some go as high as 10% as an introductory rate, and then drop to the standard 3 to 5 percent. Just be sure to apply in time to get the card before you leave home!
Are you ready to choose? Compare cards today!
With the Platinum Zero™ Secured Visa® Credit Card all you need to do is have your identity and residence verified and make a deposit of $500 to $5,000.
While the maximum deposit and resultant credit limit is $5,000, cardholders may begin with as little as $500 and increase it at any time.
You are guaranteed approval, with no credit or income requirements, and no application fee. This card features timely credit bureau reporting, so using Platinum Zero™ wisely will help you build or re-build your credit scores.
While you will pay 9.99% interest on cash advances, there is zero interest on purchases – and this rate won’t change, even if you’re late with a payment.
Platinum Zero™ is a product of Applied Bank, in Wilmington, Delaware.
Card holders are protected by a zero percent liability in case of fraudulent use.
Rewards credit cards come in several varieties, in addition to cash back. They are generally offered only to individuals whose credit is rated “excellent” or “very good.”
Some have no annual fee, while others, with more generous rewards, carry an annual fee of up to $450.
The rewards card you choose should reflect your lifestyle and the way you use your credit card.
Two of the most popular are “miles” and “points.”
Miles, of course, refers to airline miles. Some cards are specific to one airline and some are universal. Some give miles for all purchases, and some only for travel-related purchases. Some offer 2 miles per dollar for travel purchases and 1 point for all others.
Often the card offering the most miles per dollar also comes with a higher interest rate, so it pays to compare all the features. Unless you pay your balance in full each month, the rewards can quickly be eaten up by the higher interest rate.
Points are awarded in a similar fashion, with some cards offering points for every purchase, and some for only specific purchases. If the majority of your credit card purchases are for gasoline, choose a card that doubles credit card rewards for gas purchases. If you spend more shopping at a grocery store, choose a rewards card that rewards grocery store purchases.
Some cards give double points for week-end spending, so do carefully consider the choices and pick a card that rewards the way you spend money. With the dozens of offers available, you’re sure to find one that compliments your lifestyle.
You may even want to use different cards for different kinds of purchases. Some consumers find it convenient to use one card for all gasoline purchases so they can pay the balance in full each month and earn rewards, while using a different card with a lower interest rate for larger purchases such as appliances or auto repairs.
You should, of course, use a separate card for business purchases than personal purchases. Not only will your statements give you a clear record of expenditures, but you may be able to deduct any interest you’ve paid over the year. If you mix personal items with business, that interest will probably be denied. *Check with your tax preparer for details.
Before you choose a “Points” rewards credit card, study the offers. Of course you’ll want to compare interest rates, but you should also compare the kinds of merchandise for which you can redeem your points. Then compare the number of points you accumulate per dollar spent against the cost in points for merchandise you might want.
A few rewards credit cards, such as the Advanta Customizable Platinum Business Card with Unlimited Rewards, let you choose between cash back, travel, and merchandise.
One sometimes overlooked rewards credit card: Charitable Giving
Charitable giving rewards credit cards are another option. If you have a favorite charity, go to its website and check to see if they offer a credit card. This is a painless way to give.
Why choose a secured credit card, when you are required to make a deposit equal to your credit limit? Several reasons.
First, owning and using a credit card is a way to establish credit – it’s great for students just beginning their financial lives, as well as for those who have run into credit difficulties in the past and need to re-establish themselves.
Second, a secured credit card is a handy and safe way to manage expenses when you’re traveling or on the road for business. Cash can be easily lost and gone, but your Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Credit Card is protected by zero percent fraud liability.
To apply, you need only to make an initial deposit of at least $200 in a FDIC insured Applied Bank Deposit Account and give us enough information to identify you in keeping with the requirements of the U.S. PATRIOT Act. No income verification and no credit verification are required.
You can deposit up to $5,000 and you will enjoy a corresponding credit limit. Both purchases and cash advances are billed at a low 9.99% APR, and your annual fee is only $50.
Over limit and late fees range from $32 to $35 and unlike many cards, your interest rate will not be raised due to a late payment.
Why pay high annual fees and high interest rates when an Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Credit Card is so affordable?
A year or so ago credit card issuers were offering incentives to talk you into taking their cards, now some credit card issuers have been offering bribes to get you to give them back!
The offers came with promises of free gifts, interest-free trial periods if you’ll transfer balances, and rewards programs. When you said yes, you were also rewarded with a sheet of pre-printed checks – some of them filled in with figures like $1,000, $2,000, and even $5,000.
Just put that check in your bank account and go have fun!
But all that was last year.
Now, only a few selected consumers get offers in the mail, or “ready to deposit” checks from their current credit card issuers.
Now credit card companies want only those customers who represent low risk and high revenue. So they’ve been closing unused accounts and lowering credit limits, while increasing interest rates.
Some card issuers, while also using those tactics, took an additional step during March and April of 2009: They offered significant “bribes” to current account holders who would agree to pay off their balance and close their accounts.
The bribe consisted of a $300 pre-paid credit card, and it was offered to card holders who their scoring systems identified as consumers who might go into default in the coming months.
Most of us have been led to believe there is just one score: The FICO score. But this isn’t true. Lenders, insurance companies, and others are keeping dozens of scores on each of us. These are the kinds of scores used to predict which card holders pose the greatest risk.
Other card issuers have been offering similar, but smaller bribes to customers who have gone into default. One card issuer offered a $25 pre-paid card to customers in exchange for brining their accounts current.
This is just one more defensive step being taken by card issuers who are seeing near record numbers of defaults and charge-offs.
Closing accounts is, as you may know, detrimental to consumers. 30% of the FICO score is based on the amount of available credit to debt, and when a credit line disappears, the ratio changes – lowering the consumer’s FICO score.
Since high credit scores are required to get the best rates on credit cards, car loans, mortgages, and even retail accounts, consumers should consider their future plans before voluntarily letting go of any open line of credit.
The Slate(SM) From Chase Visa Card allows you to set up what they call a “Blueprint” for managing your credit card account. This is the perfect card for those who like to keep careful and detailed records of their spending.
If you want to set a time frame in which to pay off a balance, Chase will do the calculations for you and help you set up a payment schedule. If you want to pay off a large purchase, Chase will separate that purchase out on your bill so you can see the progress you’re making.
They’ll also help you see and track your spending trends, so you can make changes in your habit from a point of knowledge.
To be eligible for this card you must not have a bankruptcy in your past, nor can you have had any seriously delinquent accounts. You must not have been denied credit from Chase in the past 6 months.
Chase offers 3 different levels for cardholders. The Elite and Premium cardholders are offered 0% interest for the first six months, while standard account holders will be charged 22.24% (variable) from the first day.
After the first six months, Elite members are subject to 13.24% interest while Premium members will be charged 17.24%. (These rates are all variable, based on the Prime Rate and subject to change.)
Interest is computed on the average daily balance, including new purchases.
The APRs may increase if a cardholder defaults in any way. The new interest rate will be determined after considering the length of time the account has been open; the existence, seriousness and timing of defaults; and other indications of account usage. In addition, they will consider information gathered from other Chase accounts and from any of their related companies, or from credit reports.
Balance transfers and cash advances are charged at 3% of the amount, but not less than $10. International fees are also charged at 3%.
Chase will charge a late payment fee of $15 on balances up to $99; $29 on balances of $100 up to $249; and $39.00 on balances of $250.00 and over. The over-limit fee is $39.
The PEX Visa Prepaid Card for Business is a tool for every company with employees in the field who need to make purchases with company dollars.
Using the PEX card and their own computer, employers can allocate specific funds to each employee, and even control where and how those funds are spent. You can, for instance, allocate a dollar amount per day for restaurant meals and a different dollar amount for gasoline. You can set daily spending limits and restrict use to authorized categories.
For employees on job sites, you can designate dollars for supplies, and in the case of unexpected expenses, send additional funds to the employee card in minutes – right from the comfort of your own computer.
Pricing is via a monthly fee, which is waived for the first two months. There are no transaction or card load fees. No credit check is required to obtain this card.
Prepaid funds are held in the primary business account until disbursed to individual employee cards. Thus, each employee has a pre-set balance available, and that balance can be changed by the business owner at any time. Unused funds can be pulled back into the primary account.
Cards are issued in the employee’s names – in case of termination the owner needs only to set the balance available to zero. Cards can also be “turned off” when employees are on vacation or temporary layoff.
The reporting package can report monthly spending for each card holder, or for the entire business.
The PEX Visa Prepaid Card for Business gives a business owner complete control over his or her funds, even with a dozen employees in the field. The pre-set spending limits prevent unauthorized purchases and the “no cash withdrawal” feature means you know exactly where every dollar went, even if the employee loses receipts.
Using this system will put any business owner in good graces with the company accountant.
Are you looking for a secured card with no APR on purchases for the first 6 months, and a relatively low APR thereafter? Then the Public Savings Bank Secured Black Card might be the one for you.
After your introductory period, the interest rate will be a low 7.99% plus Prime – and you’ll have 25 days grace period after your statement arrives in which to pay the balance and avoid interest altogether.
Interest on cash advances, however, will be charged at 10.99% during the first 6 months, and from 19.99% to 23.99% thereafter.
Should you Make a late payment; Exceed your credit limit, make a payment that is returned, or do any of these things on another account with Public Savings Bank, your interest will go to 23.99% for an indefinite period of time.
Your monthly payment will be 2% of your balance or $10 – whichever is greater.
You’ll have a one-time set up fee of $79, and NO annual fee. When you increase your credit limit, a $25 fee per increase will apply. The fee for late payments, over-limit transactions, and returned payments is also $25.
This card allows you to deposit from $300 to $1,500 upon application, with a lifetime credit limit of up to $10,000.
The Public Savings Bank Secured Black Card helps you establish a credit rating, because it reports to all 3 of the major credit bureaus, and is accepted everywhere you see the MasterCard or Visa logo.
You’ll have free 24-hour online account access, plus friendly customer service. In addition, you’ll get free Visa rewards, including auto collision damage and emergency card replacement.
Your income and credit are not a factor with the Public Savings Bank Secured Black Card – all applications are accepted.
You can’t be turned down when you apply for the Applied Bank National Express® Secured Visa® Card
All you have to do is open a FCIC Insured Deposit Account at Applied Bank. Your new account will secure your new Applied Bank Visa card, and the credit limit will be equal to the amount of your deposit. No interest will be paid on this deposit account.
You can start with as little as $200 and go as high as $5,000. Plus, you’re not stuck with your initial deposit – any time you want you can increase the deposit, and your credit limit, up to the $5,000 limit.
Your application is guaranteed with verification of your deposit and your identity. The U.S. PATRIOT Act dictates that we must verify your name, address, date of birth and other identifying information.
This is a real Visa card, not a prepaid or debit card, and as such it is protected by zero percent fraud liability. It also comes with real rewards – With your account approval you’ll be entitled to a free companion airline ticket valued at up to $530. Simply request it from Customer Service.
The Annual Fee is a low $50, and the interest rate is fixed at 9.99% for both purchases and cash advances. The cash advance fee will be 5% or $5 – whichever is greater. Late payment fees and overlimit fees range from $32 if your credit limit is $1,000 or less, and $35 if your limit is over $1,000. Late payments will not affect your APR, but rates are subject to change without notice.
Rates and terms are subject to change without notice.
The Chase Freedom Card offers unlimited cash back rewards that never expire. There is no annual fee, and promotions offer 1% cash back on all purchases, and 2% on each dollar you spend on air travel booked through the Chase booking tool.
