Credit Card Rewards

Credit Card Rewards Programs Explained: Citis Thank You Rewards Network

Credit card companies are in constant competition with one another to gain you as their customer. One way they approach this is with 0% introductory rates. Another approach is the rewards program. In this first of a series of in depth articles on credit card rewards programs, the president and CEO of Credit Card Depot Inc examines the Citi Thank You Rewards Network Program.

Currently, the Citi Simplicity(SM) Rewards Card, the Citi Platinum Select, and the Citi Diamond Preferred Rewards Card all offer thankyounetwork rewards. But what exactly are these rewards. They are points earned for every dollar spent that can be redeemed for everything from gift certificates to reduction in your interest rate. Here, I will focus on the gift certificates. Beginning at around 1,500 points, you can receive a free $10 gift certificate to a wide range of major retailers. As our points increase, so do their value. For 10,000 points, you can get a $100 gift certificate to these same great retailers.
Aside from retail gift certificates, you can vouchers for hotel discounts, free skiing pass, free movie tickets. There truly are a ton of rewards options available through this citicards program.

Now, some of you may be rolling your eyes at the fact it takes $10,000 of spending to get $100 in rebates. But the fact of the matter is, getting rewards is easier than you think. For starters, both the Citi Simplicity(SM) Rewards Card and the Citi Diamond Preferred Rewards offer new consumers a great signup incentive: thousands of free points. For the Citi Simplicity(SM) Rewards Card, all you have to do is make one purchase in your first three months with the card and you are awarded a $100 gift certificate. Imagine that, a credit card paying you to use their card. The same holds true with the Citi Diamond Preferred Rewards Card. Citicards will give you a $50 gift certificate for using that card.

Okay, so you get the free points up front, but how can you really take advantage of the rewards offered by Citibanks Thank You Network. Use you card for all your everyday purchases and pay your balance in full each month. Between groceries, gas, eating out, and other common expenses, you might find yourself with a few hundred dollars worth of rewards by the end of a year. Not too bad for simply using your credit card in place of cash or a debit card.

Citis Thank You Rewards Network, which charges no annual fee, adds great value to Citibanks credit card offerings. While the Citi Simplicity(SM) Rewards Card and the Citi Diamond Preferred Rewards Card offer the added incentive of a free gift certificate, the Citi Platinum Select card should not be overlooked, as it offers one of lowest interest rates on the market.

Overall, the credit card rewards available through Citibank are top notch. However, in my next article, well see how they stand up to the credit card rewards pioneer, American Express.

5 Things You Should Know About 0 APR Credit Card Offers

If you have received one of these offers in the mail, you know how tempting they can be. They claim that you will pay no interest on any purchases or balance transfers in the first period of owning your card. But there are some things about these offers you need to know before you sign on the dotted line and let them pull your credit report

1.The 0 APR offer is for a limited time.

Most credit card companies that offer the 0 percent interest rate deal only offer it for a limited time. This means that you will pay 0 APR for six months, nine months, or up to a year. You need to check the fine print for this information and be careful to notice it when the time is up.

2.The 0 APR offer might not apply to everything you put on the card.

Many cards offer 0 APR on all balance transfers and any purchases made during the introductory 0 percent interest period. But some only offer the 0 APR on balance transfers, and you pay a very high interest rate on any purchases.

3.The 0 APR offer might be null and void if you are not on time with your payment.

Most of these credit card offers are contingent on your being an exemplary member. This means that you have to pay your minimum payment on time every month during the introductory period or else you automatically lose your nice 0 APR and move up to a rate that usually ranges from nineteen to twenty-one percent interest.

4.The 0 APR offer might carry a ridiculously high interest rate after the introductory period is over.

Again, the rate of interest for these cards after the 0 APR is over usually runs from nineteen to twenty-one percent.

5.The 0 APR credit card will not repair your credit.

Remember that consolidating your cards or transferring your loan balance will help you pay off the balance without interest, but it will not remove the damage already done to your credit.

In 1950, the first credit card that could be used at more than one, specific merchant emerged on the market. The Diners Card, started by Frank McNamara, was an invention that got its start when Frank was having a business meeting over dinner, and realized he had forgotten his wallet at home. Of course, the man was extremely embarrassed, and had to call his wife and ask her to bring him his wallet so he could pay for the bill. Then the light bulb over his head turned on, and he thought it would be incredible to have a way to purchase things wherever people shopped, and pay for them later. The Diners Card started with 200 card holders, and within a few years- banks and private companies began offering credit cards.

Eventually there were so many credit cards to choose from that the credit lenders had to come up with new ways to stand out from the competition and entice people to select their card over another. Credit card reward programs were born sometime around 1986. Discover card began offering cash back based on the amount of money you spent on your credit card, and the first frequent flier miles for credit card users was with Continental Airlines. The frequent flier miles were such a hit that now every airline has joined in the rewards programs, offering discounted trips, free complimentary airfare, travel accident insurance- all based on the amount of spending you do using your credit card.

Now that just about every credit card has some sort of rewards program in place, once again card companies are finding themselves looking for new ways to entice more customers to slide their credit card into their already overflowing card holders in their wallets. Rewards programs have to be turned up a notch, and become so amazing, so absolutely unforgettable that consumers cant forget them and will apply for and use their card more than the other seven in their wallets when they go shopping!

Currently, the trend in credit card rewards programs appears to be creating cards that offer very specific rewards to cater to what people are doing with their lives. Michelle Shepherd, of MBNA Corp (one of the largest credit card lenders) says the rewards programs are developed with real people in mind, offering something for everyone whatever stage in life a person is in, whether its someone whos trying to reduce a mortgage or someone dreaming of going to the Super Bowl. This is seen in credit cards MBNA offers with rewards programs related to NASCAR and GMAC. Also, Visa offers several credit cards with Disney rewards programs- your spending earns you points towards travel to Disney theme parks and on the Disney cruise line.

Credit card interest rates have begun to rise overall, which is another reason why lenders are trying to entice new customers with their fabulous rewards programs. It would be hard for a card to sell itself to new customers with a high, unattractive interest rate- so lenders have learned to sell the idea of the rewards programs, hoping to gain your interest from that and divert your attention from the not-so-glamorous interest rates.

Keep in mind that while rewards programs can seem very rewarding when you are considering a credit card offer, there is often a lot of information you wont find out until after you apply for and receive the card. Rewards programs often have limitations, meaning once you reach the ceiling you are no longer eligible for the rewards program benefits- information they dont normally disclose in the credit card offers you receive in the mail. Also, for rewards programs that allow you to purchase items with points earned based on the spending you do using your credit card, keep in mind you will probably be charged additional money for shipping and handling of those items. For cards that offer travel discounts and airline tickets, many rewards programs require you to then pay transaction fees to redeem them.

Sure, free gifts are great. Who doesnt want a free gift? But when free credit card offers come in the mail, we may feel like were the most important person in the world but we should be careful. When those free offers are from credit card companies, we may want to avoid signing up altogether and simply throw them out! The credit card companies like us because we have good credit. But it could be our financial ruin if we sign up for too many cards!

This is because credit card providers use the concept of risk measurement to determine who need to receive a credit card. And if your credit rating is good, you seem to be a good risk to the credit card providers. So they make many of their offers attractive.

When you get these great offers in the mail, you should consider very carefully before you jump in with both feet and get every credit card that comes your way. Why? Because credit cards are loans and the lenders feel you can only have so many loans out at once before it becomes unmanageable based on your income.

Its a downward spiral: Your credit rating is so good that youre thought of as a great risk. And because they think that youre a good risk, you get many offers. But because you get lots of offers and you sign up youre thought of as a bad risk! Even if you dont use all of the available credit limit on your cards, the availability is there and thats what lending institutions look at.

And, if you find that your outstanding debts (such as credit cards, loans, or bills owing) have gotten out of hand from excess credit cards, you just might want to consider pulling it all together through a debt consolidation loan. A debt consolidation loan gives you the benefit of getting a fixed monthly payment (rather than an unknown variable payment) and a lower interest rate and usually over a longer period of time to repay.

So credit cards arent necessarily a bad thing. We need them in this day and age. But what you need to do is approach them thoughtfully, selecting the best and discarding the rest. And if things have gotten out of your control, consolidate your debt to get control of it again.

Credit Card Reward Programs: Getting The Most Out Of Your Credit Cards

Credit cards can earn you cash, airline miles, or rewards. To get the most out of your credit card company, you have to choose the right program and use your card often.

Pick The Right Program

Do you want a free trip to Hawaii or cash at the end of the year? Credit card companies offer a variety of reward programs, so choose the one that you like the best.

If you are planning to earn airline miles, pick a destination and make sure your rewards program covers that area. Some credit card companies partner with a specific airline while others offer generic travel miles.

Cash rewards usually work out to 1% to 5% back on all your purchases. At the end of the year you could end up with a sizable check. Cash rewards dont apply to transfers or cash withdrawals.

Generic reward programs offer points for your purchases. Those points can then be redeemed either for products through the credit card company or gift cards for name brand stores like Starbucks, Home Depot, or Toys R Us.

Earn Your Rewards

To truly get the most out of your rewards program, you will need to use your credit card often. By using your card to pay for all your purchases, including groceries, prescriptions, and household bills, you can earn an airline trip or over a thousand dollars in a year.

Also look for special offers that are included in your monthly statement. Sometimes you can double your points by using your card with a certain merchant. You can also receive coupons for additional savings at these places.

Dont Get Caught

Reward programs usually charge a higher interest rate than other credit cards. To make sure you dont get stung on finance charges, pay off your balance every month.

Instead of whipping out your credit card every time you want to make a purchase, start with a monthly budget. Plan on how much you can afford to spend and stick with it. If you do carry a balance, know how much it will cost you.

Not only can you earn rewards for your purchases, you can also improve your credit score by making regular, on-time payments. The more responsible you are with your credit, the more likely you can qualify for more.

“I got a call from a woman who said I need credit card loss protection insurance. I thought there was a law that limited my liability to $50 for unauthorized charges. But she said the law had changed and that now, people are liable for all unauthorized charges on their account. Is that true?”
Don’t buy the pitch – and don’t buy the “loss protection” insurance.

Telephone scam artists are lying to get people to buy worthless credit card loss protection and insurance programs. If you didn’t authorize a charge, don’t pay it. Follow your credit card issuer’s procedures for disputing charges you haven’t authorized. According to the Federal Trade Commission, your liability for unauthorized charges is limited to $50.

The FTC says worthless credit card loss protection offers are popular among fraudulent promoters who are trying to exploit consumers’ uncertainty. As a result, the agency is cautioning consumers to avoid doing business with callers who claim that:

you’re liable for more than $50 in unauthorized charges on your credit card account;

you need credit card loss protection because computer hackers can access your credit card number and charge thousands of dollars to your account;

a computer bug could make it easy for thieves to place unauthorized charges on your credit card account; and

they’re from “the security department” and want to activate the protection feature on your credit card.

The FTC advises consumers not to give out personal information – including their credit card or bank account numbers – over the phone or online unless they are familiar with the business that’s asking for it. Scam artists can use your personal information to commit fraud, such as identity theft.

That’s where someone uses some piece of your personal information, such as your credit card account number, Social Security number, mother’s maiden name, or birth date, without your knowledge or permission to commit fraud or theft. An all-too-common example is when an identity thief uses your personal information to open a credit card account in your name.

Be smart and learn what you are personally responsible for. Protect your credit cards and your identity.

Credit card companies: the rewards, promos and services that make the difference

With so many credit card companies offering credit cards, the consumer market for credit cards has become one tough cookie to crack. To stay competitive, credit card companies offer various extra services, rewards programs and promos that would lure consumers to sign up with their company.

Rewards program

Most credit cards have a some sort of rewards program running. Rewards program in credit cards basically follow one set of principle. The more you spend and the more you see your credit card, the more points you will get. Often, there is a standard equivalent for every amount spent. For instance, one point is given for every, let’s say, 10 dollars purchase.

The points can be accumulated and later exchanged for a product or cash, whichever is being offered. Some banks even send out catalogs where their clients can see just what is being offered in exchange for their points. Some credit card companies even allow for half points-half cash scheme provided that it will be charged to the account.

Rewards program is actually a great and effective way not only to lure customers into the program but also to keep them there. And what is more they are encouraged to use their credit cards as often as possible.

Discounts in establishments

Some credit cards offer discounts when used in partner establishments. Some credit card companies even offer up to 20 percent discount. This discount scheme can be usually found in credit cards that target a specific niche market. For instance, if a credit card company hopes to target the young professionals, they would partner with establishments where these people usually shop or eat at. Partner establishments can range from a measly ten to as many as 50 stores.

Zero interest promos

To lure people to spend, credit card companies often tie up with establishments and offer zero interest for a specific time frame. The client can purchase the item and be able to use it without paying for it immediately. The purchase will reflect in the monthly statement after the zero interest period has ended.

This is often done with items that are very expensive such as tech gadgets, electronic equipments and house furnishings to encourage buyers to purchase item that they do not really need or are not so very necessary to their house. Luxury items such as jewelry are also sometimes covered by this scheme.

Free items

Credit card companies often offer free items when a client decides to sign up with them. Free items vary, depending on the type of account that a client will avail of and also depending on how high the credit limit is as well as the monthly income.

Gold card clients for example will get a much more expensive free item when they sign up while those that have signed up on regular accounts will often get regular items.

Waived service charges

Credit card companies also reward their loyal customers, especially those who have reached a certain amount purchased in a year, by waiving some of the service charges that they incur. For instance, customers who have good credit history with the credit card company need not pay for the annual fee. The company automatically waives the fee so that the client will stay on with them.