Credit Card Cashback Offers

Cashback is a popular incentive offered by many credit card companies. What it means is that for every dollar you spend, your card issuer will give you back some money, usually in a single payment made once a year.

The amount paid back is calculated as a percentage of your total spending. Percentages vary, but typically range from 0.5% to 2%. Some card issuers pay higher rates for purchases in some categories or made through certain retailers. The Discover Platinum Card, for example, offers up to 1% cashback normally, but 5% on purchases made from selected merchants in their Get More Program.

Cashback is obviously an attractive incentive, but if you are likely to leave a balance outstanding on your credit card, it should not be your first priority when deciding what card to pick. For one thing, many card issuers only offer cashback as long as you clear your balance every month. For another, if you are paying interest, the cost of this will probably far outweigh the benefit of cashback. In such instances, your first priority should be to pick a card with a low APR (annual percentage rate) and/or a long interest-free introductory period.

If you are confident you will be able to pay off your balance every month, cashback is certainly one feature you may want to take into consideration when picking a card. There can be a few surprises lurking in the small-print, however, so before applying for a cash-back credit card its very important to read this carefully. In particular, you should check the following:

* Is the headline rate paid on all purchases, or only those after a set amount of annual spending? The Discover Platinum Card, for example, pays just 0.25% on your first $1,500 of spending each year, and 0.50% on the next $1,500. You then earn a full 1% of each purchase made after your total amount of purchases exceeds $3,000.

* Is there a cap on the total amount of cash back you can receive in a year?

* Is the cashback payment made by check, or is it simply a reduction in your bill?

* Is there an introductory bonus offer (e.g. a higher rate of cashback for your first six months)? If so, check how long this lasts, and what happens to the cashback rate afterwards.

* Is there a scheme offering you the opportunity to trade your cashback for bigger discounts with selected merchants? If you are likely to spend money with these merchants anyway, this may have added appeal.

* Are there any hidden costs, e.g. an annual fee or a fee to redeem your cash back credit?

In recent months some card issuers have been cutting back on their cashback offers, reducing the rates paid or in some cases abolishing it altogether. If you want cashback, therefore, its very important to shop around, and not simply respond to the first offer that drops unsolicited into your mailbox. Credit card comparison websites such as www.finest-credit-cards.com make this easier by displaying all the best current offers, updated daily, alongside unbiased advice on choosing and using a credit card.

Posted in Credit Card Offers at July 31st, 2010. No Comments.

Instant Approval Credit Cards – The New Plastic Cash

Instant approval credit cards are plastic cash resources, which are difficult to resist. The instant approval credit cards are marketed very well by their respective card issuers, yet once the card is in hand, cardholders can sometimes find it difficult to manage their debt. Few people understand how to manage payments. The cardholders will utilize the cards to make payments while meeting the grace period payoff date. Meeting the grace period deadline enables the cardholder to take full advantage of the card, since additional interest and fees are not applicable.

Credit Cards differ from loans, i.e. collateral is unnecessary. Still, if you fail to repay the debts incurred, fees higher interest is the result. Nowadays, we all need credit cards, since many businesses will not accept checks anymore. The advantages are that you can utilize most credit cards almost anywhere in the world. In addition, the cards come with monthly statements, which enable you to keep track of your expenses. If the debts are paid in full before the grace period ends, rates of interest and fees are minimal. Furthermore, the credit cards are convenient, since you are essentially taking out what amounts to a payday loan without going through paperwork.

Associated Charges on Credit Cards

It depends on the credit card, but most have a number of associated charges. The instant approval cards, e.g. may include annual percentage rates (APR), interest rates, late fees, fees on cash advances, and so forth. The annual fees are often waived providing the potential cardholder does not have credit issues. The card providers waive the fees up to fifteen months in some instances. Interest rates vary, however the rates increase if the grace period payoff date is not met, yet some card providers will allow flexibility on payments. The APR on some cards are a fixed rate, while others are variable. Fixed rates differ, therefore read the terms & conditions carefully while considering instant approval credit cards. The grace period is always important, since if you do not pay debts by the grace periods end, you will pay higher charges. Therefore, check the grace period on the cards, since some providers will allow 21 days on instant approval credit cards, while others will allow 25 days. Other fees might include charges on cash advances, late fees, etc.

Instant approval credit cards are designed mostly for people with excellent credit. So if you have the required credit score, there’s a good chance that you’ll get approved for the card instantly, however if your credit presents a risk, expect a delay. If your credit meets the cards stipulations on particular credit cards, the lender likely will give you a chance, however if your credit is bad, dont expect an instant credit card.

Your best chances of understanding and applying for credit cards is to research them thoroughly. Utilize the internet where you can rapidly compare and research offers and to locate card providers, instant approval credit cards and more!

Posted in Instant Credit Card at July 14th, 2010. No Comments.

Instant Approval Credit Cards – Are They Worth It?

What could be better than getting a credit card, in a hurry, and with a good amount of credit on it? Many credit card companies make such offers, and this article will show you what to look for when you shop for instant approval credit cards.

It used to be that you would fill out an application, put it in the mail, and then you might wait up to a month to get a response from a credit card company. Imagine, in the computer age, waiting up to a month before word gets back to you as to whether or not you have been accepted! Now, though, it has changed, you can get an instant approval credit card online – in just a few seconds. But are instant approval credit cards worth it?

Are Online Applications Secure?

Many wonder if the Internet is secure — that is, will their ID be stolen if they type in some of their personal information. The honest answer is that it is possible — just like it is more probable that a letter could also be opened and your data stolen from that. The Internet, though, has some very secure Web sites – especially official sites of the credit card companies.

How Long Will It Take?

The Internet allows for information to be submitted in an instant — as you know. Once received, your application will go through a process of being checked against your credit rating. The credit card issuing company will have their own preferred source, and from this they will either approve or disapprove of your instant approval credit card application — and get the results back to you — all within mere minutes. In some instances, the company will need to take a further look at your credit history in order to make a fuller determination.

If approved, there will be a little waiting period before you can actually use the card. Obviously, it will have to be mailed to you. That can take up to about 10 days.

What Should You Look For In A Card?

There are four basic things you need to consider in a card, before you fill out the application.

The APR

This is the interest rate of the credit card. It usually is stated in two different ways, since it refers to two different rates. The first is the introductory rate – you want to look for a card that has 0% for this, and you want it to be for a year. After that, the card will go to a regular APR. You need to compare cards, and try to get the lowest APR possible.

The Annual Fee

The best is to get a no annual fee card. Some instant approval credit cards have no annual fee, but only for the first year.

The Benefits

The benefits that you need to look for should be geared to your particular situation. If you travel a lot, and fly, then you will want a card that gives you air miles. Other cards will give you cash back, or rebates of between 1 to 5%, particularly on purchases of groceries, medicines and gas (these are among the highest rewards). The rates that determine your benefits will vary, though, depending on the type of purchase, and the type of card. Some of your better cards, which require an excellent credit rating, may even give you 10 or 20,000 air miles just for signing up and making your first purchase!

Balance Transfers

If you have more than one credit card, and you want to consolidate it all to a 0% APR to save some money, then be sure that it has this feature – not all cards will permit this. This could work great for you if you will seek to pay it all off within one year.

If you have other credit cards and feel you are paying too high of a rate of interest, then getting your instant approval credit cards online may be what you need to get a better rate. After all, it will only take a few minutes, and you could be on your way.

Posted in Instant Credit Card at June 10th, 2010. No Comments.

How Do Instant Approval Credit Cards Online Work?

Instant approval credit cards online are cards which you can apply online and receive notification via email of the acceptance or denial of the credit card, within just few seconds after filling out an online credit card application. To get an instant approval credit card, you must have at least good to excellent credit, or in other words, a clean credit history. In certain circumstances, more time would be needed to determine the approval of your credit card.

The instant approval credit card applications can be done online very easily and quickly. The features vary from one provider to another and you can usually get the application response within minutes. Instant approval credit cards are generally designed for those with very good credit, so before applying for the card online, make sure you start with an honest assessment about your credit worthiness first.

Know your earning capacity and your credit worthiness to start should adequately arm with the proper amount of information necessary in order to compare instant approval credit cards. Obviously, look for the best approval credit card to match your specific needs, whatever they might be. Some instant approval credit cards charge annual fees and some dont, so be sure to compare and check. While it is generally recommended to try to avoid paying any type of annual fee, in certain instances, paying an annual fee might make sense, depending on your particular circumstances. Look for the instant approval credit card with lowest overall financial charges. Some common benefits of instant approval credit cards online are airline miles, shopping, rebates and rewards, retail, business and cash back facilities. With instant approval credit cards being one of the hottest credit card products currently available in the marketplace, each credit card company has its respective web site that consumers can use to research and learn about the various functions and features of each card product available.

With so many people accustomed to getting things quickly, in order to keep up with consumer expectations and growing competition, card issuers are obliged to speed up the application process. Instant approval credit cards are filling the growing demand for quicker access to credit resources. The instant approval credit card process allows cardholder candidates to apply for credit cards online, without the customary extensive paperwork involved. Now, with secure transactions the online applications have become even more secure than the traditional paper applications which could be stolen from a persons mailbox, resulting in identity theft. These instant approval credit cards can also be applied for over the phone. Either way, you should know in a few seconds about the approval or the denial.

Once the instant approval credit card has been approved, the applicant will, unfortunately, have to wait to receive the card before being able to tap into the credit line. Its important to note that some instant approval credit cards have higher interest rates. Therefore, youll need to determine whether these expenses are worth the cost of securing an instant approval. With increasing competition between the credit card companies, instant approval credit cards are becoming an increasingly common option even for those with a less than perfect credit history. Some of the instant approval credit cards also include rebates, rewards and cash back programs.

Instant approval credit cards are much appreciated because they are different from the traditionally slow credit card application process; you are either approved or rejected as soon as you submit the application instead of having to wait for days, or even weeks to get a credit card. But remember, instant approval is different from an instant decision. The bank makes an instant decision, without counting in that certain period of time given to the credit company to decide if an application is approved. The banks effectively provide an instant pre-approval regarding your card application, allowing them additional time for the detailed research on your credit history before granting the actual approval. The credit history check typically will take a few weeks to complete.

Potential card applicants must realize that instant approval credit cards are a method used by banks and credit card companies to process applications instantly in order to speed up the decision process based on data they get from an applicants online credit report.

Lastly, always make sure to go through banks and credit card companies that offer the highest level of internet data encryption when applying for instant approval credit cards online.

Posted in Instant Credit Card at May 4th, 2010. No Comments.