Credit Card Rewards

Chase Travel Plus Platinum

With Chase TravelPlus Visa card, your purchases will earn points that can be redeemed for a variety of travel rewards including airline tickets, hotel stays, cruises, and car rentals. Travel domestically or internationally with no blackout dates.

Chase Travel Plus Platinum Visa Card is especially designed for frequent travelers. Card members are given one mileage point for every dollar they spend on general purchases. These points can be redeemed for a free travel ticket from your choice of airline. There are over 250 airlines to choose from so its guaranteed that your favorite airline should be on the list. If you want, you can also exchange your points for to rent a car, take a free hotel accommodation, or a free cruise.

Hilton HHonors Platinum Card from American Express

Hilton HHonors is a hotel rewards credit card that also gives its card members the opportunity to earn mileage points for a free travel with not just one but 50 different airline affiliates. There are over 2, 800 participating Hilton hotels that you can stay with and earn your points wherever you are. This hotel credit card is great for frequent flyers and for often who often have to spend days in hotels and inns. With HHonors Double Dip Earnings Style you can surely get the most out of your reward points and choose the reward you like. Members are also allowed to change the Double Dip Earnings Style theyve chosen. There are three Double Dip Earnings Style that you can choose from.

Chase PerfectCard MasterCard

This is a great gas reward credit card for consumers who are often on the road. It gives a generous 6% rebate on ALL gas purchases at ANY gas station for the first 90 days and 3% rebates on ALL gas purchases at ANY gas station afterwards. It also gives 1% rebate on general purchases. You can also enjoy a 0% APR for up to 6 months.

Capital One Business Platinum with No Hassle Miles SM

This card is especially created for business owners who want to maximize the benefits they can get from their card usage. It has a 0% introductory APR on purchases until December 2008 and some very exciting reward options.
As a Capital One Business Platinum with No Hassle Miles cardholder, every dollar you charge to your card entitles you to one mile point. You can collect as many mile points as you can without worrying about blackout dates at all. It doesnt limit you to a single affiliate airline so you can fly any airline you prefer. Another great thing about this travel reward card is that you can exchange your miles to cash back, gift cards or merchandise rewards instead of travel.

Other great features of this business credit card are free supplementary cards for your employees with individual spending limits and an annual summary of your account for free. It also has no annual fee and allows a credit limit of up to $20,000.

Advanta Platinum with Rewards

The Advanta Platinum with Rewards Card is a great cash back business reward card. It has a 0% introductory APR on balance transfer for 15 months and a low fixed APR of 7.99% afterwards. It gives a business a high credit limit, a $0 fraud liability protection, has no annual fee, no limits on the rewards you can earn, and the option to choose between cash or travel rewards. Your company name will also be printed on your credit card to enhance your business image.

Reminder

These are just some of the most rewarding credit cards available in the market. Remember to check out the complete Terms and Conditions of each reward credit card weve discussed here before submitting your application.

How To Choose the Right Frequent Flyer Miles or Airline Credit Cards

Thinking about applying for an airline rewards credit cards? If you browse online and shop around for choices, you may find your options confusing. Each frequent flier credit card may claim to be the best one in the market and promise to give you the best deals. But how can you determine which one will really work for you?

Dont Focus on the Best Features

Focusing on the best features of each frequent flier credit card can only confuse you even more. Remember that all credit card companies put out well-thought up ads to entice consumers to choose their credit card over competitors. The best way to compare your choice of credit cards is by considering the terms and conditions that apply.

Credit card review websites can help you narrow down your options of frequent flier credit cards in the market. After narrowing your choices to only three or two credit cards, take the time to visit the credit cards official website and read the terms and conditions in full. Make sure that you understand all implications on the contract. If there are certain terms that sound vague or confusing, do not hesitate to call the issuer or the bank for further assistance.

Which Airline Credit Cards Best Suits Your Needs?

Not all credit cards are suited for everyone. Each of us live a different lifestyle and different credit cards are designed to match the variety of needs of individuals. Dont get a reward credit card just because it was recommended to you by a friend. What works for him may not necessarily work for your own lifestyle and spending habits. In this case, youll want to consider which frequent flier credit card suits you best.

For instance, do you have a particular airline or carrier of choice? If so, then its best to look for the credit card that has affiliations with the same airline you most often fly with. Is there a particular destination that you usually travel to? Then make sure that the credit card youll choose has provisions on this particular destination.

Do you own a business? If youre a business owner, then dont forget to take a look at the selection of business credit cards with frequent flier miles program. There are fewer choices of business credit cards with travel rewards in the market so youll have an easier time picking out one. Nevertheless, business credit cards with rewards do give more opportunities for its holders to earn rewards. Because businesses are big spenders, naturally, business credit card holders are entitled to more privileges and reward opportunities.

Regardless of which frequent flier credit card matches your needs, make sure that it also comes with a reasonable rate of interest, a reasonable annual fee and allows you to enjoy your rewards with flexibility and ease. Check for blackout dates or restrictions which can hinder you from redeeming your well-deserved rewards. To avoid possible problems in the future, read and understand carefully the terms and conditions that bind you to your airline rewards credit card.

Reward Credit Card or Cash Back — Which Is Better?

A reward credit card and a cash back credit card are often confused by consumers and even used interchangeably by many credit card companies. In reality, these two types of credit cards can actually be quite different. In fact, the way you earn the rewards or cash back can be quite different, as can the method for spending the money, points, or miles you earn from the card. Therefore, it is best to compare cash back credit cards with reward credit cards before applying in order to determine which type is best for you.

Points Versus Cash

The first factor to take under consideration is whether you prefer receiving cash or points to use redeem on certain goods and services. With a cash back credit card, you will periodically receive monetary refunds. A reward credit card, on the other hand, will either provide you with miles for travel discounts or points for use on specific goods and services. For some consumers, the thought of earning cash back is more enticing, while others prefer the fun of spending their points on things they might not otherwise purchase.

Value for Your Buck

Although you might think you would prefer to get cold, hard cash in exchange for your purchases, you need to consider the value trade off. Generally, reward credit cards supply incentives of a higher value than the amount of cash you receive from cash back credit cards. Of course, if you have no use for the items offered by a reward credit card, then these points are worthless to you. If the items are something you could use or something that you want, however, it might be more worthwhile for you to take advantage of reward credit cards.

Staying Organized

One drawback to reward credit cards is the fact that you need to keep track of points in order to make your purchase. With cash back credit cards, the money is either sent to you automatically or is applied directly to your credit card balance. Therefore, it does not require any organization on your part. If you are somebody that lacks strong organizational skills or you simply don’t want to be bothered with keeping track of one more item, reward credit cards may be too much of a hassle for you.

At the same time, some of the best reward credit cards take the paperwork out of the picture for you. For example, reward credit cards that provide you with free gasoline as a reward may simply deduct the cash back reward from your gasoline purchases made with the card. In that way, you don’t have to keep track of your points and redeem them for your reward.

Getting What You Need

Another potential drawback to reward credit cards is the fact that you are restricted on what you can purchase with your reward. Obviously, you can purchase whatever you wish with the money you receive from a cash back credit card. On the other hand, most people are not bothered by this possible drawback because there are so many reward credit cards available that there is generally a reward credit card to suit anyone’s taste.

If you take the time to carefully shop around and to explore all of the options available, you will likely find a reward credit card that is right for you. From vacation savings, to savings on cars, to restaurant discounts, to merchant discounts, to free airline travel, there are unlimited possibilities. In addition, reward credit cards help ensure that you will spend your credit card reward on something fun for yourself – something you deserve for being a smart financial planner.

When looking into the different types of reward credit cards, it is important for you to understand that there are a wide variety of reward credit cards to choose from. The type of reward credit card that is right for you is largely dependent on your own personal lifestyle and needs.

Airline Miles Reward Credit Cards

Airline miles reward credit cards are usually offered in partnership with a credit card company and an airline company. There are, however, some airline miles reward credit cards that have partnerships with multiple airline companies. Regardless of how the partnerships work with the credit card, the basic idea is the same.

Airline miles reward credit cards allow you to earn points or miles for every dollar spent with your card. In addition, many of these cards provide you with bonus miles for spending money at certain stores or on specific types of purchases. Most commonly, bonus points or miles are earned when making purchases through the applicable airline.

After earning a certain number of points or miles, you can then trade them in for free or reduced air travel with the applicable airline. With some airline miles reward credit cards, you might get to choose from a number of airlines. With other cards, you might only get to receive free travel from a specific airline. Therefore, it is important to choose your airline miles reward credit card in accordance with your preferred airline.

Some airline rewards credit cards also allow you to combine your credit card miles with frequent flyer miles. Often, it takes several credit card points to equal one mile in the frequent flyer program. So, you want to check into the conversion factor before you take advantage of this aspect of the program.

Airline miles reward credit cards also often offer other special rewards. For example, some provide free upgrades or companion tickets. In addition, they generally provide more travel related benefits then other credit cards, such as a higher amount of travel insurance coverage.

Cash Back Reward Credit Cards

Cash back reward credit cards are similar to airline reward credit cards, except the points you accumulate work toward providing you with monetary rewards. Sometimes, a point system isn’t used with cash back reward credit cards. Instead, you receive a certain percentage of your spending back. Just like airline miles reward credit cards, cash back reward credit cards may provide extra points or higher percentages to for certain purchases. For example, some provide more rewards for purchases made at grocery stores or drug stores.

The way you receive the cash back varies from card to card as well. Some cash back reward credit cards provide you with a check after you have earned back a certain amount of money. Others add your cash back directly to your credit card and help you pay off your balance. Still other cards may put the money into special savings accounts or interest-yielding accounts, such as college-savings plans or special accounts for purchasing a car.

Miscellaneous Reward Credit Cards

In addition to airline mile and cash back reward credit cards, there are also a number of other plans associated with these cards. Again, they generally involve accumulating points in order to earn rewards. With some reward credit cards, these points can be traded in for things such as gift certificates to stores, restaurants, or service providers. Some even have catalogues of items you can purchase with your rewards points. Yet others allow you to choose form cash, airline miles, or other types of rewards. These are generally the best reward credit cards because of their variety and flexibility. But, ultimately, it is up to you which type of reward credit cards is best for you.

Reward credit cards come in a variety of forms. Specifically how points toward rewards are earned and the types of rewards that can be earned with a reward credit card varies from card to card.

The rewards offered by reward credit cards are generally related to a special area. For example, some reward credit cards allow cardholders to earn points when making purchases at gas station, supermarkets, or drugstores. The rewards earned are often related to this in some way, such as the cardholder may receive gift certificates to the same types of stores. Similarly, the reward credit card may be related to airline travel. Every time the cardholder makes purchases with a specific airline, he or she earns airline miles or free travel. In addition, these airline reward credit cards also generally offer the cardholder free companion tickets.

When it comes to choosing the best reward credit cards, the consumer needs to assess his or her lifestyle and determine which rewards are most attractive – and most profitable – for his or her needs. A reward credit card that provides specialized rewards, such as gift certificates to a specific restaurant, may not be useful to a cardholder that does not have a need for that reward.

Reward credit cards can provide credit cardholders with fantastic rewards for their purchases. At the same time, the consumer needs to be sure he or she isn’t actually paying for the reward in the form of finance charges and annual fees. Many reward credit cards assess an annual fee. If this annual fee costs more than it would cost to simply purchase the reward, it is certainly not worth paying for.

The same holds true when looking at the APR. A cardholder who pays the balance of his or her credit card in full each month need not worry about the APR. One that intends to carry a balance from billing cycle to billing cycle, however, must consider the amount of money that will be spent in the form of finance charges. Once again, if the finance charges will be too great, the rewards of the credit card are not really rewards – they are items the cardholder is paying for.

Several reward credit cards have expiration dates. For those cardholders that will not be able to collect enough reward points before they expire, these reward credit cards may not be the best option. Similarly, some reward credit cards have limitations to how many points can be acquired each year. Cardholders need to consider these limitations in order to ensure they are receiving the greatest amount of rewards possible. If a cardholder spends $15,000 per year on a credit card, but a rewards credit card only rewards up to the first $10,000, that is $5,000 that is going unrewarded. The answer may be to select a different reward credit card, or to simply stop spending on this particular credit card once the limit has been reached. After all, every dollar spent on a credit card deserves to be rewarded.

A good place for consumers to look for the best reward credit cards is at the businesses they frequent. For example, a consumer that routinely purchases gas from a specific type of gas station should enquire with that business to learn if it has a rewards credit card. The same is true for a consumer that frequents certain restaurants, stores, and airlines. It is becoming increasingly commonplace for businesses to pair up with major credit cards to offer special reward cards.

When it comes to credit cards, not everyone is worry-free. Even those who own reward credit cards often find themselves in a difficult situation. Instead of enjoying incentives and savings from their reward credit cards, some people are having problem keeping up with their bills and not getting any reward at all. Why?

One major reason is that reward credit cards come with very high interest rates. Some people spend more on their reward credit card just for the purpose of collecting points without paying attention to their monthly balances. As a result, they have to put off their monthly payment and get charged with a high interest.

It is easy to lose control of your spending if you dont have a sense of obligation and self-discipline. One thing to remember about reward credit cards is that the rewards should come as a bonus, a perk, an incentive. It should not be the primary reason that drives you to spend more on your credit card than what you really can afford.

When using your reward credit card, you still need to be aware that youll need to pay back your purchases at the end of each month. Or else, you will be charged with an expensive interest rate which puts additional burden on your budget. Furthermore, if you often incur unpaid balance in your account, you can lose your chance of redeeming your rewards. Yes, credit card issuers have the right to change, stop or disqualify you from claiming rewards if you violate stipulations in the agreement. And some reward credit cards require their members to settle their monthly accounts to qualify for rewards. Thus, be sure that the expenses you make in your account are within your means, and that youll be able to pay it back on or before the due date of payment.

Another way to use your reward credit card smartly is by taking advantage of the 0% introductory offers. If your reward credit card offers a 0% APR on balance transfers, this is your chance to transfer over your high interest balances from other credit cards and pay them off while theres no interest charged. This way, you can focus on paying the actual amount you owe without worrying about interest costs. Just make sure that youll be able to pay off all your balances before the 0% introductory period ends.

Of course, you still need to collect points to earn rewards. How can you earn more points without necessarily going beyond your budget? This is by choosing reward credit cards that matches your spending. For instance, cash back reward credit cards give points for all types of purchases. If you have a cash back reward card, use it to pay your monthly utilities such as telephone bills, cable, electricity, mortgage and other monthly that you have the obligation to pay one way or the other. If you put these bills together, you can earn more points in your account while making sure that you pay off all your duties accordingly.

Understand the terms of your reward credit card carefully. There might be some options about earning points that you might have missed or there might be some restrictions on collecting or redeeming rewards that you should be aware of. In any case, it would be to your advantage if you know and understand correctly all terms included in the credit card agreement you signed. Even if youve had your reward credit card for some time and you think you know everything, its still a good idea to review the terms and conditions of your card.

Rewards credit cards reward cardholders for using the card. In essence, the issuer offers you a financial incentive to buy and use them. The incentive is offered in terms of rebates, store discounts, points that can be redeemed for specific purposes and airline flyer miles.

Choosing the rewards credit card that offers the rewards best suited to your needs is using your credit and your finances optimally.

Frequent Flyer Miles

It makes good sense for frequent air travelers to use a reward credit card that offers frequent flyer miles as a reward. These credit cards offer you points based on the amount of money you spend and the amount of airline miles you may purchase using that card. The best rewards credit cards offer you bonus points after initial purchases. If you have good credit, you can easily get a rewards credit card with a 0% introductory APR.

Cash Back Rewards

Cash back rewards give you bonus cash each time you use the rewards credit card at supermarkets, gas stations, etc. That way your rewards credit card gives you the option to spend the money as you please. The best rewards credit cards give up to 5% cash back and a 0% APR for up to 12 months. And to qualify for this type of card offer, youll need to have pretty good credit.

Some rewards credit cards give you the benefit of choice. You can choose either frequent flyer miles or cash back depending on your preference.

The very best rewards credit cards give you up to 6% back on purchases and gas rebates. But those offers are few and far between. Very good travel insurance, accident insurance and auto rental insurance are some of the other perks you can expect.

Entertainment Focused Rewards Credit Cards

Some credit cards cater to people who frequent movie halls, restaurants and generally go out a lot. Special offers and promotions are also offered to the owners of these rewards credit cards. Backstage passes, free music downloads and guest benefits are only some of the ways owners of this type of rewards credit card will benefit.

When applying for rewards credit cards remember that the best rewards credit cards are unique for each individual. Remember to take into account carrying costs of the card as well as details like the method of calculating interest. With the right homework and the right rewards credit card you may find yourself being able to take that perfect vacation

Tips on Getting More from Your Credit Card Rewards Program

Do you own a reward credit card or are you planning on applying for one? Many people own one or more reward credit cards on their account but not all of them are reaping the rewards they deserve. In this article, let’s discuss some tips on how you can get more from your credit card rewards program and how to make sure that you’ll be redeeming those well-deserved rewards:

Use your discount privileges. Most reward credit cards include discount privileges that are exclusive only to their card holders. Are you aware of the discount privileges your credit card provides? If not, then take the time to review the terms of your card or check online and make sure that you are maximizing the full potential of your credit card. For instance, some credit cards provide printable coupon codes online that you can use in purchasing from selected merchants. Usually, all you need to do is register online in order to access these printable discount coupons and get big savings.

Pay your balance in full each month. Reward credit cards usually come with higher interest rates than regular credit cards so you’ll want to make sure that you’re not carrying a balance over to the next billing cycle. Why would you pay for additional cost on the interest rates when you can avoid it by paying on time? If you need to pay for the interest rate each time, you may actually be paying more than what you earn from your reward credit card.

Stay true to your card’s terms and conditions. Did you know that not paying your bills on time, delaying on your payments or exceeding your credit limit can disqualify you from redeeming your rewards? Yes, most reward credit cards impose this rule on their card holders. If you’re not sure, take out your copy of your credit card’s terms and conditions and review the stipulations on this matter. To be sure that you’ll be eligible to claim your hard-earned points, always stay true to your credit card’s conditions.

Use your reward credit card wisely. To collect points and earn your rewards quickly, obviously you need to use your credit card. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean you need to go out of your way to make unnecessary purchases which can result to credit card debt. Remember, it is crucial for you to pay off your monthly balance regularly to avoid the interest and penalty fees. Exercise caution when using your reward credit card and don’t charge purchases on it just to collect your rewards.

Pay your utilities using your reward credit card. One way to rack up those points without making unnecessary purchases is to use your reward credit card in paying your monthly utilities. These include your electricity, cable, telephone, gasoline, and other services you’re subscribed to. You can also work as a family in collecting points on your reward credit card. If your family members need to make purchases, tell them to charge on your card and pay you the cash instead. This way, you can accumulate more points on your account without breaking your budget.

Credit cards that have some sort of rewards offer comprise the majority of all cards available to individual consumers and small businesses. This is for two reasons, the first of which being that, while reward offering credit cards were once a category all their own, rewards are now a feature put on just about every other type of card you can think of. The second reason is because reward offers made credit cards popular. The concept behind the credit card is a little depressing when looked at it alone, you pay for things even if you don’t have the money, and a bank charges you extra for it. Reward offers tip the balance a little more towards the consumer and make the idea of a credit card more palatable.

There is probably a reward offering card for any interest you could have. Airline miles, hotel points, cash, gas discounts, book discounts, movie discounts, theme park discounts, Internet website discounts represent just a fraction of the rewards available. Even if you can’t find a particular card that suits your fancy, there are general reward offers from issuing companies that permit you to use rebates and discounts at their merchant and retail partners. Many issuing companies have 40 or 50 of these types of partners. Odds are one of them will have something to fit your niche.

As I said before, reward offer cards aren’t so much a category as they are a feature in modern times. Features get blended together to make superior cards. It’s common now to have low introductory interest rates, balance transfer capability, and reward offers on your small business credit card which was obtained with instant approval. I’d be willing to bet that, with reward offers being this common, and assuming you have a credit card, you are currently racking up points for a reward offer that you may not even know about. Take a look in your wallet.

You’re wondering what the catch is, which I can explain. My father once told me that all tax cuts trumpeted by politicians amount to nothing. If the federal government lowers its taxes, local and state governments will have room to nudge their taxes up. Oh, don’t worry, I’m going to tie this all together, this isn’t a completely unwarranted rant. Just wait. So anyway, he told me that tax cuts are usually a marketing ploy, and we as constituents might get a little back here and there, but largely we’re unaffected.

The point of that is this: for the most part, reward offering credit cards work similarly. While you do get rewards, you’ll also typically get a higher interest rate, or a larger overdraft fee. As with most things, it evens out in the end. But also, like most things, if you are quite aware of exactly what you are doing, you can take advantage of reward offerings. The degree of your benefit will be largely based on your ability to maximize your reward points will minimizing your interest and fees.

Rewards Credit Cards Are They Really a Sweet Deal?

Rewards are everywhere! Gas stations… grocery stores… pharmacies… hotel chains… They all claim to reward you on purchases that you make. Likewise, credit card companies have their own rewards credit cards programs. Simply put, the more you spend, the more rewards you get from a rewards credit card. Sounds like a sweet deal, doesnt it?

The Fun Factor of Rewards Programs

Unless you’re a savvy rewards credit card shopper that’s done his or her homework, then you might end up feeling like a kid again or worse yet, a fool. Remember dropping quarter after quarter into the machine trying to get that cute little stuffed animal only to end up with a little plastic finger ring and empty pockets. If lucky, you might have gotten that irresistible toy after all, but it probably cost you way more than it was really worth. With games, I guess the idea is “fun,” and if you get rewarded that’s even better. But with rewards credit cards, is the “fun factor” worth your hard earned money? Read more to find out how to keep the fun in the rewards.

Avoid High APRs

Cards with rewards often have higher interest rates than the typical card. For those who like to pay off their balances each month, rewards credit cards might be right up your alley. If you don’t pay off your balances, then you might find that the higher rates are not worth the rewards. You will need to do a little math to figure out the best deal.

Avoid Annual Fees

Like high APRs, a reward credit card may require you to pay annual fees as much as $40. Once you’ve paid the annual fee, the rewards might not be enough to justify getting the card in the first place. Consider the value of the reward versus the amount spent in annual fees and interest rates.

Cash In On Cash Back

Some rewards credit cards offer cash back rewards for your purchases. For example, you might earn 1% on all purchases. If you spend $5000, then you’ll get $50 back. This type of rewards credit card bases the cash back earned on the amount of purchases you make, and there might be a maximum limit you can claim. When evaluating these offers, be sure to read the fine print.

Accumulate and Redeem Points

Most point systems are designed to give you about one point per penny spent. Say you earn 1000 points using your reward credit card. You might get a reward worth about $10, such as a store gift certificate or credit that can be accumulated and applied to a larger gift reward. If a rewards credit card offers less, has a cap on the number of points you can earn or the points can expire before you use them, then you might find a better deal elsewhere. Take time to shop around!

Fly the Skies

Frequent flier programs are similar to the point system and cash back rewards. You might get one flier mile (or point) for every $2 that you spend using your card. Most cards require you to generate around 25,000 point before you can redeem them for free airline fare. Any cards that require you to accumulate more points might not be worth it. If you are a frequent flier and can benefit from this type of program, compare reward credit cards. The best place to do this is online.

There are numerous reward programs that are available when using rewards credit cards. Individual cards may have specialized programs that are tailored to various groups, such as small business owners, students, travelers, shopaholics, etc. Just like the carnival games, a girl will run straight for the games with doll prizes, whereas a boy will want to play for balls or cars. The same holds true for credit cards shoppers. But beware of the gag gifts! Take your time to read the fine print and shop around for the best rewards credit cards.