What are the Top 10 Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards for 2012?

Balance transfer cards, in order to be considered as great, should provide excellent additional features, rates, and 0% introductory APR on balance transfers. Consumers today are now searching for ways on how they can save money while eliminating their credit card debt. A good method is through the use of these cards. If you are still seeking for a balance transfer card, here are the top 10 choices to select from:

·         Slate®from Chase – For a limited time, you can enjoy no balance transfer fees with this card. You can also use this card for purchases and there’s no interest on such transaction as well. Unlike other cards, this has no annual fee, plus it offers a $0 balance transfer fee indefinitely.

·         Citi®Diamond Preferred® Card – For over a year, there’s no APR on balance transfers and on purchases. After that, the interest rate will depend on your creditworthiness but you can be assured that Citi® offers one of the most favorable variable APRs today.

·         Citi Simplicity® Card – If you want a straightforward balance transfer card, this is the card to get For nearly two years, there is no APR on balance transfers and in purchases as well. The best thing about this card is that you are not obliged to pay over the limit fees or late payment charges unlike other credit cards out there.

·         Discover®More® Card – This card is mostly for balance transfers as it provides a longer introductory period on the said transaction than in purchases. Regardless, this card does not have an annual fee and also has cash back rewards. There are rotating categories that you can sign up for. If you are not able to sign up for the specific purchase groups for the quarter, all of your purchases will still be rewarded.

·         ChaseFreedom® Visa – New applicants are awarded with bonus cash back. Just like the cards mentioned above, this comes with a 0% interest rate on balance transfers and on purchases as well. This no annual fee card has a balance transfer fee, though, which will take into account the total amount that you will be shifting from one card to another.

·         CapitalOne® Platinum Prestige Credit Card – If you get this card now, you can enjoy more than a year of interest free transfers and purchases. This card has favorable interest rates once the intro offer expires.

·         Capital One® Cash Rewards – You can apply online for this card which will give you a bonus cash back after you spend enough credits within the first three months. Every year, you can earn as much as 50% of the total amount that you have purchased. This has no annual fee and you can transfer your balance without interest until August 2013.

·         Citi ThankYou® Card – For over 12 months, there are no worries about interest rates with this card but there are rewards provided. The most notable is the yearly bonus to celebrate your account opening.

·         Barclaycard® Rewards MasterCard® - If you have excellent credit, you can qualify for this low interest balance transfer card. This also lets you earn points on daily purchases and utility bills.

·         Discover®Open Road Card – If you spend your credits mostly on restaurants and gas, this is a good card to get especially if you wish to transfer balances. Shop online and you can earn a really huge percentage based on your purchase.

These are only some of the best balance transfer cards that you can choose from this 2012. You can find more choices at sites offering great credit cards, such as Cardrewards.net.

Credit Card Tips for College Students

Entering college with a credit card in your wallet can make you exult. Most rich kids in your school have them, which is why it may be a moment of pride for you as well. Having a credit card is also a great tool in building your history. This can benefit you greatly once you step out of your student life.

You may have probably heard about a number of offers from various companies, which they claim to be the best deals ever. It is important that you can handle your card well to avoid falling into the credit trap that has the power to ruin your finances for a very long time.

Good Credit Matters

Once you get your card, you should not only use it for purchases, but to build good credit as well. Paying off debt is seriously difficult. The money you owe can multiply quickly before you know it. When things get out of hand, you will find it much harder to get out of debt. However, if you are able to establish good credit, this can open doors of opportunity. It can be your key to renting a nice apartment or even buying a home for yourself. You can also use it to attract lenders, so they will lend you money to buy a car.

Building and maintaining your credit can be simple if you are devoted to becoming a responsible card user. Here are some tips that you can use to make sure your credit rating remains safe at all times:

• Beware of “too good to be true” promotions. Freebies and fast approval make it seem that getting a student credit card is as easy as 1-2-3. Do not just sign up for a card, especially when you have one already. College students should not carry more than one card in their wallet unless they can afford the payment. Always think twice before you submit an application for a new card. Freebies are also great but if you are not a responsible cardholder, you may end up paying a lot more than the free stuff that you received. 
• Contemplate and do your homework before making the big decision. Credit cards are pretty little plastics that might make your friends envious. However, before you sign up for one, ask yourself whether you really need it. If you can pay for your purchases with cash or even a check, you probably do not require the plastic, especially if you have a debit card already. Nevertheless, a card can be helpful in times of emergencies and can be great for online purchases. This can also be good for your credit history. Again, if you cannot pay your bills in full and on time, you might want to skip the credit  block for now.

When looking for a student card, go for one that has no annual fee. Often, card issuers do not offer students good rates, especially if they are first time cardholders.  Instead, there will be higher APRs and low credit limit. You can save a lot more if you have a card that does not charge a fee annually.

Travel Rewards Cards for Free Air Tickets

You already know that you can get a point or a mile for every dollar’s worth of purchase using a credit card. But did you know that you can actually use travel rewards cards for free air tickets? This is one of the biggest freebies every card holder wants to receive. If you earn enough miles, you just might be one of the lucky people who can claim their next flight ticket for free.

Solve Your Overpriced Airline Ticket Woes

Most of the airlines have hiked up on their fees but you can sign up for a credit card that gives you miles for every purchase. Accumulate enough miles and you can redeem them for free air tickets. Although the days of reasonably priced airfare are long gone, you do not have to worry about such problem if you have the right card.

Picking Your Card

There are many credit card offers today but not all of them are competitive. It is important that you review all your available options before you hurry and sign up for a travel rewards card. One great trick here is to shop online and compare your top three options side by side. The good news is that many creditors have their own website where you can read the terms and conditions of the card. If it has too many restrictions, it will be impossible for you to claim your free ticket. Look for a card that comes with a straightforward program – one that is easy to grasp that you can already envision yourself holding your free ticket.

One thing that you have to remember, though, is that with a travel rewards card, you may be obliged to pay taxes and higher fees. These charges include security fee, federal segment fees, and other facility costs. Unfortunately, you cannot bypass these fees even if you pay for a ticket the regular way.

Added Benefits

Aside from awarding the credit spenders with complimentary air tickets, you can also redeem free hotel stays with your card. There are cards that are specifically created to please travelers like you. You can save a lot of money when you book a room using your credit card. There are even a few cards that let you upgrade your room to a more sophisticated suite when available. Luggage checking is also expensive but your card can help you get away with that. Some travel rewards cards will pay for your first bag so you do not have to worry about checked luggage costs.

Top Travel Rewards Cards

• United Airlines Mileage Plus VISA – Thousands of bonus miles awarded plus thousands more if you add an authorized user. All points are more than enough for two tickets.
• JetBlue Airways from AMEX – Get thousands of TrueBlue points for your first purchase. Add more when you spend the required amount within the first three months. Redeem your free tickets anytime you want.
• Delta SkyMiles Gold Card – Add more bonus miles when you submit applications for additional card users on your account. No annual fee for the first year and gives you flight tickets with the miles you earned.

You can find more of these types of cards at cardrewards.net.

Chase Credit Cards

Chase is one of the most recognizable credit card issuers today. They are best known for producing consumer-friendly cards, which usually have better rates than most of their competitors. They also offer a variety of products that are rich in rewards and exclusive perks. From sign up bonuses to earning extra points, Chase is pretty much at the top of the credit card game.

There are many Chase credit cards that you can choose from today. In order for you to get the best for your needs (and your wants), you should consider the reason why you require a credit card first.

Are You a Frequent Traveler?

If your answer is yes, one card that you can turn to is the Chase Sapphire PreferredSM Card. As soon as you sign up for the card, you are eligible to get 40,000 bonus points. The huge number of points is courtesy of Chase’s Ultimate Rewards program, which you can redeem for a travel ticket instantly. The truth is that it is 25% more than a plane ticket so you can keep the rest of the bonus points for your next flight.

The Chase Sapphire PreferredSM Card is a great card if you frequently book your flights through your card. Starting from the time you get the credit card, make it a habit to utilize it whenever you reserve a seat at an airplane. Aside from travel rewards, you also get discounts on dining and entertainment. All other purchases will give you a point depending on how much you spend.

Do You Hate Annual Fees?

Most consumers do and if you are one of them, go for the Chase Freedom® Visa or Chase Freedom® MasterCard. Both are generally the same except for the network. Nevertheless, they offer rewards without requiring you to pay the annual fee. Most credit cards that dole out cash rebates or miles and points demand an annual charge but not this card.

You can sign up for different purchase categories which rotate regularly. The categories are usually relevant to the time of year such as restaurants and gas purchases during the driving season. Meanwhile, during the holidays, Chase offers hotels and airfare categories that you can sign up for. This card is named Freedom® for a reason: it provides consumers with the most flexible options.

Are You a Businessman?

If you own a company and you are looking for a card that will help you finance your business supplies and other expenses, apply for the Ink cards. There are four types of Ink cards namely the Ink Cash(SM) Business Card, Ink BoldSM with Ultimate Rewards, Ink PlusSM Business Card, and the InkSM Classic Business. They all have their own unique offers and rewards but all of them provide instant sign up bonuses.

The cards also come with a grace period so you can enjoy purchasing big and perhaps expensive items without paying any interest. The Chase Ink cards also let you obtain bigger rewards than other business cards today. They pay you with cash rebates for all of the items you buy. You can gain more rewards if you use the cards for your office purchases, which makes sense since they are business credit cards.

Instant Approval Student Credit Cards

Obtaining your first ever credit card can be liberating. A few years back, you had to wait for weeks up to a full month to find out if you have been approved or not. Now, you can expect the answer in just a few minutes when you apply for instant approval student credit cards. There are several creditors today that promote such type of card, including American Express, Discover, and Capital One.

Misinterpreted Term

If you have received an email with a list of instant approval cards for students like you, don't get too excited. Instant approval does not necessarily mean that you will get the card that you applied for. It actually denotes "instant response" since you frequently have to wait 60 seconds. Many applicants find the term misleading.
Most of the time, student cards that approve instantly have credit rating requirement. If you wish to increase your chances of getting approved, you need to build your credit history first. Ninety nine percent of applicants with excellent credit get a nod from the creditors. Those that have bad credit or limited history may find it difficult to get accepted. Hence, the misconception occurs.

Successful Application

There are a number of individuals that get turned down even when they have excellent credit. One common reason is that they have carelessly filled out their application form. It is essential that you complete your form with all the right details to secure your credit line request. When applying for a student card, the process is pretty much the same with traditional cards. The requirements include:

• Your age - You should be at least 21 years old with a Social Security Number.
• Age exception - Those who are 18 years old can also get a card provided that they have a co-signer or that they are able to prove that they can pay their balances monthly.
• Personal information - Aside from your age, you should give your full name, your address, contact details, and information about your school.
• Financial details - You also need to provide your income information (if available), your bank accounts list, and the type of credit lines you have.

Choosing the Best Student Credit Card

At present, you have plenty of choices, which may make it a bit confusing for you to select the best out of the best. The general rule here is to find a card that comes with the lowest interest rate possible and with high credit limit. Unfortunately, not all creditors are willing to take the risk since you are still a student with limited or no income. In addition, an account with high credit limit can be too tempting because you are given more than enough credits to spend.

The good thing about high interest rates is that they teach you how to become a good card holder. If your card has high APR, you will be forced to repay your balances to avoid incurring interest. Make sure that you compare all the available options, including their rewards, grace periods, and intro APR. It is best to go for a student card that comes with low to zero annual fee.

Small Business Credit Cards with Big Rewards

Small businesses require money in order to thrive. You can multiply your earnings by means of using a credit card. To begin increasing your revenue, you need to become a smart card user. To get the most out of your money, use a card that will give you rewards for your purchases.

There are many available options for small business cards. Each may allow you to earn points, miles, and even cash rebates every time you use it. The best cards, however, require that the proprietor has excellent credit. Since these cards have rewards, you can expect that you will be paying huge annual fees and interest rates. If you think you can handle the costs, you are ready to sign up for a small business card with lucrative rewards. Among them are the following:

PenFed Premium Travel Rewards American Express® Card

If you are a frequent traveler or your business requires you to visit some places out of the country, this is one of your best options. You get to earn points each time you use this for your airfare. You also get points when you use it for purchasing other items other than airline tickets. The interest rate is highly affordable, making it a good choice for business use. The rewards you earn will not expire and there is no cap on the total rewards you accrue. Unlike other cards for small businesses, this has no annual fee.

Blue Cash PreferredSM Card from American Express

This is one of the most recommended for businesspeople looking for huge rewards. It is easy to get cashbacks with this card. There are  revolving categories, which you can sign up for to earn greater rewards. One enrollment is enough so if the categories change, you are still eligible for the bonus points. This has an annual fee but is not as steep as other business cards.

Capital One® SparkSM Miles Select for Business

Use this for a year and you can get back half of all your travel expenses. Each spending earns you miles with this card. It does not have an annual fee and has no interest on purchases for several months. This is a great financial tool for your business as it provides you with reports on your expenses on a quarterly basis or at the year’s end. There is no restriction on the airline you choose and there are no blackout dates as well. You can check out this card here.

Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express OPEN

As soon as you make your first purchase, your account will be granted with free Starpoints. This card has an annual fee, which is waived for the first year. To speed up the process of accumulating points, you can add employee credit cards into your account. Your business account will automatically earn points for every purchase charged. This is your key to gaining free hotel stays, discounted airfare, and ultimate luggage protection. This also offers car rental insurance on loss or theft and damage.

These are only some of the small business credit cards that offer big rewards. You can find more of these cards at cardrewards.net.

Best Cash Back Credit Cards - A Comparison

Most credit card holders prefer cash back rewards than any other perks. If you are not a frequent traveler, it does not make sense to get an airline card. However, if you like to go shopping, you can never go wrong with a card that gives back in the form of cold, hard cash. Unlike points and miles, cash is readily usable so you can spend it for your next purchases. There are even credit cards that let you earn interest if you do not use the cash rebate.

If you have decided that you will get a card that offers cash back, here are the best cards that feature money back rewards:

Capital One® Cash Rewards

This card lets you earn up to $100 bonus cash if you spend the required amount for the first three months of card use. Each year, you are guaranteed that you can receive 50% total bonus cash on all your purchases. The rewards that you can accumulate will not expire and you can easily redeem money anytime you wish. You can even arrange automatic redemption when you reach a certain amount. This card does not require you to pay for an annual fee.

You can find more information about Capital One® Cash Rewards here.

Chase Freedom® Visa

This Visa credit card from Chase Freedom® also frees you from annual fees. As you sign up for this card, you can get $50 cash back for two straight years if you purchase a total of $500 for the first 3 months. Your net rewards each year can amount to almost $400. You can get huge cash back if you pay for your hotel accommodations using your card. This is also applicable to air ticket and partner merchant purchases. Every penny that you spend is equal to 1% cash back. Aside from that, you do not have to worry about interest rates on balance transfers and purchases.

Blue Cash EverydaySM Card from American Express

This is one of the most popular credit cards today that offer cash back rewards. If you have good to excellent credit, you should seriously consider getting this card. The cash back system is straightforward and gives you higher bonuses than the other regular rewards cards. You do not have to enroll for rotating categories since all purchases will be awarded with cash rebates. This also has a referral program where you and your friend can enjoy cash back once he or she gets approved.

Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Visa® Card

This card comes with revolving categories which you need to sign up for every quarter. In so doing, you can earn huge cash back percentage on top of the 1% cash back on every purchase you make. This card however limits your cash back redemption to $300 each year. Nevertheless, this has no annual fee and you will instantly be rewarded with a hundred dollar bonus upon opening an account.

If you shop regularly, you can save a lot if you use your cash back rewards card. Choose the best card that gives you the maximum money back for each purchase you make.