by CC Girl on September 14, 2011
in Discover
College students, do you want to build your credit and get cash back while purchasing textbooks, pizzas, plane tickets, and iTunes? The Discover Student Card is designed with the young person in mind who would need to start building his credit while experiencing the perks for being a responsible adult. As a cardmember, you will enjoy a $25 bonus and 0% introductory purchase APR for 6 months that offers you the chance to repay any debt without accruing unwanted interests with no annual fee. You will also be able to take advantage of cash back bonuses for every dollar you spend: get 5% cash back on purchases made at the gas station, grocery and department stores, movies, restaurants, and more; and up to 1% cash back on everything else. In addition, you can earn 5-20% cash back bonus while confidently shopping on over 150 online retailers. To top off all the bonuses, Discover provides excellent customer service as well as online tools that will help you manage your credit. So make the most of your college years to build up your credit for future endeavors and investments.
Key Features:
- 0% Intro Purchase APR for 9 months then the Purchase APR 12.99% – 19.99% Variable Purchase APR
- No Annual Fee. Having this card will cost you a pretty nothing.
- 5% Cash Back Bonus in categories that change like travel, department stores, gas, groceries, restaurants, and more means extra money for you, and up to 5% to 20% Cash Back at exclusive online shopping mall. Just make sure you enroll!
- Up to 1% Unlimited Cash Back on everything else you buy
- Rewards just the way you want them choose from Partner gift cards, merchandise, Discover gift cards, Charity or Cash.
TERMS OF CASHBACK BONUS OFFER: Get a $25 Cashback Bonus on your first purchase within 3 months of being approved. Promotional award will be applied within 8 weeks. The promotional award is in addition to the Cashback Bonus earned on all purchases.
Eventually, everyone has to start being fiscally responsible and plan for the long run. What better way than to start by opening a credit card that helps you do exactly that all the while giving you rewards? Get the Discover Student Card now to start spending and earning!
by CC Girl on September 14, 2011
in Citi
A great number of young adults sign up for credit cards that are not designed for their needs, and so they wind up learning the hard way- hurting their credit and having interest rates skyrocket. Citi addresses this problem by offering college students the Citi Forward Card, currently giving a $75 statement credit once you spend $150 on back-to-school purchases at apparel, book or electronics stores within the first 3 months of opening your account. This card rewards students by reducing APR and giving bonus points for responsible finance management, thereby encouraging them to pay their bill punctually and in full and staying under credit limit. Some of the card’s perks include 100 bonus points per month for paying your bill on time; 2x points for purchases on books, movies, music, and restaurants; as much as 2% APR reduction; and a 0% introductory APR for 7 months. When you are a responsible consumer, it is possible to reduce your costs with the Citi Forward Card!
Key Features:
- Earn a $75 statement credit after you spend $150 on back-to-school purchases at apparel, book or electronics stores within the first 3 months of opening your account
- Up to 1,200 ThankYou Points a year for paying on time and staying under your credit limit
- Up to 2% APR reduction when you make a purchase, pay on time and stay under your credit limit 3 billing periods in a row (0.25% each quarter, 8X maximum)
- Earn 2 ThankYou Points for every $1 you spend eating at your favorite restaurants including fast food, catching movies or buying books and music
- 0% Purchase APR for 7 months on purchases. After that the APR will be 13.99% to 22.99% variable based on creditworthiness
- $0 liability means never having to pay for fraudulent purchases
- No co-signer required
For college students who wish to build their credit, Citi Forward can help you reach that goal if use your credit wisely. Why not receive some benefits while being financially responsible? Sign up for your card today!
by CC Girl on September 14, 2011
in Citi
In this tight economy, who wouldn’t choose to save cash where they may? A great place to start is to quit paying high interest charges on your credit card. Citi Platinum Select MasterCard is the perfect card for those with good credit and are searching for a 0% offer for balance transfers and purchases. Currently, the introductory rate is a long 18 months for balance transfers as well as for purchases. Before you apply, however, note that this credit card has a 3% balance transfer fee that is paid up front and will be portion of the balance on your new Citi card. As with any balance transfer fee, make sure the amount of the fee is less than the amount of interest you would continue to pay on your current card. It should also be noted that this card has no annual fee and charges a competitively low variable interest rate for purchases after the introductory period. So if you have a large balance on a high interest credit card, or if you plan to buy a big-ticket item, the Citi Platinum Select is especially suitable.
Key Features:
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 11.99%-21.99% based upon your creditworthiness.
- No Annual Fee
- 3% Balance Transfer Fee. For each balance transfer, you need to pay 3% of the amount you transfer as fees, or $5 minimum.
- Virtual Account Numbers. Unique to Citi, this feature makes using your card online safer by allowing you to create a virtual substitute account number that lets you to shop online that makes it impossible for anyone to steal your account information over the internet. This feature is excellent if you’re the type who likes to delve into the world of online retail.
- Online Discounts with Extra Cash from Citi
If you’re on the market for a new card that has 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers, consider the Citi Platinum Select MasterCard with its no annual fee and extremely generous introductory APR period.
BankDirect is partnering with American Airlines to offer as much as 21,000 AAdvantage Miles to new and current AAdvantage members. You will get the first 1,000 bonus miles by opening either a BankDirect Mileage Checking or Mileage Money Market Account. The other 10,000 bonus miles are earned by creating direct deposit via your employer. Earn 5,000 miles for utilizing BankDirect’s bill pay service and another 5,000 miles for making use of your BankDirect Visa CheckCard. By peforming the four steps above, you could easily get a total of 21,000 bonus AAdvantage Miles. You’ll need an additional 4,000 miles to have a total of 25K miles in order to get a free flight ticket. Browse the list below for additional ways to earn bonus miles with BankDirect.
Extra Ways to Earn Bonus Miles:
- Earn 1,000 miles for every $100,000 in initial deposit, up to $500,000, per household.
- Earn 1,000 miles for referring a friend when they open a Mileage Checking account.
- Earn 100 miles per month for every $1,000 of the monthly average collected balance in your Mileage Checking Account up to the first $200,000 on deposit. For monthly average collected balances over $200,000, earn 25 miles per $1,000 for all balances over the first $200,000 on deposit.
- Earn 1,000 miles for every $1,000 invested in a two-year Mileage CD purchase up to $200,000. Additionally, earn 25 miles per $1,000 invested over $200,000.
Note that BankDirect is an FDIC insured, internet-only bank with no physical branches. For those who are already or want to become an AAdvantage member, you might want to consider opening an account with BankDirect. Members can easily earn 10,000 AAdvantage miles annually with a Mileage Checking Account and 50,000 miles by purchasing a single Mileage CD. Just remember, you will need keep a balance with a minimum of $2,500 in your account in order to avoid the monthly $15 fee. Otherwise, this deal seems pretty good considering you’re getting free miles for doing something you have to maintain anyway such as a bank account. Don’t wait any further and apply today!
For more bank bonus offers, click here!
by CC Girl on August 31, 2011
in Citi
Do you find it tough to get rid of your credit card debt due to the high interest accruing? If so, the Citi Simplicity card offers 0% APR for 18 months on balance transfers in addition to purchases, giving its cardmembers the opportunity to save some money while paying down new and existing balances. Additionally generous introductory APR period, the Citi Simplicity credit card does not charge any late fees or revoke or increase your 0% APR when you make late payments or mistakenly exceed your available line of credit. With all the purchasing power of the MasterCard, this card has no annual or hidden fees either. Simply put, if you’re seeking an uncomplicated balance transfer card, the Citi Simplicity Card is the option that offers its members true relief.
Key Features:
- 0% Intro APR for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers.
- 3% Balance Transfer Fee.
- No Annual Fee.
- 24/7 No Wait Time for live help.
- Peace of Mind through direct access to a service representative, no late fees and no penalty rate.
Again, cardholders won’t have any surprise rate hikes or late fees whether you accidentally miss a payment or exceed your credit limit. You will get live, 24/7 help to speak to a representative with no waiting. The Citi Simplicity is perfect for those looking to do a balance transfer. You want to do a balance transfer particularly if you have high interest rate spread across several credit cards. With 18 months of 0% APR on balance transfers, you’ll have sufficient time to get that balance paid off prior to the APR of 12.99% – 21.99% (Variable) comes into play.
This card truly lives up to its name; its goal is to keep usage and repayment as simple as possible. If you’re aiming to eliminate credit card balances or make a large purchase without accumulating any interest, the Citi Simplicity card is undoubtedly one of the best cards to get.
by CC Girl on August 31, 2011
in Chase
Should you be one of those credit card holders who require help managing debt, the Chase Slate Card with Blueprint feature, 15 months 0 % Intro APR, and no annual fee could be the card to suit your needs. The Chase Slate, formally known as the Chase Platinum, is best for those who intend to make a big purchase or those who have a balance on their credit card but wish to pay less interest every month in order to take less time on repaying their debt. This card can help you do so by offering 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 15 months if you have excellent to good credit or 6 months if you have fair credit. Additionally, the signature feature of this card, Blueprint, allows you to customize your payment schedule by helping you manage spending and borrowing on your own terms. With this particular feature, you can avoid paying interest on categories you select when you pay them off in full in each month, pay off larger purchases by setting a goal date or monthly payment, pay down your balance faster by calculating what’s most economical, and track your spending trends and progress.
Key Features:
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months on Purchases and Balance Transfers for Excellent and Good Credit. After that, a variable APR of 11.99%-16.99%. 0% Intro APR for 6 months on Balance Transfers for Average Credit. After that, a variable APR of 21.99%.
- No Annual Fee. You enjoy all the benefits with no cost to you.
- Blueprint Feature allows you to avoid unnecessary interest and it gives you a plan for you to pay your balances down faster.
- Full pay. With this option you can avoid costly interest charges on particular items by paying in full. Items that fit into this category will be separated from the rest on your statement.
- Split. This option gives you the ability to payoff large purchases on terms that best suit you. You have the ability to set a monthly payment or a goal date in which you want to have the item paid off by.
- Finish it. This allows you to pay down your balance as quickly as possible. You set a goal or date, and they make sure you stay on track.
- Track it. Chase Slate gives you the ability to track your progress all the while seeing how close you are to reaching your goals.
Using this card, you will save more on interest and help pay down balances faster with their Blueprint feature and 0% introductory APR; therefore, if you’re looking to get out of debt sooner, sign up for the Chase Slate credit card today!
Click here for more credit card offers!
by CC Girl on August 30, 2011
in Chase
A great cash rewards card, the Chase Freedom is offering 5,000 bonus points that can be redeemed for a $50 check to first-time cardmembers with new accounts. For those seeking a bigger bonus, look into the Chase Freedom $200 cashback. The main difference is that the Chase Freedom $50 bonus offers you 0% intro on balance transfers for 12 months and 6 months on purchases. (Following the intro period, a variable APR of 9.99% to 22.99%, depending on your creditworthiness)
You’ll qualify for and receive your bonus after your first use of the card, including purchases, balance transfers, or any checks that are used to access your account. Basically, you get a cool $50 just to charge your card! So how do you get additional points to redeem for cash down the line? The Chase Freedom card offers an simple rewards system: rewards are earned as points, which can be redeemed for cash back- 1% cash back equals 1 point. If you choose to redeem for cash back, 1 point equals one cent cash back. For instance, 5,000 points may be redeemed for a $50 check. Quite simple, right? Earn 1% on all purchases and 4% more in bonus quarterly rotating categories for a total of 5%. You can also earn an additional 1 point for each $1 of eligible airfare net purchases made online through the program booking tool.
Key Features:
- $50 Cash Back after your first purchase. Start earning as soon as you make your first charge on the card.
- 5% Cash Back up to $1,500 spent in bonus categories each quarter. Just remember to enroll each quarter!
- 1% Cash Back on everything else you buy without limits on what you can earn.
- Up to 10% Cash Back when you shop online at select merchants through Chase.
- 0% Intro APR for 12 months on Balance Transfers made during the first 30 days your account is open
- 0% Intro APR for 6 months on Purchases. After that, 11.99% to 22.99%, based on your creditworthiness. These APRs will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate
- No Annual Fee. Get valuable benefits and top-notch rewards for free!
Together with other great incentives about the Chase Freedom including 0% introductory rate for 6 months on purchases and 12 months on balance transfers and no annual fee, why have you not requested your card today?
For a complete list of credit card bonuses, click here!
Around since 2006 and operating out of San Fransisco, California, Zecco Trading (“Zero Cost Commission”) is an online brokerage that provides low cost stock and options trading- priced at $4.95 plus $0.65 per contract- and represent among the best values in the brokerage industry. Their online stock and ETF commission rates are 30 to 50% lower than other top competitors with the lowest assignment and exercise fees of all discount brokerage firms – $4.95. Mutual funds are just $10 per transaction. There are no surcharges for large orders but the company charges $2 per trade more on penny stock trades. There isn’t any minimum deposit required to open or maintain an online trading account. Along with their low cost stock and options trading, Zecco is known for the ZeccoShare social network, an exclusive innovative online trading community which offers the perfect environment for developing strategies, obtaining trading ideas, money management skills and advice from other traders who’ve been through it and seen it all.
Key Features:
- Stocks: $4.95 per trade (equities with a trade price of less than or equal to $1.00 per share are $6.95 per trade).
- Options: $4.95 per trade + $0.65 per contract.
- Broker assisted trades are $19.99.
- Zecco’s price structure is ultra cheap and easy to understand.
- Forex spreads as low as 0.7 pips for major pairs.
- Margin rate: 4.5%
- Investments offered: Stocks, Options, Bonds, FOREX, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Retirement Accounts, Education Savings Accounts.
- Deposit funds by linking your bank account, paper check, wire transfer, transfer from another broker (Zecco will cover up to $150 in account transfer fees).
- ZeccoShare social network- an exclusive innovative online trading community.
The trading platform includes a nice simple design. It’s very intuitive to utilize, you should easily be able to place an order without needing to spend a lot of time training. However, Zecco’s trading tools don’t offer some of the more advanced features used by very active trades. There’s no volatility charts, trading patterns or stock alerts, and while streaming data is available, it is extra. Therefore, this is a platform that’s clearly aimed at the beginner. On the plus side, it’s got everything the smaller trader or those just beginning will need. Sometimes less is more, and that’s definitely the situation here. There’s also a fully functioning mobile platform to help you execute trades on the move.
Overall, Zecco is an excellent choice for you if you’re an experienced trader looking for a low cost and solid service. Education resources are a bit thin but nonetheless OK, and let’s keep in mind how useful the social networking feature is to share notes, tips and trading strategies with other successful traders. They’re a broker tailored towards the beginner. And that’s no bad thing because everyone has to start somewhere. There is a full virtual trading platform, perfect for mastering your strategy along with one of the best trading communities around. Opening an account with the company does not require money down and no commitment needed, so if you want to see if Zecco matches your needs, take 10 minutes and open an account!
Click here to see the best online brokerages.
U.S. Bank’s Savings Today And Rewards Tomorrow (S.T.A.R.T) program offers up to $100 in Rewards Cards as a financial incentive for savers and rewards customers obtaining and maintaining a $1,000 savings account balance. With the S.T.A.R.T. program, they make it easy for everyday savers to start a savings plan. It will help savers keep on track to meet their savings goals and earn rewards along the way. Simply create a recurring transfers from your U.S. Bank Package Checking account to your U.S. Bank Package Money Market Savings account. After reaching a balance of $1000 in your savings account, they are going to award you a $50 U.S. Bank Rewards Visa Card. Keep a balance of $1,000 or higher for a year and earn another $50 Rewards Card.
What You Need to Do:
1. Visit a participating branch, or call them toll-free at 800-593-6087, or enroll online and choose the U.S. Bank Package that works best for you. They offer three unique savings transfer options to help you reach your goals. You decide how and when you want to transfer your funds. Choose the savings option that works best for you, and watch your savings grow.
2. Enroll in S.T.A.R.T. and create your savings plan. Set up one or more of the following qualifying transfer options from your Package Checking account to your Package Money Market Savings account:
- Transfer an amount you choose on a specific day of the month, OR transfer an amount on the date you choose. Maybe you want to set aside $25 every pay day. Or $50 on the first day of the month. Or $1 every day. Select the amount and schedule that works best for you.
- Transfer an amount you choose for each U.S. Bank Check Card purchase, OR choose an amount between $0.25 — $5 to transfer for each check card purchase. When you make a purchase, they will transfer that amount from your checking account to your savings account. For example, if you elect to transfer $1 for each purchase and 5 purchases post to your checking account on Tuesday, they will automatically transfer $5 from your checking account to your savings account on Wednesday.
- Transfer an amount you choose for each U.S. Bank Credit Card purchase. Choose an amount between $0.25 — $5 to transfer for each credit card purchase. When you make a purchase, they will transfer that amount from your checking account to your savings account. For example, if you elect to transfer $3 for each purchase and 2 purchases post to your credit card on Monday, they will automatically transfer $6 from your checking account to your savings account on Tuesday.
3. Celebrate your savings milestones! Enjoy rewards from US when you reach one or both S.T.A.R.T. goals when your savings balance reaches $1,000. They will recognize your achievement with a $50 U.S. Bank Rewards Visa Card, and if you maintain a balance of $1,000 or more in your account for one year, you will earn another $50 U.S. Bank Rewards Visa Card.
Are you ready to choose the savings option that works best for you and see your savings grow? If so, sign-up here and start earning your $100 Rewards Cards!
American Express® Gold Card is giving new cardmembers 10,000 membership reward bonus points- sufficiently good to redeem for a $100 gift card to almost any restaurant or retailer- after spending $500 within the first 3 months. Past the initial bonus, cardholders earn one point for every dollar spent, double points when booking travel through American Express, and up to 10 points when shopping at their online Membership Rewards site which has more than 300 participating retailers. These awards points don’t expire and may be redeemed for flights on over 21 airlines as well as for cruises, spa retreats, entertainment, and hotel rooms. Because the American Express Gold Card is a charge card, it has no interest rate or introductory offer. However, it will have a $125 annual fee, that is common among all American Express charge cards. Still, if used, the value of the perks and rewards will make that fee worthwhile.
Key Features:
- Receive 10,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points. When you spend $500 in your first 3 months of card membership, receive points redeemable for select gift cards valued at $100.
- Get 1 point for every $1 spent on all purchases. This allows you to earn as many points as the amount of dollars spent on your purchases when using this card. This non-tiered rewards structure is simple to understand and applies to virtually everything you spend.
- Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on booking travel through the American Express Travel website. Simply charge your air tickets, hotels, or vacation packages to your Gold Card when buying through their travel site, and you’ll earn double points.
- Earn up to 10 points per dollar spent while shopping at their online Membership Rewards site. With more than 300 participating retailers, it will be easy to buy what you’re looking for and earn points in the process!
- The Membership Rewards Program. Turn your everyday purchases into Membership Rewards points to be redeemed for an amazing collection of travel, shopping, dining and entertainment rewards. You are also eligible for upgrades and perks that the general public doesn’t have, and in many cases when booking events, you may buy tickets before they are out for sale to the rest of the public.
- Pay no interest. The American Express Gold Card is a charge card, which means that you’ll have to pay your outstanding balance in full every month, so there is no need to pay any interest.
The American Express Gold Card is a card that may suit you if you prefer a rewards card with no pre-set spending limit with amazing traveling and shopping perks, and if you pay your balance completely each month. Start experiencing the advantages of having the American Express Gold Card experience by applying today!
Disclaimers: This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.
