The American Express Platinum Credit Card Is A Card With Little Restrictions And More Rewards
What do most credit card holders look for in their credit cards? Most consumers in Australia are looking for a flexible card that comes with a variety of options all that are customized to their very needs. Of course, low APR’s; good balance transfer rates, rewards and fewer restrictions are positives as well. The Australian financial market boasts several credit cards that are equipped with these features and they are being sought after by more and more consumers. The American Express Platinum credit card is one such card and it works off of less restrictions and more rewards.
The Platinum card comes equipped with many of the benefits that an individual would look for within a card, especially someone with a bigger budget with an appetite for rewards. The American Express Platinum credit card is a card that has a potentially large credit line and an even bigger rewards program. The Platinum card from American Express offers up to $100,000 in credit line available dollars. While it will depend highly on your own credit history, the Platinum card is known as being one of the most generous charge cards in giving credit line increases, and this generosity is enhanced the longer you are a customer.
The Platinum card comes with 1.5 membership rewards points per dollar spent. Reward points are calculated on a per dollar basis so each time you use your card you will be earning rewards. The Platinum credit card is one of the most rewarding cards because each time you use it you will get those 1.5 points credited to your rewards package, which can be used in relation to frequent flier programs on one of American Expresss various travel partners. You get 1.5 points per dollar for up to $100,000 in purchases and then it drops down to 1 point per dollar.
Many people also turn to this card risk free because American Express offers it interest free for the first 55 days; which means you can purchase as much as you want without paying a dime of interest if you choose to hold off on paying.
The American Express Platinum credit card works well for many Australians who are looking for a flexible option to complement their financial lives. There are several credit cards that will work to suit a customers needs so in order to get the most benefits you should aim for a card like this.
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.
A very common question you hear asked these days is which is the better, cash back or rewards credit cards loyalty schemes. The following is a brief explanation of the cash back vs. rewards credit cards loyalty schemes argument:
Cash Back Credit Cards
As their name suggests, cash back credit cards offer customers the chance to reclaim a certain percentage of their credit card expenditure in the form of a cash back payment. This payment can be made either as a credit on the balance of the customers credit card statement or in the form of actual cash being paid to the customer.
In most cases, the cash back being offered is in return for purchasing certain brand-named products or for using the card in particular stores. Thus, while it is true that you are getting a percentage of your purchase price back as a cash back reward, the bigger question you should be asking yourself if whether or not you would have purchased the product in that shop had you not been offered the cash back!
Rewards
By far the more popular credit card loyalty scheme is the rewards program. Here, a card provider will offer a certain number of rewards points per threshold amounts spent using the card. This way, the more you spend on the card, the more rewards you receive. Within a specified deadline date, you then need to exchange the points that you have accrued for a reward.
The reward can be in the form of air miles, household products, or any one of the other rewards usually set out in a catalogue sent to the card providers customers. The major difference between the rewards loyalty scheme and the cash back loyalty scheme is that the rewards scheme usually works on the amount you spend, not the product you buy.
Advantages of the Reward Schemes
A credit card with a fruitful reward scheme is more common, and often more valuable, than the cash back scheme because the affiliated credit card company makes a certain amount of profit from its goods. Think about it, if you spend $100 in store how much did these goods actually cost the company? The profit that they make can e offered with the reward scheme of the credit card, keeping customers happy. If they only offered cash back then this may be at 50% of the reward rate.
Therefore if you can choose a reward credit card that you can use, i.e. a store where you regularly shop then the best choice in this debate must be the reward credit card scheme.
Regardless of what your personal feelings are towards the cash back vs. rewards credit cards loyalty schemes, if you are applying for a credit card today then it is most definitely in your best interests to ensure that you are offered one or other of the two loyalty schemes as to do otherwise could mean you missing out on a golden opportunity to have your credit card giving you something for a change!
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The very first credit card was the Diners club card, which was created by Frank McNamara in 1950. From there many companies, stores, and banks began offering credit cards. These credit cards gave the cardholder the ability to purchase on credit and pay it back at a later date with interest payments added if the entire balance was not paid on time. Not only did this give the customer the freedom to have credit, but they also did not have to carry around large sums of money and could purchase larger items and pay for them later. In 1996, the rewards credit cards hit the market.
Today, you can find all kinds of rewards credit cards. Discover was the first to offer a rewards credit card, which gave the cardholder the chance to receive a percentage of their spending to be returned to them in the form of rebates. This is similar to the cash back rewards credit cards that you see everywhere. The cardholder can receive a percentage back on some of their purchases either monthly or yearly, however, you must purchase at the stores or type of stores the credit card company offers the with their cash back policy.
Next, in line was Continental Airlines that began to offer frequent flier miles. Now, every airline and many major credit card companies have jumped on these rewards credit cards, each with their own special incentives to use their credit cards. For every purchase, you make with the air miles rewards credit cards you accumulate points, these points can then be transferred into air miles. The air miles can be used for airline tickets, hotel accommodations, and car rentals. Some however, only allow certain airlines, hotel chains, and car rental agencies. Many times other fees such as membership fees and higher interest rates can be applied. Be sure you learn when the points you accumulate will expire or any applicable black out dates.
Many people prefer rewards credit cards that fit their lifestyle such as saving points for a trip to the Super Bowl, paying off your mortgage, visiting Disney Land, or taking a cruise. No matter what you would enjoy to do with your reward points, you are sure to find rewards credit cards with you in mind.
There are however, limitations on most rewards credit cards. Once you get the most points available that is it, you are no longer eligible for the benefits offered by the rewards credit card. Another thing to consider is that all points you receive are calculated on how much you spend. The more you spend the more points you will earn. Be sure that you are not just spending to earn a terrific prize, you maybe able to purchase that prize for quite a bit less if you saved for it instead of spending more and paying interest to earn it. You will more than likely be paying more annual fees and even transaction fees to redeem your points into rewards.
There are many different types of credit cards. In this competitive area, many companies are now offering special rewards credit cards to bribe you to use their cards. There are numerous types of rewards credit cards to choose from. It is likely that no matter what your interests are, there is likely a rewards credit card just for you.
One of the most common types of rewards credit cards are the travel rewards cards. Travel rewards credit cards earn points that can be redeemed toward savings on flights, hotels, car rental and sometimes even cruise travel. If you travel allot and use a credit card, perhaps you may want to opt for a credit card that will save you money on travel, and may even earn you some freebies.
Another common type of rewards credit card is the cash back rewards credit cards. These cards offer you cash rewards on a percentage of your total purchases. These cards are also known as cash rebate credit cards. If you are looking to apply for a cash rewards credit card, you will want to pay particular attention to your interest rates. If you commonly have a balance outstanding on your credit card, you will want to make sure that you don’t negate the benefit of a cash back rewards card by paying high interest rates and penalties.
Toady’s world and its soaring gas prices have paved the way for a new type of rewards credit card to gain in popularity. The gas station rewards credit cards came about as a way to encourage customer loyalty and save money on gas at the same time. Often issued in partnership with gas companies, gas rewards credit cards offer you the chance to earn free gas or get discounts on gas. Sometimes, gas rewards also come in the form of a rebate, much like the cash back rewards cards discussed earlier.
Another unique type of rewards card that has come about lately will help parents with college expenses. The Citi Upromise Card by Citibank offers 1% in college savings everywhere you shop. What this means is that 1% of your purchases goes towards saving for your children’s education. So, if you have kids that will need to go off to college someday, buying their diapers with this card will actually help put them through school. Its an interesting and very useful way to make your credit card do more for you.
In conclusion, that’s what rewards credit cards are all about, making your credit card work for you. As usual, you need to pay attention to your APR and fees to make sure that you are indeed getting a deal on a rewards credit card. Also note that some types of rewards cards are only for those with good credit. If you keep these simple things in mind, you may just find yourself saving money with your credit card or at least get some nifty goodies out of it.
Everyone knows that children are our future. Our role as parents is that we need to put much effort in order to be satisfied with future results. We have been starting to teach our children from their childhood. As they grow up, they need to know more and more and be well grounded in financial world. The statistical data shows that over 5% of youth in the age of 14 use cards on every day purchases and this use has trebled in last years. Credit card institutions also pay much attention to students at the age of 18 and offer them student credit cards specially issued to make their life easier and allow them to start credit history.
As a consequence, children and students as well need to be taught to use credit cards and money reasonably. But usually parents do not have enough time to spend it with children and educate them. As a parent, you can pay for special lectures or workshops concerning money habits and credit card use or buy specific literature for your child. But modern children are fond of PC and internet and spend much time playing different games down the drain. Today there is one attractive online game that offers fascinating play and will teach them without any help.
What is the aim of the game? It helps to educate college and high school students about credit cards and money basics and their use. Your child may build responsible spending demeanour. This game also rouses the interest in money management and helps children put the study into proper behavior. Moreover, the game takes not much time and if you have a PC at home, you can also save your time without going anywhere to play it. Simply apply online and try credit card use simulator or study money basics.
In what manner? Playing credit card simulator you can choose among credit card offers with different credit lines and options. You can purchase many products using your card in pretence. The lesson is that you can not exceed credit limit both in the game and real life. If you exceed the limit in the game, you will be notified about that and nothing else. If it happens in daily life, you will be required to pay overpay fees without any notifications. Money basics look like a test. It offers you to answer questions relating to annual fees, interest rates, savings, etc. If you answer falsely, you will receive an explanation and get the right answer. In conclusion you get your credit score.
No doubt, every parent takes care to give the adorable child only the best and may believe that there are more interesting educational methods. This is for you to decide and to choose. Do not lose the chance to interact with your son or daughter if you have free time. Parents and their daily activities are the best examples to show and explain. Luck of knowledge and misunderstandings can be the right pass to late payments, debts or other sad consequences.
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.
There are many people out there that would love to benefit from owning a mileage credit card but some do not have any idea of where to begin when it comes to applying. Some people like the idea of using a mileage card to earn points for free airline tickets, car rentals and hotel accommodations while others just use it like normal credit card instead of working toward a specific goal. Then they enjoy learning what they have earned at a later date kind of like a big surprise. However, knowing where to start can be a problem when applying for a mileage card.
There are several ways to apply for a mileage card. You can apply online, call the mileage card company, and contact the airline with the mileage card that you have chosen or even fill out an application and send it by mail. Remember when you apply for a mileage card, you will have to give out your personal information. All mileage credit card companies will need your social security number, as they will use it to run a credit check on you. This is why it is so important to have good credit before you apply, many of the mileage card companies will not even give you chance if you have bad credit.
Before you apply for a mileage card, you should do some research on which mileage cards has the best APR rate, incentive and bonus programs, and how you earn points. Many mileage cards have a low introductory APR rate for new cardholders. Some mileage cards even offer 0% APR for the first 12 months. Once again, good credit is what you will need to get this type of great deal.
Another thing you should take into consideration when you apply for mileage cards is if there is an annual fee to have the card and what your credit limit is and if the annual fee will change after the introductory offer. Most mileage cards have an annual fee or some may call it a membership fee. Also be sure to look at your credit limit, you will not one that is too high for your income or your normal spending.
The most important thing to remember when applying for mileage cards is to do your research. There are several different companies that offer mileage cards from airlines to major credit card companies. You will want to be sure that you are getting the best interest rate, the cheapest annual fee, and of course, the most air miles for your money. You may also want to be sure that the mileage card you choose have destinations to all places you travel and that give you the option for your favorite airline. Find out about points or air miles expirations and if there are any blackouts for you to redeem your points.
Remember to weigh the fees against what you will be receiving in points or air miles to ensure that you are really getting your moneys worth.
Maxed Out Your Credit Cards Over the Holidays? Learn How to Get the Balance Back Down
The holidays can be a very financially stressful time. We all know Christmas is not about the gifts or how much money we spend, but its hard not to buy those perfect gifts for our loved ones even if we really cant afford it. In some cases, credit cards can be great especially around the holidays; it means even though we currently dont have the money, it wont stop us from being able to get those gifts. But now the holidays are over and youre looking at your credit card statements saying, did I really spend that much?
Instead of putting your head under a pillow and avoiding the whole subject, why not take this time to start learning about your finances, your financial situation and your credit cards. Lets make it a News Years resolution to get your finances under control. Repeat after me, This year I will take control of my finances; I will no longer allow my credit cards to control me.
Start by making a list of all your credit cards, if you have more then one. Get out your credit card statements, and write down the balances and the percentage of interest that is charged on purchases and cash advances. Many people forget that credit card companies tend to charge more interest on those cash advances as well as withdrawal fee. These charges can add up quickly, so if you have to take out a cash advance from your credit card know which card is best to use will not only save you money but will also remind you that you are taking control. Remember that your finances and money is just a game and once you know the rules, you will become a much better player.
Now that you have your list see if it is possible to transfer any balances over to a lower interest rate credit card. If it is, go do that right now, the sooner you do, the more money you will save. You want to start paying more off on the highest interest rate credit cards first, just pay the minimum on the other ones.
If you do have a few credit cards with balances, another option is to see about getting a consolidation loan. Consolidation loans normally come with much lower interest rates and you save banking fees as you only have one payment to make.
The hardest part for most people when it comes to their finances is admitting that they will never have control if they dont start educating themselves. Many of us tend to be avoiders when it comes to money and unfortunately, most things only get worse, when we avoid them. Finances, credit cards, banks, loans all these things really are not that complicated when we site down and take the time to learn. Try scheduling thirty minutes three or four times a week to read and learn about your finances. Once the thirty minutes is done give yourself a reward, and congratulate yourself on moving closer to your financial freedom.
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