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Balance Transfer Credit Cards: 7 "Gotchas" to Avoid

Submitted on Thu, 2013-04-04 15:47 | by Jason Bushey

Credit cards that offer a 0% balance transfer option can be a great way to climb out of debt. My wife and I used these offers to pay more than $20,000 in credit card bills in three years. While the allure of no interest borrowing is very attractive, there are several pitfalls you must avoid. You will

So before you choose your next balance transfer card, make sure you avoid these 7 "gotchas". Plus, be sure to check out our how-to Infographic on Transferring a Credit Card Balance!

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Discover it™ - 14 Months at 0% Interest

Our recommended balance transfer credit card comes from Discover and includes 14 months at zero interest applied to balance transfers and new purchases. Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in rotating categories, and another 1% on all other purchases. Get the full details when you click the "Apply" button to the left.

Barclaycard Arrival World Mastercard Review: To Pay - Or Not To Pay - The Annual Fee

Submitted on Wed, 2013-04-03 13:17 | by Jason Bushey

The myth regarding annual fees attached to credit cards is that they're ALL BAD. This is simply that - a myth - and frankly some annual fees are easily wiped out by the cash back and rewards benefits afforded by a particular card. This is the case with the popular new Barclaycard Arrival World MasterCard, which carries an $89 annual fee (waived the first year) but includes an introductory cash back offer that's equivalent to $400 when consumers spend $1,000 within the first 90 days.

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Barclaycard Arrival World MasterCard

For a limited time, earn 40,000 bonus miles (equal to $400 off your next trip) when you spend $1,000 within the first 90 days. Plus, pay no interest on new purchases for 12 billing cycles and earn 2x miles on ALL purchases! $89 annual fee is waived your first year.

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Barclaycard Arrival World MasterCard - No Annual Fee

Earn 20,000 bonus miles (equivalent to $200 in travel) when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days, plus pay no interest on new purchases for 12 billing cycles! There's no annual fee - ever - and you'll earn 2x miles on restaurant and travel purchases.

New Discover it™ Card 5% cash back categories go live today

Submitted on Mon, 2013-04-01 14:39 | by Jason Bushey

Discover it™ cardholders can begin earning 5% cash back on Q2 categories today. Seriously, no April's foolin'! This quarter's categories include 5% earnings on up to $1,500 in purchases made at home improvement stores through June, 2013.

This comes as pleasant news to homeowners that just so happen to carry this Discover cash back card. With the weather nationwide finally taking a turn towards spring, it's that time of year where home improvement and spring cleaning move from the back-burner to a priority.

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1.) Discover it™ - 5% Cash Back Opportunies

Apply today for the Discover it™ card and take advantage of 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases made on rotating categories each quarter, plus another 1% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, pay 0% interest for up to 14 months on new purchases and balance transfers.

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Discover it™ - 18 Month Balance Transfer Promotion

For consumers most interested in transferring a balance and paying down their debt to zero, this 18-month balance transfer credit card is one of the longest offers available on the market today! Plus, take advantage of 5% cash back on rotating categories and pay no APR on purchases for up to six months.

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Discover it™ Card for Students

Finally, students can also take advantage of 5% cash back on rotating categories with the Discover it™ Card for Students. Choose your own due date and start building credit with this excellent cash back option from Discover.

Best Cash Back Credit Cards for Home Improvement!

Submitted on Mon, 2013-03-25 09:58 | by Jason Bushey

We're just a few days into the new season, and yet home improvement is already on the minds of homeowners everywhere. Cash back credit cards in 2013 have taken note, with several of the best cash back options rewarding cardholders with up to 5% on purchases related to DIY home improvement.

If you know you've got some work to do on the home fortress this spring and you're hoping to get some cash back for the purchases you're gearing up to make anyway, here are some cash back cards that can help you save...

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Discover it™ - 5% Cashback Bonus on up to $1,500 in purchases at Home Improvement Stores

Another excellent cash back card that offers members 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases at home improvement stores this spring is the Discover it™ card. Cardholders can begin saving on their home improvement purchases April 1st through June 30th, and they'll earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

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Ace Rewards® Visa Card - Up to 10% back in popular categories

A rewards card from the popular hardware store Ace BETTER make the top spring-cleaning cash back cards of 2013. As it turns out, this credit card is one of the very best retail-branded cards out there, and includes up to 10% off on select quarterly purchases made at Ace, plus 5% back on Ace purchases at select locations. They'll even throw in 2% on gas and groceries, making your weekend errands more rewarding than ever.

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TrueEarnings® Card from Costco and American Express -

Finally, the TrueEarnings® Card from Costco and American Express includes 3% cash back at Costco and stand-alone gas stations on up to $4,000 each year. And since Costco has, well, everything, you can earn 3% cash back on everything from power tools to ladders and anything else you might need to kick-start your spring cleaning in 2013. 

Citi ThankYou® Card - $150 in gift cards, or no interest for 15 months?

Submitted on Fri, 2013-03-22 11:31 | by Jason Bushey

(Update: As of April 8, 2013, the Citi ThankYou® Preferred Rewards Card is now offering a 12 month 0% intro period applied to purchases and balance transfers! Get the best of both worlds with this excellent new offer from Citi.)

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Citi ThankYou® Preferred Rewards Card - Apply Today!

$150 gift card - When you redeem the 15,000 bonus ThankYou® Points received after $1,000 in purchases within 3 months of account opening. If that sounds like your budget, this is one of the best credit card signup bonus offers available today. Click the "Apply Now" button for full details.

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Citi ThankYou® Card - No interest for 15 months - Apply Today!

Want a cash back card that includes 0 percent interest on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months? Apply for the Citi ThankYou® Card and take advantage of one of the best balance transfer cards available today. Click the "Apply Now" button for complete details.

BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ Credit Card - $100 Cash Back Offer

Submitted on Thu, 2013-03-21 10:11 | by Jason Bushey

The BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ credit card is another cash back card offering a $100 cash back bonus on qualifying purchases, which according to their site is "at least $500 in purchases within 90 days of account opening". This puts this BankAmericard in line with most $100 cash back credit cards, but it's the one, two and three percent cash back structure each quarter that really sets this card apart from others.

Unsecured Bad Credit Cards: Are there any worth carrying?

Submitted on Mon, 2013-03-18 16:42 | by Jason Bushey

The answer may surprise you but, YES - if you have bad credit, unsecured cards for bad credit can cost you in the short term but save you some serious cash over the long haul when used correctly.

This isn't the first time we've brought up the pros of bad credit credit cards, but with so few defenders in their corner we decided it was worth an updated look at two of the most popular unsecured options for poor credit available on the market today.

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Unsecured Card for Bad Credit: Continental Finance Matrix Discover® Credit Card

If bad credit is hurting your chances of loan approval, or you're tired of paying sky-high interest and want to begin the process of improving your credit, consider the Continental Finance Matrix Discover® Credit Card. There's no application or setup fees, and it reports to all three major credit bureaus monthly.

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VISA® Platinum from Credit One Bank® - Apply Today

The VISA® Platinum from Credit One Bank® starts with a 23.9% variable APR and a starting credit line of $300, with automatic credit line increase reviews. Get the ball rolling on an improved credit score with this unsecured Visa card for people with bad credit. 

Compare Credit Card Miles and Rewards on the Best Airline Credit Cards - Infographic

Submitted on Fri, 2013-03-15 09:25 | by Jason Bushey

With so many airline credit cards on the market today, it can be tough to keep track of offers. For instance, some airline miles cards specialize in companion ticket discounts, while others include no foreign transaction fees for the frequent flyer traveling abroad.

The below infographic from Creditnet makes airline credit card comparison shopping easy. Compare bonus miles, loyalty perks and more, then visit our complete guide to airline miles credit cards and apply for the card that suits your travel schedule best!

Best Citi Credit Cards by Category: From 0% Balance Transfers to Student Rewards

Submitted on Wed, 2013-03-13 16:43 | by Jason Bushey

Citi credit cards are some of our favorites because they make a card for just about every kind of consumer, and they're always in the good-to-excellent range. Whether you're a frequent business flyer or a college student in search of your first or second card, there's likely a Citi card that matches your profile.

Check out our picks for the best Citi cards of 2013 below based on category...

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For 0% Balance Transfers – Citi Simplicity®

The Citi Simplicity Card isn't the only zero interest card that Citi offers, but it's the most dialed in for 0% balance transfers. The Simplicity® card offers cardholders zero interest on balance transfers AND purchases for 18 months as an introductory offer, and it's one of the most forgiving cards on the market today since it charges ZERO in penalty fees, including late payments. If you have excellent credit and you're hoping to move a balance and pay it down over a year-and-a-half, this is the Citi card we most recommend for you. (In fact, it's currently our favorite 0% interest card of any available today.)

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For Gifts - Citi ThankYou® Preferred Rewards Card

A lot of cash back cards reward you with a $100 bonus when you spend a specific amount over a set amount of time; the Citi ThankYou® Preferred Rewards Card ups the ante by rewarding cardholders with a $150 gift card when they redeem the 15,000 bonus points received after $1,000 in purchases within 3 months of account opening. The 15-month 0% intro period on purchases and balance transfers is above average, and cardmembers receive an Anniversary Bonus (another gift!) every year that they're a cardmember. If you like gifts – and who doesn't – this is the card for you.

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For Miles – Citi® Platinum Select® / AAdvantage® Visa Signature® Card

Frequent American Airlines fliers will find this card particularly rewarding, especially in their quest for miles and, eventually, discounted or free flights. Cardholders can earn 30,000 bonus miles after $1,000 in purchases within the first three months of cardmembership, and the $95 annual fee is waived for the first 12 months as an introductory offer. Finally, you'll earn priority boarding with Group 1 privileges on American Airlines® flights simply for carrying the card in your wallet.

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For Hotel Rewards – Citi® Hilton HHonors™ Visa Signature® Card

Citi® teams up with Hilton for one of our favorite hotel cards of 2013. Members that spend $1,000 within 4 months of account opening earn 40,000 Hilton Hhonors Bonus Points, but perhaps even better is the fact that this Citi card rewards purchases made at supermarkets, drugstores and gas stations with 3x the bonus points! And unlike most hotel-branded credit cards, there's no annual fee to deal with.

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For Students – Citi Forward® Card for College Students

Finally, students that want a credit card that rewards them for being a responsible consumer can look no further than the Citi Forward® Card for College Students. Students receive 5 Thankyou® Points for every $1 spent on restaurants and entertainment (pretty popular items with students last time we checked) and one point per dollar on all other purchases. But the best part is that students receive 100 ThankYou points each billing period that you pay on time and stay under your credit line. Simply pay your bill on time and you'll rack up the points with this Citi card for students.

Chase Southwest Airlines Card: New Limited-Time Offer Can Net You 2 Roundtrip Flights!

Submitted on Tue, 2013-03-12 08:42 | by Jason Bushey

Update: This offer is no longer available - Last updated May 7, 2013.

For a limited-time only, the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is offering cardholders two roundtrip flights after they spend $2,000 in the first three months of opening their account. (Government fees as low as $10 do not apply.) This isn't the first time Southwest has uses bonus points - in this case 50,000 - as an incentive, but it's one of the best deals they've ever offered and gives consumers in the market for an airline miles credit card an excellent option to consider.

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