Debt, Credit Repair, Mortgage, Loans, and Credit Card Advice » Credit Card Deals

Instant Approval Credit Cards

admin — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:47:32 +0000

If you don’t have the time to wait for credit card approval then an instant approval credit card might be the route to take. A lot of people don’t have the time or patience for the dated method of applying for a credit card. Traditionally you have to fill out an application, mail it in, and wait for a letter advising you if you have been approved for a line of credit.What happens when you don’t have the luxury of time to get approved for a credit card? This is where an instant approval card comes in handy. Companies that offer instant approval credit cards provide an online link to their application. No more filling out your application by hand and sending it off in a stamped envelope. Now with a click of your mouse you can access the application, fill it out, and submit it.

Not only do you get rid of the time consuming forms and submissions, you can also say goodbye to waiting to be informed of your approval status. After submitting your application for your instant approval credit card you will be notified in minutes of whether you have been approved or not. Going through an instant approval credit card does not diminish your options on what type of credit card you can apply for. Credit card companies offer a variety of choices in addition to this hassle free method. You can choose from gas credit cards, rewards credit cards, or cash back incentives. This is an option that doesn’t have any downfalls. You are able to be approved instantly and still have many of the choices with regular credit cards.

Such cards offered through the instant approval method are the Chase VisaÂ® Platinum Card, DiscoverÂ® More (SM) Card, Chase Free Cash Rewards Visa Card, DiscoverÂ® Open Road(SM) Card, Blue from American Express, Chase Freedom Cash Visa Signature Card, Blue Cash from American Express, American Express Preferred Rewards Green Card, Clear from American Express, and Miles by DiscoverÂ® Card. Talk about a multitude in credit card options. You still maintain the same selection without having to have the patience on waiting days or even weeks for some type of notification in the mail.

So what if you aren’t approved for a credit card through cards with instant approval? You still have opportunities, just possibly through a different type of credit card. The days of getting declined and experiencing the despair of not being able to benefit from a credit card are over. Many of the companies mentioned above have come up with a solution to being declined. When you seek a credit card through instant approval you will know immediately if you are declined. If so you may want to seek a prepaid credit card. You can be instantly approved and in the case of many cards offered can even benefit from some of the rewards credit cards or those that offer cash back incentives, all through a prepaid credit card.

Bad Credit Card Debt Management

admin — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 03:09:50 +0000

The convenience of plastic money or credit cards is undeniable. People carry them wherever they go because they’re a safer way to make purchases. These great financing tools however can create trouble when not used with caution. Millions of consumers all over the world find themselves stuck with huge credit card debt. The reason? Uncontrolled credit card spending.

In some cases, the only way to straighten out the problem is through debt consolidation. Since the problem begins with missed or delayed credit card payments, consolidating credit cards and other types of debt could be the most effective solution. Through consolidation, an individual will only be paying a single interest rate instead of several interest rates from each of his creditors. By cutting back the amount of interest rate he pays, a consumer can save significantly on his debts. In addition, the debt consolidation company could give a lower rate of interest as this is what their service is about.

Another advantage of getting debt consolidation is that the borrower can obtain new repayment options. The credit consolidation company would make arrangements with the client’s creditors to come with a better payment term. The borrower can take advantage of the new payment terms so he can get out from under his debts easier.

Not An Easy Way Out From Under Debt. What every borrower should know is that by joining a debt consolidation program doesn’t always mean an easy way out of your debts. As the borrower, you are still responsible for the debts you owe and it would require determination and effort on your part in order to make the consolidation program work for you.

The first thing you need to do is to know exactly how much you owe from different creditors. Get a copy of your credit report to be sure that there are no incorrect charges in your account. You would need to do some of your own research in finding the right debt consolidation company to help you. Do not submit a lot of applications to different consolidation companies without doing research. Use the internet to find out about their rates and conditions. Call each company and make inquiries about their debt consolidation program. Remember to choose cautiously as you don’t want to get involved with a predatory consolidation company.

The Importance of Commitment. One important thing to remember is that once you’ve entered into a debt consolidation program, you would have to be committed in making your monthly payments to your consolidation company. You can’t afford to delay or miss another payment because you’re already given a consolidated repayment term at a lower interest. Thus, do all you can to keep up with your debts.

It would mean not using your credit cards for new purchases for a while, cutting back on your expenses, getting a second job to be able to make payments. If you think that the problem is in your spending habits, then don’t hesitate to seek help from a reputable, trustworthy credit counseling service. Recognize the problem and be willing to make some changes before it’s too late.

No Interest Credit Cards

admin — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 01:53:32 +0000

Zero interest credit cards are probably the most under-utilized way to get on one’s financial feet. There’s plenty of advice available on using lower interest debt consolidation loans to consolidate credit debt and reduce monthly payments. However, very rarely do we hear the suggestion that we can get away with paying no interest at all unless someone is trying to sell us furniture on a buy now and pay later basis. Yet, special zero rate credit card offers provide a fantastic way to significantly reduce monthly expenditure on credit cards as well as to get out of debt sooner.

You don’t have to be a materialistic, greedy individual to find yourself overspending on credit cards. So many things can go wrong in this high cost society that can increase our credit card debt. Serious illness, emergency repairs and job loss are just a few common situations that can cause our credit card balances to soar. Most of us hope that things will get better and we will be able to catch up later, unfortunately the higher our credit card balances, the higher our monthly payments. This increasing monthly cost can keep us poor and make it difficult for us to ever get back on our feet. The largest part of our monthly credit card payments are interest charges. Therefore, it only makes sense to reduce our interest costs as much as possible and you can’t get lower than zero interest. By simply transferring your credit card balances to one of the many available zero interest credit cards you will be able to save your interest charges for a given, introductory period of time.

There so many introductory credit cards available that it can be difficult to sort through them and choose the best one for your needs. It is important to choose an offer with low balance transfer fees and a long introductory period during which you do not have to pay any interest at all. The easiest way to find zero interest credit cards is to use a professional online credit card service which has already done a lot of the hard work for you by finding the best deals. These sites not only give you a number of cards to choose from, they also offer online applications to make things convenient and easy.

However, to truly make the most of zero interest credit cards, you can keep transferring the balance to new zero rate offers before the end of each introductory period. If you do this, you will never pay interest. Unfortunately, with the best will in the world, life tends to take over and we can easily forget to transfer the balance before interest payments kick in. Some of the more excellent online credit card services also offer a reminder service to let you know when your interest free period is due to expire so that you can apply to transfer your balance to a new interest free credit card offer.

Used in this way, zero interest credit cards can substantially improve your financial position. By taking advantage of professional, online services that also offer an alert to remind you when to transfer your credit card balance again you can take long term advantage of interest free credit card offers. Do this, and you’ll never look back.

Find the Best Credit Card Rate

admin — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:08:45 +0000

Â Millions of consumers jump from card to card trying to find a rate that’s better than the one they’re currently paying. Do yourself a favor and don’t play leap frog with the credit card companies. Here are some helpful tips for finding the best rate for you.

But He’s Got a Better Rate!

Upset that your neighbor has a better rate than you? Get over it. If you’re looking for the best rate, there’s something you need to understand…

Not all credit is created equal, and the best credit card rate for you might not be a great rate for someone else. If Mary Jane has never had a late payment or collection account in her life and Betty Sue has had a few, the girls are going to qualify for different rates.

Before you go in search of the best credit card rate out there, take a serious look at your credit situation. If there are some dings or dents, you’re going to have to settle for a higher rate than you may have anticipated.

Check Your Options

If you really want to get a feel for what the best credit card rate is, you need to know what’s out there. That means comparing your options. No, I’m not telling you to apply for every card in the world to see what terms they offer you. What you should do is check the terms and conditions of at least five or six different cards you may be interested in and see who’s offering the lowest fixed rate.

Don’t Let ‘Em Woo You

Most of us know that 0-percent interest rate is too good to last when searching for the best credit card rate. However, a 6.99 or 7.99 percent rate is probably just a teaser too.

If a rate seems to good to be true, it is. Make sure you chose a fixed rate, not a teaser rate. A teaser of 6.99 that jumps to 26.99 isn’t the best rate after all.

Know When To Hold ‘Em, Know When To Fold ‘Em, Know When To Walk Away…

There’s a great country song about knowing when to walk away (and knowing when to run). If you start out with a credit card that offers the best credit card rate, but then the terms change and the rate goes up again and again, it’s time to run.

Sure, the length of your creditor relationships has an impact on your credit rating. That doesn’t mean you should be taken for a ride. If you’re constantly seeing rate hikes, transfer your balance to a different credit card that is currently offering the best rate. Leave the other account open, just don’t use it.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Keep the above tips in mind when looking for the best credit card rate. Sure, 10 or 12-percent interest might not seem like such a great deal when you see offers for less than 10-percent all around you. Just remember, the best credit card rate for you is the best that you qualify for — not the best that the nonexistent perfect consumer with the highest credit score possible might get.

Duped Credit Card Deals

admin — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 04:32:23 +0000

Many credit card companies offer cards at low interest rates. Customers who are attracted to such offers often find that the offer is only valid for a limited period and that they will have to pay higher charges after some time. The unfortunate part is that customers who plan to repay a debt in the long term thinking of taking advantage of the low interest rates will be surprised to find that their debts will be automatically converted under a higher-interest slab.

Many companies also offer zero percent interest rates. Some companies offer as much as 18 months during which the offer will be valid. In most of the cases, companies will require customers to pay a fee upfront, which is often more than what customers would have to pay under a low-interest rate for the same period. In effect, customers are often duped by companies that lure them with the zero percent balance transfer rates. Some companies also provide zero percent balance transfer offer for a longer period of time provided customers make regular purchases every month. The catch is that the purchases are often charged at a higher interest rate. This would obviously offset any savings that the customer may make through the zero percent balance-transfer offer.

When buying a credit card, the most important aspect to note is to repay the debt as soon as possible and not to incur heavy debts on the card. If customers are able to adhere to these simple rules, they will be able to maintain their finances in a healthy position.

How To Apply for a Rewards Credit Card Online

admin — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 17:46:49 +0000

Do you remember the time when you mother received a pen and a ‘thank you’ note from a credit card issuer, for being a loyal customer? Gone are the days of simply and straightforward credit cards. Plain vanilla cards are a thing of the ancient past. The latest buzz word on the credit card scene is a ‘rewards credit card’. Of course, having the Internet as a resource means you can find what suits you best very quickly. So if you know how to apply for a such a card online you will certainly get rewarded, and rewarded in style.

When you apply for a rewards credit card online, don’t be surprised by promises of cash back, gift certificates from your favorite store, discounted air travel, holidays and so on. Today, such cards are very popular and issuers are ready to promise the earth to ensure loyalty. If you do a little bit of research before you apply for such a card, you may even receive hard cash as a reward. Certainly, look for gifts and discounts from the card providers themselves, as well as third party incentives.

There are so many different types of credit cards around today. The competition is bound to get more fierce and edgy. Issuers believe that rewards guarantee loyalty, and the winner in this situation is always the consumer. If you apply for a rewards credit card online you can see exactly what they can offer you.

Before you apply for a rewards credit card, you should explore the options available to you. With the sheer number of cards on the market, there is bound to be some confusion. Sort through all the direct mailers and solicitations and make an informed decision. Broadly there are three types of rewards programs. These are the point based program, the cash-back program and the frequent flier program.

The point based program allows you to accumulate points on certain purchases you make. You can then flip through a catalogue created by the issuer, and choose your own rewards. If you are interested in choice, then apply for a rewards credit card online from a company like the American Express which offers this type of rewards program. The disadvantage of this program is that the items listed in the catalogue may be a bit overpriced.

Cash back programs work best for people who are not big spenders. You get a certain percentage of cash back on items that you buy with your credit card. Sometimes, there may be a limit on the total amount you can receive as cash back. Also, with certain cards, you may have to charge a certain amount of money to your card before you get the rebate.

Finally, the frequent flier programs offer you free tickets with airlines that are tied up with issuers. You have to spend a certain amount of money and charge it to your card before you qualify for the free ticket. You may apply for several frequent flier programs only if you plan on undertaking several international flights. How to apply for a rewards credit card online is easy: you just look at what is on offer and use the simple application form.

Know About Low Interest Credit Cards

admin — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 16:29:41 +0000

The very low interest credit cards are mainly available for people and businesses with good enough credit to qualify for one.Â The differences in what credit card companies are charging for interest rates are alarming. Low interest credit cards are generally considered to be fewer than 10% interest rate. High interest credit cards can soar to over 30% in some cases. You need to be well informed of just how many credit card opportunities are available to you before making a selection.

Keeping the low interest rate over the lifetime of your account is easy if you play by the credit card company’s rules. All payments must be paid on time. No late payments will be tolerated by the credit card company. They will take away that low interest credit card and turn it into a default rate interest. This is usually the highest possible interest rate that they can charge you by law, around 30%. Yes that’s right 30% is the average default rate. Credit card companies can do this even if the payment that you make late isn’t made to them. It can be any other bill that you have paid late on. If it is reported to the credit bureaus, chances are, your credit card company will find out about it and send you a notice of change in terms or something similar.

Finding a low interest credit card that you qualify for will benefit you in many ways. Most credit cards come with a very low to 0% introductory rate for balance transfers. This can potentially save you thousands of dollars over the life of your introductory period. If you transfer a balance from a credit card that has a high interest rate, the amount you pay will come directly off of the balance and no additional interest will be charged during the introductory period. You may even be able to pay off your debt completely with a low interest credit card that has a 0% introductory period. Divide the amount that you transferred by the number of months they allow for the introductory period . This will be the dollar amount it will take for each monthly payment to have it completely paid in full when your introductory period is over.

If you need a low interest credit card because you are thinking of making a big purchase that you want to pay off over a period of time, consider finding a card with an introductory rate on purchases made within a certain timeframe. You might even get lucky and find a 0% on purchases. This lets you buy the item now and pay for it with no interest at all. They allow you to borrow money for free under certain conditions.

Tips Before Applying For A Credit Card

admin — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:23:29 +0000

Credit cards are attractive. They allow you to make purchases today and pay for them later. And like loans, using credit cards helps you build your credit history. Applying for a credit card is somewhat like applying for a loan; some thought needs to be given to the process to make sure you get the best deal that meets your needs before you jump in. Remember to consider the following before you apply: It affects your credit score.

Whenever you apply for a credit card an inquiry appears on your credit report. Too many inquiries in a short period of time can bring down your score by as much as 10 to 20 points depending on your particular credit history. It might cost you. If you apply for credit cards without doing your homework, it can cost you a pretty penny. For example, say you apply for a credit card with a processing fee of $99 and an annual fee of $50. Just by applying and being accepted for that card, you’re paying almost $150 without even having made any purchases!

What will you use the credit card for? Make sure you know how you will use your credit card and what you will purchase with it before you apply. Keep in mind that every time you use the card, you incur debt that you will have to repay, with interest. You need to shop around. Before you apply for a card, ask what interest rates and credit limit you qualify for and shop around for the best possible deal. You want to look for the best option before committing yourself to any certain card.

Make sure you understand the terms. Before applying for and accepting a card, make sure you understand the terms and conditions of the plan. Read the fine print. Ask yourself whether you are able to afford the card. What are the rules for the card and are there frees for breaking these rules. Pre-approved credit cards can be tricky. Pre-approved offers tell you that the credit card company has looked at your credit report and determined that you might qualify for the interest rates and credit limit being offered. However, whether you will really get the best rates depends on your income, employment, and credit history. It is therefore important that you read the credit agreement carefully before you sign on the dotted line – there may be limitations or conditions that are not obvious in the advertisement.

TIP: Before you apply for credit, get a copy of your credit reports at www.annualcreditreport.com. Look them over carefully. Mistakes are common on credit repots, and it can take only one mistake to cause a credit card or loan rejection. If you do find an error, take the steps necessary to have it removed.

How to Deal with Credit Card Offers

admin — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 14:39:56 +0000

In this day and age, plastic rules, not just because of convenience and safety features but also because of the opportunities for rewards and rebates that many competitive credit card companies offer. You no longer have to look too hard for credit card offers because they will find you. The only question is how to pick one that will give you the best deal. If this is your current dilemma, here are some simple tips to help you narrow down your choice:

Never go random.
When there are so many credit card offers out there that seem to offer the same things, it can be tempting to just sign up for whatever card comes along. This is not a good way of taking advantage of credit card offers. Never pick a credit card based some random advertisement, a recommendation, pressure from the credit card company or a purchase emergency.

Consider what you’ll use it for.
While a credit card can give you a semblance of financial freedom, it is still a form of debt, that’s why it’s called a credit card. Before you decide on a credit card offer, think about what you’ll need to use it for and how often you think you’ll be using it.

Say for example you’re the type who likes to frequent a certain establishment and usually use credit for your purchases, you might want to consider a credit card from that store if they’re offering one. That credit card will often carry with it a lot of great discounts, rewards, cash rebates and special privileges when used with that establishment.

Look for range.
Generally, the more locations you can use your credit card with, the better, so you might want to choose a credit card that can be used both nationally or internationally. If you donâ€™t see yourself leaving your locality for a long time, regional credit cards will work well for you.

Go for low interest rates.
When you’re finding the best card among your credit card offers, look for one that has the low interest rates. Rates vary depending on the credit card company and sometimes, on the card itself, so it will be advantageous for you if you compared rates.

Low interest rates will be a good choice for you if you’re the type of consumer who prefers to pay for your credit card purchases on an installment basis, with payments spread out for several months. That way, you won’t be saddled with high monthly payments and end up paying more.

Other fees and features
Annual fees and penalties are another thing to watch out for when you’re considering credit card offers. There are also corresponding fees for other transactions such as balance transfers and cash advances. You might also want to check what features come with a credit card, such as rebates, rewards programs, discounts, warranties and even insurance.

Mind the fine print.
The fine print can be deceiving, so make sure you read it before signing up. You might be attracted to one credit card because of the low interest rates only to find out later that the rates are part of an introductory offer and that you’ll be saddled with a much higher APR after only a few months. A credit card offer is only as good as the fine print, so choose well.

Take charge.
You donâ€™t have to be passive about your credit card choice nor do you need o be stuck with what’s being offered to you. Write down what your needs are and what kind of features you’d want in a credit card. Next, pick up the phone and ask several credit card companies for their best offers. If you take a more proactive role in choosing your credit card, you’re more likely to find one that will fit you best.

How To Find The Best Credit Card For You

admin — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 03:18:35 +0000

There are literally hundreds of credit cards out there and it can be a headache trying to find one that suits you. Here are some pointers that can help you find the best credit cards that will benefit you the most.

First of all, you need to identify the type of benefits you want from your credit card. For example, if you a business executive who travel frequently around the country or internationally, you probably want to have a credit card that allow you to enjoy saving from hotel stays, free air tickets, free travel insurance and others travel related benefits.

Next you need to look at some of the common costs associated with owning a credit card. The first one is the annual percentage rate, which is commonly known as APR. This is the interest rate you have to bear if you carry a balance on your credit card. Naturally you want this number to be as low as possible. You may want to look for one that has an introductory APR of zero percent for first year.

Other common costs that you need to take into account include annual fees, fix or variable interest rate, late payment penalty, over limit penalty, balance transfer cost, foreign exchange charges and cash advance surcharges.

The next thing to look at is the grace period. Most credit card companies will give you some times to pay your outstanding balance before charging interest. Thus the longer grace period, the more time you have to pay your balance without incurring interest expenses.

Once you have identify the benefits you want and understand the common costs associated with a credit card ownership, go online to visit a legitimate credit card directory and do your research. Such a directory usually contains details of different credit cards from different companies that are useful to your research. The cards are usually organized according to their theme or interest. For example, all credit cards that offer free air mileage are usually categorized under the Airline Credit Card category. This will make your research a lot easier and efficient.

Pick four or five cards that closely meet your criteria. After that, study their terms and conditions carefully. The terms and conditions often contain the important cost items that were mentioned earlier. In addition, you should also look out for other costs and terms that are unique to each card. Once you find the card that meet most or all of your criteria, simply hit the ‘APPLY’ button to submit your application electronically.

Do not fret if you are not able to find a credit card that meets your needs. New cards with new benefits are being launched throughout the year. Keep yourself up to date by visiting the online credit card directories regularly and sooner or later, you will find one that meets your needs.

Stephen Chua is the webmaster of FindCreditCardsInfo.com which provide detailed descriptions of all major credit cards online so you can make informed decisions that will save you money! Visit http://FindCreditCardsInfo.com and get the latest credit tips straight to your email for FREE.