FLEXIBLE TRAVEL REDEMPTIONS AMERICAN EXPRESS EVERYDAY Sign-up bonus: 10,000 points if you spend $2,000 in the first six months Amex EveryDay provides a way to earn Amex's Membership Rewards points without paying an annual fee. You get two points per dollar on up to $6,000 of supermarket purchases per year and one point per dollar on all other spending. Restaurant and grocery store purchases get four points per dollar, and other spending earns one point per dollar. WYNDHAM REWARDS EARNER PLUS VISA Annual fee: $75 Sign-up bonus: 45,000 Wyndham Rewards points if you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days Purchases with Wyndham hotels and gas stations both earn six points per dollar spent. [Extracted from the article]
Premium credit cards from American Express, Capital One, and Chase offer complimentary access to airport lounges, a highly sought-after perk for frequent travelers. American Express cardholders, including those with Platinum, Business Platinum, and Corporate Platinum cards, can enjoy free access to American Express Centurion lounges in the US and internationally. Capital One offers lounges at Dallas Fort Worth, Denver, and Dulles airports, with plans for lounges at JFK and Las Vegas airports. Chase Sapphire Reserve, J.P. Morgan Reserve, and Ritz Carlton cardholders can visit Chase Sapphire by The Club lounges at select airports, with plans for more lounges in Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and San Diego. [Extracted from the article]
Premium credit cards from American Express, Capital One, and Chase offer cardholders complimentary access to airport lounges. American Express Centurion lounges are available to holders of Amex's Platinum, Business Platinum, and Corporate Platinum cards, with plans for a new lounge at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Capital One Lounges are open at Dallas Fort Worth, Denver, and Dulles airports, with plans for lounges at JFK and Las Vegas airports. Chase Sapphire Reserve, J.P. Morgan Reserve, and Ritz Carlton credit card holders can visit Chase Sapphire by The Club lounges at Boston Logan, JFK, and LaGuardia airports, with plans for lounges in Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and San Diego. [Extracted from the article]
We factored in consumer complaints about the companies tracked by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and we reviewed the mobile apps and websites of the firms to see whether customers are well served by their digital tools. Amex bested the competition in our survey of current customers, with outstanding ratings for client interactions with customer-service representatives. CREDIT CARD ISSUERS Gold: American Express Silver: Discover Bronze: Chase Excellent customer service from a credit card issuer may mean little interaction between you and the company. [Extracted from the article]
MONEY THE KIPLINGER 25 UPDATE WHETHER SPLITTING A RESTAURANT BILL WITH FRIENDS, PAYING THE PET sitter or tipping your barber, there's a good chance you've found yourself using a peer-to-peer payment app - or at least considering it. You link your bank account, debit card or credit card to the app, so you don't have to swap sensitive financial-account information with the other person in a transaction. Cash App also offers a debit card linked to your Cash App balance, and through its "Boosts", you can get discounts when you make purchases at some merchants. [Extracted from the article]
The article provides information on the earning and utilization of rewards earned in Credit Cards within a year. The average rewards value is $901 in a Reward Credit Card. Topics discussed includes Payback period on card, Annual reward average, Stored Value cards and Interest rates on credit cards.
The article focuses on the financial services offered by warehouse clubs to its members. Topics discussed include an overview of warehouse clubs and their respective financial services, the requirements to be a club member, the automobile purchasing offer, the usage of credit cards, and the significance of identity-theft protection.
Recently, the CFPB proposed capping credit card late fees at $8, estimating that large card issuers generate about five times more in income from late fees than the collection costs they incur for late-payment violations. Setting up automatic payments of your credit card bill from your bank account can help you avoid missing payments. FAILING TO PAY YOUR CREDIT card bill on time can result in a hefty fee. [Extracted from the article]
The article evaluates reward card programs including Citi double cash mastercard, cash back in rotating categories from Chase Freedom Visa, and no-fee travel rewards from Bank Amercard Travel Revwards Visa.
The article presents suggestions to streamline and finances. Topics discussed include consolidating assets to make investments easier to track, suggests to use single credit cards like the Citi Double Cash credit card and suggestion from Ken Tumin of DepositAccounts.com, to treat a high-yield checking account as a savings account.
The article offers suggestion for personal finance. Topics discussed include advantage of no-fee Citi Double Cash credit card and earning points on the card to increase savings; advantage of direct deposit and the ability to make purchases, pay bills and withdraw cash by prepaid debit card; and advantage of cash payments.
In a video from TikTok account AbundantGains, a woman separates cash from her paycheck into clear plastic envelopes with labels: $40 for Black Friday shopping, $50 toward getting a tattoo, $355 to save for a future home purchase, $215 for a vacation. With more than 11 million views, the video resonates - and it's one of many on TikTok about "cash stuffing", a budgeting method that relies on dividing physical cash into spending and saving categories. [Extracted from the article]
*SURCHARGES, *CREDIT cards, *FOREIGN exchange, *TRANSACTION costs, *CREDIT card industry
Abstract
The article offers tips on how to avoid surcharges. It mentions that the simplest way in order to bypass annual fees is to select credit cards which do not charge them. It states that many credit cards impose a fee of around 3% of currency-conversion, while some issuers do not charge foreign-transaction fees on any of their cards.
The article focuses on choosing the best rewards credit cards. The best card depends on habits and preferences. Using a rewards card usually makes sense only if one pay off balance monthly. To qualify for many of cards, one need to have good or excellent credit with a minimum credit score of about 700 to 750.
The article evaluates several rewards cards including Citi Double Cash from Citigroup Inc., Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite from Barclaycard Ltd., and Fidelity Investment Rewards from the company, Fidelity Investments.
The author compares debit card and credit card. Some financial experts agree that credit cards are the best payment method because of their superior rewards and benefits and heightened fraud protection while others contend that debit cards are ideal for certain types of spenders. The author believes that the decision to choose between a debit or credit card depends on an individual's financial personality. INSET: HOW CARDS LIMIT YOUR LIABILITY.
Fees, fees and more fees. A credit card's late-payment fee is limited by federal rules, and the cap is adjusted annually for inflation. The CITI SIMPLICITY and PENFED PROMISE cards charge no late fee, and Discover doesn't levy the fee for the first late payment on any of its cards. [Extracted from the article]
The article focuses on how to build a credit history and mentions that credit newbies can take advantage of both tried-and-true methods and new alternatives. Topics include it's a conundrum that young people face as they begin their adult lives, and retail credit cards often have less-strict eligibility requirements than standard cards from large issuers, but many store cards come with high interest rates and low limits.
T. SAVINGS BONDS WITH INTEREST RATES ON MOST savings accounts and certificates of deposit paying well under 1%, the 3.54% composite rate on newly issued Series I savings bonds is hard to ignore. [Extracted from the article]
RATE UPDATES For the latest savings yields and loan rates, visit kiplinger.com/links/rates. /td>
Transamerica Govt MMF (lATXX)*
0.25%
$1,000
transamerica.com
Davis Govt MMF (RPGXX)*
0.04
1,000
davisfunds.com
Fed Hermes Prm Cash Obl (PTSXX)*
0.03
10,000
federatedinvestors.com
RBC US Govt MMF (TUIXX)*
0.03
1
rbcgam.com
Tax-Free Money Market Mutual Funds
30-day yield as of May 3
Tax eq. yield 24%/35% bracket
Minimum investment
Website (www.)< Amex Platinum also provides a Hertz Gold Plus membership and some additional perks for cardholders, including discounts on Hertz rentals, a four-hour grace period on returns and upgrades to the next-highest vehicle class. [Extracted from the article]
SOME CREDIT CARD ISSUERS now give you another incentive to use their cards: limited-time offers that provide rebates when you make purchases with participating merchants. These Credit Card Offers Won't Last Through the end of 2021, holders of certain Delta SkyMiles, Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy cards can receive statement credits for U.S. restaurant purchases (the amount of credit depends on the card). [Extracted from the article]
IF YOU WANT TO LOWER THE interest rate on your credit card balance, you'll have to search harder for a good deal. Card issuers became more cautious as the pandemic caused the economy to crater, and some cut back on low-rate balance transfers. The FIRST TECHNOLOGY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION PLATINUM MASTERCARD (www.first techfed.com) has a shorter 0% introductory window of 12 months, but the rate after a year is a relatively low 6.99% to 18%, and the card charges no balance-transfer fee. [Extracted from the article]
The article examines credit card reward programs. An overall trend in which credit card industry firms which issue such cards are offering cash bonuses for users who spend a certain amount is examined. Specific credit card reward programs are discussed including American Express Blue Cash Preferred, U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature and Capital One Cash.
The article reports that J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. or Citibank credit card holders may be able to borrow against the unused portion of their credit line in the form of a loan. Topics include both issuers are touting the loans to select customers as a quick and easy way to get cash for an unexpected expense or home project.
The article offers tips on the signficant benefits from credit cards. Among the benefits offers by credit cards include rewards points and cash, the coverage for stolen or damaged products, price matching, special access to events and tickets, cell-phone replacement,baggage fees, free credit scores, and extended warranties.
The article reports on increasing credit card debts in the U.S. It mentions online research firm CardHub.com's anticipation on the significant outstanding balances of credit card holders in the country by the end of 2016. An overview of the perspective of Ann Sanders, chief investment tactician at brokerage firm Charles Schwab Corp., on the decline in household debt is also presented.
The article reports on the discontinuation of bonuses on the credit cards by the Citi bank. Topics discussed include cutoff of services like offer trip cancellation and interruption protection or Price Rewind; removal of car rental and travel-accident insurance, medical evacuation, and emergency assistance; and an extended warranty and purchase protection for items that are damaged or stolen—depending on the card.
The article informs that credit cards are likely to offer more perks that debit card. It inform that credit cards offers advantages such as insurance coverage if one decline a car-rental agency's collision-damage waiver, or travel insurance to cover nonrefundable expenses. If one uses a travel rewards credit card, you may get extra points or cash back.
*CONTACTLESS payment systems, *NEAR field communication, *CREDIT cards, *PREVENTION of credit card fraud
Abstract
The article offers information on the contactless payments offered by U.S. credit card and debit card issuers. Topics discussed include taking card near terminal that accepts near-field communication (NFC) payments; contactless-payment capability on Chase Visa consumer credit cards; and views of Randy Vanderhoof, director of the U.S. Payments Forum, on the decrease in card fraud.
The article suggests best ways to give airline miles and points, which one has accumulated through credit card or frequent-flier program. The ways include using one's miles to book a ticket in the recipient's name as most airlines allow one to do so, and one won't have to pay extra fees, and the major U.S. airlines levy fees of about 1 cent to 1.5 cents per mile transferred.
The article reviews credit cards including the BP Visa, the Fort Knox Federal Credit Union Visa Platinum, and the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature. A chart of savings, checking, and money-market accounts is offered at financial institutions including United States FCU, KS State Bank, and America's Credit Union.
The article presents information on the travel insurance benefits provided in a credit card and includes the views of research analyst for financial products review website ValuePenguin Joe Resendiz.
*CERTIFICATES of deposit, *BANK accounts, *BANKING industry, *CREDIT cards, *RATE of return
Abstract
The article offers information related to the growth in yields of short-term certificates of deposit (CD) offered by several banks in the U.S. suggesting the benefits offered for individuals when investing in CDs. Topics include the top-yielding deposit accounts in the country such as Memory Bank, the top-yielding CD like Connexus Credit Union, and the top credit cards for 2018 such as Amazon Rewards Visa.
The article offers information of tools for accounts including Max that links checking account from an eligible large bank or brokerage firm to savings accounts, CDARS which spreads money in increments and ICS which distributes cash among checking or money market deposit accounts. It presents charts depicting top-yielding deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and credit cards.
The article reports on the introduction of no-fee credit cards offering credits or miles redeemable for flight purchases from United and Delta airlines. Topics discussed include an overview and offers of these cards, updates on their rates, the local and foreign transactions, and the possible bypass of the fee even when the carrier does not advertise the credit card.
The article reports on the efforts of several credit card issuers in the U.S. to prevent identity theft as of November 2017 which include free monitoring of Social Security numbers on the Internet.
The article discusses credit deposit insurance. It focuses on the Melrose Credit Union that has been taken into conservatorship by the National Credit Union Administration and money held in deposit accounts at Melrose federally insured up to the limits prescribed by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. It presents table depicting top-yielding deposit accounts, certificates of deposits and low-rate credit cards.
The article offers suggestions to resolve errors on credit card bill along with several charts depicting top-yielding deposit accounts, low-rate credit cards and retail rebate credit cards. Topics discussed include disputing a charge via Citibank's mobile app, asking the merchant to make amends in case of billing error, protections under the Fair Credit Billing Act, and views of Chi Chi Wu, staff lawyer for the National Consumer Law Center, on requesting a return receipt.
The article offers information on deferred-interest financing deal offered by retailers through store credit cards or financing plans for shopping on the holidays, which requires users to pay the bill in full, and mentions that plan offers period of six to 24 months for which no interest applies.
The article offers advice on keeping the credit card score healthy by having the balances no more than 20 to 30 percent of credit limits according to expert John Ulzheimer.
*CREDIT cards, *SMALL business, *HOUSEHOLD budgets, *TAXATION, *CREDIT card industry
Abstract
The article offers information on the benefits of a small-business credit card to help manage expenses. It mentions that the benefits include a higher credit limit compared to having a consumer card, rewards for common business purchases and the ability to separate personal and business spending which is useful at tax time. It states that some issuers share account activity with the consumer credit agencies.
The article offers the author's insights on the use of credit cards in store transactions. Topics discussed include separation of business between retail companies Costco and American Express Co., services offered by Costco Visa card such as better cash-back rewards, and credit cards offered by retail stores Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale Club that charge no separate annual fee.
The article discusses how credit card rates are set in the U.S. Topics covered include credit cards having a variable rate tied to an index, the impact of the decision by the Federal Reserve to increase interest rates on credit cards' annual percentage rates (APRs), and the reduced sensitivity of fixed-rate cards to rate hikes.
*CREDIT cards, *DEBIT cards, *INTEGRATED circuits, *PREVENTION of bank fraud, *ONLINE shopping, *SECURITY systems, *SAFETY
Abstract
The article offers the author's view on the capability of the credit and debit cards with microchips to prevent banking fraud. The author states that the cards can only prevent fraud in face-to-face sales. The author suggests that online shoppers should ask their card issuers if they offer an option of a changing account number for added protection when shopping online.
The article reports on the signing bonuses offered by credit cards. Topics discussed include the points handed over by the Citi Thank You Premier card, the payment provided by the British Airways Visa Signature cards per dollar on purchases, and the 40,000 miles offered by Capital One Venture for spending $3,000.
The article offers information on the benefits of cashless transactions, with the use of credit and debit cards, to consumers in the U.S. The topics discussed include the percentage of consumers who used checks, electronic payments, debit and cash cards, the reasons why credit and debit cards are considered effectual tool for those who have trouble in controlling their expenses.
*CREDIT ratings, *BANKING industry, *CERTIFICATES of deposit, *CREDIT cards
Abstract
The article discusses the increasing number of banks in the U.S. that are offering free FICO credit scores to customers. Topics discussed include the use of the FICO score to measure creditworthiness, the plans of financial services group the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) to offer the VantageScore to all of its credit card customers, and the top-yielding certificates of deposit in the U.S.