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The article reports on the reduced point earning in frequent flying with Qantas Airways Ltd. for holders of Woolworths Everyday Rewards Platinum Visa Card which is now half point per spent dollar for monthly spending above $2,500.

The bank's most recent ATM update offers something novel: customers can redeem their credit card rewards for cash or deposit them in other accounts at its 12,500 ATMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some brokers might be violating rules that require them to get the best prices for clients when they send stock orders to exchanges that offer rebates, regulators said in an outline of oversight priorities [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses revised rules by Discover Financial Services that enables credit card customers to redeem their cash rewards, revisions to prior rewards rules that required a cash threshold for rewards redemption, and competition among credit card issuers to attract customers.

The article offers information on the Build Card subprime credit card to be launched by consumer finance advisory firm Fenway Summer in 2015.

The article discusses plans by credit-card issuer Discover Financial Services to eliminate restrictions on how consumers can redeem rewards points on their cards. Discover chief executive David Nelms said the related costs would be modest. Banking analyst Mark DeVries questioned how some issuers' rewards programs could be profitable amid stern competition.

The article reports that banking company J. P. Morgan Chase & Co. will eliminate paper checks as a way for customers to redeem points earned in Morgan's Ultimate Rewards Program. Participants will be able to either have their Morgan credit-card accounts credited by the amount of the reward or have the sum deposited in another Morgan account.

The article focuses on the use of social media platforms in the rewards program of credit unions. It mentions that an opportunity opens for credit unions to compete with mega financial institutions as social media and smartphones are used in conjunction with mobile electronic commerce (e-commerce) applications. It adds that the rewards programs could attract members by providing bonus points.

The article offers information on a study conducted by Auriemma Consulting Group that investigated how credit card rewards programs influence spending. The study highlights the importance of simplicity in the modern card rewards market, the struggle of banks with how to differentiate their offerings from others, and cash rewards cards as the most appealing to consumers. It also shows the willingness of consumers to spend more on the largest monthly expenditures such as groceries.

The article reports on bank credit card growth in the U.S. as of 2014. Tim Kolk, owner of cards consulting firm TRK Advisors, says that bank credit card balances during 2013 grew $8.1 billion, making credit unions worry because banks are spending more on credit card programs. Pioneer West Virginia Federal Credit Union (FCU) chief financial officer (CFO) Dan McGowan discusses cred card rewards programs.

The article reports on double points to be earned by businesses using the American Express Qantas Corporate Card and are members of the Qantas Aquire SME loyalty on all eligible flights with Qantas, Emirates and American Airlines.

The article focuses on Wells Fargo's credit card business, noting that the large U.S. bank is developing two credit cards with American Express financial services company and will start marketing them in summer 2014. The article notes that Wells Fargo's "Propel 365" general-purpose credit card has a rewards program and that the second card is a "travel-oriented product," according to the bank's financial executive Brent Vallat.

The article informs about Santander Bank as of February 6, 2014 and about the Spanish-owned bank's Bravo MasterCard which has a $49 annual fee. The topics include the bank's focus on expanding its U.S. credit card business, the Bravo MasterCard's rewards program and target market, and Santander's rebranding after dropping its Sovereign Bank brand.

The article focuses on the possible effect of the changes made to credit card rewards by the American Airlines Inc. on its planned merger with the US Airways Inc. Topics discussed include no access of customers to US Airways Club lounges through card schemes provided by the financial services company American Express Co. (AmEx), access to Admirals Club lounges to be through Executive AAdvantage World Elite MasterCard issued by Citibank NA and planning of AmEx to create its lounges at airports.

The article offers a perspective as of November 2013 on introducing bank fees without incurring the wrath of consumers. The article notes a credit card that has a $450 annual fee but also has a customer rewards program. It also notes customers are less resistant to paying fees for a new product or service such as mobile banking.

The article offers information on the marketing rewards program of building materials supplier Sunroc Corp., the 2013 merit award recipient of the ProSales Excellence Awards for marketing, which offers luxury vacations for credit card purchases.

The article discusses U.S. community banks' use of credit card rewards programs programs as of September 13, 2013. Industry observers Bob Legters, Joe Hardway, Frank Martien, Ken Paterson, John Brown, Brian Riley, Fred Grigsby, and Michael Misasi talk about aligning rewards programs with customers' preferences. Topics include cash-back programs, customer relations, merchant-funded rewards programs, and customer loyalty programs.

The article discusses competition in the credit card industry for affluent shoppers as of July 7, 2013. The competitive reward programs of Capital One Financial, Discover Financial, Bank of America, American Express, Citigroup, and JPMorgan Chase are mentioned. Industry analysts Scott Valentin, John Kiernan, and Greg McBride mention incentives for using credit cards and redemption options.

The article provides information on the benefits of the Experience Michigan First Rewards Visa program launched by Michigan First Credit Union (CU) in April 2012. The card provides members 1.5 rewards points for every dollar they spent within the state or online with Michigan-based businesses. Since the rewards card was introduced, the CU has enrolled around 4,000 new cardholders, increased approvals to 66% and lowered the number of accounts paid off to 9.5%.

The article reports mortgage lender Wells Fargo plans to market a credit card that lets the company's customers use their reward points to pay down a mortgage. The Home Rebate Card, introduced in 2007 to new borrowers, has been used to pay down about $50 million in mortgage principal, according to Wells Fargo executive Beverly Anderson. The article notes Wells Fargo plans to offer the cash-back card to customers who already have mortgages.

The article provides tips for upselling, cross-selling and reselling products and services. It mentions to upgrade them to a premium brand and outline an extended maintenance contract. It notes to develop a comprehensive consulting package for addressing the objective of a customer. It also suggests to enforce a credit card auto-renew program and discount incentives for existing clients.

The article focuses on the Black debit card, a loyalty program launched by Salt Lake City, Utah-based convenience store chain Maverik in February 2013. Topics covered include information on how customers can use the Black card, use of the incentive program to increase traffic and revenue, and other promotions offered by Maverik to target certain groups of people.

The discusses the merger of US Airways and American Airlines, noting the issuing banks for the airlines' rewards credit card programs are Barclays plc and Citigroup Inc. The article notes the merged airlines will operate separately and maintain their own loyalty rewards program until the merger is completed in third-quarter 2013. It also notes information about the Citi AAdvantage program and the U.S. Airways Dividend Miles MasterCard program.

The article reports on the strategic plans of QuikTrip Corp. in the U.S. in 2012. It says that the company added 46 stores during the fiscal year that ended in April, which increased its presence to 11 states. Moreover, QuikTrip implements changes on its food area design and food offerings. Meanwhile, it notes the company's launch of a QT Rewards card in Wichita, Kansas-based stores.

The article reports on the credit card loyalty programs offered by Kansas City, Missouri-based financial services company UMB Financial Corp. It notes on the company's ePlate Visa credit card that allows users to purchase products, services or charities and dedicate its spending to a gift across its regional branches. It states that ePlate Visa cardholders can also tract their status of spending progress of rewards or gifts either through online email alerts or smartphones.

The article reports that credit-card company American Express said it would probably record a charge for the fourth quarter of 2012 due to increased spending on its rewards programs. Chief financial officer Daniel Henry noted that a one-percentage-point increase in the redemption rate on rewards would lead to a $330 million jump in provisions for them.

The article focuses on merchant-funded credit card reward programs which enable financial institutions (FI) to act as a marketing channel for non-financial companies. It states the fundamental features of the model include target customers defined by merchants, a request by an intermediary to a partner FI for a list of customers fitting the target group, and customers on the list who opted into the program are sent offers. It mentions how these programs differ from traditional loyalty programs.

Brief information is given about Bank of America's (B of A's) BankAmeriDeals online rewards cashback program that is linked to consumers' B of A credit or debit card and their credit or checking account.

The article discusses plans by financial company PNC Financial Services to scale back bonus points its debit- and credit-card customers can earn on purchases. Analyst Marty Mosby of Guggenheim Partners says many banks have curtailed their rewards programs following the imposition of caps on debit-card interchange fees.

The article reports on the warning made by PSCU president Michael Kelly concerning the use of incentives by retailers to encourage consumers to use their store cards, that credit unions (CUs) should remain in the transaction chain.

The article reports on the survey regarding customer satisfaction with credit card rewards programs in the U.S.

The article focuses on SmartyPig, a social online savings account company that replaced its location-based offer program with a flat one percent cash-back rewards program.

The article argues that interchange fees are like a hidden sales tax which make purchases more expensive and disproportionately benefit heavy spenders in debit or credit card reward programs. Why the U.S. has the highest credit interchange rates among 13 countries and how interchange fees affect banks and the retail trade are discussed. Card issuing companies Visa and MasterCard's ability to restrain interchange increases is mentioned.

The article presents excerpts from a interview with Discover Financial Services' chief executive officer David Nelms who talks about the credit card company. Topics include Nelms' description of the company as a leader in direct banking, competition in the credit card industry, and Discover's cash-back rewards program. He notes the outlook for prepaid card and mobile payment industries.

The article reports that according to Card Services for Credit Union Inc. (CSCU) senior portfolio consultant Melissa Oxendine, credit cards offering either merchandise or cash-back rewards enhance card usage throughout the whole portfolio.

The article reports that Bank of America Corp. works with Cardlytics Inc. to evaluate the online reward system BankAmeriDeals in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The article discusses ways for business travelers and procurement professionals to maximize the perks of corporate cards through rebates and rewards. A background of rebates and rewards as the two forms of card benefits is presented. The article also examines the growing popularity of rebates, as well as the high cost of rewards programs.