American Express is one of the largest and oldest issuers of credit and charge cards. While they are renowned for their excellent customer service, cardholders can be faced with a rude awakening when they discover that their accounts have been suspended due to what they call a Financial Review. When this occurs, customers are left confused as to what this process is and why they have been selected to endure it.

The first thing that happens when an American Express Financial Review begins is that all of the customer’s accounts are suspended. This means that all cards issued by American Express, including business and personal credit and charge cards, are no longer able to process new transactions. Only after their accounts are suspended will customers be informed of this action by American Express. Obviously, this is far from ideal for consumers. Continue Reading »

Earning cash back rewards from credit cards is all about receiving the highest percentage of cash back while paying the lowest annual fee. While some cards offer a standard rate of return on all purchases, other products provide different cash back bonuses depending on the type of merchant charge. The American Express Blue Cash Everyday card is unique in that it offers a well above average cash back rate on gas and groceries year round and does not require annoying quarterly sign-ups to earn bonus rewards

American Express Blue Cash Everyday Benefits

At minimum, each dollar spent with the Blue Cash Everyday card earns one cent in cash back. Two cents per dollar are earned from purchases at both gas stations and department stores, with three cents per dollar being earned at supermarkets. The ability to earn 3% at supermarkets makes this card an excellent option for families. Continue Reading »

America is the home to dozens of major big box retailers. Perhaps no other merchant has exemplified this genre the way that Costco has. Costco is not just known as a place that offers low prices, it has also been recognized as one of America’s best employers.

Costco devotees who want to realize further savings will find the American Express Costco True Earnings card is a good option to save more at Costco as well as on travel and gas.

Costco Credit Card Benefits Overview

For each dollar spent on Costco credit card, customers will receive one cent in cash back for must purchases, including those at Costco. Two cents per dollar spent is earned at restaurants and on travel related expenses such as hotels, airfare, and car rental. Customers can also earn 3% cash back on their first $3,000 spent each year on gasoline.

Cash back earned on the Costco credit card is awarded once a year in February in the form of a voucher. Only current card members in good standing will receive their voucher, which can be redeemed at any Costco location for merchandise or cash. Continue Reading »

Most credit cards offer some type of rental car coverage. Unfortunately, the terms of these policies are often difficult to find and poorly spelled out. In addition, this coverage contains numerous limitations and exclusions that diminish its value and utility. Thankfully, holders of some credit cards have another option when it comes to rental car coverage. American Express offers an optional, Premium Rental Car Insurance plan. This is a paid plan that all of its card holders are eligible for.

How It Works

Any American Express cardholder can sign up for Premium Rental Card Coverage with no initial fee. Once enrolled, customers who rent a car with their American Express card will automatically be charged a one-time fee of $24.95 per rental of up to 42 consecutive days. California residents are charged only $17.95. Customers will be charged for each rental paid with the enrolled card until they choose to terminate their enrollment. Continue Reading »

Chase’s Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus credit card has undergone a number of makeovers during the past year. The latest rendition of the Southwest credit card provides applicants with a very respectable 25,000 Rapid Rewards point sign up bonus worth slightly more than $400 in Wanna Get Away Fares as well as all the standard reward features consumers have come to expect from airline credit cards.

Southwest Credit Card Benefit Overview

Approved applicants who make a single purchase obtain the aforementioned 25,000 Rapid Rewards point bonus. The points have a value of 1.7 cents each when used for Wanna Get Away fares and can thus be used to purchase a round-trip flight comprised of two one way $200 tickets. Given that it is often possible to get Wanna Get Away fares for as low as $50, these points could theoretically be enough for four flights.

Apart from the sign-up bonus, card-members earn 2 Rapid Rewards points for every dollar spent on Southwest Airlines purchases in addition to rewards earned from flying. Given the value of the points, this equates to a 3.4% discount on Southwest flights. Everyday purchases earn a straight one point per dollar, the equivalent of a 1.7% discount on all purchases. Continue Reading »

A few weeks ago, a Facebook page declaring December 11th as Balance Transfer Day sprung up. This marginally coherent “movement” to occupy credit card companies was clearly aiming to piggyback on the success of the Move Your Money Project as well as the Occupy Wall Street (or whatever irks you today) Movement.

The stated goal of the “movement” was to get consumers to utilize low and 0% balance transfers as a way to save money while getting back at major credit card companies. The underlying logic and motives weren’t so clear.

Earlier this week, Candice Choi of the Associated Press wrote an excellent investigative article questioning the motives of the people behind Balance Transfer Day. This controversy brought national attention to the matter and, in the process of shooting holes in the “movement,” it also served to increase awareness of balance transfers.

Consequently, the Balance Transfers Day controversy may end up helping consumers more than the “movement”.

How Consumers Can Benefit from Balance Transfers Day

Simply put, balance transfers allow consumers to transfer high interest rate debt to a new credit card that offers a low and/or 0% interest rate for anywhere from 6 months to a current maximum of 21 months. During the 0% introductory period, consumers pay no interest on outstanding balances. The ability to avoid interest expenses during a 0% balance transfer promotion can help consumers pay down the principle portion of their credit card debt faster or, at the very least, prevent interest from piling up. Continue Reading »

December may be the time for shopping, but consumers will find that the best credit cards offering 0% balance transfers this month can provide significant long term savings. Many of these credit card offers also come with 0% interest rates on purchases that can reduce the cost of buying holiday gifts on credit.

Presently, the longest 0% APR credit card deals offer 0% interest rates lasting 21 months on both purchases and balance transfers. These credit cards can help consumers who would be racking up debt on high interest credit cards from having to pay a balance transfer fee down the road while saving them money on current balances.

Best 0% APR Credit Cards for Shoppers and Balance Carriers

Citibank presently offers a trio of 0% APR balance transfer credit cards that also offer 0% interest rates on purchases. The longest of these offers are available on the Citi Platinum Select and Citi Diamond Preferred cards. Both cards provide a 0% rate for 21 months. A third card, the Citi Dividend, offers a shorter 15 month 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases, but also provides a $100 cash back bonus to consumers who spend $500 within three months. Continue Reading »