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 »

We are all familiar with the offer. Just as we are about to pay for our purchase, the cashier asks, “Would you like to save ten percent on your purchases today by applying for our store’s credit card?” The deal can be very tempting, as everyone wants to save money. Nevertheless, a checkout register isn’t really the best time and place to make credit decisions.

Thus, while there may be some benefits to store credit cards, it is typically not a good idea to apply for one. Continue Reading »

Many Americans are obsessed with finding a good deal, especially during the holiday season. The desire to save money manifests itself in all sorts of ways, including the frenzy that surrounds Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Not to be left out, major credit card issuers are offering their own holiday specials on reward card redemptions. This year, Chase is offering a variety of discounts to members of it Ultimate Rewards program.

What Chase Is Offering

Chase has several holiday promotions that many of its cardholders can take advantage of.  Throughout the holidays, Chase credit card rewards card-holders can earn up to 10 extra Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent at featured merchants in the Ultimate Rewards mall. Other promotions occur only on a single day where purchases can receive as many as 20 bonus points per dollar or even more. Continue Reading »

While Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions tend to capture the spotlight during the holiday shopping season, consumers looking for excellent deals might find that cash back credit cards offer as good, if not better promotions than so-called “door-busters”.

This holiday season a number of major credit card companies are offering consumers substantial cash back sign-up bonuses of up to $200 that can go a long way in reducing holiday credit card bills. Other credit card deals provide slightly lower sign-up bonuses, but 0% interest rates that can prevent the cost of holiday gifts from escalating for those who need a little extra time to pay off expenses.

Here are noteworthy deals worth considering:

1.) Citi Dividend Card with $100 Cash Back:  While not the largest cash back deal available this season, the Citi Dividend $100 cash back offer is an ideal card for consumers who will be paying off holiday purchases over time as well as for those who currently have high rate balances on their credit cards. The Dividend card offers a 0% interest rate for 15 months on new purchases and balance transfers. This intro period can be used to pay down existing balances as well as to prevent new purchases from racking up interest. Plus, consumers who spend $500 within three months get a $100 cash back reward on top of the 1% to 5% that can be earned year round. Continue Reading »

Although the attention of deal hungry shoppers may be focused on “door buster” sales and other Black Friday discounts, some of the best deals to be had this holiday season aren’t available in stores. Credit card deals, particularly credit card rewards promotions, offer consumers as much as $500 in sign-up bonuses. Other credit card deals offer less tantalizing bonuses, but do provide long lasting 0% interest rates that can help take the bite out interest expenses that can arise from shopping on credit.

Below are details on credit card deals that can help offset Black Friday shopping expenses.

Top Black Friday Credit Card Deals

The Chase Sapphire card provides the largest cash back sign up bonus available this year. The Preferred version of this card offers consumers 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed for $500 cash back or $625 towards travel. In order to obtain this bonus, applicants must simply spend $3,000 within three months of signing up. Between holiday shopping, travel, and everyday expenses, this is a target many consumers can easily hit. And compared to most Black Friday deals, the $500 that can be obtained makes waiting in-line at any store seem foolish. Continue Reading »