January typically marks the beginning of balance transfer season for consumers and 2012 looks to be getting off to a good start. Consumers who anticipate needing a significant amount of time to repay their credit cards will find it possible to get a 0% APR balance transfer lasting 21 months, while those who are confident they can repay balances sooner can get a 0% APR for 12 months and pay no balance transfer fees.

The Best Balance Transfer Offers of the Month

Given the availability of both long term 0% APR offers with low 3% fees and shorter term no fee balance transfer cards, selecting the best balance transfer card really comes down to individual needs. Consumers who want to save on upfront fees ($30 for every $1,000 transferred) and are comfortable with only a 12 month 0% balance transfer period are likely best off with the recently released, limited time no fee balance transfer offer from Discover. This card is ideal for consumers who simply need a few months to get caught up on outstanding bills. Continue Reading »

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 »

When used responsibly, credit cards are an incredibly convenient and efficient method of payment. Nevertheless, some credit card users get in trouble when they fail to make accurate and timely payments. Fortunately, most banks now offer electronic bill payment systems. When used correctly, these systems enable customers to reliably pay their credit card bills on time each month.

The Two Ways To Pay Credit Card Bills Electronically

When it comes to paying bills online, credit card users have two options. They can use the bill payment feature that credit card issuers have built into their web site, or they can use the website of the bank that holds their checking account. When using their card issuer’s web site, the transaction is initiated by the recipient of the funds, the institution that issued the credit card. Those who hold credit cards from multiple banks will then have to log on to, and learn the interface for each bank. Continue Reading »

The greatest lure of travel reward credit cards is the promise of a free vacation.  While some believe that this dream is unattainable, smart travelers are able to choose the right credit card that can help them realize their ideal trip.

The key to getting the most out of a travel rewards credit card is to choose an airline or hotel you frequent, as opposed to one that offers the largest sign up bonus. This will help out in two ways. First, it will allow you to utilize frequent flyer miles or hotel points that have already been earned in addition to what is gifted as a sign up bonus. Plus, with airline credit cards in particular, choosing a card from a carrier that you fly frequently likely means that you won’t have difficulty finding flights with that airline when planning your trip.

Here are five travel reward credit cards that can go a long way in paying for an upcoming vacation.

1. United Explorer Card From Chase. As it concludes its acquisition of Continental Airlines, United is emerging as a leading international carrier. To offer its customers a competitive travel rewards card, it replaced its existing product with the MileagePlus Explorer Visa card. This card offers new customers a sign up bonus of up to 40,000 miles, more than enough for a free round-trip domestic economy class award. In addition, cardholders will receive priority boarding , checked bag fee waivers, and double miles on United purchases. There is a $95 annual fee that is waived the first year. Continue Reading »