Reward cards can spare your wallet, but only if you’re careful to follow the fine print
Executive Summary About Rewards Card By McNelly Torres

Consumers are looking for ways to spend every dollar wisely as the economic recession deepens. A recent survey by Standard & Poor found a growing number of Americans are using credit cards to buy necessities such as gasoline and groceries while cutting back on buying luxuries with credit cards. And the credit card industry is aggressively promoting reward cards offering cash back for gasoline purchases and other rewards.

It’s unknown if more Americans are using reward cards than in years past. But a recent survey found that as many as 70 percent of all credit card transactions include reward cards, said Brian Riley, research director for bank cards at TowerGroup, a research firm that tracks consumer credit card spending.

Experts in the credit card industry say reward cards can be a smart option to help stretch your dollars, but only if you are careful about paying off your debt every month.

Reward Card

How Reward Cards Work

Reward or rebate cards, offered by financial institutions and petroleum companies, allow cardholders to accumulate points in exchange for a gift card or cash back. Savings vary according to the type of credit card.

Here’s a look at how some of the most popular cards compare:

Hess Visa Platinum card: Has an introductory rebate promotion that offers a 10 percent rebate on all Hess gasoline merchandise and food purchases within the first 90 days. But to get the rewards you must buy gasoline at Hess, Hess Express and Wilco Hess.

Shell rewards card: Issued by MasterCard and Citi Bank, the card offers 5 percent rebates on Shell gasoline and Jiffy Lube purchases.

Costco TrueEarnings card: Issued by Costco and American Express, the card gives holders 3 percent cash back for fuel purchases including a $25 statement credit with the first purchase.

Exxon/Mobil rebate card: Issued by MasterCard and Citi, the card allows holders to earn 15 cents back per gallon.

Discover Open Road: offers 5 percent cash back on gasoline and auto maintenance purchases and 1 percent for other purchases.

The Capital One No Hassle Points Rewards: allows holders to earn 2 points per dollar spent at grocery stores, gas stations and drug stores and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Make sure you know how to claim your rewards on some cards. Some deposit rewards automatically in your account. Others send a gift card. And some cards require that you call the bank to redeem rewards. And be aware if an expiration date is attached.

Article you may read: Online Credit

The A-Z About Bad Credit Cards
Summary By: creditdan

Today, credit cards are synonymous for convenience. There is nothing that cannot be bought with a credit card.

Bad Credit Cards

Technically speaking, there are no cards called bad credit cards. But let us assume that here we are talking about credit cards that are made for people with a bad credit history. These credit cards have very high interest rates. While the conventional card has an interest rate of 10 to 12%, bad credit cards have an interest rate that ranges from 27% to 39%.

Review Your Credit Score

Oh, this process is so important for people with bad credit history. You need to review your credit report. If at all you find any errors, you need to dispute them before you apply for any bad credit finance. If you are successful in correcting any errors, then you may no longer need to look at bad credit cards. You may very well succeed in getting a more conventional card with great terms, conditions and interest rates.

Do Not Apply For Every Credit Card

Just because you are finding it difficult to get a good credit card, you should never go about applying for each and every credit card that you come across on the internet. For those who do not know, each and every credit card application of yours that is denied will appear on your credit report. You should be sure that the application will not be denied and only then should you think about applying for the card.

Building and Improving Your Credit Score

If you succeed in getting a bad credit card, then you can still improve your credit score and convert it into a good credit card. The way that you can do it is by paying off all the payments on time.

Bad Credit Cards

Credit Cards Bad Credit: the Right Wayto Apply
Executive Summary By Rock Roger

You will find it a bit tough to qualify for credit cards with a bad credit history, at least for a certain period of time. Bad credit not just affects your financial standing; it also reduces the chances of obtaining a credit card. It can be rightly said that, now you can apply for credit cards bad credit, which is especially meant to help you.

At the first instance, you should understand the fact that you will not be getting the best of offers, due to you bad credit problems. In case your credit rating isn’t good enough and does not confirm to the accepted levels, you will be offered a different card with similar features, although with a high rate of interest.

Further, those with even severe credit problems or are in the verge of bankruptcy will find it tough even to get the starter card meant. For these borrowers, the only option lies in going for secured cards, which are also known as prepaid cards. As a matter of fact, these are not at all credit cards. To use the card, you have to replenish them with funds. After which, it can be used like any credit card.

Read related article here: Online Credit Card