Category: Credit and Debit Cards
Renting Cars Abroad? It’s Renter Beware Unless You have AmExpress
MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express generally offer collision damage waivers for foreign and domestic rentals, but the coverage is a patchwork, with myriad exclusions and claim requirements that vary from card to card. In most cases, the rental must be booked and paid for using the card. Vans, expensive or exotic cars and long-term [...]
Minimum $10 Credit Credit Card Charge Going Into Effect
Another wonderful aspect of the “Reform” financial legislation passed by Congress is coming your way: Credit card companies permitting merchants to impose minimum charges on their credit cards. This does not impact debit cards. Credit card company rules prohibited merchants from requiring minimum purchases to use credit cards, even though some merchants did it anyway [...]
American Express Topped J.D. Power Credit Card Satisfaction Study
For the fourth year in a row, American Express came out on top in the J.D. Power and Associates’ Credit Card Satisfaction Study, proving that good service even at a higher price is valued. According to the New York Times article, the study was based on “responses from more than 8,500 credit card users. Respondents [...]
Compare Credit Card Deals Here
Credit card issuers are aggressively advertising credit cards once again. Direct mail credit card offers were up over 80% during the second quarter of 2010 versus year ago levels. Promotional offers may sound good in the headlines, but it is important to shop around because what you see may not be exactly what you need [...]
Some Bank Fees Drop As The Result Of CARD Act, Others Of Course Increase To Make Up The Loss
The CARD Act is now in place and providing important protections for credit cardholders. Consumers are saving millions of dollars through some of these provisions, such as the elimination of over the limit fees and the restrictions on interest rate hikes during the first year of an account. Credit card companies have had to find [...]
How To Protect Against ID Theft
Thanks to Consumer Reports for its effective suggestions on how to diminish ID theft. I will start with my personal recommendation, which may be counterintuitive for those who don’t trust the Internet to do on-line banking. Use on-line banking to pay your bills. Its free (nothing is really free but most banks offer it as [...]
Another Sign of Recovery: Credit Card Mail Solicitations Increase 83%
Look no further than your own mailbox to see that the rebound in the credit card industry is underway. According to a recent study by Synovate Mail Monitor, households in the United States received 640.3 million credit card offers during the second quarter of 2010. This was an 83% increase over the 349.1 million offers mailed [...]
Plastic Is Off The Menu In Some Restaurants That Want Cash Instead
Cash is king at local restaurants and bars struggling with a tight economy and small profit margins. To avoid paying credit-card fees and — shhh – maybe fudge income numbers for the tax collector — some merchants are treating credit cards as if they aren’t worth the recycled plastic they’re made of. In those places, cold cash is the [...]
Financial Tips for Newlywed
June is the traditional “wedding season” and many newlyweds are dreaming of a happy life together. Agreement over finances and paying off debt are important preparations for a long-lasting union. According to the study, “Bank On It: Thrifty Couples are the Happiest,”conflict about money predicts divorce better than any other type of disagreement. Couples who [...]
More Credit and Gift Card Protection, Possible Lower Rates Go Into effect Sunday
Some of the final provisions of the CARD Act go into effect next week and these could prove very beneficial for credit card consumers. Starting Sunday, new rules may result in interest rate reductions as well as limitations on some fees. Here is a look at the three major provisions of this part of the CARD Act: Interest [...]
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