Posted by Peter Brady on Thu 12th October 2006 at 06:00 AM, Filed in US Credit Cards
The Discover Platinum credit card does look different from your average card, although it’s not the most pleasing to the eye in my opinion. However, you do get the option to switch to the more pleasing stars and stripes design.
Nonetheless, the features are competitive:
- 0% Intro APR* for Purchases and Balance Transfers for 12 months.
- Full 5% Cashback Bonus® on Get More Program purchases throughout the year when you shop at places like bookstores, home improvement stores, gasoline stations, restaurants and more.
- Up to 1% Cashback Bonus on all other purchases.
- $0 Fraud Liability.
- No Annual Fee.
- DOUBLE your Cashback Bonus® (turn $20 into $40) when you redeem for gift cards or certificates from many of our 60 brand name partners.
- Regular APR 10.99%.
Credit Card Cool award a *** ranking out of a potential ***** star ranking for this Credit Card.
Posted by Peter Brady on Wed 11th October 2006 at 06:00 AM, Filed in US Credit Cards
The Chase Platinum credit card offers competitive features but a slightly less than competitive APR.
Here is the offer summary:
- 0% Interest for up to 12 months on all purchases and balance transfers.
- The length of your introductory period will be either 12 months for purchases and balance transfers or 3 months for balance transfers, depending on review of your application and credit history.
- The time period for the introductory APR and the balances to which it will apply will be based on our review of your application and credit history.
- No Annual Fee.
- Free Online Account Access.
- Regular APR 14.24%.
Credit Card Cool award a ** ranking out of a potential ***** star ranking for this Credit Card.
Posted by Peter Brady on Tue 10th October 2006 at 06:00 AM, Filed in US Credit Cards
We quite like the aesthetic look of this US based Citi Platinum credit card, and it offers some reasonable features to boot.
- 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for 12 months
- No balance transfer fees with this offer
- No annual fee
- Citi Identity Theft Solutions
- $0 Liability on unauthorized purchases
- Secure, free online account management
Credit Card Cool award a *** ranking out of a potential ***** star ranking for this Credit Card.
Advantages of credit cards
• Credit cards can work out cheaper than a short term personal loan.
• Credit cards can offer a high degree of loan flexibility i.e you can pay the minimum amount or the whole debt.
• No redemption penalties for early repayment of loan.
• Many credit cards offer an interest free period.
• Credit cards offer online purchasing power.
• The key benefit to credit cards is really the added protection you enjoy when making purchases.
• Many credit cards offer enticing additional benefits such as insurance cover on purchases, cash back, air miles and discounts on holidays.
Disadvantages of credit cards
• Cash withdrawals via ATM can be very expensive.
• Credit cards offer readily available credit which can entice you into purchases you really can’t afford.
• Credit cards do have weaknesses in terms of potential fraud, particularly when used online.
I’ve been noticing a big push on the American Express Red Credit Card in the press recently, in particular a high profile link up with Wimbledon. For those of you unaware of this great little card here’s how it could help you, help millions of others.
“Use the new fee free American Express RED (typical 12.9% variable - which isn’t a bad APR considering the average we see is around the 16% mark) and for all your purchases one percent of your spend will go to the Global Fund to help support programmes in Africa for women and children in Africa who are affected by HIV and Aids. Worldwide, there are approximately 40 million people infected by HIV/Aids in sub-Saharan Africa, an issue which clearly has a serious impact on the health and welfare of their offspring. Over 30 million children have been orphaned as a result of the virus already, and 2,000 youngsters are infected every single day. And it doesn’t take much to change people’s lives for the better: as little as 65p provides ten treatments preventing mother to child transmission of the HIV virus. Spending above £5,000 per year will generate a contribution of 1.25% on all spending above that amount.”
This just seems like a great cause and a great idea. Just give while you spend, how hard is that.
The idea for this was apparently developed by U2’s ubiquitous frontman Bono and Bobby Shriver, Chairman of DATA (Debt, Aids, Trade, Africa). It is really a very simple idea for major brands and corporates to contribute a percentage of revenue from licensed products or services to support those affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa. American Express is a founding partner, alongside partners Gap, Giorgio Armani, Converse and Motorola.
Go and sign up now!
