Citi Diamond Preferred Review - 18 Months 0% Interest

May 18th, 2012 by Joshua Heckathorn

The Citi Diamond Preferred Card is all about the 0% interest promotion. Beyond that, there's really not much else for cardholders to get excited about, unless a little VIP treatment from time to time will float your boat. Let's be very clear here. If you're looking for a new credit card that's going to reward you for your monthly spend, this isn't the card for you. There are plenty of other rewards credit cards on the market that offer much better deals. But if you're simply looking for the longest 0% interest promotion available without having to pay an annual fee, you might want to take a closer look at what the Citi Diamond Preferred Card has to offer.

Hey Retirees! Don't Stress Over Your Credit Mix

Maintaining a good credit mix means you're responsibly using multiple types of credit, such as credit cards, retail accounts, home loans, and/or car loans. Credit-scoring models basically like to see that consumers can handle more than just a simple retail account at their favorite clothing store.

Updated by Joshua Heckathorn on Wed, 2012-05-16 17:00

Ask Creditnet: Best Way to Get Cash When Traveling Overseas

May 16th, 2012 by Joshua Heckathorn

Dear Creditnet: I don't like carrying cash when traveling, but I'm about to take a trip overseas and I know I'll need plenty of cash while I'm there to cover expenses I won't be able to pay for with my credit card.

How can I get local currency at the best possible rate? Should I use a my credit card or debit card to withdrawal cash at an ATM, or should I plan on exchanging dollars for local currency when I get there?

New credit card issuing increased considerably last year

by admin on May 15, 2012

The total number of new credit cards issued in the U.S. last year rose by more than 20 percent from the amount seen in 2010, driven largely by continued extension of new accounts to borrowers with subprime credit ratings, according to the latest data from the credit reporting bureau TransUnion. In all, 24.2 percent of new credit cards were issued to consumers with low credit ratings in 2011, up from the 21.8 percent seen the year prior.

Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses for Summer Travel

May 14th, 2012 by Joshua Heckathorn

One of the best ways to make this year's summer vacation easier on the bank account is to take advantage of some lucrative credit card sign-up bonuses. By simply signing up for a new credit card and meeting a reasonable spending threshold within the first few months, consumers with good credit scores could rack up more than $500 in free travel awards to use this summer! Not sure where to start searching? Don't worry, because we've already reviewed hundreds of card offers this year in order to find the very best travel rewards credit cards with the most generous sign-up bonuses. Check out our top 5 credit cards for summer travel below and start planning your next free vacation today.

Credit card disclosures still a priority for CFPB

by admin on May 13, 2012

The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has rolled out a number of significant rules for the lending industry, as well as some for businesses associated with it, but one of its top officials recently said that the ability for Americans to better understand their credit card agreements remains one of its foremost priorities, according to a report from Dow Jones Newswires.

Phone service providers' mobile wallet system adds AmEx

by Alice Bryant on May 13, 2012

Isis - the near-field communications-enabled smartphone purchasing service from AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless - recently announced that it had reached an agreement to work with American Express as it pushes the payment platform toward a pilot test later this year, according to a report from TIME Techland. Now, consumers with cards issued by AmEx will be able to use them when making a purchase through Isis.

Chase Sapphire® Card Review: Flexible Rewards & No Annual Fee

May 11th, 2012 by Joshua Heckathorn

It's becoming increasingly difficult these days to find no annual fee credit cards that offer flexible yet competitive rewards programs. Chase, however, with its launch of the Sapphire Card a few years ago, is doing its best to fill the void. And while this card probably isn't for the hardcore frequent flier who only cares about one thing - racking up serious miles to redeem for free travel - the Chase Sapphire® Card is definitely a great option for consumers with good credit who want to use their card for travel while retaining the ability to trade points in for cash, gift cards, or other merchandise.

Consumers say their credit card experiences are positive

by admin on May 9, 2012

Of the large number of comments about credit card lenders posted online, it turns out the majority of these are actually positive, according to new research from the social media data firm DigitalMR. In all, some 67 percent of all comments made about credit card lenders online - such as on various social networking platforms or open forums - show that consumers feel positive about their issuer's customer service experience.

Trying to Rent with Bad Credit?

Competition for rental properties is fierce in a lot of cities around the country, which means many businesses managing apartment complexes are choosing to only rent to applicants with the best credit scores. Consequently, if your credit isn't in prime shape, you might find it very difficult to make a move from your current apartment when the need arises.

Updated by Joshua Heckathorn on Wed, 2012-05-09 17:00