Cash Money Life» Credit Cards

0% APR Balance Transfer Card for 15 Months

Ryan — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:56:53 +0000

Are you looking for a 0% balance transfer credit card or a credit card that features 0% APR on purchases? The Citi® Platinum Select® MasterCard® may be the card for you!

Citi just announced they are offering an offer of 0% APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for up to 15 months on the Citi Platinum Select MasterCard. A 15 month 0% balance transfer offer hasn’t been available from most cardholders for almost 2 years now due to the effects of the economic crisis on the credit industry. But now that the dust is settling on the Credit CARD Act (big changes went into effect on Feb 22), it looks like some of the credit card companies are getting more competitive with their credit card offers – which means better offers for consumers!

How good an offer is a 15 month 0% balance transfer? The last 15 month 0% balance transfers went off the market in 2008. Since then the majority of balance transfer offers were 6 months, and it was only until the last few months that issuers even offered 9 or 12 month balance transfer offers. I’m not sure how long this one will last, but hopefully it is a sign of good things to come!

15 month 0% APR Balance Transfer Credit Card

The Citi Platinum Select MasterCard offers 0% APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for up to 15 months, with a 3% balance transfer fee. This credit card offer is one of the best cards on the market for people looking to make a balance transfer or avoid paying interest on their credit card for the first 15 months they own the card. A balance transfer is a great way to help people get out of debt and the 0% APR on purchases can help people with cash flow problems get over a difficult period (or help people who simply want to keep their money in the bank earning interest!).

Competition in the credit card marketplace

The Citibank announcement came just a few days after Discover dropped the balance transfer fee on the Discover More Card, which features a 0% balance transfer for up to 12 months, and a 6 month 0% APR introductory rate offer. The transfer fee was recently 5% for 12 months, but is now 4% for 12 months.

There are still some advantages to the Discover More Card – it is a cash back credit card which offers up to 5% cash back in select categories and 1% cash back on everything else, and it offers a $50 bonus when you spend $599 within 6 months of opening your account. The Citi Platinum Select MasterCard does not offer a rewards program at this time.

Which card is better – Discover More Card or Citi Platinum Select? The decision comes down to what you are looking for. The $50 bonus and the cash rewards are nice features for the Discover More Card, but the balance transfer fee of 4% is slightly higher than the Citi Platinum Select MasterCard and the shorter 0% intro leaves something to be desired. It will be tough to match the Citibank offer of 0% APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for up to 15 months (it is currently the best offer to be found in the industry).

Other great balance transfer credit cards and 0% APR cards

The following credit cards offer either 0% balance transfers or a 0% APR introductory offer on purchases:

Discover More Card – Shamrock. 0% APR on Balance Transfers for a FULL 12 months; 0% APR on Purchases for a FULL 9 months; up to 5% cash back on select items, 1% on all other purchases; 5% transfer fee.
Discover More American Flag Card. 0% for 6 months, 3% transfer fee; up to 5% cash back on select items, 1% on all other purchases.
Chase Slate. 0% Intro APR for up to 12 months.
Blue Cash from American Express. 0% Intro APR for 6 Months on Purchases; Earn cash rewards.

With the credit card market opening up and becoming more competitive, it makes sense to get a card that will give you more benefits as a consumer. Find the credit card that meets your needs.

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This article written by Ryan Guina. Ryan is the founder and editor of this site. He is a writer, small business owner, entrepreneur, and professional in the corporate world. He served over 6 years in the USAF and also writes about military money topics at Military Finance Network.

All content copyright Cash Money Life.

0% Interest Credit Cards for Purchases and Balance Transfers

Ryan — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 03:37:59 +0000

A 0% balance transfer credit card is a great way to save on your credit card interest rates and eliminate credit card debt more quickly.

Credit cards – love them or hate them, they are a big part of our society. For some people, credit cards are a curse, and for some people they are a blessing. This article will cover both sides of the spectrum and show you how you can either turn that curse into a blessing by transferring your current high interest credit card balance into a 0% interest rate credit card, or how you can further take advantage of credit cards by getting a 0% APR on new purchases, freeing up your cash flow or giving you extra float so you can keep your money in the bank earning interest for you instead of someone else.

The cards in the following lists will benefit you whether you are trying to reduce your credit card debt or take advantage of 0% APR introductory offers. All of these cards are screened and updated for the latest offers, and none of these credit cards comes with an annual fee. Click through the links to arrive at the respective official credit card site for full terms or to apply.

Best 0% APR Balance Transfer Credit Cards

The best balance transfer credit cards offer a low balance transfer fee, a long balance transfer term, and a cash rewards program which is nice to have if you plan on using the card either while you are repaying your balance, or afterward. Some of the best even offer an introductory 0% APR on new charges, and are mentioned in the section below as well. Here are the top balance transfer cards.

Best Balance Transfer Credit Card: Discover More $50 Card. The Discover More card is one of the top credit cards in just about every category – cash rewards cards, balance transfer cards, 0% APR intro offers, and it even comes with a $50 cash back bonus if you spend $599 within the first 6 months. For an all around credit card, you can’t beat the Discover More card. In addition to the $50 bonus, the Discover More offers up to 5% cash back on certain categories of spending and unlimited 1% cash back on everything else. There is currently a 0% balance transfer for up to 12 months, a 6 month 0% APR introductory rate offer, and a balance transfer fee of 4%. Sign up for the Discover® More® Card.

Other great balance transfer credit cards:

Citi® Platinum Select® MasterCard®: 0% APR* on balance transfers and purchases for up to 15 months, 3% transfer fee, Rates are as low as 11.99% variable. No rewards benefits.
Discover® More® Card – Shamrock: 0% APR on Balance Transfers for a FULL 12 months; 0% APR on Purchases for a FULL 9 months; up to 5% cash back on select items, 1% on all other purchases; 5% transfer fee.
Discover More American Flag Card: 0% for 6 months, 3% transfer fee; up to 5% cash back on select items, 1% on all other purchases.
Discover® More® Card – Monogram: 0% APR on Balance Transfer for a FULL 12 months, 2.99% introductory APR. Up up 5% cash back, unlimited 1% on everything else.
Miles by Discover® Card: 0% for 6 months, 3% transfer fee; Travel rewards card; 12,000 Bonus Miles – 1,000 Miles Each Month You Make a Purchase for the First 12 Months.
Discover® Motiva(SM) Card: 0% for 6 months, 3% transfer fee; Earn 5% to 20% Cashback Bonus® at Top Online Retailers* and up to 1% on all other purchases.

Best 0% APR Interest Rate Credit Cards for New Purchases

As mentioned above, a 0% interest rate on new purchases can give credit card users a lot of flexibility when times are tough, when starting a business and they need a cushion for cash flow, or even just to float expenses for awhile and take advantage of using someone else’s money. As these cards are designed for spending, emphasis is given to cash rewards, which is why the Discover More Shamrock card is #1, even though it has a 9 month introductory 0% APR and there are two other cards with a 12 month 0% APR (they have no rewards program).

Best 0% APR Credit Card: Discover® More® Card – Shamrock. This card is very similar to the Discover More $50 Bonus card, but there are a couple key differences. The Discover More Shamrock offers up to 9 months 0% APR on purchases, and up to 12 months 0% balance transfers. There is a 5% Cashback Bonus® in categories that change like travel, gas, groceries, restaurants and more and up to 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus on all other purchases automatically. Apply for Discover® More® Card – Shamrock.

Other great balance transfer credit cards:

Citi® Platinum Select® MasterCard®: 0% APR* on balance transfers and purchases for up to 15 months.
Chase Slate: 0% Intro APR for up to 12 months.
Discover More $50 Card. (See above for reasons why this is one of the best credit cards on the market!).
Chase Freedom: 0% APR for up to 6 Months on Purchases; Earn cash rewards.
Blue Cash from American Express: 0% Intro APR for 6 Months on Purchases; Earn cash rewards.
Blue from American Express: 0% Intro APR for 6 Months on Purchases; Earn Points rewards.
Citi Forward. 0% APR for 7 months on purchases and balance transfers.

Why 0% balance transfer credit card offers are great

If you have credit card debt and want to eliminate it more quickly, then a 0% balance transfer may help you achieve that goal. Transferring your credit card balance to a 0% balance transfer card will move the balance from your current credit card, which probably has an interest rate around 10%-20%, to a new credit card that has an introductory 0% interest rate. Reducing the interest rate to 0% means 100% of your payment goes toward reducing the principle and none of it goes to the credit card issuer in the form of interest. The potential savings can be hundreds, to even thousands of dollars compared to making minimum payments at a higher interest rate.

Why do credit card companies offer 0% balance transfers if it means potential lost income? They make these offers to gain new customers. They may potentially miss out on a little up front money, but there is a good chance that many people will remain good customers or that not everyone will pay their entire balance off at 0% interest. They know that in the long run it will be profitable. It’s a win-win situation for customers and credit card issuers!

Why 0% interest credit cards are great

Another popular credit card offer is the 0% APR interest rate offered by many credit card companies. Why would a credit card company offer 0% interest rates on credit cards? The same reasoning applies as the balance transfer cards – to gain new customers.

There are a couple variations of the 0% interest rates offered on credit cards. They are usually offered only to new customers and in the form of a balance transfer, or a 0% APR introductory period, usually from 6-12 months. That means you don’t get charged any interest on your purchases for the entire introductory period. But watch out – you are usually required to make on time minimum payments or the interest rates will spike.

0% APR offers are great – but use them responsibly!

Credit card debt can be a huge problem so if you are using a 0% balance transfer offer to reduce your interest rates to repay your credit card debt more quickly, then be sure to stick with your plan. It can be tempting to take advantage of the 0% introductory offer, but don’t do it unless you can pay it off in cash.

As for the 0% APR introductory offers – I’m not a fan of carrying a credit card balance, but these introductory 0% APR intro offers can be useful if you having cash flow problems, need to use your credit card in an emergency, want to start a small business and need an injection of capital before the income starts coming in, or if you just want to float your charges and keep your money in the bank earning interest. Again, use them responsibly!

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Best Credit Cards: Cash Back and Rewards Points

Ryan — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:38:24 +0000

I’ll start this off by stating that not everyone should carry a credit card. If you can’t pay the charge in full each month or don’t have the discipline to control your spending, then carrying a credit card is a bad idea. But if you are the kind of person who pays of your credit card each month and you carry a credit card for the cash back or rewards points, consumer and fraud protection, convenience, or other benefits, then you should maximize your credit card rewards, and this article is for you.

Best credit cards

There is a credit card for just about everyone out there, but it is impossible to list each of them on this site. The cards on this page are for people who are responsible credit cards users and are looking to take advantage of rewards points and cash back bonuses. Depending on your credit card usage, you may benefit most from a cash back card, a points rewards card, or a travel rewards credit card. This article will help you find the best credit card for your situation.

How to find the best credit cards

The best credit cards can be difficult to find if you don’t know what to look for. The first thing you want to look at when comparing credit card offers is to look at all the associated interest rates, fees, and other applicable charges. These should be spelled out clearly in the Schumer Box (example below), which is required to be disclosed by all credit card companies. Example:

Look beyond the Schumer Box. The Schumer Box only displays fees, but it does not disclose rewards programs and other benefits. For this you will need to search through the terms and conditions. In addition to the rewards, you want to consider other factors such as low introductory interest rates, 0% balance transfers, 0% APR on new purchases, credit card sign up bonuses, and benefits.

Best cash rewards credit cards

Only a year or two ago credit card companies were throwing cash at people to obtain their business. Excellent rewards programs and sign up bonuses were easy to find. Unfortunately, the credit card industry was hit hard by the current financial crisis and credit card companies have scaled back their rewards and bonus programs.

The good news is that there are still some excellent credit card rewards programs, particularly if you are willing to open an account with a bank or brokerage firm to obtain their rewards credit card. Two prime examples include the 2% cash back card from Charles Schwab and Fidelity. The only downside is you have to open a brokerage account with these companies and the rewards must be deposited into your brokerage account. You may be able to find similar offers through your bank, credit union, or a group or club to which you belong. If that sounds like too much of a hassle, then check out the following cash rewards credit cards that are widely available and don’t require a membership or account with a separate financial institution.

The best cash rewards credit card programs

Credit Card	Cash Back Rewards	Notes
Discover More Card	5% Cash back bonus in popular categories; up to 1% on all other purchases	$50 bonus when you spend $599 in first 3 months; 12 months 0% balance transfer card; No annual fee
Chase Freedom	3% cash back bonus in rotating categories; 1% on all other purchases	0% APR on new purchases for 6 months; No annual fee
Citi Forward® Card	5% cash back points in certain categories; 1% cash back points on everything else.	No annual fee
Discover Motiva Credit Card	Up to 1% cash back	2 Months Interest Back each year when you pay on time every month; 0% balance transfer card; No annual fee
TrueEarnings(R) Card from Costco and American Express	3% cash back bonus in select categories; 1% on all other purchases	$25 cash bonus after first purchase; No annual fee
Discover Student Card	Up to 1% cash back	No annual fee
IberiaBank Visa® Gold Cash Back Rewards Card	Earn 1% in cash back credit on qualifying purchases.	No annual fee

Click on the link in the table for more information about the card, rewards programs, terms and conditions, or to fill out an application.

Best points rewards credit cards

Points rewards programs are another popular credit card rewards program. Points programs sometimes offer more generous rewards programs than cash back cards, but they may also come with more restrictions regarding how you can redeem your points. In my opinion, the best points rewards credit cards offer the cardholder the opportunity to exchange their points for cash. Other popular options include shopping through the credit card shopping site to redeem points for purchases, often for a nice discount.

The best points rewards credit card programs:

Credit Card	Rewards Type	Notes
Chase Sapphire SM	Point Rewards	Earn up to 10 points for every dollar when shopping at select merchants through Ultimate Rewards Mall; 1 point for every dollar on all other purchases; 10,000 Bonus Points or $100 cash after first purchase; No annual fee
Citi Forward® Card	Point Rewards	5% cash back points in select categories; 1% cash back points on everything else; 3,500 bonus points after $250 in purchases made within 3 months; No annual fee.
Citi Forward® Card for College Students	Point Rewards	Bonus points for on time payments and remaining under your limit; No annual fee.
Citi® mtvU™ Platinum Select® Visa® Card	Point Rewards	5% cash back points in select categories; 1% cash back points on everything else; No annual fee.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold	Point Rewards	No annual fee in the first year; Earn 10,000 Membership Rewards(R) bonus points when you spend $500 in 3 months – redeemable for a $100 gift card!

Click on the link in the table for more information about the card, rewards programs, terms and conditions, or to fill out an application.

Best travel, airline and hotel rewards credit cards

If you travel often, then a travel rewards credit card may net you the best benefits. You may come out ahead with a points credit card vs. cash rewards, depending on the credit card company, the rewards program, and how you choose to redeem your rewards. Be aware that there may be annual fees on some of the travel cards, but depending on your usage, they may be worth the cost. Many credit card companies also offer to waive fees for the first year, so it doesn’t hurt to ask. These are some of the better travel rewards programs currently on the market.

The best travel rewards credit card programs:

Credit Card	Rewards Type	Notes
Discover Miles	Travel Rewards	Unlimited double miles, $60 annual fee
Discover Escape	Travel Rewards	Unlimited double miles, 25,000Bonus Miles* (1,000 Miles each month you make a purchase the first 25 months) $60 annual fee; Balance transfer card
Platinum Delta SkyMiles	Airline Rewards	20,000 bonus SkyMiles(R) after first purchase; $150 annual fee
Delta Reserve Credit Card	Airline Rewards	Annual First-Class companion certificate, which can be used for a First-Class or Coach-Class ticket!; 10,000 bonus SkyMiles(R) after first purchase; $450 annual fee
Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card	Hotel Rewards	Up to 6 free nights, No annual fee for first year, $45 thereafter

Click on the link in the table for more information about the card, rewards programs, terms and conditions, or to fill out an application.

Other credit card rewards programs

There are other credit card rewards programs in addition to the cards listed above. Some of the best credit card offers aren’t heavily publicized and may be run through individual banks, credit unions, etc. It can be difficult to track down each offer, so check with your bank or credit union about their offers. Some of these offers may include a rewards system that works toward reducing your mortgage, saving money for college, such as a credit card sponsored by UPromise, or balance transfer credit cards to help you reduce your debt more quickly.

My thoughts on rewards credit cards

Credit cards aren’t for everyone; you should only use them if you will pay them in full each month and avoid interest charges. That said, there are many benefits to using credit cards. If you are responsible with credit cards, then you may as well receive rewards benefits for doing something you would have done anyway.

*Note: Credit card terms and conditions change frequently. These terms were correct as of the date of publication and we do our best to keep them current. Please read the application thoroughly before you apply for a credit card.

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Citibank Student Credit Card Holiday Promotion

Ryan — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 03:41:10 +0000

Citibank is currently running a holiday promotion aimed toward users of their student credit cards. From now until January 15, 2010, college students approved for a new Citi® mtvU™ Platinum Select® Visa® Card for College Students or the Citi® Forward Card for College Students have the opportunity to earn up to an additional 3,600 bonus points just for paying their bill on time and staying under their credit limit.

About the Citi Student Credit Cards

Both of these student credit cards are listed among the best student credit cards because they don’t have fees and they and offer unique rewards programs compared to other student credit cards. The holiday bonus makes it easy for responsible college students to earn enough points for gift cards valued up to $75. Here are some details on both cards, with specific features below that:

0% APR on purchases for 6 months, if you qualify, based on your application and credit history
No annual fee
Citi Identity Theft Solutions and $0 liability on fraudulent charges
Customize your due date and set credit limit alerts
Redeem the points you earn for rewards such as gift cards, travel, merchandise and more

Citi Student Forward Card – earn enough points for a $75 gift card:

For a limited time, earn up to 19,800 points, enough for a $75 Gift Card.
Earn 1200 bonus points each of the first 3 billing periods your account is open when you pay on time and stay under your credit line
Earn up to 8,500 bonus points after you make $250 in purchases and sign up for Paperless Statements within 3 months of opening your account
Get a .25% Purchase APR reduction when you make a purchase, stay under your credit line and pay on time 3 billing periods in a row
Earn 100 points each billing period when you pay on time and stay under your credit line
Earn 5 reward points for every dollar you spend on dining, books, music and movies, and 1 point for any other spend.

Citi® mtvU™ Platinum Select Visa Card for College Students

For a limited time, earn enough points for a $25 Gift Card
Earn 1200 bonus points each of the first 3 billing periods your account is open when you pay on time and stay under your credit line
Earn up to 2,000 reward points twice a year for having a good GPA
Earn 25 points each billing period when you pay on time and stay under your credit line
Earn 5 reward points for every dollar you spend on dining, books, music and movies, plus 1 point for any other spend
Enjoy a 10% discount on music and entertainment products at shop.mtv.com

You can find more information on both of these cards at the Citi website.

This is a great offer if you are a student in need of a new credit card, but don’t use this as an excuse to spend too much money! Be sure to use your credit card responsibly, or don’t apply.

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Credit CARD Act Changes Coming Sooner?

Ryan — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:35:18 +0000

Earlier this year, Congress passed the Credit CARD Act of 2009 to standardize several aspects of the credit card industry. Changes include restricting the type and number of fees credit card companies can charge, increased transparency regarding interest rates and rate changes, standardized billing rules, and limiting the ability for some young people to qualify for credit cards based on age. The new laws are one reason why I think it can be a good idea for students to get a credit card (provided the students can manage credit cards responsibly, of course).

Credit CARD Act date moving up?

The Credit CARD Act of 2009 was scheduled to go into effect in February 22, 2010, but the Wall Street Journal is reporting that members of Congress are going to push for that date to be moved up to December 1, 2009. The new date is in response to many credit card companies making a slew of changes in advance of the new laws going into effect.

Who the Credit CARD Act affects

These changes affect everyone that has a credit card account, but it will affect people differently. People who pay their credit card balance in full each month and never carry a balance probably won’t notice much change. But if you carry a balance on your credit card, then you will likely see some affects when the new laws go active, if not sooner.

What changes will we see?

New terms, additional fees, higher interest rates, and decreased benefits. If you have a credit card, I’m sure you’ve already seen some changes in recent months. My wife and I have a total of 8 credit cards between the two of us and my business. The credit card companies representing those cards have sent us new terms for 7 of our 8 credit cards. Some of the new terms include increased rates for balance transfers, increased cash advance rates, higher interest rates, variable interest rates instead of fixed interest rates, and decreased benefits (say goodbye to automatic travel insurance and other perks).

Read the fine print. One card company recently decided to automatically “upgrade” my cash rewards credit card to their new points reward credit card if I didn’t call them to keep my old terms. What they didn’t want me to notice was that the new credit card accrues rewards at a lower rate. Of course they made it sound like they were “upgrading” me when they were actually looking to decrease my benefits. I declined the “upgrade” and kept my old card.

What to do if your credit card company changes your terms

If your credit card company makes a change to your terms, you have the option to accept or decline the changes. However, if you decline the new offer, the credit card company will then close your credit card and you will no longer be able to make new charges with it. You will also still owe them the remaining balance on your card, at the same terms you had when the account was closed.

Closing credit cards can affect your credit score. You need to be careful about closing credit cards though, because it can possibly cause a decrease in your credit score because it lowers your average age of credit as well as your available credit – two important factors in determining your FICO credit score.

If you are trying to keep your credit score up, then you may find it is better to accept the new terms and either deal with the higher interest rates or apply for a 0% balance transfer credit card to move your credit card balance to a new card with no interest.

The Credit CARD Act is not all bad

I highlighted some of the negative changes because those are the changes consumers need to be aware of and watch out for. But there are also benefits to the Credit CARD Acot of 2009. Some of the positive changes include eliminating universal default, standardizing due dates and billing notices, requiring credit card companies give 45 days notice before increasing rates, and requiring consumers to opt in to allow overdraft charges (vs. having your card declined).

Read your mail. If you own a credit card, chances are very good that you will see some new terms in the near future, if you haven’t already. Be sure to read the fine print and make an educated decision based on your situation.

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Discover More Card – 12 Month 0% Balance Transfer Offer

Ryan — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:59:18 +0000

Not long ago credit card companies were competing for any business they could get, which was a good thing for consumers. It was easy to find 12 month (or better) 0% balance transfer offers, credit card sign up bonuses, and generous credit card rewards programs. Unfortunately, the credit card industry has taken a hit lately, which means many of the great deals that were available only a year ago are gone. But the economy is making a turn for the better and it looks like some of the more generous credit card programs may be making a comeback.

12 Month 0% Balance Transfer Offer – Discover More(SM) Card

Best overall balance transfer card (12 months): The Discover® More(SM) Card currently offers one of the longest balance transfer offers with a 0% interest rate on balance transfers for 12 months and a balance transfer offer at 4%. You can also receive 0% interest on new purchases for the first 6 months. The Discover® More(SM) Card offers a flat 1% on all purchases, with up to 5% cash back in select categories. As an additional bonus, you can get a $50 cash bonus when you spend $599 within your first 3 billing cycles. Sign up for the Discover® More(SM) Card.

0% balance transfer credit cards. The Discover More Card is not the only 0% balance transfer credit card available to consumers. Check out the top rated 0% balance transfer credit cards for more information.

Up to 15 months 0% balance transfer card

Update: The Citi® Platinum Select® MasterCard® offers a 0% Variable APR* on balance transfers and purchases for up to 15 months. This gives Citi® Platinum Select® MasterCard® holders added flexibility in being able to pay off their old debt at 0%, or making new charges at 0% interest for up to 15 months. The downside to this card is the lack of rewards or cash back, which are featured with the Discover More Credit Card. However the 3% transfer fee is more attractive than the 12 month Discover Card, and in line with the 6 month balance transfer offer from Discover, which is featured below. Sign up for the Citi Platinum Select MasterCard.

6 Month 0% Balance Transfer Offer – Discover More American Flag Card

The Discover More American Flag Card was offered as a 12 month 0% balance transfer credit card at one pint, but is currently listed as a 6 month balance transfer card. The Discover More American Flag Card currently comes with a 0% interest rate on purchases and balance transfers for 6 months, with a 3% balance transfer fee. The rewards program is among the best in the industry right now, with 1% cash back on virtually all purchases, and up to 5% cash back on select categories.

Discover More American Flag Card features

The Discover More American Flag Card offers the same features as the other Discover More cards, the only exception being the 12 month 0% balance transfer offer instead of 6 months. The Discover More card is one of the best cash rewards credit cards currently on the market, offering up to 5% cash back on purchases, 0% interest on purchases for the first 6 months, and no annual fees. Here are some more details:

5% Cashback Bonus® in categories like travel, home, gas, restaurants, movies and more
5% to 20% Cashback Bonus at top online retailers
Up to 1% Cashback Bonus on all other purchases automatically
Unlimited cash rewards
Increase, even double, your rewards when you redeem for gift cards from our 100 Cashback Bonus Partners
0% Intro APR for 6 months on Purchases, and up to 6 months on Balance Transfers*
Apply for the Discover More American Flag Card.

Using the Discover More Card for a 0% Balance Transfer

Transferring your credit card balance to a 0% interest balance transfer offer can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in interest payments while you repay your credit card debt. To take advantage of this offer you simply need to fill out a few extra fields on your Discover Card application. But be sure to read the fine print. A six month balance transfer comes with a 3% balance transfer fee, and a 12 month 0% balance transfer comes with a 5% fee. While these fees weren’t common a year ago, they can still save you a lot of money over the long run (5% is much better than 20%+!). Here is more information about how to take advantage of 0% balance transfer credit card offers.

For more information about the Discover More American Flag Card, or to apply online, visit http://www.discover.com/american-flag.

~$~

Best Zero Percent Balance Transfer Credit Card Offers

Ryan — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:30:06 +0000

If you carry a balances on your credit cards, then you might want to consider signing up for a 0% balance transfer credit card offer and transferring that credit card debt to a zero percent interest rate. If you carry a balance, a 0% percent interest rate can save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars over the duration of the 0% balance transfer offer.

How to evaluate 0% balance transfer credit card offers

Not all offers are created equally, as you will see below. You will want to evaluate each card individually and make sure you understand the credit card offer. Some important things to look out for include:

Duration of balance transfer offer. Most cards offer 6 – 12 months at 0%.
Balance transfer fees. Most fees range from 0% – 3%, or a fixed price, such as $75.
Interest rate. This only matters if you plan on using the card after you pay off your balance.
Rewards and cash back. Depending on your needs, you may want to consider credit cards with sign up bonuses, rewards bonuses, cash back cards, points cards, or special features, such as travel cards or gas rebates.

Top 0% balance Transfer Credit Cards

You can click on each respective card for more details or see the following list for more balance transfer offers:

Best overall 0% balance transfer card (12 months): I found the Discover® More® Card to be the best option for my needs because it has the most flexible cash rewards program and a 12 month balance transfer offer at 4%. Some of the other cards may offer a better cash back on certain categories, but the Discover® More® Card offers a flat 1% on all purchases, with some bonus categories at up to 5% cash back. As an additional bonus, you can get a $50 cash bonus when you spend $599 within your first 3 billing cycles. Sign up for the Discover® More® Card.

Longest 0% balance transfer offer (15 months): The Citi® Platinum Select® MasterCard® offers a 0% Variable APR* on balance transfers and purchases for up to 15 months. This makes it a great card for people who want the longest balance transfer term or whish to continue making purchases while paying off their current debt at a 0% interest rate. However this card does not offer any specific rewards programs. Sign up for the Citi Platinum Select MasterCard.

Runner-up 0% balance transfer card (6 months): The Discover More American Flag Card is similar to the Discover® More® Card, but it offers a 6 month balance transfer offer with a 3% balance transfer fee. If you can eliminate your credit card debt in less than 6 months, the Discover More American Flag Card at 3% balance transfer fee is a better offer. Otherwise, go for the longer term at 4%. The Discover More American Flag Card also offers up to 5% cash back on purchases, 0% interest on purchases for the first 6 months, and no annual fees. It also offers 1% cash back on almost all other purchases, making this card not only one of the best balance transfer cards on the market, but one of the best cash rewards credit cards on the market. The main difference between the Discover More American Flag Card and the Discover® More® Card is the length of the balance transfer term and the fees. Sign up for the Discover More American Flag Card.

Best zero percent balance transfer credit card offers

Here are the best 0% balance transfer credit card offers, based on the criteria listed above.

Discover® More® Card: The Discover More Card offers 0% for 12 months with a 4% transfer fee. Rates start at 11.99%. Cash rewards card; up to 5% cash back on select items, 1% on all other purchases.
Discover® More® Card – Shamrock: 0% APR on Balance Transfers for a FULL 12 months, 3% transfer fee, 0% APR on Purchases for a FULL 9 months; up to 5%cash back on select items, 1% on all other purchases..
Discover More American Flag Card: 0% for 6 months, 3% transfer fee, Rates start at 11.99%. Cash rewards card; up to 5% cash back on select items, 1% on all other purchases.
Citi® Platinum Select® MasterCard®: 0% APR* on balance transfers and purchases for up to 15 months, 3% transfer fee, Rates are as low as 11.99% variable. No rewards benefits.
Discover® More® Card – Monogram: 0% APR on Balance Transfer for a FULL 12 months, 2.99% introductory APR. Up up 5% cash back, unlimited 1% on everything else.
Miles by Discover® Card: 0% for 6 months, 3% transfer fee, Rates start at 11.99%. Travel rewards card; 12,000 Bonus Miles – 1,000 Miles Each Month You Make a Purchase for the First 12 Months.
Escape by Discover® Card: 0% for 6 months, 3% transfer fee, Rates start at 11.99%. Travel rewards card; 25,000 Bonus Miles* – 1,000 Miles Each Month You Make a Purchase the First 25 Months.
Discover® Motiva(SM) Card: 0% for 6 months, 3% transfer fee, Rates start at 11.99%. Cash rewards card; Earn 5% to 20% Cashback Bonus® at Top Online Retailers* and up to 1% on all other purchases.
Bryant State Bank MasterCard®. 3.25% introductory APR for 6 months, no transfer fee.

As you can see, most of these cards offer some form of cash back or rewards, which makes them a nice option to use after you pay off your balance transfer.

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Discover Business Card $100 Bonus to End December 31st

Ryan — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:20:45 +0000

Note: This offer has ended, but you can get a $50 bonus with the Discover More Card.

The Discover Business Card is currently offering new cardholders a $100 bonus for spending $1,000 within the first 3 months you have your account. Unfortunately, that Cashback bonus is coming to an end, and will no longer be available after December 31st. If you need a new credit card and would like to take advantage of the $100 bonus, now is the best time to do that.

I give the Discover Business Card my stamp of approval. I currently use the Discover Business Card for my business related expenses and have been very happy with it so far.

I recently purchased a new Dell laptop for my business, which combined with my other expenditures put me over the $1,000 threshold, qualifying me for the $100 Cashback Bonus. The Discover Business Card also offers cash back on regular purchases, and special offers for shopping through Discover’s Exclusive Online Shopping Site.

Don’t have a small business? You don’t need one! Anyone can sign up for a business card. All you need to do is use your SSN for the Business ID number.

Discover Business Card Bonus Details

** Earn a $100 Cashback Bonus® when you make $1000 in purchases within 3 months after your account is opened. Offer valid for new accounts only. See Cashback Bonus® Terms and Conditions for full details.

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