cardconceptss

Reward credit cards can provide you with great deals, especially if you are someone that pays off your balance at the end of each billing cycle. Through earning special items or services with your reward credit card, it makes it worthwhile to make large purchases with the card. Similarly, your daily expenses can be easily placed on your reward credit card and help you maximize the rewards you earn with your credit card. Here are a few additional tips for getting the most bang for your buck.

Tip #1: Obtain a Companion Card

If you are married and your spouse has a reward credit card, have your spouse request an additional card for you. Similarly, if you have a reward credit card, get an additional card for your spouse. With two of you out there spending on your card, you will increase the amount of purchases placed on the card and give yourself more rewards.

Tip #2: Use Your Card to Pay Bills

Every month, you have certain bills to pay, such as gas, electricity, and phone service. You might also have regular services such as Internet and cable or satellite. All of these services require you to complete monthly payments. Since you have to pay these bills anyway, why not pay them with your credit card? Usually, you can set these bills up to be automatically billed to your reward credit card so you don’t even have to think about them. Then, you can pay the bills off at the end of each billing cycle. Not only will this help you to build up your rewards, it makes it easier to pay your bills since you can make just one convenient monthly payment.

Other bills that may not be regular, but that need to be paid nonetheless, include dentist and doctor bills. When these bills come in, place them on your rewards credit card and watch your earned points increase.

Before deciding to pay your bills with your credit card, however, you need to make sure there are no “convenience” fees levied against the card for paying your bills this way. The best reward credit cards won’t have fees, but the company you are paying might. If there are fees, you probably should continue paying those bills by check. Chances are, the rewards you earn in return will not be enough to make the fees worthwhile.

Tip #3: Charge Your Groceries

Groceries are a regular expense. Yet, most people pay for their groceries with cash, a check, or a debit card. Instead, charge these expenses to your reward credit card. If you take a look at your monthly grocery bill, you will probably discover that you are spending quite a bit every month on groceries. Take advantage of this expenditure and place it on your credit card. Then, simply apply the cash you would normally spend on groceries to the credit card bill.

Tip #4: Charge Your Home

Many people are surprised to discover that they can often charge their mortgage payment or rent to their credit card. Many mortgage companies and apartment property management companies accept credit card payments. Obviously, this can be a large amount of money charged to your reward credit card. Just be sure to pay it off at the end of each billing cycle. Otherwise, the finance charges could be so high that you negate any rewards you might receive from the card.

Essentially, the best way to get the most from your rewards credit card is to charge as much as possible on the card. Examine all of your monthly expenditures and determine if there is a way for you to pay them with your credit card - then earn rewards and pay all of your bills with one simple payment.

To discover more about the various reward credit cards available, Robert Alan recommends that you visit CreditCardAssist.com

Share This

Thinking about how to use the credit card is the initial step in the choice of a credit card.

When full payment of monthly bill is expected and card features like flyers miles are not in the interest of the customer, a card with a waived annual fee and longer grace period is the best option.

When balance is carried over to the next month, a card with a lower interest rate may be more appealing.

When card will be used for cash advances, the preference can be a card with a lower APR and lower charges on cash advances. Higher APR for cash advances are charged by some cards for cash advances than purchases.

The grace period is the amount of days needed to settle the bill in full without incurring finance charges.

Only new purchases are given grace period. Cash advances as well as balance transfers do not have a grace period rather charged interest at the onset.

When balance is carried over from the previous month, a grace period will not be given for new purchases. Instead, interest will be charged immediately on the moment a purchase is made and on the previous unpaid balance. Information on computing balances for new purchases is included in the application form.

The finance charge is the payment amount for the credit used. It is dependent on the outstanding balance and the APR.

In calculating the outstanding balance, several methods are used by credit card companies. It makes a big difference on the finance charge to be paid by the customer.

A minimum finance charge is given by some credit cards. The minimum fee may still be charged even if there is a lesser finance charge. It is only applied when a finance charge is to be paid meaning there is a previous balance from the last billing cycle.

Several kinds of cards are offered by many credit card companies:

Secured cards entails deposit as security. The higher the deposit, the higher is the credit limit. It is usually offered to people who have previous credit problems or limited records.

Regular cards, do not entail security deposits and with minimal features. They have higher limits on credit compared to secured cards but lesser credit limits than premium cards.

Premium cards (gold, platinum, titanium), provide higher credit limits and additional features such as warranties on products, insurance on travel and emergency services.

You may freely reprint this article provided the following author’s biography (including the live URL link) remains intact:

About The Author

John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.

Share This

When it comes to using balance transfer credit cards, many consumers are filled with questions and concerns. While there are many benefits to using a balance transfer credit card, it is always best to have these questions answered and the concerns satisfied before moving forward with applying for one of these cards.

How Can Balance Transfer Credit Cards Save Me Money?

Balance transfer credit cards can save you money by reducing the amount of finance charges you pay every year. If you transfer even a small amount of money, such a $1,000, from a card with a higher APR to one with a lower APR, you will see a difference. For example, if you have a credit card with a 20% APR, you will pay $200 per year to maintain that $1,000 balance. On the other hand, you will pay only $80 on that same balance if you have a credit card with an 8% APR. That is a savings of $120! Imagine how much you will save on larger balances.

Even better, the best balance transfer credit cards offer 0.00% introductory APRs, which means you will pay no finance charges while that introductory period is active. With some balance transfer credit cards, this special rate remains in place until the entire amount you transferred is paid off.

What is an “Introductory Rate?”

An introductory rate is a special APR that lasts for a limited time. Often, the length of time this rate is in place is determined by your credit history. The introductory rate can be in place for as long as one year, though more common durations are six months, three months, and one month.

What is a “Fixed Rate?”

A fixed rate is a rate that does not change. Balance transfer credit cards with a low fixed rate may not offer a 0.00% introductory APR, but they might offer a 7.99% APR that remains this low no matter how long it takes you to pay off your balance, rather than skyrocketing up to 19.99% after the introductory period is over.

Why Does Everyone Say Balance Transfer Credit Cards are More Convenient?

Many people feel balance transfer credit cards are more convenient because it places all of your debt in one place. This makes it easier to track your expenses, to create a budget, and to get your bills paid on time.

Is it OK to Pay Only the Minimum Payment on My Balance Transfer Credit Card?

From a legal standpoint, all you are required to pay on your balance transfer credit card is the minimum payment. From a financial standpoint, however, this is a bad habit to get into. If you pay only the minimum payment, it can take you decades to pay off your debt - and that assumes you are not adding any more debt to your balance. So, if you want to get out of debt (and who doesn’t?), it is best to pay off more than your minimum payment. Set up a budget that allows for regular payments above your minimum payment to be sent to the credit card company - and stick to it.

Will a Balance Transfer Credit Card Get Me Out of Debt?

Yes and no. If used alone, a balance transfer credit card will not get you out of debt. If you transfer all of your credit card balances to your balance transfer credit card and pay only the minimum payment, it can still take you years to pay off the debt. Therefore, a balance transfer credit card should be viewed as one tool in you tool belt for helping you work your way out of debt. If used correctly and to its fullest advantage, it can help you get out - and stay out - of debt.

For more on the benefits of balance transfer credit cards, Robert Alan recommends that you visit CreditCardAssist.com

Share This