Best Credit Cards for You!

Credit card rewards programs have been around for years but now that they are more established, different providers are coming up with new ways to add value to their cards.

Whether it is frequent flyer points, provider reward programs or even cash back offers, there are a range of different rewards people can choose from to add value to using their credit card.

To give you an idea of how valuable a rewards card could be, here is a look at three of the best cards for earning and redeeming rewards.

American Express Platinum Edge

Credit cards from American Express tend to have the highest earning potential for points and a wide range of redemption options, as well as additional card benefits.

While other premium rewards cards could have annual fees well over $200, the Platinum Edge credit card is $149 per year and gives cardholders access to Membership Rewards with the following 3-2-1 earning rates:

• 3 points at major supermarkets
• 2 points at major petrol stations
• 1 point for every dollar spent on all other purchases

This tiered point program allows people to earn points quickly and easily almost every time they use their card.

The Platinum Edge also offers one free domestic economy return flight every year and up to four supplementary cards without any additional fees, adding even more value to this rewards card.

Emirates Citibank Platinum Card

Citibank has taken advantage of the relatively limited frequent flyer card options through a partnership with international airline Emirates.

New cardholders can earn a massive four points for every $1 spent on the card, up to 50,000 points – enough to book a return flight to south-east Asia – and a competitive ongoing rate of 1.5 points per $1 spent.

This card also provides complimentary Emirates lounge access, a chauffer driver to or from the airport, international travel insurance and a personal concierge service, so this card could be the ideal rewards option for people with an eye on travel outside of Australia.

HSBC Platinum Qantas Credit Card

While there are a number of different credit cards directly linked to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, the HSBC Platinum Qantas card is one of the only ones that will earn points for purchases made overseas.

In fact, cardholders can earn two points per $1 on purchases made overseas and one point for every $1 spent on purchases in Australia, which makes it a great asset for people who travel and frequently use their card overseas.

Reward cards are constantly being updated and changed to keep up with the competition and cardholder preferences, which makes it incredibly important to compare a few cards before making a choice.

But considering cards like the three above will help you get a better idea of what is out there and find a rewards option that will really work for you.

Tags: Card, Credit Card

Both consumers who qualified for the joint account are responsible for payment.  An authorized user is not responsible for payment, but can use the account. So, what happens if the surviving spouse wants to use the joint and/or authorized user accounts? Its not as simple as just using the card

Authorized User Accounts

If the surviving spouse is listed as the authorized user, they will probably have to apply for the card under their name using their own credit. The creditor will let them know if they can continue to use the account.  When they apply for individual credit, they should ask the creditor to consider the credit history of accounts reported in the deceased spouse’s name, as well as those reported in their name. The creditor must consider this information, if the surviving spouse can prove it reflects positively and accurately on their ability to manage credit.

Full Post…

Tags: Happens, Happens When

Did you damage your credit rating this holiday season? If so, then it’s time to get it back on track. Millions of Americans are suffering from reduced credit scores due to overspending and a penchant for holiday credit cards. Although it might be tempting to let that balance linger for a month or two while you pay it off, a low credit score can affect the interest rates on any loans you apply for, and it can even hurt your ability to get financing for a car or home.

Full Post…

Tags: Credit, Credit Easy

In these difficult financial times you need a bank that is available to not only for your needs but also the needs of your local community.

For nearly 200 hundred years Eastern Bank have been on hand to help generations of families and individuals and companies to obtain and fulfill their dreams. We have achieved this by having an honest set of values that result in a service that always puts the consumer first. It is because of this that we here at Eastern Bank have rapidly grown to become the biggest independent mutually owned bank, and we have gained a respectable reputation as a bank that cares for their customers and its staff.

So when you are looking to obtain a new credit card then you should look no further than an Eastern Bank Visa card.

Full Post…

Tags: Bank, Eastern Bank

The number of people filing for bankruptcy protection in retirement has soared in recent years — even before the recession.

In fact, people 65 and older are the fastest-growing segment of the population seeking bankruptcy protection, according to a recent study from the University of Michigan Law School.

The problem is simple math, said Johanna Sweaney Salt, a CPA with Kaufman, Schmid, Gray & Salt in Claremont, Calif. Their medical expenses, taxes and other costs keep going up, while their income is going down. Social Security hasnt had a cost-of-living adjustment in a long time and pensions and retirement accounts took a huge hit during the recession. Reverse mortgages and other alternatives presented to them as solutions often just dig them further in the hole.

Most people think Oh, I have Medicare — Im covered, said Jean Setzfand, director of financial security at the AARP.

Full Post…

Tags: Retirement, Retirement Good