Low Interest Credit Cards

Just as it was recovering (sort of) from its PR nightmare, BP decided to slash rewards on its branded credit card, the BP Visa. The card, once considered among the best gas cards available, is now mediocre-bordering-on-sucks. Originally, it gave 5% back on BP gas, plus 2% on travel and dining and 1% elsewhere. The best part? It gave double rewards – that’s 10%, 4% and 2% for the first 60 days. Now, well, not so much. Its a veritable minefield of terms and conditions gotchas, and for all its nice looks, its a disaster of a rewards program (too soon?).

How far the mighty have fallen

Unwilling to have even one good thing associated with their brand, even if it’s just a credit card, BP sent out a mailer to cardholders announcing a change to its rewards structure. Effec

Read more…

Life isn’t easy for credit card companies today. They have to offer more discounts, lower interest rates and more valuable rewards programs just to attract new clients. The economy remains sluggish, with the national unemployment rate at a too-high 9.2 percent in June. Consumers, worried about their own jobs, are looking for bargains wherever they can find them.

The officials at Household Bank obviously know this. It’s why they’re offering their Household Bank Rewards MasterCard with both a generous cash-back offer and a 0 percent introductory interest rate.

However, if you rarely pay your credit card balances in full each month, the Household Bank Rewards MasterCard comes with a purchase interest rate — once its introductory rate expires — that is sky-high.

Cash-Back Offer

On the plus side, the Household Bank Rewards MasterCard will provide you with 2 percent cash back on every purchase you make with it. This is a

Read more…

If you own one of three Chase credit cards — the Chase Freedom or Sapphire personal credit cards or the Chase Ink business card — you’re eligible to participate in Chase’s Ultimate Rewards program.

Under this program, you can convert the rewards points you earn with these credit cards into everything from gift cards to home electronics to hotel stays and ocean cruises. The program is free. But as you shop the online home of the Ultimate Rewards program, you’ll find that certain rewards result in a better bargain for your dollar.

You may prefer to turn your rewards points into cash. That’s one way to make sure that you get the most bang for your buck. But if you’d prefer to turn your rewards points into laptop computers or restaurant gift certificates, you’re going to have to do some savvy shopping on the Ultimate Rewards site. It’s the only way to make sure that you spend your hard-earned rewards points wisely.

The Gift Card Read more…

Now you can save even more money through SmartyPig online social banking with the brand new “SmartyPig Cash Rewards Prepaid MasterCard.” On top of charging no monthly maintenance, customer service or reload fees, the “SmartyPig Cash Rewards Prepaid MasterCard” lets you earn up to 10% cash back at more than 9,000 select U.S. retailers. Once you open your SmartyPig online savings account, you have the option to load funds anytime through your online account onto a prepaid MasterCard for use anywhere Debit MasterCard is accepted. The new Card also provides cash-back savings on everyday purchases and urges you to invite your family and friends to contribute to your account via social networks. Save on!

Trying to pinch a few pennies this holiday season? Chase wants to help with its “Ultimate Rewards” rewards program! Through the program, Chase is kicking off its annual holiday promotion to give you rewards and outstanding value. As a “Chase Freedom,” “Chase Sapphire” or “Ink from Chase” cardmember with Ultimate Rewards, you can now start taking advantage of merchandise redemption discounts, opportunities to earn bonus points, and a Best Buy gift card bonus offer. These include the “Give a Gift, Get a Free Gift Card,” giving you a free Best Buy gift card as a bonus – a $10 gift card for 5,000 points or a $25 gift card for 10,000 points from November 14 through December 20 when you participate in Ultimate Rewards and redeem 5,000 points or more in a single transaction.

Read more…