Ive been reading some financial blogs and most all of them say to use credit cards instead of debit cards to purchase everything and then payoff at end of the month.
I need to find a credit card that I can get the most benefits/bonuses for spending money on everyday things and that I dont have to pay any type of fee.
Can someone direct me to a website where I can find a credit card or does anyone have a recommendation on a specific credit card.
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"Deep down you may still be that same great guy I used to know. But it's not who you are underneath, it's what you do that defines you" Rachel Dawes, Batman Begins
i love my american express! you get rewards, great customer service and all kinds of other benefits like purchase protection and return protection. i have two amex cards, one requires me to pay in full every month and the other you don't have to. (but i ALWAYS pay in full every month -- very few things are worth accruing interest)
I think this was the site mentioned on NPR earlier in the year. You can search for and compare credit card offers. I have Chase but the rate is pretty high. I would also check with local federal credit unions to see if they offer a Visa for a good rate. I have one from a credit union in my hometown and the rate has always been lower than my other cards from national providers (non-promotional APRs).
American Express all the way. Its due in full each month, so you wont tempt yourself with not paying it off, and it has loads of rewards, great Customer Service & points aucrue for every dollar you spend. They add up really fast too, then you can get free trips, flight upgrades etc.
I use mine now for everything. I love love love it. I even shredded every other card I have. I find I stick to my budget because I know its due it full every month, and I get points for stuff I already needed to buy. (groceries, gas etc).
I am saving up for a cruise for me and my hubby with our points.
I have a MasterCard from Bank of America, but I got it becuase it's a Mortgage Rewards CC and the rewards points from our spending go to reducing the principal on our loan.
I would get an AMEX if I didn't have that CC though.
My guess is that's so you begin building a credit history, and it's probably good advice if you plan on buying a home or a car someday. (Ironically, carrying an assortment of small balances on a lot of cards is good for your credit score.)
I'm a big AmEx fan, but some charge cards do have annual fees ($50-150 depending). They have credit cards without fees though.
PJ, Chase really, really sucks. They changed our "fixed" rate from 6% to 18% in one month for no reason, and refused to change it back though we have three accounts with them and had the card for almost 20 years!! Needless to say we closed all our accounts with them and will never do business there again.
So for those Amex carriers who have to pay in full every month, what happens if you don't? I'm obviously a cc newbie... :)
It depends on what card you have. We have two: one is credit and the other is charge. The credit card is just like any other- you can carry a balance and just pay your normal interest rate (which is a standard rate). The charge card is the one that's meant to be paid in full each cycle. It will allow you to carry a balance, but the interest rate on that is really high (I want to say like 21%?)
Like Alliegurl, we put everything on Amex to get the points and then pay in full. They really add up fast and you can get great things with them. The customer service is wonderful, and they have a lot of perks (like our card has free companion first-class airfare) and protection plans (if something breaks or is crap and can't be returned, they'll refund our money.)
Everyone that likes Amex... which card in particular is the best for rewards
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"Deep down you may still be that same great guy I used to know. But it's not who you are underneath, it's what you do that defines you" Rachel Dawes, Batman Begins