Credit Card Report News

New Year Card Resolutions

Posted on Saturday, 25th December 2010 by Sarah Sullivan

Every year on January 1, millions of people make a mental commitment to better their lives, be it lose weight, eat healthier, get more exercise, make more money, be more responsible, and a multitude of other would-be-nice promises. Financial resolutions can be just as important for consumers who are facing debt, working through a shopping problem, or desperately needing to save large sums of money for something important like a house, car, or college.

Responsible financial behavior – not to mention irresponsible financial behavior – directly impacts your future and the experiences you may enjoy due to your financial situation.

Tags: Year, Year Card
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How to Maximize the Potential of a Cash Back Rewards Card

Posted on Thursday, 23rd December 2010 by Rebecca Ortiz

Cash back rewards cards can be a great way to save money and reduce the amount of debt generated by credit card usage. However, choosing the right cash back rewards program, and making the most of the rewards system, is not always as easy as it seems. Each credit card has different terms that govern the program, making it imperative to review the fine print and consider the following tips in order to maximize the benefits of a cash back rewards card.

Understanding Rewards Terms

Perhaps the most important aspect of a cash back rewards card is the cash back percentage, also known as the rebate percentage.

Applebee’s Personalize Cards

Posted on Monday, 20th December 2010 by Sarah Sullivan

Applebee’s now lets you personalize their gift cards with everything from a photo to a personally recorded message. The restaurant has introduced its Digital Gift Cards to allow you to buy and send personalized electronic gift cards 24/7 online via Applebees.com and Applebee’s Facebook Fan Page. What’s more is you can buy and send them instantly to your friend’s mobile device or email any time of day! This is because the cards features 24/7 365 purchase availability.

Understanding Credit Utilization and FICO Credit Scores

Posted on Saturday, 18th December 2010 by Rebecca Ortiz

Credit scores are used in nearly every industry to determine the financial stability of a person or business. There are two main types of credit scores – PLUS and FICO – with the latter being the most commonly used. Credit reports are issued once every three months by the three major credit reporting agencies, although the credit score itself is updated on a monthly basis. Maintaining a good credit score is the key to gaining approval for credit cards, mortgages, vehicle loans, and any other form of financial assistance.

December ‘a prime month’ for credit card scams

Posted on Thursday, 16th December 2010 by Sarah Sullivan

Australians are at greater risk of credit card fraud in December than in any other month of the year, an expert has said.

Beth Jones, a senior threat researcher with Sophos, a security software firm, observed that scammers aiming to con consumers out of their credit card information are often more active in the days before Christmas.

Speaking to Australian Macworld, she said: “The two-week mark before Christmas is when things start to ramp up out of control.

“Spammers and malware authors focus on when the attention is going to be there. Read more…

Tags: Card, Credit Card
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5 Tips for Maximizing Your Travel Savings

Posted on Wednesday, 15th December 2010 by Timothy Bell

When I find extra money in my monthly budget I like to spend it on travel. There are so many places I want to explore, but I don’t like wasting money on over-priced travel expenses. I want to feel like I’m getting a lot of value for my money. Most people I know want the same thing. Here are some tips I’ve picked up recently which have saved me hundreds of dollars on travel:

Make a Social Connection

A few weeks before you plan to book your travel, connect with the various travel companies and businesses via their social media profiles.

Know the airline you want to fly? Great Read more…

Tags: Travel, Travel Savings
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What Good Is A High Credit Score If You Can’t Get A Credit Card?!

Posted on Tuesday, 14th December 2010 by Heather Powell

A few month ago, TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington ranted on TechCrunch about how his applications for an American Express credit card were repeatedly denied, despite his “good/excellent” credit rating of 748.

After the post was published and received hundreds of comments, Tweets, and a healthy helping of buzz, an American Express representative called Arrington and offered him a $15,000 credit limit on a brand new AmEx card. Here’s the full recap.

For the rest of us, no matter how much we rant, rave, and blog, we likely won’t be receiving a personal phone call from an issuer offering a credit card on a silver platter. But, wi