Chase Sapphire Credit Card

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Credit Guru

Chase Sapphire is a popular credit card that is widely recognized in more than 170 countries. Countries where you don’t pay any foreign transaction fees for your credit card purchases. Thats money saved. In fact, there are no annual fees to worry about. No restriction on the amount of points that you can earn. You can earn as much points as you possibly can. And when it comes to redeeming those points; you can do so at any time that you wish. You heard that right. Points earned have no expiry date.

How do you earn points?

-  You earn 2 points for each dollar that you spend on dining. Dining doesn’t have to be five star dining. It can include local restaurants and fast foods chains as well.

-  For all other non-dining purchases, you can earn 1 point for each dollar spent.

-  To seal the deal; earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $3000 in the first three months. If that does not seem sufficient enough. Then you can look at the next level of Chase Sapphire, being the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card.

-  The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card earns 50,000 points in three months.

 What can you redeem with your points?

-  You can use your points towards flights and hotels. Fortunately, there is no black out dates and restrictions. The card holder has great flexibility.

-  And if you are not in the mood for travel. No worries. You can use your points towards many other freebies such as gift cards, merchandise, etc.

-  You can use your points towards CASH. Thats right, you can get cash back for the points you have earned.

Our Verdict – Taking account the flexibility in redeeming your points along with the ease of earning points; we would give this credit card our top honors for value. Although,  there are penalties for those who abuse the card. The card is still great value for its reasonable terms and awesome benefits.

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Chase Freedom Credit Card – Cash Back Credit Card

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Credit Guru

Offered by JPMorgan Chase.  It is a solid cash rewards credit card.  Chase Freedom Credit card offers:

  • $100 bonus cash back – when you spend $500 in your first 3 months.  This is designed to give you real cash in return for your spending.  This is very good for those who are large spenders.  You can still make some money from your spending.
  • 5% cash back – on up to $1500 spent in bonus categories each year.   You earn 1%per cent on all purchases and 4%per cent more in bonus categories for a total of 5%per cent. 4%per cent bonus earn is subject to a quarterly maximum.  This is again excellent for those who are shoppers.  You will be notified which categories you will be able to benefit from and plan your shopping around that.  You’ll enjoy new 5%per cent categories every 3 months like gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants.  It’s free and easy to activate your bonus each quarter!  BUT – You must enroll for each quarterly 5% program.   Here is the calendar of categories for each quarter in 2012:
    • January – March
      • Gas stations and Amazon. Com
    • April – June
      • Grocery stores and Movies
    • July – September
      • Gas stations and Restaurants
    • October – December
      • Hotels, Airlines, Best Buy and Kohl’s
  • 1% cash back – on all other purchases.  This is amazing because there is no limit or spending tiers.  If you are a huge shopper – again this card is great.  You will earn 1 point for each $1 of net purchases. You will earn an additional 1 point for each $1 of eligible airfare net purchases made online through the program booking tool. You do not earn points on balance transfers, cash advances, cash-like charges such as travelers checks, foreign currency, and money orders, any checks that are used to access your account, overdraft advances, interest, unauthorized or fraudulent charges, or fees of any kind, including fees for products that protect or insure the balances of your account.  There is no limitation as to how many points you can earn on this card.  It is an excellent card because of this offer!
  • 10% cash back – when you shop online through chase.  This is excellent for those who are online shoppers.  Online shopping opportunities are huge and this is a great way to use your credit card power.

Rewards Currency – with Chase Freedom Credit Card – rewards are earned as points.  You can redeem the points for cash.  1% cash back = 1 point = $0.01 cash back.  For example if you have 1000 points, you will get $10 check.

GREAT NEWS for those who are first time card holders with Chase Freedom Credit Card!  You get 10,000 bonus points which can be redeemed for a $100 check.  You qualify and receive your bonus – you must purchase or make qualifying transactions totalling $500 in the first 3 months.  This is a one-time bonus.   Qualifying transactions does not include cash advances.  However, it includes using your account for purchases or balance transfers, or using any checks that access your account.

Chase Freedom Credit Card offers great introductory rate!

  • 0% intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers made during the first 30 days of your account being open.
  • 0% intro APR for 6 months on purchases
  • And after each period – a variable APR of 11.99% – 22.99%
  • Balance transfer free is 3% of the amount transferred with a minimum of $5.

Our Verdict about this card – EXCELLENT credit card for anyone looking to get cold cash as rewards for shopping!  Imagine that.  We like the 1% cash back on all purchases and also the 5% cash back on the bonus categories.  Anyone who is a shopper should consider Chase Freedom Credit Card!

APPLY HERE

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Top 5 US Visa Cards You Should Consider

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Credit Guru

When it comes to getting your own credit card, it is time consuming and confusing because there are many providers of credit cards. Are they all the same? NO.

This post will attempt to provide you with the top 5 US Visa Cards.

Chase Freedom Credit Card

Chase Saapphire Credit Card

American Express Credit Card

Citi Dividend Platinum

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

 

 

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Secured Credit Cards. Get one if you have bad credit to build your credit!

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Sara Jose

Many people with bad credit wants to get a secured credit card to build their credit.  It is always best to shop around and look for the best secured credit card.  You don’t need more than one when you are … Continue reading →

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How to Fix Your Credit and Increase Your Credit Score

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Sara Jose

There are many people in your situation.  The good news is that you can build your credit!  It just takes you some time and you have to follow some simple rules.  Don’t rush and fall in the same pit as before.  You need to be smart about it.  If you do the right things you will build back your credit. 

 

1) Get a credit report from the credit bureau.  This will tell you which accounts are active, closed etc.  Getting the credit report is your starting point.  Sometimes you may not know which accounts are closed or active.  Make sure you get credit reports from all the credit reporting centres.  Some financial institutions use only one or they may report to all of them.

2) Pay off any outstanding balances.  This speaks volumes about your credit using habits to your future lender.  Even if you owe only couple of dollars, it can effect your credit negatively.  It will be a good idea to send supporting documents to your credit bureau stating that your have paid off your balances.  Credit card companies and banks may look at this and might consider giving you credit in the future.  Also your credit score will go up.

3) Get a secured credit card.  Nowadays there are many options.  Secured credit cards are prepaid credit cards that allows you to build your credit.  Your habits of using credit will be updated every month just like any other credit cards.  So maintain this.  Pay at least the minimum balance each month before the due date.  Don’t screw this up.  This will be very important for you when you apply for credit.

4) Don’t apply for any credit cards in the mean time.  Just wait for your score to go up.  Anything about 650 is fair.  However, wait till you have given enough time for your credit score to go up.  You want your credit score to be high as possible.

5)  Recheck your credit report before applying.  This way you can tell if your score is high enough.

If you follow these simple rules, you will build your credit in no time.

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Welcome to Best US Credit Cards Blog

Posted on November 25, 2011 by Sara Jose

Welcome to my blog about best US credit cards.  Here I will be talking about advantages and disadvantages of credits, reward points, cash back or any other news related to credit cards.  I am always finding ways to save money by shopping where there are rewards.  This way I can always use those points toward something or travel for free.

However, we also have to be aware of our limits and usage on credit cards.  As long as you take the credit cards to your benefits, you are fine.  Hope you will find this blog helpful and save you some money.

Happy reading!

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