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Credit Cards by Category |
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Affinity
From the NFL to the Nature Conservatory, a large variety of companies have special offers in the form of an affinity card. Rewards can range from an MLB jersey to a percentage of your purchase going to your favorite charity. Targeted to a dedicated audience, the affinity card may not appeal to the masses but do have some of the best rewards available of any credit card type. |
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Automotive
For those interested in rewards in the form of gasoline discounts or car purchase rebates. The savings on these cards can be significant for anyone spending a substantial amount of time behind the wheel. Just a 3% discount in the price of gasoline can add up very quickly. Some cards even provide rebates for service and repairs to your car. |
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Balance Transfer
If you are carrying an old balance on one of your credit cards, a balance transfer offer may save you a large amount of money. With current interest rates at a low point, most new balance transfer accounts have a very competitive rate with some only slightly higher than many home equity loans. Compare your rate to one of these cards to see how much you are over paying in interest. |
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Business
There are a few definitive differences between consumer credit cards and those offered to businesses. A much larger line of credit, issuance of multiple cards under one account, management reports by cardholder and central delivery of rewards generated. These features provide enough incentive to make the business credit card almost a necessity any company of any size. |
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Cash Back
As a spin off of the original rewards credit card, the Cash Back class of cards gives the cardholder the ultimate rebate, cash. Although the rate of point accumulation may be slightly less than some other reward cards, the cash back card does not require the consumer to redeem their points with the issuer. With these cards you can shop wherever you like, and find the best value for your points. |
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Flyer Miles
When the original flyer miles credit card was introduced, it was the first kind of credit card to give a rebate back to the cardholder. Currently almost all cards have some kind of rebate and the flyer miles cards have also enhanced their benefit.. No more black out dates and no miles expirations are just of few of the ways these cards have become even more appealing to those who frequent the airlines. |
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Low Interest
By providing a long term, lower than normal interest rate, these cards can reduce the interest portion of your monthly payment. If you carry a balance on one or more of your credit cards from month to month, a reduced interest rate can save hundreds, even thousands, of dollars over the course of a year depending on the actual principal amount owed to the lender. |
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Low Introductory
Providing short term savings, a low introductory card can be a perfect fit if you carry a balance, or intend to make a large purchase, and intend to pay off the balance before the intro period ends. Special attention should be given to the terms of the offer and payments must be made on-time to insure the ongoing low or zero percentage interest rate. |
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Poor or No Credit
These two categories are grouped together because they both represent a higher risk to the lending institutions. Even if your credit is poor or you have not yet established credit, many credit card issuers are willing to provide a new card. The ultimate cost will be higher fees and higher interest rates, but these can be minimized by paying in full, on time. |
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Pre Paid Debit
Primarily intended for those who can not acquire or maintain a credit card, the pre paid debit card allows all the conveniences of using a credit card without the issuer actually extending any credit. Since a deposit is required prior to using the card, the issuer has no risk and almost every applicant is approved. There are even people with excellent credit using pre paid cards just to avoid the temptation of over extending a credit line. |
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Rewards
Points, miles, bucks are just a few of the terms used to represent the accumulation of rebate points that a cardholder can eventually redeem for cash and products. Rewards come all sorts of different shapes and sizes and a good fit can usually be found for just about any lifestyle. There is really no reason why everyone should not have at least one reward card in their wallet. |
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Student
Because students are typically just starting to develop a credit rating, the student cards are a great way to help get the ball rolling. If issuers were to evaluate student's non-existent credit report, they would not qualify for a credit card, but these cards are specifically designed for this situation by providing a low limit and higher rates enabling most students to qualify for the card. |
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Credit Cards by Issuer |
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American Express
World Class service and products are the hallmark of American Express. Although most cards require very good or better credit levels, the rewards, savings and impeccable service should not be overlooked by anyone with worthy credit. Amex has cards at the top of the charts in both low interest and low introductory categories. |
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The Bancorp Bank
As an FDIC-insured online commercial bank and wholly owned subsidiary of The Bancorp, Inc., The Bancorp Bank is one of the top five issuers of pre-paid debit cards. Processing over two billion dollars of transaction last year is a further testament to their size and commitment. |
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CitiCards
Operating continuously since 1812, CitiBank is the third largest bank in the United States. CitiBank operates in over 100 countries with over 700 offices located in America. As a leading credit card issuer, Citi offers some of the best programs available backed with excellent customer service. |
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Chase Bank
Currently the third largest banking institution in the United States, Chase bank has a varied selection of quality consumer and business credit cards. Since their merger with Bank One in 2004, Chase has consistently upgraded and enhanced their credit card offerings to meet the demands of its large customer base. |
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Discover Bank
Technically a business unit of Discover Financial Services, Discover Bank holds the third spot in the nation for the total number credit cardholders with over 50 millions users. Discover has 12,000 employees nationwide and has created an enviable line of credit card offerings that can benefit any consumer with average credit or better. |
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HSBC
Founded in 1865, HSBC is headquartered in London where is holds the distinction of being the largest company on the London stock exchange with a value of over £115 billion. HSBC entered the United States bank business in earnest in 1999 through the acquisition of several regional banks. Their credit card offers have very high approval rates and are targeted towards those with less than perfect credit histories. |
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IberiaBank
Through a dedication to customer service, IberiaBank has grown beyond their bounds as a regional bank and now offer their value-based credit cards across the nation. With a history of low-rate credit cards, IberiaBank offers rank with the best available for those with better than average credit. |
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Applied Bank
With headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, Applied Bank has weathered the recent financial storm and has emerged with a A+ rating from TheStreet.com. This statement to their strength and stability is even more impressive given their position as a leading lender to those with little or no credit history. |
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Credit Cards by Brand |
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American Express
Official launching their brand in 1958, American Express has followed a path of innovation and superb customer service. Originally marketed as a more elite brand, American Express has since made their products available to anyone with good credit or better. Their current line of products meet or exceed all the competition in terms of benefits and features. |
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MasterCard
In 1967 Master Charge was introduced by the Interbank Card Association and was charged to MasterCard in 1979. Currently known for their 'priceless' media campaigns, MasterCard is in a virtual dead-heat with Visa on the number of locations accepting their cards. Both are accepted at an estimated 20 million locations world-wide. |
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Discover Network
Originally introduced at Sears in 1985, the Discover brand of credit cards were the first to offers cardholders a cash back rebate on purchases. Since their merger with Morgan Stanley in 1997, Discover has steadily expanding their line of offerings to included products that appeal all the various market segments and is now accepted at over four million locations. |
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Visa
Introduced in 1958 as BankAmericard by Bank of America, the directors of the program banded together under the brand Visa in 1977. With the most cards in use today at almost 1 billion, Visa is the leading credit card brand today even though one can rarely find a merchant that accepts Visa without also accepting the other leading brands. |
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Credit Cards by Credit Level |
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Excellent
Currently have established credit of 7 years or more. Already have at least one credit line with more than $10,000 extended. Have not been more than 60 days late in making a payment. Have never declared bankruptcy. |
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Good
Currently have a credit card or car loan. Have a credit limit of less than $5,000. May have been late on payments in the last year. |
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Very Good
Currently have established credit of 3 years or more. Already have at least one credit with more than $10,000 extended. Have not been more than 60 days late in making a payment in the last couple of years. |
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Fair
Do not have acceptable, established credit spanning more than 2 years. May have been late on payments in the last year. Do have a valid credit report. |
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