Pay Down My Debt

5 Best Ways to Consolidate Credit Card Debt

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Editorial Note: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any financial institution and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities prior to publication.

Alexandria White

More than half — some 112 million Americans — carry credit card debt from month to month. The average balance debt holders carry is $4,453.

Credit card debt can quickly spiral out of control if you don’t pay it off in full each month, especially if you have debt on more than one card. With interest rates well into the double-digits, failing to aggressively attack credit debt can leave you paying far more than you ever intended.

One of the best ways to face credit card debt on multiple cards is to look for ways to consolidate that debt into one new loan with one monthly payment. This makes your payments easier to manage (you’ll only have one!) and it can save you boatloads on interest charges, especially if you can get a loan that carries a lower APR.

To consolidate, you’ve got several options. You can open a new credit card and complete a balance transfer or take out one of several loans to cover your debt. In this post, we’ll discuss how to get out of debt with a balance transfer, personal loan, home equity loan and 401(k) loan, as well as tips on becoming debt-free for good.

Note: If you have a credit score less than 640, struggling to make monthly debt payments and would like to explore your options to reduce your debt by up to 50%, then please click our option below to customize a personal debt relief plan.

Custom Debt Relief Plan

5 options to consolidate credit card debt

1. Balance transfer

What is it? Balance transfers are when you transfer debt from a current credit card to a new card, ideally one with a 0% intro APR period. The intro period is for a set amount of time that can range from 6-21 months. Many cards offer 0% intro APR balance transfer offers in order to convince credit card users to give them their business. It’s a win-win situation for the lender and the borrower.

When should you use it? If you’re looking for an interest-free way to consolidate your debt, a balance transfer can be a great choice — as long as you pay off your debt before the end of the intro period.

Pros:

May be able to pay off your debt during the 0% intro period, therefore avoiding any interest charges.
The new card you open may provide long-term value if it offers additional perks or rewards.
There are cards that have $0 intro balance transfer fees, allowing you to cut costs if requirements are met.
No prepayment penalty.

Cons:

Balance transfers can’t be done between cards from the same issuer.
You will need good or excellent credit to get the best BT offers.
If you don’t pay your balance before the end of the intro period, you may be hit with all the interest you accrued — known as deferred interest.
A balance transfer fee may be charged, typically 3% of your total transfer.
Most balance transfer cards require good or excellent credit.

Balance transfer rules to follow: Transfer balances soon after opening the card since many offers are only available for a limited time, usually around 60 days. And, make sure you aren’t late on payments since that may result in the cancellation of your 0% intro period. Also, make sure you pay your balance before the intro period ends so your debt isn’t hit with the ongoing APR and you avoid possible deferred interest.

How long a balance transfer takes: Balance transfers typically take 14 days to post to your account. While you wait for the transfer to post, continue to make payments on your balance so you don’t incur late fees if a bill is due soon.

Where to find the best options: Start by comparing offers online. Read our guide on the best balance transfer cards that includes options with long intro periods and $0 intro balance transfer fees. And, you can use our personalized tool to find even more options.

2. Personal loan

What is it? Personal loans are unsecured loans that offer a fixed amount of money for a fixed amount of time and at a fixed interest rate.

When should you use it? If you’re someone with less-than-perfect credit looking for a straightforward way to consolidate debt, a personal loan may provide increased approval odds compared with a balance transfer credit card.

Pros:

You can pre-qualify for many personal loans without hurting your credit score, allowing you to shop around for the best rates.
Personal loans are unsecured, meaning if you default on your loan, the bank can’t take your personal property.
May be able to get approved even with poor credit, but expect higher interest rates in return.
Payments are fixed so you’ll know how much money to set aside each month to pay back your loan.
Typically no prepayment penalty. That means if you pay your loan early, you won’t incur fees.

Cons:

Interest rates vary by credit score with rates as low as 3.09% and upward of 36%. If you have a credit score below 600, you most likely will receive a high-interest rate.
There may be an origination fee (also known as an upfront fee) which is nonrefundable and deducted from your total loan amount before you receive the loan.
The loan amount is typically capped at $100,000, which is low compared with some secured loans (though it’s unlikely you’ll need more than $100,000 for credit card debt).

How to use it effectively: Use the funds from the loan to pay off any debts you may have across various credit cards. After your credit card debt is paid off, it’s time to pay off your personal loan. Set up autopay or set aside the monthly payment amount so you can make payments on time and avoid late fees and damage to your credit score.

How long does it take to get the funds? Depending on the loan you take out, you may receive funds in one business day or in a few days.

Where to find the best options: View our list of best options for debt consolidation loans and you can use our interactive comparison table for more options.

3. Home equity loan

What is it? Home equity loans are for a fixed amount of money for a fixed time and at a fixed interest rate — but they are secured by your home. That means your home is collateral, and if you default on your loan, the lender may foreclose on your home. You can borrow a certain percentage of your home equity. That’s how much your home is worth minus how much you owe on the mortgage.

When should you use it? If you don’t mind putting your home up for collateral to pay off your credit card debt, a home equity loan may provide you with a large sum of money that can be used to pay off more than just credit card debt.

Pros:

Typically longer terms and lower rates than personal loans.
While lenders typically cap home equity loans at 85% of the equity in your home, the loan amount may be larger than what a personal loan would offer.

Cons:

Your loan is secured by your home, so if you don’t make loan payments, your home may be foreclosed upon.
Home equity loans come with more fees than personal loans and may have appraisal, application and processing fees in addition to an origination fee.

How to use it effectively: Pay off credit card balances with the money you receive from your home equity loan. Then, stay current on your loan payments so you don’t fall behind, risking fees, damage to your credit score and the foreclosure of your home.

How long is the application process? It may take up to a month.

Where to find the best options: You can compare home equity loans within minutes via LendingTree’s home equity page. Disclosure: LendingTree is the parent company of MagnifyMoney.

4. 401(k) loan

What is it? A 401(k) loan is when you borrow money from your existing 401(k) plan to pay off debts. The amount you can borrow is limited to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of your vested balance. After you withdraw the money, a repayment plan is created that includes interest charges. You typically have five years to pay off the loan, and if you take out the loan to buy a house, your term may be extended to 10-15 years.

When should you use it? If you are willing to take the risk that you’ll still be at your current job during the length of time it takes to pay off your loan, you may be able to consolidate credit card debt with a 401(k) loan.

Pros:

The interest you pay on your loan is to yourself, not a lender.
You typically repay the loan via automatic payroll deductions, so you don’t have to worry about when your payment is due.
The interest rate is usually lower than what you’re currently paying on your credit card(s).
There is no credit check, so this could be a decent option for people with bad or fair credit.

Cons:

If you lose your job, your loan is typically due in full within 60 days. And, if you can’t pay it off in that time, the remaining balance will be taxed and may incur a 10% penalty.
You have to stay at your current job until the loan is paid off in order to avoid the fees mentioned above.
You miss out on potential investment gains while you owe money on your loan.

How to use it effectively: The money you withdraw from your 401(k) loan should go directly to paying off your credit card debt. After your debts are paid off, payments most likely will be taken from your paychecks until your loan is repaid. If not, continue to make regular, on-time payments. While you’re repaying your loan remember to keep your job — don’t quit and avoid any actions that may lead to your dismissal so you aren’t subject to penalties.

How long until I get the loan? The time it takes to get your loan depends on your plan and whether you can fill out the application online or with physical forms.

Where to find the best options: Your loan option depends on your 401(k) plan. Contact your plan provider or benefits representative.

5. Debt management plans

What is it? A debt management plan, or DMP, consolidates your credit card payments — not your credit card debt. Instead of making several payments to various creditors, you make one payment to your DMP and your credit counselor will use that payment to pay the debt you owe to various lenders. Your counselor may also try to negotiate lower rates and fees associated with your debt.

When should you use it? If you struggle to make minimum payments on your credit card and bring in a stable income, a DMP may be the solution to consolidate your payments and potentially lower rates and fees you’re charged on debt.

Pros:

Before you open a DMP, a credit counseling session is required. This helps analyze your current financial situation and even recommend a different program that is better suited to your situation.
Typical plans take four or five years to complete, which is shorter than it would take if you only made the minimum payment on your credit card debt.
Your counselor may negotiate better terms for your debts which may include lower interest rates and less fees.

Cons:

In most cases, you can’t use your credit card while a DMP is active and you can’t open new cards. Creditors may even suspend or close your lines of credit.
There may be a fee for the initial credit counseling session and for enrollment. That’s in addition to monthly fees.

How to use it effectively: After you complete your credit counseling session, stick with the DMP your counselor set up. That means make consistent, on-time payments, and you can see your credit card debt begin to decrease.

Where to find the best options: We recommend the nonprofit, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), which provides a financial counseling session that may recommend a DMP run through an NFCC member agency. The NFCC’s plans typically take 36-60 months to pay off debts. Learn more here.

>> Still unsure as to which option to pick? View our article on choosing the right debt consolidation method to help your decision making process.

Staying debt free after consolidating credit card debt

Pay your bills in full and on time.

Payment history is a very important factor of your credit score, making up 35% of FICO Scores. And, it’s key to pay on time and in full every month to avoid late payments, penalty APRs and debt. You can set up autopay to prevent yourself from missing payments or sign up for payment reminders.

Create a budget.

The cause of your debt may be due to overspending, and that’s where creating a budget can help. You can view a snapshot of your expenses and see where you’re able to cut costs and hopefully save money to pay off debts you may have. There are plenty of budgeting apps that are free and allow you to link various accounts to get a holistic view of your finances.

Set up an emergency fund.

Sometimes you fall into debt due to unexpected expenses that may arise from medical issues or other events. An emergency fund can be a great way to provide yourself with a safety net in the case of unexpected expenses that may otherwise put you in debt. It’s up to you how much you put into an emergency fund, but keep in mind it should be somewhat easily accessible so you can quickly withdraw it to pay bills before they become past due.

Resist the temptation to overspend just to earn rewards.

If you have a rewards card, you may be tempted to spend more money than you have just to earn rewards. As a result, you may need to rethink why you’re using your credit card. You may come to the conclusion that a rewards card isn’t the best option for you. That doesn’t mean you can’t still use credit cards — there are plenty of credit cards you can choose that are basic and don’t have rewards.

>> View the many benefits of living debt-free here! <<

Bottom line

Ultimately, the best option to consolidate your credit card debt depends on your financial situation. If you want a quick application process and the potential for no fees, you may choose a balance transfer credit card. Meanwhile, if you don’t have the good or excellent credit needed for a balance transfer credit card, you may look toward loans. If that’s the case, the question becomes whether you’re willing to put your home up for collateral to get a potentially higher loan amount, or withdraw from your 401(k) or simply receive cash from an unsecured option like a personal loan. And, if you struggle with managing payments for various credit card debts, you may lean toward a debt management plan. Whichever option you settle on, make sure you have an actionable plan that allows you to fully repay the loan during the term and maintain a debt-free life.

Advertiser Disclosure: The card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which MagnifyMoney receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). MagnifyMoney does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace.

Alexandria White |

Alexandria White is a writer at MagnifyMoney. You can email Alexandria at alexandria@magnifymoney.com

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How to Complain

How to Contact Chase Customer Service

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Alexandria White

Chase has numerous customer service lines available for all the inquiries you may have as an account holder. In this post, we list the contact methods for all of Chase’s products including credit cards, personal banking, auto loans and more.

In addition to the methods listed below, you can reach Chase customer service by signing in to Chase Online^SM and sending a message via the secure message center. Click on the “Customer Center” tab, then click “Send a new message” on the left-side navigation.

You can also tweet @ChaseSupport. Representatives are available Monday-Friday from 7 a.m.-11 p.m. EST and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. EST. Remember not to share any account or other personal information on Twitter.

Chase Customer Service
	Phone	Mail
Online or mobile banking support	Customer Service: 1-877-242-7372 TTY: 1-800-242-7383 Outside the U.S.: 1-713-262-3300
Credit cards - personal	Customer Service: 1-800-432-3117 TTY: 1-800-955-8060 International: 1-302-594-8200	Card Services P.O. Box 15298 Wilmington, DE 19850 Active duty military: SCRA enrollment for Cardmember Services P.O. Box 183240 Columbus, OH 43218-3240
Credit cards - business	Customer Service: 1-888-269-8690 TTY: 1-800-955-8060 International: 1-480-350-7099	Card Services P.O. Box 15298 Wilmington, DE 19850 Active duty military: SCRA enrollment for Cardmember Services P.O. Box 183240 Columbus, OH 43218-3240
Personal banking	Representatives are available 24/7 for: Service on existing accounts: 1-800-935-9935 TTY: 1-800-242-7383 Automated service available 24/7 for: Online and mobile banking technical support: 1-877-242-7372 International online and mobile banking technical support: 1-713-262-3300	National Bank By Mail P.O. Box 36520 Louisville, KY 40233-6520 Deliveries via courier: National Bank By Mail Mail Code KY1-0900 416 West Jefferson, Floor L1 Louisville, KY, 40202-3202, United States
Auto loans	Customer Service: 1-800-336-6675 TTY: 1-800-524-9765	Chase Auto Finance P.O. Box 901076 Fort Worth, TX 76101-2076
Home equity loans	Customer Service: 1-800-836-5656 TTY: 1-800-582-0542 Representatives are available: Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - midnight EST Saturday: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. EST Sunday: Closed	Chase Attn: Home Equity Servicing Mail Code OH4-7304 3415 Vision Drive Columbus, OH 43219-6009
Mortgage loans	Customer Service: 1-800-848-9136 TTY: 1-800-582-0542 Spanish Customer Service: 1-855-280-4198 Representatives are available: Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - midnight EST Saturday: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. EST Sunday: Closed Homeowner’s insurance inquiries: 1-877-530-8951	Chase Attn: Customer Service Research Mail Code: OH4-7302 P.O. Box 24696 Columbus, OH 43224-0696 Exclusive address for notices of error, requests for information and qualiﬁed written requests: Chase P.O. Box 183166 Columbus, OH 43218-3166
Investments and retirement planning	For servicing questions for Chase Investments: 1-800-392-5749 Retirement Money Market Accounts or IRAs/CDs: 1-855-800-8053 For advice on your accounts, please contact your assigned advisor or team. For other savings and banking services: 1-800-935-9935
Private client	Existing customers only: 1-888-994-5626 Fill out this form for new customer inquiries
Commercial banking	Existing customers only: General: 866-954-3718 J.P. Morgan Access® Technical Support: 866-872-3321 Chase Connect^SM Support: 877-226-0071 or 855-893-2223 (for government, health care, higher education and not-for-profit clients) Image Deposit Direct® Technical Support: 866-619-3060; for Virtual Remit^SM Technical Support: 866-872-3321 Positive Pay Solutions Center: 800-235-6286; Positive Pay fax: 817-399-5550 Fill out this form for new customer inquiries
Business banking	Existing accounts: 1-800-242-7338 TTY:1-800-242-7383 General inquiries: 1-800-242-7324, select option 2 Representatives are available 24/7	National Bank By Mail P.O. Box 36520 Louisville, KY 40233-6520 Deliveries by courier: National Bank By Mail Mail Code KY1-0900 416 West Jefferson, Floor L1 Louisville, KY, 40202-3202, United States

Alexandria White |

Alexandria White is a writer at MagnifyMoney. You can email Alexandria at alexandria@magnifymoney.com

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7 Great No-Fee Checking Accounts for People With Low Balances

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Alexandria White

Recently, Bank of America announced monthly maintenance fees for its checking accounts unless you meet deposit or balance requirements. This can be worrisome for current or prospective account holders that have low balances and can’t meet the requirements to waive the fee.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the fees Bank of America is charging:

Bank of America Core Checking® account: A $12 monthly maintenance fee applies, but can be waived if you have at least one qualifying direct deposit of $250 or more or maintain a minimum daily balance of $1,500 or more each statement. Bank of America also waives the fee for Preferred Rewards members and students under 24 enrolled in high school, college, university or a vocational program.
Bank of America Interest Checking® account: Requires you to maintain a combined balance of $10,000 or more to waive the $25 monthly maintenance fee. Fees are also waived for Preferred Rewards members.

Since maintaining these requirements month-to-month may not be feasible for everyone, we’ve rounded up seven free checking accounts you can open with no monthly service fees and no minimum account balance.

Methodology

In this roundup, we used the Free Checking Finder on DepositAccounts.com, a subsidiary of LendingTree, which is also the parent company of MagnifyMoney.

Using the search tool, we set a checking account balance range of $0 to $10,000, said we’d use a debit card 25 times a month, use an ATM from another bank eight times a month and would not overdraw the account. From there, we chose accounts that are available nationwide, as well as satisfy several requirements in order to make them worthwhile for people who have low account balances:

Minimum opening amount of $0-$25: This amount is ideal for people who don’t have a lot of money available to open an account.
No minimum daily balance requirement: The objective of this post is for you to use your checking account without pesky fees that some accounts charge if your balance drops below a certain amount. The accounts listed below don’t require a minimum balance.
$0 monthly service fees: All accounts below have no monthly service fees.
$0 third-party ATM fee: Using an ATM not in your bank’s network can result in fees from two directions: one from your bank and one from the ATM operator (aka third-party ATM fees). Many of these accounts have low or no ATM fees, and some will also refund third-party ATM fees (see below for details).

Great free checking accounts for low balances

You can open any of the following accounts for as little as a $25 minimum deposit. All of these free checking accounts have no monthly service fees and can be a good option for you if you often have a low balance in your account. You can avoid overdraft fees by not opting into overdraft protection — in that case, if you use your debit card for a transaction or ATM withdrawal that exceeds the balance of your account, the bank will deny the transaction. If you do opt into overdraft protection, you may be charged a fee, so we’ve listed the overdraft fees for each account.

Bay State Savings Bank

Bank Name	Account Name	Minimum Deposit to Open	Third-Party ATM Fee Refund	Overdraft Fee
Bay State Savings Bank	Kasasa Cash	$0	Unlimited	$35

The Kasasa Cash checking account requires a $10 minimum deposit to open. This account is always free, meaning there are no requirements for you to meet in order to maintain the free checking account. However, there are requirements if you want to earn 2.01% APY and unlimited nationwide refunds on ATM withdrawals: Enroll in electronic statements and online banking, as well make 12 PIN-based debit card transactions per month. If you don’t qualify, Bay State Savings Bank will charge you $0.75 per ATM transaction (plus you’ll pay the fee the ATM operator charges) and you will earn 0.05% APY on balances in your account. Bay State Savings Bank uses the SUM ATM network, a surcharge-free ATM system with thousands of locations in the U.S. Learn more about opening an account online.

LEARN MORE

on Bay State Savings Bank’s secure website

Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union

Bank Name	Account Name	Minimum Deposit to Open	Third-Party ATM Fee Refund	Overdraft Fee
Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union	Vertical Checking	$25	Up to $15/month	$27

Since Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union is a credit union, you need to become a member in order to open an account. Anyone can join with a one-time $5 donation to Mater Dei Friends & Alumni Association when you fill out the application. This free checking account requires a $25 minimum deposit to open.

When you make up to 10 withdrawals at any ATM per month, ETFCU charges no fee, but withdrawals over 10 have a $2 fee. In addition, the ATM operator may charge a fee, but ETFCU has an up-to-$15-a-month third-party ATM fee reimbursement that you can qualify for by making at least 15 debit card purchases, one direct deposit, and one online or mobile banking login each month. You also need to opt to receive e-statements to qualify for the fee reimbursement. This credit union uses the Alliance One ATM network, which has more than 5,000 surcharge-free ATMs in 42 states. You can apply for an account online.

LEARN MORE

Radius Bank

Bank Name	Account Name	Minimum Deposit to Open	Third-Party ATM Fee Refund	Overdraft Fee
Radius Bank	Radius Hybrid	$10	Unlimited	$25, then $5 per day after 5 days

Radius Bank offers the Radius Hybrid checking account, which requires a small minimum deposit of $10 to open your account. Once you open an account, there is no minimum daily balance requirement. In addition to the starting deposit of $10, the requirements of this account are to enroll in online banking, receive e-statements, and choose to receive a debit card. A standout feature is the ATM fee refunds. Radius does not charge customers for using other banks’ ATMs, and it provides unlimited third-party ATM fee rebates at the end of each statement cycle. You can open a Radius Hybrid checking account online.

LEARN MORE

on Radius Bank’s secure website

Member FDIC

Alliant Credit Union

Bank Name	Account Name	Minimum Deposit to Open	Third-Party ATM Fee Refund	Overdraft Fee
Alliant Credit Union	Free Checking or High-Rate Checking	$0	Up to $20/month	$25

Alliant Credit Union has two free checking accounts that are available to everyone: Free Checking and High-Rate Checking. If you don’t qualify for free membership, you can donate $10 to Foster Care to Success during the application process. These checking accounts offer up to $20 a month in third-party ATM fee rebates, and unlike other free checking accounts on this list, you have access to over 80,000 surcharge-free ATMs. Also, Alliant has a mobile app you can use to manage your account. Learn more here about opening a checking account at Alliant Credit Union.

LEARN MORE

State Department FCU

Bank Name	Account Name	Minimum Deposit to Open	Third-Party ATM Fee Refund	Overdraft Fee
State Department FCU	Basic Checking	$1 in a savings account	None	$30

Anyone can join the State Department FCU by joining the American Consumer Council when opening an account. SDFCU does not charge a fee for you joining the ACC when you apply. Also, when you open a Basic Checking account you have to open a savings account with a minimum $1 deposit, and you must maintain a minimum $1 balance in the account. Unfortunately, there are no third-party ATM fee refunds, but you have access to over 29,000 ATMs through the CO-OP Shared ATM Network.

This account also offers rewards through its Flexpoints program, which is a noteworthy feature for checking accounts these days. You can earn one Flexpoint for every $2 you spend with your debit card and 5 Flexpoints by paying a bill through bill pay. But be careful — there is a $5 monthly fee if you don’t pay a minimum of one bill every two months. You can redeem Flexpoints for travel, select events, merchandise, gift cards, or a charitable donation. You can both join the credit union and open your accounts through an online application.

LEARN MORE

XCEL Federal Credit Union

Bank Name	Account Name	Minimum Deposit to Open	Third-Party ATM Fee Refund	Overdraft Fee
XCEL Federal Credit Union	Kasasa Cash	$0	Up to $20/month	$30

Since XCEL is a credit union, you need to join in order to open an account. Anyone can join with a one-time $5 membership fee to the American Consumer Council. Noteworthy features include the $0 minimum deposit and minimal account requirements, including enrollment in e-statements and 12 debit card transactions per month. And, by meeting those requirements, you can earn up to $7.50 back at the end of the month. You also can receive a decent refund on third-party ATM fees — up to $20 per month. Like State Department FCU, XCEL uses the CO-OP Shared ATM Network. You may apply for your credit union membership and the checking account online.

LEARN MORE

Atlantic Stewardship Bank

Bank Name	Account Name	Minimum Deposit to Open	Third-Party ATM Fee Refund	Overdraft Fee
Atlantic Stewardship Bank	Cash Back Checking	$1	Unlimited	$35

Atlantic Stewardship Bank has a great offering in their Cash Back Checking account. Not only is the minimum deposit $1, but you can receive unlimited third-party ATM fee refunds as long as you qualify by making 12 debit card transactions each cycle and enrolling in online banking and e-statements. If you met those requirements, you may also earn rewards: 0.50% cash back on debit card purchases. You can apply for this account online.

LEARN MORE

Alexandria White |

Alexandria White is a writer at MagnifyMoney. You can email Alexandria at alexandria@magnifymoney.com

TAGS: ATM fee, BANK OF AMERICA, Checking account, credit unions, free checking account

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College Students and Recent Grads

Top Checking Accounts for College Grads

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Alexandria White

Top Checking Accounts for College Grads — iStock

For many college students, their default banking option while in school is a student checking account, which is typically free. Unfortunately, when you graduate you lose those benefits. Many student checking accounts will begin to charge you monthly maintenance fees unless you meet certain requirements.

So, where do you go from there?

Few young adults would turn to their parents for fashion or dating advice and, yet, one of the most common ways we’ve found young people choose their bank account is by going with whichever bank their parents already use. This could be a bigger faux pas than stealing your dad’s old pair of parachute pants.

The bank your parents use may carry fees or have requirements that don’t meet your lifestyle or budget, and make accounts expensive to use.

But where do you even begin to choose the right checking account?

When you’re nearing graduation, start planning your bank transition.

Many banks send a letter in the mail a few months prior to your expected graduation date informing you that your student checking account is going transition to a non-student account. If you’re not careful and you disregard the letter, you may be transitioned into an account that charges a fee if you don’t meet certain requirements.

You can always call the bank and ask to switch to a different account or you can choose a new account that offers more benefits, like interest and ATM fee refunds.

The 5 key things you should look for in a checking account

When you’re shopping around for a new checking account, there are several things you should look for to ensure you’re getting the most value from your account:

A $0 monthly fee: Sometimes banks may say they don’t charge a monthly fee but read the fine print — they may require a minimum monthly balance in order to avoid it. There are plenty of free checking accounts available for you to open, so there’s no reason to stay stuck with an account that charges a monthly fee. Take note some accounts may require you to meet certain criteria to maintain a free account like using a debit card, enrolling in eStatements or maintaining a minimum daily balance.
No minimum daily balance: Accounts without minimum daily balances mean you can have a $0 balance at any given time. This may allow you to have a free account without meeting balance requirements — note, other terms may apply to maintain a free account.
APY: Annual Percentage Yield is the total amount of interest you will earn on balances in your account. Opening an account that earns you interest on your balance is an easy way to be rewarded for money that would typically sit without earning anything. Some checking accounts earn interest, albeit rarely, but you should definitely aim to earn a decent APY on your savings account.
ATM fee refunds: You may not be able to access an in-network ATM at all times, so accounts providing ATM fee refunds can reimburse you for ATM fees you may incur while using out-of-network ATMs. Those $3 or $5 charges add up!
No or low overdraft fees: Most banks charge you an overdraft fee of around $35 if you spend more money than you have available in your account. Therefore, it’s a good idea to choose an account that has no or low overdraft fees.

Top overall checking accounts for college grads

The best checking accounts will have a number of features that are both simple and low cost. For the top overall checking accounts, we chose accounts that have no monthly service fees, no ATM fees, refunds for ATM fees from other banks, interest earned on your deposited balances and with strong mobile banking apps. While there is no all-inclusive account that contains every benefit, the accounts below are sure to provide value whether you want a high interest rate, unlimited ATM fee refunds or 24/7 live customer support.

1. Aspiration – The Aspiration Summit Account

Monthly Fee	Minimum Monthly Balance	Amount to Open	ATM Fee Refunds	APY
$0	$0	$10	Unlimited	0.25% APY on balances up to $2,499.99 1.00% APY on balances $2,500+

Monthly Fee

Minimum Monthly Balance

Amount to Open

ATM Fee Refunds

APY

$10

Unlimited

0.25% APY on balances up to $2,499.99

1.00% APY on balances $2,500+

The Aspiration Summit Account offers a wide range of benefits for account holders and has few fees. The amount to open is fairly low, and once you open your account there is no minimum monthly balance to maintain — though the more money you keep in your account, the more interest you’ll earn.

Another helpful feature is unlimited ATM fee refunds. That means you can either use in-network ATMs (filter by checking “SUM”) and avoid fees, or use any other ATM and be reimbursed for any fees incurred at the end of the month. If you’re looking for an interest checking account with no ATM fees, the Aspiration Summit Account is a solid choice.

LEARN MORE

on Aspiration’s secure website

2. nbkc bank – Personal Account

Monthly Fee	Minimum Monthly Balance	Amount to Open	ATM Fee Refunds	APY
$0	$0	$5	Up to $12 a month	0.90% APY on all balances

nbkc has several locations in the Kansas City region. Anyone can sign up for an account, however. This just means if you don’t reside nearby, you’ll have to rely on their online banking system.

The nbkc Personal Account earns interest on your balances and has no hidden fees. Typical checking accounts charge overdraft fees and stop payment fees, among others, but nbkc doesn’t.

The two fees that may apply are for less common transactions — $5 to send domestic wires and $45 to send or receive international wires.

You can use 24,000+ MoneyPass® ATMs in the U.S. for free, and if you use out-of-network ATMs you’ll be reimbursed up to $12 a month. This account is a good choice if you want a checking account that has minimal fees and earns interest.

LEARN MORE

on nbkc bank’s secure website

3. Ally Bank – Interest Checking Account

Monthly Fee	Minimum Monthly Balance	Amount to Open	ATM Fee Refunds	APY
$0	$0	$0	Up to $10 per statement cycle	0.10% on daily balances less than $15,000 0.60% on daily balances $15,000+

Monthly Fee

Minimum Monthly Balance

Amount to Open

ATM Fee Refunds

APY

Up to $10 per statement cycle

0.10% on daily balances less than $15,000

0.60% on daily balances $15,000+

Ally Bank is an overall great online bank and their Interest Checking Account is a standout choice if you want to open an account without depositing any money. There are some standout perks with this card like 24/7 live customer care and the ability to send money with Zelle®.

There are also no ATM fees at U.S. Allpoint® ATMs, and you’ll receive up to $10 per statement cycle for fees charged at other ATMs nationwide. This account earns at a lower interest rate than the two mentioned earlier, but it’s still better than typical banks. Ally Bank’s Interest Checking Account provides account holders with a well-rounded experience and the ability to earn interest.

LEARN MORE

on Ally Bank’s secure website

Member FDIC

Check out our full list of the best checking accounts.

Top free checking accounts for college grads

Free checking accounts are a great way to save on the monthly service fees many banks charge if you don’t meet deposit or balance requirements. The checking accounts listed below are all free, and if there are requirements, they’re minor like enrolling in eStatements or using a debit card. These accounts can be a good choice if you often have a fluctuating or low account balance and don’t want to worry about maintaining the requirements big banks impose to keep their accounts free.

1. Atlantic Stewardship Bank – Cash Back Checking

Monthly Fee	Minimum Monthly Balance	Amount to Open	ATM Fee Refunds	APY
$0	$0	$1	Unlimited	Does not earn interest. But it does offer 0.50% cash back if you meet requirements*

Atlantic Stewardship Bank is headquartered in New Jersey and donates 10% of its profits annually to Christian and nonprofit organizations. Its Cash Back Checking account has a minor opening deposit and basic requirements for you to meet to get the added perks.

*When you make 12 debit card transactions each cycle and enroll in online banking and eStatements, you can receive unlimited ATM fee refunds and the chance to earn rewards at 0.50% cash back on debit card purchases.

LEARN MORE

2. Radius Bank – Radius Hybrid Checking

Monthly Fee	Minimum Monthly Balance	Amount to Open	ATM Fee Refunds	APY
$0	$0	$10	Unlimited	0.85% on balances $2,500+

Radius Bank is a community bank headquartered in Boston. The Radius Hybrid Checking account is free as long as you open the account with the required deposit and meet three simple requirements: Enroll in online banking, receive eStatements and choose to receive a debit card. Unlike other checking accounts that require you to make a certain number of debit card transactions a month, Radius Bank does not. In addition to simple requirements, there are unlimited ATM fee refunds at the end of each statement cycle.

LEARN MORE

on Radius Bank’s secure website

Member FDIC

3. Bay State Savings Bank – Free Kasasa Cash®

Monthly Fee	Minimum Monthly Balance	Amount to Open	ATM Fee Refunds	APY
$0	$0	$0	Unlimited	0.05% if qualifications are not met (2.01% up to $20,000 if you meet requirements listed below*)

Monthly Fee

Minimum Monthly Balance

Amount to Open

ATM Fee Refunds

APY

Unlimited

0.05% if qualifications are not met

(2.01% up to $20,000 if you meet requirements listed below*)

Bay State Savings Bank was founded in Worcester, Mass., and is an independent community bank with the goal of maintaining long-term relationships with consumers and giving back to the community via the Bay State Savings Charitable Foundation.

If you want a free account that is always free — meaning no requirements for you to meet — check out their the Free Kasasa Cash® account.

There’s a small minimum deposit to open the account and you automatically earn interest on your balances.

*If you want the added perks of unlimited ATM fee refunds and a higher 2.01% APY, you need to enroll in electronic statements and online banking, as well make 12 PIN-based debit card transactions each month.

If you don’t meet those requirements, you’ll still earn 0.05% APY, but will have to pay $0.75 per ATM transaction (plus any fee the ATM operator charges). There are thousands of surcharge-free ATMs provided by the SUM® ATM network.

LEARN MORE

on Bay State Savings Bank’s secure website

Check out our full list of the best free checking accounts.

Top high-yield checking accounts for college grads

Since most checking accounts offer little to no interest, high-yield checking accounts are a great way for you to maximize the money that typically would just sit in your account without earning interest. These accounts often offer interest rates that fluctuate depending on how much money you have in the account. However, in order to earn interest, there are some requirements that you may have to meet such as making a certain number of debit card transactions and enrolling in eStatements.

1. First Financial Credit Union – High 5 Checking

Monthly Fee	Minimum Monthly Balance	Amount to Open	ATM Fee Refunds	APY
$0	$0	$0	Up to $10 per statement cycle	5.00% APY on balances up to $2,500 0.10% APY on balances of $2,500.01 or more

Monthly Fee

Minimum Monthly Balance

Amount to Open

ATM Fee Refunds

APY

Up to $10 per statement cycle

5.00% APY on balances up to $2,500

0.10% APY on balances of $2,500.01 or more

The High 5 Checking account from First Financial Credit Union is a free account that has fewer requirements for you to follow to qualify for the interest rates compared with other high-yield checking accounts. That’s why it tops our list.

All you need to do is enroll in eStatements and complete 15 signature-based debit card transactions in the statement period. In addition, there are surcharge-free STAR® ATMs to use, plus out-of-network ATM fee refunds of up to $10 per statement cycle. You can also earn Buzz® Points with your debit card that can be redeemed as statement credit, gift cards and other rewards.

LEARN MORE

on First Financial Credit Union’s secure website

2. America’s Credit Union – Affinity Checking

Monthly Fee	Minimum Monthly Balance	Amount to Open	ATM Fee Refunds	APY
$0	$0	$0	None	5.00% APY on balances up to $1,000 0.10% APY on balances between $1,000.01 - $15,000 0.25% APY on balances over $15,000

Monthly Fee

Minimum Monthly Balance

Amount to Open

ATM Fee Refunds

APY

None

5.00% APY on balances up to $1,000

0.10% APY on balances between $1,000.01 - $15,000

0.25% APY on balances over $15,000

Like most high-yield checking accounts, you’ll need to jump through a few hoops before you qualify for the higher rate. Here are the four requirements:

Have $15,000 in combined loans or deposits with ACU
Have a $500 direct deposit each month
Sign up for eStatements
Complete 10 debit transactions in-store that post and settle during the monthly statement period

In addition, there are 30,000+ surcharge-free ATMs for you to use, and while there are no ATM fee refunds, you receive 10 free ATM fee withdrawals per month — that means America’s Credit Union will not charge you for using an out-of-network ATM, but you will have to pay whatever fee the ATM operator charges.

LEARN MORE

on America's Credit Union’s secure website

3. La Capitol Federal Credit Union – Choice Plus Checking

Monthly Fee	Minimum Monthly Balance	Amount to Open	ATM Fee Refunds	APY
$2, waived if you enroll in eStatements	$0*	$50	Up to $25 per month	4.25% APY on balances up to $3,000 2.00% APY on balances $3,000-$10,000 0.10% APY on balances over $10,000 (or on all balances if you don’t make 15 or more posted non-ATM debit card transactions per month)

Monthly Fee

Minimum Monthly Balance

Amount to Open

ATM Fee Refunds

APY

$2, waived if you enroll in eStatements

$0*

$50

Up to $25 per month

4.25% APY on balances up to $3,000

2.00% APY on balances $3,000-$10,000

0.10% APY on balances over $10,000 (or on all balances if you don’t make 15 or more posted non-ATM debit card transactions per month)

This checking account has a $2 monthly service fee, which can easily be waived if you enroll in eStatements.

*While the terms state a minimum balance requirement of $1,000 and a low balance fee of $8, the fee can be waived if you make 15 or more posted non-ATM debit card transactions per month.

To earn the top interest rate on your checking balance, you just need to make at least 15 or more posted non-ATM debit card transactions per month. There are numerous surcharge-free La Capitol ATMs for you to use, and after signing up for eStatements you can receive up to $25 per month in ATM fee refunds when you use out-of-network ATMs.

LEARN MORE

on La Capitol Federal Credit Union’s secure website

Check out our full list of the best high-yield checking accounts.

Alexandria White |

Alexandria White is a writer at MagnifyMoney. You can email Alexandria at alexandria@magnifymoney.com

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2 Credit Cards Charging 0% Interest until 2019

Getting Approved For 1 Of These Credit Cards Means You Have Excellent Credit

Best Travel Credit Cards With No Annual Fee

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Credit Cards

Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonus For May 2018

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Alexandria White

As the credit card market gets increasingly more crowded, issuers are trying to gain customers with enticing sign-up bonuses. Typical sign-up bonuses require you to spend a given amount (usually ranging from $500 – $5,000) within the first few months of account opening (on average the first 3 months) before you can reap your reward. The type of bonus you earn can differ by issuer and come in the form of points, miles, cash back, and statement credit.

In this post, we list the best sign-up bonuses that you can earn from new credit cards, organized by credit cards for personal or business use and by category (travel, airline, cash back, and more).

Personal

Best travel rewards sign-up bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Annual fee

$0 For First Year

$95 Ongoing

Rewards

2 points on travel and dining, 1 point on all other spending

Regular Purchase APR

17.49%-24.49%

Variable

The bonus offer: Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $625 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. That’s $625 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

What the points are really worth: 1 point is worth $.01, and when you redeem for travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards, 1 point is worth $.0125.

Other reasons to like this card:

25% more in redemption: When you redeem points for travel with Chase Ultimate Rewards® your points get 25% more value. For example, 50,000 points are worth $625 toward travel.
1:1 point transfer: Points can be transferred at a 1:1 rate to participating frequent travel programs currently including: British Airways Executive Club, Flying Blue AIR FRANCE KLM, Korean Air SKYPASS, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards®, United MileagePlus®, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, IHG® Rewards Club, Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® and World of Hyatt.

Bottom Line: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a good fit for people who frequently travel and would like an increased redemption value for their points with the 25% more value you receive when redeeming for travel with Chase Ultimate Rewards.

The information related to the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Best hotel credit card sign-up bonus: Marriott Rewards^® Premier Plus Credit Card

Marriott Rewards<sup>®</sup> Premier Plus Credit Card

Annual fee

$95 For First Year

$95 Ongoing

Rewards

Earn 6 points for every $1 spent at over 6,500 participating Marriott Rewards and SPG hotels and 2 points everywhere else.

Regular Purchase APR

17.49%-24.49%

Variable

The bonus offer: Limited Time Offer! Earn 100,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

What the points are really worth: The value of Marriott rewards points vary by redemption method, and there is no set monetary value.

Other reasons to like this card:

Free Night Award: Benefit from a Free Night Award each year after your account anniversary — valid for a one night hotel stay at a property with a redemption level up to 35,000 points. Other terms apply.
Elite status: Coming in 2019, receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year. Restrictions apply.
Flexible redemption options: Redeem points for hotel stays, room upgrades, experiences, car rentals, TSA Precheck, gift cards, and more.

Bottom Line: The Marriott Rewards^® Premier Plus Credit Card is ideal for people who stay at participating Marriott Rewards and SPG hotels, as the rewards program is structured around those purchases and you can receive a free night stay each account anniversary.

The information related to the Marriott Rewards^® Premier Plus Credit Card has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Best airline credit card sign-up bonus: Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®

Citi<sup>®</sup> / AAdvantage<sup>®</sup> Platinum Select<sup>®</sup> World Elite™ Mastercard<sup>®</sup>

Annual fee

$99, waived for first 12 months*

Rewards Rate

2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases*

Regular Purchase APR

17.49% - 25.49%* (Variable)

APPLY NOW

on Citibank’s secure website

The bonus offer: For a limited time, earn 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening* .

What the points are really worth: The value of AAdvantage® miles vary by redemption method, and there is no set monetary value.

Other reasons to like this card:

10% miles back: You can earn 10% of your redeemed AAdvantage® miles back, with a maximum of 10,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles per calendar year*.
Preferred boarding: You can board the plane faster when flying with American Airlines*.
First checked bag free: On domestic American Airlines flights, your first checked bag is free for you and up to four companions.
25% inflight savings: Receive a 25% savings on eligible inflight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights*.

Bottom Line: The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard® is a great choice for American Airlines flyers who want to enjoy extra perks on their flights such as preferred boarding and inflight savings.

Best cash back sign-up bonus: Discover it® - Cashback Match™

Discover it<sup>®</sup> - Cashback Match<sup>TM</sup>

Annual fee

Cashback Rate

5% cash back at different places each quarter like gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, Amazon.com, or wholesale clubs up to the quarterly maximum each time you activate. 1% unlimited cash back automatically on all other purchases.

Regular APR

13.49% - 24.49% Variable

APPLY NOW

on Discover Bank’s secure website

Rates & Fees

The bonus offer: Discover will match ALL the cash back earned at the end of your first year, automatically.

Other reasons to like this card:

Conveniently redeem cash back: Your cash back can be redeemed at any time and for any amount. This is great since other cards often impose a $20-$25 minimum redemption amount.
No late fee on your first late payment: Discover will give you a pass on your first late payment, a good reminder to set up autopay or calendar alerts.

Bottom Line: The Discover it® - Cashback Match™ is a great option for people looking to earn additional cash back with the Cashback Match™ feature — all without a minimum spending requirement.

Best luxury card sign-up bonus: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Annual fee

$450 For First Year

$450 Ongoing

Rewards

3X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Regular Purchase APR

17.49%-24.49%

Variable

The bonus offer: Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

What the points are really worth: 1 point is worth $.01, and when you redeem for travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 1 point is worth $.0150.

Other reasons to like this card:

50% more in redemption: Points redeemed for travel with Chase Ultimate Rewards earn 50% more in redemption value. For example, 50,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
1:1 point transfer: Easily transfer points at a 1:1 rate to participating frequent travel programs currently including: British Airways Executive Club, Flying Blue AIR FRANCE KLM, Korean Air SKYPASS, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards®, United MileagePlus®, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, IHG® Rewards Club, Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® and World of Hyatt.
Airport lounge access: You can access over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select.

Bottom Line: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers a fantastic sign-up bonus that can benefit from the 50% more value points earn when redeemed for travel with Chase Ultimate Rewards — great for travelers looking to maximize their points.

The information related to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Best student credit card sign-up bonus: Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card for College Students

Citi ThankYou<sup>®</sup> Preferred Card for College Students

Annual fee

$0*

Rewards Rate

Earn 2X Points on Dining Out & Entertainment and Earn 1X Points on All Other Purchases

Regular Purchase APR

15.99% - 25.99%* (Variable)

APPLY NOW

on Citibank’s secure website

The bonus offer: Earn 2,500 bonus points after spending $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

What the points are really worth when redeemed for…

Travel with Citi’s travel portal: 1 point is worth $.01
Gift cards: 1 point is worth $.01
For purchases / statement credit: 1 point is worth $.0075
Shop with points, merchandise: 1 point is worth less than $.01
Cash back: 1 point is worth $.0005

Other reasons to like this card:

0% Intro period: There is an intro 0% for 7 months on Purchases* on purchases which is a decent intro period for a student card. After the intro period, standard APR is 15.99% - 25.99%* (Variable).
Citi Price Rewind: When you register an item you paid for with your card, Citi will search for a lower price. If a lower price is found within 60 days, you may receive the difference between the price you paid and the lower price.

Bottom Line: The Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card for College Students is a good card for students looking to maximize points on dining and entertainment purchases, while also potentially benefiting from money saving features like Citi Price Rewind.

Business

Best cash back sign-up bonus for businesses: Ink Business Cash^SM Credit Card

Annual fee

$0 For First Year

$0 Ongoing

Cashback Rate

Earn 5% cash back in select business categories

Regular Purchase APR

14.74%-20.74%

Variable

The bonus offer: Earn $500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Other reasons to like this card:

0% Intro period: This card offers an intro 0% for 12 Months on purchases allowing your business time to pay off any large purchases made during this period. There is also 0% for 12 Months on balance transfers. After the intro period ends, a 14.74% – 20.74% Variable APR applies.
Higher rewards rate for select business purchases: Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet and cable TV services each account anniversary year. This is helpful for business that typically spend in these categories.

Bottom Line: The Ink Business Cash^SM Credit Card is great for businesses that want a flexible cash back card that allows them to choose select business categories to earn the higher cash back rate.

The information related to the Ink Business Cash^SM Credit Card has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Best travel points sign-up bonus for businesses: Ink Business Preferred^SM Credit Card

Annual fee

$95 For First Year

$95 Ongoing

Rewards

Earn 3 points per $1 in select business categories

Regular Purchase APR

17.49%-22.49%

Variable

The bonus offer: Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

What the points are really worth: 1 point is worth $.01, and when you redeem for travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 1 point is worth $.0125.

Other reasons to like this card:

25% more in redemption: When you redeem points for travel with Chase Ultimate Rewards, they are worth 25% more. For example, 80,000 points are worth $1,000 towards travel.
1:1 point transfer: If you’re a part of participating frequent travel programs, you can transfer points at a 1:1 rate. Partners currently include: British Airways Executive Club, Flying Blue AIR FRANCE KLM, Korean Air SKYPASS, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards®, United MileagePlus®, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, IHG® Rewards Club, Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® and World of Hyatt.
Higher rewards rate for select business purchases: Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year. This is a great way for you to earn points on purchases your business spends a lot in.

Bottom Line: The Ink Business Preferred^SM Credit Card is a great card for businesses that travel since you can earn 25% more value in point redemptions with Chase Ultimate Rewards. Also, if your business wants to choose which categories they want to earn the higher rewards rate in, this card has several options with something for all businesses.

The information related to the Ink Business Preferred^SM Credit Card has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Learn More

How to maximize your sign-up bonus

Below we list some helpful tips for you to select the best sign-up bonus for your spending and how to make sure you actually earn the bonus. Here’s what you need to know:

Understand how the minimum spend requirement and time period works. Nearly all sign-up bonuses require a minimum spend for you to earn the bonus. For example, a card may require you to spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening to earn 5,000 bonus points. If you open your card January 1, then you have until March 30 to spend $1,000. Each sign-up bonus differs, so make sure to check the terms and conditions.
What qualifies as spending on purchases? Sign-up bonuses have clear terms that require you to spend a certain amount, that means certain transactions don’t count for the spending requirement. Transactions that aren’t often eligible often include: balance transfers, cash advances, travelers checks, foreign currency, money orders, wire transfers, interest, and fees of any kind.
Make a large purchase upfront to secure the bonus. If you plan on making a large purchase like a laptop or television, try and make it as soon as possible so you can meet the required spending for the bonus. But only do this if it’s feasible to pay it off soon after. If you make a large purchase upfront and are unable to pay it off before your statement is due, you will be stuck paying interest — unless your card has a 0% intro APR period. Still, you don’t want to fall into debt just to get the sign-up bonus.
Check other terms and conditions. A good rule of thumb is to look at the terms and conditions before you apply for any card. This allows you to see if the points / cash back expire or are only redeemable in certain ways. Reviewing the T&C can prevent you from missing out on your sign-up bonus.
Don’t be too greedy. To thwart people from nabbing sign-up bonuses and closing cards repeatedly, issuers may have rules that prevent customers from signing up for several cards from the same issuer over the course of a specific time period.
Take note: offers are time sensitive. Sign-up bonuses can change at any time, meaning an offer you click on may not be there later if you refresh or close the window.

How we picked the best sign-up bonus offers

The way we formulated this list was by looking at cards from all major issuers as well as some credit unions. From there we divided cards into two categories — travel points and cash back. When comparing cards in the travel category, we made sure to compare points worth, spending requirements, and rewards bonuses for redeeming via the issuer’s portal. For cash back cards, we simply looked at the size of the bonus and spending requirements. If there were cards with similar sign-up bonuses, we considered other features such as 0% intro period, APR and annual fees.

Let’s take an example, where 2 rewards cards both require you to spend $3,000 in the first 3 months of card membership:

Card A earn you 50,000 points
Card B earns you 60,000 points

Now someone may only look at the sign-up bonus for the Card B offer and think, “Wow, I earn 10,000 more points compared to Card A, I want Card B.”

But a closer look at the terms and conditions reveal that the points’ value differs for each card:

Card A’s points are worth $.0125 each when redeemed through the issuer’s portal
Card B’s points are worth $.01 each

Here’s the monetary value of the sign-up bonus for each card:

Card A: $625
Card B: $600

So the sign-up bonus that would be better is Card A, when considering points worth and redemption methods. Therefore, it’s always important to look at various aspects of a card, not solely the sign-up bonus.

Now let’s look at a cash back example:

Card A requires you to spend $1,000 within the first 3 months of card opening to earn $150 cash back
Card B requires you to spend $500 within the first 3 months of card opening to earn $150 cash back
Card C matches your cash back at the end of 12 months, and doesn’t require a minimum spending amount

It’s pretty clear that Card A is the worst value. Card B is better since you have to spend half the amount to earn the same sign-up bonus as Card A. However, if you spend over $15,000 in the first 12 months of card opening, Card C is the best option with unlimited cash back matching and no required spend.

Alexandria White |

Alexandria White is a writer at MagnifyMoney. You can email Alexandria at alexandria@magnifymoney.com

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2 Credit Cards Charging 0% Interest until 2019

Getting Approved For 1 Of These Credit Cards Means You Have Excellent Credit

Best Travel Credit Cards With No Annual Fee

This Cash Back Number May Surprise You

Advertiser Disclosure Comments

Advertiser Disclosure

Building Credit

Build Your Credit Score: 6 Secured Cards With No Annual Fees – May 2018

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Alexandria White

Secured cards are a great way to build or improve credit. When you open a secured card, you submit a security deposit that typically becomes your credit limit. This deposit acts as collateral if you default on your account, but you can get it back if you close your account after paying off your balance. As long as you use a secured card responsibly — for example, make on-time payments and use little of your available credit — you may see improvements in your credit score. Unfortunately, in addition to the upfront deposit, this credit-building tool can have extra costs, like an annual fee.

You can avoid that expense with one of these six no annual fee secured cards, which have a variety of uses:

Cards to consider

Rewards

Discover it^® Secured Card - No Annual Fee

Annual fee

Minimum Deposit

$200

Regular APR

24.49% Variable

APPLY NOW

on Discover Bank’s secure website

Rates & Fees

The Discover it® Secured Card - No Annual Fee is a standout secured card that provides cardholders the opportunity to earn cash back while building credit. A cashback program is hard to find with secured cards, and the Discover it® Secured Card - No Annual Fee offers 2% cash back at restaurants & gas stations on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, 1% cash back on all your other purchases. In addition, there is a new cardmember offer where Discover will match ALL the cash back earned at the end of your first year, automatically. This is a great way to get a lot of rewards without needing to do any extra work.

In addition to a cashback program, this card provides valuable credit resources such as free access to your FICO® Score and a Credit Resource Center — just note these services are available whether you’re a cardholder or not. Discover also takes the guesswork out of wondering when you’re ready for an unsecured card (aka a regular credit card) by performing automatic monthly account reviews, starting at eight months of card membership.

What to look out for: There is a high 24.49% Variable APR for this card, so you could end up paying a lot more than purchase prices if you carry a balance. Try not to overspend and make it a goal to pay each statement in full so you avoid interest charges.

Low deposit

Capital One<sup>®</sup> Secured Mastercard<sup>®</sup>

Capital One^® Secured Mastercard^®

Annual fee

Minimum Deposit

$49

Regular Purchase APR

24.99% (Variable)

APPLY NOW

on Capital One’s secure website

The Capital One® Secured Mastercard® offers qualifying cardholders a lower security deposit compared to other secured cards. You will get an initial $200 credit line after making a security deposit of $49, $99, or $200, determined based on your creditworthiness. Typical secured cards require you to deposit an amount equal to your credit limit, so this card has added perks for people who qualify for the lower deposits.

You can also receive a credit limit increase without making an additional deposit after making your first five monthly payments on time. This is beneficial for people who need a higher credit limit and don’t want to (or can’t) tie up their money in a deposit. Also, this card comes with a credit resource center — which is available to everyone — and Platinum Mastercard® benefits that include travel accident insurance and price protection.

What to look out for: The $49 and $99 security deposits are not guaranteed and depend on your creditworthiness — that means you may still have to deposit $200. Also, it’s not a good idea A carry a balance on this card because it has one of the highest APRs at 24.99% (Variable).

Average deposit

Citi<sup>®</sup> Secured MasterCard<sup>®</sup>

Citi^® Secured MasterCard^®

Annual fee

Minimum Deposit

$200

Regular Purchase APR

23.99%* (Variable)

APPLY NOW

on Citibank’s secure website

The Citi® Secured Mastercard® requires a $200 security deposit, which is typical of secured cards and a good amount to establish your credit line. You can deposit more money if you want to receive a higher credit line, but if you don’t have a lot of money available to deposit, coming up with $200 is manageable. This card doesn’t have any additional card benefits like rewards or insurances, but you can access Citi’s Credit Knowledge Center for financial management tips.

What to look out for: This card has a high 23.99%* (Variable) APR which isn’t ideal for people who may carry a balance. We recommend paying every statement in full so you don’t incur interest, but if you think you may carry a balance check out secured cards with low APRs.

Low APR

Visa<sup>®</sup> Secured Card from MidSouth Community FCU

Visa^® Secured Card from MidSouth Community FCU

Annual fee

$0 For First Year

$0 Ongoing

Minimum Deposit

$200

Regular Purchase APR

10.40%

Variable

APPLY NOW

on MidSouth Community FCU’s secure website

Because MidSouth Community is a federal credit union, you need to be a member to qualify for this card. Membership is limited to people who work, live, worship, or attend school in the following Middle Georgia counties: Bibb, Baldwin, Crawford, Hancock, Houston, Jones, Monroe, Peach, Pulaski, Putnam, Twiggs, Washington, and Wilkinson. If you qualify, you may be able to get a secured card with an APR as low as 10.40% variable.

What to look out for: This card is very restricted, therefore few people will be able to qualify for this low APR secured card.

Unrestricted low APR

Affinity Secured Visa<sup>®</sup> Credit Card

Affinity Secured Visa^® Credit Card

Annual fee

$0 For First Year

$0 Ongoing

Minimum Deposit

$250

Regular Purchase APR

12.10%

Variable

APPLY NOW

on Affinity Federal Credit Union’s secure website

The Affinity Secured Visa® Credit Card requires cardholders to join the Affinity FCU. You may qualify through participating organizations, but if you don’t, anyone can join the New Jersey Coalition for Financial Education by making a $5 donation when you fill out your online application. This card has an 12.10% variable APR, which is one of the lowest rates available for a no annual fee secured card and is nearly half the amount major issuers charge. This is a good rate if you may carry a balance — but try to pay each statement in full.

What to look out for: There may be a membership fee associated with this card if you don’t qualify through participating organizations. The fee you may have to pay is low at $5, but it may be an issue for people who don’t want to pay anything to open a secured card.

Unrestricted federal credit union

Savings Secured Visa Platinum Card from State Department Federal

Annual fee

$0 For First Year

$0 Ongoing

Minimum Deposit

$250

Regular Purchase APR

13.49%

Variable

APPLY NOW

on State Department FCU’s secure website

The State Department FCU Savings Secured Visa Platinum Card is open to anyone, regardless of residence. If you aren’t eligible through select methods including employees of the U.S. Department of State or members of select organizations, you can join the American Consumer Council during the application process. There is no fee associated with joining since State Department FCU pays the $5 on your behalf. There is a rewards program with this card where you earn Flexpoints, which can be redeemed for a variety of options like gift cards and travel. The APR can be as low as 13.49% variable, which is reasonable considering many secured cards from major issuers are above 23%.

What to look out for: If you decide to take out this card and become a member of the SDFCU by joining the American Consumer Council, make sure you do not go to the ACC’s website and submit a $5 donation. That fee is waived by the SDFCU when you fill out your credit application. Simply select “I do not qualify to join through any of these other methods:” and select the ACC from the menu to avoid the $5 fee.

Alexandria White |

Alexandria White is a writer at MagnifyMoney. You can email Alexandria at alexandria@magnifymoney.com

TAGS: CREDIT HISTORY, Secured Cards

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Best of, Earning Cashback

7 Best Cash Back Credit Cards for Dining Out in May 2018

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Alexandria White

If you’re someone who frequently dines out, cash back credit cards that reward you for it are a great way to put money back in your pocket. Cash back cards for dining can earn you rewards for purchases made through restaurants, bars and takeout establishments. This is a great way for foodies to reap extra rewards just by doing what they love — eating!

We picked the following cards because they offer competitive cash back rates above 2% for dining-related purchases, as well as have low or no annual fees. As with most rewards credit cards, you may lose your cash back rewards if your account is not in good standing.

Uber Visa Card – 4% cash back

Annual fee

$0 For First Year

$0 Ongoing

Cashback Rate

4% back on dining, 3% back on hotel and airfare, 2% back for online purchases, and 1% on everything else

Regular Purchase APR

16.49%-25.24%

variable

LEARN MORE

The Uber Visa Card offers unlimited 4% back on dining purchases that will benefit the biggest foodies. Additionally, earn 3% back on hotels and airfare, including vacation home rentals; 2% back on online purchases that include Uber, online shopping and video and music streaming services; and 1% back on all other purchases. Dining purchases include those made at restaurants, fast-food restaurants, bars and UberEATS. Your rewards come in the form of points with a value of $0.01 per point (so 2,500 points can be redeemed for a $25 statement credit, for example). Another cool perk: There is a great sign-up bonus of 10,000 points (worth $100) if you spend $500 within the first 90 days of account opening. You can read our full review here.

AARP® Credit Card from Chase – 3% cash back

AARP<sup>®</sup> Credit Card from Chase Bank

Annual fee

$0 For First Year

$0 Ongoing

Cashback Rate

3% cash back at restaurants and gas station purchases, 1% on everything else

Regular Purchase APR

17.74%-24.49%

Variable

LEARN MORE

Don’t be led astray by the name: This card isn’t limited to people over 50 — anyone can apply. The AARP® Credit Card from Chase offers 3% cash back at restaurants (including fast food) and gas station purchases, and all other purchases will earn 1%. There is a great sign-up bonus of $200 after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

The information related to the AARP® Credit Card from Chase has been collected by MagnifyMoney.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Marvel Mastercard® – 3% cash back

Annual fee

$0 For First Year

$0 Ongoing

Cashback Rate

3% cash back on dining, select entertainment, online purchases at Marvel.com and Marvel’s official merchandise booths and 1% cash back on all other purchases

Regular Purchase APR

16.49%-26.49%

Variable

APPLY NOW

The Marvel Mastercard® is a great choice for Marvel fans who want to benefit from exclusive Marvel discounts, with the added benefit of earning a high cash back rate on dining purchases. You earn 3% cash back on dining, select entertainment, online purchases at Marvel.com and Marvel’s official merchandise booths and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Some of the Marvel related perks you earn include 10% off merchandise purchases at MarvelShop.com, free shipping offers and special discounts on Marvel Unlimited or Marvel digital comics. Terms apply.

There is also a new cardmember bonus of a $25 statement credit after your first purchase with your card.

Sam’s Club Mastercard® – 3% cash back

Sams Club<sup>®</sup> Mastercard<sup>®</sup>

Annual fee

$0 For First Year

$0 Ongoing

Cashback Rate

5% cash back on gas (on first $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), 3% on dining and travel, and 1% on other purchases

Regular Purchase APR

11.65%

Variable

APPLY NOW

on Sam's Club’s secure website

The Sam’s Club Mastercard® offers 3% cash back on restaurant purchases (excluding purchases at wholesale clubs other than Sam’s Club). You will also earn 5% cash back on gas (on the first $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), 3% on travel and 1% on other purchases. From now until Dec. 31, you can receive a $45 statement credit if you open your card online and make a $45 purchase on Samsclub.com on the same day you open your account. However, you do need a Sam’s Club membership to apply, and current membership fees start at $45 per year.

Take note that you’re limited to earning a maximum of $5,000 in cash back rewards in a calendar year. Checks are issued each February for the cash back earned during the previous calendar year. You will lose any cash back you earned if you end your membership or let it lapse, or if you accumulate less than $5 cash back in a calendar year.

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi – 3% cash back

Costco Anywhere Visa<sup>®</sup> Card from Citi

Annual fee

Cashback Rate

4% cash back on eligible gas for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter, 3% on restaurants & travel, 2% at Costco & Costco.com, 1% on all other purchases

Regular Purchase APR

16.74%* (Variable)

APPLY NOW

on Citibank’s secure website

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi requires a Costco membership (currently, annual memberships start at $60) and offers 4% cash back on eligible gas for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter, 3% on restaurants & travel, 2% at Costco & Costco.com, 1% on all other purchases. Take note that purchases made at bakeries and certain restaurants/cafes in department stores, groceries or warehouse clubs will only earn 1%.

Cash back comes as an annual credit card reward certificate in February billing statements, redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco Warehouses. You must maintain your Costco membership to receive rewards, and you will also lose rewards if you accumulate less than $1 in cash back or if you don’t redeem them by the end of the year.

Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card – 3% cash back

Capital One<sup>®</sup> Savor<sup>®</sup> Cash Rewards Credit Card

Annual fee

Cashback Rate

3% Cash Back on dining; 2% Cash Back on groceries; 1% Cash Back on all other purchases

Regular Purchase APR

15.99% - 24.74% (Variable)

APPLY NOW

on Capital One’s secure website

The Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card enables you to earn unlimited 3% Cash Back on dining; 2% Cash Back on groceries; 1% Cash Back on all other purchases. Also, there is a One-time $150 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. (The card website specifies that the one-time bonus is available by applying through the site, and may not be available if an applicant navigates away from the page. Also, the bonus may not be available for existing or previous accountholders.)

Alternative: Rotating cash back categories

Discover it® - Cashback Match™ – 5% cash back

Annual fee

Cashback Rate

Regular APR

13.49% - 24.49% Variable

APPLY NOW

on Discover Bank’s secure website

Rates & Fees

The Discover it® - Cashback Match™ offers 5% cash back in different places (on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter, then 1%) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases, automatically.Restaurants are slated to be a bonus category from July 1 through Sept. 30, 2018. Set a reminder to activate the bonus category. In addition to a cash back program, Discover is offering a first year cash back reward in which it will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year (new cardmembers only).

Are these deals the best for you?

Cash back rewards should only be pursued by responsible credit users who have no trouble paying off their balance on time and in full every month. If you’re a credit all-star who also has an affinity for dining out, these cards will provide the best perks.

If you’re apt to carry a balance, check out our picks for the best credit cards that can help you pay down debt faster.

As always, check the fine print on each card before signing up, taking special note of any fees. With those things in mind, decide which rewards structure best serves your typical spending activity and enjoy the cash back benefits — and the good eats.

Alexandria White |

Alexandria White is a writer at MagnifyMoney. You can email Alexandria at alexandria@magnifymoney.com

TAGS: cash back, Cash Back Credit Cards, Dining Out, Restaurants

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Credit Cards

Best Small Business Credit Cards in May 2018

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Alexandria White

Small business credit cards not only make it easier to separate personal and business finances, they offer business owners advantages they may not need or be able to get with a personal credit card. You might find the number of business credit card options overwhelming, so identifying your priorities will help you choose. Do you want rewards? Or do you merely need a card for short-term financing? The best small business credit card for you will depend entirely on your needs and goals.

Best small business credit cards for financing

0% APR financing

When to consider business cards with intro 0% financing: A business card with an intro 0% APR period can save you hundreds of dollars on interest compared to cards without 0% APR introductory periods. During the intro period, new purchases won’t accrue interest, and you can take your time paying off large purchases such as laptops and desks for your business.

The Blue Business℠ Plus Credit Card from American Express

APPLY NOW

on American Express’s secure website

Terms Apply

Rates & Fees

The Blue Business℠ Plus Credit Card from American Express

Regular Purchase APR: 12.74% - 20.74% Variable

Intro Purchase APR: 0% for 15 Months

Annual fee: $0

Rewards Rate: 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.

Credit required

good-credit

Excellent/Good

The information related to The Blue Business^SM Plus Credit Card from American Express has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Why we like it: The Blue Business^SM Plus Credit Card from American Express offers small business owners the chance to finance new purchases with the longest intro period for purchases of any business card at intro 0% APR for the first 15 months; 12.74% – 20.74% variable APR after. Plus, you can earn rewards, receive purchase protection and get extended warranties — all with a $0 annual fee.

What to watch out for: You can lose the intro APR if a penalty APR applies to your account for any reason. To avoid this, always pay your minimum amount due.

Low interest rate

When to consider business cards with low interest rates: If you find your business has to carry a balance from time to time, it can be beneficial to have a low interest credit card that won’t cause you to rack up as much interest as other cards. But as a rule of thumb, try to pay your balance in full every month to avoid interest charges.

Bank of America® Platinum Visa® Business Credit Card

APPLY NOW

on Bank Of America’s secure website

Bank of America^® Platinum Visa^® Business Credit Card

Regular Purchase APR: 10.74%-21.74%

Annual fee: $0 For First Year; $0 Ongoing

Rewards: No rewards

Credit required

excellent-credit

Excellent

Why we like it: The Bank of America® Platinum Visa® Business Credit Card has the lowest APR at 10.49% to 21.49% variable. If you qualify for the lowest rate and end up carrying a balance, you’ll be charged substantially less interest than other cards with high APRs. Although there are no rewards, new accounts can earn an online exclusive $200 statement credit bonus after making at least $500 in net purchases in the first 60 days of your account opening. That’s the lowest spending requirement to get a bonus on a business card.

What to watch out for: You may not qualify for the lowest rate because the APR varies based on your personal or business’ credit worthiness.

Cash flow management

When to consider a business card for cash flow management: Some small businesses may not have a consistent cash flow, and that’s where a card with a flexible payment option comes in handy. You may be allowed to carry a balance interest free until your next statement if you make the minimum payment.

The Plum Card® from American Express OPEN

APPLY NOW

on American Express’s secure website

Terms Apply

Rates & Fees

The Plum Card^® from American Express OPEN

Regular Purchase APR: N/A

Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee your first year, then $250.

Rewards Rate: Get a 1.5% discount when you pay early, with no cap on what you can earn back.

Credit required

good-credit

Excellent/Good

The information related to The Plum Card® from American Express OPEN has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Why we like it: The Plum Card® from American Express OPEN has an uncommon payment option where as long as you pay your minimum due, you can pay your balance in up to 60 days without accruing interest (terms apply). This ‘grace period’ is uncharacteristic of business cards (and all cards in general), providing you with twice as much time as other cards do to pay off your statement without incurring interest charges. There are no rewards, but you can get a 1.5% discount when you pay early, with no cap on what you can earn back.

What to watch out for: To benefit from the extra-days-to-pay feature, make sure you pay your minimum due, or else you’ll miss out on the offer. Also, make sure this card is the best choice for your business because there’s a $0 introductory annual fee your first year, then $250.

Imperfect credit

When to consider a business card for imperfect credit: If you or your business has less-than-good credit, odds are you’ll not only have trouble qualifying for a credit card, but the terms you do qualify for won’t be ideal. However, you’re not out of luck — we found a card that considers small businesses with imperfect credit, and it has decent terms plus the foundation for you to improve your credit with responsible behavior.

Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business

APPLY NOW

on Capital One’s secure website

Capital One^® Spark^® Classic for Business

Regular Purchase APR: 24.49% (Variable)

Annual fee: $0

Rewards Rate: 1% Cash Back on every purchase, every day

Credit required

bad-credit

Average/Fair/Limited

Why we like it: The Capital One® Spark® Classic for Business is for business owners with Average/Fair/Limited credit. Capital One considers Average/Fair/Limited credit as someone who’s defaulted on a loan in the past five years or has limited credit history (holding credit for less than three years). So, if you or your business has less-than-perfect credit, you may have better odds qualifying for this card compared to the majority of business cards, which require good or excellent credit.

What to watch out for: Although this card states it’s for business owners with Average/Fair/Limited credit, that does not guarantee you will be approved. As with any credit application, lenders look at a variety of credit factors.

Available for service members

When to consider business cards for service members: The following business credit cards are provided by credit unions for service members and have added perks, such as low interest rates, rewards, special offers and discounts. These cards require credit union membership, but you can typically qualify depending on where you live or work.

Navy Federal Credit Union Visa® Business Card

APPLY NOW

on Navy Federal Credit Union’s secure website

Navy Federal Credit Union Visa^® Business Card

Regular Purchase APR: 10.15%-18.00%

Annual fee: $0 For First Year; $0 Ongoing

Rewards: 3 points on restaurants, 2 points on gas and 1 point on everything else

Credit required

excellent-credit

Excellent

Why we like it: The Navy Federal Credit Union Visa® Business Card has no annual fee and provides an up to 15% discount on qualifying business purchases with Visa SavingsEdge®. You can receive discounts at restaurants, travel and shipping services, IT solutions and more at no additional cost. As a member of NFCU, you can also receive a discount on Geico auto insurance and access an Auto Buying Program where you can save on new and used cars — great if your business requires you and your employees to drive. Terms & limitations apply.

What to watch out for: The interest rate you receive depends on your creditworthiness, so you may not receive the lowest APR. Because membership is restricted, check here to see if you qualify for membership with Navy Federal Credit Union.

Navy Federal Credit Union Mastercard® Business Card

APPLY NOW

on Navy Federal Credit Union’s secure website

Navy Federal Credit Union Mastercard^® Business Card

Regular Purchase APR: 10.15%-18.00%

Annual fee: $0 For First Year; $0 Ongoing

Rewards: 3 points on restaurants, 2 points on gas and 1 point on everything else

Credit required

excellent-credit

Excellent

Why we like it: The Navy Federal Credit Union Mastercard® Business Card has the Mastercard Easy Savings® Program, which provides you with an up to 10% discount on a wide range of purchases including car rentals, gas purchases, products and services like Bing Ads and Monster, and more. This can simply save your business money on everyday purchases and the program is free. NFCU members have access to perks that suit businesses that require driving for work, like the ability to save on Geico auto insurance and access to an Auto Buying Program where you can receive savings on new and used vehicles. Terms & limitations apply.

What to watch out for: The APR varies based on your creditworthiness, so you may not qualify for the lowest rate. Because membership is restricted, check here to see if you qualify for membership with Navy Federal Credit Union.

RBFCU Business Select Mastercard® credit card

APPLY NOW

on Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union’s secure website

RBFCU Business Select Mastercard^® credit card

Regular Purchase APR: 11.15%-18.00%

Annual fee: $0 For First Year; $0 Ongoing

Rewards: 2% cash back on all purchases

Credit required

good-credit

Excellent/Good

Why we like it: The RBFCU Business Select Mastercard® credit card has a great cashback program with unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase. This flat rate is rare among business cards that tend to favor high rates only on select purchase categories. In addition to a cashback program, members of RBFCU can benefit from members-only pricing at select merchants like TurboTax® and Sprint® to save your business additional money. Terms apply.

What to watch out for: Not everyone will qualify for membership with RBFCU, so fill out this online form to check.

Best small business rewards credit cards

Travel perks

When to consider travel business cards: If you or your employees travel often, a travel card can be more valuable than typical credit cards because many offer travel insurance, airline fee credits, free Wi-Fi access and other travel-related perks.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN

APPLY NOW

on American Express’s secure website

Terms Apply

Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express OPEN

Regular Purchase APR: N/A

Annual fee: $450

Rewards Rate: 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com and 1.5 Membership Rewards® points on each qualifying purchase of $5,000 or more.

Credit required

good-credit

Excellent/Good

The information related to The Business Platinum® Card from American Express OPEN has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Welcome Offer: Earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® points. Earn 50,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 & an extra 50,000 points after you spend an additional $15,000 all on qualifying purchases within your first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 8/8/18.†

Why we like it: We looked at business cards that offered travel perks, and The Business Platinum® Card from American Express OPEN emerged as the best overall business travel card because of its extensive benefits for business owners, including rewards potential, Welcome Offer, and added perks. You can take advantage of standout perks like access to over 1,000 airport lounges, credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck and a $200 airline fee credit. Terms apply. These benefits can save your business a substantial amount of money and make travel less of a hassle.

What to watch out for: There is a steep $450 annual fee for this card. However, considering the value you receive with this card, the annual fee may be worth it. For example, the airline fee credit and Global Entry fee credit are valued at $300, decreasing the effective annual fee for this card.

Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card

Regular Purchase APR: 17.49%-22.49%

Annual fee: $95 For First Year; $95 Ongoing

Rewards: Earn 3 points per $1 in select business categories

Credit required

excellent-credit

Excellent

The information related to the Ink Business Preferred^SM Credit Card as been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Why we like it: The Ink Business Preferred^SM Credit Card allows you to increase the value of your points by 25% when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. This is a great way to increase the effective value of your points. Additional travel benefits include trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance and travel and emergency assistance services.

What to watch out for: The higher rewards rate only applies to select categories, so if you primarily spend outside the select categories, you’ll earn a subpar cashback rate. Consider other travel business cards that suit your spending more.

Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business

APPLY NOW

on Capital One’s secure website

Capital One^® Spark^® Miles for Business

Regular Purchase APR: 18.49% (Variable)

Annual fee: $0 intro for first year; $95 after that

Rewards Rate: 2 Miles per $1 on every purchase, every day

Credit required

good-credit

Excellent/Good

Why we like it: The Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business offers a hard-to-find flat-rate rewards program at 2 Miles per $1 on every purchase, every day. This rate allows you and your employees to earn the same amount of miles on any purchase with no bonus categories or caps. You can easily redeem miles for travel, and there is no minimum redemption amount.

What to watch out for: This card comes with an annual fee at $0 intro for first year; $95 after that, and although it’s lower than most travel business cards, it may not be ideal for everyone. Keep in mind you will need to spend $4,750 a year (after year one) to recoup the fee.

Big intro bonuses

When to consider business cards with big intro bonuses: A large intro bonus can be a simple way for business owners to earn extra rewards within the first few months of account opening — as long as you fulfill the requirements. You can use the rewards you earn in a variety of ways, from travel to statement credits that can lower your business’ expenses. Many cards that have big intro bonuses also have good rewards and perks, providing long-term value in addition to the short-term reward.

Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card

Regular Purchase APR: 17.49%-22.49%

Annual fee: $95 For First Year; $95 Ongoing

Rewards: Earn 3 points per $1 in select business categories

Credit required

excellent-credit

Excellent

The information related to the Ink Business Preferred^SM Credit Card as been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Intro bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Why we like it: The Ink Business Preferred^SM Credit Card has the highest value intro bonus and allows you to increase the value of your bonus by 25% when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. You can see a large increase in your bonus value by redeeming this way. This card is also a good option for a business travel card.

What to watch out for: There are requirements that you need to follow in order to receive the intro bonus, so make sure you spend the required amount in the stated time period. Also, you miss out on added value by redeeming points outside of Chase Ultimate Rewards®, so try to use the portal to receive the 25% bonus on travel.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN

APPLY NOW

on American Express’s secure website

Terms Apply

Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express OPEN

Regular Purchase APR: N/A

Annual fee: $450

Rewards Rate: 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com and 1.5 Membership Rewards® points on each qualifying purchase of $5,000 or more.

Credit required

good-credit

Excellent/Good

The information related to The Business Platinum® Card from American Express OPEN has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Welcome Offer: Earn 50,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 and an extra 25,000 points after you spend an additional $10,000 all on qualifying purchases on the Business Platinum Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.

Why we like it: Beyond the Welcome Offer, The Business Platinum® Card from American Express OPEN provides a rewards program, extensive travel perks, discounts and more benefits for you and your employees. This card is also our top pick for business travel cards.

What to watch out for: You need to satisfy two spending requirements to earn the full Welcome Offer — earn 50,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 and an extra 25,000 points after you spend an additional $10,000 all on qualifying purchases within your first 3 months of Card Membership.

CitiBusiness®/ AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®

APPLY NOW

on Citibank’s secure website

CitiBusiness^®/ AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Mastercard^®

Regular Purchase APR: 17.24% - 25.24%* (Variable)

Annual fee: $95, waived for first 12 months*

Rewards Rate: 2 AAdvantage® miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases* and for every $1 spent on purchases at telecommunications, car rental merchants and at gas stations*, 1 AAdvantage® mile per $1 spent on other purchases*

Credit required

good-credit

Excellent/Good

Limited-time offer: Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening*.

Why we like it: The CitiBusiness®/ AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard® is one of few airline-specific business cards. This card has the largest limited-time offer compared to competitors and a typical spending requirement. In addition, there are great perks when you fly on American Airlines, such as in-flight discounts, first checked bag free and preferred boarding.

What to watch out for: This is an airline-specific card — if you don’t fly with American Airlines, you’ll miss out on some of the best perks.

Cashback rewards

When to consider cashback business cards: Cash back is a simple and straightforward way for your business to be rewarded for purchases. You can easily redeem your cash back as a statement credit, which is a great way to reduce your bill (just remember that redemptions can’t be applied to minimum payments).

Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business

APPLY NOW

on Capital One’s secure website

Capital One^® Spark^® Cash for Business

Regular Purchase APR: 18.49% (Variable)

Annual fee: $0 intro for first year; $95 after that

Rewards Rate: 2% Cash Back on every purchase, every day

Credit required

good-credit

Excellent/Good

Why we like it: We looked at business credit cards offering cashback rewards and analyzed their rewards rates, fees and APRs, and among the group, The Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business rose to the top. It has a standout cashback program earning you 2% Cash Back on every purchase, every day. There are no bonus categories or caps — you’ll earn the same rate on every purchase. You can even make redeeming your rewards simple by setting up automatic redemption, great for businesses that don’t want to fuss with rewards.

What to watch out for: The annual fee is $0 intro for first year; $95 after that — so after year one, you will need to spend $4,750 a year to break even.

Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business

APPLY NOW

on Capital One’s secure website

Capital One^® Spark^® Cash Select for Business

Regular Purchase APR: 14.49% - 22.49% (Variable)

Annual fee: $0

Rewards Rate: 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day

Credit required

good-credit

Excellent/Good

Why we like it: The Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business has a decent rewards rate for business owners who want to avoid an annual fee at 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day. This card is a good alternative to the Capital One® Spark® Cash for Business, offering all the same perks plus a $0 annual fee.

What to watch out for: The cash back rate is below the ideal 2%, and you can do better with a higher flat-rate card or with bonus category cards. But be aware they may have an annual fee.

Hotel rewards

When to consider business cards with hotel rewards: Traveling for business can get costly, but hotel rewards cards can help you save money on hotel stays and other expenses you may incur like meals. Whether you favor a specific hotel or often choose the best priced hotel, there are business cards for you that can earn you rewards and other money-saving discounts. Because hotel loyalty varies, we’re highlighting two cards with exceptional hotel rewards.

Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express

APPLY NOW

on American Express’s secure website

Terms Apply

Rates & Fees

Starwood Preferred Guest^® Business Credit Card from American Express

Regular Purchase APR: 16.74%-20.74%

Annual fee: $0 For First Year; $95 Ongoing

Rewards: Earn 2 Starpoints® for each dollar of eligible purchases spent at participating SPG® & Marriott Rewards® hotels. Earn 1 Starpoint for all other purchases.

Credit required

good-credit

Excellent/Good

The information related to the Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Why we like it: The Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express is our top pick for businesses looking to earn rewards and perks on hotel stays. SPG has numerous participating hotels where you and your employees can stay, and there are flexible redemption options for your points. For example, you have the ability to transfer points on a mostly one-to-one basis to over 30 airline frequent flyer programs. Additional benefits include credits towards SPG elite status, travel accident insurance and free Wi-Fi with Boingo and at SPG participating hotels (terms apply).

What to watch out for: The rate you earn on purchases outside of SPG and Marriott Rewards® hotels is lower than other hotel rewards cards, like the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card mentioned below. So, if you’re looking to earn a high rate on all purchases, check out other hotel rewards cards.

Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

APPLY NOW

on American Express’s secure website

Terms Apply

Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Regular Purchase APR: 17.24%-26.24%

Annual fee: $95 For First Year; $95 Ongoing

Credit required

good-credit

Excellent/Good

The information related to the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card has been collected by MagnifyMoney and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Why we like it: The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card offers great benefits for business travelers who frequent hotels in the Hilton portfolio with a wide range of perks including complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status. This gives you a 25% bonus on Base Points, space-available room upgrades and more benefits that may make your stays more comfortable. Other Hilton perks include a rewards program that allows you to earn Hilton Honors Bonus Points at a fast rate and Weekend Night Rewards (terms apply). In addition, you receive baggage and travel accident insurance, 10 free visits to over 1,000 Priority Pass airport lounges every year and the ability to connect your credit card transactions to Quickbooks®, among other things.

What to watch out for: You don’t want to carry a balance with this card because there is a 17.24% – 26.24% variable APR. Although this is a typical range, it’s still high and can lead to large interest charges if you don’t pay your bill in full. But, if you pay in full and on time, this won’t be an issue.

Best category bonuses

When to consider business cards with category bonuses: If you spent a lot in particular categories, credit cards with category bonuses may be a great way for you to earn rewards for that spending. For example, if you drive a lot for business, a card with gas rewards may be ideal. Below we list the business cards that offer the highest reward rates on dining, gas and office-supply spending

Dining & gas

Sam's Club® Business Mastercard®

APPLY NOW

on Sam's Club’s secure website

Sam's Club^® Business Mastercard^®

Regular Purchase APR: 16.15%-24.15%

Annual fee: $0 For First Year; $0 Ongoing

Rewards: 5% cash back on gas (on first $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), 3% cash back on dining and travel, and 1% cash back on other purchases.

Credit required

good-credit

Good

Why we like it: The Sam’s Club® Business Mastercard® offers a high 5% cash back on gas (on the first $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), 3% cash back on dining and travel, and 1% cash back on other purchases. This rate is ideal for businesses that primarily spend on gas because you earn the highest rate on those purchases compared to other cards. Business owners who often take out clients for meals may want to consider this card because of its cashback rate on dining purchases.

What to watch out for: You need to be a member of Sam’s Club to open this card, and as a business owner you may not have a need for a Sam’s Club membership. However, membership starts as low as $45 a year, and considering there’s no annual fee for this credit card, that’s a small amount.

Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card from Citi

APPLY NOW

on Citibank’s secure website

Costco Anywhere Visa^® Business Card from Citi

Regular Purchase APR: 16.74%

Annual fee: $0 For First Year; $0 Ongoing

Rewards: 4% on eligible gas worldwide, including Costco (for the first $7,000 per year and then 1%), 3% on restaurant and eligible travel worldwide, 2% on all other purchases at Costco and Costco.com and 1% on everything else

Credit required

excellent-credit

Excellent

Why we like it: The Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi offers a tiered cashback program with 4% on eligible gas worldwide, including Costco (for the first $7,000 per year and then 1%), 3% on restaurant and eligible travel worldwide, 2% on all other purchases at Costco and Costco.com and 1% on everything else. This is a good rewards program for business owners with Costco memberships if you want to earn cash back in a wide range of categories.

What to watch out for: You need to be a Costco member to open this card, and membership starts at $60 per year. This is higher than Sam’s Club and definitely something to consider if you’re deciding between the two cards. Another important note is that you won’t earn as much cash back with this card as you would with the Sam’s Club® Business Mastercard®.

Gas & office supply stores

Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

APPLY NOW

on Bank Of America’s secure website

Bank of America^® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard^® credit card

Regular Purchase APR: 12.74% - 22.74% Variable APR

Annual fee: $0

Rewards Rate: 3% cash back on purchases at gas stations and office supply stores (up to $250,000 each calendar year, 1% after that), 2% cash back on purchases at restaurants, 1% cash back on all other purchases

Credit required

good-credit

Excellent

Why we like it: The Bank of America® Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card doesn’t require membership with a warehouse club like other gas cards and has a $0 annual fee. Business owners can earn a decent cash back rate at both gas stations and office supply stores, making this card ideal if you often spend in these categories.

What to watch out for: The gas cashback rate is lower than other business cards with gas as a category bonus and won’t earn you as much rewards.

Risks of using small business credit cards

While small business credit cards can provide a wide range of benefits for your company, they have drawbacks.

Here are some of the major risks:

Personal liability. As a business owner, you are solely responsible for all charges made on your account. That means if there are any unpaid balances on your account, whether from your spending or employee spending, you are liable.

Negative impact on you credit. If your account is in poor standing as a result of late payments, overdue balances, bankruptcy or other issues, the credit card issuer may report this information to the credit bureaus. As a result, your personal credit score may take a hit.

Not protected by the CARD Act. Business cards don’t receive the same consumer protections that personal credit cards receive with the CARD Act. The CARD Act requires credit card issuers to provide transparent terms as well as lower fees and interest rates for consumers. But, issuers of business cards don’t have to comply with those requirements. Therefore, a business card may have higher interest rates, more fees and confusing terms.

How to minimize the risks of business credit cards

Monitor employee spending. The ability to open employee cards is a great feature, but if you don’t stay on top of their charges, it can become risky. Some good practices include keeping records of all employees with card access, setting employee spending limits when available and monitoring your credit card statements. This way you can keep track of all spending made on your account and add limits when needed.

Avoid charging personal expenses. Use your business card the way it is intended to be used — exclusively for business purchases. Charging personal expenses makes managing your finances harder and complicates the use of your card.

Do not take out a cash advance. Cash advances are one of the most costly features of credit cards and are rarely a good choice because you’ll be hit with higher than normal interest rates and can rack up debt fast. As an alternative, check out small business loans.

Look at loans for long-term financing. Your business may need to borrow money for purchases like cars or other big-ticket items, and small business loans can be a great way to finance those purchases. Often with straightforward terms, loans can be a good alternative to charging purchases on your credit card. Compare small business loans here.

Do not try to bail out a failing business. If your business isn’t doing well, don’t take out a small business credit card with the hopes of bailing it out. Odds are you’ll only get into more debt and make the situation worse.

Best way to use credit cards for your business

Earn rewards. Almost all of the cards mentioned in this roundup provide rewards, allowing business owners to be benefit from typical business spending. You can use the rewards you earn in a variety of ways, like booking travel, applying cash back as statement credit to cover bills or redeeming them for gift cards for business expenses or employee incentives.

Manage cash flow. Business cards may provide expense-management tools so you can monitor spending and simplify everyday business transactions. You can use your card to automate business expenses like monthly phone bills or regular office-supply purchases.

Build business credit. Opening a small business credit card has the potential to build and improve your business credit. If you make on-time payments and use a relatively small amount of your available credit, your business’ credit can benefit greatly. Having a good business credit score can help you down the line if you plan on taking out a loan or other credit products.

Short-term borrowing. If your business plans on making purchases that can’t be paid immediately, some business credit cards offer 0% intro periods that are ideal for short-term borrowing and can be a better choice than a personal loan — when used responsibly. During the 0% intro period, you can carry a balance without incurring interest, and if you pay it off before the intro period ends, you can save on the interest that you would’ve incurred if you had taken out a loan.

Alexandria White |

Alexandria White is a writer at MagnifyMoney. You can email Alexandria at alexandria@magnifymoney.com

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Best Cash Back Credit Cards for Gas – May 2018

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Alexandria White

Gas in car_lg

Whether you’re hit by high gas prices in your area or you’re a heavy commuter, finding a credit card that offers a high rewards rate on gas purchases will definitely come in handy. There are cards that can earn you up to 5% cash back on eligible gas purchases, which can take the sting out of a stop to top off the tank.

Here are our top picks for gas credit cards.

Fort Knox Federal Credit Union Visa^® Platinum Card

Fort Knox Federal Credit Union Visa<sup>®</sup> Platinum Card

Annual fee

$0 For First Year

$0 Ongoing

Cashback Rate

5% back on all gas station spending, 1% on all other purchases

Regular Purchase APR

10.75%-18.00%

Variable

APPLY NOW

on Fort Knox Federal’s secure website

The Fort Knox Federal Credit Union Visa^® Platinum Card lets you Earn an unlimited 5% cash back on gas and 1% cash back on all other purchases. This is a great rate that can earn you significant rewards. There is also no annual fee. Since Fort Knox is a credit union, you will have to join in order to obtain this card. Anyone can join for $15, of which $5 represents one share in the credit union; the remaining $10 covers your one-time membership fee. This card is great for big spenders in gas who don’t mind working with a credit union.

Sam’s Club® Mastercard®

Annual fee

$0 For First Year

$0 Ongoing

Cashback Rate

5% cash back on gas (on first $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), 3% on dining and travel, and 1% on other purchases

Regular Purchase APR

11.65%

Variable

APPLY NOW

on Sam's Club’s secure website

The Sam’s Club® Mastercard® offers 5% cash back on gas purchases (on the first $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%). You need to be a Sam’s Club member to have this card, and annual memberships start at $45. Qualifying gas purchases include spending at gas stations, Sam’s Club fuel stations and Walmart fuel stations located in the U.S. and Puerto Rico; however, there are exclusions: Purchases at fuel stations at wholesale clubs (other than Sam’s Club), certain supercenters and supermarkets won’t earn 5%. Instead, they’ll earn 1%. Take note that the cash back redemption is limited to an annual check mailed out in February. You then have to go to a Sam’s Club to redeem your check.

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

Annual fee

Cashback Rate

4% cash back on eligible gas for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter, 3% on restaurants & travel, 2% at Costco & Costco.com, 1% on all other purchases

Regular Purchase APR

16.74%* (Variable)

APPLY NOW

on Citibank’s secure website

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi offers 4% cash back on eligible gas for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter, 3% on restaurants & travel, 2% at Costco & Costco.com, 1% on all other purchases. Most gas credit cards limit you to only U.S. gas purchases and often exclude wholesale gas purchases, but not this card. There is a $0 annual fee for this card, but you need to have a Costco membership (currently $60). The main catch with this card is it’s not simple to redeem rewards — cash back will be provided as an annual certificate in February billing statements, redeemable for cash or merchandise at US Costco Warehouses.

Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card

Bank of America<sup>®</sup> Cash Rewards Credit Card

Annual fee

Cashback Rate

1% cash back on every purchase, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 3% on gas for the first $2,500 in combined grocery/wholesale club/gas purchases each quarter

Regular Purchase APR

14.74% - 24.74% Variable APR

APPLY NOW

on Bank Of America’s secure website

The Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a good cashback rate for gas purchases. You’ll earn 1% cash back on every purchase, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 3% on gas for the first $2,500 in combined grocery/wholesale club/gas purchases each quarter. There is a $0 annual fee and if you redeem your cash back into a Bank of America checking or saving account you can receive a 10% bonus. Cardholders who will have the most benefit are Bank of America Preferred Rewards clients. As a Preferred Rewards client, you can increase your bonus to 25-75%, making your gas cash back an effective 3.75%-5.25%. There’s a sign-up bonus that can kickstart your rewards: $150 online cash rewards bonus after you spend at least $500 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Which card is the right fit for me?

Since there are many credit cards for you to maximize your rewards from gas purchases, it can be confusing to choose a card. There are cards that offer high rates without caps. Others come with additional bonus categories to consider.

The table below breaks down which gas card may be a good fit for you when factoring annual gas spending, cashback rate and annual fee. (Sign-on bonuses are not reflected.) Keep in mind: This only factors in spending on gas purchases and doesn’t consider if you spend in other categories or at the other cashback rates.

Here are several key takeaways:

The Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card will earn you the most cash back ONLY if you’re a Preferred Rewards member with at least $100,000 in a BofA checking/savings account. Otherwise, the Fort Knox Credit Union Visa® Platinum will earn you the most cash back.
Although the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi doesn’t earn you the most cash back, it may be a better fit for Costco shoppers due to the other high-cashback categories.
You won’t earn the best cashback rate with the Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card unless you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards client with $100,000 in a checking or savings account — allowing you to benefit from a 75% redemption bonus
The Sam’s Club® Mastercard® is a good option for current members who fuel up at Sam’s Club and spend $6,000 or less a year on gas.

		Card
		Fort Knox Credit Union Visa® Platinum	Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi	Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card: without a BofA checking / savings	Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card: with $100,000 in a BofA checking / savings	Sam's Club® Mastercard®
Spending	$1,000	$50	$40	$30	$53	$50
	$2,000	$100	$80	$60	$105	$100
	$3,000	$150	$120	$90	$158	$150
	$4,000	$200	$160	$120	$210	$200
	$5,000	$250	$200	$150	$263	$250
	$6,000	$300	$240	$180	$315	$300
	$7,000	$350	$280	$210	$368	$310
	$8,000	$400	$290	$240	$420	$320
	$9,000	$450	$300	$270	$473	$330
	$10,000	$500	$310	$300	$525	$340

*We did not include the Costco and Sam’s Club membership fees in our calculations.

Alexandria White |

Alexandria White is a writer at MagnifyMoney. You can email Alexandria at alexandria@magnifymoney.com

TAGS: cash back, credit card, Gas

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Best Cash Back Cards for Grocery Shopping in May 2018

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Alexandria White

Shopping for groceries can be a painful experience. There are numerous aisles, thousands of items and long checkout lines to contend with. Then there’s one more blow: watching the dollars add up at the register.

But signing up for a solid cashback credit card can be a good way to earn a percentage of your grocery purchases back and take some of the sting out of that shopping trip.

Here are the best cashback cards for grocery shopping.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Annual fee

Cashback Rate

3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%). 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations and at select U.S. department stores. 1% cash back on other purchases.

Regular Purchase APR

14.49%-25.49% Variable

APPLY NOW

on American Express’s secure website

Terms Apply

Rates & Fees

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, offers 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%). 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations and at select U.S. department stores. 1% cash back on other purchases. It comes with a $0 annual fee. This is a great rate for habitual shoppers so long as you spend up to $3,167 a year at supermarkets. If you spend more than that, then you might be better off with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, which comes with a $95 annual fee but higher cashback potential.

The Welcome Offer is a $150 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months. This is a good way to maximize your rewards.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Annual fee

$95

Cashback Rate

6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%). 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and at select U.S. department stores. 1% cash back on other purchases.

Regular Purchase APR

14.49%-25.49% Variable

APPLY NOW

on American Express’s secure website

Terms Apply

Rates & Fees

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers the highest cashback rate for big grocery spenders — 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%). This card does come with a $95 annual fee and you need to spend $1,584 a year on groceries to break even. If you spend $3,167 a year ($264 a month) or more on groceries you will benefit from this card more than the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. You’ll also earn a high 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores and 1% back on other purchases. There’s an added Welcome Offer: $200 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months.

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa^® Signature Card

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa<sup>®</sup> Signature Card

Annual fee

$0 For First Year

$0 Ongoing

Cashback Rate

5% back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market purchases, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, 1% back on other purchases

Regular Purchase APR

15.74%-23.74%

Variable

APPLY NOW

on Amazon’s secure website

The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa^® Signature Card offers a grocery cash back program that is geared toward Whole Foods Market shoppers. You’ll Earn 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with eligible Prime membership, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, and 1% back on all other purchases. This is a great rate if you frequently spend at Whole Foods Market and easily rivals offers from competing cards. There is no annual fee, but you will need a Prime membership to benefit from the 5% rate — currently, annual plans cost $99 or $49 for students. If you don’t have a Prime membership, check out the Amazon Rewards Visa^® Signature Card mentioned below.

The information related to the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa^® Signature Card has been collected by MagnifyMoney.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Amazon Rewards Visa^® Signature Card

Amazon Rewards Visa<sup>®</sup> Signature Card

Annual fee

$0 For First Year

$0 Ongoing

Cashback Rate

3% back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market purchases, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, 1% back on other purchases

Regular Purchase APR

15.74%-23.74%

Variable

APPLY NOW

on Amazon’s secure website

The Amazon Rewards Visa^® Signature Card is similar to the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa^® Signature Card, but doesn’t require a Prime membership. This card also has no annual fee but offers a lower rate at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market. You Earn 3% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, and 1% back on all other purchases. This rate stands out for Whole Foods Market shoppers and can be more beneficial if you primarily shop at Whole Foods Market since there are no caps on the 3% rate (unlike other grocery cards on this list).

The information related to the Amazon Rewards Visa^® Signature Card has been collected by MagnifyMoney.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card

Annual fee

Cashback Rate

1% cash back on every purchase, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 3% on gas for the first $2,500 in combined grocery/wholesale club/gas purchases each quarter

Regular Purchase APR

14.74% - 24.74% Variable APR

APPLY NOW

on Bank Of America’s secure website

The Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a decent cashback rate for groceries, however it is lower than what you’ll find with competing cards. You’ll earn 1% cash back on every purchase, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 3% on gas for the first $2,500 in combined grocery/wholesale club/gas purchases each quarter. There is a $0 annual fee and you can redeem your cash back directly into a Bank of America checking or saving account for a 10% bonus. People who will benefit most from this card are those who are Bank of America Preferred Rewards clients. As a Preferred Rewards client, you could increase your bonus to 25-75%, making your grocery cash back an effective 2.5-3.5%. If you apply online, you can earn a $150 online cash rewards bonus after you spend at least $500 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Huntington Voice Credit Card®

Annual fee

$0 For First Year

$0 Ongoing

Rewards

3X points in one of 10 categories (capped at $2,000 each quarter or 6000 points), and all other purchases earn 1X points

Regular Purchase APR

13.49%-27.49%

APPLY NOW

on Huntington National Bank’s secure website

The Huntington Voice Credit Card® has no annual fee and earns you 3X points in one of 13 categories. Simply choose to earn 3X points at grocery stores once you open your account. The rewards you earn at the 3X rate are capped at $2,000 each quarter or 6000 points, with all other purchases earning 1X points. You also have the freedom to change your 3X category every quarter to suit your spending. But be aware that if you switch from grocery stores to another category, you’ll only earn 1X points on grocery spending. Points can be redeemed for cash and 1 point equals $0.01, therefore 5,000 points is equal to $50 cash rewards.

Which card is the right fit for me?

With numerous credit cards available to help maximize your grocery rewards, it can be confusing to know which to choose. Some cards provide unlimited rewards at a high rate, while most have caps on grocery spending.

The table below breaks down which grocery card may be a good fit for you when factoring in annual grocery spending, cashback rate and annual fee. (Sign-on bonuses are not reflected.) Keep in mind: This only factors in spending on grocery purchases and doesn’t consider if you spend in other categories or at the other cashback rates.

Here are a few key takeaways:

If you spend about $3,000 a year on groceries, you will benefit more from the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, Amazon Rewards Visa^® Signature Card or the Huntington Voice Credit Card®.
If you spend around $4,000 – $7,000 a year, you will benefit more from the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express.
If you spend on average $8,000 or more a year at Whole Foods Market, you will benefit more from the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa^® Signature Card.
The Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card earns you subpar cash back unless you have $100,000 in a Bank of America checking or savings account.

		Card
		Amazon Prime Rewards Visa® Signature Card	Amazon Rewards Visa® Signature Card	Huntington Voice Credit Card®	Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express	Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express	Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card: without BofA checking/ savings	Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card: with $100,000 in BofA checking/ savings
Spending	$1,000	-$49	$30	$30	$30	-$35	$20	$35
	$2,000	$1	$60	$60	$60	$25	$40	$70
	$3,000	$51	$90	$90	$90	$85	$60	$105
	$4,000	$101	$120	$120	$120	$145	$80	$140
	$5,000	$151	$150	$150	$150	$205	$100	$175
	$6,000	$201	$180	$180	$180	$265	$120	$210
	$7,000	$251	$210	$210	$190	$275	$140	$245
	$8,000	$301	$240	$240	$200	$285	$160	$280
	$9,000	$351	$270	$250	$210	$295	$180	$315
	$10,000	$401	$300	$260	$220	$305	$200	$350

*We included the $99 Prime membership fee into our calculations for the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa^® Signature Card and the $95 annual fee for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express.

Alexandria White |

Alexandria White is a writer at MagnifyMoney. You can email Alexandria at alexandria@magnifymoney.com

TAGS: cash back, Grocery shopping

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2 Credit Cards Charging 0% Interest until 2019

Getting Approved For 1 Of These Credit Cards Means You Have Excellent Credit

Best Travel Credit Cards With No Annual Fee

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Alexandria White

Posts by Alexandria White :

Pay Down My Debt

5 Best Ways to Consolidate Credit Card Debt

In this guide, we’ll cover:

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5 options to consolidate credit card debt

1. Balance transfer

Pros:

Cons:

2. Personal loan

Pros:

Cons:

3. Home equity loan

Pros:

Cons:

4. 401(k) loan

Pros:

Cons:

5. Debt management plans

Pros:

Cons:

Staying debt free after consolidating credit card debt

Pay your bills in full and on time.

Create a budget.

Set up an emergency fund.

Resist the temptation to overspend just to earn rewards.

Bottom line

Get A Pre-Approved Personal Loan

How to Complain

How to Contact Chase Customer Service

News

7 Great No-Fee Checking Accounts for People With Low Balances

Methodology

Great free checking accounts for low balances

Bay State Savings Bank

Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union

Radius Bank

Alliant Credit Union

State Department FCU

XCEL Federal Credit Union

Atlantic Stewardship Bank

College Students and Recent Grads

Top Checking Accounts for College Grads

In this post, we’ve compiled a list of the top checking accounts for college grads.

The 5 key things you should look for in a checking account

Top overall checking accounts for college grads

1. Aspiration – The Aspiration Summit Account

2. nbkc bank – Personal Account

3. Ally Bank – Interest Checking Account

Top free checking accounts for college grads

1. Atlantic Stewardship Bank – Cash Back Checking

2. Radius Bank – Radius Hybrid Checking

3. Bay State Savings Bank – Free Kasasa Cash®

Top high-yield checking accounts for college grads

1. First Financial Credit Union – High 5 Checking

2. America’s Credit Union – Affinity Checking

3. La Capitol Federal Credit Union – Choice Plus Checking

Credit Cards

Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonus For May 2018

In this review we’ll cover:

Personal

Best travel rewards sign-up bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Annual fee

Rewards

Regular Purchase APR

Best hotel credit card sign-up bonus: Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card

Annual fee

Rewards

Regular Purchase APR

Best airline credit card sign-up bonus: Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®

Annual fee

Rewards Rate

Regular Purchase APR

Best hotel credit card sign-up bonus: Marriott Rewards^® Premier Plus Credit Card

Best cash back sign-up bonus for businesses: Ink Business Cash^SM Credit Card

Best travel points sign-up bonus for businesses: Ink Business Preferred^SM Credit Card

Discover it^® Secured Card - No Annual Fee

Capital One^® Secured Mastercard^®

Citi^® Secured MasterCard^®

Visa^® Secured Card from MidSouth Community FCU

Affinity Secured Visa^® Credit Card