Anyone who has ever applied for a credit card has probably noticed that most cards are also offered in a version targeted to businesses. At the same time, employees of large corporations, non-profits, and government entities are occasionally granted use of a corporate credit card. Although the terms business and corporation are often used interchangeably, there actually is a substantial difference between the credit cards that use these different labels.

What Is A Business Card?

A small business credit card is one that is issued to individuals, sole proprietors, and the principals of small companies. These cards function almost identically to personal credit cards, with a few exceptions. Business credit cards are not automatically subject to the protections of the CARD Act of 2009, although some banks feature products that voluntarily comply with this law. Like personal cards, business cards are issued based on the credit of the person applying, and that individual is personally responsible for the repayment of all debts. Finally, most business cards feature more robust reporting tools that companies need to track expenses for tax purposes and many are also available with features common to consumers cards, such as 0% APR credit cards. read the rest of this entry… »

The Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights is a piece of legislation that when passed, became known as the CARD Act of 2009. Although this law regulates many different aspects of the credit card industry, its most popular provisions are the ones that protect consumers against arbitrary rate increases.

Fixed Versus Variable Rates

Prior to the CARD Act, one of the key issues that consumers had with credit card offers was that they could borrow money at one rate, and then be forced to pay it back at a higher rate. Some banks even went so far as to market their rates as fixed, when in reality, they were anything but. Cardholders could re-price their interest rates at any time and for any reason. Thanks to the CARD Act, this is no longer the permitted. Consumers must be offered a rate that is either called “fixed” or “variable”. Under the new law, banks that offer fixed rates cannot increase customer’s APR unless the following conditions are met; The account has to be at least 12 months old a 45 day advance notice of the rate hike is given, and the customer has the opportunity to opt-out of the new rate. Cardholders have three billing cycles to decline the new rates and their remaining balance at the old rate. In the case of variable credit card rates, the card issuer must disclose the terms of any changes, which are usually tied to fluctuations in the Prime Rate. read the rest of this entry… »

It would be nice if everyone was able to stay at fine luxury hotels and resorts around the world. Unfortunately, most travelers are on a tight budget and value is a higher consideration than indulgent amenities. Others must travel to rural locations where luxury properties simply don’t exist. Best Western is an economy hotel chain, but like its higher end competitors, it still offers a rewards program to keep its guests returning and encourage them use their co-branded credit card offer. The Best Western Rewards program offers numerous ways to redeem points, and customers would be wise to examine the options that represent the highest value for their points.

Earning And Redeeming Points

Customers normally earn 10 points per dollar spent on qualified room rates, and 15 points per dollar are earned when using the Best Western Rewards MasterCard from Barclay’s Bank. When it comes time to redeem points, customers are presented with many different options. Free night awards begin at 8,000 points and can cost as much as 36,000. Customers can also redeem points for Best Western travel cards that are essentially gift cards that can be used at any of their properties. read the rest of this entry… »

There are many hotel chains around the world, but among the most numerous and economical are the eleven different brands within Choice hotels chains. Choice offers its loyalty points program, Choice Privileges, to allow both its guests and the holders of its co-branded credit card to earn points towards a variety of rewards.

Guests of Choice hotels can earn either five or ten points per dollar spent, depending on the type of property. Elite members earn additional points; 10% for Gold, 25% for Platinum, and 50% more for Diamond. Members can also earn points by using the Choice Privileges co-branded Visa card from Barclay’s Bank. Cardholders will earn 15 points per dollar spent at their properties, 5 points per dollar spent on points or gift card purchases, and 2 points per dollar spent on all other transactions.

When it comes time to redeem points, members have many different options. Award nights are available at Choice properties for between 6,000 and 35,000 points each. For those who aspire to award nights in luxury hotels, Choice offers redemption options at properties within the Preferred Hotel Group and the Barcelo Hotels and Resorts. Points can also be redeemed for airline miles with carriers such as Southwest Airlines or Qantas. For example, 6,000 Choice points can be exchanged for 1,800 Southwest Rapid Rewards points. Since Southwest’s points are worth about 1.6 cents each, that means that each Choice point redeemed in this fashion is worth about a half cent each. Other redemption options include gift cards, experience rewards, and sports and entertainment tickets.  Unfortunately, points are only worth at most, about a third of a cent each with these other options, although there are some charitable donations that return .5 to one cent in value per point.

For a budget brand, Choice offers a wide variety of enjoyable options when it comes time to redeem award points. With points valued in the .3-.5 cent range, customers will see a respectable return on their points accumulated through spending at their properties, especially when using their co-branded credit card. When the card is used for other types of spending, the value equation is far less favorable and is not competitive with other reward card offerings. As with most loyalty point programs, there is value in Choice Privileges, but only for those who understand all of their options and use their points wisely.

Priceline pioneered the concept of bidding for travel services. Their television commercials featuring Star Trek actor William Shatner as The Negotiator have also been tremendously popular. Beyond the travel services themselves, Shatner is also promoting two versions of the Priceline Rewards Visa card from Barclay’s Bank as a way to earn more rewards from all spending, especially purchases from Priceline.

How This Card Works

There are two versions of this card, one without an annual fee, and the “Negotiator’s Pick” that has a $29 annual fee. The no fee card offers 2,500 bonus points after cardholder’s first purchase, while the version with the annual fee offers 5,000 points. The no fee credit card offers one Priceline Rewards point for all purchases, and two points for all Priceline transactions. The version with the annual fee grants two points per dollar for purchases within a category of spending of the cardholder’s choosing. These categories can include supermarkets, hardware stores, or even utility bills. Furthermore, the version with the annual fee also grants four points per dollar for Name Your Own Price purchases, and three points per dollar for all other Priceline charges. Once earned, each Priceline point is worth one cent towards Priceline bookings.

 Both cards offer a 0% APR on balance transfers for the first nine months, and the amount transferred is subject to a 3% balance transfer fee. After that period ends, balance transfers will accrue interest at the standard purchase rate, which is equal to the Prime Rate plus 9.99%, 12.99%, or 15.99%, depending on the applicant’s credit worthiness. Finally, there is a 3% foreign transaction fee on all purchases processed outside of the United States. read the rest of this entry… »