When Washington was debating the credit card reform legislation that eventually became the CARD Act of 2009, some called for a “plain vanilla” credit card. This proposal would have required banks to issue at least one card with easy to follow terms and conditions, presumably without rewards for spending. While that provision did not make it to the final legislation, many banks do offer relatively simple cards. The US Bank Visa Platinum Card is very much a plain vanilla credit card offer with a modest introductory financing period and no rewards.

The U.S. bank Visa Platinum is a 0% APR credit card, with a 6 month intro rate on both purchases and balance transfers, although the latter is subject to a 4% fee. Subsequently, cardholders will accrue interest on any revolving balance at a rate equal to the Prime Rate plus 8.74% to 20.74%, depending on the applicant’s credit worthiness. Purchases do not return any cash back or other reward points or miles. There is no annual fee for this card, but this is typical for most prime credit cards that do not offer any type of credit card rewards program. (more…)

Frontier Airlines is a scrappy little carrier with hubs in Denver and Milwaukee. It may be best known for its aircraft which feature pictures of animals on the tail. Frontier and Barclays Bank offer two different versions of the Frontier Airlines World MasterCard that allows customers to earn miles in their Early Returns frequent flier program.

Customers can apply for two different kinds of this card; the $59 annual fee card, and the no annual fee version. The card with the $59 annual fee features 25,000 bonus miles after the cardholder’s first purchase, and another 10,000 miles when spending $750 in the first 90 days. Cardholders will then earn one mile per dollar spent, with double miles for purchases from Frontier airlines. The no annual fee version of this airline credit card features only 5,000 bonus miles and offers half the miles for purchase; a half a mile per dollar for most purchases, and a single mile per dollar for purchases from Frontier.  Holders of both cards also enjoy the exclusive benefit of being able to redeem companion award tickets for 5,000 fewer miles. (more…)

The age of cheap gasoline is over. While many Americans have purchased more fuel efficient cars or reduced their driving, they are still looking for more ways to cut their fuel costs. Barclay’s Bank offers its Gulf Platinum MasterCard that will return a significant rebate on all purchases at Gulf stations.

For each dollar spent at a Gulf service station, cardholders will receive 3% cash back. Cardmembers will receive 1% cash back on most other purchases, but there are never any rewards from purchases from other competing gasoline stations. Unlike standard, and more rewarding cash back credit cards, cash back is only returned as a statement credit after $20 worth of rewards has been accrued. Cardholders will receive a variable interest rate equal to the Prime Rate plus 11.74% or 20.74%, depending on their credit worthiness. (more…)

Carnival cruise lines carries more passengers than any of their competitors in the world. They specialize in fun family vacations to sunny destinations in the Caribbean and elsewhere. While these trips can be expensive, cruisers have the option of using the Carnival World MasterCard from Barclay’s Bank in order to earn discounts on their trip as well as credits for use on board.

For each dollar spent, cardholders will earn one credit card rewards point in Carnival’s FunPoints loyalty program. Two points are earned for purchases of cruises as well as spending while on board. Cardholders will receive a sign up bonus of 5,000 points after their first purchase and up to 5,000 points for a balance transfer at a rate of one point per dollar transferred.  There is a 3% balance transfer fee for transactions that occur within the first nine months of opening an account, while subsequent transfers incur a 4% fee. Cardholders will receive an interest rate equal to the Prime Rate plus 10.74%, 18.74%, or 21.74% depending on the applicant’s credit worthiness. There is no annual fee for this card, but the long term APR is not revealed until credit card applications are completed. Additionally, there are no 0% APR credit card features, so consumers with debt should likely pass on this offer. (more…)

Most foreign airline carriers do not offer a co-branded airline credit card to customers in the United States. The German airline Lufthansa is one of the rare exceptions as they offer two different versions of their Miles & More World MasterCard from Barclays Bank.

Barclays Bank and Lufthansa offer both a standard version of their Miles & More card and a Premier version. The standard version offers a sign up bonus of 15,000 miles and the opportunity to earn up to 10,000 additional miles from a balance transfer. The standard card has a $59 annual fee and cardholders will earn one mile per dollar spent on all purchases.

The Premier card offers 20,000 miles as a sign up bonus and customers can earn up to an additional 15,000 miles when they complete a balance transfer. Like the standard card, customers will receive one mile per dollar spent on most purchases, as well as two miles per dollar for purchases from Lufthansa as well as about a dozen other airline partners. There is a $79 annual fee for the Premier card, but it is waived for Lufthansa’s elite members. (more…)