http://www.smartcreditchoices.com/blog Be Smart About Credit Cards Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:48:23 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Let's face it.  Credit card companies have lower approval ratings than the current president.  They are the people who charge us absurd fees and sometimes astronomical interest rates.  However, they also provided a necessary evil for many consumers, not to mention a multitude of ways to save money.  Yes, I ... http://www.smartcreditchoices.com/blog/2008/11/cry-for-credit-card-companies/ For many months, credit card companies have been making it more difficult for consumers to gain access to credit.  At the same time, they have been reducing credit card limits substantially.  In fact, in a recent Federal Reserve consumer credit survey, it was reported that 60% of credit card companies ... http://www.smartcreditchoices.com/blog/2008/11/credit-cards-gone/ In an extremely surprising move that I must stress is EXTREMELY SURPRISING, Bank of America extended the introductory APR on balance transfers on a number of their credit cards to 15 months.  As most credit card companies have been cutting back on the duration of 0% APR balance transfer offers, ... http://www.smartcreditchoices.com/blog/2008/10/0-apr-balance-transfers-for-15-months/ Although the government is doling out taxpayer money to ailing banks to help alleviate the credit crisis, consumers will probably end up paying more of their own money to their credit card companies.  Stories asserting that a new crisis is brewing in credit cards are everywhere.  And while some may exagerate the ... http://www.smartcreditchoices.com/blog/2008/10/credit-card-company-mistakes/ Not too long ago, it was impossible to open the mailbox without getting bombarded with offers for 0% APR credit cards.  Today, its rare to find one every few weeks.  While this development may be great for trees, it is yet another sign that the credit crunch is hitting the ... http://www.smartcreditchoices.com/blog/2008/10/0-apr-mail-offers/ A lot has been written recently about credit card companies cutting credit limits.  American Express is one of the companies that has popped up in these discussions, and an article in today's Wall Street Journal adds an interesting twist to this development. Over the past few months, the Wall Street Journal, ... http://www.smartcreditchoices.com/blog/2008/10/american-express-credit-limits/ American Express, recently named #1 in J.D. Power's annual customer satisfaction survey, is best known for its rewards credit cards.  One of its most popular rewards cards among travelers is the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card.  Here is a rundown of some of this card's features and benefits. First, a little ... http://www.smartcreditchoices.com/blog/2008/10/starwood-preferred-guest%c2%ae-credit-card-from-american-express/ Wondering how your credit card stacks up to the rest of those available on the market.  Here's the rundown of 2008's J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Credit Card Satisfaction Study(SM).  All scores are based on a possible score of 1000. American Express - 783 Discover - 751 Average Score for all Issuers in ... http://www.smartcreditchoices.com/blog/2008/09/jd-power-credit-cardrankings/ American Express may have taken the top prize in J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Credit Card Satisfaction Study(SM), but Discover once again came in a close second.  However, depending on the type of consumer you are, Discover may be a better card for you.  Here are few areas where Discover ... http://www.smartcreditchoices.com/blog/2008/09/discover-jd-powers/ Can you remember a time when your mailbox wasn't flooded with 0% APR credit card offers?  You'll have to think hard, because its been close to a decade.  Over the past few years, so many trees have been cut down and stamped with bold 0% imprints that if you listen ... http://www.smartcreditchoices.com/blog/2008/09/0-apr-credit-card-offers-credit-crunch/