Discover Card

Discover currently offers four cash-back credit cards, the Discover More, Open Road, Motiva and Student cards. Each offers a range of different features to cater to individual tastes, but the Discover credit card requirements are broadly the same across the range.

Each card that Discover offers is available to only those over 18 years of age, and residents of theUnited States of America. During the application you will also need to offer information to prove your identification, this includes your full name, address, and social security number.

The Discover More and the Discover Motiva Cards are for those with a good to excellent rating and applicants will typically need to have a credit score of between 750 and 800, although a good application may get away with a slightly lower score than this. TheOpen Roadand Student cards are suited for those with a lower credit score, and both these cards see the issuer accept applicants with a fair to good credit history. Usually a score of around 630 is sufficient enough to be accepted.

None of the Discover cards require definitive proof of income, although it is not part of the Discover credit card requirements you are still prompted to reveal your annual income during the application. Although a low income will not be the main reason for being declined it could make the decision easier on the issuer. For the more upmarket Discover Motiva and More cards, a traceable and at least average income is probably needed, although an excellent credit history is a far more important factor. Honesty is the best policy when declaring income and many are surprised to be awarded a credit card despite a low salary. Sometimes to protect themselves against clients with lower earnings, card issuers will set a small limit usually around $500 and allow the user to build their reputation.

The Discover More, Motiva, and Open Roadcards all have a grace period of 25 days, but like with all credit cards the grace period is only applicable if the balance is paid in full. There are penalty fees for late payments and the return of payments; all cards here have the same penalty fee of up to $35. If you fail in paying at least the minimum by the deadline day you will be charged a penalty fee of $25. However if you have been charged for a late fee in any of the six days before the payments due date, the fee will be $35; this same rule is in effect for returned payments. One of the Discover credit card requirements is that you must pay your balance or fees in US Dollars.

The array of cash-back cards offered by Discover is among the easiest to understand in terms of deciphering what credit card requirements are in place. With many of the features and conditions being universal across the range.

Citibank Credit Card

Citibank offers a wide range of consumer credit cards, seventeen in all, each offering a variety of features to suit the needs of individuals. Throughout the range the Citibank credit card requirements are largely the same, but there are minor differences from some cards to others.

Here we will take a look at four of the more popular consumer cards offered by Citibank; the Platinum Select MasterCard, the Dividend World MasterCard, the Forward Card, and the Platinum Select Advantage Visa. Each of these cards come with similar sets of requirements, but the Citibank credit card requirements from card to card differ slightly.

There are some conditions that are at their minimum blanket requirements, these include.

• Age restrictions and identification proof.
• The age limit is set at 18 years or over
• Applicants will need to provide a valid social security number.
• Proof of name, address, and date of birth, as well as numerous other identification checks.
• Proof of income.

That is a list of the basic set of application conditions that must be met for you to be considered for a Citibank credit card. The need for varying credit score results change from card to card, for example a better credit score would be required for the Platinum Select Advantage Visa than for the Forward card.

The Dividend World MasterCard comes with different Citibank credit card requirements. For example the age limit is raised from 18 to 21 years of age, while the card carries a minimum annual income of $30,000 ($60,000 for those outside theUSA). For the Dividend range you are also required to provide a passport, latest printed payslip and tax assessment. While all the other cards also demand fixed income the Dividend range has stricter conditions, while also being more stringent in its credit score outcomes. Each card here carries a universal penalty charge of up to $35.

There are other Citibank credit card requirements that are specific to individual cards, but many of the conditions and features are shared across the Citibank consumer card range with only small differences. The Platinum Select, Dividend World, and Forward cards all come with no annual fee while the Platinum Select Advantage carries an $85 charge which is waived for the first twelve months.

The Platinum Select range and Dividend require good to excellent credit ratings, while the Forward card asks for a fair to good credit score. The Platinum Select does not clarify for which rate you will qualify, and with a lower credit score you could be left with the 0% interest rate lasting only one year, making it a choice for only those who qualify for the very top rates.

The Forward Card offers a good option for those looking for a good rewards credit card and serves as a good student card. It offers 5x rewards in restaurants and comes with no annual fee.

There is a broad range of cards offered by Citibank and choosing the right one for you can sometimes rest on understanding the small nuances in the Citibank credit card requirements for each card.

American Express Card

American Express has become an iconic name on the back of their famous reward credit cards. However AMEX also offers a range of traditional credit cards and here we will be comparing the American Express credit card requirements of the classic Zync Card and the American Express Blue Cash Preferred card. As well as contrasting the Zync Card against the famous Gold and Platinum Cards.

Applying for any American Express card is fairly easy although to pass the criteria can be problematic; however the Zync Card is the most accessible of the company’s reward cards. Applications for all AMEX cards will ask you to provide basic information to determine if you qualify, the typical and universal information that is needed is:

• Age. It is part of the American Express credit card requirements that all applicants must be 18 years of age or over.
• All those who are inquiring about an American Express card will need to provide a social security number (Which will also serve to prove age)
• Proof of address and zip code.
• Declaration of income. American Express credit card requirements do not stipulate in the small print that there is a minimum income. Although how much you earn will reflect in the outcome of your application.
• Some cards offered by American Express demand that the applicant is a resident of theUnited States.

The AMEX Zync Card does not ask for proof of earnings, although it does request your net income during the application process. While income is not the most important factor it can still play a part in being awarded the Zync Card or not, and those with a low income may find they have a lower limit (Usually $500). The main requirement in obtaining an American Express Zync Card like all of the company’s cards is an excellent credit score. The Zync Card is more accessible in this aspect than its gold and platinum cousins, but it is still advised to have a good credit score (Typically over 700).

The Zync Card is a charge card which means you pay the full outstanding balance each month, and with a low annual fee of $25 it is ideal for young adults and students. The Gold and Platinum cards carry higher annual fees and are typically awarded to those who have built a sterling credit history. These cards also carry hidden income expectations. The AMEX Zync Card acts as a stepping stone to the higher range of cards, and the application process is more lenient in helping you to fulfil the American Express credit card requirements.

The Blue Cash Card acts as a more traditional credit card as the full fee does not need to be paid each month while it also offers good cash back options. On top of the same identity verifications as the Zync Card, applicants will need to have outstanding credit histories, and high credit scores. It is advised to apply for this card after maintaining a good record on a lower scale card, allowing you to boost your credit rating.

1)    Are you a college student with no credit history?

2)    Are you recovering from a bankruptcy filing?

3)    Do you have bad credit?

4)    Do you have a regular job?

5)    Do you own a home?

6)    Have you ever had any type of credit before?

7)    Do you have any store charges or have you purchased a car in your name?

8)    Do you have a bank account?

Easiest Credit Card to Get

All of these questions effect, how you will be viewed by the credit card issuers and how easy it will be to get approved. If you define your situation correctly and apply for the card program designed for someone that fits these criteria you will find that getting the nod is not that difficult.

Most credit card companies such as Orchard Bank offer programs designed for customers with new credit histories and ratings. They also offer other programs designed for consumers with bad or damaged credit. Using a website such as this one, you can easily figure out which program is right for your situation. Click Here for more info.

The difference in most of the programs is the approval scores and the requirements to get the approval. This is an internal process that is not shared, the difference in the programs offered to the consumer, will be the interest rate, the fees and penalties and the credit line offered. Of course they are going to offer the highest rated customers the lowest interest and fees, as these customers have many choices; whereas a customer with damaged credit has limited choices and is a bigger risk. Remember though, this will help you re-establish your credit or increase your scores.

For those consumers with bankruptcies and very low credit card scores there are prepaid cards and secured cards offered. These are different types of programs, a secured card, allows the user to post an amount with the

Easy to Get Credit Card

credit card company, which establishes their credit limit, the card then functions like a regular card up to the credit limit and each month you can make the minimum payment or pay down the balance. Where a prepaid card requires you to send money to the credit card company and only charges that you have money on the card for are approved. What is the most significant difference, a secured card helps you develop an improved credit rating as in time, the card companies will slowly raise your limits, where the prepaid card has no limits it is tied to your cash on the card and has no effect to your credit ratings. Begin Here if you have fair credit.

Remember, a little bit of research up front will make the approval process a lot more successful, thus the card of your choice will be the easiest credit card to get.

Best Credit Card for People With Bad Credit

You may have heard it said that there’s a possibility of cash becoming extinct, and all purchases moving to plastic.  If this frightens you, you may be one of the many Americans with a lower credit score and no credit card.  What would you do if the Plastic Revolution happened tomorrow?

There is a solution for you.  People with lower credit scores or simply bad credit still have options when considering their payment systems.  Did you know that there are credit cards specifically designed with your needs in mind?

We want to avoid the companies that take advantage of people with bad credit, and look for companies that are offering a good product at competitive rates.  Granted, you won’t qualify for a special 0% APR offer and you’ll have to live with a lower credit limit, but you can qualify with some companies for a normal credit card.

One of the best companies specializing in this field is Orchard Bank.  Orchard Bank is owned by HSBC, one of the world’s largest banking companies.  Orchard Bank cards come in several different varieties, and they have the unique policy of taking your information and helping you choose the right card before processing your application.  This really cuts down on application rejections, and helps consumers feel better about choosing this bank to work with.

Orchard Bank offers their Classic MasterCard or Classic Visa in three levels: Platinum, Gold, and Standard.  The card that you qualify for will be based on your credit rating and payment history.  These cards do carry an annual fee, with the lowest at $39 and the highest at $79.  The annual percentage rate (APR) for buying with the card ranges from 14.9% up to 19.9%.  If you feel that this is high, consider that some other cards for people with credit problems charge 29.99%, the maximum that they can legally charge.  Orchard Bank cards are actually very good when credit scores are low.

If your credit is really damaged, there’s a chance that you can’t qualify for any of the Orchard Bank Classic cards.  You still need to have a card available, and you should try to build or repair your credit rating at the same time.  In this case, check into the Orchard Bank Secured MasterCard.  This is an outstanding tool for your situation.  The APR is a really low 7.9%, because the available balance on the card is controlled by a cash deposit that you set up.  For example, if you create the $200 minimum allowable deposit, your credit limit is $200.  The annual fee is waived for the first year.  Great deal!

Orchard Bank MasterCard

Orchard Bank Card

There’s no reason to delay applying for your Orchard Bank card right now.  Selecting the right card is easy, thanks to the tools used by Orchard Bank, and you have the backup plan of their Secured Card either way.  The convenience of using a credit card is within your reach.  Apply now! The Orchard Bank Card also makes a great first credit card.

Best Cash Back Credit Card

Credit cards have become an everyday part of our lives and our financial planning.  Sometimes we want the extra cash flow, sometimes it is for convenience and easy accounting at month’s end, and you can’t use cash to buy things online. Advertising for credit cards has come a long way too.  You can’t watch an hour of television without seeing a credit card commercial, and your favorite magazines are probably full of offers as well.

How do we choose which cards to apply for?  Catchy advertisements may help, but the primary selling tool in recent years is the assortment of rewards associated with using a particular card.  The big selling point years ago was in trying to qualify for higher and higher spending limits, all the way up to unlimited.  Now it is more about frequent flyer miles, low APR, and our favorite, cash back.

Cash back rewards are our favorite because of the simplicity.  With some cards, like Simply Cash from American Express, there’s no effort at all.  The reward amount is deducted from your next statement.  Other cards offer varying percentages of cash back on either a set slate of categories like airfares or hotel stays, and still others have a program that changes the percentages and the categories each quarter of the year.  Payment of rewards may vary according to threshold amounts and frequency (one cash back card associated with Costco pays off only once per year).  The biggest challenge is to identify which type of cash back rewards you prefer.

Most surveys are ranking the Chase Freedom Visa highly right now, with 5% off on up to $1500 spent with the rotating-categories model, and unlimited 1% cash back on everything else.  With solid initial rewards ($200 cash back after spending $500) and no annual fee, this is a crowd pleaser.

Also consider the Discover card.  This was the card that made cash back rewards popular in the first place, and they still hold a prime place in this industry.  The card is currently offering 5% cash back after you’ve spent $3000 (using a quarterly rotation of categories), plus 1% overall on other purchases, and 5 – 20% discounts when shopping online with preferred retailers.  With the amount of e-commerce that most Americans conduct everyday, this can really add up!

For small business owners, Simply Cash from American Express OPEN is a great card, offering 5% cash back rewards on things you have to buy anyway for your business, like wireless service and office supplies.  They offer 3% cash back on gasoline purchases, and there is no annual fee.  It is hard to find a better card for business use, and it carries the outstanding travel protection features that American Express cards have always been renowned for.  You can also save up to 10% with FedEx and Hertz.  Personal credit card users looking for similar advantages can check out Blue Cash Everyday from American Express, offering cash back on supermarket purchases, department store purchases, gasoline, and more.

Cash back rewards cards are here to stay. Which one will you carry?

Credit Report

Most people have heard that errors can occur in their credit reports but they may be unaware of how often they actually do happen. The U.S. Public Interest Research Group, an advocacy group, released a survey which indicates that eight out of every ten credit reports contained errors. They weren’t minor errors either. One out of every four reports had errors that were serious enough that they would have prevented the borrower from getting a loan or credit.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is currently looking into the problem of errors in individual credit reports. This Bureau which was created as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Protection Act is looking at the possibility of having to oversee the main credit bureaus. If this happens consumers will have stronger weapons to fight back against errors in their credit reports. The U.S. Public Interest Group is in favor of some type of supervision of the credit bureaus, and credit scoring companies. Brian Imus with the Group recently stated that their research has found that almost one fourth of the credit reports surveyed had serious errors. “Despite the fact that errors can harm your credit and lower your credit score, the bureaus have never once been held accountable for their mistakes,” Imus said.

What you can do

“We are recommending that consumers check their credit reports because both the companies and the regulators are falling down on the job,” said Ed Mierzwinksi with the Public Interest Group. Start the process by requesting reports from all three credit bureaus. You are entitled to one free report annually but if you need to check on a more frequent basis  just pay the nominal fee for your report. You need to request reports from Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.

Checking the report

When you get the report first check the personal information provided in the report including your name, address, birth date, Social Security number for any errors. The next section to check is the credit data which supplies information such as tax liens, court judgments, collection proceedings, and credit inquiries. One of the main things to check in both the personal and credit data sections is for signs of identity theft. Look for credit cards or loans that are fraudulent – that you did not apply for.

If you find errors take action

If you do find an error in your credit report it is up to you to do something about it. Get all the evidence you can including canceled pay checks or bank statements, credit card bills and then submit a dispute to the credit reporting agency. Be sure to include as much detail as you can find. You can either mail the information by certified mail or you can file online at the credit bureau website. Disputes must be investigated within 30 days. Begin here for information about how to repair your credit.

Best Credit Card for Small Business

Every small business owner has many concerns in common with his contemporaries.  “Payrolls and taxes are too high,” “the economy is too uncertain,” “suppliers = the enemy,” and “expenses are killing my cash flow!”  Some of these problems are far too large to get into here, but there are some good solutions to solving your cash flow issues.

Whether you only need to cover occasional expenses, or if you need a revolving line of credit for your expenses, finding the best credit card for small business can be a bit of a challenge.  Your primary problem will not be in finding offers, but in choosing among them to find the right card for your own needs.  It is important to first identify where most of your problematic expenses are coming from.  Air fares, fuel costs, advertising, office supplies, and telecommunications costs are some of the largest expenses that many business owners face.  There are credit card options that can help with all of these expenses and more.

In which area does your business need help?

For example, if your primary expense is travel, many cards offer excellent options for rewards that can immediately reduce expenses.  With Capital One Venture, one dollar spent is equal to 2 air miles.  Business Gold Rewards from American Express OPEN gives 3x points as air miles.  If you hold the Starwood Preferred Guest Business Card from American Express OPEN, you get one mile per reward point, but there are no blackout dates, and the points are good on 350 airlines.

Here is a synopsis of the current offers for the best credit card for small business owners:

Plum from American Express OPEN is great for businesses that need the grace period to be longer.  This card, with no preset spending limit, requires payoff in 60 days after purchase.  The benefit is most important to those who may need to make a purchase, but need to then collect from their customers to pay.  Limitations on this card are that your business must have been in operation for at least two years, and the card carries a $185 annual fee.

Simply Cash from American Express offers a wider array of rewards that can be beneficial to many.  Considering the high cost of telecommunications, using this card gains you 5% rebates (applied directly to your next statement) on wireless services and on office supplies.  A further 3% rebate is given for gasoline purchases, and the card has no annual fee.  The Ink Card from Chase is similar, but the 5% category also includes cable television costs.  The Chase card only pays 2% rebates for gasoline, while adding dining costs to the 2% category.

The best deal out there may be the Business Gold Rewards card from American Express OPEN.  To be clear, this is a charge card instead of a credit card and must be paid in full monthly, so if cash flow is your main concern, this may not be the card for you.  Business owners looking for the best overall rewards package, by contrast, will be interested to see 3x points for airfares, coupled with 2x points for spending on advertising, gasoline, and shipping costs.

As you can see, once you’ve decided where to claim the rewards, the search is much easier.  There is definitely a card on offer that fits your business. Learn more about Business Credit Cards.

Luxury Credit Cards

Got great credit? Then you may qualify for the new luxury credit cards like the Visa Black Card or the American Express Platinum. This review looks at both luxury cards in terms of what you get and what it takes to qualify for them.

The Visa Black Card

This unique luxury credit card even looks different than other credit cards as it is made from carbon graphite. The Visa Black Card is offered by Barclay’s Bank Delaware. The card according to Barclay’s is targeted at the 1% of the American public that qualify for this card. You need to have excellent credit scores for this card and spend about $50,000 a year using credit cards. You also need to be a U.S. resident with a valid Social Security number.

Visa Black Card

What are the benefits of carrying the ‘Black Card’?

The main benefit of this card is the prestige of carrying it and access to a 24 hour seven day a week concierge service. This concierge service will arrange setting up your golf tee off, to flight and dinner reservations, and specialty research. You also get access to airport lounges around the world and you qualify for luxury gifts. Add that to accident insurance, lost luggage reimbursement and you get some idea of the perks. You also receive 1% cash back on all purchases which can be used toward travel points.

Fees

The privilege of owning the Visa Black Card comes with an annual fee of $495.

American Express Platinum

American Express Platinum

This card is not really a credit card but actually a charge card as you have to pay the entire balance on the card each month. To qualify for the card you need excellent credit.

Benefits of American Express Platinum card

If you spend at least $1,000 on your card in the first three months of membership you can earn up to 25,000 membership rewards bonus points which can be used for traveling. The company also gives out one reward point for every dollar you spend using the card. You get additional points for booking trips on the American Express travel site and points for buying items at the Bonus Points Mall site. These reward points never expire and you can redeem them for travel, shopping, entertainment or dining rewards. Similar to the Visa Black card you also get access to a 24 hour concierge service. The card also comes with travel accident insurance, roadside assistance, purchase protection and baggage insurance.

Fees

American Express charges an annual fee for their Platinum card of $450 which is quite a bit lower than their yearly charges of $2,500 for their other luxury card the Centurion card.

Best Credit Cards

If you have excellent credit meaning 750 or higher than you should pat yourself on the back and apply for the best credit card you can get. The best credit card will have benefits like extended balance transfer periods, low introductory APR interest rates, and great bonuses and rewards. These bonuses can include cash back bonuses, reward programs and other benefits.

Blue Cash Everyday American Express Card

One very respected card available to individuals with excellent credit worthiness is the Blue Cash Everyday^(SM)from American Express. The card comes with a 0% introductory APR for your purchases for the first year. The Cash Everyday part of the card means that you get cash back when you purchase items with your card. This includes 3% cash back when you use the card at the grocery store and 2% cashback when used at department stores and service stations. For everything else you get 1% cashback on purchases.

American Express Blue Cash Everyday

No limit on cash rewards

With this credit card there is no limit on the cash rewards program and no spending minimum to get your rewards. The program is very simple with no enrollment fees, and no rotating rewards categories.

Referral bonus

The American Express Cash Everyday card also pays out on referrals. For each person you refer to the Blue Cash Everyday card that signs up you get a bonus of $25.00. The card has no annual fee – something you should always look for when signing up for a new credit card.

American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card

American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card

Another option if you have great credit is the American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card. With this card you get great bonuses but you do have to pay off your balance in full every month.

Membership bonus points

In the first three months of use if you spend $500 you earn 10,000 Membership Rewards bonus points. These bonus points can earn you $100 gift cards. You also earn points with every purchase you make using the card. These points do not expire and there is no limit to the point program. The points can be used for traveling or dining or shopping. Also included with your holding this card is the American Express Global Assist Hotline in conjunction with the Roadside Assistance 24/7 program. Any cars rented with the card are covered by the company’s Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance. This card does come with an annual fee of $125.

Visa Black Card

Visa Black Card

The Visa Black Card is another choice for consumers with great credit. The card is targeted and designed for individuals who spend more than $50,000 annually with their card. This card comes with a hefty $495 annual fee. If you qualify for this card the annual fee probably won’t be a problem.

24 hour concierge service

What you get for the fee is a 24 hour seven day a week concierge service with which you can get recommendations for restaurants, make reservations for restaurants, hotels, golf, and travel assistance, specialty research and shopping. Basically, you have a concierge at your beck and call 24 seven. You also qualify for what they refer to as luxury gifts. Only one percent of the population of the United States qualifies for this card according to Visa. There is a 1% cashback program and a points program that can be used for travel. You also get access to airport VIP lounges with a Priority Pass.

Note: details of these credit card programs may change from the information printed here.