Millions of people are turning to prepaid debit cards as a smart alternative to carrying cash and writing checks. Almost anyone can qualify and they don’t require a credit check or a bank account. Though they carry credit card logos and can be used anywhere a credit card is used, unlike a credit card, they do not offer a line of credit. The user can only spend the amount that has been loaded onto the card or placed into the account associated with the card.
There are dozens of debit cards on the market, many of them issued by the same bank, but fee structures are vastly different. Bestprepaiddebitcards.com has done all the research for you and provides comprehensive reviews to help you decide which card is best for you.
The Netspend Prepaid MasterCard Debit Card is a highly functional debit card, which makes financial errands easy and fun filled tasks – well almost. You can also support your favorite Major League baseball team by having their logo put on your card. It is issued by Netspend, one of America’s largest prepaid debit card processors. Read the full Netspend Card Rating here.
When it comes to cash safety, this is one of the safer cards to settle for. The bank processes the card in a highly secretive way, to ensure that all transactions are carried out by genuine card holders (most prepaid card offer similar security benefits). This is effective because the bank has detailed security information pertaining to all card holders. In case a card is lost or stolen, the bank protects your account against all unauthorized transactions. What’s more, it will issue a new card on the spot to avoid any inconvenience. This is one of the better prepaid debit cards, but be sure to comparison shop on our site as their are cheaper options (be sure that is safer than cash and cheaper to than using check cashing places).
The Netspend Prepaid MasterCard Debit Card is a card that can be used anywhere across the globe where MasterCard is accpeted. It is Better Business Bureau accredited with a BBB rating of A+ (though there are negative reviews on our site). In addition, Netspend is issued by Metabank that is a member of the FDIC, every transaction under the card is genuine due to highly encrypted information which protects the password, and other security card details. With the card, one can manage his or her finances at the comfort of his or her home. For regular travelers, the card is efficient and you do not have to walk around with huge amounts of cash.
The Netspend.com Prepaid MasterCard Debit Card allows you to shop online too, and you can do faster transactions than carrying cash. With availability and easy accessibility of internet services across the globe, you can do your shopping online with the card as well as retail stores. It spares shoppers daily, weekly or monthly shopping hassles especially during peaks seasons such as Easter or Christmas Eve.
Like other prepaid MasterCards, the card has a 100% guaranteed approval and there is no need for a credit check. You can get this prepaid debit card regardless if you have bad or no credit. The other feature with this card is that there are no minimum balances or overdraft fees (another benefit of most prepaid cards). There is also exclusive a savings account program you can enroll in.
For those who love to transfer funds from one account to the other without leaving their homes, this card is offers related options. Online transactions and transfers are just a click away. Card holders can also pay their creditors online, pay bills online to avoid embarrassing moments where creditors come knocking at your door. Like other prepaid MasterCards, card holders also benefit from direct deposits from their paycheck or government paychecks.
The Netspend Prepaid MasterCard Debit Card is also beneficial because it allows card holders to control their spending more efficiently. This can be done by tracking all transactions with online budgeting tools. Card holders also get alerts on their mobile phones on a 24 hour basis. All funds that are transacted with the cards are FDIC Insured up to the current coverage limit. Lastly, you can get rewarded with lots of Netspend card benefits. Intro APR, into APR period, Regular APR and balance transfers are not applicable as this is not a credit card.
The Netspend Prepaid Visa Debit Card (read full Netspend Card Rating here) is one of the most popular prepaid Visa debit cards on the market. The card is FDIC insured. This is one of the better prepaid debit cards because it comes with excellent features which can be hardly accessed in other prepaid Visa cards.
Account holders can run their financial errands with the card with no interest or late fees which make the card more convenient. With the card, there are no surprises as well as no credit checks. What’s more, card holders can easily have their paycheck deposited to their accounts directly with direct deposit.
With the Netspend Prepaid Visa Debit Card, shopping is just a click away and has enabled many to enjoy an incredible shopping experience. It is widely accepted in a number of stores, supermarkets and many other shopping places. Card holders can comfortably purchase groceries, pay bills; make online purchases which save a great deal of time and buy gas among other products.
One does not have to carry huge amounts of cash to shop anymore. It is also convenient for shopping in the sense that if you run out of cash, the card serves it purpose best since it’s widely accepted in supermarkets. There are many reasons as to why this card is highly efficient and one of the most trusted prepaid debit cards in the industry.
The Netspend prepaid debit card is issued by highly reputable banking institutions. It is therefore a card that can be used anywhere there its acceptable with confidence. For this reason, it is a smart and excellent way of managing your finances even in the comfort of your home. It doesn’t matter which part of the globe you may be, in order to use a Netspend Prepaid Visa debit card. The card can be used in different ATMs across the globe which provides more convenience to account holders.
When opening a Netspend account, a person has to provide factual information which will be used for identification and security purposes. This includes the name, ID card number, driving license, date of birth, and address among other vital details. These will be used for security purposes. Card holders are assured of cash safety even in the event of robbery or in case a card is lost. If an incident occurs, it is essential to notify the issuing bank immediately. This way, necessary security measures will be undertaken to secure your funds. The bank will process a new debit card and guard your account against any unauthorized transactions.
The Netspend prepaid Visa debit card is of high quality and highly valuable. It is designed with the best technologies in order for it to serve its purpose best. Whether it is used on regular basis or not, the card will remain functional for a long time. In addition, a card holder has authority to choose and control the best value pricing plan that suits his or her personal needs more efficiently. The card is free of charge and for more convenience, it is issued online. In this connection, one can order for a Netspend Prepaid Visa Debit Card within 60 seconds.
Welcome to our site! Our editors have been covering the credit and debit card space for a total of 30+ years and we are proud to have been featured by the Wall Street Journal, among other publications But your input is invaluable and we’d love to have your opinion on the TD Bank Go Visa prepaid debit card (see below- this site is powered by you)!
If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to teach your teenager how to better manage money, TD Bank wants to help. A few years back, TD Bank, one of the ten largest banks in the U.S., announced the release of the Visa TD Go Card a few years back (when we first reviewed this card offer), its first foray into the prepaid debit card market.
TD Bank’s new prepaid card is aimed at helping parents teach their teenagers how to spend money wisely, albeit in a way that offers a sturdy safety net.
“The development of smart spending habits is a journey and many parents want to offer teens a gradual path to increasing fiscal freedom,” says Tami Farrow, Senior Vice President and head of retail deposit payments for TD Bank. “With the launch of the TD Go Card, TD Bank is offering parents a convenient and safe environment to get money to their teens and an easy way to monitor spending.”
New Popular No Fee Visa Debit Card (works like the TD prepaid card but with less fees):
Chime can be managed entirely from your smartphone. No overdraft fees. No minimum balance. No monthly service fees. No transfer fees. Over 38,000 fee-free ATMs, plus 30,000+ cash-back locations.
Here’s how the TD Bank prepaid card works. Parents can purchase the TD Bank Go Card online and fund it initially with a minimum of $20 and a maximum of $1,000.
Once the card is activated, which is partnered with Visa Buxx, parents have the ability to monitor how their child uses the card online and can also receive text and email alerts account balances, transactions and so-called “adult-oriented” purchases.
The TD Bank Go Reloadable Prepaid Visa Card (aka TD Teen Card) is by no means the first to market itself as a learning tool. Companies like SpendSmart offer prepaid cards designed with many of the same features as TD Bank’s new prepaid card. More infamously, celebrities like Justin Beiber have attached their names to prepaid debit cards meant to attract teens.
One thing parents and teens who opt to get a TD Go Card might learn is that using a prepaid debit card can sometimes be pricey. Depending on how a teen uses the card, the fees it charges can add up.
There is a $4.95 charge for purchasing the card initially and there’s a $1.00 charge to load it using either a debit or credit card (direct deposit is free).
Withdrawals from a TD Bank ATM are free, although taking money out of a non-TD Bank ATM costs $3.00, as does a balance inquiry at a non-TD ATM.
Requesting a paper account statement runs $5.00 and there is a $2.50 charge if the card EACH MONTH if not used for 12 months.
Go Visa Card Features:
24/7 access lets you easily spend, load and track your money
Set up transaction alerts, check your balance, reload your card on the go, and more with the TD Alerts app
Helps you budget – you can only spend what you put on your card.
How to Load Funds:
Load funds online* 24/7 using your TD Bank Debit or Credit Card
Direct deposit any amount from your paycheck
Deposit cash or checks or transfer funds from your TD Bank checking or savings account at any TD Bank
How to Open:
Bring $25 cash – no TD Bank account needed – or transfer $25 from your TD Bank checking or savings account
Bring your Social Security number and a valid ID (driver’s license, passport or state-issued)
The TD Go Card is a good card if you are an existing customer- the fees are definitely low. It’s also a good option if you are looking for a teen card for allowances. But the TD Go Card is not a great option for a general prepaid card.
One lower fee card option than the TD Bank Go reloadable card is the new No Fee Chime Visa Debit Card, (Ad Link) which can managed entirely from your smartphone and charges no overdraft fees, no monthly service fees and no transfer fees. No minimum balance is required and Chime features over 38,000 fee-free MoneyPass® and Visa Plus Alliance ATMs (there is a map of all fee-free ATM’s in the app).
Finally, be sure to read customer reviews (complaints and praises) of the TD Bank Go Visa Card below and post your negative or positive review!
Related Prepaid Card to Consider:
The TD Connect reloadable prepaid visa card is offering (for adults- not teens). Read our full TD Prepaid Connet Card Review by clicking here. Please note that anyone can apply for this card – no TD Bank account needed.
Editorial Note!:
“The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, including this review and the reviews written by actual cardholders below.”
Everyone likes to have the flexibility of having a credit card around, even if it’s just for emergencies. These days, most cards have a rewards system for those who use their card frequently, but those systems often have rotating categories of purchases, points that have to be redeemed in a special store, rewards that expire, or a hundred different ways of ensuring that the rewards you get don’t actually cost the credit card company much.
They’re often a pain in the neck to understand and using your reward is often a hassle. There are some cards, though, that cut through all that nonsense and simply refund a portion of everything you purchase.
Compare the best credit cards directly and easily apply online in minutes.
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Discover it® – Cashback Match™
Discover pioneered the idea of the cash back reward and has continued to push the rest of the industry forward. The Discover it card offers 1% cash back on every purchase. In addition, every quarter there is an additional category of purchase for which you can earn 5% cash back. These categories include things like Amazon.com, grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants and it’s important to note that you do have to opt in every quarter. There is a $1500 max per quarter, but unless you’re spending $30,000 per quarter, or $10,000 per month, you’re not going to hit the limit.
In addition, there are several deals Discover has with specific companies that offer extra rewards. These rewards are as simple as 5% cash back when you buy Apple products online or as varied as the four separate rewards available at Avis.
The truly beautiful thing about the Discover it Cashback Match card is that new card members have their first year of cash back rewards doubled. That’s right. I you earn $250 cash back throughout the year, you’ll receive a total of $500 cash back. These cash rewards can be applied to your balance, paid to charitable organizations, deposited in your bank account, or spent on Amazon.com.
Discover it® Chrome
The Discover it® ChromeGas & Restaurant Card is a simplified version of the Discover it® card. Instead of 1% cash back on everything with a host of ways to get 5% back on other purchases, the Chrome card offers 1% cash back on everything and 2% cash back on purchases at gas stations and restaurants with a $1000 cap every quarter. It’s the perfect card for someone who spends much of their life on the road.
As with the previous card, the cash reward is doubled for new members in their first year.
Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Card
The beauty of investing is that small investments can reap significant rewards down the line. The beauty of the Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Card is that it offers 2% cash back on everything you buy and deposits that 2% directly into your Fidelity retirement, college savings, or money market account.
If money is tight, or if you don’t get paid on a monthly schedule, it might make some sense to route routine payments like groceries and gas through this card. You can make your payment when you get paid, and you’ll effectively be investing 2% of everything you spend.
Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card
The Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card offers cash back in three different ways.
If you spend $1000 in the first three months, you’ll get $200 in cash back rewards. It’s just that simple.
You get 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no rotating categories or limits.
You get 1.8% cash back on purchases made in the first twelve months with mobile e-wallets like Apple Pay and Android Pay.
Unsurprisingly, the Sam’s Club MasterCard is intended to provide the most benefit for those who shop at Sam’s Club. They do that by offering 5% back on all gas purchases at Sam’s Club—up to $300 back for the first $6000 spent—and 1% on purchases beyond $6000. In addition, you’ll receive 3% back on dining and travel and 1% on purchases at Sam’s Club and other locations that accept MasterCard.
This card is perfect for those families that are just trying to stretch their budget a bit further.
Walmart Credit Card
Walmart is one of the largest retailers in the world, so of course, they offer a cash back credit card. With it, you can get:
3% cash back on everything purchased on Walmart.com, including grocery pickups.
2% cash back on all purchases of gas at Walmart or Murphy stations.
1% cash back on all other purchases.
There are no limits and the savings are paid out as a credit on your account.
This card is particularly useful for busy families just trying to squeeze the most out of their budget. Walmart’s grocery pickup service is an immense time-saver and getting 3% cash back to use it is like being paid to do things the easy way.
PenFed Defender Visa Signature Card
The PenFed Defender Visa Signature Card offers the best of both worlds in a remarkably simplified package. The rewards are simple. You get 1.5% cash back on all purchases. That alone is pretty good, but PenFed combines it with a remarkably low 10.74% APR to make this card an outstanding all-around value.
Capital One® QuicksilverOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One® QuicksilverOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card offers 1.5% cash back on every purchase. Cash back is redeemable in any amount, and the rewards never expire.
In addition, the Capital One® QuicksilverOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a host of credit tools to help you monitor and improve your credit rating. There’s a $39 annual fee for the card, and this card is more accepting of those who have lower credit. Click here for more information from our partner site, CardRatings.com.
NASA FCU Platinum Cash Rewards
For those that qualify, the NASA FCU Platinum Cash Rewards card can be a tremendous value. Not only do you get 1.5% cash back on every purchase, you can get a rate as low as 15.65% APR.
In addition, if you’re looking to pay down the balance on your current credit card, NASA FCU Platinum Cash Rewards offers a 9.9% APR on balance transfers until it’s paid.
Amazon Store Card
The Amazon Store Card comes with a host of benefits, especially for Amazon Prime members. First, you’ll get a $40 Amazon Gift Card as soon as you’re approved for the card. If you’re a Prime member, you’ll also get 5% cash back on all purchases made at Amazon. Cash back is issued monthly and can be applied to your balance or used to purchase items on Amazon.
Amazon Rewards Visa
The Amazon Rewards Visa offers 3% back for purchases on Amazon and at Whole Foods, 2% at restaurants, gas stations, and drug stores, and 1% back on everything else.
But, if you’re an Amazon Prime member, you get 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods. If you think you’re likely to spend at least $2380 on Amazon over the course of a year, the 5% cash back will pay for your Prime membership, essentially giving you two-day delivery and all the Prime Video and Music benefits in return for your everyday purchases.
Target REDCard
Strictly speaking, the Target REDCard doesn’t offer cash back. Instead, it offers a 5% discount on every purchase at Target stores and in-store Starbucks locations as well as a host of other specific discounts. If you purchase a specialty gift card for travel, restaurants, movies, and more, you can get 5% with your REDcard. Note, this includes Disney gift cards. Target subscriptions to everyday items offer everyone a 5% discount. With a REDCard, you get an additional 5% discount.
Finally, Target stole a play from Amazon’s playbook and offers free shipping for all purchases made on Target.com with your REDCard.
Fort Knox Credit Union Platinum Visa
The Fort Knox Credit Union Platinum Visa offers a host of features that make it an excellent value. First, you get 5% cash back on all gas purchases. That alone makes it an excellent value for those on the run. In addition, you get 1% back on all other purchases.
The benefits don’t stop there, though. The interest rate is low, as low as 10.75% APR, and there are no balance transfer or annual fees. If you’re looking to make a permanent credit card switch, this is an excellent value.
Looking for a great cash back credit card?
Compare the best credit cards directly and easily apply online in minutes.
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Citizens Bank Cash Back Plus World MasterCard
The Citizens Bank Cash Back Plus World MasterCard is designed to ensure their best customers get the best rewards. Everyone gets 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no annual or foreign transaction fees and no limits to the rewards you can earn.
If you make at least one eligible purchase every month for six months, you’ll receive a 10% bonus to your cash back applied retroactively and for all future purchases provided you make at least one eligible purchase a month.
If you have your cash back directly deposited into a Citizens Bank checking or savings account, you’ll get another 10% bonus on your cash back.
If you live in a state where Citizens Bank operates (MA, CT, RI, VT, NH, PA, NY, NJ, DE, MI, OH) and you’re willing to route routine purchases like gas and groceries through your Citizens Bank card, you can up your cash back to 1.8% and have it directly deposited into a savings account to build the rainy day fund all those financial advisors tell you to have.
Payback Rewards World MasterCard® Credit Card from Patelco Credit Union
The Payback Rewards World MasterCard® Credit Card offers a tremendous value for those who love to travel. Their rewards program is a simple 2% cash back on every purchase with no limits or categories. Cash back is redeemable at any time with a minimum of $25 redeemed. There is an annual fee of $35 that is waived for the first year, and rates are as low as 11.65%.
The card also gives you access to a suite of travel services including concierge services, emergency card replacement, and travel accident insurance. If you travel for work, or just love to travel, this card might be the right one for you.
PNC Cash Rewards® Visa® Credit Card
The PNC Cash Rewards® Visa® Credit Card is perfect for families trying to stretch their budget just a bit further. There’s a tiered system of cash back rewards on things families buy every day:
4% Cash back on gas.
3% Cash back on restaurants, including fast food.
2% Cash back on groceries.
1% Cash back on everything else.
The higher tiers of rewards for gas, restaurants, and groceries apply to the first $8000 in purchases combined across categories after which, rewards are given at the 1% tier. Cash back is earned per purchase and is available a few days after each purchase. It is redeemable at any time and may be applied to your balance or deposited in any PNC Bank account.
Cash back credit cards are an outstanding way to make your budget go just a bit further. The key to maximizing the benefit you get is to match your routine spending patterns to the card you use. If you routinely shop at Amazon, Walmart, or Target, you should seriously consider getting their store cards. If you’re not looking for an immediate reward as much as you are simply trying to get the best deal, look at the Discover cards that offer cash back match for the first year or the Fidelity Rewards Visa.
Are credit card miles worth it? We look at a couple of articles in this roundup of frequent flyer credit card news and related tips. If you have seen the movie “Up in the Air” with George Clooney, you have seen some examples of tremendous perks provided by frequent flyer and credit card miles. He criss-crossed the country accumulating miles and tons of perks along the way.
But, for the rest of us that may not travel quite as frequently, are frequent flyer credit cards worth it? The answer, as in many things, unfortunately, is it depends. If you are going to actively go after the miles and have a plan for using them, absolutely.
Commentary: This article does a great job of explaining the ins and outs of travel reward cards. After reading the article, you should be better prepared to answer the question: “Are frequent flyer credit cards worth it?”
Source: CNN Money
Hoping to snag a free trip by opening a travel rewards credit card? You’re not the only one. During the first part of the year and again at the start of summer are the peak times people start searching for travel credit cards. Since 2012, the first weeks in the new year have shown at least a 50% increase in searches for travel rewards credit cards over the rest of the year, according to Value Penguin.
Some of the slickest travel reward credit cards out there offer glamorous perks — access to airport lounges, free nights at hotels, hundreds of dollars in travel credits for baggage — but they can come at a steep cost: annual fees.
Can you afford the annual fees for a premium travel card?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Citi Prestige, for example, each have $450 annual fees, while the American Express Platinum card has an annual fee of $550.
“The report just came out that most people don’t have $1,000 to pay for an emergency,” says Robert Harrow, credit card analyst of Value Penguin. “If that is you, you can’t be throwing away $450 on an annual fee for a credit card.”
Here’s Harrow’s rule of thumb: if you spend $12,000 a year or less on your card, you should only look at cards that don’t charge an annual fee.
A travel reward card with no fee, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card, or Discover It Miles card may be a better place to start.
Don’t expect to get miles points immediately. Sign-up bonuses often come with high spending requirements that typically span one to three months and can put card-holders in a bit of a financial pinch. The big bonus points usually come only after new card members have spent a certain amount on the card in the first few months. Once the points are earned, then the bank may take up to eight weeks to process and reward the points to your account. Typically, it takes about four weeks for the points to be added to the account.
Most credit card experts would agree that you do not want to carry balances when using travel cards, but more than half of people with travel rewards cards have carried a balance in the past year, according to a study by U.S. News. Travel cards tend to carry high normal interest rates, so although you could save money on the travel expense, initially, you could pay for it later in interest fees.
Commentary: This article provided a great checklist of factors to consider when deciding whether to get a travel rewards card with an annual fee. It puts the question to the test of whether travel rewards cards are worth the annual fee in comparison to rewards cards without an annual fee.
Source: LowCards.com
There are dozens of travel rewards cards on the market, all with their own unique offers. Most come with an annual fee, and those that don’t usually have loyalty programs which are far less lucrative. Many consumers wonder if the travel rewards cards are worth the annual fee.
Recent research from MagnifyMoney shows the average introductory bonus for travel credit cards is 40,556 points, more than double the 16,050 point average in 2008. But annual fees have also increased significantly. Travel credit cards with a bonus offer currently have an average annual fee of $120, up from $74 in 2008.
To determine if a travel card is worth its annual fee, you must consider several factors:
How easy is it to earn points?
Do my spending habits line up with the credit card’s rewards program? (Editor: This is a big one to consider before paying a hefty annual fee.)
How much value do the points have?
Do the points expire, and if so, when?
Can I realistically earn enough points to offset the annual fee? (Editor: This is another big on to consider. If you are just going to break even or barely earn more than the annual fee, what’s the point?)
Is there a card with a lower annual fee that would still provide the rewards I need?
Where can the rewards be used? (airline miles, hotels, rental cars, etc.) (Editor: This also ties in with purchasing habits above. If the card does not provide rewards to the services you frequently purchase, you may not get as much bang for your buck.)
If you can earn significantly more rewards than the annual fee, it may be worth applying for that card. If your rewards barely cover the annual fee, you’re not really saving any money. At that point, you may be better off with a cash back credit card or other rewards program to get the best return for your personal expenses.
New Barclays Arrival Premier card: Worth a look if you love to travel
Source: Dayton Daily News
Are you trying to earn the most valuable travel rewards for every dollar you spend on your credit cards?
If you’re the kind of person who always avoids interest charges by paying your statement balance in full each month, you should be earning the most valuable rewards you can. Barclays (which used to go by Barclaycard), just introduced the Arrival Premier, a credit card that allows you to earn tens of thousands of bonus miles each year and gives you a chance to transfer your rewards to airline miles. This new credit card allows you to earn tens of thousands of bonus miles each year with a modest annual fee of $150. To take advantage of this card, you really need to consistently spend $15,000 or more per year on credit cards, but for those higher spenders, you can really save. For example, if you used your card to spend $25,000 in your account’s first year, then you’ll earn 75,000 miles which is essentially triple miles.
6 Easy Ways to Earn Extra Airline Miles and Points Without Traveling
Source: Forbes
In this article, the author shows you six easy ways to earn airline miles quickly without having to fly. These tips can often be applied to hotel points programs and other loyalty programs too.
Sign up for the airline’s dining program – Most airlines and hotel chains have a dining program. These programs let you earn points eating at partner restaurants. Generally, these programs require you to link your credit card to the service and points are automatically deposited in your frequent flier account.
Other tips to consider include the following.
Bank account bonuses
Using a shopping portal
Signing up for a co-branded credit card
Using gas station points programs
Switching your power provider (Editor: Who knew? You can get points just for paying your power bill in some locations.)
Airlines and hotel chains often partner with energy providers. Airlines often offer sign up bonuses for switching to their partner and give you a certain number of miles every month for paying your bill. For example, United partners with NRG in the Midwest, and offers 2 miles per dollar spent on energy bills. Some even offer bonuses when you sign up. Geoff Whitmore, the author of the article, reported earning a 12,500 miles bonus when he signed up.
These Are the Hotel Credit Cards That Earn You a Free Night Every Year
Source: Travel+Leisure
Hotel credit cards can be a valuable tool in any traveler’s wallet. Not only do they offer large sign-up bonuses and elite status perks, they also often come with stellar earning opportunities to help cardholders rack up points, and thus free stays, even faster.
However, several hotel credit cards go one step further and give cardmembers an automatic free night at partner hotels each year they renew their card. The value of this benefit can be worth hundreds of dollars depending on where you redeem your free night – more than enough to offset the annual fees many of these cards charge.
Here are seven hotel credit cards that guarantee you at least one free night each year just for carrying them or spending a certain amount of money on them.
A new model for travel? Pay a local $25 a day to plan a trip
Source: Madison.com
For a flat fee of $25 a day, travelers can use a service called ViaHero to hire locals on the ground to plan out their trips, arranging everything from lodging and airport pickup to sightseeing and dining. The service combines authentic local recommendations, convenient online booking and the old-school guidance of a travel agent.
So far it’s available in Cuba, Iceland, Japan and Colombia, with plans to add Ecuador and other South American countries this year.
Trips are customized to fit any budget. Travelers can be as independent with as much unstructured time as they like, or ViaHero can hire tour guides, drivers and even personal chefs.
Six Simple Tips for Smooth Travel with a Disability
Source: New York Times
Traveling with a visible or invisible disability doesn’t have to be difficult. A few simple tips can go a long way.
Times have changed for travelers who use wheelchairs, are visually or hearing-impaired or have another disability, says Jayne Bliss, a travel adviser with Tzell, who has more than 30 years of experience in planning trips for those with special needs.
“No place is off limits, and hotels, museums and cultural institutions offer more accessibility than ever before,” Ms. Bliss said. Here are some of her tips to travel smoothly with a disability:
Ask Your Airline for Help
Asking your airline for assistance, either at the time of booking or a few days before your trip, will make your time at the airport much easier. Many airlines will designate an employee to meet you curbside when you arrive or at check-in with a wheelchair (if you need one) and guide you through security. You can also request assistance when you land at your destination.
There is usually no charge for this service, but policies vary by airline and may depend on available staff and your disability, so be sure to clarify with your carrier before you fly. Also, many carriers allow guide dogs on board free of charge for passengers who are visually-impaired (as long as you make a reservation for your guide dog at least 48 hours in advance of your flight).
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but car care doesn’t take a vacation between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The warmer months present some challenges to personal transportation and maintenance, but this list will help us all have a summer we can enjoy. Here are our top 10 tips to keeping your car — and its passengers — in good shape this summer.
1. Coolant System
Keeping cool is paramount, not just for ourselves but also for our cars. In addition to checking the level of coolant fluid in your car, go the extra mile and inspect the state of the hoses and the coolant reservoir. Keep an eye out for leaks, especially at joints and connection points, such as where a hose connects to the engine block. Also, squeeze the hoses (when the engine is cool) every once in a while to make sure they feel firm and not excessively squishy or soft.
2. Engine Belts
There is usually a serpentine belt that runs between the alternator, the fan and several other components. It can deteriorate, become loose, start to squeal, and sometimes just break for no apparent reason. It needs to be in good condition and at the right amount of tension. If you see cracks in the belt or small pieces missing, it’s time to replace the belt.
3. Wipers
Yes, it’s summer, but it’s probably going to rain at some point. Worn wipers create nasty streaks across the windshield and can affect your vision while driving. Replacing them doesn’t cost much, but it can be a fiddly operation. If you’re in the habit of taking your car in for oil changes, ask them about the wipers, too. Sometimes a dealership will sell you the wipers and install them for free.
When curating news and tips as well as reviewing cards, we do our best to put ourselves in your shoes. We select articles that we feel would be of interest to people looking for new travel cards, balance transfer credit cards, prepaid cards and the like as well as topics of personal finance that may be of interest as well. When reviewing cards, we choose cards based on such things as maximizing savings through promotional interest-free periods, (lack of) fees, finance charges and ease of use. In other words, if we wouldn’t use these cards ourselves, we wouldn’t recommend them!
* NOTE: We are proud that the majority of cards that we list on articles throughout the site (about 60%) are cards that don’t advertise with us― almost all of our competitors ONLY list cards that advertise with them. About 40% of the credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation (these cards are listed as such on our site). They are typically noted with an asterisk.
The bottom line is that we don’t know of another site that prominently lists as many non-advertiser cards! Please note that rates are current as of the publishing date of this article and should be verified prior to applying.
Curated and comments by Shane Tripcony, personal finance blogger and web marketing consultant. Curtis Arnold and Shane Tripcony are the founders of BestPrepaidDebitCards.com, which provides ratings and reviews of prepaid cards and credit cards. Curtis is a nationally recognized consumer advocate and founder of CardRatings.com, the pioneering website that started posting the first credit card ratings online around 20 years ago.
I tend to fall more in line with the second camp most of the time. I don’t travel that much these days, so a cash back card is more useful and convenient for me. If I were planning a large trip, however, getting some great miles sign-on bonuses would be very helpful in easing travel costs.
Below are some of the best travel credit card related news stories and tips and tricks as of March 15, 2018. Our lead article details the best travel credit cards hacks. We provide a good summary of the credit cards tips for cheap travel here, but you will want to check out the full article as well for all the details.
Our next article deals with the travel insurance features and benefits found on Chase credit cards. As we are heading into travel season, it is good to know what insurance is already covered for you as a Chase cardholder. If you are not already a Chase cardholder, now may be a good time to explore those options.
Our third article in this list details out the travel benefits and features found on Visa Signature cards. Although there may be some slightly different versions of these benefits on different cards as card issuers can make some changes to make the standard features even better, this article presents the main list of benefits and informs you of all the details. In our summary, we have hit the high points, but you should check out the full article for the finer details. If you are carrying a Visa card in your wallet and don’t know if it is a Visa Signature card, look on the back and see if there is a phone number listed for Visa Signature/Concierge.
7 Credit Card Hacks For Travel Deals That Can Help You Jet Set On The Cheap
There are some essential travel hacks for credit cards that you’ve absolutely got to know before you cross country lines, because many travelers can promise you from experience that being prepared is going to save you a whole lot of stress.
You may have noticed a blocked order and receiving a message that the transaction did not go through if you have ever ordered online from a vendor in another country. Well, the same can happen in person when you go to another country. When traveling in another country, your card issuer may put a block on transactions. Usually, a phone call or a text response can correct these kinds of errors, but, it is wise to be prepared.
Apply Online in Mins for the New PenFed PathFinder Rewards American Express Card and Earn:
Notify your card issuer in advance for all the cards you plan on taking with you so they will be forewarned and less likely to block your “foreign” transactions. Most banks have online forms to notify them of travel plans — Western Union has a handy collection of links to popular banks’ forms. That is just one thing to be aware of, but a little forward thinking and planning can help you to avoid a majority of credit-card related travel catastrophes.
Bring cash and map out your ATMs:
Before you leave for your vacation, however you plan to pay for things, you should take out some cash to bring with you. If possible, you should get it converted to the currency of the place you’re traveling to; your bank will likely be able to do that for you.
Be ready for issues that may arise:
Be prepared to run into places that don’t accept your credit card — and may also not accept your debit card as a backup. Refer back to #2: bring cash. When traveling, it is always best to plan as much in advance as possible. This means: you should have backups for your backups.
Have your I.D. handy:
Always keep some form of I.D. handy — driver’s license preferred, but in a pinch a state I.D. will work, as will your passport. Sometimes, checkout clerks are told to verify your signature on their slip with the signature on the back of your card. For most of us, your signature is probably already long gone on the back of your card. Sign it again to keep your signature fresh, and don’t be surprised if someone asks to see it and even compares the two.
Consider prepaid cards:
Buying prepaid cards can be a solution to lots of traveling-with-a-credit-card woes. According to many credit card experts, prepaid cards are just as secure as credit and debit cards, since they also use a PIN. As is the case with many credit and debit cards, prepaid cards may have a fee for currency conversion, and that fee could be as high as 7 percent.
That may not seem like much, but it adds up: If you spend $1,000, you’ll be looking at $70 in fees. Take a look here for some of our top picks of prepaid cards.
Check out potential rewards:
Before you go traveling, check out potential rewards your credit card company offers. You may be able to get loads of airmiles, discounts on hotels, and even cash back, depending on your provider, but in order to maximize your payoff, you need to know exactly what rewards you’re authorized for.
Know how much you are spending (in your own currency):
Especially when traveling, this is something you should always do with a credit card. On a credit card, it’s easy to overspend. But when traveling, you can rack up even more expenses than you think. Currency conversion fees are part of that. Many currency conversion fees are in the 1.5% to 3% range, but some fees may go as high as 7%. Even at 3%, spending $1,000 costs you $30 in fees. That could be dinner! Also, watch out if you find yourself needing extra cash. You are much better off getting cash with your ATM or debit card versus taking a cash advance with your credit card. There are usually fees there and interest begins accruing immediately on cash advances.
Vacations can be fantastic and make for magnificent memories, but if you understimate your costs and/or go in unprepared, they can be huge headaches as well. Plan in advance, notify your card issuers and set a realistic budget, getting cash that you project you will need in advance. (And pack it safely, too!) Plan well, and your trip can make those wonderful memories for years to come.
The travel insurance from these Chase credit cards will cover you during this week’s nor’easter — here’s how it works
By the time you are reading this, the nor’easter mentioned in this article will be long gone, but knowing your travel insurance information on your Chase credit cards is timeless. It is a fact of life that storms will come and go. For the big ones, thousands of flights can be canceled or delayed and there can be domino effects felt in other areas. Depending on when you are reading this article, we may still not be out of the Winter season yet, so more winter storms could be on the way. This article helps you to be more prepared for whatever storm may be heading your way.
When a delay is caused by weather, airlines aren’t responsible for reimbursing your expenses like food, clothing, toiletries, or hotel rooms.
However, if you pay for your ticket with the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you’ll be covered thanks to the cards’ trip delay protections.
In the event of storms and cancellations, you may be able to change your flight if you’re flying into or out of an affected area. Airlines such as Delta and Southwest Airlines and others may issue travel waivers for a number of cities.
However, when there are large impactful storms and if your plans don’t allow you to take advantage of travel waivers, or if your trip isn’t flying out of one of the listed airports, you may face cancellations and heavy delays. This is especially possible because weather-related delays in one region can affect air travel across the country as aircraft pick up delays on various routes.
If you end up stranded or delayed, you can be re-accommodated on a later flight, but it is important to note that airlines generally aren’t responsible for any expenses you incur because of weather-related service disruptions. That means you’ll be responsible for expenses for food, toiletries, changes of clothes, and a hotel room if you end up in that situation.
If you paid for at least part of your airfare with the right credit card, though, you may be in luck. Cards that include trip delay coverage offer up to $500 of coverage for incidental expenses because of a delayed or canceled flight.
While several cards include the trip delay coverage benefit, two of the most popular are the Chase Sapphire Preferred and its sibling, the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Both cards offer the same benefit of up to $500 per person whose ticket was purchased with the card. The coverage kicks in when a delay forces an overnight stay, or when the delay lasts a certain amount of time — 12 hours in the case of the Preferred, six hours in the case of the Reserve.
If your travel credit card is issued by Visa, it could very likely be a Visa Signature credit card. And if it is a Visa Signature then it comes with travel benefits that you may not be aware of.
Visa Signature credit cards offer secondary rental car collision damage waiver coverage but Sapphire Preferred cardholders get primary coverage instead.
So, if you’re contemplating paying for a travel purchase with either a Visa Signature credit card or a non-Visa card like Mastercard or American Express, you should review the built-in travel benefits that Visa offers when the purchase rewards are a wash.
Below are some of the Visa Signature Benefits for the Traveler. We provide additional information on some of the bullet points below, but for more details, check out the original article from Forbes with the link at the end.
24/7 Travel Concierge Service
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
Emergency Cash Disbursement If your credit card is stolen while traveling, Visa will wire money to the closest Western Union location or participating bank within two hours of contacting Visa. That way, you can at least have some cash to buy essential goods until you receive your emergency replacement card.
Extended Warranty Protection Visa will automatically extend the warranty by one year on select purchases –almost anything except motorized vehicles and electronics– to reimburse you if the product fails. While this benefit will be most useful for your household belongings, it can theoretically cover some of your travel gear with qualifying warranties.
Travel and Emergency Assistance
Visa will help connect you with local aid to begin figuring out a way to solve your emergency. Unfortunately, you will still be responsible for any costs along the way for travel, medical, etc.
Winemaker and Food Events The winemaker and food events benefit is your ticket to enjoying “the finer things in life” with world-class experiences. You may become aware of some very worthwhile events.
Lost Luggage Reimbursement
Luxury Hotel Collection
Purchase Discounts
Roadside Dispatch Now, this is very handy to know, even when you are not traveling. When your personal automobile or rental car isn’t operating as usual, you can call Visa 24/7 for the following circumstances:
Standard Towing – Up to 5 miles included
Jump starting
Tire Changing – must have good, inflated spare
Lockout Service (no key replacement)
Fuel delivery – up to 5 gallons (plus the cost of fuel)
Standard Winching
Travel Accident Insurance
Trip Delay Reimbursement When your air travel is delayed at least 12 hours for a covered hazard, you will be reimbursed up to $300 for essential purchases like food, lodging, and clothing.
I know we are all probably guilty of ignoring all the benefits guide and other documents and small print that comes with our shiny new credit cards. Hopefully, this article will help shed some light on some of the benefits you are entitled to.
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Some of the slickest travel reward credit cards out there offer glamorous perks — access to airport lounges, free nights at hotels, hundreds of dollars in travel credits for baggage — but they can come at a steep cost: annual fees.
cards on the market, all with their own unique offers. Most come with an annual fee, and those that don’t usually have loyalty programs which are far less lucrative. Many consumers wonder if the travel rewards cards are worth the annual fee.
x easy ways to earn airline miles quickly without having to fly. These tips can often be applied to hotel points programs and other loyalty programs too.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but car care doesn’t take a vacation between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The warmer months present some challenges to personal transportation and maintenance, but this list will help us all have a summer we can enjoy. Here are our top 10 tips to keeping your car — and its passengers — in good shape this summer.
