Through the reward program, cardholders earn one point for each dollar spent on all purchases. Cardholders are also awarded 1,000 bonus points with their first purchase. Each time the cardholder accrues 2,500 points, they will receive either a $25 gift check or a $25 gift certificate from their choice of various merchants and retailers. The amount of points you can earn is limited to 60,000 points per year.
For those who qualify, the card has a reasonable interest rate for purchases and balance transfers in comparison with other reward cards. There is also a 0% introductory rate on purchases and balance transfers for the first twelve billing cycles and no annual fee.
Those who plan to occasionally carry a large revolving balance may find doing so costly due to the "Two Cycles Average Daily Balance" method used by this credit card to determine finance charges, which ends up costing more to maintain an occasional balance as compared to the "Average Daily Balance" method used by many credit card issuers.
Credit Card Pros and Cons
Pros:
Long term 0% introductory rate on purchases and balance transfers
No annual fee
Bonus points
Reasonable interest rate for purchases and balance transfers
0% introductory rate on purchases and balance transfers
cardholders have access to common platinum benefits provided by Chase
Various Internet account related services.
Emergency card replacement.
Lost and stolen card reporting.
Travel accident insurance.
Auto rental insurance (Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver).
Various travel and emergency assistance services.
Extended warranty for purchases.
Purchase protection.
No liability for unauthorized transactions.
Year-end financial statement (upon request).
Those who qualify for the lowest rate offered and will take advantage of the reward program will benefit most from what the Chase Free Cash RewardsSM Visa? Card has to offer.
Cons:
Uses "Two Cycles Average Daily Balance" method when determining finance charges
Card Details:
Introductory Rate: 0.00%
Time Period: 12 Months
Applied Towards: Purchases, Balance Transfers
APR (Purchases): 14.24% Variable *
The APR for purchases is based on the Prime Rate.
APR (Cash Advances): 24.24% Variable *
The APR for cash advances is based on the Prime Rate.
Finance Configuration: Two Cycles Average Daily Balance (including new purchases)
Annual Fee: $0
Additional Cardholders: $0
Grace Period: 20 Days (Min.)
Minimum Credit Limit: n/a
Maximum Credit Limit: n/a
Late Payment Fee: $15 if balance is less than $250; $39 if balance is $250 or more
Over-The-Limit Fee: $35
Cash Advance Fee: 3%, $10 minimum
Balance Transfer Fee: 3%, $5 minimum, $75 maximum
*To view the most current rates, please see the most recent: Terms and Conditions
Card Reward Program Details:
Points per Dollar: 1 Point
Additional Points: None
Point Details: When 2,500 points have been accrued, the cardholder may choose either a $25 check or a $25 gift certificate to participating merchants.
Expiration: None
Yearly Limit: 60,000 Points
Bonus Points: First Purchase: 1,000 Points
Notes:
The APR for purchases and balance transfers varies according to the applicant's credit history and will be 5.99%, 9.99% or 14.99% + Prime Rate. See website for complete terms and conditions of card usage and application disclosure.
Cash Rewards Credit Cards
Is that really a good thing? Perhaps, perhaps not. That depends on you.
Cash rewards credit cards pay you back a percentage of what you spend on them. Basic purchases generally have up to 1% cash back, while other purchases may get 5% or more back, depending on the terms of the card.
If you use your credit card a lot, this can add up pretty nicely. But that does not mean it's worth it.
Why Not?
The first reason cash rewards may not be worth it for you is if the card charges an annual fee. Effectively, this takes back some of the cash rewards you would otherwise be getting. A high annual fee is rarely worth it, especially if you only use your credit card minimally.
The second reason is that the interest rate you get is generally higher than you would be paying on a plain credit card, often by several percent. This doesn't really matter if you are not carrying a balance, but if you do carry a balance it can be a big deal.
What About When It Is Worth It?
If a cash rewards credit card is right for you and your spending habits there are a few things you want to look out for, beyond the interest rate and/or annual fees.
The first is what it takes to get the best rewards. That "up to" 1% for most purchases - how do you get there? Is it within the range you are likely to spend?
You will also know what maxes out your rewards. Some cards only allow you to get a certain amount of rebate back each year. You want to get your rewards for all your purchases, so make sure you pick a card that will give them to you.
When you are thinking about applying for a card, compare the various benefits of each. This will help you to decide which has the benefits that are right for you. What appears to be the best card at first glance may not best suit you when you look more carefully. That little bit of extra time spent choosing can save you money and allow you to earn more rewards. It is very much worth it.
Both George Allen & Stephanie Foster are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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