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Friday, April 11, 2008

Cash It Back with Credit Cards

What is a cash back credit card?

A cash back credit card gives annual rebates or gives back money to the card holder based on how much have been purchased with it. This type of credit card is suitable for those who rarely use cash in their transactions. The rebate is computed as a percentage of the total amount charged to the credit card in a year. Usually, rebates are between 1-2%. Some can even go as high as 3%.

Are rebates always in the form of cash?

Strictly speaking, cash rebates should be in the form of cash. But now that card companies are diversifying, rebates may now come in the form of gift certificates and discount coupons. This somehow blurs the line between and among the different types of credit cards mentioned in the first paragraph of this article.

Some cash back credit cards offer upgrading of membership status which allow their members to more discounts and gifts during anniversaries and holidays like Christmas and birthdays. Moreover, some credit card companies also have partnerships with other consumer products that entitle their members to added product discounts in future purchases.

What banks offer cash back credit cards?

There are many banks that offer cash back credit cards in kind. They usually have a rewards program for members wherein card holders receive gifts and discounts courtesy of partner product companies; discount coupons to hotels, restaurants, specialty stores; and travel miles for non-travel purchases. Below are some banks that offer cash back benefits.
1. Citibank
2. Chevy Chase Bank
3. HSBC
4. Royal Bank Avion (Canada)
5. Standard Chartered Bank

Are cash back credit cards offered only by banks?

No. Since business establishments are innovating their services and benefits for their customers, some of them offer cash back to their loyal customers e.g. Discover Card (Discover Magazine). Aside from giving book and magazine discounts, airline miles are also offered by Discover Card. Big grocery stores such as Krogers, Wal Mart, and Bi-Lo offer cash back but in the form of cash certificates and discount coupons.
How does one get a cash back credit card?

Since almost all credit card companies (e.g. banks, stores, airlines) offer cash (or in kind) back benefits, all that has to be done is to file an application in any of their office or stores, or signup online by visiting their web sites. Just be a word of caution for online applications, make sure that the transaction is made through a secure internet connection since identity theft has become rampant with the advent of credit card use.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

THE TALES OF THE 0% APR CREDIT CARD

People used to think that they had enough on their benefits with their credit cards. They thought that the rewards they get and the low interest they have is already enough to last a lifetime.

However, there are instances when they get to have the chance of seeing promotions like 0% APR. Now, this is really something. But the question is, is it true? Is there a great probability that credit card companies can actually offer a 0% APR?

For most financial experts, they contend that it is, indeed, possible. In fact, credit card companies would definitely go for this kind of scheme just to get the consumers on their hook.

That sounds too good to be true, indeed. But the question is how come they can offer something so good just like that?

Normally, 0% annual percentage rate or APR lasts only for 6 months. The countdown starts from the day the credit card is claimed.

In most instances, 0% APR are attractive to people who would want to have a balance transfer. This is because they would want to consolidate all of their debts into one payment only. And because they have a huge pile of debt, they would rather go to a credit company that can offer them lower interest rates.

With things like 0% APR credit card, who can resist them?

Moreover, with the 6-month timeframe, people will get to have the chance of paying their standing debts for a whole six month-period only. That would be a lot of savings.

But then again, 0% APR credit cards are not at all beneficial to everybody. As they say, there is always an exception to the rule. This refers to those who do not accumulate interest charges simply because they have outstanding balance. So, they wouldn’t feel the necessity of getting a 0% APR credit card.

The best credit cards for these types of people are those that offer rewards and cash backs instead of lower rates.

All of these boil down to one point, that people must be aware on how these wonderful offers can provide them the benefit that they want.

Indeed, there are lots of rewards and 0% APR credit card out there. But if it will not work for those who do not really them because of the mentioned situations, then it’s best not to have them at all. Besides, the best 0% reward is not to have a credit card at all.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

How to Acquire Free Web Site Promotion

You have finished making your own website. You have introduced your company and presented your products and services. You have added propositions and promos to catch your target audience’s attention. You have achieved the dos and don’ts of building a company web site. But why isn’t your website a major success?

Maybe you’re not planning the key to the best promotion of your web site. Here are some guidelines on how to acquire free web site promotions for your company’s success.

If you have started to promote your web site, keep it constant. If you promote your site with persistence, it will catch your audience’s attention.

Be patient. Try each method in promotion until you acquire the best, free promotion there is. You have to accept trial and error for your web site to reach the top.

There are many ways for your web site to be seen. Here are some free web site promotions you could try until you find the most effective.

*Free promotions such as search engines and directories would give your web site the deserved traffic you always wanted. Make sure to check your web site’s ranking to know whether or not this type of free promotion is right for you.

*Make a deal with other web sites on trading links which could help both web sites. Make sure to use words that could easily interest the audience.

*Find free classified ads that could boost the promotion of your web site. These ads could be seen by other people who you are not targeting for, but may as well be interested in your services.

*Free and low-cost internet banners are spread all through out the World Wide Web. Banners that pop-up at the top of a page or in a separate window would automatically catch your target audience’s attention.

If your web site and its free promotion did not work even after accomplishing these methods, analyze your web site. Track down all visitors, advertisements, and transactions. Then locate errors in your web site. Upload new files to your web site continuously for audience to return for new products and services. Monitor your own web site if it’s up in the market or down.

Then be ready to try the methods again and surely it will work.

It has always been said that the best things in life are free. Yes they are. And as soon as your free web site promotion proves to the audience its worth, then you’ll believe it’s true.