Credit Cards

While getting approved for a credit card is harder than it used to be, there is still a wide variety of offers out there. If you want 0% balance transfers and no annual fees, you can find that. If...

While getting approved for a credit card is harder than it used to be, there is still a wide variety of offers out there. If you want 0% balance transfers and no annual fees, you can find that. If you want cash (or airline miles or points) back on each purchase, you can find that too.

Here are some of our favorite resources to help you compare rates, rewards and other features that credit cards offer:

• Cardtrack.com: They've compiled a list of 450+ cards that you can easily filter by card type and more. 
• Fatwallet: In particular, this Fatwallet message board has a user-compiled, up-to-date list of cards and their selections for the best ones of each type. We love this list because it's driven by consumers, not by a company that's likely to get a kick-back for promoting a certain card.
• CreditCards.com: On this site, you can also filter by your credit rating to see cards that you can qualify for. 

Make sure you review the card terms on the bank's site to ensure they match up.  Credit card comparison sites often get paid a bounty if you apply for a card through them so while they are not trying to mislead you, they may not necessarily have your best interest in mind either.

Also, check the card issuer sites directly (Citibank, Bank of America, Capital One, American Express, Chase, Discover, etc.) to see their latest offerings and make sure you are avoiding any misleading offers from non-affiliated websites.

This tip is not appropriate for someone with bad credit scores, lots of debt or a shaky loan, or who has trouble keeping their spending in line. But for the brave and credit strong who have...

This tip is not appropriate for someone with bad credit scores, lots of debt or a shaky loan, or who has trouble keeping their spending in line. But for the brave and credit strong who have solid financial "self-control" there are potential ways to rack up lots of cash (some claim to have made $ thousands), miles (free flights), and more.

The key is to take advantage of new signup bonuses for credit cards, like the ones you probably get in the mail every day. Some cards offer rich rewards such as enough miles to gain a free flight, just for opening an account and making an initial purchase. The best cards do this while waiving the annual fee for the first year so you can take advantage at no cost.

If you are going to try this make sure you are smart about the offers and risks. Read stories and advice from others who have tried this at places like Fatwallet and App-o-rama. Among the strategies they recommend are applying for multiple credit cards on the same day to discount the effect of multiple credit inquiries. There are stories of people getting credit of $200k+ and making $15k+ in freebies, but with the rules of credit constantly changing you need to be sure to review the details before signing up for anything.

A LOZO expert posted this tip.

Many retail stores will offer you a percentage off your total purchase when you sign up for a store credit card on the spot (10% is common). Stores often get paid by credit companies for every new...

Many retail stores will offer you a percentage off your total purchase when you sign up for a store credit card on the spot (10% is common). Stores often get paid by credit companies for every new person they sign up so they have plenty incentive.

If you do shop at a particular store a lot (AND your credit score can sustain another application) these deals may be worthwhile. But since you only get the "first time" discount your first time, make sure it's a purchase that's worthwhile. For example, if you are spending $50 today but might spend $300 next week, waiting to sign up might be the difference between $5 and $30 cash back to you.

If the store has a flexible return policy, this might be a good time to fill up your shopping cart to make sure you get the discount, knowing you may have to return some items (you will probably forfeit the % back on those items you return - it's only fair - but at least you cashed in the discount for everything else).

There is no one "perfect" credit card for everyone. In fact, a trick in the credit card industry is to offer an exciting promotion on a very specific category of purchases, say 5% on gas or 3% on...

There is no one "perfect" credit card for everyone. In fact, a trick in the credit card industry is to offer an exciting promotion on a very specific category of purchases, say 5% on gas or 3% on grocery stores, but then cut back on other bonuses.

Retail stores' cards are commonly like this too--you earn lots of points in that store, but only an average (or below average) payback on everything else and/or much higher fees. In fact, retail stores are oftentimes rewarded by credit card companies when you spend on OTHER things than their store, since that's where the credit card companies make their money.

In a perfect world, with no credit scores to worry about, you would have multiple cards which complement each other, each offering a better reward on some categories so you could always use the one that would earn you the most on the purchase you were about to make. However most of us have to be careful about how many cards we juggle. So, what's the LOZO?

• If you truly know your spending habits, then get a credit card tailored to them. Just make sure the credit card company isn't skimping too heavily elsewhere.
• If you don't know your spending habits so well--or if there's no category that really "takes the cake", you'll do well with a more general card. In fact, most people will do best with cards that offer a solid payback on every purchase - such as 1% cash or 1 point/airline mile with no minimum - and 2%-5% on certain key categories; this kind of card may average 1.5% or more payback. 

If you decide to get multiple cards, try to pick one that has the best base rewards on any purchase, and one that pays the highest on your most common spend categories.

To find a new card that meets your needs, read our tip about comparing credit cart rates, rewards and other benefits.

After months of shopping including big sale days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, hopefully you’ve managed to cover everyone on your list. But what about the person who got overlooked, or...

After months of shopping including big sale days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, hopefully you’ve managed to cover everyone on your list. But what about the person who got overlooked, or decided to join for the holidays last-minute? The idea of spending hours browsing the shelves of a crowded store for one last gift just doesn’t sound like much fun anymore (or ever).

When this happens—and it happens to the best of us!—a common solution is to reach for a gift card. They’re easy to buy and practically guarantee that your recipient will get the item(s) they want in the end. Nearly everyone offers gift cards for sale so you can pick a store or restaurant that you know the person will like, or buy an elegantly-packaged prepaid card (like MasterCard, American Express, Visa, etc.) that offers the flexibility of cash.

Best of all, here’s the LOZO on gift cards: you can often buy them at a discount! So this season whether you’re giving or receiving gift cards or gift certificates, here are some tips to keep in mind.

Sign up for the Schwab Visa while you can. Their outstanding 2% rebate on all purchases may be reduced in the near future according to this blog in the NY Times (LOZO Editor Note: As of May, 2010...

Sign up for the Schwab Visa while you can. Their outstanding 2% rebate on all purchases may be reduced in the near future according to this blog in the NY Times (LOZO Editor Note: As of May, 2010 Schwab does not appear to be taking new applicants for their Visa card. Current cardholders are still able to enjoy the 2% benefits at the present time.)

AnnualCreditReport.com is the only official site to download a FREE credit report once every 12 months from each of the three credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and Transunion. You won't...

AnnualCreditReport.com is the only official site to download a FREE credit report once every 12 months from each of the three credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and Transunion. You won't get a credit score with this report, but you do have the option of paying it (or starting a free trial of a monitoring service).

From Buxr.com on 04/04/12 You will receive 35,000 bonus points with this bonus offer, which can be redeemed for a $350 check. To qualify and receive your bonus, you must make purchases totaling $500...

From Buxr.com on 04/04/12

You will receive 35,000 bonus points with this bonus offer, which can be redeemed for a $350 check. To qualify and receive your bonus, you must make purchases totaling $500 or more during the first 3 months from account opening. Purchases do not include using your account for balance transfers or cash advances, or using any checks that access your account. After qualifying, please allow 6 to 8 weeks for bonus points to post to your account. To be eligible for this bonus offer, account must be open and not in default at the time of fulfillment. This one-time bonus offer is valid only for first-time cardmembers with new accounts. Previous and existing cardmembers/accounts are not eligible for this bonus offer.

From Buxr.com on 01/19/12 This offer is for people with a good to excellent credit history which means, among other things, that your credit history is clear of bankruptcy and seriously delinquent...

From Buxr.com on 01/19/12

This offer is for people with a good to excellent credit history which means, among other things, that your credit history is clear of bankruptcy and seriously delinquent accounts
Earn $200 Bonus Cash Back after you make $500 in purchases in your first 3 months
5% Cash Back on up to $1,500 spent at gas stations and on Amazon.com from 1/1/12 - 3/31/12.
You'll enjoy new 5% categories every 3 months like grocery stores, restaurants and even airlines. It's free and easy to activate your bonus each quarter!
Unlimited 1% Cash Back on all other purchases
Up to an additional 10% Cash Back when you shop online at select merchants through Chase
No annual fee, rewards never expire.
How to Get the deal: $200 Bonus Cash Back after $500 in purchases in first 3 months

From Buxr.com on 02/18/11 This is an excellent cash back card card if you like everything Sony. I have had it for some time and thinking to sign up again. You get 5x points on anything in the Sony...

From Buxr.com on 02/18/11

This is an excellent cash back card card if you like everything Sony. I have had it for some time and thinking to sign up again.

You get 5x points on anything in the Sony stores and Sony.com; in addition you earn 3x points on dining out and movies and 1x on everything else.

Plus right now you can get 10,000 bonus points after your first purchase! (redeemable for $100 Sony gift card).
How to Get the deal: Limited time offer

From Buxr.com on 01/05/11 Great Deal 0.00% Intro Purchase APR for 12 months then the purchase APR 0.00% Intro Balance Transfer APR for 12 months then the purchase APR 11.99% - 19.99% Variable...

From Buxr.com on 01/05/11

Great Deal
0.00% Intro Purchase APR for 12 months

then the purchase APR
0.00% Intro Balance Transfer APR for 12 months

then the purchase APR
11.99% - 19.99% Variable Purchase APR
$0.00 Annual Fee
$0 Balance Transfer Fee

Limited time offer.
How to Get the deal: Limited Time Offer!!!!!