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If you have extra miles or points in one airline or hotel program, and need to top-up somewhere else, you could benefit from a points conversion transaction. Calculate the "exchange rate" here and find a path to convert any two programs (using a "six degrees of Kevin Bacon" type … [Read more...] about Convert to get those extra points or miles you need – at a price

There are numerous places to sell your gift cards, including eBay.com, craigslist.com and specialized sites like plasticjungle.com, certificateswap.com and swapagift.com. If you find a match with a buyer you might be able to get close to the value on the card, though … [Read more...] about Cash in your gift cards, but at a discount

Even the most diligent among us can forget things, like paying the credit card bill on time, especially with shortened payback periods and the unpredictability of the mail. If you are a good customer and have not been late before you can ask to have the fees reversed. There's no … [Read more...] about Get your late fees and finance charges wiped out by asking

At first glance a charge of 3% for a cash advance might not seem that high, but once you add in all of the related fees the costs really add up. If you are subject to a minimum fee of $10, and a cash advance interest rate of 29.9%, and maybe a $3 ATM fee, after just three months … [Read more...] about Cash advances can be more expensive than you think

Even if you avoid late fees and penalties which can make it worse, the regular interest you pay on your card balance effectively makes every purchase more expensive. Consider this: if you typically roll over your balance for a year and pay 18% interest, then your $30 gas purchase … [Read more...] about If you carry a balance: save money on every purchase by not charging it