Tips for negotiating a rewards credit card’s annual fee

February 10, 2021 by Gerald Hawkins Posted in Account Management, Cash Back, Respite Care Tips Tagged Account management, Auto, Auto Loans, Cash Back, Coronavirus, Credit, Credit Card, Credit Cards, credit score, Debt, Fees, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, Loans, Make, money, moving, News, rate, Rewards, Spending, tips, Travel

Paying the annual fee on a credit card doesn’t mean you’re wasting your money.

In fact, the top travel and rewards credit cards offer welcome bonuses that are worth considerably more than their annual fees, and that’s on top of the cardholder perks and benefits you can receive.

Case in point: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card* charges $95 per year, yet the sign-up bonus of 60,000 points is worth $750 on its own. Meanwhile, the more luxurious Chase Sapphire Reserve charges a $550 annual fee, but the sign-up bonus is worth $750 in travel, and you get perks like a $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every four years, Priority Pass Select membership (valued at $429), a $300 travel credit and more.

Still, a problem can arise when you can’t use the benefits your card offers – or when you cannot (or don’t want to) pay the annual fee anymore.

In that case, you should know credit card issuers can be surprisingly receptive to cardholders who may not be excited about paying their credit card’s annual fee another year. With this in mind, you have some options that can help you avoid annual fees, get something in return or switch credit cards altogether.

See related: When is a credit card annual fee worth it?

You may have more power than you think

According to Howard Dvorkin, CPA and chairman of Debt.com, it’s always worth it for consumers to negotiate their credit card fees or terms. Whether a consumer will get their fees waived is another question, but “it never hurts to ask,” he said.

This is especially true in light of the coronavirus pandemic. As we all know, credit card issuers have been fairly generous when it comes to offering struggling customers relief, with some extending options for deferred payments or waived fees. As an example, a March 2020 statement from Capital One CEO Rich Fairbank noted that the bank was offering assistance to its customers, such as “waiving fees or deferring payments on credit cards or auto loans.”

Dvorkin says consumers can improve their chances of getting their annual fee waived if they have a history of responsible credit use. In some cases, it may be possible to have an annual fee waived altogether, while in others, an account credit may be offered to take the sting out of the fee.

Some credit card issuers even have their own “retention offers” meant to entice you into keeping your card. For example, American Express is known for offering a set number of points for customers who agree to renew their card and pay an annual fee for another year. Sometimes a specific amount of spending is required on the card as well.

On the FlyerTalk website, you’ll even find a running guide of retention offers from several different card issuers, including Amex. After you dig through it, you can find that, as recently as January 2021, at least one person was offered 50,000 Membership Rewards points to renew their Platinum Card from American Express.

See related: Which cards earn American Express rewards points?

6 tips for negotiating annual fees

But how do you make sure you have as much leverage as possible? We interviewed the experts to find out their best tips for negotiating credit card fees:

1. Use the card

Lending expert John Li of Fig Loans says you’ll have the best chances at negotiating your credit card’s annual fee if you use your card frequently.

“At the end of the day, doing so makes the bank money, and a steady flow of transactions puts you in front of the credit card issuer as a worthy customer to build a long-term professional relationship with,” he says.

2. Be respectful

Dvorkin recommends keeping a level head before you pick up the phone. Take the time to state your case, but don’t fly off the handle if you don’t get your way.

“Credit card issuers get angry calls from cardholders all the time, so it helps consumers to be positive when calling to get a fee waived,” he says.

3. Negotiate by phone

While some card issuers like American Express have an online chat feature, you may have better luck negotiating with a customer service agent over the phone. In fact, phone agents can usually perform more services on your behalf versus agents you speak to via online chat.

4. Have a legitimate grievance

Nishank Khanna, CEO of business lender Clarify Capital, says you’ll have a better shot at negotiating if you have a compelling reason for not wanting to pay an annual fee.

“If you’re having this conversation with your lender to begin with, you’ll want to be able to articulate a logical reason for why you deserve to have the fee removed or reduced,” he says. “Customer service representatives are often receptive to legitimate reasons and may have a policy in place to help accommodate customers with specific concerns or circumstances.”

5. Leverage the competition

Khanna also says you can point to other card issuers that may have a better deal right now. Have competitors waived their fees? If you’re looking to knock off a fee on a travel credit card because you haven’t been able to use the card during the pandemic, for example, you should find out how other card issuers are handling the situation.

6. If you’re not satisfied, call again

Persistence can pay off when it comes to negotiating credit card fees and terms. Not only that, but you don’t have to accept the first “no” you receive. If you don’t get the answer you want, you can always try the famous “HUCA” method, which asks you to hang up and try again. You may be connected to a different agent who is more agreeable.

See related: Does applying for a credit card by phone boost approval odds?

What to do when the issuer won’t budge

If you are trying to negotiate an annual fee but can’t seem to make any progress, keep in mind that other options may make just as much sense.

For starters, Dvorkin says consumers who find they cannot negotiate their card’s annual fee should consider opening a credit card that doesn’t have an annual fee and closing their old one.

Note that closing a credit card can lower your credit score by reducing your overall available credit. Depending on how high the card’s credit limit is and what balances you have on other cards, this could raise your credit utilization ratio and lower your score. But this may be a risk worth taking if you can no longer afford your card’s annual fee.

Also, keep in mind some card issuers might let you downgrade your credit card to another card they offer that doesn’t charge an annual fee. You will probably earn a lower rewards rate and get fewer perks if you take this route, but moving your line of credit to a different card won’t cause damage to your credit score like closing an account can.

*All information about the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer. This offer is no longer available on our site.

Source: creditcards.com

Can you send money with a credit card?

January 29, 2021 by Gerald Hawkins Posted in Account Management, Cash Back, DIY Tagged Account management, Buy, Cash Back, Convenience, Credit, Credit Card, Credit Cards, Debit Card, Family, Fees, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, interest rates, Life, Loans, Make, News, rate, Rewards, savings, Spending

Sending cash to friends and family? Before you reach for that credit card, grab a calculator. Itâs time to do a little math.

With most everything you purchase online or through apps, credit cards have the edge. With plastic, you have chargeback rights. If youâre overcharged or receive the wrong item, broken merchandise or nothing at all, your card issuer will make it right. And if you use a rewards card, you collect points or miles, too. Win-win.

But itâs different story when youâre sending money through peer-to-peer platforms. Many of them (like Google Pay, Popmoney and Zelle), donât allow consumers to use a credit card to send cash.

Others (like Cash App, PayPal and Venmo), allow credit cards but also charge a fee for the privilege â often about 3%.

See related: How to choose a P2P payment service

The hidden costs of using credit cards to send money

Choose a credit card to send money and you might also end up paying additional fees to your card issuer. Thatâs because the combination of some peer-to-peer apps with certain cards are coded as cash advances, rather than purchases.

For many cards, that cash advance code triggers a higher interest rate that kicks in the moment you make the transaction, as well as a separate cash advance fee thatâs often $10 or 5% of the transaction â whichever is higher. (Currently, the average interest rate for cash advances is 24.8%, while the average APR for purchases is 16.05%.)

So the combination of peer-to-peer service fees, credit card cash advance fees and that higher interest rate (with no grace period) could make sending a few hundred dollars a bit more costly than youâd planned.

No chargeback rights with credit cards

The real kicker: Unlike other venues, you donât have chargeback rights when you use credit cards to make peer-to-peer money transfers.

When you present your credit card in an online or brick-and-mortar store, thereâs a merchant involved â and the law provides chargeback rights for your protection in case you donât get what you were promised in the deal. But in a peer-to-peer money transfer, thereâs no merchant, so currently the laws donât give consumers any chargeback rights, says Christina Tetreault, manager of financial policy for Consumer Reports.

âThe chargeback right requires a merchant,â says Tetreault. âOne of the hoops a consumer has to jump through is to try and work it out with the merchant.â

If you use a peer-to-peer service and send the wrong amount or send the money to the wrong person, most platforms advise that the only way to get it back is to contact the recipient and ask them to return it. And thatâs often the same whether you use a credit card, debit card, bank account or funded account on the platform.

âBe doubly sure when youâre sending the money that youâre putting in the correct information,â says John Breyault, vice president of public policy, telecommunications and fraud for the National Consumers League. âItâs still a buyer beware world when it comes to peer-to-peer.â

The solution

If youâre sending money and want to use a credit card, it pays to do a little sleuthing first. Check out the peer-to-peer site. Does it allow users to send money with a credit card? If so what, if any, fees does it charge?

On some platforms (PayPal is one), you could see similar fees for using a debit card â while sending from a bank account or funded account on the platform is free.

The good news is that many peer-to-peer platforms clearly disclose it when thereâs an extra charge to use a credit card, says Tetreault. With Venmo, for example, youâll get a pop-up message.

Harder to decipher: Will credit card transactions on the platform be treated as a cash advance? If your preferred platform doesnât post this information, you might need to contact customer service. (And how quickly and easily you get an answer can tell you a lot, too.)

Ask your card issuer the same question: Are peer-to-peer money transfers on the platform youâve chosen treated as a cash advance? If they are, whatâs the interest rate, and whatâs the cash advance fee?

âWhat I would suggest is to ask that question, via email, of your financial institution,â says Tetreault. âIt may be in their FAQs. And you want to save that email. If you have it in writing, if thereâs an issue later, youâre better positioned to contest that fee.â

But âthe hard truth is you may not be able to find out ahead of time,â she says.

Another solution: Opt to use a credit card issued by a credit union.

âWith credit unions, the APR is usually the sameâ for purchases and cash advances, says John Bratsakis, president and CEO of the Maryland and District of Columbia Credit Union Association.

Likewise, with American Express cards you pay your regular interest rate and no cash advance fees on peer-to-peer transfers, says Elizabeth Crosta, vice president of public affairs for American Express.

And credit cards from U.S. Bank register peer-to-peer money transfers as regular purchases â with no cash advance fees or cash advance APRs, says Rick Rothacker, spokesperson for the bank.

See related: How do credit card APRs work?

Whatâs your reason for using a credit card?

Take a good look at the reason youâre using a credit card, too. If you want chargeback rights, thatâs not an option. If youâre doing it for the rewards, will the value of those points or miles be eaten up by extra fees or a higher interest rate you have to pay to use the card?

And if youâre using a card because you donât have the cash, that might be a good reason to rethink the idea of sending money in the first place.

Thatâs a huge red flag, says Bruce McClary, vice president of public relations at theÂ National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

âThe need to convert credit into cash is what really gets my attention â because that hints at a lack of savings,â he said. âItâs a reality a lot of people are facing, especially now.â

Cash advances arenât as expensive or risky as payday loans and car title loans, but they should be among your last resorts. If you’re looking for short-term relief, you could ask your credit card issuer for help, or find out if you qualify for a personal loan. You could also borrow from a family member or trusted friend, but be wary of the potential relationship toll if you can’t pay them back.

Getting cash from credit cards

Fifty-two percent of Americans report that the pandemic has damaged their finances, according to a recent survey by the NFCC. More than a fifth of those had to tap savings for everyday expenses, while 16% increased their credit card spending.

And thatâs a sign of financial stress, says McClary. âIt means that, in some situations, they have run out of savings.â

There are ways you can use your card to get cash, though.

Cashing in rewards

Some rewards cards from issuers such as Chase, Bank of America and US Bank let you deposit cash-back rewards directly to your bank account.

And Wells Fargo also will let you deposit its Go Far Rewards directly into another Wells Fargo customerâs account, says Sarah DuBois, spokesperson for the bank.

Gift cards

Many credit cards let you convert rewards into retail gift cards. So a pile of points can help a friend or family member buy much-needed groceries or a few holiday presents.

Or simply âbuy a gift card for someone,â says Bratsakis.

Retailer-specific gift cards and gift cards issued through local and regional retail associations and malls often come with no fees â meaning every dollar you spend goes toward your gift.

Convenience checks

While you can get a cash advance or use convenience checks from your card issuer, both those options often come with fees and higher interest rates. Not a smart money move, especially in the current economy.

While some lenders may offer convenience checks with deferred interest, thatâs not the same as âno interest,â says Bratsakis. Also, if you donât pay the loan in full, will you owe the full interest retroactively?

âThatâs where consumers have to be careful,â he says. With a convenience check or even a cash advance, âthatâs usually where consumers can get themselves into trouble if they canât pay it off and get hit with deferred interest.â

See related: What is deferred interest?

Bottom line

When it comes to peer-to-peer payments, cash really is king. You can then put it into a funded account with the money transfer platform or your bank account. And most peer-to-peer platforms let you do this for free.

âThe safest way to use these services is to send money person-to-person and be diligent about getting all the details correct so it doesnât go to the wrong person,â says Tetreault.

Only send to people you trust and know in real life, she says. âAnd before sending money make sure you understand what, if any, fees you might incur.â

Source: creditcards.com

How to add an authorized user to an American Express card

January 28, 2021 by Gerald Hawkins Posted in Account Management, Respite Care Tips Tagged Account management, build credit, Cash Back, Credit, Credit Card, Credit Cards, credit score, Debt, Family, Fees, Finance, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, interest rates, Make, mortgage, News, Products, Rewards, Security, Spending

Having a strong credit score is important. Consumers need it to get approved for a mortgage loan, to finance the purchase of a car and to qualify for the best credit cards at the lowest interest rates.

By adding friends and family members – or anyone else you’d like – as authorized users on your American Express credit card account, you can help them build a credit score if they lack one or improve one that’s weak. Just be careful: Authorized users can cause you financial pain if they overspend each month.

What is an authorized user?

An authorized user is someone who can use your credit card account to make purchases. Every purchase authorized users make goes onto your account.

These users, though, are not responsible for paying these charges. That’s up to you.

This is why it’s important to only add authorized users whom you trust to not run up charges on your account. You also need to create agreements with your authorized users on how much they can charge each month and when they need to pay for these purchases.

build or repair their credit. Every time you make an on-time payment, it’s reported to the three national credit bureaus – helping improve your credit score in addition to the scores of those listed as authorized users on your card.

One benefit for you as the primary cardholder? If you have an American Express credit card that generates rewards, authorized users can help you build those points faster. Every purchase authorized users make on your card will count toward your rewards bonuses.

Authorized user eligibility requirements

You can add anyone you’d like as an authorized user. Most people add family members, maybe their spouse or children. But you’re not limited to that: You can add friends or even people who work for you, such as a nanny or babysitter.

When adding authorized users, you need to provide their name, date of birth and Social Security number. You don’t have to provide authorized users’ birth dates and Social Security numbers immediately when applying for the card, but American Express does require you to provide this information within 60 days of application. If you don’t, the authorized user’s card will be deactivated. There’s one other limit, too – all authorized users must be at least 13 years old.

How to add an authorized user to your American Express account

Adding authorized users to your American Express account is a simple process. First, log into your American Express account. On your account page, scroll down until you see the “Useful Links” option on the right side of the page. You can then click on “Add Someone to your Account.”

Screenshot showing how to add an authorized user

Your authorized user will usually get the same card that you hold. If you hold the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, your additional card member will also receive a Blue Cash Everyday card.

There are exceptions, though. If you hold The Platinum Card® from American Express card, you can sign your authorized users up for either the Platinum card or the authorized user Gold card (not to be confused with the American Express® Gold Card). This option offers a limited number of benefits from the Platinum card.

See related: Amex Platinum authorized user perks

You can add as many authorized users as you’d like. And if you have more than one American Express card, you can add authorized users to any of them.

Fee for adding an authorized user

Some American Express cards charge a fee for adding authorized users. Others don’t.

For instance, you can add five authorized users to your American Express Gold card for free. If you want to add more, you’ll pay an annual fee of $35 for each extra authorized user.

Adding authorized users to the American Express Platinum card is costlier: You’ll pay a total annual fee of $175 to add three additional Platinum card authorized users. You’ll also pay $175 each year for each additional user you add after those initial three.

You’ll also pay a $175 annual fee for each authorized user you add to the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.

All other American Express cards charge no annual fees for adding authorized users.

Managing authorized user access

American Express does give primary cardholders some control over the authorized users on their account.

First, the charges that each authorized user makes on your account are itemized on your monthly statements. American Express also allows you to check the balances on your additional cards through your online account at any time.

Unlike some credit card providers, American Express lets you set a monthly spending limit for each of your authorized users. You can set this limit as low as $200 up to your full credit limit.

Pros and cons of adding an authorized user

There are both benefits and potential pitfalls to adding authorized users to your American Express card.

Pros

Increased rewards: The purchases your authorized users make all count toward your rewards points and cash back bonuses. Adding authorized users, then, can help you earn rewards and cash back at a faster pace.
You can help your children build credit scores: Want your children to steadily build a strong credit score? Adding them as authorized users can help do this. Many younger adults have no credit score at all because they don’t have enough of a credit history to have built one. Every time you make an on-time payment on your American Express account, it will strengthen your credit score, as well as help users who don’t have a score build one of their own.
Help to those with damaged scores: Maybe you know a family member or friend with a weak credit score. By adding them as authorized users, you can help them repair their weak scores. Again, every payment you make on time is reported to the credit bureaus. These payments will also count for your authorized users, helping them improve their scores over time.

Cons

You’re responsible for authorized users’ charges: You’re responsible for any charges your authorized users make each month. If they run up an excessive amount of debt and refuse to pay for it? You’re responsible for covering that payment. You can control some of this by setting spending limits for authorized users, but adding additional cards to your account is still risky.
A damaged debt-to-income ratio? Your debt-to-income ratio, a measure of how much of your gross monthly income your monthly debts consume, is an important number for your credit score. If your authorized users add too much debt to your American Express card and refuse to pay it off, it could hurt this ratio. This is especially true if you can’t afford to pay off those charges on your own.

Should you add an authorized user to your American Express card?

Adding authorized users is a worthwhile move if you want to help a family member or friend boost his or her credit. The move, though, could be risky if your authorized users charge too much each month. Only add authorized users whom you trust to abide by any spending rules you set up for them.

Source: creditcards.com

Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit

January 14, 2021 by Gerald Hawkins Posted in Credit Cards Tagged Account management, Balance Transfers, build credit, Building Credit, Buy, Cash Back, Checking Account, Credit, credit score, Emergency Fund, Fees, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, interest rates, Main, Mobile App, News, Products, rate, Rewards, Spending, Travel

When it comes to excuses consumers give for their poor credit scores, banks and lenders have heard it all.Â

Maybe you lost your job and couldnât pay your student loan payment for a few months.Â Or perhaps you thought youâd gotten a deferment but were too busy job hunting to find out for sure.Â

Maybe you thought you paid your credit card bill but itâs actually sitting on your kitchen counter waiting for the mail.

Whatever the reason for your low credit score, one thing is for certain â lendersÂ donât care.

In fact, banks and other lenders lean on your credit score and other factors to determine whether they should approve you for a credit card or a loan â and thatâs about it. Your personal situation is never considered, nor should it be.

It would be wonderful if credit card companies understood that âlife happensâ and made special exceptions to help people out, but that’s not the world we live in.Â As most of us already know, thatâs not typically how credit works. Credit cards are backed by banks, and banks have rules for a reason.

Now, hereâs the good news: Credit cards can help rebuild your credit, earn cash back for each dollar you spend, make travel easier, and serve as an emergency fund if youâre stuck paying a huge bill at the last minute. This is true even if you have poor credit, although the selection of credit cards you can qualify for may be somewhat limited.Â

Keep reading to learn about the best credit cards for bad credit, how they work, and how you can get approved.

Best Cards for Bad Credit This Year

Before you give up on building credit, you should check out all the credit cards that are available to consumers who need some help. Our list of the best credit cards for bad credit includes some of the top offers with the lowest fees and fair terms.

Total VisaÂ®
Discover itÂ® Secured
Credit One BankÂ® VisaÂ® Credit Card
Secured MastercardÂ® from Capital OneÂ®
MilestoneÂ® Gold MastercardÂ®
Credit One BankÂ® Unsecured VisaÂ® with Cash Back Rewards

#1: Total VisaÂ®

The Total VisaÂ® is one of the easiest credit cards to get approved for in today’s market, and itâs easy to use all over the world since itâs a true Visa credit card. However, this card does come with high rates and fees since itâs available to consumers with poor credit or a limited credit history.

Processing your application will cost $89, which is extremely high when you consider the fact that most credit cards donât charge an application fee. Youâll also pay an initial annual fee of $75 and a $48 annual fee for each year thereafter.

Once you sign up, youâll be able to pick your preferred card design and your credit card payments will be reported to all three credit reporting agencies â Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. This is the main benefit of this card since your on-time payments can easily help boost your credit score over time.Â

For the most part, the Total VisaÂ® is best for consumers who donât mind paying a few fees to access an unsecured line of credit. Since this card doesnât dole out rewards, however, there are few cardholder perks to look forward to.Â

APR: 35.99% APR
Fees: Application fee and annual fee
Minimum Credit Score: Not specified
Rewards: No

#2: Discover itÂ® Secured

While secured cards donât offer an unsecured line of credit like unsecured credit cards do, they are extremely easy to qualify for. The Discover itÂ® Secured may not be ideal for everyone, but it does offer a simple online application process and the ability to get approved with little to no credit history.

Keep in mind, however, that secured cards do work differently than traditional credit cards. With a secured credit card, youâre required to put down a cash deposit upfront as collateral. However, you will get your cash deposit back when you close your account in good standing.

Amazingly, the Discover itÂ® Secured lets you earn rewards with no annual fee. Youâll start by earning 2% back on up to $1,000 spent each quarter in dining and gas. Youâll also earn an unlimited 1% back on everything else you buy.

The Discover itÂ® Secured doesnât charge an application fee or an annual fee, although youâll need to come up with the cash for your initial deposit upfront. For the most part, this card is best for consumers who have little to no credit and want to build their credit history while earning rewards.

APR: 24.74%
Fees: No annual fee or monthly fees
Minimum Credit Score: Not specified
Rewards: Yes

#3: Credit One BankÂ® VisaÂ® Credit Card

The Credit One BankÂ® VisaÂ® Credit Card is another credit card for bad credit that lets you earn rewards on your everyday spending. Youâll earn a flat 1% cash back for every dollar you spend with this credit card, and since itâs unsecured, you donât have to put down a cash deposit to get started.

Other benefits include the fact you can get pre-qualified for this card online without a hard inquiry on your credit report â and that you get a free copy of your Experian credit score on your online account management page.

You may be required to pay an annual fee up to $95 for this card for the first year, but it depends on your creditworthiness. After that, your annual fee could be between $0 and $99.

APR: 19.99% to 25.99%
Fees: Annual fee up to $95 the first year depending on creditworthiness; after that $0 to $99
Minimum Credit Score: Not specified
Rewards: Yes

#4: Secured MastercardÂ® from Capital OneÂ®

The Secured MastercardÂ® from Capital OneÂ® is another secured credit card that extends a line of credit to consumers who can put down a cash deposit as collateral. This card is geared to people with bad credit or no credit history, so itâs easy to get approved for. One downside, however, is that your initial line of credit will likely be just $200 â and that doesn’t give you much to work with.Â

On the upside, this card doesnât charge an annual fee or any application fees. That makes it a good option if you donât want to pay any fees you wonât get back.

Youâll also get access to 24/7 customer service, $0 fraud liability, and other cardholder perks.

APR: 26.49%
Fees: No ongoing fees
Minimum Credit Score: Not specified
Rewards: No

#5: MilestoneÂ® Gold MastercardÂ®

The MilestoneÂ® Gold MastercardÂ® is an unsecured credit card that lets you get pre-qualified online without a hard inquiry on your credit report. You wonât earn any rewards on your purchases, but you do get benefits like the ability to select your cardâs design, chip and pin technology, and easy online account access.

You will have to pay a one-time fee of $25 to open your account, and thereâs an annual fee of $50 the first year and $99 for each year after that.

APR: 24.90%
Fees: Account opening fee and annual fees
Minimum Credit Score: Not specified
Rewards: No

#6: Credit One BankÂ® Unsecured VisaÂ® with Cash Back Rewards

The Credit One BankÂ® Unsecured VisaÂ® with Cash Back Rewards lets you earn 1% back on every purchase you make with no limits or exclusions. Thereâs no annual fee or application fee either, which makes this card a winner for consumers who donât want to get hit with a lot of out-of-pocket costs.

As a cardholder, youâll get free access to your Experian credit score, zero fraud liability, and access to a mobile app that makes tracking your purchases and rewards a breeze. You can also get pre-qualified online without a hard inquiry on your credit report.

APR: 25.99%
Fees: No annual fee or application fee
Minimum Credit Score: Not specified
Rewards: Yes

The Downside of Credit Cards with Bad Credit

While your odds of getting approved for one of the credit cards for bad credit listed above are high, you should be aware that there are plenty of pitfalls to be aware of. Here are the major downsides youâll find with these credit cards for bad credit and others comparable cards:

Higher fees: While someone with excellent credit can shop around for credit cards without any fees, this isnât the case of you have bad credit. If your credit score is poor or you have a thin credit profile, you should expect to pay higher fees and more of them.
Higher interest rates: While some credit cards come with 0% interest for a limited time or lower interest rates overall, consumers with poor credit typically have to pay the highest interest rates available today. Some credit cards for bad credit even come with APRs as high as 35%.
No perks: Looking for cardholder benefits like cash back on purchases or points toward airfare or movie tickets? Youâll need to wait until your credit score climbs back into âgoodâ or âgreatâ territory. Even if you can find a card for applicants with bad credit that offers cash back, your rewards may not make up for the higher fees.
No balance transfers: If youâre looking for relief from other out-of-control credit card balances, look elsewhere. Credit cards for bad credit typically donât offer balance transfers. If they do, the terms make them cost-prohibitive.
Low credit limits: Credit cards for bad credit tend to offer initial credit limits in the $300 to $500 range with the possibility of increasing to $2,000 after a year of on-time monthly payments. If you need to borrow a lot more than that, youâll have to consider other options.
Security deposit requirement: Secured credit cards require you to put down a cash deposit to secure your line of credit. While this shouldnât necessarily be a deal-breaker â and it may be required if you canât get approved for an unsecured credit card â youâll need to come up with a few hundred dollars before you apply.
Checking account requirement: Most new credit card accounts now require cardholders to pay bills online, which means youâll need a checking account. If youâre mostly âunbanked,â you may need to open a traditional bank account before you apply.

Benefits of Improving Your Credit Score

People with bad credit often consider their personal finances a lost cause. The road to better credit can seem long and stressful, and itâs sometimes easier to give up then it is to try to fix credit mistakes youâve made in the past.

But, there are some real advantages that come with having at least âgoodâ credit, which typically means any FICO score of 670 or above. Here are some of the real-life benefits better credit can mean for your life and your lifestyle:

Higher credit limits: The higher your credit score goes, the more money banks are typically willing to lend. With good credit, youâll have a better chance at qualifying for a car loan, taking out a personal loan, or getting a credit card with a reasonable limit.
Lower interest rates: A higher credit score tells lenders youâre not as risky as a borrower âa sign that typically translates into lower interest rates. When you pay a lower APR each time you borrow, you can save huge amounts of money on interest over time.
Lower payments: Borrowing money with a lower interest rate typically means you can usually get lower payments all your loans, including a home loan or a car loan.
Ability to shop around: When youâre an ideal candidate for a loan, you can shop around to get the best deals on credit cards, mortgages, personal loans, and more.
Ability to help others: If your kid wants to buy a car but doesnât have any credit history, better credit puts you in the position to help him or her out. If your credit is poor, you wonât be in the position to help anyone.
More options in life: Your credit score can also impact your ability to open a bank account or rent a new apartment. Since employers can request to see a modified version of your credit report before they hire you, excellent credit can also give you a leg up when it comes to beating out other candidates for a job.Â

In addition to the benefits listed above, most insurance companies now consider your credit score when you apply for coverage. For that reason, life, auto, and home insurance rates tend to be lower for people with higher credit scores.

This may seem unfair, but you have to remember that research has shown people with high credit scores tend to file fewer insurance claims.

How to Improve Your Credit: Slow and Steady

When you have a low credit score, there are two ways to handle it. If you don’t mind the consequences of poor credit enough to do anything about it, you can wait a decade until the bad marks age off your credit report. Depending on when your creditors give up and write off your debt, you may not even need to wait that long.

If you donât like the idea of letting your credit decay while you wait it out, you can also try to fix your past credit mistakes. This typically means paying off debt â and especially delinquent debts â but it can also mean applying for new loan products that are geared to people who need to repair their credit.

If you decide to take actionable steps to build credit fast, the credit cards on this page can help. Theyâll give you an opportunity to show the credit bureaus that youâve changed your ways.

Before you take steps to improve your credit score, however, keep in mind all the different factors used to determine your standing in the first place. The FICO scoring method considers the following factors when assigning your score:

On-time payments: Paying all your bills on time, including credit cards, makes up 35% of your FICO score. For that reason, paying all your bills early or on time is absolutely essential.
Outstanding debts: How much you owe matters, which is why paying off your credit cards each month or as often as possible helps your score. According to myFICO.com, the amounts you owe in relation to your credit limits make up another 30% of your FICO score.
New credit: Apply for too many new cards or accounts at once can impact your score in a negative way. In fact, this determinant makes up another 10% of your FICO score.
Credit mix: Having a variety of open accounts impresses the credit bureau algorithm Gods. If all you have are personal loans right now, mixing in a credit card can help. If you already have four or five credit cards, it may be wise to back off a little.
Length of credit history: The length of your credit history also plays a role in your score. The longer your credit history, the better off you are.

If you want to improve your credit score, consider all the factors above and how you can change your behavior to score higher in each category. Itâs pretty easy to see how paying all your bills early or on time and paying off debt could make a big positive impact on your credit score when you consider that these two factors alone make up 65% of your FICO score.

If you want a way to track your progress, also look into an app likeÂ Credit Karma, one of my favorite tools. This app lets you monitor your credit progress over time and even receive notifications when your score has changed. Best of all, itâs free.

Should You Use a Credit Card to Rebuild Your Credit Score?

If youâre on the fence about picking up a credit card for bad credit, your first step should be thinking over your goals. What exactly are you trying to accomplish?

If youâre looking for spending power, the cards on this list probably wonât help. Some are secured cards, meaning you need a cash deposit to put down as collateral. Others offer low credit limits and high fees and interest rates, making them costly to use over the long-term.

If you really want to start over from scratch and repair credit mistakes made in the past, on the other hand, one of these cards may be exactly what you need. If youâre determined to improve your score, they can speed things along.

You may pay higher fees and interest rates along the way, but itâs important to remember that none of the cards on this list need to be your top card forever. Ideally, youâll use a credit card for poor credit to rebuild your credit and boost your score. Once youâve reached your goal, you can upgrade to a new card with better benefits and terms.

The post Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit appeared first on Good Financial CentsÂ®.

Source: goodfinancialcents.com

How refunds to credit cards work

January 14, 2021 by Gerald Hawkins Posted in Account Management, Respite Care Tips Tagged Account management, Financial Wize, FinancialWize, Shopping

Sometimes a credit card purchase that seemed like a great idea when you made it turns out to be a huge mistake.

While you may be able to return a product or cancel a service and get a refund, make sure you understand the refund process, or your credit could take a hit.

There are many reasons why you may want to return a purchase. You may have splurged on a new table only to find it is slightly too large for your space. Perhaps the necklace you bought online arrived with a broken clasp. Or maybe you just changed your mind and decided you didn’t want to spend $999 on an online course so you took the retailer up on its money-back guarantee.

Regardless of why you decide to return an item, “make sure you understand the return policy,” says Rod Griffin, senior director of consumer education and awareness for Experian.

The steps you take after you request a refund to your credit card could hurt your credit or protect it.

See related: What is a credit card chargeback, and how does it work?

How credit card refunds work

When you make a purchase with cash, the transaction involves two parties – you and the retailer. If you get a refund after making a cash purchase, the retailer can simply give you back the cash from the purchase.

However, when you make a purchase with a credit card, the credit card issuer is involved in the transaction as well. In fact, the credit card issuer extends the payment to the retailer with the understanding that you will pay the card issuer back when you pay your credit card bill. Since the card issuer serves as something of a middleman in the original transaction, the card issuer must serve as a middleman again when you are issued a refund.

That means if you ask for a refund, the retailer must refund the party that paid them, which is the credit card company. The credit card company would then issue the refund to you in the form of a credit on your credit card statement.

Unfortunately, there is no universal rule that determines how long it takes to get a refund. For one thing, retailer policies differ. One retailer may take 15 days to issue a refund while another may take 30 or 45.

“In many if not most states retailers are required to post their refund policies,” says Linda Sherry, director of national priorities for San Francisco-based advocacy organization Consumer Action.

However, “not all these laws require online merchants to do the same,” Sherry adds. Therefore, some merchants may not be obligated to tell you when you can expect a refund at all.

It may take even longer to get a refund if you have to return an item purchased online via mail. For example, according to Amazon’s refund policy, “it can take up to 25 days for an item to reach us once you return it.” It’s not until after the item is received that Amazon would process the refund.

Once the retailer issues the refund to the credit card company, it may take a couple more days for your card issuer to apply your credit.

See related: How do credit cards work?

Can a credit card refund affect your credit?

The way you handle a credit card refund can have implications for your credit score.

If you’re waiting for a refund, you may be tempted to hold onto your money rather than pay your credit card bill since you know the refund is coming. However that would be a mistake, says Griffin.

“If you’re waiting for a refund and you’re not sure if it’s going to be there before the payment is due, make at least the minimum payment,” he said. That way you avoid a late payment, which could not only hurt your credit score but leave you on the hook for a late fee.

Another mistake that could hurt your credit score is believing the refund counts as a credit card payment. Say you are carrying a balance on your credit card and the minimum credit card payment due is $25. Before you make your payment, you see that a refund of $30 is applied to your account for a product you returned.

You may believe you don’t have to pay your bill that month because the credit is for more than the minimum payment due. But that’s not necessarily the case. You could still be obligated to pay the bill because the refund does not count as a payment, Griffin says.

credit utilization ratio – the balance on your credit card in relation to the credit line – goes up. A higher credit utilization ratio can hurt your credit. On the other hand, once a refund is applied, the utilization ratio goes down, which can boost your score.

quickest ways to improve your score, since credit card balances typically get reported to credit bureaus on a monthly basis.

Refunds, negative balances and rewards

Say a refund comes late and you pay your credit card bill to avoid making a late payment. If you paid for part or all of the refunded item when you paid the credit card bill, you may end up with a negative balance on your credit card once the credit is applied.

That simply means your card issuer owes you money. They may either apply the credit the next time you buy something using the card or they may issue you a check if you request it. From a credit standpoint, a negative balance on your credit card won’t hurt you, Griffin says. Rather, the account would be reported to credit bureaus as having a zero balance.

While getting a refund for a purchase you no longer want can be a relief, there could be a downside. If you have a rewards card and you earned rewards on that purchase, those rewards are forfeited if you get a refund on the purchase, according to a Chase spokesman. That means the card issuer will take the rewards back, or if you have already cashed them in, you will have a negative value in your reward balance.

See related: When should I redeem my rewards?

Bottom line

If you’re confused in any way about an expected refund, it doesn’t hurt to give your card issuer a call to let them know you’re expecting a refund as soon as you request it from the retailer, Griffin says. That way you are less likely to run into any surprises, and you can ask directly what they expect from you.

Source: creditcards.com

You may have more power than you think

6 tips for negotiating annual fees

1. Use the card

2. Be respectful

3. Negotiate by phone

4. Have a legitimate grievance

5. Leverage the competition

6. If you’re not satisfied, call again

What to do when the issuer won’t budge

The hidden costs of using credit cards to send money

No chargeback rights with credit cards

The solution

Whatâs your reason for using a credit card?

Getting cash from credit cards

Cashing in rewards

Gift cards

Convenience checks

Bottom line

What is an authorized user?

Authorized user eligibility requirements

How to add an authorized user to your American Express account

Fee for adding an authorized user

Managing authorized user access

Pros and cons of adding an authorized user

Pros

Cons

Should you add an authorized user to your American Express card?

Best Cards for Bad Credit This Year

#1: Total VisaÂ®

#2: Discover itÂ® Secured

#3: Credit One BankÂ® VisaÂ® Credit Card

#4: Secured MastercardÂ® from Capital OneÂ®

#5: MilestoneÂ® Gold MastercardÂ®

#6: Credit One BankÂ® Unsecured VisaÂ® with Cash Back Rewards

The Downside of Credit Cards with Bad Credit

Benefits of Improving Your Credit Score

How to Improve Your Credit: Slow and Steady

Should You Use a Credit Card to Rebuild Your Credit Score?

How credit card refunds work

Can a credit card refund affect your credit?

Refunds, negative balances and rewards

Bottom line

Whatâs your reason for using a credit card?