|
|
 |
- 1.25 miles for every dollar spent on purchases
- No limit on the miles you can earn and miles don't expire
- No blackout dates and no seat restrictions
- 0% APR on purchases until May 2010
- No annual fee
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| 0% on purchases |
until May 2010 |
13.90% (V) |
None |
Yes |
Excellent
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- 2 miles for every dollar spent on purchases
- No limit on the miles you can earn and miles don't expire
- No blackout dates and no seat restrictions
- Use miles for Travel, Merchandise, Gift Cards and more
- 0% APR on purchases until May 2010
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| 0% on purchases |
until May 2010 |
13.90% (V) |
$39.00 |
Yes |
Excellent
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for up to 12 months
- No annual fee
- CitiВ® Identity Theft Solutions
- $0 Liability on unauthorized purchases
- Secure, free online account management
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| 0% |
up to 12 months |
as low as 10.99% |
None |
Yes |
Excellent/Good
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- 3 points per dollar spent on eligible Orbitz.com bookings
- Get 1 point per dollar on all other purchases
- No limit on the points you can earn and points don't expire
- Redeem for Travel, Merchandise, Gift Cards and more
- No annual fee
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| 0% on purchases |
until May 2010 |
13.90% |
None |
Yes |
Excellent
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- 5% to 20% Cashback Bonus at top online retailers
- Up to 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus on all other purchases
automatically
- Increase, even double, your rewards when you redeem for gift cards
from our 100 Cashback Bonus Partners
- No Annual Fee
- Online Account Access
- Online Bill Payment
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| 0% |
6 months on Purchases & Balance
Transfers |
as low as 10.99% |
None |
Yes |
Excellent
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- 5% to 20% Cashback Bonus at top online retailers
- Up to 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus on all other purchases
automatically
- Increase, even double, your rewards when you redeem for gift cards
from our 100 Cashback Bonus Partners
- No Annual Fee
- Online Account Access
- Online Bill Payment
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| 0% |
6 months on Purchases & Balance
Transfers |
as low as 10.99% |
None |
Yes |
Excellent
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- Make everyday purchases count twice: For a limited time, you can
earn double membership rewards points on gas and groceries for your
first year
- No annual fee for the first year - a savings of $125
- Earn 10,000 Membership RewardsВ® bonus points when you spend $500 in
3 months - redeemable for a $100 gift card!
- Express Approval. Get a decision in less than 60 seconds.
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
1st Year None; $125 Thereafter |
N/A |
Excellent
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- 12,000 Bonus Miles
- Double Miles on up to $3,000 in travel and restaurant purchases each
year
- 1 Mile for every $1 on all your other purchases
- Unlimited Miles that never expire
- Book any travel, anytime with no blackout dates or restrictions
- Redeem for travel credits to your account, gift cards from any of
our 90 brand-name Partners or cash starting at just 1,000 Miles
- No Annual Fee
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| 0% |
6 months on purchases & balance
transfers |
as low as 10.99% |
None |
Yes |
Excellent
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- 5% to 20% Cashback Bonus at top online retailers
- Up to 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus on all other purchases
automatically
- Increase, even double, your rewards when you redeem for gift cards
from our 100 Cashback Bonus Partners
- No Annual Fee
- Online Account Access
- Online Bill Payment
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| 0% |
6 months on Purchases & Balance
Transfers |
as low as 10.99% |
None |
Yes |
Excellent
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- The credit card that rewards you for good behavior
- Up to a 2% purchase APR reduction when you make a purchase, stay
under your credit line and pay on time 3 billing periods in a row
- 6,000 bonus points after $50 in purchases are made within 3 months
of account opening
- 5,000 bonus points when you sign up for paperless statements within
3 months of account opening
- 5 rewards points for every $1 you spend on dining, books, movies and
music. 1 reward point for every $1 you spend on other purchases
- 0% APR for 6 months on purchases and balance transfers
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| 0% |
0% APR for 6 months on purchases &
balance transfers |
12.24% |
None |
Yes |
Excellent/Good
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- 5% to 20% Cashback Bonus at top online retailers
- Up to 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus on all other purchases
automatically
- Increase, even double, your rewards when you redeem for gift cards
from our 100 Cashback Bonus Partners
- No Annual Fee
- Online Account Access
- Online Bill Payment
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| 0% |
6 months on Purchases & Balance
Transfers |
as low as 10.99% |
None |
Yes |
Excellent
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- 0% Intro APR for up to 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee
- 24/7 online account access
- Worldwide travel accident insurance
- Rental car insurance
- Free account alerts
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| 0% |
up to 12 months |
as low as 9.24% |
None |
Yes |
Excellent/Good
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- No Annual Fee with your paid Costco Membership
- Earn cash back on gas and a $25 statement credit with your first
purchase made with the Card!
- No Limit on the Cash Back earned
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| 0% |
3 months |
13.24% |
None |
Yes |
Excellent
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- $50 gift card after your first purchase
- Earn up to 10% cash back when you shop online through Chase
- 3% bonus cash back in rotating categories like gas, home improvement
and department stores
- Always earn a full 1% Cash Back on Every Purchase. Everywhere. From
the First Dollar you Spend. There are no spending tiers or earning caps
- 0% Intro APR on purchases for up to 12 months
- No annual fee
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| 0% |
up to 12 months for purchases only |
as low as 12.24% |
None |
Yes |
Excellent/Good
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- No annual fee for the first year, then $95 thereafter.
- Earn up to 25,000 bonus miles - enough for a total of $250 off Delta
flights!
- Express Approval. Get a decision in less than 60 seconds.
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| N/A |
N/A |
13.24% |
No annual fee for the first year, then $95
thereafter |
Yes |
Excellent
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- 5% to 20% Cashback Bonus at top online retailers
- Up to 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus on all other purchases
- Increase, even double, the value of your rewards when you redeem for
gift cards from our 100 Cashback Bonus Partners
- No Annual Fee
- Online Account Access
- Online Bill Payment
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| 0% |
up to 12 months |
as low as 10.99% |
None |
Yes |
Excellent
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- Help protect the planet with the new biodegradable Discover Card
- Card plastic breaks down 99% within five years in landfill
conditions
- 5% to 20% Cashback Bonus at top online retailers
- Up to 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus on all other purchases
automatically
- Increase, even double, your rewards when you redeem for gift cards
from our 100 Cashback Bonus Partners
- No Annual Fee
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| 0% |
6 months on Purchases & Balance
Transfers |
as low as 10.99% |
None |
Yes |
Excellent
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- Excellent Credit Required - Applicants that do not have excellent
credit will not be approved
- Low 7.25% fixed standard purchase APR and platinum benefits
- No balance transfer fee for balances transferred in response to this
online offer
- No Annual Fee
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| None |
N/A |
7.25% Fixed |
None |
Yes |
Excellent
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- Complimentary Crown Room ClubВ® access for you and two guests
- Annual First-Class companion certificate, which can be used for a
First-Class or Coach-Class ticket!
- Earn up to 10,000 MedallionВ® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after your
first purchase
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| N/A |
N/A |
13.24% |
$450.00 |
Yes |
Excellent
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- 5% to 20% Cashback Bonus at top online retailers
- Up to 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus on all other purchases
automatically
- Increase, even double, your rewards when you redeem for gift cards
from our 100 Cashback Bonus Partners
- No Annual Fee
- Online Account Access
- Online Bill Payment
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| 0% |
6 months on Purchases & Balance
Transfers |
as low as 10.99% |
None |
Yes |
Excellent
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- Earn up to 25,000 Starpoints® — enough for up to 6 free nights at
a category 1 or 2 hotel.
- No annual fee for the first year and $45 thereafter
- Express Approval. Get a decision in less than 60
seconds.
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| 2.90% |
6 months |
13.24% |
1st Year None, $45 Thereafter |
Yes |
Excellent
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- Make everyday purchases count twice: For a limited time, you can
earn double membership rewards points on gas and groceries for your
first year
- Earn 25,000 Membership RewardsВ® bonus points when you spend $1,000
in 3 months - Redeemable for one domestic round-trip airline ticket!
- Treat Yourself: 24-hour access to Concierge service for the finest
experiences in dining, entertainment, and luxury
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
$450.00 |
N/A |
Excellent
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- Earn 20,000 bonus SkyMilesВ® (including 5,000 Medallion
Qualification Miles) after first purchase and another 2,500 for adding
an Additional Cardmember
- Miles never expire and there is no cap on the miles you can earn
- Pay with Miles: Pay for all or part of your flight with miles —
and put the rest on your Card
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| N/A |
N/A |
13.24% |
$150 per year |
Yes |
Excellent
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- Limited Membership
- 24-Hour Concierge Service
- Exclusive Rewards Program
- Luxury Gifts
- Patent Pending Carbon Card
- Travel Lounge Priority Pass
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| 0% |
6 Months on Balance Transfers |
13.24% |
$495.00 |
Yes |
Excellent
Credit | |
|
|
.gif) |
- 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for up to 12 months
- No annual fee
- CitiВ® Identity Theft Solutions
- $0 Liability on unauthorized purchases
- Secure, free online account management
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| 0% |
up to 12 months |
as low as 10.99% |
None |
Yes |
Excellent/Good
Credit | |
|
|
.gif) |
- $50 gift card after your first purchase
- Earn up to 10% cash back when you shop online through Chase
- 3% bonus cash back in rotating categories like gas, home improvement
and department stores
- Always earn a full 1% Cash Back on Every Purchase. Everywhere. From
the First Dollar you Spend. There are no spending tiers or earning caps
- 0% Intro APR on purchases for up to 12 months
- No annual fee
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| 0% |
up to 12 months for purchases only |
as low as 12.24% |
None |
Yes |
Excellent/Good
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- Earn 5 points per $1 spent on entertainment like music, movies,
video game rentals, and sporting events
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent at restaurants, fast food places, and
coffee shops
- 1 point per $1 spent on everything else
- 25 bonus points each billing period you keep your account in good
standing by paying on time
- Exclusive MTV rewards, such as MTV merchandise, tickets to MTV
events like the VMAs, and MTV show tapings
- 0% intro APR - pay no interest on purchases until May 2010
- No annual fee
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| 0% on purchases |
until May 2010 |
16.90% |
None |
Yes |
Good
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- American DreamCardTM - The first and only "Pooled
RewardsTM" Credit Card
- Large monthly cash jackpots
- Earn entries from everyday shopping
- Every $1 in net retail purchases = 1 entry to win (up to 1,000
entries per -purchase)
- Get 1,000 entries just for applying
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| N/A |
N/A |
14.99% or 21.99% (V) |
None |
N/A |
Good/Fair
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- Receive a response in 60 seconds
- Low APR on purchases
- Reports monthly to 4 Major Credit Bureaus
- Enjoy the benefit of 24 hour account access by phone
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| See website |
See website |
See website |
See website |
See website |
Average | |
|
|
.jpg) |
- American DreamCardTM - The first and only "Pooled
RewardsTM" Credit Card
- Large monthly cash jackpots
- Earn entries from everyday shopping
- Every $1 in net retail purchases = 1 entry to win (up to 1,000
entries per -purchase)
- Get 1,000 entries just for applying
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| N/A |
N/A |
14.99% or 21.99% (V) |
None |
N/A |
Good/Fair
Credit | |
|
|
.gif) |
- Receive a response in 60 seconds
- Low APR on purchases
- Reports monthly to 4 Major Credit Bureaus
- Enjoy the benefit of 24 hour account access by phone
- See website for complete terms and
conditions
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| See website |
See website |
See website |
See website |
See website |
Bad Credit
| |
|
|
 |
- $0 Activation with Direct Deposit
- $0 Weekly Fee with Direct Deposit
- Guaranteed approval/ no credit check
- Free Direct Deposit; no more check cashing fees
- Free email/SMS Alerts; Instantly know your balance
- Free unlimited purchase transactions
- Free online bill payment and checking
- Popular Load Locations: Western Union, MoneyGram, ACE &
More
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Monthly Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
$0.95 weekly or free w/ direct deposit |
N/A |
No Credit
History | |
|
|
 |
- Receive a response in 60 seconds
- You may qualify for a MasterCardВ® or VisaВ®
- Low APR on purchases
- Reports monthly to 4 Major Credit Bureaus
- Enjoy the benefit of 24 hour account access by phone
- See website for complete terms and
conditions
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| See website |
See website |
See website |
See website |
See website |
Bad Credit
| |
|
|
 |
- 100% Guaranteed Approval
- Free Credit Builder
- Free Bill Pay
- Free Direct Deposit
- $0 Activation Fee - when you load your card by direct deposit
- New iAdvanceSM loan option - no credit check
- No Overdraft Fees or Minimum Balance Required
- Re-loadable with a $10,000 balance limit
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Monthly Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
$4.95 |
N/A |
No Credit
Check | |
|
|
 |
- Perfect card for Government/Benefits Checks recipients
- $0 activation with rebate
- 100% guaranteed approval/no credit check
- Free direct deposit of your pay or government check
- Free unlimited purchase transactions anywhere where MasterCard Debit
card is accepted
- No overdraft fees or minimum balances
- Online Checking - Electronic or paper checks
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Monthly Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
$3.95 |
N/A |
No Credit
Check | |
|
|
 |
- Instant On-Line Decision
- Monthly Reporting to All Major Credit Bureaus
- Free 24 hour Online Account Access
- Fraud Protection
- Outstanding Customer Service
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| N/A |
N/A |
19.92% |
$48.00 |
No |
Bad
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- Receive a response in 60 seconds
- Low APR on purchases
- Reports monthly to 4 Major Credit Bureaus
- Enjoy the benefit of 24 hour account access by phone
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| See website |
See website |
See website |
See website |
See website |
Bad Credit
| |
|
|
 |
- Instant approval is not guaranteed for this product; however, an
instant response will be provided within 60 seconds
- Low APR on purchases
- Reports monthly to 4 Major Credit Bureaus
- Enjoy the benefit of 24 hour account access by phone
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| See website |
See website |
See website |
See website |
See website |
Bad
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- Low APR on purchases
- Reports monthly to 4 Major Credit Bureaus
- Enjoy the benefit of 24 hour account access by phone
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| see website |
see website |
See website |
see website |
see website |
bad
credit | |
|
|
 |
- Low APR on purchases
- Reports monthly to 4 Major Credit Bureaus
- Enjoy the benefit of 24 hour account access by phone
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| see website |
see website |
see website |
see website |
see website |
bad
credit | |
|
|
 |
- 9.99% Low Fixed APR - Rate Won't Change Even If You're Late!
- CHOOSE Your Credit Limit Up To $5,000
- $0 Fraud Liability
- NO Credit Requirements
- NO Income Requirements
- ACCEPTED Worldwide at Millions of Locations
- CREDIT Bureau Reporting
- Minimum $200 deposit required. Your credit limit will be equal to
the amount of your deposit
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| N/A |
N/A |
9.99% |
$50.00 |
N/A |
Bad
Credit | |
|
|
 |
- Guaranteed Issue
- Complimentary online services for account management and payments
- No credit check
- Be approved regardless of income or credit history
- Reports to the three major credit bureaus
|
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| N/A |
N/A |
19.50% |
$59.00/yr. |
Yes |
Bad
Credit | |
|
|

|
- Credit-On Demand™: up to $25,000 credit line—Patent Pending
- Instant Approval: no credit check, no minimum income or bank account
required
- Credit Reporting: reports to major credit bureaus
- Clear Rewardsв„ў: American Airlines, Southwest, jetBlue, Marriot,
and more…no restrictions
- Powerful Account Features: direct deposit, bill pay, free alerts,
add cash instantly at 100,000 retail locations nationwide
Patent
Pending |
| Intro APR |
Intro APR Period |
Regular APR |
Annual Fee |
Monthly Fee |
Balance Transfers |
Credit Needed |
| N/A |
N/A |
14.90% |
$0.00 |
$6.95 |
N/A |
Bad
Credit | |
Interesting facts about credit cards
History
- A credit card is a small plastic card, with a readable magnetic strip, that consumers can use to make purchases with an available line of credit. Credit cards are such a commonplace convenience, in fact, that in today's society we rarely if ever even think about how they work and what their effects on society are. (Source: eHow.com)
- In the beginning, credit cards were just charge accounts, offered by individual stores and only usable at those stores. The first credit card that could be used at multiple locations was offered by The Diner’s Club in 1950. (Source: bargaineering.com)
- American Express started off as a shipping company in 1850, shipping products across the United States and capitalizing on the limited reach and slow speed of the United States Postal Service. Their main customers were banks and they shipped various financial instruments like stock certificates and other notes. They began selling money orders and traveler’s checks in 1882 and issued its first credit card in 1958. (Source: bargaineering.com)
- MasterCard and Visa are networks of banks and financial institutions. American Express is its own company and Discover Card is a subsidiary Morgan Stanley (who is spinning off the business). (Source: bargaineering.com)
- Visa was originally called BankAmericard, a card offered by Bank of America in 1958 in California. By 1970, they had created an association, called the National BankAmericard, Inc., of all the US Banks that issued the BankAmericard. It wasn’t renamed to Visa until 1976. (Source: bargaineering.com)
- Visa actually stands Visa International Service Association. (Source: bargaineering.com)
- Discover Card was introduced by Sears in 1985 and gained notoriety because it charged no annual fee. (Source: bargaineering.com)
- At the time, Sears also owned the brokerage Dean Witter Reynolds Organization and the Discover brand was integrated into that organization. When Dean Witter merged with Morgan Stanley in 1997, Discover went along for the ride. (Source: bargaineering.com)
- The Visa logo colors were chosen because the blue represented the sky and the gold represented color of the hills in California where Bank of America was founded. (Source: bargaineering.com)
- Originally formed under the name Interbank Card Association and they acquired the MasterCharge brand and logo in 1969. MasterCharge was originally formed by four California banks in 1967, who joined together to form the Western States Bankcard Association to battle the BankAmericard of Bank of America. MasterCharge was renamed MasterCard in 1979. (Source: bargaineering.com)
Types of card
- There are four major types of credit cards: bank cards, travel and entertainment cards (T & E cards), retail store cards, and oil company cards. Applications and interest rates for each type of card may be different. When using a credit card, the consumer agrees to the terms of the credit card company. Read these terms carefully and understand them before using the card. (Source: ext.colostate.edu)
- Bank cards. The two major bank cards are MasterCard and VISA. You may use bank cards to charge motel and restaurant bills, merchandise, airline tickets, services, and some cards allow cash advances. Interest on a cash advance starts the day you get the money and continues until you pay back this loan. (Source: ext.colostate.edu)
- Travel and entertainment cards (T & E). Consumers must apply for travel and entertainment cards such as American Express, Diners Club, and Carte Blanche and are charged an annual membership fee. Card holders are billed for purchases every 30 to 60 days. They are expected to pay each bill in full. Failure to pay promptly may result in a poor credit report, interest charges, and eventual cancellation of the account. (Source: ext.colostate.edu)
- Retail store cards. Retail credit cards are issued by department stores and other companies. If you have a retail store card, you may be notified of special sales before the general public. These cards offer revolving credit at a pre-established credit limit. Finance charges are added to your bill if you do not pay in full each month. Most retail stores also accept bank cards. (Source: ext.colostate.edu)
- Oil company cards. Oil companies offer their own credit cards and most accept VISA and MasterCard. (Source: ext.colostate.edu)
The statistics
- Total cards in circulation in U.S.
(Through year-end 2009)
- Visa credit: 270.1 million, down 11 percent (Source: Visa.com)
- Visa debit: 382 million, up 18 percent (Source: Visa.com)
- MasterCard credit: 203 million, down 22 percent (Source: MasterCard.com)
- MasterCard debit: 125 million, up 1 percent (Source: MasterCard.com)
- American Express credit: 48.9 million, down 9 percent (Source: AmericanExpress.com)
- Discover credit: 54.4 million, down 6 percent (Source: Discover.com)
- TOTAL CREDIT CARDS: 576.4 million
- TOTAL DEBIT CARDS: 507 million
(Source: creditcards.com)
J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Credit Card Satisfaction Study Rankings
(Based on a 1,000-point scale)
1. American Express -- 762
2. Discover Card -- 751
3. National City -- 740
4. Wells Fargo -- 724
5. Barclaycard -- 717
6. U.S. Bank -- 715
7. Chase -- 708
8. Citi -- 699
9. First National Bank of Omaha - 689
10. Bank of America – 687
(Source: creditcards.com)
- Top 10 credit card issuers worldwide
(Ranked by total worldwide outstandings)
1. Bank of America/MBNA - $194.70 billion
(Includes outstandings from U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Spain)
2. Chase - $184.09 billion
(U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, U.K., Mexico, & 22 other countries)
3. Citi - $148.90 billion
(U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, & 34 other countries)
4. American Express - $105.00 billion
(U.S., Canada, Australia/New Zealand, U.K., Mexico, Italy, Japan, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, & 34 other countries)
5. Capital One - $68.78 billion
(U.S., Canada, U.K.)
6. HSBC - $58.50 billion
(U.S., U.K., Mexico, Hong Kong, Turkey, Canada & 45 other countries)
7. Discover - $49.60 billion
(U.S.)
8. Wells Fargo - $36.40 billion
(U.S., Canada)
9. Barclays - $32.60 billion
(U.S., U.K., Germany, South Africa & over 30 others)
10. Lloyds TSB/HBoS - $19.29 billion
(U.K.)
(Source: creditcards.com)