The new “Visa Black Card” was finally released. It is coined as “not just another piece of plastic,” both literally and figuratively, because it’s made out of carbon graphite, not the soft cheap plastic we’ve all become accustom to. Following in the footsteps of the infamous and rather elusive Black American Express card, the Visa… Continue reading The Visa Black Card Review
Are Credit Card Minimums Legal?
Credit card Q&A: “Are credit card minimums legal?” The other day I was walking in New York City, and because it was so blisteringly cold, I decided to grab a cup of overpriced, hot coffee. I didn’t have any cash on me at the time, just a few credit cards I typically use to make… Continue reading Are Credit Card Minimums Legal?
A Peak Inside the Chinese Credit Card Industry
You may think it’s cruel when your credit card issuer charges you a late fee or an over-the-limit penalty, but imagine if your name was printed in the paper for all to see if you failed to pay your bills on time. And if that’s not enough for you, picture being hauled to jail for… Continue reading A Peak Inside the Chinese Credit Card Industry
Beware of the H&R Block Emerald Card
So tax season is quickly approaching, and with that comes what many would call opportunistic offers for tax-related services. The most recent advertisement I’ve seen is from H&R Block, which is offering to put your tax refund on a prepaid MasterCard debit card via its “H&R Block Emerald Card.” They’ll even give you your tax… Continue reading Beware of the H&R Block Emerald Card
medFICO Score Coming to a Hospital Near You
With the help of Fico score founder Fair Isaac, Healthcare Analytics plans to roll out the controversial “medFICO” this year, a credit scoring system that tracks patient billing data from hospitals nationwide. The idea was developed in an effort to determine a patient’s ability to repay medical bills, not before they receive treatment, but only… Continue reading medFICO Score Coming to a Hospital Near You
American Express Plum Card
In just a couple days, the “American Express Plum Card” will be released, promising to revolutionize the way business owners use credit cards. Put simply, the Plum Card allows businesses to manage cash flow with the use of an credit card, instead of worrying about having cash on hand for purchases large and small. Plum… Continue reading American Express Plum Card
Watch Out for Negative Payment Hierarchy
Let’s get one thing straight. Credit card issuers aren’t your friends. They are your business partners, and they’re in business to make money by lending you money. In fact, most credit card issuers set things up so you pay off the lowest interest rate charges first, and the highest interest rate charges last. Read that… Continue reading Watch Out for Negative Payment Hierarchy
Capital One to Report Credit Limits to Bureaus
Capital One has announced that it will report credit limits on its credit cards to all 3 major credit bureaus amid criticism from consumer and industry groups. The move will also help improve card holder’s credit scores, which likely suffered from a lack of information regarding the credit lines many had established with Capital One.… Continue reading Capital One to Report Credit Limits to Bureaus
Better Have a Credit Card If You Plan to Rent a Car
If you’re thinking about taking a family trip this summer, or simply need to a rent a car for a business trip, make sure you’ve got a credit card handy. If you show up to a Hertz or an Avis without a credit card, you could find yourself walking away frustrated on foot Most, if… Continue reading Better Have a Credit Card If You Plan to Rent a Car
Balance Transfers and Store Credit Cards
A couple of friends of mine moved into a new house a few years ago, and found themselves with a lot more space and not much to fill it. Their first instinct was to the upgrade the television. They had placed a 36 inch TV in the living room, but it seemed microscopic in their… Continue reading Balance Transfers and Store Credit Cards