Report: Expedia to Consolidate Loyalty Programs

by Cory Santos
report-expedia-to-consolidate-loyalty-programs

Expedia is planning to unify its loyalty program across all its brands, according to a new CNBC report. The company, which owns the Expedia, Hotels.com, Vrbo, Travelocity, and Orbitz brands, is expected to launch a streamlined rewards program in 2022.

Expedia Streamlining Rewards Program Across All Brands

Expedia is one of the most prominent names in online travel. The company, founded in 1996, controls nearly half the online travel booking market, with only Booking.com rivaling Expedia for market share. However, despite what many consumers might believe, Expedia.com is not the company’s only travel booking portal.

The company also owns Vrbo, Travelocity, Hotels.com, and Orbitz – all of which have their own unique customer loyalty schemes. These unique programs help provide an element of distinctness – and a perception that each brand is a separate entity. That illusion, however, is set to crumble if a new CNBC report is accurate.

A new report states that Expedia is planning to unify its loyalty programs across all brands. All four existing sites will offer a streamlined rewards system, with the program servicing the 145 million members total in the current four program system.

“It’s Better for Travelers”

According to Expedia, the move is designed to help make life easier for travelers. “I have a stack of logins and loyalty cards, and soon it just won’t be necessary because I’m going to earn benefits whether I’m renting a car, booking a flight, or reserving a hotel room,” said Jon Gieselman, president of Expedia Brands, in an interview with CNBC.

“Our (new) loyalty program will offer members the opportunity to earn and redeem points across all Expedia Group brands, even those brands, like Vrbo, that didn’t have loyalty programs before,” Gieselman said. “A customer will be able to earn points for their Vrbo vacation rental and redeem it on an Expedia car rental, for example. It’s better for travelers, and there’s an added benefit of making our partners’ inventory more visible to new customers for future bookings. It’s going to be simpler and more flexible.”

“Entirely Focused on the Best Customer Outcomes”

The move to one program might come as a shock to some customers who thought Vrbo, Hotels.com, Travelocity, and other brands were rivals – but Expedia thinks it is vital to inform customers – and make their travel lives easier.

“There was a time when our brands did compete against each other in the marketplace and that, to a certain extent, was part of the strategy,” Gieselman said. “We are now entirely focused on the best customer outcomes and bringing a more unified experience across our brands.” While no launch date for the new Expedia program is available, the company expects to launch the loyalty scheme in 2022.

About Expedia

Expedia is one of the largest travel booking companies on the planet. The Expedia Group includes CarRentals.com, CheapTickets, ebookers, Egencia, Expedia, Expedia Cruises, Expedia Group Media Solutions, Expedia Local Expert, Expedia Partner Solutions, Hotels.com, Hotwire.com, Orbitz, Travelocity, trivago, Vrbo and Wotif. Expedia Group also features co-branded credit cards with Wels Fargo (the Hotels.com® Rewards Visa®), Citi (the Expedia® Rewards Voyager Card and Expedia® Rewards Card, and Comenity (the Orbitz Rewards® Visa®).

Related Article: Comenity to Discontinue Orbitz Rewards Visa

Featured image by Expedia

Banks Seek Changes to Apple Pay Fees

by Cory Santos
banks-seek-changes-to-apple-pay-fees

A new report in the Wall Street Journal is highlighting growing frustration from many banks towards Apple Pay. The mobile wallet platform, which enjoys widespread popularity and significant market share, earns Apple a transaction fee on every purchase – giving the tech giant significant revenue, despite a potentially reneging on a 2014 pledge not to compete with other cards with the Apple Card.

Banks Pressuring Visa on Apple Pay Fees

Apple received several concessions from credit card issuers and payment networks when it first launched its Apple Pay platform in 2014. Chief among these concessions was an agreement by banks to pay Apple 0.15% of each purchase made with their cards through Apple Pay. In exchange, Apple agreed not to launch a credit card network, a la Visa or Mastercard.

The launch of the Apple Card, however, has caused significant headaches for many banks. These card issuers now view Apple as a direct competitor, meaning Apple has a distinct advantage in the market, particularly as Apple enjoys the benefits of getting paid for purchases made with non-Apple Cards while receiving the additional proceeds from Apple Card itself.

Visa Considering a Change to Charges On Apple Pay

The Wall Street Journal is now reporting that many banks are lobbying Visa to change how Visa issues tokens for ‌Apple Pay‌ cards. These new changes, the banks argue, would make the Apple Pay platform (and the fees it charges) a more equal playing ground.

According to the report, Visa is considering changes to see Apple receive a transaction fee on an initial subscription payment and not on subsequent transactions. Reducing the fees banks pay to a one-off payment would level the playing field and reduce Apple’s financial advantage. Currently, Apple Pay makes the majority of its revenue from the 0.15% transaction fee.

Related Article: Mastercard Installments Buy Now Pay Later Revealed

Featured image by mohamed_hassan/ PixaBay

Platinum Card Adds Credits for Walmart+, SoulCycle

by Cory Santos
platinum-card-adds-credits-for-walmart-soulcycle/

Last updated on January 31st, 2024

American Express has added two new statement credits to its popular Platinum Card. The new benefits include savings with SoulCycle and free membership with Walmart+, but do they provide real value? Here’s what you need to know about the new perks added to the Platinum Card from American Express.

Amex Unveils New Benefits for Platinum Card

The American Express Platinum Card got a major overhaul earlier this year. These new features included a multitude of new statement credits, a new Resy membership for improved table booking, and more. The Platinum Card’s annual fee also saw a change, with the yearly cost of membership rising from $550 to a whopping $695.

However, Amex argued that the new statement credits more than recouped the additional cost for that increased fee. These credits include:

  • Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more when you select one qualifying airline.
  • Up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue.
  • VIP status and $200 Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually.
  • $175 CLEAR statement credit when using the Platinum Card to register.
  • $300 Equinox credit ($25 credit each month towards Equinox membership and services.)
  • $240 statement credit for select streaming services, including Audible, Peacock, New York Times, and SiriusXM.
  • Up to $200 hotel statement credit towards select prepaid bookings through the American Express Travel portal.
  • TSA Pre✓® and Global Entry statement credit every four years.

New Amex Platinum Statement Credits

Now American Express is adding two new credits to the Platinum Card. These credits are a $12.95 per month credit for Walmart+ membership and savings on SoulCycle exercise bikes.

The new Walmart+ credit provides reimbursement when the Platinum Card purchases a Walmart+ (also known as W+) membership. The membership cost is $12.95 per month, giving this new credit a total value of up to $155 each year).

The new SoulCycle credit works in conjunction with the existing Equinox credit. Cardmembers can earn an additional $300 statement credit on purchases of the SoulCycle At-Home Bike through Equinox+. One caveat with this new SoulCycle credit is that the bike requires an Equinox+ membership – itself a $39.99 per month charge. Add to that the $2,500 price tag of the At-Home Bike, and the credit is a new benefit that will provide limited value to very few.

Do the New Credits Provide Value?

Ultimately, the new Platinum Card from American Express credits offer some value – but not enough to justify the annual fee. Amex is continually adding new credits to try and convince existing cardholders that the changes to the card are worth the price hike – but the real test will come once next year’s annual fees are charged.

The Walmart+ credit is a nice addition, but only for those who want an everyday savings – something not in-line with the goal of the Platinum Card. Most choose the Platinum Card for the Centurion Club lounge access, TSA Pre✓®, elite statuses with Marriott and Hilton Honors, and more. Instead, Amex is offering coupons for expensive health and fitness programs that provide little value.

Featured image by Walmart

Chase Launches World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

by Cory Santos
Chase Launches World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

Last updated on January 2nd, 2024

The World of Hyatt Credit Card is one of Chase’s more popular personal rewards cards. Now the bank is looking to capture even more attention with the new World of Hyatt Busines s Credit card. The card, launched this week, provides exceptional value for companies seeking to maximize rewards on business trips. Here’s what you need to know about the new World of Hyatt Business Card:

Chase and Hyatt Launch Business Hotel Card

Chase and Hyatt have launched a new co-branded business credit card. The new World of Hyatt Business Credit Card features an “adaptive rewards accelerator,” up to 9X points on Hyatt stays and more, for a $199 annual fee.

World of Hyatt Business Card Features

The card’s “adaptive rewards accelerator” is a limited-time-only bonus points offer. New accounts enjoy 2X points on the top three spending categories each quarter through 12/31/22. The qualifying 2X point categories are:

  • Airline tickets, when purchased directly with the airline
  • Car rentals
  • Dining
  • Gas stations
  • Internet, cable, and phone service providers
  • Local transit and commuting
  • Social media marketing and search engine advertising

The new World of Hyatt Business Card earns up to 9X points on stays with Hyatt brand properties. This 9X tally breaks down as 4X points per $1 spent with the card, plus 5X base points as a World of Hyatt member. Businesses also earn 2X points on gym memberships and fitness clubs, with all other purchases receiving a single point.

New accounts also enjoy a lucrative 75,000 World of Hyatt points welcome offer after meeting minimum spending requirements. Other notable features of the card include World of Hyatt Discoverist status for the primary cardholder and up to five additional employees, up to $100 in Hyatt statement credits each year, and Visa Signature credit card benefits (Roadside Assistance, travel interruption and cancellation insurance, Visa Signature Concierge, and more).

“Every Business Expense a Vehicle for Rewards”

“We designed the benefits and services of the new World of Hyatt Business Credit Card based on extensive consumer and small business research,” said Ed Olebe, president of Chase Co-Brand Cards, in a press release accompanying the launch. “Today’s small business owners are seeking flexibility, value, choice and personalization. We’re proud to work with Hyatt to offer a credit card that allows them to make the most of their top business expenses with the ability to earn valuable points and higher tier status to enjoy on their next trip to a Hyatt destination, whether they are traveling for business or leisure.”

“Now more than ever, small business owners have demonstrated their resilience and innovation as they continue to navigate the challenges of the current environment,” added Amy Weinberg, senior vice president of loyalty, brand marketing, and consumer insights at Hyatt.

“We heard from members and business owners that they look to be rewarded in personalized ways for how they do business. This new card allows every business expense — from hotel rooms to cell phone bills to shipping fees and more — to be a vehicle for personalized and valuable rewards, which can be used on one-of-a-kind experiences across the 19 brands and more than 1,000 locations worldwide that participate in World of Hyatt.”

Featured image by Hyatt

United Unveils New United Club Infinite Perks

by Cory Santos
united club visa infinite credit card chase

Last updated on April 7th, 2023

The United Club℠ Visa Infinite is one of the most luxurious airline credit cards on the market. Now, the card is taking things to a whole new level, thanks to a bevy of new perks. Here’s what you need to know about the United Club’s new features:

United Club Infinite Card Unveils New Features

The United Club℠ Visa Infinite packs quite the punch for its hefty $525 annual fee. Chief among the card’s perks is United club membership – a $650 value providing access to all United Club and Star Alliance lounges worldwide. The card’s other notable benefits include complimentary first and second checked bags on United flights, premier upgrades on award flights, TSA Precheck and Global Entry statement credits, and more.

Attempting to add even more value, the United club Infinite Card will offer the following perks, effective immediately:

  • A 10% discount on Saver economy awards for travel within the US and Canada
  • 10,000 bonus miles for signing up for CLEAR before June 30, 2022
  • Complimentary companion upgrades on eligible award flights

The 10% discount is an excellent addition, providing increased value for cardholders that want to maximize the value they receive from miles. Adding companion upgrades is another fantastic perk – especially for travels booking business class flights (or better).

New Benefits Beginning January 2022

The United Club Card will also add additional new perks at the start of 2022. These new benefits include:

  • IHG Rewards Platinum status
  • A $75 statement credit for charges made on the card between January 1 and December 31, 2022, at IHG properties.
  • The ability to earn up to 4,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) (500 PQPs per $12,000 spent on purchases – up to 4,000 points, or $96,000 in spending)

IHG Platinum status is an excellent addition. This elite tier offers:

  • 50% Bonus Earnings on Top of Base Points (earn 15 points per dollar instead of 10)
  • Complimentary Room Upgrades
  • Guaranteed Room Availability (requires 72 hours advance notice, not valid for Reward Nights)
  • Elite Rollover Nights
  • 2 Free Amazon Kindle eBooks per Quarter

Related Article: The Ultimate Guide to the United MileagePlus Program

Featured image by United Airlines

Mastercard Installments Buy Now Pay Later Revealed

by Cory Santos
masterard bnpl

Last updated on February 20th, 2024

Mastercard is the latest name to join in on the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) craze, with the payment giant announcing “Mastercard Installments.” The new BNPL service will launch in early 2022 and be available for US, UK, and Australian consumers.

Mastercard Launching Buy Now, Pay Later Service in 2022

The increasing popularity of Buy Now, Pay Later shows no signs of abating. Now, Mastercard is getting in on the act with a new “plug and play” BNPL service called “Mastercard Installments.” Mastercard’s new BNPL will allow eligible purchases to be broken into monthly installments and roll out to US, UK, and Australian consumers in Q1 2022.

Since Mastercard doesn’t directly lend to consumers, the product will be a pre-baked API that the payment giant will offer to partners. Banks, fintechs, and lenders will be able to “plugin” to the Mastercard Installments program and offer loans directly to customers. Barclays is the first major bank to indicate that it will offer the Mastercard Installments BNPL service.

“Consumers are demonstrating a high level of interest in this buy now, pay later capability,” Craig Vosburg, Mastercard’s chief product officer, told CNBC in a phone interview. “It uses the power of the Mastercard network and franchise to bring this to market at scale.

“We see a high prevalence, in our program and others, as people choosing Mastercard debit as the means of repayment,” he added. “It’s consistent with our mission of providing choice to both consumers in terms of how they want to pay and to merchants in terms of how they want to be paid.”

More and More Consumers Turning to BNPL

BNPL services have experienced exponential growth in popularity over the last few years. These services offer faster and easier access to installment payments – often without interest – making them ideal for consumers priced out of traditional credit cards. Recent studies indicate that almost three-quarters of consumers prefer to use BNPL over credit cards, and over half believe BNPL is easier to manage than a credit card.

Some lenders, like Capital One, were initially wary of BNPL but have since announced plans for its own services. Capital One’s shift towards BNPL highlights the service’s growth, with millennials and Gen Z consumers embracing platforms like Affirm and Afterpay.

Related Article: Capital One to Test Buy Now, Pay Later Service

Featured image by yannickmcosta / PixaBay

Credit Invisible Consumers Opening More New Accounts

by Cory Santos
credit-invisible-consumers-opening-more-new-accounts

Last updated on February 15th, 2024

New research from LexisNexis Risk Solutions is highlighting an interesting trend in US consumer credit. The firm’s most recent internal data shows an impressive return to pracademic borrowing levels – with sub-prime and near-prime borrowers leading the way.

“Credit Invisible” Borrowing On the Rise

“Credit invisible” consumers make up a much more significant proportion of new credit applications than previously thought. LexisNexis data shows a 45% increase in consumer credit borrowing in June 2021 versus the previous year. Credit borrowing (credit cards, store cards, personal loans, and other products) increased 28% from January 2021.

However, the most surprising nuance of the data was the rise in borrowing among the credit invisible. Credit invisible borrowing increased 20% from June to July 2020. That trend has continued, with approximately 25% of credit applications being for sub-prime products.

COVID Not the Culprit

The initial instinct of economists is to point to the coronavirus pandemic. COVID’s economic downturn had a significant impact on consumer finances lends credence to the possibility that credit invisible consumers are turning to credit cards to help make ends meet. This hypothesis struggles when compared to data, however.

As analysts from the Bank Administration Institute (BAI) note, credit invisible consumers “aren’t monolithic,” meaning they cannot be easily defined into simple boxes. “Comparing June 2020 to June 2021, we saw that unemployment was nearly halved while our data suggests that applications from credit invisible applications rose an additional 30% over June 2020,” the report states. “Our takeaway is that financial stress can’t be wholly responsible for the increase in demand from this consumer segment.”

Banks Offering More Exiting Products for Sub Prime Consumers

Instead, the rise of high-quality credit products for underbanked consumers appears to be the culprit. Banks and fintechs are creating engaging products designed to win the business of underbanked segments, including recent immigrants, those new to credit, teens, and more.

The Sable One Mastercard, for example, is a secured rewards credit card aimed at the immigrant market. Beyond the ability to establish credit, the Sable Card provides up to 2% cash back on purchases and is free from hidden fees, including no annual fee.

Other, more established names are also taking a new approach towards secured credit cards. The Surge Platinum Secured Mastercard, for instance, offers cash back rewards on purchases. Previously, few secured cards offered rewards, with Discover being the most prominent example.

As BAI notes, credit invisible and sub-prime borrowers make up a sizable proportion of the credit card market. Because of this, lenders are becoming more willing to roll out innovative new products to try and win their business in an increasingly competitive marketplace. These innovations include lower interest rates, rewards, and a better-defined route towards unsecured credit (with the Merrick Bank Double Your Line™ Secured Visa® being a prime example).

Related Article: What Are the Easiest Credit Cards for Bad Credit to Get?

Featured image by Pexels / PixaBay

Wells Fargo Reflect Card Expect to Launch October 1

by Cory Santos
wells fargo to launch reflect 0 apr credit card

Last updated on April 7th, 2023

Wells Fargo is expected to launch a new credit card today. The new card, the Wells Fargo Reflect Credit Card, will offer a lengthy 0% intro APR period, with the card’s focus being on improving financial health. Here is everything we know about the new card:

Report: Wells Fargo to Launch Wells Fargo Reflect Credit Card

Wells Fargo pulled many of its credit cards this summer, looking to refresh its lineup by the end of 2021. This product refresh began with the launch of the Active Cash Card in July. The product refresh also includes a company record $7 million in advertising, with the latest marketing campaign utilizing American actress Regina King.

The Active Cash was the first of three new credit card offerings, with the second card now coming to light. A new report in American Banker says the second credit card of the triumvirate will launch today, October 1, 2021. That card, known as the Wells Fargo Reflect Credit Card, will offer the lengthiest introductory APR period on the market – up to 21 months.

The Reflect Card is targeted towards consumers who pay on time. Cardholders enjoy 0% intro APR for the first 18 months, with that period rising to 21 months when cardholders make all their monthly payments on time.

Currently, the longest 0% APR period is held by the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card – at 20 months. Several other credit cards offer 18-months of no interest, including the Wells Fargo Platinum, Citi Simplicity® Card, and Citi® Double Cash Card being notable examples.

Wells Fargo’s Product Refresh

Wells Fargo’s new credit card lineup, which will include a travel rewards card later this year, is attempting to tackle the problem of customers ignoring the bank’s card offerings. Despite a massive presence across the United States, Wells Fargo has seen customers opt for cards from rivals, such as Chase, Citi, and others.

Related Article: Visa Adds Three New Benefits for Cardholders

Featured image by Wells Fargo

The Best Medical Credit Cards

by Cory Santos

Last updated on April 3rd, 2024

Emergency medical costs are one of the biggest financial worries facing Americans. A good savings plan is a great way to ensure you have the finances for regular medical expenses including medical procedures, screenings, and check-ups. But what happens if unforeseen, emergency medical costs pop up? Credit cards can provide a vital lifeline when emergency healthcare costs arise – buying the cardholder time to pay down the debt at lower interest rates. Here are our top medical credit cards for 2023 to help you save of medical procedures and healthcare costs:

At a Glance


SmartHealth PayCard™ Mastercard®
CareCredit® Rewards™ Mastercard™
Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

Why Use a Credit Card to Pay for Medcial and Health Expenses?

Using a credit card to pay for your medical expenses might sound strange, but it can help save you considerable money in some instances. 

First and foremost, paying for your medical procedures with a credit card is convenient because it allows you to pay for the services without having to carry large amounts of cash or write a check. Not only that, but you can offset those payments, meaning you can pay down the bill over time, at reduced interest. This is especially true if your credit card offers 0% intro APR on procedures or purchases.

Many credit cards offer rewards programs that can help you earn cash back, points, or miles for your eligible purchases. These rewards can, in turn, be used to offset the cost of the medical procedure or to fund future procedures.

Finally, using a credit card to pay for medical costs provides purchase protection against fraud or other disputes. If you encounter any issues with the care provider, you can dispute the charge with your credit card issuer, who can help you resolve the issue.

The Best Credit Cards for Medical and Healthcare Expenses

Here are our top medical credit cards

SmartHealth PayCard

SmartHealth PayCard
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions
Good-Fair-Poor
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Good / Fair / Poor
Mastercard Processing Network
$120 Annual Fee

SmartHealth PayCard

  • 18% Regular Purchase APR
  • See Terms Cash Advance APR

At a Glance

The SmartHealth PayCard™ Mastercard® is a medical credit card that offers coverage for unexpected medical costs, prescriptions, and more. The card, which features credit limits of up to $30,000, also offers accidental death insurance, accidental medical expense insurance, and prescription savings – for a $120 annual fee.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • 90 seconds to apply, and get a virtual card for use immediately
  • Individual and family benefits of $5,000 accident and injury medical indemnity benefit coverage
  • SmartHealth Rx provides pharmacy discounts of up to 85% on most generic drugs
  • May also be used for veterinarian services
  • Regular Purchase APR: 18%
  • Cash Advance APR: See Terms
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: See Terms
  • Annual Fee: $120
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of the transaction amount in U.S. dollars
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $35
  • Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $35
  • You anticipate having additional medical expenses in the coming year
  • You have children or pets and want the assurance of additional medical coverage
  • You want to finance elective surgeries over-time
  • You have insurance but want extra coverage and prescription savings
SmartHealth PayCard

SmartHealth PayCard

Terms & Conditions
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions

SmartHealth PayCard

The SmartHealth PayCard™ is a medical credit card that offers coverage for unexpected medical costs, prescriptions, and more. The card, which features credit limits of up to $30,000, also offers accidental death insurance, accidental medical expense insurance, and prescription savings – for a $120 annual fee.

What makes the SmartHealth PayCard different from other medical credit cards is that it only works on medical purchases – despite carrying Mastercard branding and purchasing power. Fortunately, this somewhat restrictive purchase category is relatively broad, including the following medical expenses and procedures:

Ambulance services Chiropractors Cosmetic surgery Mental health and counseling: couples/individual/debit
Dental and medical laboratories Dental/lab/medical/ophthalmic hospital equipment and supplies Dentists, orthodontists Dermatologists
Drugs, druggists, sundries Drug stores, pharmacies Health practitioners Hearing aids-sales, service, supply stores
Hospitals and physicians Insurance premiums Nursing and personal care facilities Opticians, optical goods, and eyeglasses
Optometrists, ophthalmologists Orthopedic goods-artificial limb stores Osteopathic physicians Podiatrists
Radiology Veterinary services

Another unique feature of the card is up to $5,000 per year for costs associated with covering hospital admissions, outpatient ER visits, and ambulance use through this indemnity reimbursement coverage. This benefit, known as “Accident Medical Expense Insurance,” is not ACA compliant but does offer some protection for unforeseen medical costs.

Other notable features of the SmartHealth PayCard™ Mastercard include:

  • Access to the SmartHealth Rx mobile app – offering prescription savings
  • Ability to add authorized users with no extra credit checks
  • Virtual cards and instant access upon approval
  • Mastercard Zero Fraud Liability

CareCredit® Rewards™ Mastercard™

CareCredit® Rewards™ Mastercard™
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions
Excellent-Good
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Excellent / Good
Mastercard Processing Network
None Annual Fee

CareCredit® Rewards™ Mastercard™

  • 29.99% Regular Purchase APR
  • 29.99% Cash Advance APR

At a Glance

The CareCredit® Rewards™ Mastercard™ is an infinitely useful credit card specifically designed to make medical and healthcare costs more affordable with up to payment plans ranging from 6 to 60 months. There is no annual fee and cardholders can also earn 2X points on many types of wellness and health-related expenditures.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • 2X points on CareCredit Network purchases
  • 2X points on Health & Wellness
  • 2X points at grocery stores
  • 2X points at pet stores
  • 1X points on all other purchases
  • Redeem points for statement credit, gift cards, merchandise and more
  • Regular Purchase APR: 29.99%
  • Cash Advance APR: 29.99%
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 4% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of the transaction amount in U.S. dollars
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
  • You have health complications or upcoming (and costly) medical procedures in the near future
  • You're responsible for healthcare expenses of children and/or the whole family
  • You have a large family and need assistance paying for routine treatments such as braces or eye exams
  • You have an illness-prone or injured pet
  • You do not have a 2% cash back rewards card
  • You have limited access to health insurance
  • You enjoy very active, outdoor-based hobbies
  • You own multiple one or more gym memberships
CareCredit® Rewards™ Mastercard™

CareCredit® Rewards™ Mastercard™

Terms & Conditions
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions

CareCredit® Rewards™ Mastercard

The CareCredit® Rewards™ Mastercard™ is another medical credit card. The card offers special financing of up to 48 months on select medical procedures of $1,000 or more. Cardholders can select from medical providers in the CareCredit network and then choose a repayment plan that works for them: deferred repayment without interest or reduced APR and fixed monthly payments for 24, 36, or 48 months.

The card also earns double points on a variety of health-centric categories, including:

  • CareCredit network purchases
  • Health & wellness stores and service providers
  • Grocery stores
  • Pet stores

The CareCredit network is the primary concern for those seeking a quality medical credit card – and here, the CareCredit Mastercard shines. The card provides special financing or 2X points on a selection of non-emergency care and services, including:

Chiropractors Cosmetic procedures Dentistry Dermatology
Fitness Hearing Laboratory and diagnostics Medical equipment and supplies
Sleep specialists Vision care Weight loss

Other notable features of the CareCredit® Rewards™ Card include:

  • No annual fee
  • Redeem points for statement credit, gift cards, merchandise, and more
  • Fixed-rate APR of 26.99% on purchases and cash advances
  • Mastercard Zero Fraud Liability

Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®

Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®
Apply Now Terms & Conditions
Excellent-Good-Fair
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Excellent / Good / Fair
Visa Processing Network
None Annual Fee

Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®

  • 14.99% to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
  • 14.99% to 29.99% Balance Transfer APR

At a Glance

The Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® offers no fees, low rates, cash back, and credit lines up to $25,000 in one unique package. The card provides the flexibility and predictability consumers need to pay down balances and get debt-free quickly.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • $200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking Preferred account and making 3 debit card transactions*
  • 3% unlimited cash back on every purchase in Home, Health, and Auto categories
  • No annual fee
  • Enjoy Visa Signature benefits, like Roadside Dispatch, Price Protection, Extended Warranty and more
  • Shop smarter with Upgrade Shopping! Get exclusive savings at stores, restaurants, and more
  • No touch payments with contactless technology built in
  • See if you qualify in seconds with no impact to your credit score
  • Great for large purchases with predictable payments you can budget for
  • Mobile app to access your account anytime, anywhere
  • Use your card anywhere Visa is accepted
  • Relax knowing that you are protected in case of unauthorized transactions with Visa’s Zero Liability Policy
  • Regular Purchase APR: 14.99% to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
  • Balance Transfer APR: 14.99% to 29.99%
  • Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Up to 5%
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: Up to 3%
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: May apply
  • You struggle to pay off your credit card balances
  • You want to earn up to 3% cash back on purchases
  • You can reliably pay off your statement balances to earn cash back for your purchases
  • You have a desire to get debt-free quickly
  • You don’t want to pay an annual fee
Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®

Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®

Terms & Conditions
Apply Now Terms & Conditions

Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®

The Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® is another great option for financing medical care with a credit card. The card earns unlimited cash back on payments – 3% on Home, Auto, and Health categories and 1% on everything else – with no annual fee or hidden fees.

The robust health category includes services like health and beauty spas, gym memberships, fitness equipment, and purchases at eligible merchants. Those merchants include the likes of Walgreens, CVS, Academy Sports, Dick’s Sporting Goods, MidwayUSA.com, and more. The other bonus categories – Home and Auto – are equally robust, allowing cardholders to earn cash back for car parts, towing services, car washes, landscaping, hardware, home goods, and more.

Beyond lucrative cash back, all Upgrade credit cards feature is designed to help you pay off debt. These features include predictable, set payoffs that bring your balance down faster so you can pay less interest, credit limits up to $25,000, and exceptionally low APR for qualified borrowers.

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions
Excellent-Good
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Excellent / Good
Mastercard Processing Network
$0 Annual Fee

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

  • 18.99% - 28.99% (Variable) Regular Purchase APR
  • 18.99% - 28.99% (Variable) Balance Transfer APR
  • 29.99% (Variable) Cash Advance APR
  • 0% for 15 months on Purchases Intro Purchase APR

At a Glance

The Citi Custom Cash? Card is a generous cash back credit card that offers up to 5% back on eligible purchases. The card, from Citi, does not charge an annual fee and rewards 5% back on the top spending category each month, with options including transit, travel, gas, groceries, dining, and more.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.99% - 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No rotating bonus categories to sign up for - as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash℠ Card account per person.
  • Intro Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months on Purchases
  • Regular Purchase APR: 18.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
  • Intro Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 15 months on Balance Transfers
  • Balance Transfer APR: 18.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
  • Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
  • Cash Advance APR: 29.99% (Variable)
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: 5% of each cash advance; $10 minimum
  • Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% (Variable)
  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
  • Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
  • You want to earn 5% back but do't want quarterly categories
  • You plan on spending $1,500 within the first 90 days
  • You have a large purchase in mind that you want to pay down over time
  • You plan on transferring an existing balance within the first four months
  • You don’t want to pay an annual fee
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

Terms & Conditions
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

If your medical care consists of multiple prescriptions, a card like the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card might make sense. The card is a no annual fee rewards card that earns 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Those categories are robust and include “pharmacies,” with other categories including:

Dining Fitness clubs Grocery stores
Drugstores Gas stations Home improvement stores
Travel & transit (select) Live entertainment Streaming service (select)

The generosity of the Custom Cash continues with two lengthy 0% APR periods. New accounts enjoy 15 months of 0% intro APR – for both purchases and balance transfers – with a variable rate after that. Should you have a medical procedure or expensive prescriptions to cover, the Custom Cash can help you offset those payments and pay them down without interest for five quarters.

Other notable features of the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card include Mastercard protections, Citi Entertainment access, Citi Quick Lock, and more.

Related Content

Featured image by voltamax/PixaBay

Earn Even More with BestCards Refer-a-Friend

by Cory Santos
How to Earn Rewards Through BestCards Membership’s Refer-a-Friend

Last updated on February 20th, 2024

Shopping portals offer an excellent way to stack merchant and card network deals and save money when shopping online. Sites like BestCards Membership take this a step further by offering the chance to earn additional rewards through select offers – actually paying you for shopping. But did you know that you can earn even more through BestCards Memberships Refer-a-Friend program? Here’s how you can earn extra rewards by referring friends and family to BestCards Membership:

How Does BestCards Membership Refer-a-Friend Work?

The Refer-a-Friend feature with BestCards is straightforward. On the Refer-a-Friend page, users can enter the name of any person they’d like to invite to become a BestCards member, enter their email address, and click the “Send Invite” button.

bestcards membership refer a friend
How to create referral links

Each referral link contains a unique ID that is assigned to the referrer’s BestCards Membership account. This unique ID helps track referrals and provides bonus payouts when new members make eligible purchases through the portal.

Users can track their referral history at the bottom of the Refer-a-Friend page when logged in. This information shows all referrals, including past and pending invites.

track your referrals in bestcards

How Do I Earn Rewards from My Friends Purchases?

One of the unique features of BestCards Membership is the ability to earn additional rewards on top of the cash back you receive from manufacturer and retailer deals. But even better, you can earn rewards on top of rewards when your invited friends and family make purchases – supercharging your savings.

Once your invited friends and family sign-up for BestCards Membership, you’ll receive a percentage of the rewards they accumulate through eligible purchases. When invited members make select purchases eligible for payouts, you’ll receive a portion of that payout. And, if those invited members invite their friends or family, you’ll receive a small percentage of any rewards they accumulate as well!

Even better, there is no limit to the number of Refer-a-Friend links you can send, meaning becoming a member of BestCards can pay off – literally!

Featured image by AlexMile / PixaBay

Mercury & Spirit Launch Free Spirit Points Plus Mastercard

by Cory Santos
Mercury Financial and Spirit Airlines Introduce NEW Points Plus Mastercard® Product

Last updated on April 13th, 2023

Spirit Airlines and Mercury Financial have officially launched a new co-branded airline card: The Free Spirit® Points Plus Mastercard®. The new card, only available to those with a reservation code or mail offer, offers near-prime consumers the chance to earn lucrative airline miles with Free Spirit, Spirit Airlines’ frequent flyer program.

Spirit Airlines and Mercury Launch New Premium Airline Card

Mercury Financial and Spirit Airlines first partnered earlier this year with the Free Spirit® Points Mastercard®. That card was one of the first of its kind, offering airline rewards to consumers with near-prime credit scores. Typically, only good or excellent credit scores qualify for airline cards – one of the most sought-after forms of rewards credit cards.

Now Spirit and Mercury are extending the partnership with a new co-branded credit card. The new Free Spirit® Points Plus Mastercard® Is a premium version of the Points Mastercard®, offering more significant rewards and in-flight savings – for a $79 annual fee.

New Free Spirit® Points Plus Mastercard® Features

The new Points Plus earns enhanced rewards on the following purchases:

  • 3X Free Spirit points on all eligible Spirit purchases, including flights
  • 2X Free Spirit points on dining and grocery purchases
  • 1X Free Spirit points on all other purchases

Like the Free Spirit® Points Mastercard, the Points Plus also offers a selection of Free Spirit perks, including in-flight savings, priority boarding, and more. Points Plus credit cardholders traveling Spirit Airlines will be eligible for:

  • 25% rebate on in-flight food and beverage purchases
  • Zone 2 early boarding.
  • Point pooling for individuals and up to eight additional Free Spirit members – ideal for families traveling together

New accounts earn 20,000 Free Spirit bonus points and a $100 Companion Flight Voucher after meeting minimum purchase requirements. Cardholders also receive an annual $100 Companion Flight Voucher each year after they spend $5,000 on purchases before their anniversary date. The card can help members achieve Free Spirit Silver and Gold Status as credit cardholders will earn one status qualifying point (SQP) for every $10 spent in purchases. Points do not expire, and there’s no cap to how many points credit cardholders may earn.

“The Ticket to Enhanced Travel Experiences”

“We’re proud to be the first co-brand partnership to offer a complementary card product, grow our partnership with Mercury Financial and strengthen our shared commitments to all of our members,” said Sid Krishna, Director of Loyalty and Co-Brand at Spirit Airlines, in a press release announcing the launch. “Free Spirit Points Plus Mastercard is the ticket to an enhanced travel experience for the holidays and beyond.”

Related Article: Mercury and First Bank & Trust Extend Partnership

Features image by Spirit Airlines

U.S. Bank Purchases Union Bank for $8 Billion

by Cory Santos
us bancorp to purchase unionbank 8 billion

U.S. Bancorp has announced plans to purchase Californian bank Union Bank for $8 billion. Here are all the details of the proposed merger, which is still subject to approval from financial authorities:

U.S. Bancorp to Purchase Union Bank for $8 Billion

U.S. Bank is seeking to strengthen its position as one of the largest banks in the United States with the acquisition of MUFG Union Bank. The news, announced in a press release, states the banking giant will “acquire MUFG Union Bank’s core regional banking franchise from Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.”

The deal, subject to regulatory approval, is expected to cost U.S. Bancorp approximately $8 billion. The purchase will include $5.5 billion in cash and approximately 44 million shares of U.S. Bancorp common stock.

U.S. Bank Expanding Its West Coast Portfolio

Union Bank is the West Coast banking subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG Bank). The bank began as the Bank of California in 1864 and operated under that name for more than a century. In 1996 the bank altered its name to Union Bank of California. In 2008 the bank adopted its current name, Union Bank (sometimes stylized UnionBank).

U.S. Bank is using the acquisition of Union Bank to increase its foothold in California and other West Coast markets. U.S. Bank will gain over one million consumers and 190,000 small business customers on the West Coast, making U.S. Bank’s California deposits rise from tenth-largest to fifth-largest bank in the state. Union Bank had more than $150 billion in total deposits as of 2020.

“Putting Customers and Communities First”

“The acquisition of MUFG Union Bank underscores our commitment to strengthen and grow our business on the West Coast, make investments to serve customers and local communities, and enhance competition in the financial services industry. With MUFG Union Bank, we will increase access to state-of-the-art financial products while maintaining U.S. Bank’s strong track record of putting its customers and communities first. We are also committed to maintaining both organizations’ excellent records of serving low-income communities and supporting minority-led institutions,” said Andy Cecere, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of U.S. Bancorp, in a press release announcing the acquisition.

“We have a great deal of respect for the MUFG Union Bank team and share customer-centric and relationship-based strategies and cultures based on integrity. We look forward to welcoming MUFG Union Bank to the U.S. Bancorp family, he added.”

“We are very pleased to have reached this agreement which will allow MUFG to focus and increase our resources on accelerating growth in our Americas wholesale businesses – specifically our corporate and investment banking, global markets, Japanese corporate banking and transaction banking businesses,” added Kevin Cronin, MUFG Regional Executive for the Americas and CEO of MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation and MUFG Union Bank, NA.

Related Article: Barclays Purchases Gap Credit Card Portfolio

Featured image by Asher Heimermann, CC BY-SA 4.0 

Advertiser Disclosure

BestCards is an independent, Florida-based credit card comparison platform. Many of the card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which BestCards receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). BestCards does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace.