MOCA Launches New Payment Assistant Mia

by Cory Santos
MOCA LAUNCHES PAYMENT ASSISTANT MIA

Last updated on March 4th, 2024

Community banks and credit unions that use the MOCA next-generation card-based payment platform now enjoy access to Mia’s new online payment assistant. The new Mia platform, available for most leading web browsers, works to make online purchases with MOCA Cards easier and more convenient.

MOCA Mia Offers Greater Online Security

The new Mia online payment assistant makes it easy for community banks and credit unions to provide online security peace of mind when their customers use MOCA Cards to make purchases online. According to statistics, approximately 2.14 billion people are expected to shop online in 2021.

With so much online shopping activity, keeping customers safe is critical – and a major driving force on how consumers decide on which credit cards to keep at the front of their wallets. The new Mia assistant allows users to issue single-use card numbers for greater security, keeping any online sites from stealing important card information.

“Mia not only brings added convenience for cardholders and increased wallet share for banks and credit unions, but it brings an extra layer of security that consumers so desperately need,” said John Burns, CEO of MOCA, in a statement accompanying the launch of Mia. “We want to ensure that each cardholder has the tools they need to keep their money and their information safe, and Mia helps do that when they shop online.”

This proprietary access to online security and fraud protection offers smaller banks and credit unions the ability to regain market share from megabanks and popular fintech credit card issuers currently dominating the online shopping space.

What Is MOCA?

MOCA is a digital-first, card-based payment platform. MOCA Cards offer enhanced security and control for cardholders and ease of access for smaller community banks and credit unions. The major benefit for banks that partner with and issue MOCA Cards is the access to state-of-the-art security and account-control options at a fraction of the cost of bespoke card options from larger issuers.

Beyond credit cards, MOCA also offers debit, gift, and business cards that provide exceptional protection and (with MOCA Prime) unlimited rewards. Other benefits of MOCA include:

  • Free and instant ability to send money to anyone, anywhere at any time in real-time using just their email address
  • Mobile payments via MOCAPay
  • Self-issue as many virtual or physical reloadable MOCA Cash Cards to yourself as you like
  • Set advanced controls such as spending limits by amount, time of day, day of the week, category of merchant, and restrict use based on distance from your home zip code
  • Lock cards down to a single merchant for online purchases
  • Free MOCA Mobile from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android)
Featured image by MOCA

Keebo Card Seeks to Redefine Credit Access in the UK

by Cory Santos
keebo-card-to-redefine-credit-access-in-the-uk

Last updated on January 31st, 2024

Keebo, a new credit card designed to offer improved access to credit, is one step closer to launch thanks to a 5m seed equity round led by Breega and Connect Ventures. The new credit card product, slated for an October launch, is currently in the waitlist stage, with U.K. residents able to request early access.

Keebo Card Seeks to Improve Access to Credit for Millions in the U.K.

According to Keebo, its new Keebo credit card differs from others because it focuses on an applicant’s entire financial well-being – not just their credit score. The Keebo scoring model uses a variety of information, from credit scores to banking history, to better understand a Keebo Card applicant’s creditworthiness.

In many regards, the Keebo Card appears to be the U.K.’s answer to the Tomo Card. The Tomo Credit Card is a credit builder card that features no fees of any kind, basic cash back rewards, and no credit check to apply. The card is tied to a user’s bank accounts, allowing for dynamic credit limits and no credit check. The credit scoring model with Keebo is flexible, meaning credit limits can change over time as the cardholder’s banking accounts grow (or shrink).

Is Open Banking the Future of Credit?

Keebo is currently the only U.K. credit card provider authorized by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to use open-banking data for underwriting purposes on credit cards and loans. This FCA approval means that Keebo does not require a partner bank to issuer credit cards, instead being able to loan money and charge interest when the sum borrowed is not repaid within the agreed-upon time.

Open banking is quickly gaining traction overseas, with the U.K. and European Union being early adopters of the process. Open banking differs from traditional banks in that it allows customers to share their financial history and data from existing bank accounts to other companies. This process creates greater availability of lending products, including credit cards, like Keebo.

“Access to safe and affordable credit should not be biased, yet today we see this happening time and time again, driving many to approach options which can put their financial future at significant risk,” said Ben Martin, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Breega. “The solution that Keebo offers and the methods and technology it uses to provide a real solution to this issue. We’re truly delighted to be accompanying and supporting the team on this very new and exciting venture”.

Featured image by keebo

Huge Amtrak Sign-Up Bonus for 50th Anniversary

by Cory Santos
amtrack guest rewards mastercard bonus

Last updated on February 8th, 2024

Now in its 5oth year, Amtrak is sprucing up its services with new trains, new menus, and now a new sign-up bonus on its co-branded credit card. The leading rail company in the U.S. is offering a huge 50,000-point sign-up bonus on its Amtrak Guest Rewards® World Mastercard® through Bank of America. 

Amtrak Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Biggest Credit Card Bonus Ever

Amtrak is kicking off its 50th-anniversary celebrations with its largest-ever sign-up bonus on the Amtrak Guest Rewards® World Mastercard®. The new bonus, 50,000 points, is an increase of 150% from the card’s regular introductory bonus – 20,000 points.

The impressive 50,000 Guest rewards point bonus comes with a relatively modest spend requirement. New accounts must use the card to make $2,500 in purchases within the first 90 days of opening an account.

The Amtrak Guest Rewards® World Mastercard®, from Bank of America, offers excellent value for frequent Amtrak travelers, including 3X points on Amtrak purchases, 2X on other qualifying travel purchases, and 1X on every other purchase made with the card. Cardholders also receive annual coupons for Amtrak upgrades ($150 value), companion fare ($300 value), and one complimentary station lounge pass. Other card features include a 5% Amtrak Guest Rewards point rebate when booking with points and a 20% rebate on onboard food and beverage purchases – for an annual fee of $79.

Amtrak Spruces Up Services for 50th Anniversary

Amtrak’s 50th anniversary has been eventful. The train carrier has already unveiled a new train hall in New York City, the Moynihan Train Hall. That new hall sits across from the original Penn Station and provides a modern facility to customers of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor routes.

Amtrak has also unveiled a new menu for first-class customers on the new flagship Acela trains. The new menu includes omelets and huevos rancheros for breakfast, chicken tandoori with basmati rice and mini naan, or artisan fruit and cheese plates for lunch and dinner. The selection also includes a new beer and wine menu featuring local and seasonal drinks.

About Amtrak

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Amtrak, strives to deliver a high-quality, safe, on-time rail passenger service that exceeds customer expectations. Founded in May 1971, the carrier now serves 48 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces – reaching more than 500 destinations.

Related Article: Amtrak Introduces New Fare Structure

Featured image by Amtrak

Citi Adds Susan G. Komen As ThankYou Points Charitable Partner

by Cory Santos
citi thankyou points susan g komen breast cancer charity donations

Last updated on January 29th, 2024

Charitable donations via rewards points have seen a sharp increase since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic last year. Now, Citi is giving eligible ThankYou Rewards cardmembers a new way to donate. Citi cardholders can now donate ThankYou points to Susan G. Komen, the world’s leading breast cancer charity.

Citi Introduces New ThankYou Points Charitable Partner

Over the last couple of years, there has been a marked increase in consumers looking to donate to causes near and dear to them. According to Giving Tuesday, in the first half of 2020, there was a 12.6% increase in new donors compared to 2019 – a trend multiplied by Citi cardmembers who tripled their contributions to ThankYou charitable partners between 2019 and 2020.  Now, as we head into the biggest giving season of the year, Citi is proud to announce a new charitable ThankYou Points partner: Susan G. Komen.

Citi Partners with Susan G. Komen

Susan G. Komen, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, Susan G. Komen has invested more than $3 billion to save lives from breast cancer through breakthrough research, advocacy, and vital patient care services since its founding almost 40 years ago.

Now Citi is looking to help supercharge donations to the Komen Foundation thanks to a new ThankYou points promotion. Effective immediately, eligible Citi cardmembers can easily donate to Susan G. Komen by visiting ThankYou.com and redeeming their points as a charitable contribution. This new promotion provides another channel for ThankYou cardmembers to make a difference with their points, alongside Citi’s other charity partners, including UNICEF, American Red Cross, World Central Kitchen, Smile Train, and No Kid Hungry.

About Citi

Citi, a leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citibank is the fourth largest bank in the United States by total assets – and the third-largest issuer of credit cards. Over 131 million Citi credit cards are currently in circulation, including proprietary, co-branded, and private label credit cards with Macy’s, Best Buy, American Airlines, Costco, and Expedia.

About Susan G. Komen

Susan G. Komen, formerly The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and often referred to as simply Komen, is the largest and best-funded breast cancer organization in the United States. The foundation was formed in 1982 and, to date, has invested more than $2.9 billion in groundbreaking research, community health outreach, advocacy, and programs in more than 60 countries.

Related Article: 6 Breast Cancer Cards that Donate to the Cause

Featured image by Shopify/Burst

Credit Cards That Offer Big Savings At Theme Parks

by Cory Santos
Credit Cards That Offer Big Savings At Theme Parks

Last updated on August 24th, 2023

August 16 is National Roller Coaster Day, so what better time to search for the perfect credit card that can save you money on your next theme park visit? Co-branded credit cards come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with theme park and resort credit cards quickly becoming a popular option for travelers who love Disney, Six Flags, or theme parks in general. Here are our top picks for the best credit cards that offer big savings at theme parks:

The Best Credit Cards for Amusement and Theme Parks

Here are our top amusement park credit cards:

Disney® Premier Visa®

Save At the Happiest Place On Earth
  • Special Disney financing
  • 10% savings at ShopDiesney.com
☆ Earn 4% Back In Key Categories
☆ 2% Back On Gas, Groceries, and Dining
☆ $49 Annual Fee

Read Review

Terms & Conditions

The Disney® Premier Visa® from Chase is a premium rewards card that allows fans of the Happiest Place on Earth to save big when riding Thunder Mountain or Space Mountain – or taking advantage of any of the other amazing attractions of Disneyland Disney World, Epcot, and more.

The Premier Visa earns 2% cash back on all eligible Disney purchases, with rewards taking the form of Disney Rewards Dollars (DRDs). It also earns 2% in DRD on gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurant (inducing delivery and takeout) purchases. All other purchases earn 1% cash back in DRD.

The Disney Premier Visa also offers special financing on select Disney vacation packages, with cardholders enjoying 0% APR for six months on those bookings. New accounts also earn a $300 statement credit bonus after making $1,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of account opening. The annual fee for the Premier Visa is $49.

Love Disney but don’t want to pay an annual fee? Chase also offers the Disney® Visa® Card. The card features many of the benefits of the Premier Visa – just with a slightly lower earning rate and no annual fee.

The basic Disney Visa Card earns 1% back in DRDs on every purchase. The card also enjoys a $100 statement credit after making $500 in purchases within the first three months and the same 0% special financing for six months on eligible Disney vacation packages.

Other features with the Disney Cards from Chase include 10% savings on select Disney purchases, such as purchases at ShopDisney.com and any merchandise purchases of over $50 at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. These special savings also apply to the Disney Premier Visa.

Here’s how the two cards breakdown:

Disney Premier Card Disney Visa Card
Rewards Earn 2% in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases at grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and most Disney locations Earn 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars on all your card purchases with no limits to the amount you can earn
Welcome offer $300 Statement Credit after you spend $1000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening $150 Statement Credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee $95 annual fee No annual fee

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

citi custom cash 224x141
Earn 5% Back On Your Top Spending Category
  • 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
  • Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $750 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening
☆ 5% Categories Include Gas, Streaming, Groceries, Travel, & More!
☆ 0% Intro APR for 15 Months
☆ No Annual Fee
Visit Card Site

Terms & Conditions

The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card makes sense in a lot of situations – thanks to its 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, and 1% cash back thereafter.  Those categories are expansive, and include things like Fitness clubs,  gas, drugstores, and live entertainment.  The “live entertainment” category is what we’re interested in, and thankfully amusement parks like Six Flags, Disney, Knott’s Berry Farm, and others are included.

Here’s what Citibank classifies as “live entertainment”:

Live entertainment Live theatre Concerts Movie theatres
Amusement parks Zoos and aquariums Circuses and carnivals Tourist attractions
Art galleries Record stores Video rental stores On-demand streaming media

Beyond savings at your theme park of choice, the Custom Cash comes with two enticing welcome offers. First, you’ll enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months after account opening. That 15-month period is perfect for financing a dream Disney vacation, or even a weekend away at your local Six Flags. Secondly, the card comes with a $200 welcome offer for meeting minimum spending requirements. So, if you’re planning a theme park trip and want to pay it off over more than a year while earning rewards, check out the Custom Cash.

Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Card

savor 224x141
Cash Back On Dining & Entertainment
  • 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming service
  • 3% cash back at grocery stores
☆ New Cardmember Bonus Cash
☆ Capital One Dining Access
☆ No Foreign Transaction Fee
☆ $95Annual Fee

Read Review

Terms & Conditions

You don’t need a co-branded credit card with theme park brands to enjoy excellent savings at your favorite amusement parks. The Capital One Savor is an excellent option for those that want a well-rounded rewards card – no matter the occasion.

The main draw of the Savor is the 4% cash back the card earns on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services. The “entertainment” includes theme parks, allowing cardholders to earn impressive cash back at Disney, Six Flags, or other popular resort destinations. Other accelerated cash back categories with the card include 8% cash back on tickets through Vivid Seats, 3% back on groceries, and 1% back on all other eligible purchases.

Other Savor features include a $9.99 statement credit after paying for Postmates Unlimited membership with the card, a one-time $300 cash bonus after spending $3,00 in purchases in the first three months, and no foreign transaction fees. The Savor features an annual fee of $95.

Browse more of the “Best of” from BestCards

Featured image by Angelique Downing / Burst

Alchemy Pay Launching Virtual Crypto Cards

by Cory Santos
alchemy pay launching virtual cards

Last updated on April 12th, 2023

Cryptocurrencies continue to evolve and find greater acceptance as payment with merchants. A Singapore-based fintech is hoping to further encourage crypto acceptance with a new virtual crypto card that sues both the Visa and Mastercard payment network. Here is what you need to know about the upcoming launch of Alchemy Pay crypto-linked virtual cards:

Alchemy Pay Launching Virtual Crypto Cards

Alchemy Pay is launching new, crypto-linked virtual cards that will support more than 40 cryptocurrencies. The new virtual cards will make it easier than ever for crypto fanatics to make purchases with millions of merchants worldwide who accept either Visa or Mastercard.

The new virtual cards will also be accepted on leading eCommerce platforms like Amazon and eBay and will seamlessly link to digital wallets like Google Pay or PayPal. Alchemy Pay currently operates in 65 countries worldwide, including Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, and the European Union. The company operates touchpoints for purchases in 18 countries and through partnerships with Shopify, Arcadier, QFPay, and more.

While there is not a set date for launching the crypto-linked virtual cards, Alchemy Pay expects the service to launch by the end of 2021.

Alchemy Pay Partners with Binance

Alchemy Pay’s new initiative follows on the heels of a partnership with Binance, a leading cryptocurrency exchange. The partnership seeks a streamlined way to bridge crypto and fiat currency payments through the Binance Pay wallet. Fiat currency refers to government-backed currencies, like the U.S. dollar or the British pound.

About Alchemy Pay

Alchemy Pay is a Singapore-based fintech and the inventor of the world’s first hybrid fiat and digital currency gateway solution for businesses and investors. Alchemy Pay powers seamless crypto and fiat acceptance for merchant networks, developers, and financial institutions and powers the adoption of blockchain technology by making crypto services readily accessible to consumers and financial institutions.

Related Article: The Best Fintech Credit Cards of 2021

Featured image by Alchemy Pay

Venmo Adds Cash Back to Crypto Redemption Option

by Cory Santos
venmo visa cryptocurrency bitcoin

Last updated on April 11th, 2023

PayPal and Venmo are looking to make it easier than ever to purchase cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin thanks to a new Cash Back to Crypto redemption option on the Venmo Visa Card. The new feature allows cardholders to redeem cash back for crypto, with no additional transaction fees.

Venmo Introducing Automatic Crypto Purchasing with Credit Card Rewards

Venmo is looking to make it even easier to purchase cryptocurrencies, thanks to a new feature the payment platform is rolling out. Users of the Venmo Visa can now use their cash back rewards to buy select cryptocurrencies without additional transaction fees.

The new cash back redemption option allows cardholders to transfer their rewards to Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash through the new “Cash Back to Crypto” option in the Venmo app. Previously, Venmo allowed customers to buy and sell crypto through a partnership with Paxos Crypto Brokerage.

No Additional Transaction Fees

Purchasing cryptocurrency through an online brokerage usually requires additional transaction fees. These additional charges can reduce the value in the crypto purchased, making short-term investments trickier and less valuable.

However, the new Venmo crypto cash back feature eliminates additional fees as cryptocurrency conversion spreads are built into monthly transactions. This process is similar to how PayPal (Venmo’s parent company) handles crypto transactions.

“With the introduction of the Cash Back to Crypto feature of Venmo credit cards, we will begin exploring the crypto world by automatically and seamlessly purchasing one of Venmo’s four cryptocurrencies using the cashback earned each month,“ said Venmo’s Senior Vice President, Darrell Esch, in a statement. “We are pleased to bring this new level of functional interoperability to the Venmo platform, linking Venmo credit cards and cryptographic experiences and providing another way for customers to spend money and manage with Venmo.”

About the Venmo Visa

The Venmo Visa earns an impressive 3% back in cash back rewards on the cardholder’s top spending category and 2% back in the next spending category. Those categories eligible for accelerated cash back include:

  • Bills and utilities
  • Dining and nightlife
  • Entertainment
  • Gas stations
  • Groceries
  • Health and beauty
  • Transportation
  • Travel

The card features no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Additionally, applicants can personalize their card with their unique Venmo QR code to make transferring funds a breeze.

Related Article: Best Credit Cards with an Instant Credit Card Number on Approval

Featured image by Venmo

Curve All In One Card Introduces U.S. Waitlist

by Cory Santos
curve launches in us

Last updated on March 8th, 2023

The Curve All in One Card is one step closer to launch. The hotly anticipated fintech card is designed to help cardholders stack their cash back rewards by combining existing credit cards into one easy-to-use card. Read all about the latest Curve Card news and how to join the U.S. waitlist:

Curve Card Launches U.S. Waitlist

The Curve Card getting closer to its U.S. debut, with the company launching a waitlist for potential applicants. Curve already enjoys significant popularity overseas, with over one million current subscribers in the U.K. and Europe.

Curve All in One Card differs from other credit cards in that it seeks to be a truly “all in one” product. The card – and associated Curve app – allows users to consolidate multiple credit cards into one payment card and make purchases anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

An Innovative Approach to Maximizing Credit Card Rewards

The main selling point with Curve is the ease of payment and consolidation of multiple cards, freeing up wallet space. Users add their cards, select their preferred payment method, and use the card to pay in-store or online.

Beyond its “all in one” approach to rewards, the Curve Card offers some impressive features. Chief among the unique Curve features is the innovative “Time Travel” option that allows cardholders to retroactively move charges from one card to another – helping them maximize rewards.

curve all in one waitlist

Earn Up to 10% Cash Back

To celebrate the launch of the Curve Card waitlist, Curve is offering a huge cash back bonus to those at the front of the line.  Curve is offering an impressive 10% cash back for six months to the top 100 users on the waitlist. This bonus has a potential value of up to $1,000 – an extremely lucrative bonus.

Waitlist users can increase their odds of reaching the top 100 by referring friends, family, or anyone else to the Curve waitlist, with users jumping 50 spots with each successful referral. Curve hopes to increase that jump to 100 in the future, depending on the promotion’s success.

Once the Curve All in One Card launches, initial beta testing users will also receive an additional 1% cashback on every purchase for the first six months. This 1% cash back bonus is in addition to the rewards the user would typically earn on their current credit card.

Related Article: SALT Card Waitlist Now Open

Featured image by Curve

Uber Visa Changing to Barclays View Mastercard

by Cory Santos
ubder credit card changing to barclays view

Last updated on September 7th, 2021

Barclays continues to switch holders of credit cards no longer available to new applicants to its new Barclays View Mastercard. The latest card to be formally discontinued is the Uber Visa. Here is what you need to know about the discontinuation of the Uber Visa Card and the switchover to the Barclays View Mastercard.

Uber Card Switching to Barclays View Mastercard in October

The Uber Visa is an impressive credit card for people who dine out or friend Uber or UberEATS. The card earns up to 5% cash back and offers various benefits that Barclays customers want – namely, no foreign transaction fees and cell phone protection. The updated Uber Visa Card was closed to new applicants in mid-2020 – and now Barclays is pulling the card altogether.

Existing Uber credit cardholders will see their cards converted to the Barclays View Mastercard on October 22, 2021. The View is Barclays’ first new foray into proprietary rewards cards in some time, as the bank tries to move beyond only offering co-branded products. Barclays previously issued its own cards – notably the popular Arrival cards – before their withdrawal some years ago.

The View Mastercard is a versatile and well-rounded rewards card that earns 3X on dining, 2X on streaming services and phone/internet/TV providers, plus groceries, and 1X on all other eligible purchases. The card, which replaced the Barclaycard Financing Visa, also offers periodic special financing on select retailers like Apple and Best Buy.

Drawbacks to the Uber Product Change

The biggest changes for Uber cardholders will be the loss of cell phone protection and the addition of foreign transaction fees. Cell phone protection is a fast-fading perk protecting against theft or damage when the phone plan is paid for using the card.

However, the addition of foreign transaction fees strips one of the best benefits of the original Uber Visa. That card earned 3% back on global dining, making it a perfect companion for those who wanted to earn impressive rewards worldwide but didn’t want an annual fee.

Related Article: Amex Offering Free Uber Eats Membership

Featured image by Uber

Chase Unveils New Sapphire Benefits

by Cory Santos
chase sapphire august 16

Last updated on April 12th, 2023

Chase is looking to increase cardmember loyalty with new features to its two flagship credit cards. Both the Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire referred are receiving a makeover – both cosmetically and practically – without increasing the annual fee. Here is what you need to know about the new Chase Sapphire rewards categories and features – and when they launch.

Chase Introduces New Benefits to the Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the premiers travel credit cards on the market today, and it is easy to see why. The card is a traveling juggernaut, with Priority Pass Select, 3X points on global dining, and statement credits – all for a $550 annual fee.

Chase is now bolstering the travel pedigree of the Reserve even further, thanks to new features set to launch on August 16, 2021. These new benefits include:

  • 10x points on Chase Dining purchases through Ultimate Rewards
  • 10x points on hotel stays and car rentals purchased through Ultimate Rewards
  • 5x total points on air travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards

Chase is also introducing something called “Reserved by Sapphire,” featuring exclusive opportunities to book reservations at some of the most sought-after restaurants across the country, including Canlis in Seattle, Redbird in Los Angeles, SingleThread Farms in Healdsburg, Calif., Reverence in New York, NY and One Off Hospitality in Chicago.

The good news for current Sapphire Reserve cardholders is that these new benefits will not see an added cost on the annual fee. Chase is maintaining the Sapphire Reserve’s $550 annual fee – always welcome news after Amex raised the membership fee of the Platinum Card by nearly $150 last month.

Chase Refreshes to the Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the entry-level Sapphire card, but don’t let the term “entry-level” fool you – this is a full-blooded rewards card. The card, which will keep its $95 annual fee, will feature a new selection of rewards categories starting August 16, 2021:

  • 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out (previously 2x)
  • 3x points on select streaming services
  • 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)

Previously, the Sapphire Preferred earned 2X points on travel and dining, including airfare, hotels, cafés, and more. The new points options make the card even more impressive – especially given the modest $95 annual fee. Cardholders will still earn the 2X on travel outside of Ultimate Rewards.

Chase is also offering two new perks for Preferred cardholders. The first new benefit is a $50 annual credit on hotel stays purchased through Ultimate Rewards. The second perk is a 10% Ultimate Rewards point bonus on each account anniversary.

Chase Provides More Details on Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club

Chase is also announcing the first locations for its long-awaited Chase Sapphire Lounges. The new airport lounges, operated by The Club, will offer Sapphire Reserve and Priority Pass members the pinnacle of luxury while they wait to board their flights.

The first locations for the new Chase Sapphire Lounges by the Club are:

  • Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
  • New York LaGuardia International Airport (LGA)
  • Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

Related Article: The Best Credit Cards for Summer Travel

Featured image by Chase

Can You Earn Rewards without a Credit Card?

by Cory Santos
can you earn rewards without a credit card

Last updated on April 6th, 2023

While credit cards are the most prominent way to earn rewards on purchases, they aren’t the only way to save when shopping, dining, or paying bills. Here are some simple ways to earn rewards without using a credit card:

How to Earn Rewards without a Credit Card

Earning rewards points or cash back usually requires a credit card – but that isn’t always the case. There are several ways to earn miles, rewards points, or even cash back without impacting your credit – here’s how:

Earn Rewards or Cash Back Through Debit and Checking Accounts

Not every debit card earns rewards – but some do. High yield checking accounts some banks provide cash back to encourage account holders to use their debit card for purchases instead of letting their money lay dormant.  Examples of cash back debit cards include the Discover Cashback Checking account and the Redneck Bank Redneck Rewards Checkin’ Account (yes, it’s a real thing).

Some regional banks also offer co-branded debit cards that can help you earn airline miles. Bank of Hawaii, for example, offers the Bankoh Hawaiian Airlines® Visa® Debit Card, while SunTrust Bank offers the Delta SkyMiles® Debit Card. These debit cards offer airline miles at a reduced rate versus an airline credit card but still provide valuable points without a credit check.

Dining Programs

If you are looking to earn frequent flyer miles, dining programs are a great place to start. Like American Airlines, Delta, and others, most major carriers offer a dining program that allows loyalty members to earn miles when they make purchases with partners and use the registered card on file. This means that even if you use a debit card, you can earn miles just for dining out.

Keep in mind that any miles earned through a dining program may not post immediately to your frequent flyer account. Some programs may take up to 30 days to post miles. Additionally, you can only earn miles with the card you register with – and since some programs use the same platform, you might not be able to use the same card again for another dining program.

Shopping Portals

Online shopping portals are an excellent resource for earning rewards – even without a credit card. Many retailers offer rebate coupons or cash back deals that can be tricky to keep track of – or even locate.

Aggregator sites make saving (and earning) rewards easy as they offer a one-stop shop. Using these sites, you can find the deals you want, with the merchants you prefer, and save time and money.

BestCards Membership is one such online deals platform. The BestCards portal allows members to combine their favorite debit card with coupons from top brands, payment networks, and more. Not only that but select deals through BestCards can earn you money through special rebates.

Members can even earn additional rewards when they sign-up new members through referrals – and those users make eligible purchases through BestCards, helping you earn even more cash back! The portal also allows users to save for use offers later, view their deals history with comprehensive reporting, and more.

And while Membership doesn’t require a credit card (it’s free to join), users can maximize their savings even more with a rewards card – offering up to three ways to save (credit card rewards, payment network savings, and merchant coupons)!

Related Article: Are Credit Cards Safer Than Debit Cards?

Featured image by Markus Winkler / Burst

How Credit Cards Improve Credit Scores

by Cory Santos
how-credit-cards-improve-credit-scores

Last updated on August 24th, 2023

Credit impacts nearly every facet of our lives. From buying a home or car to attending school, credit scores are a daily part of life that can cause significant stress for many Americans. Fortunately, there are practical ways to boost credit, with credit cards being one of the easiest – and best – options to consider. Here’s how credit cards can help improve your credit score:

What Factors Make Up a Credit Score?

Understanding how a credit card can help you build your credit score requires first knowing what the different credit reporting agencies look for when determining a person’s credit score.

There are two major credit scoring models: VantageScore and FICO Score. FICO Score is a private scoring model created by the Fair Issacs Corporation. On the other hand, VantageScore is a scoring model owned by the major credit reporting bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

While the scoring models may differ, both FICO Score and VantageScore prioritize many of the same factors. For instance, both place the most significant weight on payment history (35% for FICO, 40% for VantageScore). Paying accounts on time is a good indicator to a lender that you will continue this behavior – which is why this is the single-largest contributor to a credit score.

Other critical factors in a credit score include:

  • Credit Utilization: the amount of your overall credit you use
  • Search for New Credit: the number of recent credit applications
  • Types of Credit: the types of credit you hold, like student loans, mortgages, and credit cards. Lenders prefer to see a variety of credit types.

Building Credit with a Credit Card

Now that you know what comprises a credit score, how can you use a credit card to build and improve your credit score? Credit cards are one of the best ways to improve credit because they offer easy accessibility, report to the major credit bureaus monthly, and are simple to use.

Credit Cards Are Easily Accessible

Many loan types come with significant hurdles to approval. Mortgages, for example, are very difficult to receive for those with a limited credit history, small down payments, and other disqualifying factors.

On the other hand, credit cards come in many forms, meaning there is a credit card product for every credit score. Secured cards are the most accessible credit cards, as they require a cash deposit that acts as the security for the loan and the credit limit. This deposit requirement makes secured credit cards available for people with no credit history, people with bad credit, and even people trying to bounce back financially after a bankruptcy.

Monthly Credit Reporting

Most credit card issuers report to the major credit bureaus monthly. This regular reporting can help you build up a strong payment history in as little as six months. Multiple credit cards really accelerate this process and help reduce previous late payments’ impact through the sheer volume of on-time payments.  Late payments remain on your credit report for up to seven years, so reducing their impact with dozens of on-time payments is critical to improving your credit score.

Monthly reporting can also help improve your credit score if you only use a small portion of your available credit. Credit utilization is the second-biggest credit score factor, meaning using only a small percentage of your credit can significantly boost your credit health. If possible, keep your credit use below 30% (and ideally below 10%) – this will supercharge your credit score growth.

Conclusion

Credit cards are an excellent way to establish a strong credit history and improve your credit score when used correctly. Because credit cards are much more accessible than many other loan types, they provide the perfect foundation for building credit. However, this foundation requires responsible use, including making payments on time every month and keeping credit use low.

Related Article: What’s the Fastest Way to Repair Bad Credit?

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