U.S. Bank Launches ExtendPay BNPL Service

by Cory Santos
u-s-bank-launches-extendpay-bnpl-service

U.S. Bank is joining an ever-growing number of banks offering a Buy Now, Pay Later service to customers. The bank’s ExtendPay allows cardholders to choose a monthly installment plan on select purchases, mirroring similar services from Chase, American Express, and others.

About ExtendPay and Equal Monthly Financing

ExtendPay from U.S. Bank is the latest Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) installment service for credit cardholders. The new program allows eligible U.S. Bank credit cardholders to finance select purchases and repay them without interest for a setup fee.

The ExtendPay service is like other payment planning services, such as Chase’s My Chase Plan or Amex’s Plan It. U.S. Bank cardholders select an eligible purchase of $100 or more and pay off that purchase over a set number of months. These planned purchases won’t incur interest but will come with a small monthly surcharge.

Buy Now, Pay Later Growth Continues to Soar

The BNPL marketplace for credit cards is becoming increasingly competitive. Beyond U.S. Bank, Chase, and American Express, Barclays also offers a BNPL service called Easy Pay. Additionally, Visa has plans to roll out a BNPL API for issuers of cards on its payment network, perhaps as a way to fend off challenges by fintech start-ups like Splitit, which already offers an instore BNPL service that works through Apple Pay and Google Pay.

About U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank is a leading bank and credit card issuer, with over 14 million cardholders as of 2021. The bank is currently the 12th largest issuer of credit cards in the country, offering products to those with credit scores ranging from excellent to bad credit or no credit history. The bank features co-branded credit cards with major retailers like Kroger and REI, as well as cards from major travel brands, like Radisson and Korean Air.

Related Article: Capital One Takes On Buy Now, Pay Later Financing

Featured image by U.S. Bank

7 Online Shopping Secrets to Save Money

by Cory Santos
online shopping deals bestcards.com membership

Last updated on August 30th, 2021

Being savvy is crucial to maximizing your savings when you shop online. Unfortunately, retailers are always trying to find ways to make money off of simple tricks that are easily avoidable. Don’t let yourself all for common traps when making purchases online. Here are some of the best-kept shopping secrets that big brands don’t want you to know.

7 Online Shopping Secrets Major Retailers Don’t Want You to Know About

Here are some top tips for saving money when you shop online:

Use the Shopping Cart Trick

One of the easiest ways to get extra savings when shopping online is by using something called the “shopping cart trick.” This trick involves adding the items you want to purchase to your cart and then abandoning the purchase process.

When you add items to your online shopping cart and close the browser without making a purchase, the cookies the online shop uses will track this abandonment, and many retailers will attempt to get you to complete the transaction with additional savings. According to most online shopping experts, retailers will contact you within 48 hours of the failed purchase to provide extra discounts designed to get you to pull the trigger and make the purchase.

Go Incognito or Clear Cookies

As mentioned, online retailers use cookies to track the browsing and shopping habits of customers. Retailers use cookies for something known as “dynamic pricing.” This dynamic pricing involves utilizing a customer’s search history, location, and other factors to increase prices where possible. This shopping secret practice is especially prevalent with airlines and hotels.

The easiest way to avoid dynamic pricing when shopping online is to go incognito. Going into incognito mode (or private browsing) eliminates sites tracking your details and can show you the actual price of items – and not a price based on your browsing history or location. Another option is to delete your browser cookies before shopping.

Contact Customer Service

Customer service isn’t just there for when things go wrong. Using customer service can be a powerful ally when shopping online, as they can provide information about rebates, sales, or other promotional pricing.

Chatbots are a similarly helpful resource. These automated features can provide many of the same rebate offers as customer service agents without the potential awkwardness that may come from asking for discounts from a real human.

Don’t Forget to Try Using Expired Coupons

Most coupons you find online come with an expiration date. One shopping secret that most people don’t know, however, is that you might be able to use old coupons. Some retailers may honor expired coupons – but only if you ask! Once again, customer service is your friend.

Subscribe or Buy in Bulk

Buying in bulk is a great way to maximize savings when shopping online. If an item you are interested in is something you use every day (or regularly), buying large quantities can reduce the price per unit and save you serious money. The same applies to subscribing for weekly, monthly, or other recurring purchases and shipments. Amazon.com features many household, grocery. cleaning and pet items that can be subscribed to – often reducing the price by 15% or more.

Find the Ideal Credit Card for Each Purchase

Credit cards are an excellent way to save even more when shopping online. However, when you do online shopping, not all credit cards are the same. Finding the right credit card for each purchase is essential to getting the best savings.

Cash back credit cards are an excellent way to boost savings since eligible purchases earn money back. Some cash back cards, like the Discover It or Chase Freedom Flex, offer up to 5% back on revolving categories, while other cards, like the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards, offer 3% back on broad categories like home and health and auto.

Travel rewards cards offer additional savings via points, plus luxury perks when it comes to booking flights or hotels. Airline cards might offer priority boarding or seat upgrades, while hotel cards might offer free nights, complimentary breakfast, or other bonus offers.

Use Online Coupons and Deals

Retailers want you to use coupons because when you use them, you buy products from them. Online coupons and deals are some of the best ways to save – especially when paired with the right credit card.

However, finding the right online deals and coupons can be challenging because they can be scattered over multiple sites. Fortunately, reputable coupon and deal websites catalog all the latest deals and help you save some serious money when shopping online. Using an online deals portal allows you to combine offers and supercharge your savings.

BestCards Membership is one such online deal site. The BestCards portal allows members to combine their favorite credit card with coupons from leading retailers, credit card 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 offers for later, view their deals history with comprehensive reporting, and more. Click here for more information on BestCards.com Membership.

Related Article: The Best Credit Cards for Amazon Prime Day 2021

Featured image by Tumisu/PixaBay

Visa Launches Visa Installment BNPL Service

by Cory Santos
visa-launches-visa-installment-bnpl-service

Last updated on August 4th, 2021

Visa is joining the fast-growing ranks of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services. The payments giant has quietly launched its Visa installment solutions, allowing card issuers to opt for installment payments instead of credit card payments.

Visa Adds Buy Now, Pay Later Feature

Buy Now, Pay Later services are surging in popularity. These BNPL services allow customers to finance purchases in set installments, forgoing the debt that comes from traditional credit cards. BNPL will enable users to pay off those purchases without interest – for an additional set-up fee.

Visa is now looking to gain a share of the BNPL market with a new service: Visa Installment Solutions. The new Visa Installment Solutions is an API that card issuers can request, allowing them to offer Buy Now, Pay Later benefits to their customers. The API will work off the company’s Visa Developer platform and s expected to be released on a pilot trial soon.

BNPL Is a “Red-Hot Space”

“There’s overwhelming demand in this red-hot space,” Visa’s Mary Kay Bowman told San Francisco Business Times in an interview. “Consumers want choice. If you look at markets around the world, it’s hard to find one where installments usage isn’t increasing.

“The Visa installment solution has benefits for everyone in the ecosystem,” Bowman added. “It lets issuers give cardholders buy now, pay later options on existing credit lines, without new loans or sign-ups.

“We’re also actively supporting and investing in our fintech partners — from Klarna to Affirm to Afterpay — that are fueling the adoption of installment capabilities globally,” Bowman said. “These fintech partners come to Visa to take advantage of our acceptance reach with sellers and the security and risk layers we can provide.”

Other BNPL Services

As mentioned, BNPL services have experienced exponential growth over the past few years. Affirm has been the leader in the space for some time, with the BNPL company launching a debit card earlier this year. However, the competition has become much fiercer, with major names like Shopify creating installment plans to gain market share. Earlier this month Splitit created an in-store BNPL service that works with existing credit cards.

Related Article: Goldman Sachs Rumored to Launch “Apple Pay Later”

Featured image by Chronomarchie/PixaBay

Bookkeeper360 Adds Brex Integration

by Cory Santos
bookkeeper360-adds-brex-integration

Last updated on January 11th, 2024

Bookkeeper360, an emerging fintech accounting solution, has launched an app that lets businesses analyze transactions across multiple platforms. The new app also provides Brex integration, making it a valuable tool for businesses of all sizes to find financial and technical resources and solutions.

New Bookkeeper360 App Launches

The new Bookkeeper360 app can analyze billions of dollars in transactions, offering companies the opportunity to predict trends in cash flow and create cost-effective recommendations that can save small businesses time and money. These recommendations include ways to alleviate cash runaway and cash burn, set revenue goals, and view payroll expense breakdowns.

Bookkeeper 360 offers integrations with several powerful financial tools, including:

  • Quickbooks Online
  • Xero
  • Gusto Payroll

Brex Mastercard Integration

The new app also provides integration with the Brex Corporate Card. Through Bookkeeper360, users can see their eligibility for the Brex Card – and even begin the application process from within the app itself. The Bookkeeper/Brex integration also provides exclusive savings and discounts for Brex Cardholders, including a $300 sign-up bonus.

Brex Mastercard® Corporate Credit Card

Brex Mastercard® Corporate Credit 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
None Annual Fee

Brex Mastercard® Corporate Credit Card

At a Glance

Brex is a fintech credit card and charge card with startups, entrepreneurs, and small businesses in mind. The Brex Mastercard offers no annual fee, no hidden fees, and credit limits “10 – 20X higher” than other corporate credit cards.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • 10-20X higher limits than traditional business credit cards
  • No personal guarantee required
  • No fees and no interest charges
  • Create virtual credit cards for your team as soon as you're approved
  • Built-in QuickBooks, NetSuite, and Xero integrations
  • You're willing to repay your balance in full within 30 days
  • You need access to a high credit limit
  • You travel for business frequently
  • You plan to make use of Amazon Web Service (AWS) and Google Ad so you can earn credits provided by Brex
Brex Mastercard® Corporate Credit Card

Brex Mastercard® Corporate Credit Card

Terms & Conditions
Visit Card Site Terms & Conditions

“Integrated Growth at a Fraction of the Cost”

Speaking in a press release accompanying the launch, Bookkeeper360 CEO, Nick Pasquarosa, hailed the launch and Brex partnership. “We are so excited to launch our AI-powered marketplace, and I am pleased to share that we have prequalified $9 Million in funding for customers to accelerate growth with our initial pilot segment,” he said.

“We are very excited for Brex’s and Bookkeeper360’s renewed partnership and focus on serving small businesses,” said James Simpson, Lead, Accounting Partnerships at Brex, while talking about their new partnership with Bookkeeper360. “This new app empowers small businesses by providing performance analytics and lending solutions in one simple marketplace, and together, our companies can provide thousands of companies integrated growth tools at a fraction of the cost.”

About Bookkeeper360

Bookkeeper360 is a fintech accounting solution for small businesses. The company’s product offerings include SaaS business intelligence tools and tech-enabled accounting, advisory, back-office, payroll, and tax services provided by its 100% U.S. Based team of CPAs and accounting experts.

Related Article: Brex Adds Crypto Redemption Option

Featured image by Bookkeeper360

Citi Adds AAdvantage As a Transfer Partner

by Cory Santos
citi-adds-aadvantage-as-a-transfer-partner

Last updated on April 21st, 2023

Citi has a new, limited-time-only offer for ThankYou Rewards cardmembers. From now through November 13, 2021, Citi cardholders can transfer their ThankYou Reward points American Airlines AAdvantage miles for the first time. Here is everything you need to know about the Citi ThankYou Points to AAdvantage miles promotion:

Citi ThankYou Points Now Transfer to American Airlines

Citibank and American Airlines are partnering to provide Citi ThankYou points cardholders with additional value this summer and fall. Citi cardholders that earn ThankYou rewards points can now transfer those points to American Airlines’ AAdvantage program for the first time. The special promotion runs from July 18 to November 12, 2021.

AAdvantage mles are valid for 18 months after transferred and can be redeemed easily for flights, flight upgrades, vacation packages, hotel stays, car rentals, and more through the American Airlines loyalty program

Current Citi credit cards eligible for this AAdvantage promotion include the Citi Prestige (no longer accepting new applicants), plus the Citi Premier, Preferred, and Rewards+ Card. Citi already issues co-branded credit cards with American Airlines, including the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®, the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp Mastercard®, the Citi® AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard®, and the Citi® AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®.

“Prioritizing Innovative New Offerings” to Shake the COVID Blues

Citi believes the new promotion will provide exceptional value to lockdown-weary cardholders ready to get out and travel. According to a recent survey with Citi and The Harris Poll, Americans expect to take an average of 2.2 personal roundtrip flights before the end of 2021. The study also found that while 52% of Americans who travel by plane have paid at least part of a flight or upgrade using credit card points and airline miles, 28% of Americans who fly and haven’t paid in points before – but are interested in doing so in the future.

Additional study findings:

  • 74% of respondents have or will pay for travel using a credit card
  • 26% of respondents have already purchased a travel ticket
  • 60% of millennials plan on taking a personal trip before the end of 2021

“Citi continues to prioritize innovative new offerings that help our customers use their points when and where it matters most,” said Chris Fred, Managing Director and Head of Proprietary Cards and Loyalty at Citi. “With this limited time offer, we are so pleased to provide our ThankYou cardmembers with a hyper-relevant redemption option as customers are eager to take to the skies.”

Related Article: Is AAdvantage Dining Really Worth It?

Featured image by ArtisticOperations/PixaBay

Delta Extends SkyMiles Medallion Status

by Cory Santos
delta-extends-skymiles-medallion-status-through-2023

Last updated on February 20th, 2024

Delta Air Lines is extending Medallion status for SkyMiles members once again. The carrier also extended SkyMiles tier status last year, though this year’s extension is counter to moves by many of the leading carriers in the United States. Here is what you need to know about Delta extending SkyMiles Medallion status through 2023:

Delta Extends Medallion Status and MQMs Through Start of 2023

The coronavirus pandemic forced nearly every airline to extend frequent flyer program status for an additional year. With the resuming of regular travel in 2021, however, many carriers are forgoing extensions to elite status in their loyalty programs. Delta, however, is keeping true to its customers and extending Medallion status yet again.

Effective immediately, Delta will extend the current status of SkyMiles Medallion members through January 31, 2023. The carrier is also rolling over Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) earned from 2021 to 2022. This MQM roll-over will allow members to earn their 2023 Medallion status – without fear of travel restrictions wiping out their elite tier status.

Other notable updates for Delta SkyMiles Medallion members include:

  • All Members will continue to earn toward Status on Award Travel through December 31, 2022
  • All Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates will be extended for travel through January 31, 2023
  • Current Delta 360 members will enjoy their benefits for an additional year through January 31, 2023. Delta 360 Members will also be able to select Diamond Choice Benefits.

Amex Cardholders Receive Travel Perk Extensions

Delta is also extending the expiration date for some perks of co-branded American Express Delta SkyMiles credit cards. Amex and Delta will extend the following benefits through January 31, 2023:

  • Delta SkyMiles Gold Card: Members who earn a $100 Delta Flight Credit between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021, will have the expiration date extended to January 31, 2023.
  • Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card: Members with unused Companion Certificates as of July 31, 2021, or Companion Certificates issued between August 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021, will have the expiration date extended to book and fly by January 31, 2023.
  • Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card: Members with Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes issued between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021, will have the expiration dates extended to January 31, 2023. Reserve SkyMiles Cardholders will also receive the same extension of unused SkyMiles Companion Certificates as Platinum Cardholders.

Customer Loyalty Has Never Been More Important

Speaking in a press release, Delta’s SVP of Customer Engagement, Dwight James, said that customer loyalty has never been more critical. “After an unprecedented year, we are thrilled to see so many of our loyal Members back in the skies and reuniting with loved ones,” he said. “However, we know traveling looks different than it did before the pandemic. No matter what your situation has been throughout the past year, we want to do all we can to make your return to travel seamless and rewarding, with the assurance that Delta is listening and responding to take care of you every step of the way.”

Related Article: The Ultimate Guide to Delta Air Lines SkyMiles

Featured image by Delta

JetBlue Extends Barclays Credit Card Partnership

by Cory Santos
barclays jetblue credit card

Last updated on August 9th, 2021

Barclays and JetBlue are extending their co-branded credit card relationship thanks to a new agreement between the bank, the carrier, and payment network Mastercard. The new long-term partnership agreement will see Barclays continue to be the exclusive home of JetBlue credit cards in the United States.

Barclays and JetBlue Extend Airline Card Partnership

JetBlue and Barclays have renewed their co-branded airline credit card relationship. The agreement comes after interest in the JetBlue credit card portfolio from Goldman Sachs, which is seeking to extend its credit card offerings beyond the Apple Card and the GM family of credit cards.

Barclays has been the exclusive U.S. credit card partner of JetBlue since 2016. The bank currently issues three co-branded credit cards, all of which earn points and offer perks in the JetBlue TrueBlue frequent flyer program:

jetblue card

JetBlue Card

jetblue business card

JetBlue Business Card

JetBlue Plus Card

JetBlue Plus Card

Barclays and JetBlue Hail Partnership

Speaking in a press release that accompanied the news of the partnership extension, Don Uselmann, VP of loyalty at JetBlue, hailed the partnership and the prospects of success. “We have had a highly successful collaboration with both Barclays and Mastercard. Building on our current best-in-class products, we are already acting on a plan that will disrupt the industry and bring even more value to our cardmembers,” he said. “Over time, we will introduce an enhanced product set, reimagined benefits, and a high degree of personalization and choice.”

“During the past five years, we have built a sizeable credit card portfolio with JetBlue. We are thrilled to have the privilege to continue our strong and collaborative partnership, and we look forward to providing JetBlue cardmembers with robust rewards, benefits, and experiences for years to come,” added Bob Highland, head of cards and partnerships, Barclays U.S. Consumer Bank. “Barclays’ ‘partner first approach enables us to invest in highly customized solutions that outperform our brand-focused competitors in growing the size, scale, and customer penetration of our programs.”

Agreement Also Reached with Mastercard

The new JetBlue and Barclays agreement also includes Mastercard. The Mastercard payment network is utilized by all three credit cards in the portfolio and provides travel and lifestyle benefits for cardholders.

“Mastercard’s suite of benefit offerings and Priceless platforms, coupled with the Barclays and JetBlue custom-curated benefits, ensure that consumers can enjoy an enhanced travel experience from booking through departure,” said John Levitsky, EVP account management in North America for Mastercard. “With cardmember needs at the core of the partnership, Mastercard will also leverage its Test & Learn platform and loyalty solutions to enable continued innovation within the card offerings.”

Related Article: JetBlue Hypes New London Service In-Flight Amenities

Featured image by JetBlue

Visa Purchases Fintech Currencycloud for $962 Million

by Cory Santos
visa-purchases-fintech-currencycloud-for-962-million

Last updated on February 20th, 2024

Visa continues to diversify its financial holdings, with Currencycloud its latest acquisition. The payments giant has agreed to purchase the British-based international payments facilitator for approximately $962.01 million (GBP 700 million), subject to regulatory approval. Here is what you need to know about Visa’s acquisition of Currencycloud:

Visa to Acquire Currencycloud

Visa is continuing to increase its crypto footprint with an agreement to purchase British fintech Currencycloud for $962 million. The announcement of the purchase agreement is the latest chapter in Visa’s aggressive push into the world of fintech and cryptocurrencies. It follows on from a $2 billion bid to purchase open banking platform Tink last month.

Currencycloud is a fintech startup that helps facilitate cross-border payments for almost 500 banks and technology firms. The company, founded in 2012, also works with some of the most prominent leaders in European fintech, including names like Revolut, Klarna, Monzo, and more. To date, Currencycloud has facilitated over $75 billion in payments across 180 countries.

Visa was previously a stakeholder in Currencycloud, with other stakeholders including BNP Paribas, Google Ventures, Siam Commercial Bank, and SBI Group. Despite the Visa takeover, Currencycloud will keep its London headquarters and maintain its management team. It should be noted that the takeover is not final and is subject to regulatory approval.

Visa ContinuesPattern of Aggressive Acquisition

“The acquisition of Currencycloud is another example of Visa executing on our network of networks strategy to facilitate global money movement,” said Colleen Ostrowski, Visa’s Global Treasurer, in a statement accompanying the news.

As mentioned, Visa has been aggressively pursuing avenues of diversification as the payment giant looks to expand its reach beyond credit and debit cards. Last month the American company agreed to a $2.1 billion purchase of Swedish fintech Tink – a leader in the open banking space. That purchase followed on the heels of an aborted attempt to purchase Plaid, a rival of Tink, due to the threat of a monopoly suit by the U.S. Department of Justice, who saw the merger as “a monopoly in online debit transactions.”

Featured image by Currencycloud

Upgrade Launches Bitcoin Rewards Card

by Cory Santos
Upgrade Launches Bitcoin Rewards Card crypto credit card

Last updated on August 14th, 2023

Upgrade, Inc. has launched the first widely available bitcoin credit card – the Upgrade Bitcoin Rewards Card. The new crypto credit card offers unlimited 1.5% BTC on all purchases as the cardholder makes their monthly payments. Here is what you need to know about the launch of the Upgrade Bitcoin Rewards Visa:

Upgrade Launches First Widely Available Bitcoin Rewards Credit Card

Upgrade, a leading fintech that provides lending and credit card options for consumers, has launched its latest product, the Upgrade Visa® Card with Bitcoin Rewards. The new credit card offers users unlimited 1.5% bitcoin rewards with every purchase, with no annual fee.

The newest Upgrade Card is the first widely available cryptocurrency credit card on the market in the U.S. Other crypto cards are available, but those require a membership with a crypto trading platform – such as the BlockFi Rewards Visa® Signature.

On the other hand, Upgrade’s Bitcoin Rewards Card is available to anyone eligible for a credit card, with bitcoin (BTC) rewards applying towards paying down card balances via statement credits. However, the unique hook with the BTC version of the Upgrade Visa is that those rewards can ride the rollercoaster that is the cryptocurrency marketplace – with the potential for more rewards than with a traditional cash back card tied to fiat currency.

Upgrade Card Features

The Upgrade Bitcoin Rewards Card also features one of the lowest purchase APRs for applicants with excellent credit available and offers an easy-to-use credit line with 12, 24, 36, or 60 months installment plans variable based on the applicant’s creditworthiness. Credit limits with the card are between $500 to $25,000. The new Bitcoin Visa from Upgrade includes Visa Signature benefits, including trip and baggage insurance, Visa Luxury Hotels Collection access, purchase protection, and extended warranty coverage.

Responsible Credit with the Fun of Owning Bitcoin

Speaking in a release accompanying the launch of the Upgrade Visa® Card with Bitcoin Rewards, Renaud Laplanche, co-founder and CEO at Upgrade, highlighted the excitement that comes from bitcoin rewards. “Upgrade Card is already delivering over $3 billion in annualized credit to consumers,” he said. “Starting today, anyone can apply for an Upgrade Bitcoin Rewards Card and enjoy the same affordable and responsible credit as with any Upgrade Card, plus the potential upside and fun of owning bitcoin.”

An Exciting Addition to the Upgrade Portfolio

The new Upgrade Bitcoin Rewards Card is just one of Upgrade’s credit card offerings. The fintech also issues two cash back cards, which feature the same exceptionally low APR and Visa Signature perks and protections:


Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®
Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®
Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment Unlimited cash back on payments – 3% on Home, Auto and Health categories and 1% on everything else

The Upgrade Visa® Card with Cash Rewards is the fiat currency version of the bitcoin rewards card. The card earns an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases once the cardholder pays off their statement balance each month.

The Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® offers accelerated cash back on select categories, with the same great rates and features as Upgrade’s other credit products. Cardholders earn an unlimited 3% cash back on home, auto, and health category purchases, with 1% back on all other purchases. Like the other Upgrade Card products, cash back is awarded once the account holder pays their statement balance in full each month.

About Upgrade

Upgrade is a fintech seeking to provide a mobile banking experience that delivers exceptional value to its customers by offering affordable and responsible credit through cards and loans and market-leading rewards. The company provides personal loans, credit cards, and rewards checking accounts, and has made over $7 billion in credit available to customers since 2017.

Related Article: Is Bitcoin the Future of Credit Card Rewards?

Featured image by tombark / PixaBay

5 Ways to Find the Best Deals When Online Shopping

by Cory Santos
best deals online shopping

Last updated on January 31st, 2024

Online shopping provides you with the opportunity to buy whatever you want from the comfort of your own home. Beyond the ease of shopping from wherever you want, online shopping lets you compare multiple sites to find the best price – without the hassle of having to visit numerous stores and waste time (and gas). But finding the best online deals requires strategy. Here are five ways to find the best deals in online shopping and maximize your savings:

How to Find the Best Deals When Shopping Online

Be Strategic About How You Shop

One of the best ways to save is to be strategic when you shop online. Strategy and online shopping go hand and hand, especially when it comes to the time of year.

The holiday season is one of the best times to find online deals, thanks to the fierce competition between brands looking to capture your attention (and money). Mega-sites, like Amazon, might be your first choice when looking for that must-have item, but shopping with department stores can provide additional bonuses.

“Some high-end department stores, like Neiman Marcus, will give you a gift card if you spend at a certain threshold,” says Erik Budde, CEO of GigaPoints. “And Apple has done this with the Apple Watch.”

Leave Items in Your Shopping Cart

Sometimes you talk yourself out of a purchase right before you check out. What you might not know, however, is that leaving that item in your shopping cart can actually save you money.

Leaving items in your shopping cart is known as the “shopping cart trick” and can score you savings of 10%, 201%, or more. Because many sites use cookies to track your shopping habits, leaving products in your cart is a great way to have the retailer send you a reminder email or message – and offer you a discount for pulling the trigger and making a purchase.

Use Coupon Codes

Coupon codes are a lifesaver when shopping, so make it a rule to never shop online without one. There are plenty of online sites that provide the latest coupon codes for a huge assortment of retailers. Using coupon codes takes very little effort but can save you around 10% to 20% when making your next purchase.

Get Special Savings with Credit Card Offers

Credit cards are one of the best ways to maximize savings when shopping online. The benefits of credit cards are two-fold: rewards and deals.

Credit Card Rewards

Many credit cards offer rewards on eligible purchases, with standard rewards structures including points and cash back rewards. Credit cards that earn points are an excellent option for those that want to use their rewards for travel savings, merchandise with select retailers, or gift cards.

Cash back rewards, on the other hand, offer greater versatility. There is a huge selection of cash back cards, with some of the best options offering up to 2.5% back on all eligible purchases. Still others offer accelerated cash back on select categories, such as the Discover It and Chase Freedom Flex.

Payment Network & Bank Deals

Many credit card payment networks offer special savings for holders of that network’s debit or credit cards. American Express, Visa, and Mastercard all provide these savings to cardholders – with deals including travel discounts at hotels, rental car discounts, and even savings on subscription email services.

Banks also provide exclusive online offers for cardholders, with Chase Offers and Wells Fargo Deals two of the more prominent examples. Combining offers from your credit card’s payment network or bank with the rewards the car earns is an excellent way to maximize your savings when shopping online.

Find Online Shortcuts

Some sites provide shortcuts that can help you streamline your online shopping and help you maximize your savings. These sites can make saving money a breeze and help you find deals you might have otherwise missed. One of the easiest ways to find an online shortcut is to use a deals portal that takes all the confusion out of finding deals and combining offers that save you money.

BestCards.com’s Membership portal is one such online shortcut.  The Membership site takes the guesswork out of online shopping and does much of the work needed to save you money. Even better – you can actually earn money when shopping through the BestCards portal.

Select merchant offers through the Membership Portal entitle the user to a cash back payout, meaning shopping with BestCards might make you money. 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 offers for later, view their deals history with comprehensive reporting, and more.

The BestCards Membership platform offers much more than deals, however. Save your favorite credit cards and see how they can help you save. Or compare card offers to find the right one for you. You can even leave cardholders reviews, save cards, and browse through BestCards.com’s over 900 credit card reviews.  

Want to learn more about BestCards Membership? Click the link below and join the best-kept secret (for now) in online shopping.

Join BestCards Membership

SALT Card Waitlist Now Open

by Cory Santos
salt card waitlist now open

Last updated on March 1st, 2023

The SALT crypto credit card is one of the most anticipated crypto credit cards of 2021. While the card is still in the development stages, potential applicants can now sign-up for the SALT Card waitlist. Here is what you need to know about the most recent developments with the first secured crypto rewards credit card:

SALT Card Opens Waitlist

Crypto rewards enthusiasts can now join the waitlist for the SALT Card. The card is set to be the first secured crypto rewards credit card on the market in the United States, allowing users to use their crypto to make purchases – without selling, or spending, any of the crypto.

Because the SALT Card uses bitcoin (BTC) as collateral for the credit line, no credit check is needed to get the card. This unique structure also allows for greater flexibility with credit limits, letting cardholders increase their credit lines with additional bitcoin staking.

“Empowering People”

Speaking with cryptonews.com, SALT CEO Justin English said the hotly anticipated card would change how consumers view crypto rewards credit cards. “Unlike other cards on the market that encourage you to spend your crypto, we designed the SALT Card to be just the opposite,” he said. “It’s designed to help our customers HODL their assets and earn crypto rewards with every purchase so they can build wealth and grow their portfolios simply by living their everyday lives.

“Historically, financial success has hinged on this archaic idea of building credit, which is completely counterproductive because we’re taught that you have to spend money to borrow money, and it becomes this endless toxic cycle, ” he continued. “By taking the idea of the traditional credit card, removing the credit score element, and swapping it out for a credit line secured by crypto, we’re empowering people to transition from this idea of building credit to building wealth.”

SALT Card Details

SALT Card users will have access to a credit limit of up to 60% of their crypto held, with bitcoin being just one method of collateral. Other supported cryptocurrencies include:

  • Ethereum (ETH)
  • Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
  • Litecoin (LTC)
  • Paxos Gold (PAXG)
  • SALT token (SALT)
  • TrueUSD (TUSD)
  • USD Coin (USDC)
  • Paxos Standard (PAX)

The card mirrors some of SALT’s other financial products, including personal and business loans backed by cryptocurrency. SALT’s other crypto loan products feature no origination fees and repayment terms of up to 12 months.

The date of the SALT Card is currently unknown, as there is no payment network or issuing bank at the moment.

Related Article: BlockFi Rewards Bitcoin Credit Card Now Live

Featured image by SALT

How to Increase Your Credit Limit

by Cory Santos
how to increase your credit limit

Last updated on April 3rd, 2024

If you find that your current line of credit has grown a bit small for your spending, requesting an increase to your credit limit might be in order. It’s a process that sounds simple enough, and sometimes it is, but requesting an increase can have multiple consequences on your financial standing – both positive and negative. In addition to having a legitimate reason for getting an extension, you must also have the timing right, and you should be aware of how your overall credit is impacted.

Before Your Request an Increase

Meeting the Eligibility for a Credit Line Increase

It’s possible to receive a credit increase if you simply call your issuer out of the blue, but it pays (no pun intended) to be prepared before you pick up the phone. Review the following factors ahead of making your request:

  • Your account’s standing: It should go without saying that the credit account you want an increase for should be as spotless as possible, with on-time payments and balances kept low, if not at zero. You’re trying to show that you’re responsible enough borrowing money that having access to a higher amount won’t pose a risk for the issuer.
  • Income: Your income should complement the level of spending available to you. Requesting a credit increase if you’ve recently lost your job or downgraded your current post tells the issuer that you want more spending power with no realistic means of paying back what you owe.
  • Your credit history: Expect to have a harder time being approved for an extension if your credit report is stained with negative information. Open accounts with high balances or those that have gone into collections are all items that affect your credit score and give a bleak impression of you to credit card issuers, and they won’t want to risk their money with someone who likely won’t pay it back.
  • Credit utilization: How much of your current credit are you already using? If you often knock at your limit’s door, but you pay off your balance on time and in full, then it’s certainly reasonable to ask for an increase. If you’re still chipping away at a purchase you made several months ago and only paying the minimum monthly payments though, it might be best to reevaluate your spending before making the call.

Do You Want or Need to Increase Your Credit Limit

This should be the first question you ask yourself before even planning to contact your card issuer. Is the higher credit limit and extra spending power necessary or simply a commodity you’d like to have just in case you happen to buy more things?

Asking for a credit increase because you want to spend more money – and not thinking about the long-term effects of more spending – isn’t just short-sighted, it’s also irresponsible. If you now have more necessary expenses – be it for your business, your children, your home, or your day-to-day life – you should ask for an increase because all factors indicate that you need one.

If you’re using your credit card for more casual pursuits such as purchasing clothes, traveling, or dining at gourmet restaurants, there’s no harm in phoning your issuer as long as your funds can pay off any balances your rack up. You must first be able to justify – to yourself, at the very least – an increase before you say the words to your issuer.

When (and When Not) to Request an Increase

If all signs point to you getting approved for an increase, you should also feel confident that it’s the right time to make the request.

Is your credit card account in top shape? Good. Is your credit history healthy? Great. Did you recently get a raise or move to a higher-paying job? Even better.

The opposite is also true regarding when you should wait or ditch the idea of an increase altogether. In addition, you should make sure that your account isn’t too new. Asking for a higher limit when you haven’t even had your card for six months will probably result in a denial. If you’ve recently requested increases for other lines of credit, you will want to let some time go by, as well.

How to Ask for a Credit Limit Increase

Asking your card issuer for a credit limit increase is a fairly straightforward process. Most issuers make the process available through their online site or through their mobile app – especially major issuers like American Express, Chase, Citi, Discover, and Capital One.

When you submit a request for a credit line increase, e prepared to provide the following information:

  • Annual income
  • Employment status and information
  • Housing status (own/rent) and monthly payments

Other questions you might have to answer include proposed credit limit increase amount and reasons for requesting a credit increase.

If you don’t have access to the mobile app or website, you can also call a bank customer service reprensative to ask for your credit limit increase. Here are some of the customer service representative numbers for major issuers:

Keep in mind that credit line increases are not guaranteed. If your request fails, make sure to ask why, but be prepared to wait around eight months to a year before requesting another increase. In the meantime, keep credit utilization low – but don’t stop using your card. 

amex increase your credit limit
Amex online credit limit request

The Impact on Your Credit After You Request an Increase

So you’ve contacted your card issuer and requested a credit line increase. Now what? If the issuer approved it, congratulations!

However, you shouldn’t just forget everything you’ve read and find the nearest place to use your plastic. Both short-term and long-term repercussions come with requesting and receiving a credit extension.

Be aware that when you contact your card issuer and request a credit limit increase, it’s likely that the issuer will do a hard pull of your credit report to evaluate where you stand. A hard pull will ding a few points off your credit score, and the inquiry will remain on your report for two years.

If you make several calls for more credit, it may mean multiple hard inquiries in a short period – an unfavorable look on your report. An increase can also help your reputation, though.

Having more credit yet keeping your spending relatively the same will raise your credit utilization ratio. This means you have more money available to spend, but your actual expenses are kept low.

Having a low ratio reflects well on you and keeping it up will eventually move your credit score up. Your ratio will obviously be higher if you spend more as a result of your credit increase, but this won’t necessarily be bad as long as you continue to make on-time payments and keep your balance as close to zero as possible.

Bottom Line

Almost everything regarding credit is a balancing act, and careful consideration before making any decision that involves credit will always be a wise move. The same applies to seeking more credit for personal lines of credit, home equity lines of credit, and other personal loans. It’s important to not make any hasty calls when they involve your finances, and you should always be aware of the impact your actions will have. As the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility.

Related Article: Five Signs You Might Have Too Many Credit Cards

Featured image by geralt/PixaBay

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