Banorte Launches New Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards in Mexico

by Cory Santos
Banorte launches new Marriott Bonvoy credit cards in Mexico

Last updated on April 21st, 2023

Marriott Bonvoy has launched two new credit cards, further indicating the growing demand in global travel. The new cards target the Mexican market and offer impressive rewards for stays at over 7,600 Marriott properties worldwide.

Marriott Introduces New Credit Cards in Mexico

Banorte, a leading Mexican bank, and Marriott have launched two new credit cards for the Mexican market. The new cards, the Marriott Bonvoy Gold Mastercard and the Marriott Bonvoy Inspire Platinum Mastercard, provide Mexican residents with impressive hotel perks, Bonvoy elite status, and more.

About the Cards

The Marriott Bonvoy Gold Mastercard provides cardholders 4X points for every U.S. dollar spent at Marriott Bonvoy properties worldwide, 2X points on flights and supermarket purchases, and 1X points on every other U.S. dollar spent with the card.  Cardholders also receive 12,500 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $1,000 in purchases within the first three months from the opening of the account and a free night award certificate if they spend over USD 7,500 on purchases annually.

Other features of the Gold Mastercard from Marriott and Banorte include:

  • Complimentary Silver Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program
  • Airport lounge access at Terminal 1 of Mexico City International Airport (AICM)
  • Valet service at Terminal 1 of AICM, courtesy of Mastercard

The Marriott Bonvoy Inspire Platinum Mastercard provides even greater value for cardholders. The card earns 6X points for every U.S. dollar spent at Marriott Bonvoy properties worldwide and 3X points and airfare purchases, grocery, gas and dining.

Cardholders also enjoy complimentary Gold Elite status in the Bonvoy program and a 25,000-point sign-up bonus after spending USD 1,000 within the first three months.  They will also enjoy the same lounge access and valet service at Mexico City International Airport as Gold Cardholders. Both cards feature no foreign transaction fees.

Important Benefits for Customer That Love to Travel”

The launch of the new Marriott credit cards was heralded by Banorte, who already issues co-branded cards with other companies, including AT&T and United Airlines:

“We at Banorte are very committed to offering each client what they really need. In order to continue doing so, we partnered with Marriott International and Mastercard. We’re convinced that through this alliance we will offer very important benefits for customers that love to suetravel since we want them to be totally safe and comfortable,” said Francisco Martha, General Director of Digital Business Development at Grupo Financiero. Banorte.

About Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy is the loyalty program of the Marriott portfolio of properties. The Marriott Bonvoy program is regarded as one of the most exceptional hotel rewards programs available today and prides itself on offering elite-level benefits and excellent redemption value.

The Marriott portfolio includes over 30 brands and more than 7,600 properties worldwide. Brands within the Bonvoy program include Aloft, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn, JW Marriott, Westin, and more. Marriott issues several co-branded hotel credit cards for U.S. consumers through American Express and Chase.

Related Article: Stori Aims to Improve Credit Card Access to Mexicans

Featured image by Banorte

IHG Rewards Devaluing Points?

by Cory Santos
ihg-rewards-devaluing-points

Last updated on April 27th, 2021

IHG is devaluing points in its IHG Rewards program – that’s the story from industry experts. How badly is IHG lowering points values, and does the program still offer value for money? Find out more here:

IHG “Variable Point Pricing” Resulting In Point Devaluations

Many loyalty programs feature a fixed pricing format. This pricing strategy allows members to plan their travel and calculate the value of redeeming miles or points before booking. Unfortunately, the system does not allow for price variations based on demand and market rates.

IHG Rewards (the InterContinental Hotels Group’s loyalty program) unveiled “Variable Point Pricing” in January of 2020. This process provides higher IHG Rewards points value based on lower demand at specific properties, but it makes calculating point valuations more challenging.

According to multiple reports from IHG Rewards members, the Variable Point Pricing is now leading to a significant devaluation of points. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, booking nights at properties now carries significantly more costs – and that is being reflected in points valuations.

William Charles, a rewards industry expert, is seeing evidence of IHG Rewards points being “worth less than 0.4¢ of the list price,” with other frequent travelers noting similar discrepancies elsewhere. Some European hotels, for example, have a 100% markup. Charles also notes that this was a concern he anticipated at some point during the pandemic and that more devaluations with other programs are likely to follow.

Value Still There to Be Found

Despite the devaluations of points, the IHG Rewards Variable Point Pricing is still offering significant value for money in many instances. There appears to be a solid mix of overpriced properties with hidden bargains. The key, however, is to do your homework before booking to ensure you get the best value.

About IHG Rewards

IHG Rewards is the loyalty program of the IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio of properties. There are over 5,600 properties within the program, including prominent names like Holiday Inn, Crown Plaza Hotels, Kimpton, and more.

IHG currently offers a co-branded hotel rewards credit card through Chase, the IHG® Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card. The Traveler Card earns with IHG stays and 2X points at grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants.

Related Article: The Ultimate Guide to Hotel Credit Cards

Featured photo by Shopify / Burst

JetBlue Hypes New London Service In-Flight Amenities

by Cory Santos
jetblue mint suite london

Last updated on July 23rd, 2021

JetBlue is hyping the upcoming launch of its new London service. The new transatlantic service will see passengers in New York and Boston hopping the pond and visiting London through JetBlue for the first time. Now, JetBlue is showcasing the new London routes and the impressive amenities on-board.

JetBlue Unveils London In-Flight Services

JetBlue is increasing the excitement in advance of its new London routes. The new London services, which fly from New York (JFK International Airport) and Boston (Logan International Airport), are expected to begin later this year and will make use of the spacious Airbus A321LR aircraft.

Travelers can expect the usual JetBlue bells-and-whistles, and more, including:

  • Personal 10.1-inch seatback TV with on-demand movies
  • Live TV (where available)
  • Free Fly-Fi on-board Wi-Fi from Viasat

A new Twist On Dining (and Snacking)

International travel provides a variety of perks not found with domestic travel. Travelers over the age of 21, for instance, can enjoy complimentary beer, wine, and spirits on flights. All international oceanic travelers also enjoy free meals on longer flights.

JetBlue is bringing both benefits to its JFK-LHR and BOS-LHR flights. The carrier is partnering with Dig to bring farm-to-tray-table, vegetable-forward menus, including the option to build your own meal from nine potential combinations of mains and bases.

JetBlue is also adding a self-service snack bar to flights for travelers feeling peckish. The self-service pantry includes the usual snacks you would expect from JetBlue – such as chips, pretzels, and more.

jetblue london pantry

Mint Suites

Business class is a common feature for most Transatlantic flights. JetBlue, however, does not provide the same business class fares as other leading airlines – until now.

Mint Suites is the new, all-aisle-access premium cabin tier. All Mint Suite fares include a lie-flat seat with Tuft & Needle’s T&N Adaptive® Foam cushions, a memory foam pillow, customizable blanket, and comfy slippers. Mint travelers will also enjoy a 17-inch television, wireless charging, and dedicated storage spaces for shoes, laptops, and more.

Need more space? The Mint Studio is a front-row-only first-class experience with the largest bed and TV on any U.S. carrier. The 22-inch TV joins a host of other perks, including a guest seat/worktable, more storage space, and complimentary loungewear.

jetblue london mint studio

About JetBlue

JetBlue is a leading American airline that offers low-cost flights to hundreds of destinations across the United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. JetBlue has hubs in New York, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Orlando, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Frequent flyers can earn rewards through the carrier’s TrueBlue loyalty program. That program also features co-branded airline cards issued by Barclays:

jetblue card

JetBlue Card

jetblue business card

JetBlue Business Card

JetBlue Plus Card

JetBlue Plus Card

Related Article: Overview of Lounge Amenities from Popular U.S. Airline Carriers 

Featured photo by Brodie Vissers / Burst

Gap Credit Card Portfolio to Shift to Barclays

by Cory Santos
gap credit card barclays

Last updated on August 24th, 2023

Gap Inc. is shifting its valuable credit card portfolio from Synchrony, according to a new report. The change will see Barclays begin issuing the Gap line of credit cards – the latest in a series of moves by Barclays this year. Here is what you need to know about the report and the Gap credit card portfolio’s potential shift to Barclays.

Gap Credit Cards Switching to Barclays?

According to a new report in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Gap is switching its credit card program from Synchrony to Barclays. Gap’s shift from Synchrony will end a two-decade partnership and mark the latest retail acquisition by Barclay’s growing consumer credit card portfolio.

The WSJ report, citing anonymous sources close to the matter, states that all of Gap’s portfolio of private-label and co-branded credit cards will shift to Barclays. This collection includes credit cards from Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta. All told, the Gap credit card portfolio features around 11 million credit card accounts and approximately $3.8 billion in total balances as of March.

Current Gap co-branded credit cards through Synchrony

Barclays Gearing Up for an Impressive 2021

2021 is shaping up to be a very busy year for Barclays. The British banking giant has already launched two new co-branded credit cards from AARP, the AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® and the AARP® Travel Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays. Those cards replace the old AARP® Credit Card, formerly issued through Chase.

The bank is also launching a new proprietary credit card, the Barclays View Mastercard, to replace the old Barclaycard Financing Visa – its first foray into its own credit card for several years following the removal of the popular Barclays Arrival credit cards. The new Barclays View Mastercard launches on May 7, 2021.

About Barclays

Barclays is one of the world’s largest financial institutions and a prominent issuer of co-branded credit cards. The bank currently has relationships with several U.S. and European airlines, including American Airlines, Emirates, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, and Lufthansa. The issuer also has co-branded offerings with Wyndham, Diamond Resorts, Barnes & Noble, the NFL, and more.

Related Article: Instacart, DoorDash Looking to Launch Credit Cards

Featured photo by  Matthew Henry / Burst

Citi Announces New Designs for Rewards Credit Cards

by Cory Santos

Last updated on October 16th, 2023

Citi has announced new card designs for its rewards credit card portfolio. Starting May 14, 2021, the Citi Prestige® Card, Citi Premier® Card, Citi Rewards+® Card, and ThankYou Preferred cards will feature a sleek, modern design. Here is what you need to know about the new card designs – and how cardholders can get their hands on them:

New Citi ThankYou Rewards Card Designs

The Citi ThankYou Rewards line of credit cards is getting a makeover. One of the largest issuers of credit cards in the United States, Citibank, has unveiled new card art for the Citi Prestige, Premier, Rewards+, and ThankYou Preferred cards. The new designs center the card names and provide a fresh, sleek look – just in time for Spring.

Existing cardholders will automatically receive the newly designed card product several weeks before their current card’s expiration date. New applicants receive the refreshed design if they apply after the launch on Mat 14, 2021. Additionally, those cardholders requesting a reissue or card replacement will also receive the new art after May 14.

Check Out the New Artwork

Here are the new designs for the Citi ThankYou Rewards cards (along with the current designs for comparison):

Here are the current designs for the Citi ThankYou Rewards cards:

 

Citi Premier® Card
citi prestige new artwork coming
Citi Prestige® Card
citi rewards plus old design
Citi Rewards+® Card

And here is the new artwork for the cards, courtesy of Citi:

new citi credit card artowrk

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 names like Macy’s, Best Buy, American Airlines, and Expedia..

Related Article: Citi Provides Update On True Name Feature Success

Featured photo by Sarah Pflug / Burst

Instacart, DoorDash Looking to Launch Credit Cards

by Cory Santos
instacart-doordash-looking-to-launch-credit-cards

Last updated on April 24th, 2023

According to a new report in the Wall Street Journal, both Instacart and DoorDash are seeking to launch their own credit cards. The potential news comes on the heels of overwhelming success for both brands, thanks in no small part to the coronavirus pandemic.

Instacart and DoorDash Considering Credit Card Launch

Instacart and DoorDash continue to ride the wave of success of at-home delivery services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The companies are experiencing significant growth thanks to grocery and meal delivery popularity during lockdowns and local dining restrictions.

Now, Instacart is partnering with JPMorgan Chase to launch a co-branded credit card. A new report in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) cites an anonymous source close to the matter that says the grocery delivery chain will launch a card with Chase designed to reward frequent Instacart users with either cash back or points on every delivery.

Similarly, DoorDash is purportedly in the initial stages of a potential launch. The same WSJ report notes that the takeout delivery service is welcoming offers from banks regarding a co-branded rewards card, with more than ten proposals received to date. These offers include well-known international banks and financial technology (or fintech) firms.

Chase the Ideal Partner

The partnership between Chase and Instacart is something of a no-brainer. Chase has a proven track record with co-branded credit cards, including Amazon (the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature) and Starbucks (the Starbucks Rewards™ Visa®). The bank also has an extensive array of partnerships with leading airlines and hotel chains, including United Airlines, Southwest, IHG, Marriott, and more.

Delivery Services Thrive in the COVID Landscape

While Chase has not branched into delivery services with its credit card co-branding efforts, the new move is a logical one. At-home industries, like meal and grocery delivery services, have been big winners in the coronavirus landscape. With the decline in travel cards over the last year, many banks are betting on everyday credit cards’ continued success that provides real-world benefits for things like groceries, dining, and online purchases.

Related Article: Free Instacart Express Trial with Mastercard

Featured photo by Sarah Pflug / Burst

Synchrony Discontinuing Marvel Mastercard

by Cory Santos
synchrony marvel discontinued

Last updated on September 7th, 2021

The Marvel Mastercard® is a popular credit card option for fans of the Marvel Universe. Unfortunately, Synchrony, the card’s issuer, is discontinuing the Marvel Mastercard in May, according to an email sent to current cardholders. Here is when Synchrony is discontinuing the Marvel Mastercard and what this means for existing account holders.

Synchrony Discontinuing Marvel Mastercard

Synchrony Bank issues a wide variety of credit cards from popular brands. One of those co-branded cards is the Marvel Mastercard®. The card, a popular option for Marvel Universe enthusiasts everywhere, earns 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, and Marvel.com or official merchandise booth purchases. The card also earns discounts on officially licensed merchandise from Marvel, movie tickets, and more.

Synchrony is now notifying current Marvel credit cardholders that their accounts will close on 5/27/2021. Cardholders will continue to make purchases with their Marvel Mastercard until the date they are discontinued.

Here is the message that Synchrony is sending to Marvel Mastercard holders regarding the card’s discontinuation:

marvel mastercard discontinued

Cardholders will need to keep making payments on their card if they maintain a balance on the discontinuation date. Any cash back rewards will be returned via a statement credit within two billing cycles after the 5/27/2021 closing date. Anyone with existing automatic payments will need to update their payment methods before 5/28/2021 to ensure no payment errors and missed payments.

Other Superhero Credit Card Options to Consider

While the Marvel Mastercard’s closure will frustrate existing cardholders, there are other superhero credit cards available. The no-annual-fee Disney® Visa® from Chase, for example is ideal for Star Wars fans.

Related Article: New Funko Pop! Batman Credit Card from DC Comics

Featured photo by emiliefarrisphotos / PixaBay

Chase Sapphire Reserve Annual Fee Statement Credit

by Cory Santos
chase sapphire reserve annual fee statement credit

Chase is providing some Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders with a statement credit to help offset some of the card’s $550 annual fee. Existing cardholders are receiving a secure message offering a $100 statement credit to help provide value for cardholders impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s what you need to know:

COVID-19 Makes Holding a Premium Travel Card Difficult

The coronavirus pandemic has reduced the actual value of travel rewards credit cards significantly. Premium credit cardholders have been impacted the most, with very little to justify the lofty annual fees these cards charge.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one such product. The card features an annual fee of $550 and earns 3X points per dollar on travel and dining. However, the card’s value has significantly reduced for one of its key features: travel. This includes the $300 annual travel credit and complimentary Priority Pass Select membership.

Chase Offering $100 Statement Credit to Existing Sapphire Reserve Cardholders

Now, Chase is hoping to entice current Sapphire Reserve cardholders to renew their card through a statement credit. Existing cardholders are receiving a secure message from Chase offering a $100 statement credit to help offset that $550 annual fee.

The messaging from Chase states:

We recognize this is a difficult time for everyone. As a way to help, we’re providing you a one-time $100 statement credit toward the 2020 $550 annual fee on your Reserve credit card. On an upcoming billing statement (based on your renewal date), you’ll see a $550 charge for the annual fee, followed by a $100 statement credit. We will continue to bill the $550 annual fee in 2021. Because this credit only applies to open Reserve accounts, if you’ve closed your Reserve account or traded to another credit card before your renewal, you will not receive the $100 statement credit. We know COVID-19 has affected people in many different ways. Please check chase.com/StayConnected for updates and helpful ways to stay connected to your accounts.

COVID-19 Bonus Offers

The coronavirus has seen many credit card issuers provide additional perks and credits for premium credit cardholders. Chase rolled out Peloton statement credits for Sapphire cardholders in November, while Amex recently unveiled several credits for Platinum Card members. These limited-time statement credits include PayPal, hotel stays, food and beverage credits, and more.

Related Article: Amex Platinum Card Limited-Time Statement Credit Offer

Featured photo by Shopify / Burst

Can You Raise Your Credit Score 100 Points In a Month?

by Cory Santos
can-you-raise-your-credit-score-100-points-in-a-month

Last updated on August 24th, 2023

Having a bad credit score might seem like a tough burden to overcome. It doesn’t have to be, however. There are practical steps you can take today to see a significant improvement in just a matter of weeks. Here are a few simple changes you can make today to raise your credit score by up to 100 points in just a month.

Can You Raise Your Credit Score By 100 Points In a Month?

If you have a bad credit score, you might think it’s impossible to raise your score by 100 points in 30 days. The fact is, however, that the lower your credit score, the easier it is to see a massive jump in a short period. So yes, you can raise your credit score by up to 100 points in a month. Here’s how:

How to Raise Your Credit Score – Fast

Quickly raising your credit score requires a few critical habits: paying your bills on time, reducing your debt, and increasing your overall credit limits.

What Do Lenders Look for?

Before we dive into the process of quickly raising your credit score, it’s important to understand what exactly goes into a credit score. There are two major credit scoring models: FICO and VantageScore. These two models account for over 99% of the credit scoring used by lenders for things like loans, credit cards, mortgages, and more.  So, what do these two models look at?

FICO Scoring Model

  • Payment History (35%) – Paying accounts on time is a good indicator to a lender that you will continue this behavior. 
  • Amounts Owed (30%) –  Owing money to multiple accounts won’t disqualify you from approval for a new loan or credit card. However, using too much of your available credit may indicate you are over-extended. Banks may interpret what they see as over-extension as a higher risk of default.
  • Length of Credit History (15%) – A long credit history will often increase your FICO score.  A long credit history that features several defaulted accounts will not work in your favor, however. The opposite is also true. 
  • New Credit (10%) – FICO evaluates how you shop for credit, in addition to the number of credit accounts you’ve opened. Each time you apply for credit, the lender makes an inquiry – a request for your credit report or score. Too many inquiries and opening several accounts in a short time can be a red flag for lenders.
  • Credit Mix (10%) – This refers to the diversity of your credit file – your credit cards, retail accounts, installment and mortgage loans, and finance company accounts. The more accounts you have with good credit history, the better your FICO score will be. 

VantageScore Scoring Model

  • Payment History (40%) – VantageScore gives the most weight to whether a consumer has made on-time payments regularly in the past.
  • Depth of Credit (21%) – This refers to a combination of factors like credit age and credit mix. Essentially, it is an evaluation of a consumer’s length of credit, as well as the types of credit they use.
  • Credit Utilization (20%) – Lenders look at the amount of available credit a consumer uses at any given time.  Credit experts recommend that consumers use 30% or less of their available credit at any time.
  • Balances (11%, or Moderately Influential) – This factor considers the total of each recently reported balance. It includes both current and delinquent credit accounts.
  • Recent Credit (5%) – VantageScore also looks at the number of new accounts you’ve opened. Whether you’ve taken out a loan or opened a new credit card, lenders want to know. This information can be an indicator of future financial performance.
  • Available Credit (3%) – Lenders want to see that you’re not taking out more credit than you actually need. According to VantageScore, the average amount of unused credit for prime consumers ranges from $20,000 to $22,000.

Related Article: FICO® vs VantageScore® – How to Differentiate Two Credit Scoring Models

Now that you understand what makes up your credit score, how can you quickly raise your credit score?

Five Steps to Raise Your Credit Score By Up to 100 Points In a Month

Pay Your Bills On Time

Paying your bills on time is the most important thing you can do to raise your credit score quickly. This is because payment history makes the biggest impact in your credit score. Both FICO and VantageScore – the most-used scoring models – prioritize payment history. All told, your payment history accounts for approximately 35% of your entire credit score’s calculation. Always make sure you make at least the minimum payment on all your credit accounts every month. Even one derogatory mark on your credit report can stain your credit for a long time. Late payments will remain visible on your credit report for up to seven years – so pay your bills on time.

Reduce Your Debt

Nearly as crucial to payment history is overall debt. If you want to boost your credit score quickly, you need to start paying down your existing balances. For people with good credit scores, that may be as simple as applying for a balance transfer credit card – like the Upgrade Card. Using a balance transfer or debt consolidation credit card allows you to combine balances and pay them off at a lower interest rate. Often, these cards come with a lengthy 0% intro APR period – making them ideal for reducing debt fast. Paying down debt is trickier for people with bad credit – or even fair credit scores. Paying down balances might be tricky, but it can help you reduce your credit use and free up your finances. Plus, reducing your debt is a great habit to get into anyway.

Increase Your Available Credit

You should also increase your available credit limits. When you combine lower debt and higher credit lines, you instantly become a much more attractive borrower. Lenders like individuals who aren’t financially stretched – and having a significant amount of available credit is one of the best ways to gauge this. Credit bureaus also recognize this reality and will raise the credit score of people who have low debt and high credit lines. Asking your current credit card issuer for a limit increase is straightforward. Call the customer service phone number and request an increase. You might even be able to request a credit limit increase online or through the card issuer’s mobile banking app.

Get an “Instant Approval” Unsecured Credit Card

Opening a new line of credit is also a pretty easy task – even if you have bad credit. There are several quality options for people with subprime credit that want to add an additional line of credit. Cards like the Milestone Gold Mastercard and Indigo Platinum Mastercard are two of the better “instant approval” credit cards for bad credit scores. Both cards offer quick pre-approval, meaning you’ll know your approval odds before you apply. The application process is also straightforward, with a decision given in moments.

Or Consider Getting a Secured Credit Card Instead

A secured credit card is another good option to consider. Secured cards offer an easier route to guaranteed approval since they have a security deposit requirement. A card, like the OpenSky Visa Credit Card, features no credit check, for instance. If you want to increase your available credit significantly, open an OpenSky account and place a large deposit. You won’t have to worry about the negative impact of a hard inquiry on your credit score while enjoying a significant drop in overall credit use – instantly.

Conclusion

Repairing your credit is a long-term project that requires changing how you view – and use – credit at a fundamental level. That said, it is possible to raise your credit score by 25, 50, 75, or even 100 points in just a month.

A new credit card might play a key role in this equation, but it isn’t the most critical part. That role goes to the reduction in overall credit use – or credit utilization.

Reducing your credit utilization will have a dramatic effect on your credit score almost overnight. Paying off your existing balances is key, with applying for a new credit card also playing an important part.

If you are considering opening a new line of credit, always ensure you do so only if you plan to use it properly. Irresponsible credit card use can destroy your credit repair goals and sink you further into financial despair.

Related Article: How Long Does It Take to Repair Your Credit Score?

Credit One Introduces New Cash Back Spokesdeity

by Cory Santos
credit one spokedeity

Last updated on October 7th, 2022

Credit One Bank is introducing a new “spokesdeity” for its Platinum Rewards Visa. The new marketing campaign focuses on Cashios, an ancient deity with infinite wisdom on cash back rewards. Here are the details of Credit One Bank’s new Cashios marketing campaign:

Credit One Introduces Cashios to Highlight Cash Back Value

Credit One has a new marketing campaign that centers on an ancient god known as Cashios. The new “Life Ever Rewarded” campaign highlights the benefits of the bank’s premier credit card offering, the Credit One Platinum Rewards Visa. That card provides 5% back on the first $5,000 each year for purchases in eligible categories and 1% back on all other purchases. Eligible 5% categories include gas, groceries, and utility bills (mobile phones, cable, internet, etc.).

Announcing the new campaign, Cashios has decreed, “In return for Credit One Bank’s finest credit card, I shall grace their commercials with my presence and spread their name to the farthest reaches of this realm.”

Please note: while BestCards has been unable to reach Cashios to verify this quote, Credit One Bank insists it is accurate.

Expect More Spokesdeities to Arrive in the Future

According to a press release from the bank, expect a new Credit One spokesdeity as products and rewards are unveiled. The marketing campaign will run on national media, including television, streaming platforms, and social media.

“Credit card advertising is cluttered with celebrity appearances and tired messages aimed only at the top-spending elite,” said John Coombe, SVP of marketing at Credit One Bank. “What we believe is simple: great products, rewards, and credit options should be accessible when you need them. We’re dramatically expanding our product portfolio and delivering new rewards to customers across the credit spectrum. Simple and attainable reward tiers are what consumers will enjoy from Credit One Bank.”

About Credit One Bank

Credit One Bank is one of the fastest-growing credit card issuers in the United States. Driven by data, Credit One Bank offers a spectrum of products for people in all stages of their financial life, including credit cards through the Visa, Mastercard, and American Express payment networks. Credit One is the official credit card partner of NASCAR, the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Vegas Golden Knights.

Related Article: Credit One Bank Announces Go Paperless, Get Paid Sweepstakes Winners

Featured photo by Credit One

Best Western Giving $25 Gift Cards for Eligible Stays

by Cory Santos
best-western-free-25-gift-card-for-eligible-stays

Last updated on June 8th, 2021

Best Western is rewarding Best Western Rewards members with a gift card for every eligible night they stay with the brand. In addition, members will earn double points on all nights after their fifth qualifying night stay. Learn more about the limited-time promotion from Best Western here:

New Best Western Gift Card Promotion Details

Best Western Rewards is one of the most popular hotel loyalty programs in the United States. Now, Best Western is looking to reward members by offering $25 Best Western gift cards for eligible nightly stays.

According to an email sent to Best Western Rewards members, those who book and stay between February 15 and May 9, 2021 at any Best Western® branded hotel in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean, will get one $25 Best Western gift card for each night they stay – up to 4 nights.

The Best Western gift cards are electronically sent to the accountholder’s Best Western Rewards account and will be valid until August 31, 2021. Gift cards will take up to two weeks to reach a Rewards accountholder’s email after the eligible stay.

Best Western is also providing an additional reward to members through this limited-time promotion. Rewards members who complete their fifth night will also earn double points on their first four nights – as well as the fifth night. Double points are also earnable on all further qualifying night stays during the promotional period.

About Best Western Rewards

Best Western Rewards is the loyalty program of the Best Western portfolio of hotels and suites. The program, formerly called the Gold Crown Club, was rechristened “Best Western Rewards” in 2008.  Members earn points towards free nights with the brand or by transferring to over 30 airline partners, including AAdvantage, Rapid Rewards, MileagePlus, and more.

Best Western also offers two co-branded credit cards through First Bankcard: the Best Western Rewards® Mastercard® and the Best Western Rewards® Premium Mastercard®.

Offer Terms and Conditions

The following are the official terms and conditions for the latest limited-time Best Western gift card offer:

An “eligible night” stay for the purpose of this promotion is defined as a night at any Best Western branded hotel in the United States, Canada, or the Caribbean Islands, at a rate eligible for earning points or airline/partner rewards, with the exception of a night booked through an online travel agency, a night booked through a tour operator, or a night booked at a special discounted rate (see Best Western Rewards program rules for further information on eligibility criteria). Eligible nights can be consecutive or separate and at the same Best Western branded hotel or separate hotels. Multiple check-in/check-out at the same property with less than 24 hours between check-out and check-in will only count as one eligible night stay. Eligible night stays which take place during the Promotion Period must be completed on or before Sunday, May 9, 2021 to be counted towards the promotion. Eligible nights which take place during the Promotion Period, but which have a check-in date that overlaps the beginning of the Promotion Period, will be counted towards the promotion.

Related Article: The Ultimate Guide to Hotel Credit Cards

Featured photo by Shopify / Burst

Credit Card Approval Odds: Are Smaller Banks Better?

by Cory Santos
credit-card-approval-odds-are-smaller-banks-better

Last updated on August 24th, 2023

Knowing your approval odds before applying for your next credit card can save you from the stresses of potential rejection. But how do credit card approval odds differ from small banks to big banks? Should you consider a credit card from a local bank?

How Do Credit Card Application Approval Odds Differ from Big Banks to Smaller Banks?

Credit card applications with smaller banks differ significantly from those with larger national banks, like Chase, Bank of America, and others. Here’s how:

Potentially Better Credit Card Approval Odds

Typically, consumers that consider applying for a credit card from a smaller or regional bank have a pre-existing relationship with that financial institution. According to experts, having an existing relationship with your bank can provide an edge when applying for a new credit card.

Bruce McClary, a spokesman for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), says that working with your current bank can provide a massive array of benefits, from lower rates to better credit card approval odds:

“This may be especially true if you have a less-than-stellar credit history but have an account in good standing,” says McClary. “That credit issuer may be more likely to consider your recent account history with their credit card as an overriding factor against other past credit setbacks related to other accounts. The more recent your financial troubles, the less of a guarantee that your creditor may be as flexible as you might like.”

Different Scoring Model

Smaller banks have fewer resources than national and international banks. At the same time, that statement seems obvious; how these resources impact credit card applications can be less apparent.

Like Wells Fargo, Citi, or Chase, large banks have their own unique credit scoring models. While these models are based on the basic FICO or VantageScore scoring models you see with free credit score sites like Credit Karma or Experian, they also emphasize features unique to those banks. Because of this bespoke credit scoring model, applications with major banks can differ significantly; this, in turn, can lower your credit card application approval odds.

Smaller, regional banks and credit unions typically rely on a much simpler credit scoring model. These models don’t differ significantly from what you see when checking your credit score each month. Because these scoring models more closely mirror free credit score services, potential applicants have a much better understanding of where they stand before applying for a credit card.

Big Banks Offer Their Own Benefits

If the approval odds are potentially better with a smaller bank, why choose a big bank when selecting your next credit card? Well, big banks became prominent for a reason.

Ultra-Competitive Rewards

Major international and national banks offer some of the most competitive credit card rewards, bonuses, and loyalty programs. Like their credit scoring models, big banks, like Chase and American Express, have their own, in-house rewards programs (Chase’s Ultimate Rewards and Amex’s Membership Rewards).

These programs offer significantly more value than most co-op rewards programs from smaller banks and credit unions. This value comes from the carefully negotiated partnerships with major brands, including travel companies like American Airlines, Delta, Hilton, and Marriott.

Technology

Bigger banks often use their financial resources to also provide their customers with the latest digital banking technologies. These online and mobile banking features make life much more accessible and improve customer support. Because international banks have the resources to invest in these technologies, they are far more likely to launch these features to customers early than a smaller or regional bank.

Should You Apply for a Credit Card from a Smaller Bank?

So, should you consider applying for a credit card from a smaller bank? That really depends on what you are looking for with your next card.

If you have an existing relationship with a local bank, why not check out what they have to offer? Many smaller or regional banks have competitive rewards with larger banks – especially when it comes to basic rewards, like cash back.

Smaller banks and credit unions have more leeway with rewards and can better cater to their local customers and their needs. Additionally, smaller banks and many credit unions provide a good platform for negotiating numbers like APR, annual fee, or even signup bonuses because of their smaller size and a relationship-based approach.

Always carefully consider the best cards from issuers of every size before applying for your next credit card. Browse reviews and compare perks before deciding on the card that is right for you – and that is where BestCards is your best friend.

BestCards has an unmatched collection of impartial credit card reviews, with over 875 reviews (and counting) to date. Whether looking to start your credit journey or add another crucial piece to your already-robust wallet, you can get the needed know-how right here from our team of experts.

Related Article: Why Are My Credit Scores Different?

Featured photo by Sarah Pflug / Burst

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