The new Zync from American Express is the first credit card of it’s kind that let’s applicants choose a “lifestyle pack” that fits them and their purchase habits best. American Express lets you choose one of the following lifestyle packs:

Go Pack – Earn double points on eligible airline tickets and enjoy car rental discounts when you book through American Express Travel. Car rental discounts up to 25% are available from Avis, Budget and Hertz. All points are credited to your Membership Rewards points account and the annual cost is just $25.

Social Pack – Earn double points at qualified restaurants and on qualified concert, movie and show tickets. Applicants will also be automatically enrolled to receive emails for advanced ticket access and other benefit information. All points are credited to your Membership Rewards points account and the annual cost is just $25.

Connect Pack – Earn double points on eligible cell phone, cable, broadband and internet services through qualified providers. Applicants who choose this pack will also be eligible to receive 25% discount on the number of Membership Rewards points require for redemption of cell phones and other electronic communication devices. All points are credited to your Membership Rewards points account and the annual cost is just $25.

Eco Pack – Earn double points on eligible purchases at select green merchants rated by Greenopia®. Greenopia selects and rates merchants based on their impact to the environment. Applicants who choose this pack will receive discounts of 25% when redeemed for qualified eco-friendly merchandise and carbon offsets. American Express will also donate $1 to TerraPass to fund reductions in carbon emissions at dairy farms and landfills. All points are credited to your Membership Rewards points account and there is no annual cost.

The Zync from American Express credit card has an annual fee of $25 and features all of the standard cardmembers benefits of an American Express card: Memberships Reward points on every purchase, car rental insurance and road side coverage, and purchase protection. Purchases made through the Bonus Points Mall earn triple points on every purchase with over 250 retailers and all balances must be paid in full each month.

It isn’t everyday that credit cards are chosen as ‘the best.’ The Blue Cash card from American Express knows just how this feels. It was recently chosen to round out Money Magazine’s ‘The best credit card for you’ list.

Only six credit cards made the list. Money Magazine spent a great deal of time researching millions of credit cards, only to choose six for its list. Blue Cash from American Express earned the number six slot and with good reason.

How many cash back credit cards are there out there? A lot, right? But, Money Magazine chose 1 cash back credit card as being the best…The Blue Cash card from American Express.

Whether you are a big spender or you pay for everything with plastic and pay it off monthly, the Blue Cash will help you get ahead of the game.

First of all, the interest rates for the Blue Cash card start at just 7.99%. The better your credit, the lower your interest rate. And, wouldn’t it be nice to be paying an interest rate as low as 7.99%?

The Blue Cash card comes with one spending tier. That tier is set at $6500. This means that before you spend $6500 in one year, you’ll earn a certain amount of cash back. After you hit that $6500 tier, you will earn a different and higher amount of cash back.

Before you spend $6500 in one year, you will earn 1% cash back on all of your purchases through certain categories. These categories include: supermarket purchases, drugstore purchases and gas station purchases. You will earn 0.5% cash back on any other purchase you make.

After you have spent $6500, you will earn 5% cash back at the supermarket, the gas station and the drugstore. 5%! That really gives you the opportunity to earn a lot of cash back. You’ll earn 1.5% cash back on all of your other purchases.

The Blue Cash from American Express is the best cash-back credit card on the market. It gives you the opportunity to earn more cash back than ever before. That’s why Money Magazine chose it as being the best of the best.

On Friday May 22nd 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law new legislation recently passed by Congress that will drastically alter the way credit card companies treat consumers. The bill is set to take effect in July of 2010 and contains many alterations to the current credit card industry. These changes include:

- New rules that will protect consumers with high amounts of debt
- Limitations to the charges that a credit card company can charge (including fees for paying a bill over the phone, over limit fees, etc)
- Tighter restrictions on rewards programs
- Additional annual fees, even for consumers with good/excellent credit
- Credit card holders must be more than 60 days past due on payments before the credit card company can increase the interest rate on the existing credit balance
- Credit card companies would be forced to lower the interest rate to the original interest rate if the consumer pays the minimum balance on time or early for six months
- Consumers who are under 21 years of age must be able to prove that they can repay the loan or have a cosigner that will be responsible for the debt if the minor defaults on the loan

The most significant change will prevent credit card companies from increasing interest rates “on the fly.” Rather, consumers must receive written notice regarding the interest rate increase at least 45 days prior to the actual increase. This portion of the bill is good news for consumers around the country and their strained finances.

Many consumer groups praise the recent credit card changes recently enacted by Congress and President Obama. The new credit card changes should help ease the financial burden placed on American credit card holders.

However, the bill does leave room for debate when it comes to how it will affect consumers with good or excellent credit. For instance, consumers who pay off the entire balance of their credit card each month may face “penalties” for doing so. Why? Banks and credit card companies will lose money by not being allowed to raise interest rates. Therefore, they must make up that money somehow. Plans are being discussed about how these companies will handle the restrictions. Credit card holders who pay off their balance entirely every month may be forced to pay annual fees or have tighter restrictions placed on their rewards programs.

Credit, in general, will also become harder to obtain as banks and credit card companies will be forced into spreading risk around into all credit classes and not just those with lower credit.

What do you think? Please submit your comments and feedback.

With almost every credit card out there, not making your payment on time or exceeding your credit limit, you can be sure of an interest rate increase, fees or combination of both. But, what does your credit card do for you when you make your payments on time or do not exceed your credit limit? Enter the Forward credit cards from Citi – the only card that rewards cardholders for responsible use and good behavior. Separate credit cards are available for personal use and college students.

For consumers, the Citi Forward® Card rewards you when you make three payments on time and stay below your credit limit. Your reward comes in the form of an APR reduction up to 2% on purchases. However, a reduced APR won’t be your only reward for your good behavior. How about earning ThankYou points on every purchase you make? Receive five points for every $1 on dining, books, movies and music.

The Citi Forward® Card for College Students offers the same rewards for college students too. Students using the card responsibly will save money and work towards establishing a good credit history. Cardholders can use their ThankYou points for almost any type of reward.

Both cards offer new applicants a 0% introductory APR for seven months on purchases. Please see the issuer’s website to read the full terms and conditions or to apply online.

Consumers around the country have found themselves strapped for cash these days. The credit crisis hasn’t made it much easier, until now.

New regulations are going to be presented by the federal government in the upcoming weeks. These regulations will restrict any and all credit card practices that are seen as unfair or deceptive. Credit card regulation proposals have included a number of different restrictions. These restrictions include prohibiting:

• - Increasing interest rates on an outstanding balance (except under limited circumstances)
• - Applying payments to the minimum payment to maximize interest charges
• - Requiring a reasonable amount of time for consumers to make payments

Consumers have played a big part in getting the feds to listen. Thousands and thousands of comments have been posted on the Federal Reserve’s website. These consumers have begged and begged the government to place tighter restrictions on credit card practices.

The credit card industry, as a whole, is extremely skeptical about the new regulations. It is concerned that each regulation will prohibit its ability to manage risk. This could cause credit card companies to be forced to raise interest rates and decrease the amount of available credit. Meredith Whitney, a well-known credit analyst recently predicted that the rules would decrease credit lines to 40 percent.

She said, “With so many Americans relying on their credit cards as a major source of liquidity, it would be equivalent to a major pay cut.”

The major problem right now is that the rules and regulations have not been finalized. However, the industry predicts that the Federal government will act aggressively.

Ken Clayton, the managing director of the American Bankers Association‘s card policy council, said, “What you’re going to see is an unprecedented change in the way consumers deal with their card companies. In light on the current economic uncertainties, it’s important that all of us understand the full impact of these regulations on consumers and the economy before we can understand [whether they are] successful.”

Credit card companies have protested several of the possible regulations. For instance, credit card issuers do not agree that there should be regulations put in place that would prohibit increasing the interest rate on outstanding balances. Past proposals would allow exceptions to the rule (namely, when a minimum payment is not received until 30 days past the due date. However, the industry argues that 30-days for a delinquency is already too long.

The fact of the matter is that nothing is certain yet. The Feds are feverishly working on the regulations and should be releasing those regulations soon. As a consumer, you can sit back and take a deep breath knowing that your end of the bargain is about to be loosened.

American Express has the highest customer satisfaction ratings of any credit card company (JD Power 2008). Customers are pleased with the customer service that American Express offers. They are also satisfied with the exclusive membership benefits and great deals they get with their American Express card. In addition to other benefits, American Express offers fantastic deals through its partnership with Delta. Check out the American Express Platinum Delta card and the American Express Gold Delta card.

American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles

You can earn 15,000 Bonus SkyMiles when you make your first purchase using your American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles card. With 5,000 of these miles actually counting as Medallion Qualification Miles. You also can earn 10,000 bonus Medallion Qualification Miles every year when you spend $25,000. When you spend $50,000, you can earn an additional 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles.

Every year you renew your card, you’ll receive a complementary companion certificate. This means you have a better chance of flying for free and taking someone with you. With the American Express Platinum Delta card, you always earn two fly miles for every dollar you spend on eligible purchases. You’ll earn one Delta mile for every dollar you spend on all other purchases.

You can also take advantage of the Pay with Miles program. This is an exclusive program, available only to American Express card members. It allows you to redeem your SkyMiles for any Delta flight, any time. You’ll also save five percent on Delta flights when you use your American Express Platinum Delta credit card.

The American Express Delta Platinum card also has a low annual fee. You can add the Emergency Card Replacement and Identity Theft Assistance. With this program you can easily manage your card online and you have access to over 500,000 ATMs around the world.

American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles

The first time you use your American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles card, you will get 20,000 bonus miles. You can also get an additional 5,000 bonus miles when you add two additional cards to your account. There is no annual fee the first year, which makes it even easier to enjoy the benefits of being a Delta SkyMiles customer.

You’ll earn two SkyMiles for every dollar you spend on eligible purchases and one SkyMile for all other purchases. As long as your account stays open, your miles never expire. That means you can earn miles now and use them ten years from now. It is so easy to sign up for the American Express Delta Gold card. You can be approved in 60 seconds or less.

The American Express Delta Gold card also comes with the Global Assist Hotline and the Emergency Card Replacement program. You can access your account online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. At the end of the year, you’ll also receive an Online Year-End Summary which automatically organizes your previous charges into easy to read categories. The American Express Delta Gold card is the perfect personal credit card for the everyday consumer.

People generally have different misconceptions about credit cards. It is important for you to make good credit card decisions. Make sure you don’t make these costly credit card mistakes.

1. Minimum Payments. Paying only the minimum payment can be extremely costly. You will end up paying a lot of interest if you don’t pay off your credit card each month. You will also become enslaved to your credit card balance, never being able to get out from under it.

2. Cash Advances. Credit card companies make you think that cash advances allow to get free money. When they don’t advertise is how much interest you’ll be paying each time you take a cash advance. Most times, you’ll be paying over 25% for each advance.

3. Budget with Your Card. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you can buy whatever you want now and pay for it later. This is an easy way to get way over your head in debt. Stick to your monthly budget. If you use your credit card, especially to earn rewards, make sure you have the money in your checking account to back it up.

4. Late Payments. Never make a credit card payment late. You will be charged a late fee and end up paying a lot more for that tank of gas than you intended. Always pay off the entire balance on your credit card a few days earlier. This will get you in the habit of making good credit card decisions.

5. Understand. Make sure you read the fine print and understand exactly what you are getting into. Know what introductory rate you’ll be paying, what the rate will be after the introductory period, what the late fee is, what your due date is, etc. When you apply for the credit card, you are entering into a contract with the credit card company. Make sure you know what the contract means.

6. Too Many Cards. Don’t get too many cards. Lenders do not look favorably on a ton of open revolving accounts. If you need one or two credit cards, get them. But, be careful you don’t have so many cards that you can’t keep up with each one.

7. Monthly Statement. Your monthly statement is your opportunity to review your credit card balance with a fine toothed comb. Review each statement carefully and make sure every charge is correct. This is also your opportunity to watch for identity theft. Your monthly statement is given to you for a reason. Read it carefully.

Be sure you are making good credit card decisions. In order to have good credit now and down the road, you need to be smart with your credit card. Don’t make any of these costly mistakes, and you’ll be on your way to great credit in no time.

Now Capital One and Orbitz have more in common than just silly commercials. The two companies have partnered up to offer credit card holders the opportunity to earn incentives towards free flights, merchandise and cash rewards. The Capital One Orbitz credit cards let cardholders earn points on every purchase they make with additional points available on all eligible Orbitz.com travel, hotel and vacation purchases. Capital One has a credit card available for those with an excellent, good or average credit history. See below for details and to apply online.

Capital One® Orbitz® Visa® Signature

Capital One® Orbitz® Visa® Platinum – Good Credit

Capital One® Orbitz® Visa® Platinum

There is a Capital One Orbitz credit card for just about everyone. Earn points with no restrictions or limits on the amount you can earn. Get ready for more with Capital One and Orbitz.

Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)

Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights in a vote of 312 to 112. The passed legislation would limit surprise interest rate increases and fees charged to credit card holders. The bill faces an uncertain fate in the Senate amid the current credit crisis and Congress’ debate whether or not to move forward with the current $700 billion bailout.

“For too long card issuers have been allowed to do whatever they want for any reason,” said New York Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY). “No other industry is allowed to raise the price of a product after a consumer has bought it.” Representative Maloney is the bill’s sponsor and has received praise from several consumer groups for the bill.

The Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights would prevent banks from retroactively increasing interest rates on credit card balances unless the account is more than 30 days past due. Banks would also be required to notify customers of interest rate increases 45 days prior to a rate increase. Cardholders would also have more time to pay their bill by receiving it 25 days before the due date versus the current 14 days. Mailing a payment 7 days before the due date would be considered “paid on-time” despite processing delays or other arbitrary times; helping consumers avoid late fees of up to $40. The bill also requires banks to apply payments towards balances proportionately, preventing banks from applying payments to lower interest rate balances first.

Banks oppose the bill citing that the legislation could limit their revenue from credit cards when institutions are already struggling from the lack of available capital brought on by the housing slump. The White House and House Republicans also oppose the bill, believing the new bill will restrict access to credit for many consumers and make credit more expensive due to a bank’s inability to adjust for risk and market conditions. The White House says it is concerned about unfair and deceptive practices, but said regulations are better suited to address problems than legislation.

The Federal Reserve typically handles unfair and deceptive consumer practices and has sought input from citizens on the matter this year. Credit card issuers could still face additional restrictions from the Federal Reserve by the end of this year. Among the largest credit card issuers are Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citigroup and Discover Card.

And the award goes to…American Express – again. American Express prides itself on its outstanding customer service. According to a nationwide survey conducted by J.D. Power and Associates, American Express ranked the highest of all the credit card companies in customer service. This is, in fact, the second year that customers have rated them highest in customer service.

The J.D. Power and Associate study carefully measures each credit card company in five key areas. The five factors are: interaction, billing and payment processes, fees and rates, reward programs, and benefits and services. As you can see, the study really encompasses every factor of credit cards. The study is based on a 1000 point scale and relies on real customers’ answers. American Express scored 783 points. Discover Card came in second with a total of 751 points.

American Express performed well in every category. American Express got the highest score out of any of the other credit card companies in all of the five categories. Discover performed well in the interaction, billing and payment processes, and reward program sections. According to the executive director of financial services at J.D. Power and Associates Rocky Clancy, American Express and Discover both offer a variety of services and benefits to a wide variety of customers. He said, “American Express and Discover Card are very different in their fees, reward programs and incentives, and their strong performances indicate their ability to suit the various needs that dissimilar types of cardholders have.”

The study also showed that people who pay off their balances every month (also known as transactors) tend to choose their credit cards by rewards programs 77 percent of the time. People who carry balances on their credit cards (also known as revolvers) look for low interest rates and low fees when choosing their credit cards 65 percent of the time. American Express has really honed in on these credit card trends. This is why they offer a wide variety of services and perform so well on this customer service satisfaction study.

J.D. Power and Associates also compared the use of cash back credit programs and reward programs. They found that 72 percent of all credit cardholders use some kind of reward program. Cash back programs were found to be the most common type of reward program. Customers also reported that getting cash back is the second most satisfying type of reward program. Any idea what the most satisfying reward program is? Customers who participated in the study said that getting free hotel stays is the most satisfying type of reward.

Customers who took advantage of reward programs tended to be more satisfied with the credit card provider than those who didn’t. Customers want to be rewarded for using credit cards. They want the redemption process to be as easy and quick as possible. This is another reason why American Express scored so high in their overall customer service ratings.

The 2008 Credit Card Satisfaction Study examined the spending habits of 7,665 credit cardholders. They carefully asked these credit card users to rate their credit card company based on five key factors. American Express took the lead in overall customer service satisfaction for the second year in a row. American Express has found the key in making their customers happy and giving them the opportunity to let their credit cards work for them.