Over the course of the past few weeks, several changes have occurred to many of the credit cards on our website along with the complete removal of others. The proverbial belt of available credit appears to be tightening even more as interest rates are raised, credit lines are trimmed and cards are eliminated all together. And all of this is happening just as we enter into the holiday season, the time of year where retailers offer great deals on merchandise and the demand for credit increases dramatically.

Despite all the changes and the reasons for those changes, there are still some really good credit cards available and even some issuers have improved their offers for holiday shoppers this season. If you’ve been thinking about applying for a credit card this holiday season, now is the time to do so. Several very competitive and industry stalwarts are still available that earn rewards, allow you to make purchases or balance transfers for an introductory 0% APR and help establish or rebuild credit.

The term “Black Friday” can be traced back to the 1960’s in Philadelphia (WikiPedia 2008) and did not carry the same connotation it carries now. Nowadays, “Black Friday” is still synonymous with long lines and traffics jams, but more importantly the amazing deals retailers offer us on electronics, clothing and other holiday merchandise. If you’re one of the few employees who still gets a Christmas or year-end bonus, taking advantage of the “Black Friday” deals may not always be practical with the timing of a bonus. However, taking advantage of an introductory 0% APR on purchases would allow you to enjoy the special pricing on the day after Thanksgiving for many of your gifts, pay no interest and pay off the balance with your bonus. You can also enjoy additional savings when using a reward credit card.

If your looking past the holidays in anticipation to the start of a new year and are looking to make a few New Years goals, like getting out of debt, then check out balance transfer offers. Bank of America has extended some of their balance transfer offers to 15 months for 0% APR and a low 3% transfer fee. For those with a balance still on their department store credit cards accruing 20 plus percent interest, check out card offers that offer lower rates on balance transfers for those with excellent, above average and good credit.

No matter what type of credit you have, there are still many offers to choose from. Making sure you act fast to save additional money on holiday purchases, saving money on existing balances or to rebuild your credit, there is a credit card offer available for every need. Remember this holiday season to read the full terms and conditions of each card and never over-extend yourself from your ability to repay your balance in full within a reasonable time if necessary.

Remember when milk was less than a dollar per gallon? Remember when a gallon of gas was just barely over a dollar per gallon? Remember when everything was less expensive? This time has long since passed. But, did you know that Starwood Hotels now offers rates based on your birth year?

Starwood Hotels and Resorts is celebrating your birthday. Any Starwood Hotel and Resort guest can pay a special rate that is equal to their birth year. You stay has to be a minimum of two nights and a maximum of three nights. You have until December 30 to take advantage of these incredible rates.

Here’s how it works. You’ll pay the regular rate the first night (rates vary at participating Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, Sheraton and element hotels) and the special birth year rate the second and/or third night. If you were born in 1940, you’ll $40 for the second and/or third night of your stay.

If you want to stay at the luxurious Equinox Golf Resort and Spa, you’ll be able to take advantage of a similar promotion. If you were born in 1942, you’ll pay $142 for your second and/or third night. If you were born in 1964, you’ll pay $164 for your second and/or third night.

This is the perfect way to get away before Christmas. If you want to getaway to Boston, Manchester, Lexington, Providence, Stamford, Hartford, Burlington or the Canadian destinations of Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Quebec City, Halifax, Hamilton and Collingwood.

Call 1-866-716-8119 to book your weekend or weekday getaway. These exclusive rates are per night and per room and are based on single or double occupancy only. Some hotels offer limited dates throughout November. Other hotels offer the promotion on certain days of the week - Thursday through Sunday arrivals. You can also go online to book your stay www.starwoodhotels.com/payyourage.

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.

Millions of consumers are defaulting on their credit cards. We aren’t talking about hundreds of dollars. We are talking about thousands and thousands of dollars of unpaid balances. Because so many credit card holders are defaulting, banks are being hit…hard.

Federal regulators have now entered the picture. They are being asked by financial and consumer advocated to let lenders significantly reduce the amount of debt owed by some consumers. Consumers that are in heavy debt are being considered to begin a special program. This program would help reduce their credit card debt by up to 40 percent.

The credit card debt forgiveness program is being pushed by the Financial Services Roundtable and the Consumer Federation of America. Both of these two organizations have pointed out how desperately urgent the situation is. America has hit an all-time high in credit card defaults (both the number of defaults and the monetary amount of these defaults). Banks and other financial institutions have been left scrambling.

So, what exactly is the proposition? How will this plan work? Consumers who aren’t able to qualify for current repayment plans and who are carrying extreme levels of debt. In a recent statement, the two groups said, “This proposal would make it financially feasible for credit card lenders to provide immediate financial assistant to American consumers who are carrying record levels of debt.”

Almost every major credit card institution has already agreed to begin a temporary program. This program would forgive up to 40 percent of the person’s debt. The remaining balance can be paid over time. Each institution would evaluate each case separately and the amount to be forgiven would be forgiven on a case-by-case basis. Those who qualify to have 40 percent of their debt forgiven would reach an almost personal bankruptcy status.

The plan is hoping to create a balance between the creditor and the consumer. “We are asking to provide guidance to lenders that will in turn offer relief and stability to consumers.” Is this the best thing for Americans in such a heavy recession? Should there be more counseling programs in place to prevent people from living so far out of their means? The Federal Reserve estimates that Americans are now enslaved to approximately $900 billion in credit card debt.

What is your opinion? What should be done to combat such rising credit card debt?

Pre-approved credit cards allow you to get a credit card quickly and with a guaranteed approval. The best pre-approved credit card offers are often found online. Online credit card affiliate companies are able to use the information on your credit report to find offers that find your individual needs. These companies search thousands of credit card offers to get you the best rate, features, limit, etc.

What are pre-approved credit cards?

Credit card companies take the information on your credit history to evaluate risk. If you have bad credit or a bankruptcy, you probably won’t be approved for a high limit. However, you can still be approved for a credit card. Credit cards are an excellent way to rebuild your credit.

Credit card companies take many things into consideration before offering you a pre-approved credit card. These include, but are not limited to:

• Your debt to income ratio

• The current balance of existing credit cards

• Similar credit cards that you already use

• Certain requirements for credit card approval

• Your past credit history

• The possibility of you reacting to the pre-approved credit card offer

How does the pre-approval process work?

Often times, credit card companies ask the credit bureaus for a list of customers who met certain qualifications. You might also see an inquiry on your credit report marked as “promotional.” This means that your report was checked against a “pre-approval” list. This type of inquiry does not affect your FICO score and cannot be seen by other creditors.

If you decide to apply for the pre-approved credit card, your application is sent to a processing center. Here, your current credit report is checked to make sure that nothing new and alarming shows up. It is this credit check that is used to determine whether or not you have been approved. All it takes is a few minor changes in your current credit card balance, income information, etc.

Pre-approved credit cards take the hassle out of shopping for a credit card, especially when you use offers online. You can be sure to get the best interest rate, credit card features, rewards programs, etc.You can also choose to opt out of pre-approved credit card offer by visiting www.optoutprescreen.com and filling out the appropriate information.