Credit Card Interest Rates Steady for Record 4th Straight Week
Interest rates on new credit card offer remained stable for one week record straight fourth Wednesday, according to CreditCards.com 's Weekly Rate report. But this does not mean issuers are sitting on their hands.
The national average annual percentage rate (APR) on the new credit card offers has remained stable at 14.65%. It has been static for most of 2011, but it is still in place six months ago, when it stood at 14.35%.
Although the national average has remained static, Citi, American Express and the Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) were among the issuers who have made adjustments to the purchase of introduction and / or offers balance transfer, continuing a recent trend for longer periods of introduction.
For example, Citi (C) extended the introductory period on balance transfer offers 0% for its Platinum Select MasterCard from 18 to 21 months, one of the longest periods of introduction CreditCards.com saw. After that, the ranges of balance transfer in April of 11.99% to 20.99%.
PenFed went further.Its promise and its Cashback Rewards Visa Platinum cards offer a rate of 4.99% for the life of any balance transferred between April 1, 2011 and June 30 October 2011. Thereafter, the APR balance transfer on these cards range from 7.49% to 13.99%.
However, a change in American Express is not as clear, experts say.
In general, the conditions for a balance transfer are set in terms of a map and conditions. For example:
* April for balance transfers 2.99% April introduction for 18 months if the request for a balance transfer is made within 60 days. After that, your standard APR will be 10.99% to 19.99%, depending on your creditworthiness.
The above shows the rate of introduction, how long it is applicable, when you need to complete the transfer and what the rate will be when the introductory period is over. However, consumer groups say some recent changes were made ambiguous. Here's an example:
* On its website, for its Blue Sky and Blue Cash cards, American Express offers a respirator "17.24, 19.24 or 21.24% introductory on balance transfers requested within 30 days of the opening the account, depending on your creditworthiness."
Offers of American Express were unusual in that they have not provided details on this rate is applied to a balance transfer after this period of 30 days - or balance transfers would be allowed on the account after that date. We contacted American Express and comments spokeswoman Leah Gerstner said: "On these particular cards, we do not allow a balance transfer unless there is an offer balance transfer card to the time. "That means, she says, that if you tried to do a balance transfer to one of these cards after this period of 30 days, he probably would not be possible.
Is the Personal Concierge that come with Platinum Cards worth it ...
Like a hotel concierge, you can call CS of your card for assistance in making reservations at a restaurant, find a rental car or even a driver, flight search, and more.
Why spend hours searching for information online when you can make a phone call and have the information by email or call you within 48 hours? Your CS is working to provide you as much information as possible and save you the leg (or finger, so to speak) of work.
A blogger has discovered, your CS is a large cheese vat, flights into space, and even the answers to crossword puzzles.They will not do illegal things, make personal calls, or do your work for you, though.
What is the cost?CS Your Platinum Card is a free service included in other services available to Platinum cardholders (such as collecting and spending points, hotel discounts, travel insurance, and more).
Free, of course, is a relative term, while CS is one of the many services included, have a Platinum card is the user cost an annual fee. Platinum card fees range from as little as $ 89 to $ 450 per year.
Is it useful?You know the old adage, the value of a service is in the eye of the beholder (or something like that). Here are some questions to help you decide whether to have a Platinum card with CS's worth:
Am I a man to find most information I need on the Internet? What I'd rather be in control of my options and decisions? I am a fairly frugal person who prefers not to spend money on things that I consider "frivolous?OR
Do I often find myself frustrated when seeking information and making plans? Am I generally trust what others tell me is true?Would I enjoy having a taste of the rich lifestyle without the cost of hiring my own staff?If you answered yes to the first three questions, it is probably not interesting for you. But if the last three issues have received your "yes", perhaps with the Platinum card concierge service is worth a try.
Other factors to consider:Although many of us can enjoy the luxury of a Platinum card has to offer, we must weigh several factors in this decision, as the amount of credit card debt that we already have and if our lifestyle Current is truly within our means.
Before completing this application form, make sure you can handle the responsibility of carrying high-balance card, high fees. Be financially sound, sometimes say "no." But for those who are already financially stable, it may be worthwhile to say yes!
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