Is this the best time to pay off your credit card balance?
There’s a financial mayhem going on in Wall Street, Main Street, and in most streets of the entire world. And chances are that nobody fully understands the ramifications of the actions of the Federal Reserve and the Treasury, but everyone is wondering: “what does this mean for me and what’s the advantage to me?”.
Every situation has some opportunity for those people in the right situation. One thing that’s clear right now is that credit card companies are trying to “limit their exposure”, which means they are trying to cut the amount of balances on everyone’s credit cards.
If you are on a plan of paying down / repaying your credit card debt as we have advocated many times (see: How long will it take you to pay off your credit card) we’ve got good news for you. According to the Wall Street Journal, some credit card companies are starting to offering incentives for payments, some of them going as far as matching payments above the minimum payment due, up to $550, which means that if you have money sitting in a savings account while you owe a balance on your credit card, you can effectively double your money by sending an extra $550 payment to your credit card company if they offer you this incentive.
While this is restricted to Citibank for now, expect most credit card companies to offer incentives for facilitate paying down those balances.
In the meanwhile you can pick up the phone and call your credit card company asking if they have any similar programs, and since you have the Customer Service Representative on the line, ask for your own personal ‘bailout’ in the form of an interest rate reduction.
Sources:
- Wall Street Journal
- Boston.com
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Photo Credits: Silas216 (cc)
Lowest APR Credit Card (not a catchphrase)

Are you fed up of hearing this redundant catchphrase of lowest APR credit card available today? Is there really any way to tell who is the lowest? Is it really even that important in the first place? The truth is that it’s very pertinent if you are not paying your entire balance very month. The difference between even a four or five percent variation could be fifty or sixty dollars a month or even more. Obviously if you are paying off your entire balance each month then it’s irrelevant.
Now, realistically speaking there probably is some way to tell which credit card company really does have the lowest APR. No doubt these companies keep tabs on each other and quite efficiently at that. However, for us the consumer, it can be challenging. So many cards offer a 0% introductory APR, but after that what really can we expect. After much searching and comparison shopping, it seems the Citi Platinum Select MasterCard might have the absolute lowest rate. As of right now, after their introductory period of twelve months expires with the 0% APR, it adjusts to 8.49% APR. Many people pay more than that on their car loan. With no annual fee this might be the best offer out there right now.
Now if changing credit card companies on a regular basis doesn’t bother you, then just switching companies after the introductory period expires would allow you to always have the lowest APR, 0%. However, if you are like most and would rather hang onto your card for a while, the Citi Platinum Select MasterCard is worth taking a look at. It just might solve that elusive inquiry of who really offers the lowest interest rate!
|| CLICK HERE TO APPLY ||
Are you ready for life’s challenges? PaymentAid Plus by Citibank might be for you.
Financial Planning: love it, hate it? It’s a necessity, and it is a way for you to stay in the driver’s seat and be in control no matter what life will deal you in the future.
Citi has put together an interesting package, the PaymentAid Plus that gives people financial relief during tough times in life.
Death, Disability and Income Loss Benefits
When faced with some of life’s biggest challenges, the last thing you and your family should have to worry about is your credit card account. PaymentAid Plus gives you help when you need it most.
- In the event of a job loss or short-term disability
Your account will be credited your minimum monthly payment (excluding past due amounts, over credit limit or credit line amounts and fees) for up to 12 months.
Note: You may continue charging purchases, but not cash advances, on your account while these benefits are activated. - In the event of long-term disability or death
Citi will cancel up to $10,000 of your New Balance.
Life and Family Benefits
Changes at home or in your health can have a big impact on your financial situation. PaymentAid Plus can help you with your expenses so you can focus on what’s important.
- If you get married or divorced, buy a home, move, welcome a child into your family or enter college for the first time
Citi will credit 1 minimum monthly payment to your account (excluding past due amounts, over credit limit or credit line amounts and fees) once a calendar year. - If you’re a victim of a national disaster
Citi will credit 6 minimum monthly payments to your account (excluding past due amounts, over credit limit or credit line amounts and fees). - If you need to take leave to care for an ill family member
Citi will credit up to 9 minimum monthly payments to your account (excluding past due amounts, over credit limit or credit line amounts and fees). - Receive up to a $500 credit
For a deductible paid on Auto, Homeowners or Renters insurance per calendar year.
What’s more, PaymentAid Plus helps support you in your time of need:
- Citi will credit 1 monthly minimum payment (excluding past due amounts, over credit limit or credit line amounts and fees) if you or any member of your household spends at least one night in a hospital.
- Citi will credit 1 monthly minimum payment (excluding past due amounts, over credit limit or credit line amounts and fees) if you or any member of your household receive medical treatment in the Emergency Room of a hospital.
Payment Credit Benefit
PaymentAid Plus also provides valuable extra benefits for you to use as needed.
Once a year, if you incur expenses of at least $25 (for education, medical, household, transportation or IRS taxes), PaymentAid Plus will allow you to credit one minimum monthly payment. Or, you can request a credit of one minimum monthly payment for one of three federal holidays-New Year’s Day, Memorial Day or Labor Day (The account credit does not include past due amounts, over credit limit or credit line amounts and fees).
Your membership also includes these valuable Add-on benefits:
Personal/Professional Resources through LifeWorks®
Starting a new career? Trying to get on track financially? LifeWorks can help.
You spend every day trying to make time for the things that are important to you—your work, your family, your personal life. With so much to balance, let LifeWorks help. Just call or go online to obtain the advice of trained consultants on a wide range of relevant issues, including:
- Budgeting and money management
- Planning for retirement
- Estate planning
- Furthering your education
- Parenting and child care
- Setting up a will or living will
- Updating your work skills/computer skills
- Getting assistance for older family members
Daily Credit Monitoring at the 3 National Credit Repositories & More
Identity theft can destroy the credit history you’ve spent years building.
It can happen when new accounts are opened in your name or your existing credit accounts are somehow taken over. Cases of identity theft can take months, sometimes years, to resolve. You can help protect yourself from identity theft through the daily monitoring of your credit files.
With PaymentAid Plus you have the automatic benefit of:
- Daily Monitoring of your credit files at the 3 national credit repositories
- E-mail Alerts to notify you of certain changes to your credit bureau files (So, be sure to provide your email address when you enroll)
- Dispute Resolution Assistance should you find changes to your credit files that you do not recognize.
|| CLICK HERE TO APPLY ||
The AT&T Universal Business Reward Card by Citibank
AT&T means business, and for many Small Businesses AT&T is a businesses partner for internet access, phone services, cell phone services (got an iPhone?), and other telecommunications products.
If that’s you, why not take advantage of the The AT&T Universal Business Reward Card with ThankYou Reward Network where you get 5 points for every dollar spent on products and services from AT&T?
Powered by Citibank you get unsurpassed customer service on line or on the phone, and much more:
- No Annual Fee
- APR on purchases: Prime + 5.99% (as of 08/17/2008) (*)
- Balance Transfer Offer: 0% for 12 months (*)
- 5 points for every $1 spent on eligible products/services purchased directly from AT&T 2
- 3 points for every $1 spent on purchases at certain office supply merchants and gas stations, and on professional services (*)
- 1 point for every $1 you and your employees spend on other purchases (*)
- Redeem your points through ThankYou Network
Will this be your next Business Credit Card? If you already use AT&T or you are planing on using it, it’s surely worth taking a look at.
|| CLICK HERE TO APPLY ||
(*) See the official AT&T Universal Business Reward Card site for details.
MasterMind of good ideas: The new Citi Upromise World MasterCard
There are plenty of good ideas! Going to college is a good idea. So are: saving for college, saving on things you buy, carrying a good credit cards, align yourself with good solid companies that help you achieve your goals. All good ideas.
And when you put them all into one offering, you get something that really helps parents and students fulfill their dream of a College Education. Studying is hard enough, saving for college shouldn’t be.
Think of the time from when your kids were born to the time your kids were ready for college. Imagine that during this time every thing that you bought, big or small, helped with the college tuition.
Wouldn’t you consider that a great idea, worthy of a great MasterMind like Citibank and Upromise?
This is what you get with the Citi Upromise Worlds MasterCard:
- 10% EXTRA college savings on thousands of grocery and drugstore items (*)
- 10% EXTRA college savings on 8,000+ Upromise Dining restaurants (*)
- 1% college savings everywhere you shop (*)
- No annual fee
- Low APR on balance transfers (*)
- No annual cap to the amount of college savings you can earn!
With an offer like this, it is never too early and never to late to start saving.
|| CLICK HERE TO APPLY ||
CitiBusiness Card with ThankYou Network
Earn 10,000 bonuses ThankYou Points and redeem a $100 gift card for every $250 in purchases.
Building a business is always a challenging affair. Now using your CitiBusiness with ThankYou Network, you can build your business even faster. Get to earn and enjoy 10,000 ThankYou points with every $250 purchases to redeem a $100 gift card. Not only that, you can redeem your points for travels, merchandise and much more. You can start to earn rewards from just 1000 ThankYou points.
Lower your business overheads and get to earn ThankYou points when you use your CitiBusiness with ThankYou Network credit card at certain professional services and office supply merchants. You will get to earn three ThankYou® points for every one dollar spent on your office supplies and professional services. For other purchases, you will earn one ThankYou® points for every one dollar spent.
You will also get to reap the benefits of having your own Personal Business Assistant with the CitiBusiness Card with ThankYou Network. The Personal Business Assistant is available 24/7 to assist you with:
- Obtaining leads for marketing & administrative needs
- Office management
- Dining arrangements
- Entertainments
- Gathering business intelligence
- Travel arrangements
- Hotel accommodations
Take the hassles out of managing your budgets and expenses with quarterly & yearly account summaries broken down by amounts, spending categories and employees at no additional cost.
You also be able to mange your account online saving you those precious minutes for more productive activities for your business. With your account online, you can make payments, check statements, add employees, track business activities linked to the card and even request credit lines increases for your business with just a touch of a button.
Additional cards for employees are also simplified and there are also options for you to control employees spending by setting limits on the CitiBusiness Card with ThankYou Network.
|| CLICK HERE TO APPLY ||
Auto Credit Cards: using your rewards toward the purchase of a new car
The price of gasoline is on everyone’s mind, and a favorite topic at the water cooler. Some people have switched to a hybrid car, some others have traded-in their gasoline guzzler for a gasoline “sipper”, while others have switched or are thinking about switching their credit cards to a Gas Rebate credit card.
If changing your car is in your future, you might want to consider another strategy for easing the sticker shock of a new car: have you thought about Automotive credit cards? It might be a wise idea, especially since new small cars cost more – relatively speaking – then used large cars.
Popular during the 90’s when everyone was upgrading, many of these programs are still in effect, although they are not been advertised much.
Typically you sign up for a auto manufacturer’s credit card, and your rewards can be used toward the down payment of a new car from that manufacturer.
Of course if you have a Lexus Pursuits Visa card, and then you are looking to buy a Subaru car, you can’t apply the rewards from one manufacturer’s credit card toward the purchase of another manufacturer’s car. Unless you carry the Citibank’s Driver’s Edge card, where you can apply the rewards toward the purchase of any car, regardless of the manufacturer, and it applies to both new and used cars.
GM Flexible Earnings Rewards Card by HSBC (*):
- 3% Earnings toward an eligible, new GM vehicle,
or - 1% toward the purchase of any other new vehicle,

or - 1% cash back ($100 increments)
- 0% Introductory APR on Balance Transfers Terms and Conditions
- No limit on how much you can earn
- Earn even more at the GM Cardmember Bonus Shop
- Earn Reward Points for every purchase you make
- Redeem your Reward Points for Parts and Services at authorized Mercedes-Benz dealerships, as well as for other Mercedes-Benz exclusives
- No annual fee
Mercedes-Benz Visa Signature Card (*):
- Opportunity to customize and create your own reward.
- Earn Reward Points for every purchase you make.
- Redeem your Reward Points for Parts and Services at authorized Mercedes-Benz dealerships, as well as for other Mercedes-Benz exclusives.

- Use your Reward Point to match your lifestyle, like using them towards one of the premium vacation packages available.
- You can donate your Reward Points to your local charity of choice.
Subaru Platinum MasterCard from Chase (*):
- 3% in Subaru Reward Dollars – up to $500 per year – redeemable at any authorized Subaru dealership in the Continental United States, including Alaska.
- A low 0% Introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for up to 6 months with no annual
fee. - Plus receive 25 Subaru Reward Dollars after your first purchase.
- Redeem your Subaru Reward Dollars for Subaru parts, Subaru service, lease or purchase of a brand new Subaru vehicle or purchase of a Subaru Certified Pre-Owned Subaru.
- Free additional cards are available for your family or friends – with all the rewards redeemable to your account.
- Keep track of your Subaru Reward Dollars the easy way. For each 100 Subaru Reward Dollars you accrue, you will automatically receive a coupon attached to your billing statement. You can also check your progress 24/7 through online access to your account.
- Experience Rewards Like No Other. More than your typical credit card, Lexus Pursuits Visa offers unrivaled benefits and exclusive rewards developed with Lexus owners in mind.

- Earn Rewards: Lexus Pursuits Visa Cardmembers earn Lexus Pursuits Points with every purchase.
- Redeem Rewards: Reward redemption is simple and convenient.
- Rewards Calculator: Determine how easily you can earn and use your Lexus Pursuits Points.
- Travel Rewards: The optional Travel Rewards Program offers convenience and flexibility.
- Enjoy superior concierge services and no pre-set spending limit.
Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge Rewards Visa Cards (*)
- Enhance your total driving experience with the Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge Rewards Visa credit card. It’s the card that not only gives you the buying-power and benefits you want, but works for you to earn valuable points that can be used for things you need.
- Every purchase made using your Rewards Visa card earns points, which can then be converted to
Dealer Dollars Certificates. - Redeemable toward the purchase of a new, used or Five Star Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle.
- Use them for maintenance, repairs or collision services at Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealerships, Mopar Parts and Authentic Accessories by Mopar; or branded Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge merchandise.
- You can also redeem your points online for your Chrysler Financial monthly vehicle payment or toward excess wear and tear at lease end.
YOUR CAR. YOUR CARD: It’s the only credit card that lets you configure a custom MINI.- Enjoy MINI Motoring Rewards.
- No annual fee.
- A 4.99% introductory APR on all purchases for 6 months.
Citi Driver’s Edge Options Platinum Select MasterCard (*):
- Earn 6% rebates on gas station, supermarket & drugstore purchases for 12 months; 3% thereafter.
- Earn 1% rebates on all other purchases to use towards a new, used or leased vehicle of your choice.

- Redeem your rebates for automotive service & repairs.
- 0% APR on Balance Transfers for up to 12 months based on your application and credit history.
- Enroll to earn additional rebates for the miles you drive.
- Convert your rebates to ThankYou Points & redeem for merchandise & gift cards.
- No Annual Fee.
(*) See each card’s official web site for details.
How does a 15 cents per gallon rebate on gasoline purchases sound?
With the price of gasoline still dancing around the $ 4 mark, we can all use some help when pumping gas at the station. Now more than ever, it’s important to make the right choice, not only where to fill up, but also the credit card you carry in your wallet might help you out with the price of gasoline.
ExxonMobil and Citibank have joined to offer a new version of a gas rebate card and general rebate card. They have packaged in a way that makes it a very alluring offer:
- No annual Fee
- 15 cents per gallon rebates on gasoline purchases at Exxon and Mobil stations
- Up to 2% rebates on other eligible purchases
- 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 6 months
|| CLICK HERE TO APPLY ||
(*) See the official Citi ExxonMobil Card site for details.
Good News on the Fight for Credit Card Fraud
Do you remember when the systems at TJX Corporation (TJ Maxx / Marshall), BJ’s Wholesale Club, Barnes and Noble, Sports Authority, Boston Market, Office Max, Dave and Busters, DSW shoe stores and Forever 21 got hacked and over 40 million customers’ data, including credit card numbers, got stolen?
As a result of that you might have closed your credit card account and opened a new one.
Well, thanks to US authorities, they have charged 11 people in connection with such hacks: three of those charged are US citizens. The others come from Estonia, Ukraine, Belarus and China. Talk about a global economy! But it was a global effort as well, since the US lead the investigation with the collaboration of law enforcement agencies around the world, including in Turkey and Germany.
What does it mean for you and I?
- If you have done credit card transaction with any of the companies above, and you haven’t changed the account number, call your credit card company immediately, and ask them to close the current account and open a new one. Do it now, don’t even finish reading this article, we’ll still be here once you are done.
And if they ask you “Why?” tell them that Credit Cards Mojo suggested you do so. They might not “get it”, they’ve got no Mojo! - Get a copy of your credit report, in some states you can get it for free, once a year (consult your state consumer agency). Go over the accounts that are open there, if you see some accounts that don’t belong to you, get on the phone with the issuer right away. If there are old accounts that you no longer use you might want to consider closing them.
- When shopping online you could use one-time disposable account numbers, many credit cards companies offer that. See our article on Citi’s Virtual Account Numbers feature.
Safe shopping!
News source: BBC NEWS
6% rebate on all your home utilities
What if there was a way to get 6% rebate on all the utilities in your home? Bills like internet, telecom services, cable & utilities. No other card gives you that.
Introducing the Citi Home Rebate Platinum Select MasterCard, with the unparalleled level of features and customer service that you will only find from the folks at Citi:
- 6% in rebates on internet connections, telecom services, cable, satellite (including other pay TV and radio services), and utilities for the first 12 months; 1% thereafter (*);
- 1% in rebates on all other eligible purchases (*);
- $0 Liability on Unauthorized Charges;
- Extended Warranty;
- Retail Purchase Protection;
- Travel & Emergency Assistance;
- Automatic Travel Accident Insurance;
- Discounts from Hertz;
- Auto Rental Insurance;
- Citi MasterCard® Payment Tag with PayPass;
- Citi® Credit Card Benefits & Services.
Is this a card for you?
|| CLICK HERE TO APPLY ||
(*) See the official Citi Cards site for details.
























