Top Pick Credit Card Offers for December 2011
We help you save time when comparing credit card offers by bringing you the best of the best deals every month. Now that we’re in December, it’s that time again. And it’s the perfect time to look for a new credit card to help you reach your financial goals in the New Year — such as a money-saving balance transfer.
Here are our top five credit card picks for December.
1. Bank of Melbourne Vertigo Credit Card
Why we love it: The Bank of Melbourne Vertigo credit card features a great balance transfer offer that’s perfect for someone wanting to save on interest while paying down debt in the New Year. You’ll get a very low 0.99% balance transfer rate for your first 12 months — a whole year! Better yet, the card also features a low annual fee of $55 and a low rate on new purchases of just 13.24%.
2. Westpac 55 Day
The Best Visa Credit Card Rewards Option
Finding the right rewards card is difficult with so many different options on the market, but sometimes turning to a processor like Visa can show people great cards with even more advantages.
While card providers and partner companies such as airlines develop most credit card rewards programs, there can also be additional reward benefits and options through different processors.
In Australia the main processors are American Express, MasterCard and Visa, with all of them offering different features and benefits that can add to the value of different reward cards.
But these extras are not always mentioned on provider or comparison websites, so it is good to go straight to the source to see what is available.
The standard benefits that come with any Visa credit card, for example, include:
- Exclusive promotions and offers through Visa Entertainment
- Contactless payment technology; and
- Verified by Visa online security services
While these features may seem quite basic, here we take a look at the world of rewards waiting for cardholders with the more premium Platinum and Signature Visa options.
Platinum Visa Cards
With at least nine different credit card providers in Australia offering platinum Visa options, it can definitely pay off to know what benefits are specific to Visa.
All Visa platinum cardholders will be allowed higher credit limits than standard or gold options, and have access to the following benefits from this processor:
- A 24/7 Visa Platinum Customer Centre for all card services
- A 24/7 Visa Platinum Concierge Service
- Travel accident insurance valued at AU$500,000 you, your partner and any dependent children
- Visa Front Line Access for pre-sale tickets to a wide range of events
Not only could some of these features, like the travel insurance, help people save money, but pre-sale tickets could also lead to more reward points by using a Visa platinum card like ANZ’s Rewards Platinum or Virgin’s High Flyer.
Signature Visa Card
Visa Signature is an option exclusively offered with the Citibank Select card, which is designed for big spenders and earners.
The benefits of this card seem to be a collaborative effort between Citibank and Visa, including a 24/7 concierge service, one complimentary hotel stay per year and complimentary Priority Pass membership that provides access to 600 airport lounges around the world.
Cardholders also have access to the Visa Signature Bespoke program, which offers customised luxury lifestyle experiences like cooking masterclasses with celebrity chefs or intimate French fashion evenings with partners like Vogue.
For high-income earners who really want to get the most out of their rewards card, this option is definitely one to consider.
While points programs may be the focus of most people looking for a rewards card, considering different benefits offered by the card issuer can add more value to a comparison.
These benefits offered by processors like Visa will usually stay the same whether you want an everyday rewards option or a more specific frequent flyer card, making it easy to feel rewarded.
Top 5 Black Friday Sites of 2011: Tools for Mapping the Mayhem
The gist: NerdWallet reviews the top 5 sites to help you navigate the Black Friday madness.
Happy Thanksgiving, nerds! Looking past the turkey to the Black Friday sales? We’re here to help. If you’re a discount gladiator contending in the retail arena tomorrow, you might want to take a few minutes to strategize. Don’t risk defeat and financial dismemberment at the hands of the fevered hordes. Rather than dashing blindly into battle, find out what stores are offering what deals and plan accordingly.
Lucky for you, a handful of websites dedicated solely to finding and documenting Black Friday deals are just a click away. Here is NerdWallet’s review of the top 5 Black Friday sites for 2011.
1. blackfri
Black Friday 2011: Deals, death and other reasons for and against braving the crowds
It’s the most thrilling day of the year for avid shoppers. It’s Black Friday, and it’ll be here in just a couple of days. The way I see it, there are reasons for and against braving the stores this Friday. Let’s take a look at both.
Jun 20, Consolidate Credit Cards With Ease
The “consolidate credit cards” technique can be a great way to bring all your card debt together in one place where you can manage it better with a single, lower monthly payment. Here’s what you need to know…
Thinking of credit card consolidation? Are you one of the many millions quietly concerned about the mounting credit card debt you currently owe? Are the interest charges and fees driving your debt higher and higher? Well dont panic just yet! The option to consolidate credit card debt can be a very effective, practical way to help you begin to get rid of that debt for good!
The first and most important benefit of credit card consolidation is that it will get you lower interest rates. When you combine your various high APR credit card balances onto a single, lower APR credit card you will instantly have reduced the interest rate at which you are paying.