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http://www.cardratings.com/ • February 2004
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A reporter from a major website is looking for strange credit card preapproval offers, such as preapprovals for children, pets, etc. If you have a story that you'd like to share, please contact us via e-mail with your contact info. and we'll pass this on to the reporter. This should be fun!

Welcome to our award-winning website's newsletter! We have been educating consumers about credit cards since 1998 and have been featured by The Early Show on CBS, The Wall Street Journal Radio, Smart Money Magazine, PBS, CNN Money and many more. Thanks to consumers like you, we have become the most comprehensive free source for comparing card offers.

Recent Articles

The Eufora Card is Worth a Look

Innovative programs indicate an innovative card. Among other things, Eufora cardholders can earn eash and a chance to win a car.

No-fee Cards Rewarding, but Seldom Free

Rewards cards are like Cracker Jack for grown ups. No matter how much you enjoy the product, you're still going to dream about that prize. With rewards cards, just like any other form of credit, smart customers are looking at the bottom line: cost. And banks have responded by offering up a host of rewards cards with no annual fees. But, as is often the case in the card industry, there are strings attached. This article includes tips on how to win the reward card game.

New Credit Reporting Law

On December 4th, President Bush signed into law the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACT), a law that updates the Fair Credit Reporting Act. While parts of the law are great for consumers, others aren’t. Find out the details here and how the law will impact you.

Free Credit Related Articles:

You are welcome to print a copy of any of the articles listed below and distribute them freely for educational purposes. We only ask that you reference our website (as being the source for the articles) when you distribute the articles. If you are a webmaster, you are also welcome to post any of the articles listed below on your site provided that you include a link to our site between the title and the body of the article (stating that CardRatings.com produced the article). If you would prefer to have the articles in MS Word format, then please contact us and we will e-mail you any article that you are interested in as an attachment.

Dealing with Christmas Credit Card Debt
America's Love Affair with Card Rewards/ Rebates
Don't Let "Spring Break" Expenditures "Break" You!
Is it Wise to Make Your Tax Payment with a Credit Card?
Fixed Rate vs. Variable Rate Cards
Demystifying the Credit Scoring/ Rating Process
Credit Card Cash Advance Pitfalls
Teens and Credit - A Recipe for Disaster?
Credit Lessons for Retirees
Debit or Credit? Which do you Vote for?
Card Registration Services
Credit Insurance
Disposable Credit Card Numbers
California Legislation Helps Curb Card Fraud
Credit Cards can Help Reduce your Rental Car Bill
Credit Cards for the Rich and Famous
The New Travelocity Credit Card



Hot Topics...ATM Card for Purchases

"I heard that in some instances you can use a traditional ATM card for purchases with a PIN number. Is this true?" CLICK TO READ REPLIES!


More topics...

Guest, Gary, asks, "I have had this card for several years. At one time, waiting to charge $10,000 to get the $100 accumulated 1% dividend was not such a bad deal, in the early days of rebate cards. I have talked to Citibank, including supervisors, many times about dropping or even lowering the $100 tier you need to reach to get a check, to no avail. Has anyone else had this same problem with this card? Does the 100 tier bother anyone else who has this card? Is it worth hoping they will lower this tier sometime, or should I just move on to another card and forget this one? I hate to give it up since I have had it several years, but it seems like it is a long time to wait for a reward, in today's rebate card environment."

Senior Member, Eugene, replies, "Gary, if $10,000 is an issue, you should definitely move most of your spending on to another card, 'cause Citibank ain't changing terms for you only. However, I would keep the card if you are otherwise happy with them. Trade it for another one from Citibank that you are more likely to use, and/or get the one that you like most from another issuer. Just keep Citi's card active by using it for a small purchase at least once every six months or so. It is very likely that they will introduce some card that you will like, and then you will be able to replace one for the other. Plus, keeping an old card open helps your credit history."

Reply from Senior Member, Ira, "Gary, I would trade that card for the Citibank Shell MasterCard or VISA which gives you a 5% rebate on Shell gasoline, plus a 1% rebate on all other charges. The beauty of this card is that your rebates are credited monthly. It shouldn't be too difficult for you to switch cards within the Citibank family."


Guest, codyman, inquires, "hi, does anyone have the address for Fleet National Bank? lost mine and need to send payment i would be thankful for any help, and also the address for Wachovia Bank card. have been moving and can't find anything. thanks so much."

Reply from a guest,QuibbleMoth, "Just do a google search for fleet and wachovia (probably fleet.com and wachovia.com). You may want to look for their 800# first, call, and make sure you get the right mailing address for your area."


karna68 asks, "Does anyone have a good site to get your credit reports from all agencies online? Sorry if this has been discussed before, I did a search and couldn't find anything. Thanks for the help!"

A guest replies, "Just go to Equifax.com for a consolidated 3 CRA report."

Another guest responds, "Actually the most popular one used is www.privacyguard.com They give a 3 month trial for $1 unlimited access."

Visit our active MESSAGE BOARD! Ask a question, give your opinions. Select questions answered by our board monitor. Our board currently has over 13,500 posts (since May 2000) and new posts are added daily! We are seeking new consumers like you to become involved in our board community.



Cardholder Reviews

Recent Credit Card Reviews by Consumers Like You!

Following is a very small sample of the newest cardholder reviews that can be found by clicking the "Consumer Reviews" link above. We take pride in the quantity (our site offers 14,000 + reviews of 841 different credit cards) and quality of the consumer reviews that can be find on our site. The cards are rated on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest recommended.



Credit Card: Target Guest Card
Provided by: Retailers National Bank
Total Posts: 32
Average Rating: 3.53
Category: Retail


Review: RNB has two locations: Mpls (MN) and Sioux Falls (SD). I've worked data entry at SF and seen the machines that MAKE your cards. As a matter of fact, my job was to:
1) Put new applications for RNB cards into the system for approval/rejection,
2) Approve/reject instant applications (Target) based on the customer's credit, and
3) Make sure bills were being paid -- send notices if accounts were overdue.
I applied for a Target card that year with NO CREDIT...and they approved me for a $200 limit at 10% interest!

Best Feature: good way to start a credit rating
Worst Feature: none
Overall Rating: 3.5
Benefit Rating: 4
Service Rating: 4
Recommend: Yes

Review: At first, I enjoyed my Target Visa. Until I went overseas on vacation and it was stolen. I cancelled my card within 2 days. When I returned home 2 months later, I noticed on my statement that someone had used my card in the place it was stolen. It wasn't me! The customer service people were very rude, and gave me the run around for almost an hour! After speaking with a supervisor, they finally helped me with fraudulent charge. Since then, I have switched to a BofA credit card with a low interest rate (something that I didn't have with my Target Visa). I have nothing against Target but I think they should switch their bank.
Best Feature: Credit
Worst Feature: Bad customer service at the bank
Overall Rating: 3
Benefit Rating: 1
Service Rating: 1
Recommend: No



Credit Card: First PREMIER Bank Visa®/MasterCard®
Provided by: First PREMIER Bank
Total Posts: 167
Average Rating: 2.50
Category: Poor Credit

Review: I don't like the fact they charge $7.00 everytime you want to make a payment on line..also, they won't give credit increases even though you were never late making payments if you are too close to your credit limit..I don't think thats fair if you are showing good faith making your payments on time and not exceed the limit..Why give you a limit if you can't use it?
Best Feature: 9.9%interest for purchases
Worst Feature: Only can get cash advances up to 30%of your balance
Overall Rating: 3
Benefit Rating: 3.5
Service Rating: 3
Recommend: No

Review: If you have had credit problems, and are really looking to rebuild your rating, this is a good card. People who complain about the harrassment over late payments and such are victims of their own irresponsibility. When you accept this card, you accept the high fees. If you pay your payments on time, this card works great, because they report every month. It is great for creating another positive tradeline on your credit. However if you are not serious about rebuiliding and don't pay the 20 dollar min. payment, that is your own fault. This card can work great for those who pay on time.
Best Feature: Feature: Gives you credit when no one else will
Worst Feature: High fees
Overall Rating: 4
Benefit Rating: 2.5
Service Rating: 4.5
Recommend: Yes



Credit Card: U.S. Bank Visa® Buxx Card
Provided by: U.S. Bank
Total Posts: 7
Average Rating: 3.29
Category: Pre-Paid

Review: I absolutely regret ordering this card. I ordered the card as a Xmas present for our daughter prior to the holidays and paid the additional fee for RUSH Delivery. It's been 3 weeks and we have not yet received it, even though our credit card has been charged. I spoke to Risk Management and they will not credit us the Additional Rush Fee. I have been trying to reach them since and no one has return any of my messages. I have now turned this over to my credit card customer service to dispute the charges since we yet to receive it. At this point I don't know if they are just a scam...
Best Feature: None to date
Worst Feature: Customer Service
Overall Rating: 1
Benefit Rating: 1
Service Rating: 1
Recommend: No

Review: This card is perfect for the teenager. You can add their allowance every week or monthly to the card. On special occasions such as holidays or birthdays you can add cash to their card in lieu of a present. You can also give grandparents or close relatives the Visa Buxx info and they can add to the card. This card also teaches teens about setting budgets and helps them learn how you can only buy what you can afford. If you have a teen and would like them to have the freedom to shop at malls or online without having to carry mega cash on them, then U.S. Bank Visa Buxx Card is for you and your teen!
Best Feature: That my teen is able to shop by himself.
Worst Feature: none
Overall Rating: 5
Benefit Rating: 5
Service Rating: 5
Recommend: Yes



Credit Card: Household Bank® MasterCard®
Provided by: Household Bank
Total Posts: 126
Average Rating: 2.57
Category: Regular

Review: I am not happy with the way they treat people. They call at all hours of the day and night. They are rude and demeaning. I have asked repeatedly that they stop calling after 6 pm at night. Their response is that they can't control when the calls are placed. I am unhappy with the fact if the payment is sent in early it isn't posted till ater the closing date. Therefore I am charged a late fee. I have brought this up and sent in dates of when I sent payments. Once this is payed off I will never do business with th again. I would not recommend this card to anyone unless they like being harassed by rude people.
Best Feature: none that I can think of
Worst Feature: everything about it. they call continously day and night and sundays upto 8 pm.
Overall Rating: 1
Benefit Rating: 1
Service Rating: 1
Recommend: No

Review: Im glad I was accepted for this card. I learned how to maintain a clean credit history and this is the bank to use. It sure beats using sleazy subprime banks like First Premier Bank and what I like most is that they dont take fees out your card. I recommend this card to people who want to rebuild their credit with a REPUTABLE company.
Best Feature: It accepts people with shaky credit history
Worst Feature: None that I can think of
Overall Rating: 4
Benefit Rating: 3
Service Rating: 2.5
Recommend: Yes



The Cardholder Review section is a unique feature of our site and, to the best of our knowledge, there is no other organization or company that offers more consumer reviews of credit cards. It's all about consumers helping other consumers. As your might expect, this section of our site has been one of the most popular sections of our site since it was introduced in the summer of 2000. New reviews are posted on a daily basis! We hope that you will find this section of our site useful and that you will visit it on a regular basis.




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