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Recent Articles
Saving for Your Child’s Education with a Credit Card
Can using a credit card today help you to
avoid debt in the future? Get the inside scoop on the new 529 rebate credit cards.
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.
Are No Fee Reward Credit Cards Really Free?
No annual fee reward credit cards are
everywhere these days. But, as is often the case with the card industry, there are some "strings attached".
These tips can help you learn how to play the reward credit card game and win.
Free Credit Related Articles:
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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
Visit our Article Archive!
Hot Topics...Ever Heard of USA Credit?
"Hi. I am concerned because I got a phone call tonight with someone telling me I had applied online for an
unsecured credit line. I kept telling them that I wouldn't be accepted for more credit, but they said I was
already approved, they just needed information. They said they were "USA Credit". They asked a lot of questions,
including my bank name, my routing #, and all the other personal info like, SS#, date of birth, etc. Then they
said they were transferring me to someone who would set up my account and give me my new account #. A recording
came on that said I needed to hold; after a while it said my hold time would be 8 minutes. After a few more
minutes, the line disconnected. No one ever called back, and I didn't have any idea how to contact them. I came
online and went to usacredit.com, hoping that would be their website. It said the website was found, but was one
of those messages that said either reload or try to access the site at a later time. I am now panicking because
I gave out so much personal information over the phone. No one, not ever, has ever asked for my bank routing #
before. Have you heard of USA Credit? Do they exist? What should I do now? Thank you."
CLICK TO READ REPLIES!
More topics...
Guest5555 asks, "I just want to know if a credit card company can keep charging you
interest once the card has been charged off."
Credit Expert, NightStar, replies, "No, they can't charge interest, late fees, over the limit fees...
But they may have it in their contract to charge collection fees."
Guest writes, "I believe the Chase Freedom MasterCard is fleecing me. I recently
accepted a $5,000 check at 0% percent interest for 6 months back in January 2004. I charged my card $210 in
February and $73 in March. I sent them a payment of $716.87 in February. Thinking that I was paying the purchases
in full and some for the $5,000. They charged me $3.31 in finance charges in February and have charged me $4.99
in finance charges for March. The interest rate they are charging me is 13 % on the average daily balance. I
called the Chase Customer Service center to complain. I first spoke to a customer service representative and
asked her to reverse the finance charges. When she could not help me I asked to be transferred to a supervisor.
When the supervisor could not help I asked to speak to a manager. The manager was polite compared to the
supervisor and the representative. They all had the company line that all payments I make go against the $5,000
and nothing goes against the purchases so I will be paying finance charges until the $5,000 balance is paid off.
I have had the Chase card for 10 years and have never paid finance charges until now. Nothing in their terms and
conditions indicated that this is their policy. I am disgusted with their business methods and the only way to
get even is to pay off the balance and cancel my account."
Reply from Credit Expert, nativechild48, "Are you sure the interest is not for purchases? If they say
zero % interest for the 5000. 00 it should be interest only for purchases, not for the 5000.00 check. But Chase
is famous for bait and switch. See if you can transfer or pay off the balance....Good Luck!!"
Reply from guest, mouse, "NEVER use a card for both BT and PURCHASES unless both are included in the
0.00% offer. I have cards for BT ONLY and cards for PURCHASES ONLY. I NEVER do both on the same card."
Guest, Sam, asks, "Anyone want to share strategies for deleting inquiries. Recently, I
went auto shopping and the dealer and banks slapped like 8 EFX inquiries on me when the dealer told me it was
just going to be one, and that they would just fax the EFX report to the banks. All the banks pulled an additional
EFX report the same day. Although EFX says all the auto inquiries count as one, I was denied a personal loan due
to excessive inquiries shortly after. Credit Guru Deletion Strategies Please!"
NightStar replies, "It is all trial & error when disputing inquiries. Sometimes calling in disputes will
get you there, sometimes you have to mix it up with writing in dispute or disputing on line. I have not disputed
inquiries with Equifax, but I have terrible luck so far with TransUnion (keep trying online) and they keep sending
me a letter saying that it is just a matter of fact and that they won't investigate. Don't settle for that though
because inquiries do affect the credit scoring and if you did not authorize then dispute by all means."
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
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community.
Cardholder Reviews
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Recent Credit Card Reviews by Consumers
Like You!
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Following is a sampling of the latest
consumer reviews that can be found by clicking the "Cardholder
Reviews" link above. We take pride in the quantity (our site
offers approx. 15,000 reviews of 859 different credit cards) and
quality of the consumer reviews that can be find on our site.
New reviews are added on a daily basis.
The cards are rated on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the
highest recommended.
Credit Card: Providian Visa® Gold
Provided by: Providian
Total Posts: 336
Average Rating: 2.82
Category: Regular
Review:
I have received fast friendly service. They are always polite and helpful. I have had difficulty getting
through online due to my computer and they were helpful by placing the payment by phone for me so I would
not be charged a late fee. They were very helpful.
Best Feature: online service: notification by email / allows 48 hour payment
Worst Feature: wait on phone tends to be more than what they say
Overall Rating: 4
Benefit Rating: 4.5
Service Rating: 4
Recommend: Yes
Review:
I have been with Providian for about 1 1/2 years. I have always paid on time and paid my balances off. I
requested that my interest rate be lowered and the response I received was "we can't lower it, an automated
services reviews your credit and will notify when you're eligible for a review." They gave criteria to meet,
which I met. This card is a rip off and it preys unsuspecting people trying to establish credit. I have a
16.99% APR with this card, however with Bank of America my interest rate is 9.90%. My credit is good and
Providian treats me like I filed Chapter 7. I'm closing my account because this card is a trap. Because I
always paid off my card (almost like an American Express Card), they never got the opportunity to apply that
16.99%. I would suggest for those looking for a credit card, do not get Providian, because unless you treat
them like an American Express Card, you will pay triple what you owe.
Best Feature: Nothing
Worst Feature: Customer Service/Satisfaction
Overall Rating: 1
Benefit Rating: 1
Service Rating: 1
Recommend: No
Credit Card: Plains Commerce Bank Total Visa® Card
Provided by: Plains Commerce Bank
Total Posts: 50
Average Rating: 3.26
Category: Poor Credit
Review: I am glad that SOMEONE gave me another chance to get it right. I'm
getting married, would like to buy a house, and just had a baby. It's time to start over or again with my
credit. I didn't always have the money to send in for a deposit on one of the other cards, so I was glad
this card charged it all on the card. I simply paid it off, then used the card for the purchases I needed!
It was easy. Now my account was paid in full and I could still use the money I put on my card!
Best Feature: I like that I did not have to pay anything upfront
Worst Feature: Can't Use it to defer charges
Overall Rating: 5
Benefit Rating: 3
Service Rating: 4
Recommend: Yes
Review: After having this card for sum years, dumb me, i found that if you try to
apply for a unsecured card,they will refuse you till you get rid of this card,,,the fee,s are out of this
world,,,there is no myccpay.com,,,,pay site,,,,,,try find it,,,,,this is a tampa based office try get some
one on the phone,,,,goood luck
Best Feature: Feature: Useable to establish credit history, at a large price
Worst Feature: 50.00 annual fee, 6 dollar montly fee,ect ect,,no online payment can be made
Overall Rating: 1
Benefit Rating: 1
Service Rating: 1.5
Recommend: No
Emerge MasterCard®
Provided by: Providian
Total Posts: 241
Average Rating: 1.10
Category: Regular
Review: I was really happy with Aria which was provided by Providian then it
changes to Emerge out of the blue. At the time when that happened, I decided that I would do a settlement
arrangment to have the account settled once and for all. We agreed on a settlement amount and I thought
that was the last I would hear from Emerge. Lo and behold, the next month, I get a bill with 2 months of
late fees charges and then a finance charge on the late fee charges billed as transactions. I was very
upset. I tried to call their customer service line and was only frustrated because the representative
kept asking me to repeat myself. I decided to pay the balance up and I would highly highly recommend that
no one ever gets an Emerge Mastercard...they truly rip people off.
Best Feature: Very disappointing
Worst Feature: Everything is bad
Overall Rating: 1
Benefit Rating: 1
Service Rating: 1
Recommend: No
Review: I can't believe that Providian sold us out like that and then you get
this Emerge card with a HIGH interest rate. The customer service people are snotty and they charge you a
unbelievable rate to pay your bill over the phone after they charge you an ungodly interest rate to begin
with. Wish I'd never taken the offer from Providian!
Best Feature: There is nothing good about this card
Worst Feature: unable to pay bill online
Overall Rating: 1
Benefit Rating: 1
Service Rating: 1
Recommend: No
Credit Card: Express Card
Provided by: World Financial Network National Bank
Total Posts: 11
Average Rating: 2.73
Category: Retail
Review: I paid off my Express card several years ago and closed the account. I
was checking my credit and there it is open along with a couple of others wfnnb held that I had closed and
paid off. It was quite a shock.
Best Feature: none
Worst Feature: lack of customer care
Overall Rating: 2.5
Benefit Rating: 1.5
Service Rating: 1
Recommend: No
Review: I received my Express card from WFNNB when I was 18. I had NO established
credit and I was approved for a student account. I have since made every payment on time and have NEVER
had any trouble out of WFNNB. The only people who have trouble out of them are people who do not make their
payments on time.
Best Feature: Discounts & Coupons
Worst Feature: Interest Rate
Overall Rating: 4.5
Benefit Rating: 5
Service Rating: 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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