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http://www.cardratings.com/ • November 2002
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Looking for an attractive cash back credit card? You're in luck. There are currently several cash back credit card offers featured in our Reward Cards Reports. Earn up to 5% cash back on every day purchases. Some cards even feature online application approval in less than 2 minutes (to qualified applicants)!

We volunteer on a regular basis to educate consumers about credit cards in public settings. Special thanks to Lynn Russell, Ph.D. for allowing us to address a group of Arkansas Family & Consumer Science educators at a Jump$tart Financial Literacy Seminar held at The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service in August.

Recent Articles

20 Sneaky Credit Card Tricks
Beat the credit card companies at their fee games. (11/06/02)

Virtual Credit Card Numbers
Virtual credit card numbers can take the fear out of using credit cards for online credit card purchases. Terms and conditions for do apply, though. Read this article before you apply online for a credit card that offers virtual numbers. (10/11/02)

Credit Card Terms
Must-know credit card information, terms. Discusses credit card APR (annual percentage rate), balance transfers, preapproved credit card application offers (aka as guaranteed approval credit cards), cash advance, finance charges, etc. (9/6/02)

Hot Topics...Cash Advance

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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 9,025+ reviews of 601 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: Wal-Mart Card
Provided by: Monogram Credit Card Bank of Georgia
Total Posts: 11
Average Rating: 1.36
Category: Retail

Review: I was given this card when Montgomery Ward closed. Shopping at the store was fine, but when you try to call customer service it's a nightmare. I can never understand what the people are saying on the phone. It sounds like English, but they have to repeat themselves several times. Finally I just give up some times. Trying to get help on a lost payment one time took me about six phone calls.

Best Feature: There is none.
Worst Feature: Calling into Customer service. I never get satisfaction for any of my inquiries.
Overall Rating: 1.5
Benefit Rating: 1
Service Rating: 1.5
Recommend: No

Credit Card: MBNA Card
Provided by: MBNA
Total Posts: 93
Average Rating: 2.78
Category: Regular


Review: This is my everyday card. I charge about $1,000/month and pay it all off every month. I opened this account about 3 years ago with a limit of $2,000 and an APR of 15.99%, not all that spectacular. My limit and APR are now $11,000 and 8.99%. It took some time and a few requests to get to these numbers but they do listen to customers who pay their bills on time. Bug them every 6 months or so, it's worth it.

Best Feature: Good customer service
Worst Feature: No benefits or rewards
Overall Rating: 5
Benefit Rating: 4.5
Service Rating: 5
Recommend: Yes

Credit Card: Capital One® No-Hassle Visa® Platinum Card
Provided by: Capital One
Total Posts: 204
Average Rating: 3.59
Category: Regular


Review: I have been a card member for over 4 years. Never been late . Capital one does not Reward its best customers with this card . Instead , they want you to RE-APPLY for this card . TOTALLY LAME! I have Gold American Express, and Blue from American Express and can honestly tell you that the SERVICE is much better. They also dont play these Stupid games . In case your wondering on how a long standing customer can get this card? Wait to get something in the mail

Best Feature: Low interest rate.
Worst Feature: Can't upgrade.
Overall Rating: 1.5
Benefit Rating: 2
Service Rating: 2
Recommend: No

Credit Card: First USA Platinum Visa® Card
Provided by: Firt USA
Total Posts: 112
Average Rating: 2.44
Category: Regular


Review: My first USA card is very trouble free and convenient to use. I was attracted to the card with a very low interest rate promotion. I have been happy with it and the customer service that I have recieved. About a year ago, I had lost my wallet, called the credit card company and reported it. They cancelled the card and had a new one in my mailbox in 3 days. The only problem I had was when they upgraded me to a platinum card. They sent me a new card without notice, and invalidated my old card. Normally I cut up and throw out credit cards that are sent to me in the mail, but this time I hadn't gotten around to it yet. You cannot turn down a card upgrade. As much as I hate credit cards, if I have to carry one, this one is it.

Best Feature: Fast Customer Service
Worst Feature: None
Overall Rating: 5
Benefit Rating: 4
Service Rating: 5
Recommend: Yes

Credit Card: Direct Merchants Bank MasterCard®
Provided by: Direct Merchants Bank
Total Posts: 95
Average Rating: 1.77
Category: Regular


Review: This company waits until you have a period of financial difficulty, charges late fees until the balance is over the limit, and then charges over the limit fees also. an original balance of $3500 is now almost $7000, and that is with making monthly payments. with finance charges, late fees and over the limit fees, the balance never goes down. I haven't used this card for four years, and it is still my largest account. and I still get collector calls every day whether I make the requested payments or not. NEVER GET THIS CARD AND NEVER USE THIS CARD!!!!!

Best Feature: Promises of competitive rates and great service.
Worst Feature: Horrible customer service, will not work with you on payment plans.
Overall Rating: 1
Benefit Rating: 1
Service Rating: 1
Recommend: No

Credit Card: Citi® Platinum Select® MasterCard®
Provided by: Citibank
Total Posts: 153
Average Rating: 3.46
Category: Regular


Review: I have been with Citibank Mastercard since I was 18, the first card I ever held. I am now 42, I have bumped it up along the way and now have a platinum and one that is hooked up with Upromise. (great for saving for college). I love the quality of service they have provided and I am sure the will continue to do so. Sincerly, Linda

Best Feature: Helping you with charges you question or dispute.
Worst Feature: None
Overall Rating: 5
Benefit Rating: 3.5
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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