Chase and Hyatt have teamed to launch the first ever Hyatt Card that they call “a simple and rewarding Visa credit card.” Upon first use of the card, members will receive 2 free nights at any Hyatt hotel in the world, to be redeemed within one year. Other features of the card include:
- No foreign transaction fees
- 3 Hyatt Gold Passport points for each dollar spent at a Hyatt property; 1 Gold Passport point on all other spending, with no limit to the number of points you can earn
- No blackout dates and no limit on available standard rooms and no resort fees.
- Hyatt Gold Passport Platinum membership which offers:
- 15% point bonus on each stay
- The best room available within the category booked
- Complimentary Internet service
- Expedited check-in at a dedicated area for members
- Guaranteed 72-hour room availability
The card does carry an annual fee of $75.
Affinity Agreements Still a Moneymaker for Higher Education
A common moneymaker in collegiate circles is the sale of alumni and students’ information through the use of affinity agreements. Many believed that the passage of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 would curtail these business practices, but a clause allows these credit card programs to continue provided they disclose their dealings. The act does not cover other industries. The question many parents and students are asking is “Can the school sell my personal information?” The answer is yes and it is still legal.
In higher education, affinity agreements have become an excellent way to make money and many companies take advantage these programs. They provide car rental discounts, mobile communication packages, campus Internet access and even vending machine displays. Compa
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For the fourth year in a row, American Express has topped the charts in the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study.
Released last week, the study indicates that AmEx received a customer service ranking of 769 on a 1,000 point scale, which was 12 points higher than the runner up—Discover Card. In addition, AmEx was the only credit issuer to receive five out of five J.D. Power.com Power Circles. Bringing up the rear for the ten major credit issuers analyzed in the study was HSBC, which received a ranking a 686 and just two out of five power circles.
I can’t say I’m surprised to see American Express at the top of the list again. In the credit card world, AmEx has always been a brand that’s stood for the highest level of customer service. In my personal opinion, they more than deserve this title.
I’ve been an AmEx customer ever since I was eligible to have my own credit card. In fact,
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Balance transfers are perhaps the easiest way to consolidate credit card debt and pay off multiple balances simultaneously. By consolidating the debt to a credit card with a low interest rate, the cardholder can effectively reduce the total amount of debt that needs to be repaid in the long term.
In fact, if a credit card with a zero APR introductory period is used as the main balance transfer card, then it is possible to completely eliminate interest and pay the balance off with no interest charged.
Unfortunately, there are occasions when balance transfer cards are used incorrectly, causing even more debt rather than reducing it. The following step-by-step manual on balance transfers can help anyone perform proper debt consolidation with a balance transfer credit card.
Step 1 – Finding a Balance Transfer Credit Card
The first step is finding a new credit card that will accept balance transfers at an attractive interest rate and without charging exorbitant fees. T
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Despite officially starting June 1, hurricane season is about to kick into high gear. While meteorologists have scaled back their predictions a wee bit, there are still some major storms coming our way, according to Reuters. There is double the chance this year that a hurricane will hit the U.S. Northeast Coast, making the area just as risky as Florida and the Gulf Coast.
The Weather Service International has predicted that we will see 18 named storms, 10 of which will go on to become hurricanes. Five of those are expected to be category three or higher (111 miles per hour or more), says Reuters.
My colleagues Dan and Connie know a thing or two about hurricanes; before they moved to Texas, they both lived in Florida and dealt with major hurricanes every year. Anyone who has experienced a natural disaster like this, whether earthquakes or blizzards or floods, knows the absolute importance of preparation. Read more…