Are you thinking of changing credit cards or looking for a new
one? Where do you start to look when comparing credit cards?
Let's talk about where we compare credit cards services and
prices online.
If you are still in the "shopping" phase of comparing different cards
and their fees, go to this site
http://www.qksrv.net/click-972887-804595 where cardoffers.com
provides a great service with credit card reviews and comparisons.
For an information packed portal that provides a good cross section
of emoney information, try www.bankrate.com Their credit card
search section allows you to pick your priorities (cost, features,
etc.) and then it will provide you with a comparison of cards,
including fees! http://www.bankrate.com/brm/rate/cchome.asp
If you want an objective opinion, we can look at the Gomez consumer
ratings of course. They rank the top 20 Internet credit card sites
according to different features, and have a tool that lets you pick
two different cards to compare ratings side-by-side.
http://www.gomez.com/scorecards/index.asp?
topcatid73&subSectfinance
Here are the latest Gomez rankings for credit cards.
Top Internet Credit Card Sites for Q1 2002 ranked by Overall Score.
Firm
Score
1. Citibank (review) 5.61
2. American Express (review) 5.58
3. Direct Merchants Bank (review) 5.10
4. GM Card (review) 5.05
5. Bank of America (review) 4.98
6. Juniper (review) 4.84
7. First National (review) 4.80
8. Household Bank (review) 4.80
9. Nextcard (review) 4.80
10. National City Bank (review) 4.58
11. J.P. Morgan Chase (review) 4.57
12. Discover Card (review) 4.52
13. Fleet (review) 4.51
14. MBNA (review) 4.37
15. Wells Fargo (review) 4.26
16. Virtual Bank (review) 3.99
17. Capital One (review) 3.76
18. First USA (review) 3.74
19. Providian (review) 3.43
20. U.S. Bancorp (review) 3.29
(Source: Gomez.com)
Highest score 10
Lowest score 0 (A firm with a 10 for Overall Cost provides
services at the lowest cost)
I know there are thousands of credit card sites out there and I
won't burden you with that many links, but here are two that
might come in handy if you are travelling. They are ATM locator
sites if you need quick cash from your cards.
Mastercard or Cirrus -
http://www.mastercard.com/cardholderservices/atm
Visa or Plus - http://visaatm.infonow.net/bin/findNow?CLIENTIDVISA
The use of credit cards is a convenience that a little common
sense will make sure we don't abuse.
First, please pay off your monthly balance - every month!
If you can't pay off your balance, that is a good sign that you
are simply living beyond your means and spending more
than you earn. Eventually it will catch up to you and you
will find yourself in financial troubles. By paying your complete
balance you make sure that your spending stays in line and
you don't incur any expensive interest charges.
Secondly, be smart with your card #'s. When you buy online
ensure that your transactions are secure - reputable sites will
state right up front and through the buying process what kind
of security and secure transactions they conduct. Don't send
your card # with expiry date written in an email. You never
know who will be reading the email in future, and once that
email is sent it is gone forever (and so is your credit card
information)!
Also watch your statements to ensure your card wasn't billed for
something you didn't buy. Credit card fraud is a huge industry.
Let's all be careful with our card numbers so that we don't get
added to the statistics!
About the Author
Jim Slobodzian is the author of "How to Manage Your Money Online
and Save" your guide to personal finance online. Jim publishes
the eMoney Guide providing weekly news and tips on online.
Download your copy of the eMoney Guide now at http://www.enroute.ca
email: money@enroute.ca