Important: Always read the full terms & fees disclosure provided by the credit card issuer before you apply. The creditor's terms may include more detailed or updated information than this chart.
Notes: The HSBC Platinum MasterCard® with Cash Back Rewards gives you unlimited 1% cash back on new net retail purchases. Unlike other cash back cards, it has no earnings cap or point expiration, and no confusing spending categories.
Important: Always read the full terms & fees disclosure provided by the credit card issuer before you apply. The creditor's terms may include more detailed or updated information than this chart.
Notes: The Weekend Card allows you to earn 2% cash back on new net retail purchases made on Saturdays and Sundays, and 1% cash back on new net retail purchases Monday through Friday. Get an instant decision in as little as 60 seconds.
Important: Always read the full terms & fees disclosure provided by the credit card issuer before you apply. The creditor's terms may include more detailed or updated information than this chart.
Notes: The Sweepstakes begins at 12:00:01 AM ET on 10/01/08. The Sweepstates ends and all entries expire at 11:59:59 PM ET on 09/30/09. The Sweepstakes is sponsored by HSBC Card Services, Inc. The American DreamCard™ MasterCard® is issued by HSBC Card Services. Its affiliates, HSBC Card Services Inc. and/or HSBC Card Services (II), Inc., provide administrative and processing services for the credit card.
Expert Review: The American DreamCard™ MasterCard® offers a truly unique and generous benefit: "Pooled Rewards." For every dollar you spend (up to $1,000 per purchase), you receive a sweepstakes entry. Up to $25,000 is awarded every month, based on the amount spent by cardholders during the previous month. Over $998,000 has already been distributed in these monthly drawings. The interest rate on the American DreamCard™ depends on whether your credit picture is excellent, very good, good, or fair, but it tends to be higher than many other cards. There is no annual fee and the other fees are typical. While this is not the credit card for someone with a gambling problem, if you enjoy lotteries and tend not to carry a balance, this might be the perfect reward card for you. Just be sure you don't over-spend to get more chances!
Updated:
Nov 2008
Important: Always read the full terms & fees disclosure provided by the credit card issuer before you apply. The creditor's terms may include more detailed or updated information than this chart.
Notes: The Orchard Bank Low APR Cards come with an amazing 7.9% - 8.9% variable purchase APR, and are designed for people seeking to rebuild their credit. They also come with great benefits that fit the needs of managing an account easily.
Important: Always read the full terms & fees disclosure provided by the credit card issuer before you apply. The creditor's terms may include more detailed or updated information than this chart.
Notes: If you're looking for a card with built in benefits you can use on a daily basis and that provides you with the opportunity to establish better credit at the same time, you may be interested in the the Orchard Bank Classic Cards.
Expert Review: The Orchard Bank Secured MasterCard® is ideal for establishing or rebuilding credit. Make a $200 minimum deposit into an interest-bearing savings account and receive a low APR on purchases and balance transfers, although there is a 5% transfer fee. Cash advances have a much higher rate and a fee. Probably the best credit card deal for people with fair, bad, very bad, or no credit, it reports to the three credit bureaus and charges no sign-up fee. There is a 3% fee on foreign purchases, so use another card when going overseas. The $35 annual fee is waived in the first year, there is a $1 monthly minimum finance charge, and the other fees are typical.
Updated:
Jul 2008
Important: Always read the full terms & fees disclosure provided by the credit card issuer before you apply. The creditor's terms may include more detailed or updated information than this chart.
Notes: The Household Bank Low APR Cards come with an amazing 7.9% - 8.9% variable purchase APR, and are designed for people seeking to rebuild their credit. They also come with great benefits that fit the needs of managing an account easily.
Important: Always read the full terms & fees disclosure provided by the credit card issuer before you apply. The creditor's terms may include more detailed or updated information than this chart.
Notes: If you're looking for a brand you can trust to strengthen your credit with, the Household Bank Platinum Cards give you that opportunity. They have built in benefits that make managing your account easy, and put you in control online 24/7.
EYC stands for "Estimated Yearly Cost." This is a handy tool that Credit.com has created to help you compare the cost of using a particular credit card with other cards.
The EYC is not a required cost for using the card. It is just a formula for comparing different credit card offers that takes into account common fees & interest charges. If you pay off your balances in full each month, you can typically avoid interest and late fees associated with using credit cards.
* We do not include balance transfer fees or international currency conversion fees.
Prepaid cards offer the convenience of a credit card without the difficult approval process or risk of getting into debt. These cards work a lot like a gift card, you will have to load the account with cash (direct deposit is usually available) before you can use it for a purchase
Prepaid cards are not credit cards; you cannot spend more than the balance you have deposited and you will not be charged interest for your spending. The pre-paid account will not be reported to the credit bureaus as a credit card.
Pros:
Easy approval process, no credit required
The same fraud liability protections as a standard credit card
Easy to use for online or phone purchases
Access cash from ATM machines
Less expensive than check cashing services
Cons:
Expensive fees for opening and maintaining the account
Fees for loading money on the account or using the card for purchases
Very limited, if any, reporting to the credit bureaus
Does not help improve your credit the same way a credit card or secured card would
Much more expensive than opening a checking account and using an ATM card
Fees and charges can vary significantly between different prepaid credit card offers. Be sure to read the fee schedule for the prepaid credit card before you apply.
