[Update: Some offers mentioned below have expired. You can view the current offers from our partners here — Discover it Miles, Discover it Chrome, Barclaycard Cash Forward World MasterCard. Disclosure: Cards from our partners are mentioned below.]
Each fall, automakers release new products for the next model year. There are always a few new models to get excited about, and nearly all cars receive some kind of update to encourage new sales. If only credit card users were so lucky.
In the credit card industry, new products are released sporadically in response to changing economic conditions and competition from other issuers. In 2015, there weren’t that many new credit cards offered and some major card issuers actually withdrew some of their card offers, perhaps to simplify their lineup. Nevertheless, there were six all-new or significantly revised credit cards that hit the market in 2015.
1. Discover it Miles
Discover expanded its lineup of Discover it cards this year, which it considers variations of a single product. This card offers 1.5 miles per dollar spent on all purchases, with no limits or category restrictions. Miles can be redeemed for statement credits towards any travel-related expenses or as cash back. Finally, Discover is offering new cardholders double the rewards earned in their first year, with the credit applied to their account at the end of their first year. There is no annual fee for this card, no foreign transaction fees and no penalty interest rate.
2. NHL Discover itÂ
The other card that Discover introduced in 2015 is a version of their standard Discover it co-branded with the National Hockey League. Cardholders can order their card with the logo of their favorite team in the league and receive 10% off NHL purchases. As with the standard version of Discover it, customers earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent on bonus categories that change each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases. There’s no annual fee.
3. Amtrak Guest Rewards World MasterCard Credit Card from Bank of America
In 2015, Amtrak ended its relationship with Chase, which had offered its co-branded credit card, and launched a new card issued by Bank of America. This new card offers three Amtrak Guest Rewards points for every dollar spent on an Amtrak purchase, two points per dollar spent on all other eligible travel purchases and one point for every dollar spent elsewhere. New applicants receive 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases on their new card within 90 days of opening their account. New cardholders also receive a complimentary Companion Coupon, a One-Class Upgrade and a single-day lounge pass. There is a $79 annual fee for this card.
4. Barclaycard Cash Forward World MasterCard
In 2015, Barclaycard introduced its Cash Forward World MasterCard, which offers 1.5% cash rewards on every purchase and a 5% cash rewards redemption bonus on the rewards redeemed. New cardholders receive a $100 bonus after spending $500 within 90 days of account opening, as well as 0% APR promotional financing for 12 months on both new purchases and balance transfers. There is no annual fee for the card.
5. Stash Hotel Rewards Card from Synchrony Bank
There are many credit cards that are co-branded with hotel chains, but not quite like this. Stash is not a hotel brand or franchise but a rewards program offered by a group of independent hotels. Cardholders earn 3 points per dollar for purchases from Stash hotels, 2 points per dollar from charges at all other hotels, as well as on dining and gas purchases, and one point for every dollar spent on all other purchases. New cardholders receive 10,000 Stash points after spending $1,500 on purchases within three months of opening their account. This card has an annual fee of $85 that is waived the first year, and cardholders receive a 10% rebate on points redeemed for award nights at any hotel in the Stash collection.
6. Wyndham Rewards Card From Barclaycard
The Wyndham Rewards credit card is not actually new, but it might as well be. In 2015, Wyndham hotels completely revised their rewards program, making an award night at all of its properties just 15,000 points. This card currently offers new cardholders 15,000 points after the first purchase and an additional 15,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening. It also offers five points per dollar spent on Wyndham hotel stays and double points per dollar spent on all other purchases. Finally, cardholders earn 6,000 points every year on their account anniversary. There is a $69 annual fee for this card.
Keep in mind, if you are thinking of applying for these or any other new card this year, you may want to check your credit first since good credit scores generally entitle consumers to the best terms and conditions on financing. You can do so by pulling your credit reports for free each month on AnnualCreditReport.com and see your credit scores for free every 14 days on Credit.com.
At publishing time, the Discover it Miles, Discover it Chrome, and Barclaycard Cash Forward World MasterCard credit card are offered through Credit.com product pages, and Credit.com will be compensated if our users apply for and ultimately sign up for any of these cards. However, this relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment.
Note: It’s important to remember that interest rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees and terms with credit card issuers, banks or other financial institutions directly.
More on Credit Cards:
- Credit.com’s Expert Credit Card Shopping Tips
- How to Get a Credit Card With Bad Credit
- An Expert Guide to Credit Cards With Rewards
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