TJ Porter – Intuit Credit Karma

Truly Simple® Credit Card from Fifth Third Bank review

TJ Porter — Mon, 18 Nov 2019 19:26:47 +0000

This offer is no longer available on our site: Truly Simple® Credit Card from Fifth Third Bank

Updated September 3, 2024

This date may not reflect recent changes in individual terms.

Editorial Note: Intuit Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. Information about financial products not offered on Credit Karma is collected independently. Our content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.

Written by: TJ Porter

Pros

Decent intro balance transfer and purchase APR period
$0 annual fee
No penalty APR for a missed payment

Cons

Balance transfer fee
No rewards

Core features

Intro 0% APR

The Truly Simple® Credit Card from Fifth Third Bank offers a promotional 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for the first 15 billing cycles after you open the card. And while that’s a decent offer, you’ll be charged a balance transfer fee of 4% (minimum $5) of any amount transferred.

Once the intro period is over, the APR for both balance transfers and purchases is a variable 13.49% - 24.49%, depending on your credit.

Fifth Third’s card is a solid offer, but it’s not the longest intro APR offer on the market. Other cards have promotions that last 18 months or more. If your goal is to pay the least interest for the longest period of time possible, you might want to go with a different card. If you’ve come up with a repayment plan that matches the intro period for this card, then it could be just fine.

Another thing to consider is the balance transfer fee, which is unusually high. Many cards’ intro balance transfer fees hover around 3% of the amount transferred or $5, whichever is greater. As an intro offer, some don’t charge a fee at all if you transfer within a certain amount of time after opening the account.

And though 4% (minimum $5) doesn’t seem like much, a percentage point or two can add up quickly if you’re transferring a large balance — so saving on this fee can be a big deal.

No penalty APR for missed payment

In general, when you miss a payment’s due date by 60 days or more, credit card issuers can charge you a penalty APR on your existing balance. This rate can be charged to your card’s balance until you’ve made six months of on-time payments at the required minimum amount. After that, the issuer has to lower the rate on your existing balance to its original interest rate.

The Truly Simple® Credit Card from Fifth Third Bank doesn’t charge a penalty APR for a missed payment, which is nice but not uncommon among low-interest cards. It does, however, charge a late payment fee of up to $39.

You should always work to make at least your minimum payment on time every month to help protect your credit. But having the extra protection against penalty rates can provide some peace of mind if you’re using a balance transfer card to try to get out from under a lot of debt.

It’s also important to note that Fifth Third Bank reserves the right to revoke any promotional APRs if you make a late payment. That means your balance transfer that had the intro offer could end up being assessed interest during the promotional period if you miss a payment, make a late payment or pay less than the minimum due. The lack of a penalty APR definitely won’t make up for that.

$0 annual fee

The Truly Simple® Credit Card from Fifth Third Bank charges a $0 annual fee, which means you can focus all of your money and energy on paying off your debt on the card. Bonus: Once your debt is paid off, you won’t have to continue to pay for the privilege of having the card.

Balance transfer cards don’t always have rewards, so it’s not unusual that the Truly Simple® Credit Card from Fifth Third Bank also doesn’t have them. On one hand, not having rewards means there’s less of a temptation to overspend in order to get points or cash back while you’re also paying down debt. On the other hand, once you’ve paid off your debt, this card might not be as appealing.

Who this card is good for

The Truly Simple® Credit Card from Fifth Third Bank is marketed as a balance transfer card but has a higher balance transfer fee than many of its competitors. That makes it hard to recommend to people who are looking to use it to consolidate credit card debt.

If you’re already banking with Fifth Third, it might make sense to keep all of your finances in one place. In that case, this card could be nice. If not, you’re likely better off with a different card.

Not sure this is the card for you? Consider these alternatives.

If you’re not sure that the Truly Simple® Credit Card from Fifth Third Bank is the right one for you, there are many alternatives on the market. Here are some to consider.

Citi Double Cash® Card: This card’s rewards could make it a good choice for people who want to continue to earn rewards with the card after paying off their debt.

Citi Simplicity® Card: For people who need a lot of time to pay off their debt, this could be a good option.

About the author: TJ Porter is a Boston-based freelance writer who specializes in bank accounts, credit, and credit cards. He’s written for Bankrate, CardCruncher, DollarSprout and My Bank Tracker, among others. In his spare time, TJ e… Read more.

Capital One Spark Classic for Business review

TJ Porter — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 19:16:05 +0000

These offers are no longer available on our site: Capital One Spark Classic for Business, Capital One Spark Cash Select for Good Credit, Capital One Spark Cash Plus

Updated June 29, 2023

This date may not reflect recent changes in individual terms.

Written by: TJ Porter

Pros

Simple cash back rewards
No annual fee
No foreign transaction fee
Capital One says it considers applicants with fair credit

Cons

Other cards offer better rewards
No intro APR offer
High variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

Core features

If you’re considering the Capital One Spark Classic for Business, here’s what you need to know.

No annual fee

For new businesses, justifying the cost of a credit card’s annual fee may be difficult.

But the Capital One Spark Classic for Business doesn’t have an annual fee, so you won’t have to worry about carrying a credit card that cuts into your budget. Plus, all of your cash back rewards will go straight into your pocket since you don’t have to offset the annual fee first.

Rewards

With the Capital One Spark Classic for Business, you’ll earn 1% cash back on every purchase you make with your card and any employee cards. You’ll also earn 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. The 1% rate makes it easy to earn rewards — you don’t have to remember to activate bonus categories or what type of rewards you earn with which purchases. Plus, it’s pretty neat that employee cards — which come at no extra cost — can also earn cash back.

But there are other business cards that offer both employee cards and better rewards. For example, the Capital One Spark Cash Select for Good Credit offers 1.5% cash back on every purchase, also without an annual fee. Other cards offer cash back or rewards points at rates where the value can exceed 1% cash back.

Qualifying for the card

If your business is just getting off the ground and your personal credit scores aren’t great, getting a small-business credit card may be difficult.

The Capital One Spark Classic for Business is designed for business owners who have what Capital One considers fair credit. According to Capital One, that means you’ve defaulted on a loan in the previous five years or you have limited credit history.

If you’re approved for the card, you can start to build business credit, which could make it easier to qualify for other business credit cards in the future.

APR

The downside of a card that doesn’t require great credit is that you’ll likely have to pay more for it. With the Capital One Spark Classic for Business, that means a high interest rate. This card comes with a variable APR of 30.74% on purchases and balance transfers.

Businesses sometimes have to spend a lot of money and put bills on hold while waiting for payments from clients. If you think you’ll have to carry a balance as you wait for your clients to pay you for goods or services, it’s important to take this card’s APR into account.

And since this card doesn’t have a 0% APR offer, any startup costs that you charge and then carry a balance on month to month will start incurring interest.

Who this card is good for

If you’re a new business owner who wants a simple rewards card, the Capital One Spark Classic for Business could be an alright choice. But if you have strong personal credit, there are likely better cards out there with higher rewards rates and introductory purchase APR offers.

Not sure this is the card for you? Consider these alternatives.

If you’re in the market for a business credit card but don’t think the Capital One Spark Classic for Business is the right choice for you, consider these alternatives.

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express: Consider this card if you think you might need to carry a balance for the first few months.

Capital One Spark Cash Plus: If you’re a fan of straightforward perks, this card might also be a good choice.

Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card: This travel card could be a good fit for the small-business owner on the go.

PNC Core® Visa® Credit Card review

TJ Porter — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 18:44:11 +0000

These offers are no longer available on our site: Capital One Spark Classic for Business, Capital One Spark Cash Select for Good Credit, Capital One Spark Cash Plus, PNC Core® Visa® Credit Card

Updated September 3, 2024

This date may not reflect recent changes in individual terms.

Written by: TJ Porter

Pros

Lengthy intro APR period for purchases and balance transfers
$0 annual fee
Sign-up bonus available

Cons

Other cards offer longer intro APR
Balance transfer fee, even during promo intro period
No ongoing rewards offered

Core features of the PNC Core® Visa® Credit Card

Before we get into the specifics of this card, it’s important to note that you can apply for PNC credit cards only if you live in one of the states where PNC accepts credit card applications.

Intro balance transfer and purchase APR for 15 billing cycles

If you’re in the market for a balance transfer credit card, one of the most important perks to consider is its intro balance transfer APR period. The PNC Core® Visa® Credit Card offers an intro 0% APR for balance transfers and purchases that applies for up to 15 billing cycles after you open the card. This gives you a bit more than a year to work down your balance — but it isn’t the longest promotional period out there.

To take advantage of the intro balance transfer offer, you’ll need to transfer balances within 90 days of account opening. There is an intro balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer (whichever is greater) within those 90 days, but after the intro period the balance transfer fee is $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer (whichever is greater). See more on this below.

Once the intro period is over, the purchase and balance transfer APR will be a variable 13.24% - 25.24%, depending on your credit profile.

A lengthy promotional APR is fine for most people, but if you really want to maximize the length of time you have to pay back your debt, choosing a card with an even longer promotional APR period can help. Just keep in mind that your balance must be paid off in its entirety before the intro period is up if you want to avoid paying interest.

Balance transfer fee

When you transfer a balance to a new credit card, it’s common for the new card’s issuer to charge a balance transfer fee. If you transfer a balance within 90 days of opening an account, the PNC Core® Visa® Credit Card charges a balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the amount transferred, whichever is greater. After the first 90 days have passed, the balance transfer fee changes to $5 or 4% of each amount transferred, whichever is greater.

Though the PNC Core® Visa® Credit Card’s balance transfer fee is pretty average, there are some cards with lower or no balance transfer fees during an intro period.

You may still have a good chance of saving money by transferring a balance and taking advantage of the PNC Core® Visa® Credit Card’s intro balance transfer APR, but make sure you do the math before you transfer a balance to see if you’ll save more in interest than you’ll pay in fees.

No annual fee

Another important thing to consider when looking for a balance transfer credit card is its annual fee. The PNC Core® Visa® Credit Card charges no annual fee. That means that you can take full advantage of the intro balance transfer and purchase APR without worrying about paying a fee to keep the card open.

Another nice perk of the PNC Core® Visa® Credit Card is that it offers a sign-up bonus. If you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 billing cycles after account opening, you’ll receive a $100 bonus.

This is kind of a mixed bag. That $1,000 spending requirement doesn’t include any balances you transfer. Also, if you’ve opened this card so that you can pay off your debt faster with a lower interest rate, then the last thing you probably want to do is rack up an extra $1,000 in spending just to get a $100 bonus.

No ongoing rewards

The PNC Core® Visa® Credit Card doesn’t have any ongoing rewards. Instead, this card is focused on offering perks — in the form of an intro balance transfer and purchase APR — to people who are interested in reducing interest charges to help pay off credit card debt more quickly. If you choose to apply for this card, you should consider only using it to pay off your existing credit card debt.

For everything else, you’re likely better off with a cash back credit card for any other card purchases you might be making — you might as well be rewarded for spending on things you were going to buy anyway.

Who this card is good for

The PNC Core® Visa® Credit Card is a relatively standard balance transfer card, so it’s a good choice for anyone who’s looking to save money on interest by making a balance transfer during the card’s intro balance transfer APR period.

The PNC Core® Visa® Credit Card doesn’t excel in any one area, such as the length of its intro purchase and balance transfer APR, or the size of its balance transfer fee — but overall, it brings a solid deal to the table. This card might be a good option for you if you already have a relationship with PNC Bank. If you don’t, you may want to look for another card.

People who are OK with using credit cards while paying down their existing balances will appreciate the offer of a sign-up bonus. If you’d rather avoid using credit cards until you’ve fully paid off your debts, you might want to consider a card with a lower balance transfer fee or a longer intro APR period.

Not sure this is the card for you? Consider these alternatives.

If you’re not sure whether the PNC Core® Visa® Credit Card is the right one for you, there are many other balance transfer options on the market.

Citi Simplicity® Card: This card could be good for you if you want an extra-long intro balance transfer APR period.

Citi Double Cash® Card: If you want a card with a solid balance transfer offer and great ongoing cash back rewards, this card could be an option for you.

BuyPower Card®: A GM credit card for car buyers

TJ Porter — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 21:50:06 +0000

These offers are no longer available on our site: Capital One Spark Classic for Business, Capital One Spark Cash Select for Good Credit, Capital One Spark Cash Plus, PNC Core® Visa® Credit Card, Chase Freedom®

Pros	Cons
Earn 5% of your first $5,000 in purchases each year (2% rewards on all purchases after)	Cash back can only be redeemed toward General Motors cars
No annual fee	No sign-up bonus

Core features

Here are a few key things to know about the GM BuyPower Card®.

Use the card anywhere you shop

Unlike a store credit card — many of which can only be used at the store that issues them — the GM BuyPower Card® is actually a World Elite Mastercard® issued by Capital One. This means that you can use this GM credit card at any retailer that accepts Mastercard.

Great rewards-earning rate

The BuyPower Card® offers 5% in rewards on the first $5,000 you spend on purchases each year, regardless of where you spend it. After you meet the spending threshold, you’ll get 2% rewards on all purchases.

That 5% rewards rate on purchases is pretty impressive, even with the spending cap. Most rewards credit cards with rates that high only offer them on certain purchase categories or retailers. Cards that don’t have special rewards categories usually offer closer to 1.5% or 2% cash back rewards on purchases.

Rewards can only be redeemed for a new General Motors car

One of the biggest downsides of the BuyPower Card® is that you can only redeem your rewards when purchasing or leasing one of these new GM cars: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac.

You cannot redeem your rewards for cash back, travel, airline miles or other perks, which can make it difficult to use the rewards that you earn.

Other things to know

Here are some of the other things that you should know about the BuyPower Card®.

Rewards don’t expire as long as your account is open.
There’s no limit to the rewards you can earn or redeem at one time.
Your card comes with all the benefits of a World Elite Mastercard®.

Understanding your points and redemption options

Buying a new car is a process that’s already fraught with stress and complicated sales tactics and terms. But a credit card that helps you defray costs could be a huge help.

This GM credit card aims to keep things as simple as possible. You go through the car-buying process as usual — visit a GM dealer, look at new cars, and negotiate until you can agree on a price. You might even be able to take advantage of special vehicle offers to reduce the price further.

Once you’ve agreed on a price, you can use your rewards to add upgrades, as part of your down payment, or to simply reduce the purchase price even further.

One thing to note though: You can’t combine a GM employee discount with BuyPower Card® rewards.

Who this card is good for

The BuyPower Card® could be a good option for people who know exactly what General Motors car they plan to purchase in the next few years, and those who don’t have any other credit card rewards goals to work toward.

The 5% rewards rate on all purchases is unusual among credit cards, but remember that you only get 5% on the first $5,000 in purchases each year (and then it’s scaled back to just 2%), plus you really only have one redemption option. For most people, the single redemption option could make it difficult to justify using this card over others.

Not sure this is the card for you? Consider these alternatives.

If you still want a credit card that offers rewards that can be redeemed when purchasing a car, but don’t think that the BuyPower Card® is right for you, consider these alternatives.

Citi Double Cash® Card: Good if you want a solid rewards rate for all of your purchases, with a cash redemption option.
Chase Freedom®: Good if you’re looking for cash back rewards with a high quarterly cap.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Good if you want travel and dining rewards.

Green Dot Visa® Secured Credit Card review: Build credit without a bank account

TJ Porter — Thu, 09 May 2019 13:55:23 +0000

Updated October 13, 2021

This date may not reflect recent changes in individual terms.

Written by: TJ Porter

Pros

Reports to three major credit bureaus, which can help you build credit over time
Can fund initial deposit and make payments online
Can fund deposit and make payments without a bank account

Cons

Charges an annual fee, on top of the initial deposit
No automatic upgrade to an unsecured card
There’s a fee for in-person funding and payments at retail locations

What you should know about the Green Dot Visa® Secured Credit Card

Secured credit cards are a special type of credit card that are designed to help you build credit — but they come with some additional requirements, like putting down a deposit when you open the card.

For the Green Dot Visa® Secured Credit Card, you can deposit as little as $200 or as much as $5,000. Your card’s credit limit will be equal to the amount you deposit.

A security deposit can make lenders more willing to offer secured cards to people with poor or no credit because it significantly reduces the lender’s risk.

$39 annual fee

One of the Green Dot Visa® Secured Credit Card’s major downsides is the $39 annual fee. The annual fee is automatically charged to your account. So if you’ve made an initial security deposit of $200, your total credit limit is $200. But your available credit when you first get the card would be only $161 until you pay off the annual fee.

Account service online or in person, but watch out for fees

The Green Dot Visa® Secured Credit Card requires you to apply for your card online. You can also fund your security deposit online (for free), or you can head to a participating retail store and fund it there for a fee of $4.95.

The Green Dot Visa® Secured Credit Card also allows you to pay your credit card bill online without any processing fees. You can also pay in person at participating retailers, as long as you live in an eligible state and pay a fee.

Being able to fund your deposit or make your monthly payments with cash at a store could be an advantage if you don’t have a bank account. But take note that not all retail locations let you make the same kinds of transactions. Check at attheregister.com to see which services each location offers.

No automatic upgrade to an unsecured card

Often when you use a secured credit card, your ultimate goal is to build your credit and eventually upgrade to an unsecured card. If you move up to an unsecured card, you’ll no longer need your secured card — which means you may be able to get your security deposit back.

Some secured credit cards offer the potential of graduating your account to an unsecured account and getting your security deposit back once you’ve built up a good payment history. But with the Green Dot Visa® Secured Credit Card, you’ll need to pay off your balance and close your account before you can get your deposit back.

Who this card is good for

The Green Dot Visa® Secured Credit Card isn’t a great choice for many people. There are other secured credit cards with no annual fee and with more valuable perks, like cash back rewards or checking your FICO® score for free each month.

The card could mostly benefit those who want to work on their credit but who don’t have a bank account or a debit card — so, people who need the ability to make their deposit and pay their bills in person.

Not sure this is the card for you? Consider this alternative.

If you want a secured card, but don’t think the Green Dot Visa® Secured Credit Card is right for you, you can compare offers on Credit Karma for secured credit cards, or check out this other option instead.

OpenSky® Secured Credit Visa® Card : This card doesn’t require a credit check to apply, so it could be a good option if you’re just starting out.

What you need to know about credit card expiration dates

TJ Porter — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 18:08:50 +0000

Ever wonder why credit cards expire?

It’s not like a credit card is a bunch of bananas that will eventually go bad, so why can’t you keep using the card forever?

Credit card expiration dates give the card issuer a chance to send you a new card with updated tech, and it can help keep your account secure and your card usable. Plus your card’s expiration can provide you with a good chance to review what you use your card for.

What is a credit card expiration date?
What happens when a card expires?
What should I do when my card expires?
Why do credit cards expire?

What is a credit card expiration date?

A credit card expiration date tells you when the card is no longer valid. After your card expires, you shouldn’t be able to use it, because the issuers should deactivate the credit card when it reaches the expiration date.

Card expiration dates generally come in a two-number format, with the first number representing the month and the second showing the year. For example, 09/26 would be September of 2026. Generally, cards expire on the final day of the month a few years after being issued, so this won’t be an everyday concern (but contact your issuer to confirm the specifics).

What happens when a card expires?

If you’re worried about your credit card expiring, you don’t have to be. Your card issuer is probably handling the process in the background.

Shortly before your card’s expiration date, the issuer should automatically send you a new card in the mail. This card will usually come in a plain envelope to help protect against theft. Make sure you’re on the lookout so that you don’t accidentally throw away your new card!

When you receive the new card, you’ll typically be free to activate it and start using it right away — you don’t usually have to wait for the old card to expire.

If you’re only getting a replacement card and aren’t otherwise making changes to your account you shouldn’t need to worry about a hard inquiry.

What should I do when my card expires?

Your credit card’s expiration may be a good opportunity to think about all the ways you use your card.

Go over your card statements to look at recurring charges. If you still want to use a service that’s automatically charged to your card, you’ll need to update the payment info with each vendor individually. Since you’re already evaluating your recurring payments, it’s also a good time to cancel any services you no longer use.

As for your old card, you should take care to destroy it to help protect against someone using it to commit financial fraud. Shredding or cutting up the card should be sufficient. If you want to be extra safe, bag the pieces of the card in separate trash bags.

Why do credit cards expire?

So why do banks go through the trouble of having their cards expire and reissuing them?

One reason is that it gives banks a chance to upgrade their cards’ technology. Card-security technology is always changing, and card expiration dates help issuers keep all their cards up to date with similar technology. For example, think about the rollout of EMV chip cards.

Another reason that cards expire is that they simply degrade over time and become less reliable. Replacing them regularly helps ensure that yours is in working condition.

Bottom line

Credit cards generally expire a few years after they’re issued, but that doesn’t mean that the account will close. Safely dispose of your old card after activating your new one, and take the time to update recurring payment information so that you can keep using your card without missing a step.

Want to learn more about cards?

See data insights about the following credit cards:

BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card review

TJ Porter — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 13:34:39 +0000

Pros

Secured cards are typically easier to qualify for
Refundable security deposit based on a periodic review of your credit history
Access to your monthly FICO® score
Customizable credit line based on your security deposit

Cons

High interest rate
High late payment fee
High minimum deposit of $200
No rewards

What you should know about the BankAmericard^® Secured Credit Card

If you apply and are approved for the BankAmericard^® Secured Credit Card, the first thing you’ll need to do is provide a security deposit. There’s a minimum security deposit of $200 and a maximum of $5,000. The amount you deposit will determine your credit limit, so it’s up to you to decide how much you need to deposit.

Here are some of the reasons a card like the BankAmericard^® Secured Credit Card might be worth getting.

Could be easier to qualify for

If your credit isn’t established enough to qualify for an unsecured card, the BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card could be a good starting point. Secured cards are designed for people who are new to credit or who are working on building their credit, which means they can be easier to qualify for than unsecured credit cards.

That’s because the security deposit you provide after you’re approved for the card “secures” the line of credit. This deposit reduces the risk that lenders take on when they lend to someone without a strong credit history.

Return of your security deposit

Providing a security deposit when you open a secured credit card is no fun, but the good news is that it’s possible to get that money back.

For example, Bank of America will automatically review your account and, based on your credit history, may decide to return your deposit at any time, while continuing to let you use the card. There’s no official description of when and how often your account will be reviewed, but it’s good to know that it’s a possibility.

No annual fee

One of the greatest benefits of the BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card is that there’s no annual fee.

You can find unsecured credit cards that are designed for people who are still working on their credit, but you’ll often find that these cards come with an annual fee. And unlike a security deposit, this is money you won’t get back.

So while secured cards like the BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card require money upfront — in the form of a one-time deposit — that money can be returned to you in some cases. Make sure to read the card’s fine print to learn more.

Monthly FICO® credit score

Bank of America makes it easy for you to track your progress as you build your credit by giving you free access to your FICO® credit score with monthly updates. You’ll also get access to credit education tools and resources, including articles and calculators that you can use to learn how credit scores work and about budgeting and other financial tasks.

Things to consider before you apply

Before you apply for the BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card, here are some things you should know.

High APR

The BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card has a high variable APR of 24.49% for purchases and balance transfers. So if you ever carry a balance, you’ll wind up paying a lot in interest.

High late payment fee

The BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card can be a valuable option if you can use it to build your credit. If you miss the due date on a payment or two, not only will it likely hurt your credit, but the card’s late payment fee (up to $40) will add some extra pain to your wallet.

Who this card is good for

The BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card could be a good option for someone who already banks with Bank of America and needs to build or rebuild their credit. The greatest benefit of using this card is that you get to keep all of your financial activity with the same institution, which can be convenient for many.

But if you’re not already a Bank of America customer, there are other secured credit cards on the market that offer lower minimum deposits or other perks like rewards.

Not sure this is the card for you? Consider these alternatives.

If you still want a secured credit card and don’t think that the BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card is right for you, consider one of these secured cards instead.

Discover it® Secured Credit Card: This card is good if you’re looking to earn cash back while you build your credit.
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: This card could be a good choice for those who don’t want to put down a large security deposit upfront.
OpenSky® Secured Credit Visa® Card: This card is an option for people who have no or very little credit history.

BB&T secured credit card roundup

TJ Porter — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 16:50:05 +0000

BB&T doesn’t offer these cards anymore. For additional options, check out secured credit cards on Credit Karma.

BB&T Bank offers secured credit card options that come with certain perks you can typically find with an unsecured rewards card.

Secured credit cards are designed to help people build or rebuild their credit. These types of credit cards require a cash deposit — the amount of which can vary by lender — to “secure” the account and help reduce risk to the lender. But secured credit cards tend to lack rewards and can come with costly fees.

We analyzed three BB&T Bank secured cards that might be worth considering, depending on your needs.

Best for earning cash back: BB&T Spectrum Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
Best for travel perks and rewards: BB&T Spectrum Travel Rewards Secured Credit Card
Best for a lower interest rate: BB&T Bright Credit Card

Best for earning cash back: BB&T Spectrum Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card

Here’s why: The BB&T Spectrum Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card is an option with some potential for people who are looking to build or rebuild their credit and want to earn rewards.

The BB&T Spectrum Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card offers cash back rates that are competitive with many other unsecured cards.

3% cash back on eligible gas purchases
2% cash back on eligible utilities and grocery purchases
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases

Just be aware that you can only earn the 2% and 3% cash back rates for the first $1,000 you spend in eligible purchases each month. After that, you’ll no longer earn those rates — you’ll earn 1% cash back. The good news is that there’s no monthly spending cap for that 1% cash back rate.

This card also adds a 10% bonus to your cash back redemption amount if you have your cash back electronically deposited into your eligible BB&T checking or savings account. That’s a point particularly worth noting for existing BB&T customers.

The BB&T Spectrum Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card also allows you to redeem rewards for gift cards and other merchandise.

Keep in mind, though, that this card has a $19 annual fee. If you think you can make up that fee by earning enough in cash back rewards, this card may be for you. Just be sure you only use the card to buy what you need. Spending beyond your budget just to earn rewards can be a recipe for debt disaster.

Best for travel perks and rewards: BB&T Spectrum Travel Rewards Secured Credit Card

Here’s why: Credit cards that offer travel rewards often come at steep price, sometimes in the form of a super-high annual fee. The BB&T Spectrum Travel Rewards Secured Credit Card gives people with less-than-excellent credit a chance to earn travel rewards — and at a reasonable cost.

This card allows you to earn miles for purchases: You can earn two miles per $1 in qualified spending on airline tickets, hotel lodging and car rentals, and one mile per $1 in qualified spending on all other purchases made elsewhere. You can also earn 20,000 bonus miles when you spend $2,000 in qualifying purchases within your first 90 days from account opening.

Another perk: You can earn one $85 statement credit per account toward either the TSA PreCheck ($85) or Global Entry ($100) program. The statement credit can be earned every four years and applied to either program.

You can also get $50 each calendar year for qualifying airline “incidental” transactions — things like seating upgrades, in-flight food and drinks and baggage fees.

All in all, the perks just might make up for the card’s $89 annual fee, depending on your travel and spending habits. We recommend taking some time to do the math and see if the rewards you’re likely to earn will be worth the fee.

Best for a lower interest rate: BB&T Bright Credit Card

Here’s why: The BB&T Bright Credit Card doesn’t offer the travel perks or notable cash back rewards that the other BB&T secured cards do. But its 17.24% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers is potentially the lowest interest rate of the three — something to keep in mind if there’s a chance you’ll need to carry a balance.

The BB&T Bright Credit Card does offer some cash back rewards. With the BB&T Deals program, you can earn cash back for card purchases at certain times with participating stores — it’s up to you to go to the U by BB&T site on your computer or mobile device, look at the list of offers and shop with your card if you want to purchase anything.

Keep in mind that there may be other secured cards out there that offer a lower APR for purchases.

How to make the most of secured credit cards

If you’re in the market for a secured credit card, it’s likely your priority is to strengthen your credit and later transition to an unsecured card, or get a different card that’s unsecured. Transitioning your card from a secured to an unsecured card typically means getting your security deposit back. And many unsecured cards charge lower or fewer fees and offer better interest rates and rewards.

The good news is that using a secured credit card to help build or rebuild your credit is pretty simple. One key piece is paying your bill — ideally the full balance — on or before the due date every month. Companies that offer secured credit cards may report your payment history to the three major consumer credit bureaus, which can help build your credit if you use the card responsibly. Before you apply for a secured card, it’s a good idea to check with the issuer to make sure it does report payment history.

What is a credit limit?

TJ Porter — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 22:27:19 +0000

Your credit limit is the absolute maximum amount of money that your lender will let you borrow while using your credit card or line of credit.

For example, each time you buy something with your credit card, your purchase amount is added to your credit card balance. To know how much available credit you have left to spend, simply subtract your balance from your credit limit. When you make a payment, your balance goes down, and the amount you can spend increases.

If you’re wondering what your credit card or line of credit’s limit is, you can usually find it by logging into your account. Many creditors provide this info on your online dashboard or on any monthly statements.

Your credit limits are important for a few reasons. Higher credit limits offer you more flexibility when it comes to using your account. But they could also make it easier to overspend and wind up in debt. Additionally, how much of your limit you use can also have an effect on your credit scores.

Let’s explore how credit limits are set, why they’re important, how they affect your credit scores and what you can do to improve your overall credit health with your credit limits.

What does a credit limit mean and how is it decided?
How credit score limits can affect your credit scores
How to improve your credit with a credit limit increase
What to do if you have an unreported credit limit

What does a credit limit mean and how is it decided?

As we mentioned, a credit limit is the ceiling of what your credit card issuer or lender will allow you to borrow from them. They set your limit based on several factors including those they consider when assessing your credit scores, like your payment history and credit utilization.

The chart below shows that generally, Credit Karma members who have higher VantageScore 3.0 credit scores also generally have higher average credit card limits.

While each lender has its own method of determining the credit limit for each of your cards, one of the top considerations lenders factor into their decision is your ability to repay the money that you borrow.

Your payment history can give lenders insight into how you’ve handled your money and debts up until you applied to borrow from them. The more spotless and on-time your payment history is, the better the chance that a lender will think lending money to you is a good idea. The more comfortable a lender is with lending you money, the higher your credit limit could be, as the lender may be comfortable with letting you borrow more.

Another factor lenders may consider in deciding your credit limit is how much you make. Even if you have perfect credit, there’s probably no way you could pay off a $100,000 credit card balance if your income is $20,000 a year. If you have a higher income, a lender may be more likely to give you a higher credit limit.

Learn more about the factors that affect your credit scores.

How credit limits can affect your credit scores

We mentioned that lenders will also consider your credit utilization rate, or the amount of money that you owe compared to the total amount of credit you have access to. A low credit utilization score is another indication that you’re able to use your credit responsibly and sends a signal to prospective lenders that you might be a good candidate for their credit products if you meet other criteria. Experts generally agree that you should keep your credit utilization rate below 30% whenever possible.

So, how do you know what your credit utilization rate is? To calculate it, divide the total amount of your credit card balances by your total credit card limits.

If your credit utilization is above 30%, you may find that increasing your credit limit can give your credit scores a boost. Because if you increase your credit limit but keep your credit card usage the same, your credit utilization rate will go down. This is a good way to try to improve your credit if you’re regularly holding large balances on your cards.

Of course, increasing your credit limits means that you can spend more on your cards, which could make it easier for you to overspend and wind up in debt. This will cost you money and could decrease your credit scores if your credit utilization ratio gets too high.

How to improve your credit with a credit limit increase

You might want to increase your credit limit for a few reasons. For example, you may be looking for more flexibility when it comes to how much you can spend.

The easiest way to try to increase your credit limit is to simply ask. Most card issuers let you request an increased credit limit through their website or over the phone.

But keep in mind that when you request a credit limit increase from your credit card company, they may perform a hard credit inquiry to determine if you’re eligible. This could lower your scores by a few points, or it may have a negligible effect on your scores. Each card issuer will have its own rules and processes surrounding credit limit increases.

Remember that not all requests will be approved. Your card issuer will consider your request much like a request for a new card, considering factors such as …

Your payment history
Your credit scores
Your income
Your employment status

If you’re looking to increase your overall credit limits rather than your credit limit on a specific card you can also try applying for a new credit card. If you’re approved, your new card will have its own credit limit, independent of the limits of your other cards — but remember, this will trigger a hard inquiry and potentially affect your credit scores negatively.

What to do if you have an unreported credit limit

While a lender might report on your account activity to the bureaus, it may not necessarily report your credit limit. And since your credit limits can have a positive impact on your credit scores (especially if they’ve gone up or you’re using less than 30% of your limit), you’ll generally want your lenders to report your limits to the bureaus. If you have an unreported credit limit, here are a few options to consider.

Request that a credit limit be reported. Call up your card issuer’s customer service to find out if the issuer might change how it reports your card. Keep in mind that card issuers aren’t required to report to the bureaus, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Consider opening a new credit card account. If the card that isn’t reporting a limit is one of only a few credit accounts on your reports — and you’re in a position to take on some additional credit — consider opening a new credit card. Make sure you find the best credit card for you and research whether the issuer will report your credit limit to the credit bureaus. Keep in mind that opening a new account will decrease your average age of credit and will add a hard inquiry to your credit reports, which could cause your credit scores to decrease.
Decrease usage of the card. While you shouldn’t necessarily close your credit card account, it may be wise to use your card less often while still keeping it active in order to lower your overall credit utilization rate.

Next steps

Credit limits determine how much you can spend using your credit cards and serve as a way for lenders to limit the risk of lending money. Having high credit limits can be a good thing, because it gives you the flexibility to spend money when you need to — and it may help you maintain good credit scores.

But having high credit limits can be dangerous, as overspending on a high-limit card may put you into more debt than you can easily pay off.

Aim to have credit limits high enough that you’re only spending 30% or less of your limit, but not so high that you wouldn’t be able to handle the debt if you ever find yourself reaching those limits. Your credit limit should be something to stay far below, rather than a target to hit.

Capital One® Walmart Rewards® Mastercard review: Strong rewards offers, with some limits

TJ Porter — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 22:07:20 +0000

Pros

Great rewards rate when you shop at Walmart.com, including grocery pickup and delivery
Solid rewards offers in several flexible bonus categories
No annual fee and no foreign transaction fee

Cons

In-store rewards offers are not as good
Introductory offer requires the use of Walmart Pay mobile wallet
High variable purchase APR means interest could outweigh rewards if you need to carry a balance
You could end up with a more-limited card you don’t want

What you need to know about the Capital One® Walmart Rewards^® Mastercard

Great rewards at Walmart … depending on how you shop

The rewards rates offered by the Capital One® Walmart Rewards® Mastercard are likely to stand out to frequent shoppers at the retail giant. You can earn up to 5% back on purchases at Walmart.com, which includes grocery pickups and deliveries. But if you shop at a physical Walmart store, you’ll earn just 2% back on purchases when you use the card.

As part of an introductory offer, you’ll earn 5% back on in-store Walmart purchases for the first 12 months of card membership — but only if you use the Walmart Pay mobile wallet for your purchases. And after the intro period is up, you’ll earn 2% back for in-store purchases.

These offers mean that different kinds of shoppers will get different value out of their Walmart purchases. If you already do most of your Walmart shopping online or are comfortable using Walmart Pay, then those 5% rewards rates provide a lot of potential value.

On the other hand, the regular 2% rate on in-store purchases doesn’t stand out as a can’t-miss bonus. Anyone who prefers going through checkout lanes with a credit card might have to put in more effort and change habits to maximize their value with this card.

The non-Walmart rewards rates might not appeal to everyone

In addition to the Walmart-specific rewards described above, you’ll earn 2% back on travel, restaurants and at Murphy USA and Walmart fuel stations. You’ll also get 1% back on all other purchases where Mastercard is accepted.

Additionally, your rewards can be redeemed in several ways — as statement credit, a travel purchase, gift cards or toward a recent purchase on your card.

These rewards rates are solid, but other cards might include more valuable or more flexible rewards offers in these categories. So if you don’t already have a card that offers bonus rates in these categories and don’t want to apply for a number of different cards at once, then the value of the Capital One® Walmart Rewards® Mastercard is clear. But if you already like your options in these categories, these rewards rates might not convince you it’s worth an application.

No annual fee or foreign transaction fee, but the interest rates could cost you

The Capital One® Walmart Rewards® Mastercard charges neither an annual fee nor a foreign transaction fee. That means you can use this card without having to pay for the privilege of holding it.

But the card’s variable purchase APR could end up costing you if you need to carry a balance. You’ll see a variable APR of either 17.99%, 23.24% or 26.99% based on your credit profile. And depending on the balance you carry from month to month, you could end up paying far more in interest than you earn in rewards.

Even if your application is denied, you could end up with another card

When you apply for the Capital One® Walmart Rewards® Mastercard, you won’t just be approved or denied for one card. Instead, you will also be considered automatically for the Walmart Rewards® Card.

If you’re primarily looking for a card to use at Walmart, then you might not have a problem with the Walmart Rewards® Card. It offers the same rates — 5% back online and 2% back in-store — for Walmart purchases, and it offers the same 5% back rate for using Walmart Pay during the first 12 months of card membership (then 2% after that).

But the rewards offers and payment options outside of Walmart are very different. Cardholders get just a few options — 2% back at Murphy USA gas stations and 1% back at Sam’s Club (in-store only) and Sam’s Club gas stations.

You won’t be able to use the card anywhere else, either, and all cardholders get the same variable purchase APR of 26.99%.

Those card features might be fine for some, but it’s worth considering if you’re OK settling for the Walmart Rewards® Card. Otherwise, you might not want to apply at all.

Who this card is good for

The Capital One® Walmart Rewards® Mastercard offers loyal Walmart shoppers a chance to maximize their rewards, but it might appeal only to those who do the bulk of their shopping online. While the 5% back on Walmart.com purchases holds tremendous value, the 2% back on in-store purchases doesn’t stand out as a can’t-miss offer. And even the introductory offer of 5% back on in-store purchases for the first 12 months (then 2%) requires using the Walmart Pay mobile wallet.

But people who don’t mind using this card as their primary method of payment everywhere might find it quite useful. The 2% back offered on dining, travel, and at Murphy USA and Walmart gas stations is solid, especially if you don’t already have a card with bonus rewards in those categories.

Last, consider if you’re OK settling for the Walmart Rewards® Card, which offers fewer payment options and rewards opportunities. If you end up with a card you don’t even want, then the application might not be worth it.

Not sure this is the card for you? Consider these alternatives.

If you’re not sure that the Capital One® Walmart Rewards® Mastercard is the right choice for you, take a look at these options.

Citi Double Cash® Card: This card may be a good choice if you want the chance to earn bonus rewards no matter where you shop.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: If you want to use your rewards for travel and don’t mind an annual fee, this card might be worth consideration.

PayPal Cashback Mastercard®

TJ Porter — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 21:02:00 +0000

PayPal Cashback Mastercard®

	PayPal Cashback Mastercard®
Rewards structure	3% cash back on PayPal purchases, and 1.5% on all other purchases
Ease of redeeming cash back	Easy
Annual fee	None

What you need to know about each card
Winner: Paypal Cashback Mastercard®
What to consider when applying for a cash back credit card
Not sure either card is for you? Consider these alternatives.

What you need to know about PayPal Cashback Mastercard®

Here’s what you need to know about the PayPal Cashback Mastercard®.

PayPal Cashback Mastercard®: Good for easy rewards

From our partner

Offer Terms
Annual Fee	Intro Purchase APR	Intro Balance Transfer APR	Regular Purchase APR	Regular Balance Transfer APR
$0	N/A	N/A	20.24%, 29.24%, and 32.24%* Variable¹	N/A

Offer Terms
Annual Fee
$0
Intro Purchase APR
N/A
Intro Balance Transfer APR
N/A
Regular Purchase APR
20.24%, 29.24%, and 32.24%* Variable¹
Regular Balance Transfer APR
N/A

Additional Rates and Fees

Cash Advance Rate	32.24%* Variable
Cash Advance Fee	Either $10.00 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.
Late Fee	Up to $40.00
Penalty APR	N/A
Balance Transfer Fee	N/A
Foreign Transaction Fee	3%
Return Payment Fee	Up to $41.00

Apply with no impact to your credit score if you’re declined.²
Earn 3% cash back³ on PayPal purchases and 1.5% on all other purchases. Purchases are subject to credit approval, and the PayPal Cashback Mastercard must be used for payment.
With the PayPal Cashback Mastercard®, earn unlimited cash back at millions of merchants. No rotating categories. No annual fee.⁴
Shop at millions of brands with PayPal to earn unlimited 3% cash back on PayPal purchases.
Earn rewards without the wait. Cash back is earned daily on completed purchases posted to your account. Important information on redeeming Cash Rewards: You need to have a PayPal Balance account to use your redeemed rewards in your balance. If you do not have that account, you can only transfer your Cash Rewards to your bank account or debit card linked to your account with PayPal.
Enjoy peace of mind with Mastercard benefits from Tap & Go® to 24/7 Identity Theft Protection™.⁵
The PayPal Cashback Mastercard is issued by Synchrony Bank pursuant to a license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard, Tap & Go and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.
³See Rewards Program Terms for details and eligibility criteria.
⁴See Terms and Rates for New Accounts.
⁵The benefits and services as further described in the Mastercard Guide to Benefits are provided solely by Mastercard International Incorporated. PayPal and Synchrony Bank do not endorse, recommend, warrant, or take responsibility for these offer benefits.

^*See the online provider's credit card application for details about terms and conditions. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. However, all credit card information is presented without warranty. When you click on the "Apply Now" button, you can review the credit card terms and conditions on the provider's website.

See details, rates & fees

The PayPal Cashback Mastercard® keeps things simple. It offers a flat 3% cash back on every purchase you make with PayPal, and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. There’s no need to remember rotating categories or other complications. And to make things even easier, you can redeem cash back in any amount. You don’t have to wait until you’ve earned a minimum.

There’s a catch, though — you need to transfer your cash back rewards to your PayPal account. Once transferred, you can use your rewards two ways. If you have a PayPal Balance account, you can use the cash back to make purchases or send money to pay a PayPal balance. Otherwise, you can transfer your rewards again from your PayPal account to a linked bank account or debit card.

Here are the card’s key features.

No annual fee
You must have an active PayPal account
3% cash back on PayPal purchases
1.5% cash back on all other purchases
No minimum redemption requirement
Accepted online and in store anywhere Mastercard is accepted

What to consider when applying for a cash back credit card

Cash back credit cards aren’t the only type of rewards cards, but they’re popular for a good reason — they’re easy to understand. Use your card and you’ll get cash back — there’s no complicated points or miles system. Cash is also more flexible. You can redeem your cash back toward anything you can buy.

When you’re applying for a cash back credit card, you’ll need to decide whether you want a card that offers flat-rate rewards or a card that has bonus categories.

As a rule of thumb, flat-rate cards pay a midlevel cash back rate on every purchase, usually 1.5% to 2%. Bonus category cards can offer as much as 6% cash back on certain types of purchases but will offer a lower rate, usually 1%, on nonbonus category purchases.

If you want to keep things simple, go for one flat-rate rewards card. If you’re the type who likes to optimize, you can try carrying multiple cards that each offer bonus rewards for one category of spending. Just make sure that the rewards categories align with the way you already spend and that you pay attention to the fees each card charges so you can decide whether they’re worth it.

Not sure this card is for you? Consider these alternatives.

If you’re still in the market for a cash back card but don’t this credit card is for you, consider one of these alternatives.

Chase Freedom Flex℠: If you want a credit card with bonus categories that change every few months, take a look at this card.
Citi Double Cash® Card: If you want to earn cash back on every purchase but don’t want to open a PayPal account, this card could be a good choice.

BuyPower Card®: A GM credit card for car buyers

TJ Porter — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 20:32:58 +0000

The BuyPower Card® is no longer available. For other options, check out our list of the best gas rewards credit cards.

Updated July 11, 2022

This date may not reflect recent changes in individual terms.

Written by: TJ Porter

Pros

Earn 5% rewards on your first $5,000 in purchases each year (2% rewards on all purchases after)
No annual fee

Cons

Cash back can only be redeemed toward General Motors cars
No sign-up bonus

Core features

Here are a few key things to know about the GM BuyPower Card®.

Use the card anywhere you shop

Great rewards-earning rate

Rewards can only be redeemed for a new General Motors car

One of the biggest downsides of the BuyPower Card® is that you can only redeem your rewards when purchasing or leasing one of these new GM cars: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac.

You cannot redeem your rewards for cash back, travel, airline miles or other perks, which can make it difficult to use the rewards that you earn.

Other things to know

Here are some of the other things that you should know about the BuyPower Card®.

Rewards don’t expire as long as your account is open.
There’s no limit to the rewards you can earn or redeem at one time.
Your card comes with all the benefits of a World Elite Mastercard®.

Understanding your points and redemption options

Buying a new car is a process that’s already fraught with stress and complicated sales tactics and terms. But a credit card that helps you defray costs could be a huge help.

Once you’ve agreed on a price, you can use your rewards to add upgrades, as part of your down payment, or to simply reduce the purchase price even further.

One thing to note though: You can’t combine a GM employee discount with BuyPower Card® rewards.

TJ Porter – Intuit Credit Karma

Truly Simple® Credit Card from Fifth Third Bank review

Pros

Cons

Core features

Intro 0% APR

No penalty APR for missed payment

$0 annual fee

No rewards or sign-up bonus

Who this card is good for

Not sure this is the card for you? Consider these alternatives.

Capital One Spark Classic for Business review

Pros

Cons

Core features

No annual fee

Rewards

Qualifying for the card

APR

Who this card is good for

Not sure this is the card for you? Consider these alternatives.

PNC Core® Visa® Credit Card review

Pros

Cons

Core features of the PNC Core® Visa® Credit Card

Intro balance transfer and purchase APR for 15 billing cycles

Balance transfer fee

No annual fee

Sign-up bonus

No ongoing rewards

Who this card is good for

Not sure this is the card for you? Consider these alternatives.

BuyPower Card®: A GM credit card for car buyers

Core features

Use the card anywhere you shop

Great rewards-earning rate

Rewards can only be redeemed for a new General Motors car

Other things to know

Understanding your points and redemption options

Who this card is good for

Not sure this is the card for you? Consider these alternatives.

Green Dot Visa® Secured Credit Card review: Build credit without a bank account

Pros

Cons

What you should know about the Green Dot Visa® Secured Credit Card

$39 annual fee

Account service online or in person, but watch out for fees

No automatic upgrade to an unsecured card

Who this card is good for

Not sure this is the card for you? Consider this alternative.

What you need to know about credit card expiration dates

Ever wonder why credit cards expire?

What is a credit card expiration date?

What happens when a card expires?

What should I do when my card expires?

Why do credit cards expire?

Bottom line

Want to learn more about cards?

BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card review

Pros

Cons

What you should know about the BankAmericard® Secured Credit Card

Could be easier to qualify for

Return of your security deposit

No annual fee

Monthly FICO® credit score

Things to consider before you apply

High APR

High late payment fee

Who this card is good for

Not sure this is the card for you? Consider these alternatives.

BB&T secured credit card roundup

BB&T Bank offers secured credit card options that come with certain perks you can typically find with an unsecured rewards card.

Best for earning cash back: BB&T Spectrum Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card

Best for travel perks and rewards: BB&T Spectrum Travel Rewards Secured Credit Card

Best for a lower interest rate: BB&T Bright Credit Card

How to make the most of secured credit cards

What is a credit limit?

Your credit limit is the absolute maximum amount of money that your lender will let you borrow while using your credit card or line of credit.

What does a credit limit mean and how is it decided?

What you should know about the BankAmericard^® Secured Credit Card

What you need to know about the Capital One® Walmart Rewards^® Mastercard