Educational Posts on Loyalty Programs

RewardExpert.com is an independent website that is supported by advertising. RewardExpert.com may be compensated by credit card issuers whose offers appear on the site. Because we are paid by our advertising partners it may impact placement of products on the site, including the order in which they appear. Not all available credit card issuers or card offers are included on the site.

Maximize Your Finances with MoneyRates.com

When it comes to your money, who wouldn’t want to save more, spend less and get the very best deal when it comes to banking, investing, retirement and financial services? MoneyRates is a personal finance wonderland, offering reviews, comparison tools, advice and more, with the goal of maximizing a user’s financial potential.

Read more

5 Lessons to Teach Kids About Credit

Kids credit cards

What have you taught your children about credit? Even if you think you have never given them a lesson, you probably have. The way you spend your money, talk about money and live your life in general are absorbed by your little ones. Has your child ever asked you for something and you had to tell them you could not currently afford it. They might even suggest using a credit card as they have likely seen them used to buy things. Your child may be under the impression that a credit card is like free money if you haven’t explained how they work.

Read more

Protect Your Money and Save for the Future with GTE Financial

With the holidays upon us, it’s time to not only think about food, fun and festivities, but finances, as well. And thanks to credit unions like GTE Financial, consumers have access to top-notch savings products, credit cards, financial information and more. The Tampa, Florida-based company has been putting personal prosperity over corporate profits since 1935.

Read more

Earn Money Back on Every Purchase You Make with Ebates

According to a recent survey by the National Retail Federation, American consumers will shell out an average of $967.13 towards holiday gifts this year—an amount that can put a strain on any household budget. However, if they use the Ebates online shopping portal to spend those dollars at their favorite stores, they can earn some of that cash back in the form of a Big Fat Check.

Read more

6 Facts About CreditWise from Capital One

It seems like every few months we’re hearing about a new data breach that has compromised our personal information. The Equifax breach from a few years ago, for example, affected nearly half the United States population.

Even though we’d like to think our information is secure, vigilance is crucial. It’s important that you always have a good understanding of what’s on your credit report.

Capital One is making it easy for everyone to stay in the know with CreditWise from Capital One. This service, which is included for free with every Capital One card, you’ll be notified if there are any changes to your credit report. It’s an easy and free way to keep your credit safe.

Read more

Maximize Your Financial Future with a Self-Directed IRA

Tired of the same old investment choices when it comes to your retirement? Consider a self-directed Individual Retirement Account (IRA), administered by The Entrust Group, the only national network of local branded offices providing account administration and education services for self-directed retirement plans.

Read more

Get Your Child’s Financial Future off to a Good Start with Shmoop

It’s no secret that education is the key to a successful career and a solid financial future. So why not start early, making sure your children take advantage of every learning opportunity available to them?

Shmoop is a website that offers over 400 online courses and over a half million pieces of original content, designed to help students of all ages enhance their learning capabilities in every subject imaginable.

Read more

Here’s How Charge Cards Differ From Credit Cards

charge card vs credit cards

You’ve probably heard about charge cards and credit cards. While the two terms sound similar, there are plenty of differences. Depending on your financial goals, it’s important to understand these products so you can properly decide which card to select.

Let’s explore the differences and similarities between charge cards and credit cards.

Read more

Protect Your Finances with a Pre-Purchase Home Inspection

If you’re like most consumers, the biggest single investment you will make in your lifetime is the purchase of a home. According to Zillow, a leading real estate and rental marketplace, the median U.S. residential property was worth $202,700 in September—and values are likely to rise. U.S. home prices have increased nearly seven percent over the last year, and Zillow predicts they will gain another three percent or more in the next 12 months.

Read more

Here Is What You Need to Know About Credit Card Interest

Have you ever wondered what credit card APRs are? APR stands for annual percentage rate. Understanding the mathematics behind that rate will help illustrate how dangerous and expensive credit card debt can be. It’ll also give you extra motivation to pay off your credit card balances in full every month so you don’t have to worry about interest.

Read more

Boost Your Financial Portfolio and Help the World

The goal of investing is to make money. But what if you could invest, make money and help improve the global community at the same time? That’s where sustainable investing and The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment (US SIF), a Washington, DC-based organization tasked with advancing sustainable, responsible and impact investing across all asset classes.

The organization’s mission is to rapidly shift investment practices toward sustainability, focusing on long-term investment and the generation of positive social and environmental impacts. Members include a wide range of organizations, including investment management and advisory firms, mutual fund companies, broker-dealers, non-profits and pension funds.

Read more

WISER: Helping Women Focus on their Financial Future

Planning for retirement is not an easy task. With jobs, bills, kids, mortgages and other financial commitments, the prospect of putting aside money for use years down the road can seem impractical.

With proper planning though and smart financial decisions, the road to securing a happy retirement does not have to be rocky, especially for working women who sometimes get lost in the financial shuffle.

Read more

Here Is What You Need to Know About Balance Transfer Cards

What You Need to Know About Balance Transfer Cards

One of the most cost-effective ways to pay down credit card debt is to transfer the balance to a low interest credit card, also known as a balance transfer card.

Consumers who are merely paying the minimum payment on their credit card balances are on the road to a lifetime of debt. The minimum payment is usually so low, that it keeps consumers in debt for decades.

Read more

Get Help from the Tax Experts at NAEA

When it comes to your money and finances, nobody wants to pay more taxes to Uncle Sam. That’s why now is a critical time to check up on your tax health, with the end of the year approaching and Congress considering an overhaul of the nation’s tax code.

One of the ways you can assess your tax situation is through the help of an agent. James Adelman is an agent in Tulsa and the president of the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA). He spoke to RewardExpert about how working with an enrolled agent can benefit you.

Read more

Avoid This Hidden Financial Danger While Shopping Online This Holiday Season

It’s no secret that holiday shopping can do some damage to your bottom line. Unless you create a gift-giving budget based on what you can reasonably afford—and commit to sticking to it—it’s all too easy to run up your credit card balances and end the year in unexpected debt. However, there’s a sneakier financial danger you may not have considered. It’s known as identity theft, and unless you take steps to protect yourself, you may be putting your financial future at risk with every online purchase.

Read more

5 Things You May Not Know About Credit Cards

5 things you never kew about credit cards

With credit cards, consumers typically hear about rewards programs, airline miles, debt and interest charges. However, there are plenty of things you probably didn’t know about credit cards.

For example, credit cards can be completely free if you use them properly. But credit cards are never free for merchants, who must pay a fee to the credit card issuer each time a consumer swipes the card. 

Read more

Shop More While Spending Less with DealsPlus

Whether you’re shopping for a new television set, baby toys, a crockpot, or the perfect shade of lipstick, it’s always more fun when you can snag a great discount in the process. Thanks to DealsPlus, an online community of bargain hunters launched in 2006, racking up savings on everything from the products you buy every day to special gifts, travel, and event tickets can become a regular occurrence.

Read more

Singapore Airlines Devaluation

Singapore Airlines Devaluation

Regular airline and hotel program devaluations are becoming the norm, and recently Singapore Airlines has announced program changes without giving us a whole lot of warning. Effective December 7, 2017, many flights booked on Star Alliance partners will be changing in price and there are a few non-price related changes as well. All in all this is a pretty big deal.

Read more

Keep Your Finances on Track with Money Dashboard

Nearly everyone these days is looking to save more money and earn more money, too. While staying on top of financial goals can be overwhelming, there are companies that offer critical data, information and guidance to help a consumer keep of track of their finances. That includes Money Dashboard. The Edinburgh, Scotland-based website was founded in 2010.

“The mission is to help UK consumers make their money go further by empowering them to make informed financial decisions,” said Sean MacNicol, engagement manager for Money Dashboard, who spoke to RewardExpert. Besides its desktop site, Money Dashboard is also available on mobile, iOS and Android apps.

Read more

What You Need to Know About Credit Card Balances

What You Need to Know About Credit Card Balances

Far too many consumers have credit card balances. This isn’t something to be proud of as a credit card balance is another term for having debt. Remember, when charging items on a credit card, those expenditures must be paid back in full.

Let’s explore some of the ins and outs of credit card balances, including what they are and how they can snowball into a major financial problem that affects your life for years to come.

Read more