All posts by Leonard Kreicas

Sallie Mae Ignite Mastercard For Students review

June 23, 2023UncategorizedLeonard Kreicas

A powerful financial tool for students from Sallie Mae

Why the Ignite Mastercard might be the right choice for you

Finally a credit card specifically designed to cater to the needs of students.

With its many benefits and features, the Ignite credit card aims to provide a seamless and rewarding experience for young individuals embarking on their educational journey.

Benefits and Rewards

One of the standout features of the Sallie Mae Ignite Mastercard is its rewards program.

Cardholders earn 1% cash back on all eligible purchases, which can add up to significant savings as you build your credit history.

What sets this card apart from other choices is its superior rewards for purchases made at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants, where you earn 2% cash back.

This incentive aligns nicely with students’ spending habits by helping them maximize their rewards potential on everyday essentials.

Financial Education and Tools

Sallie Mae understands the importance of financial literacy for students, and the Ignite Mastercard reflects this commitment.

The card provides access to educational resources, budgeting tools, and personalized alerts, allowing young adults to manage their finances responsibly.

These tools let cardholders develop good spending habits and make informed financial decisions, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills for a successful future.

Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card

June 1, 2023BankChase, Intro APR, No annual fee, Rewards, Sign-up offersLeonard Kreicas

Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card offers a $200 signup bonus plus 5% cash back for rotating categories.

Sign up bonus

Get receive a $200 bonus after charging only $500 or more on Freedom Flex Card within three months of opening the account.

Zero percent interest introductory offer

Pay no interest on purchases during the first 15 months, although a minimum monthly payment needs to be made.

Extra rewards with 5% on rotating categories

January 1 to March 31
Most grocery stores, gym memberships and fitness clubs
April 1 to June 30
Amazon.com, Lowe’s
July 1 to Sept. 30
Coming soon
Oct. 1 to Dec. 31
Coming soon

Other bonus categories

5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
3% on dining, which includes fast food, takeout and delivery
3% on drugstore purchases
1% on all other qualifying purchases

Other great features

No annual fee
No minimum to redeem cash back rewards
Rewards never expire as long as account remains open
Get a complimentary 3 months of DashPass(DoorDash membership).

Earn up to $500 per year through refer-a-friend program

Chase Freedom cardholders get $50 for each friend who opens a participating Chase Freedom® credit card through a special link . A limit of $500 in referral bonuses per year applies.

Free benefits and services

Zero liability protection
24/7 Fraud monitoring never sleeps
Free cell phone theft or damage insurance
Purchase protection for 120 days (up to $500 per claim)
Extended warranty program
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
Free credit score and identity restoration service

Best Balance Transfer Offers June 2023

May 28, 2023NewsLeonard Kreicas

No interest on balance transfers until 2024 with special introductory rates

When you transfer your high-interest balance to a credit card offering an introductory 0% APR (Annual Percentage Rate) you could reduce your monthly credit card bills by a significant amount.

A fixed interest rate of zero financing for a year or more allows you to make affordable payment on only the balance you owe. Note that minimum monthly payments are still due until the intro period ends. Once the special 0% rate expires regular rates will apply to the remaining balances.

CHECKLIST

Most major banks charge upfront balance transfer fees that are added to the balance. Usually the fees are less than interest you’re currently paying, but check with a professional financial advisor before proceeding with a balance transfer. Fees such as balance transfer, annual, late payment, etc. could swallow up any savings on interest.

See if credit line with the new card covers the amounts you want to transfer. For instance if you have a $10,000 balance to transfer and only get a $2,500 credit line with the new card, that may not be enough to save a meaningful amount. You’ll also be complicating life by having more credit card payments to keep track of.

Never charge anything on the card since purchases often are mixed in with transfers. When that happens the entire balance may be due way before the expiration of the introductory period. If not paid in full you might even pay regular interest rates on the amounts transferred.

Normally you cannot transfer balances between cards from the same bank or issuer. Inquire whether funds from the new card can be sent to the original card. Otherwise an excess of “hard” inquiries could damage your credit score.

Allow a lag time between transfer request and its posting to the old card. A month might pass before balance is erased from the high-interest account. That delay might result in an unexpectedly large amount due for the first card.

THE CARDS

The credit cards below feature longer 0% APR periods so you can pay bills in a planned manner under the guidance of trusted financial mentor.

21 MONTH INTRODUCTORY 0% APR

Fifth Third 1% Cash/Back Mastercard®

21 month introductory no interest APR on balance transfers
Balance transfer fee: 4%
Same 0% APR offer on purchases
Regular APR is 15.74% to 26.74% after intro offer expires

BankAmericard®

21 month zero-interest intro APR on balance transfers(conditions apply)
Balance transfer fee: 3%
Also 0% APR on purchases up to 21 months after account opening
Regular APR is 15.74% to 25.74% after intro period expires

Wells Fargo Reflect® Visa Card

No interest APR for first 21 months on balance transfers(conditions apply)
Balance transfer fee: 5%
Also 0% APR on purchases for 21 months
Regular APR is 17.99% to 29.99% after introductory offer expires

Citi Diamond Preferred Mastercard®

21 month no-interest APR on balance transfers(conditions apply)
Balance transfer fee: 5%
Also 0% APR on purchases for 12 months
Regular APR is 17.99% to 28.74% once intro period expires

Citi Simplicity® Credit Card

No interest APR for 21 first months on balance transfers(conditions apply)
Balance transfer fee: 3% if completed within 4 months of opening new account
Also 0% APR on purchases for 12 months
Regular APR is 18.99% to 29.74% after intro period expires

Bank of the West Platinum Mastercard®

21 month introductory 0% APR on balance transfers
Balance transfer fee: 4%
Regular APR is 19.74% to 27.74% after intro offer expires

18 MONTH INTRO 0% APR

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Introductory 0% APR apply to transfers made within first 60 days of account opening
Balance transfer fee: 3%
No annual fee
Regular APR is 17.74% to 27.74%

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

18 month 0% APR on new account balance transfers
Balance transfer fee: 3%
Also 18 month 0% APR on purchases
Regular APR is 19.24% to 29.24% after intro offer expires

Citi Double Cash Mastercard®

18 month zero-interest APR on transfers made within first 4 months
Balance transfer fee: 3% (on transfers made within first 4 months)
Regular APR is 18.74% to 28.74%
Earn rewards on purchases

Chase Slate Edge® Visa Card

No interest APR for 18 months on balance transfers
Balance transfer fee: 3% good for first three months only (5% thereafter)
Also 0% APR on purchases for 18 months
Regular APR is 19.74% to 28.49% after intro offer expires

Citizens Bank Clear Value® Mastercard®

No interest APR for first 18 months on balance transfers
Balance transfer fee: 4%
Also 0% APR on purchases for 18 months
Regular APR is 18.49% to 26.49% after intro offer expires

ELAN FINANCIAL SERVICES

Elan Financial Services offers interest-free financing on credit cards with balance transfers for 18 months having the following terms:

No interest payments for first 18 months after account opening
Balance transfer fee: 3%
No annual fee
Regular APR of 18.99% to 28.99% once intro period expires

A small sampling of banks using Elan Financial Services are:

Associated Bank Visa® Platinum Card
Busey Bank Visa® Platinum Card
Country Club Bank Visa® Platinum Card
Envision Bank Visa® Platinum Card
Exchange State Bank Visa® Platinum Card
First Financial Northwest Bank Visa® Platinum Card
Fulton Bank Visa® Platinum Card
Highland Bank Visa® Platinum Card
Hillcrest Bank Visa® Platinum Card
Independent Bank Visa® Platinum Card
Pinnacle Credit Union
Superior Choice Credit Union
Webster Bank Visa® Platinum Card
Westfield Bank Visa® Platinum Card

15 MONTH INTRO 0% APR

PNC Core Visa® Credit Card

15 month no interest APR on balance transfers
Balance transfer fee: 3%
Also 0% APR on purchases for 15 months
Regular APR is 15.24% to 27.24% after intro offer ends

Discover It Credit Card

15 month introductory 0% APR on balance transfers
Balance transfer fee: 3% (for first 60 days after opening account)
Also 0% APR on purchases for 15 months
Regular APR is 16.24% to 27.24% after intro offer ends

Truist Future Credit Card

No interest on balance transfers made within first 90 days of account opening
Low balance transfer fee of 3%
Also 0% APR on purchases for 15 months
Low APR of 15.49 to 24.49% after introductory period ends

Capital One Quicksilver Rewards Credit Card

Pay NO interest on balance transfers for first 15 months
Balance transfer fee: 3%
Also 0% APR on purchases for 15 months
Regular APR is 19.24% to 29.24% after end of intro offer

Citi Rewards+ Mastercard®

15 month introductory 0% APR on balance transfers
They must be completed within first 120 days
Balance transfer fee: 3% for first 4 months of opening
No annual fee
Regular APR is 17.24% to 27.24% after intro offer expires

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

15 month zero-interest intro APR(only valid for first 4 months)
Balance transfer fee: 3%
No annual fee
Regular APR is 16.74% to 26.74% after intro period expires

Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards® Card

No interest APR for first 15 months on balance transfers made within first 60 days
Balance transfer fee: 3%
No annual fee
Regular APR is 18.74% to 28.74% after intro offer expires

Citi Custom Cash^SM Credit Card

No interest on balance transfers completed within first 120 days
Balance transfer fee: 5%
No annual fee
Regular APR is 18.24% to 28.24% after intro offer expires

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

15 month introductory 0% APR on balance transfers
Balance transfer request must be made within first 120 days
Balance transfer fee: 3%
No annual fee
Regular APR is 19.24% to 29.24% after intro offer expires

AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays Bank

15 month introductory 0% APR on balance transfers
Balance transfer request must be made within first 45 days
Balance transfer fee: 5%
No annual fee
Regular APR is 20.99% to 29.99% after intro offer expires

BMO Harris Bank Platinum Mastercard®

Within first 90 days of account opening for 0% APR
Balance transfer fee: 3%
No annual fee
Regular APR is 16.49% to 24.49%
Available only in Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin

Citizens Cash+ World Mastercard®

15 month introductory no interest APR
Balance transfer fee: 4%
No annual fee
Regular APR is 19.74% to 27.74% after intro offer expires

TD Double Up^SM Credit Card

No interest APR for 18 months on balance transfers
Balance transfer fee: 3%
Regular APR is 19.49% to 29.49%

Regions [Bank] Life Visa® Card

15 month introductory 0% APR on balance transfers
Balance transfers must be completed within first 60 days of account opening
Balance transfer fee: 4%
No annual fee
Regular APR is 16.24% to 26.24% after intro offer expires

KeyBank Latitude® Credit Card (limited availability)

15 month introductory 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases
Balance transfers must be completed within first 60 days of account opening
Balance transfer fee: 4%
No annual fee
Regular APR is 19.24% to 26.24% after end of introductory period

Union Plus Rate Advantage Mastercard® (Capital One)

15 month introductory 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases
Balance transfer fee: 3%
No annual fee
Regular APR is 15.15% to 25.15% after intro offer expires
Members only

NO BALANCE TRANSFER FEE & INTRO 0% APR

Union Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card

15 month introductory no interest APR
No balance transfer fee on transfers made within 60 days; 3% thereafter
No annual fee
Regular APR is 12.74% to 24.24%

Navy Federal Credit Union®Credit Card (members only)

12 month introductory 0% APR
No balance transfer fee
No annual fee
Regular APR is 9.74% to 18.00% after intro offer expires

Purdue Federal Visa Signature (members only)

12 month introductory 0% APR on purchases, balance transfers and cash advances
Balance transfer fee: 0%
No annual fee
Regular APR is 13.50% to 17.50% after intro offer expires
General membership via one-time $50 fee to join Purdue University Alumni Association as a Friend of the University

First Tech FCU Platinum Mastercard (members only)

12 month introductory 0% APR
Balance transfer fee: 0%
No annual fee
Regular APR is 11.24% to 18.00% after intro offer expires
General membership via one-time fee to join Computer History Museum or the Financial Fitness Association

Wings Visa® Platinum Credit Card (credit union members only)

12 month introductory 0% APR
Balance transfer fee: 0%
No annual fee
Regular APR is 11.90% to 18.00% after intro offer expires
General membership via one-time fee to join Wings Financial Foundation

Best Credit Card Sign-Up Offers June 2023

May 28, 2023NewsSign-up offersLeonard Kreicas

When making a purchase as low as $500, consider opening a new credit card account with a cash back sign-up offer of $200 or more.

You could earn hundreds of tax-free dollars a year by planning your credit card applications the smart way.

Since the sign-up offers usually require spending a certain minimum amount on the card, plan your larger purchases by getting a new credit card account.

Many of card’s bonus can only be redeemed for travel or store purchases. The offers below give the cardholder account holder actual cash in the form of a tax-free rebate, such as statement credit.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

$600 cash back (60,000 bonus points) after you spend $4,000 on purchases with your new card within the first 3 months.
5X points on travel purchased through Chase
3X points for online grocery purchases (excludes Walmart, Target, wholesale clubs)
3X points for dining at restaurants (includes takeout and delivery)
3X points for select streaming services
2X points on travel (taxis, mass transit, airfare, lodging, etc)
1% on other eligible purchases
Cash back is redeemable as a statement credit
$95 annual fee (waived for first year)

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card

$600 cash back (60,000 points) after you spend $4,000 on purchases with your new card within the first 3 months.
$300 annual travel credit
10X points on purchases Chase Dining^SMwith Ultimate Rewards
10X points on hotels & car rentals purchased through Chase
3X points on travel and dining, includes delivery and takeout
1X point other eligible purchases
Points worth 50% extra if redeemed for travel and other select categories
Priority Pass^TM Select membership
$550 annual fee

U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa® Signature Card

$500 cash back (50,000 points) after you spend $2,000 in the first 120 days.
4 points per dollar spent on travel, at gas or EV charging stations
2 points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, dining and streaming services
1 point on all other eligible purchases
$30 credit for annual streaming service purchases such as Netflix, Apple TV+ and Spotify®
$95 annual fee (waived first year)

Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card

$500 cash back (50,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new card within the first 3 months.
2 points per dollar spent on travel and dining
1.5 points on other eligible purchases
Preferred Rewards members earn 25% to 75% more points per purchase
Get cash back when you redeem the points you earned (100 points = $1).
$95 annual fee

Fremont Bank World Mastercard®

$500 cash back bonus after a minimum charge of $5,000 on your new card within first 3 months.
3% per dollar spent on travel and dining
2% per dollar on gasoline
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
$95 annual fee (waived the first year)

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

$350 back after you spend a minimum of $3,000 within the first 6 months.
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months.
6% Cash Back at U.S supermarkets (superstores like Walmart or Target don’t qualify), up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1% cash back
6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
3% at U.S gas stations and on transit (includes rideshares, parking, tolls, buses, trains, and more)
1% other eligible purchases
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars redeemable as statement credit.
$95 annual fee (waived for first year)

Capital One Savor® Credit Card

$300 cash back after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 3 months.
4% cash back on dining, entertainment, select streaming services
3% cash back at grocery stores
1% other eligible purchases
$95 annual fee

Disney® Premier Visa® Card From Chase

Get $300 statement credit with minimum spend $1,000 on purchases with new card within first 3 months
2% in Disney Reward Dollars at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants and most Disney locations
1% in Disney Reward Dollars on all other eligible charges
$49 annual fee

Star Trek Credit Card from NASA FCU

$300 cash back after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 3 months.
3% rewards points on startrek.com purchases
2% rewards points at gas stations
1% rewards points on all other eligible purchases
$39 annual fee
Credit union membership required

U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card

Get $200 back (20,000 bonus points) with minimum spend $1,000 on purchases with new card within first 3 months
4x points on dining, takeout, food delivery
2x points at grocery stores (including delivery)
2x points at gas stations
2x points on streaming service subscriptions
1 point on all other eligible charges
0% intro APR on purchases for first 12 months
No annual fee

Wells Fargo Active Cash^SM Credit Card

Get $200 cash rewards after charging $1,000 within first 3 months
0% intro APR on purchases for first 15 months
2% cash rewards on eligible purchases
0% intro APR for 15 months(until 2023) on new purchases & balance transfers
No annual fee

Citi Custom Cash^SM Card

Get $200 cash rewards after charging $750 within first 3 months
5% cash back in eligible categories(up to $500 per billing cycle)
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
0% intro APR for 15 months(until 2023) on new purchases & balance transfers
No annual fee

BMO Harris Bank Cash Back Mastercard®

Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $2,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
2% on eligible gas and grocery purchases (maximum $2,500 combined, then 1%)
1% cash back on all other purchases
No annual fee

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Get 3% cash back at restaurants (includes takeout and delivery)
Get 3% cash back on drug store purchases
1.5% cash back on all other eligible purchases
No minimum amount when redeeming for cash back
0% Intro APR on purchases for first 14 months(until 2023) after account opening
No annual fee

Chase Freedom Flex^SM

Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Earn 5% cash back in bonus categories (rotates quarterly)
Get 3% cash back on dining and drug store purchases
1.0% cash back on all other eligible purchases
No minimum amount when redeeming for cash back
0% Intro APR on purchases for first 14 months after account opening
No annual fee

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

Get $200 cash back bonus with minimum spend of $1,000 within first 3 months
5% in two categories you choose(max $2000 combined spend)
2% at grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants
1% on all other eligible charges
No annual fee

American Express Blue Cash Everyday® Card

Get $200 back after you spend $2,000 on purchases with new card within first 6 months
3% cash back at US supermarkets ($6,000 limit)
2% cash back on gas at US gas stations
2% cash back at select department stores
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
0% intro APR on purchases for first 15 months
No annual fee

American Express Cash Magnet® Card

Get $200 back after you spend $2,000 on purchases with new card within first 6 months
Simple 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases
0% intro APR on purchases for first 15 months
No annual fee

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Visa® Card

Get $200 online cash rewards after a spend of $1,000 with first 90 days
3% cash back on category of your choice
2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
1% rewards on all other eligible purchased items
Introductory 0% APR for first 15 billing cycles
No annual fee

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Visa® Card

Get $200 online cash rewards after a spend of $1,000 with first 90 days
Simple 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases
Introductory 0% APR for first 15 billing cycles
No annual fee

Capital One Quicksilver Rewards Card

Get $200 back after you spend $500 on purchases with new card within first 3 months
1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for first 15 months
No annual fee

Capital One SavorOne® Credit Card

$200 cash back after you spend $500 in purchases on your new card within the first 3 months
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
3% cash back on dining, entertainment, select streaming services
3% cash back at grocery stores
1% other eligible purchases
no annual fee

Elements Financial CU Signature Rewards Visa® Card

Get $200 cash bonus after you spend $1,000 on 10 or more purchases with new card within first 3 months
1.5% cash back and rewards on eligible everyday purchases
No balance transfer or foreign transaction fees
No annual fee
Credit union membership required

Use Credit Card Bonuses Wisely

Apply these common sense rules before applying for too many credit cards at once.

Have a definite purpose
Before you pick a program, explore each one in depth.

Apply for a maximum of two cards per year
You may earn more rewards by signing up for more, but that could limit your ability to earn bonuses in the future.

Pay your balance in full every billing period
Banks rely on the fact that they earn more in interest and fees than what they give back in bonuses or rewards.

Avoid cards with annual fees
They cost more than the services they provide and closing an account limits your buying power.

CREDIT CARDS

Choose the right credit card for you

All posts by Leonard Kreicas

Sallie Mae Ignite Mastercard For Students review

A powerful financial tool for students from Sallie Mae

Best Balance Transfer Offers June 2023

No interest on balance transfers until 2024 with special introductory rates

CHECKLIST

THE CARDS

21 MONTH INTRODUCTORY 0% APR

18 MONTH INTRO 0% APR

15 MONTH INTRO 0% APR

NO BALANCE TRANSFER FEE & INTRO 0% APR

A powerful financial tool for students from Sallie Mae

Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card offers a $200 signup bonus plus 5% cash back for rotating categories.

Sign up bonus

Zero percent interest introductory offer

Extra rewards with 5% on rotating categories

Other bonus categories

Other great features

Earn up to $500 per year through refer-a-friend program

Free benefits and services

No interest on balance transfers until 2024 with special introductory rates

CHECKLIST

THE CARDS

21 MONTH INTRODUCTORY 0% APR

18 MONTH INTRO 0% APR

15 MONTH INTRO 0% APR

NO BALANCE TRANSFER FEE & INTRO 0% APR

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card

U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa® Signature Card

Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card

Fremont Bank World Mastercard®

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Capital One Savor® Credit Card

Disney® Premier Visa® Card From Chase

Star Trek Credit Card from NASA FCU

U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card

Wells Fargo Active CashSM Credit Card

Citi Custom CashSM Card

BMO Harris Bank Cash Back Mastercard®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom FlexSM

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

American Express Blue Cash Everyday® Card

American Express Cash Magnet® Card

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Visa® Card

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Visa® Card

Capital One Quicksilver Rewards Card

Capital One SavorOne® Credit Card

Elements Financial CU Signature Rewards Visa® Card

Wells Fargo Active Cash^SM Credit Card

Citi Custom Cash^SM Card

Chase Freedom Flex^SM