BBVA Compass ClearPoints Visa Card

August 21, 2021RewardsBBVA, Groceries, Intro APR, No annual feeLeonard Kreicas

BBVA ClearPoints credit card

After merger with PNC Bank the BBVA ClearPoints credit card is no longer accepting new applications.

Material below is for archival purposes.

Flexible choices give you better deals. The BBVA credit card allows you how you want to be rewarded. You get extra savings, 3% or 2%, from among these ten categories.

Business
Dining
Entertainment
Gas
Groceries
Health Care
Maintenance
Retail
Travel
Utilities

Choices are made quarterly, so you can plan ahead of time which charges to put on the card to maximize savings.

These points can be redeemed for an account credit without any complicated math.

As an incentive BBVA offers an 0% introductory APR for 13 months to new credit card holders qualifying purchases.

Pay NO annual fee for the BBVA Compass ClearPoints credit card and add additional authorized users at no cost.

Multiple Payment Options offers you the ability to pay your bill by mail, automatic debit, online banking or at any local branch

Security alerts notify you of possible suspicious activity on your account, as well as convenience notices for payments, balances, special offers and more.

You never pay interest if you pay your balance in full every month.

Additional free services include:

Free extended warranty for up to one year
Generous free insurance coverage up to $10,000 per purchase, with a $50,000 maximum per cardholder
Free Common Carrier Insurance: A full Benefit Amount of $500,000 is payable for accidental loss of life, two hands or two feet, sight of both eyes, one hand or one foot and sight of one eye, speech and hearing in both ears or any combination thereof.
The Visa Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver benefit (“Auto Rental CDW”) provides—at no additional charge—reimbursement for damage due to collision or theft up to the actual cash value of most rental vehicles, when certain terms and conditions are met.

BBVA has an another special bonus offer for Everyday Heroes:

Everyday Heroes get 5,000 bonus CompassPoints when they open a new Clear Points or Visa Signature Credit Card within 60 days of registering with the Everyday Heroes specialty program. This relationship is limited to

Teachers
Law enforcement members
Fire fighters and first responders
Healthcare workers including nurses, pharmacists, medical technicians
Active, reserve, and retired U.S. Military personnel

Macy’s Thanks For Sharing 2021

August 1, 2021StoreRewardsLeonard Kreicas

Macy’s will no longer offer the Thanks For Sharing (TFS) program according to a press release.

“With the reinvention of Star Rewards, Macy’s has created a loyalty program that makes it simple for our customers to earn on every purchase, regardless how they pay. While we have made the decision to sunset our Thanks For Sharing program in 2020, customers can participate in Star Rewards for free to earn and redeem rewards, enjoy special benefits – including Star Money Bonus Days, where customers can earn bonus points toward Star Money even faster – perks and offers including extra savings, and a birthday surprise.”

The information below is for your reference on how the 2019 program operated.

The 2019 Macy’s Thanks For Sharing (TFS) program ended Dec 31, 2019.

A one-time $25 membership fee will be charged to your Macy’s credit card, which enters you into a special rewards programs and gives select non-profits money to help fund their charitable work

Thanks for Sharing Members receive a Macy’s gift card worth 10% of eligible purchases, net of returns, made with their enrolled Macy’s credit card through December 31, 2019.

$10 of the one-time $25 enrollment fee, up to a maximum of $15,000,000, will be donated to non-profit organizations such as Make-A-Wish and the March of Dimes.

BENEFITS

10% rewards on almost all purchases made with an eligible Macy’s credit card from the enrollment date until Dec. 31, 2019, in the form of a Macy’s gift card.

On select bonus days enrolled Macy’s shoppers receive 15% rewards instead of the standard 10%. When the dates become available mark them on your calendar to boost your gift card’s value.

There is no limit on how much the gift card is worth: some people have earned Thanks For Sharing gift cards worth $400 or more.

The TFS gift card has no expiration date.

The $25 enrollment fee is a one-time charge that must be made with a Macy’s credit card.

You can give the card to loved one as gift card for their own shopping spree.

It can be used for purchases at any Macy’s store or online at macys.com.

This card is NOT a coupon, so use it just like cash to buy any item of your choice at a Macy’s store or online.

FEATURES

The proceeds from enrollment fees will be donated to the following nonprofit organizations.

Your gift card will be mailed in February or March 2020 to the address on file for the account. If you move notify Macy’s of your new mailing address to make sure you get the TFS card.

The Thanks For Sharing Program has some exclusions for items charged on the Macy’s credit card, although it does give a 10% rebate on EveryDay Value items which normally do not accept any Macy’s coupons.

The exclusions are mostly large-ticket items, services and some licensed departments:

backstage items
furniture
floor coverings
mattresses
box springs
fur salon
bridal salon
gift cards/certificates
electronics and associated accessories
special orders
watch/jewelry repair
sunglasses
maternity wear
athletic shoes for him, her and kids
Apple products
Tag Heuer
custom decorating
carpet cleaning
service and delivery fees
gift wrap
trunk show merchandise
purchases from licensed departments
bill inserts
restaurants

You cannot redeem the Thanks For Sharing gift card for cash or use it as a payment or credit on your Macy’s credit card account.

The value of the rewards card applies to net purchases from enrollment until Dec. 31, 2019. Any prior eligible purchases returned on or before 1/6/2020 will have their share of the TFS purchase subtracted from the reward’s card final value.

For example, if you bought a pair of jeans for $100 and then exchange them for a pair of jeans costing $200, your Thanks For Sharing gift card will be worth $10 ($20 – $10), not $20 (10% of your original $200 purchase).

ABOC Credit Card Review

May 26, 2021RewardsIntro APR, No annual fee, Rewards, Sign-up offersLeonard Kreicas

Union Strong Credit Card

“For almost a century, the Bank has designed deposit and credit services exclusively for union workers in the automobile, building trades, clothing and textile, communications and graphic arts, hotel and restaurant, mechanics, public service and general service, steel and iron, transportation industries, and more.”

Amalgamated Bank of Chicago (ABOC) credit card program offers competitive rates and benefits to people who would prefer not to deal with big banks. Currently ABOC is revising its credit card offerings, so the cards below aren’t accepting new applicants.

The descriptions below are for reference only.

ABOC Union Strong Credit Card

The Union Strong Mastercard® currently charges an APR of 9.25% after the introductory period ends. The APR may change depending on market conditions.

The Union Strong credit card has an 0% APR deal on balance transfers for first 18 billing cycles. Balance transfers don’t receive any reward points and a 3% fee is added upon transfer.

ABOC Platinum Rewards Card

aboc credit card platinum rewards

The Platinum Rewards credit card currently charges an APR of 12.90% to 22.90% depending on credit history. The APR also will fluctuate in step with on market conditions.

There is no special deal on balance transfers for new accounts.

Introductory Offers for ABOC Credit Cards

Get a generous sign-up bonus of $150 as a statement credit after opening a new account, but only when $1,200 is charged on the new card within 90 days of approval.

Pay no interest on purchases for the first 12 billing cycles. Monthly minimum payments are required to keep the account in good standing.

Rewards and savings for ABOC credit cards

1% Cash Back on eligible purchases
No Annual Fee
Zero-interest for 25 days before payments are due for purchases paid in full after the promotional period.
Rewards include choice of statement credits, travel, gift cards, merchandise
Points never expire as long as card remains in good standing
No foreign transaction fees

Purchase and travel benefits include

No fee for additional cards for authorized users
Mastercard® zero liability on unauthorized transactions
Extended Warranty doubles your original warranty up to 1 additional year (conditions apply)
Identity Theft Resolution Services provides one-on-one support in the event your identity is compromised.
MasterAssist^® provides pre-trip planning assistance, help with lost luggage and more.
Master RoadAssist^® Roadside Services provides help in the event your car breaks down while traveling in the U.S.
$1 Million Travel Accident Insurance.
Security chip gives enhanced protection when used at chip-enabled terminals.
Make mobile purchases with Android Pay^TM, Apple Pay^TM and Samsung Pay.

AARP Essential Rewards credit card

March 23, 2021RewardsBarclaycard, Intro APR, Rewards, Sign-up offersLeonard Kreicas

The AARP Essential Rewards credit card offers features 3% rebates on gas and drug store purchases, 2% on medical expenses, and 1% on all other eligible items.

Introductory Sign-Up Bonus

Receive 10,000 point good for $100 cash back after charging $500 or more to the card within 90 days of account opening

Introductory Balance Transfer Offer

0% introductory APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 3% (minimum $5) applies as an upfront fee.

Interest Rates

Purchases – 0% for 25 days if statement balance is zero
Purchases – 16.74% to 25.74% if statement balance is greater than zero
Cash Advances – 24.99%
Balance Transfers – 16.74% to 25.74% (if available)

Fees

Annual Fee: $0
Balance transfer: 3% ($5 min)
Cash advance: 5% ($10 min)
Foreign transaction: 3.0%
Late payment: up to $15 or $35
Returned payment: $35

Earn Rewards

Three Member Reward points per dollar on eligible gas stations or restaurants
Two Member Reward points per dollar on eligible medical expenses
One Member Reward point per dollar on all other eligible purchases

Redeem Member Reward Points

Minimum to redeem: 2,000 points
As a statement credit or direct deposit checking or savings account
Gift cards such Walmart, Amazon, and more
Travel, including flight, hotels, cruises, etc.

Purchase Services

Theft and accidental damage protection, including cell phones
Return protection within 90 days of purchase
Free extended warranties

Travel Benefits

Roadside Assistance Hotline
Car rental and damage insurance (excludes liability coverage)
Global Assist Hotline (doesn’t pay for third-party costs)
Travel accident insurance on common carriers

Security Features

Fraud Protection
Advanced secure chip technology
Text alerts

Other Card Benefits

Mobile banking
Text and/or email alerts on purchases, balances, reminders, etc.
Monthly summaries

Notes

Medical expenses eligible for bonus rewards include

Dentists
Orthodontists
Osteopathic Physicians
Chiropractors
Optometrists
Ophthalmologists
Opticians
Optical Goods & Eyeglasses
Chiropodists
Podiatrists
Hospitals
Medical and Dental Laboratories
Hearing Aids
Ambulance Services
Orthopedic Goods
Prosthetic Devices
Nursing and Personal Care Facilities
Medical Services & Health Practitioners not elsewhere classified (NEC)
Doctors not elsewhere classified (NEC)

Though co-branded with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), you don’t have to be over 55 or even a member for this credit card.

From March 22, 2021 to March 31, 2022, Barclays Bank Delaware (Barclays) will donate $10 for every newly approved AARP-branded credit card from a Barclays account that is used within the first 90 days of account opening and 1% of all eligible electronic and telecommunications purchases made with the card to AARP Foundation, in support of efforts to increase social connection. Total maximum donation by Barclays is $1 million annually.

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