MyCardBlog

PayPal just released the great deals and cash back offers for the coming 2008 holiday shopping season. Customers can get up to 20% cash back for shopping through PayPal and pay with PayPal. The 20% discount will be applied to top online retailers such as OverStock, eToys and BlockBuster. Meanwhile, PayPal will also offer free shipping from some PayPal merchants. Of course, the most attractive part is PayPal will team up with Live Search and eBay to offer huge discount for shopping “Buy it Now” items on eBay.com.

According to Cliff Hopkins, senior director for PayPal, “Under current economic situation, many consumers will shop early and using every tool at their disposal to find the best deals on holiday gifts.” On order to boot sales, online merchants are also working to provide free shipping, cash rebate, and other great deals to their customers.

In details, retailers will offer a number of holiday promotions to help PayPal users find great gift ideas.

NO Shipping Cost

This is a very standard promotion for some online merchants to offer PayPal members. Some merchants also participated in the PayPal holiday promotion last year.

Cash Cash Offers

From December 1, 2008, PayPal will offer a great discount offers for members using PayPal to shop online. The cash back is up to 30%! Participating retailers are Blue Niles, eToys, OverStock etc. The cash back is offered instantly.

Deals from eBay through Live Search

Maybe you are still excited with the 35% cash back from Live Search with eBay and PayPal. I believe eBay and Microsoft will continue to offer huge promotion deals during shopping season. The latest message is: Shoppers who arrive at eBay through Microsoft Live Search (www.live.com) can receive up to 30% cash back on the purchase of any eligible “But it Now” item when using PayPal through the Microsoft Live Search cash back program.

PayPal was offering 10% off coupon together with 25% cash back from Live Search several days ago. Anyone who received the 10% coupon can use it together with live search cash back offer to get up to 35% discount! The coupon code as shown above is CFALLSAVINGS10P.

PayPal just announced that PayPal will cover the original shopping and shipping cost for users using PayPal to pay full price at eBay if the items are not received or significantly not as described. Shopping with PayPal is now even safer.

For more information, you can go to the official PayPal promotion website: www.paypal.com/holiday.

It is no doubt that you can use your credit card for an international trip. But some of you may not know that many credit card issuers will charge a certain amount of transaction fees for using your credit card aboard. The fees may be up to 8% depending on the credit card terms. So before you leave, you’d better read your credit card agreement from your credit card issuer carefully and find out the one with lowest transaction fees.

Hereby I did a little research and summarized the transaction fees from many US credit card issuers to help you choose out the best credit card for an international trip. Another thing you should be aware is your credit card account might be frozen by your credit card issuer sometimes due to fraud prevention.

Foreign transaction fees are charges added to the cost of purchases made in a foreign currency. The card issuers said the cost covers the service of translating the price of the purchase into U.S. dollars, which is the amount reflected on a billing statement. The foreign transaction fees are varied for different credit card issuers and different types of credit cards.

Whenever you make a purchase at foreign countries with a Visa or MasterCard, you will be automatically charged by Visa or MasterCard Networks. Card issuers will also add some fees for foreign transactions. For example, Chase Sony Card will charge you 3% transaction fee for an purchase made outside US. This 3% includes the above mentioned 1% fee charge by Visa Network. But there is an exception which makes it a very good credit card for using internationally. All Capital One credit cards will get 1% refund for any transactions made using a foreign currency or outside US. The HSBC Household/Orchard Bank credit card with 2% cash back used to not charge additional 2% fees. So with 2% cash back and 1% transaction fee, you can still get 1% cash back for using that credit card aboard. All American Express cards will be charged 2% transaction fee. Discover Card will not charge foreign transaction fees for your purchases made using foreign currency or outside US. So all Discover Cards are good choice for using aboard. The only downside for using Discover Card is they don’t have too many networks outside US. You can only us Discover card at limited countries. While Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in the word.

Some picks of credit cards for international use:

Capital One No Hassle Cash Rewards Card (Or Capital One No Hassle Miles Rewards Card): There is no annual fee associated with this card. There is also no foreign transaction fee for using aboard. You can accumulate cash rewards for using this card everywhere in the world. You can choose either the cash version or mile version.

Discover More Card: There is no foreign transaction fee for using aboard. You can also get rewards for shopping everywhere in the world. No annual fee. If you are a student, you should choose the Discover Student Card which is specifically designed for students. You may also consider the Discover Miles Card for accumulating miles. But you should expect the situation that you can’t use your Discover Card on an international trip.

ING Direct was just mentioned here several days ago about a lawsuit against a customer who took a total of $9,180 from ING via “refer a friend” program. ING just released a new promotion targeted to selected customers for using their Electric Orange Debit Card. This promotion was sent out via email. Anyone who received the email can get either a $10 or $20 bonus for using ING Electric Orange Debit Card in November.

According to the promotion page, you have to do the following steps to get the bonus:

1. You are enrolled in the Electric Orange Checking Account.

2. Make at least 5 purchases of $10 with your Electric Orange Debit Card in November.

3. The purchases must be displayed on your November statement.

4. A $20 bonus will be automatically deposited into your Electric Orange Checking Account by December 15th.

5. Only 1 bonus is allowed for each account.

The promotion page for the $20 bonus can be found at http://www.ingdirect.com/wise.

If you are an ING Electric Orange Checking Account owner, you are automatically enrolled and will receive an email soon. However, if you are not an existing ING Electric Orange Checking Account owner and want to apply for a new one, you are not qualified to receive this promotion.

As I mentioned in the “Top 7 Online Banks for High Interest Rate“, ING Direct was rated as one of the top online savings account and was famous for its easy user interface. Don’t be scared by the story of the lawsuit, if you just want to refer your friends to ING.

For those who don’t have an Electric Orange Account, there is another promotion running which will give new customers $50 bonus. But you have to do it by October 31, 2008.

Here is how:

1. Open an Electric Orange account online
2. Enter EM227 when prompted for a reference code
3. Activate your debit and make 3 signature-based transactions within 45 days
4. Receive a $50 credit in your account within 50 days

If you want to open an ING Direct Electric Orange Checking Account, you should act soon.

Key Bank is offering $100 checking account bonus for new customers. This promotion is the latest bonus promotion from Key Bank which is famous for offering iPod Nano as sign up bonus for its customers. I have reported the situation of some regional banks some days ago. National City Bank was acquired by PNC Bank. The future of other banks including Key Bank is till not clear. Key Bank reported a 36 million loss in the 3rd quarter. But the good news is Key Bank together with other major regional banks have just accepted the bailout money from federal government. Key Bank received 2.5 billion while PNC got 7.7 billion. Capital One got 3.6 billion.

With the money from US government, I personally think the situation of Kay Bank might be better in the 4th quarter. I reported a similar $100 bonus promotion in this March. The latest mention of sign up bonus from Key Bank was in July. Apparently, there is no other promotion from Key Bank for a while. So this $100 bonus is a good offer for those who want to open an account at Key Bank now.

As the promotion indicates:

Get a $100 Key Possibilities Card when you open a qualifying checking account and make one debit card transaction plus a combination of two direct deposits or automated payments each of $100 or more. Offer ends November 7, 2008.

The recommended checking account is the Key Express Free Checking Account which features:

• No monthly maintenance service charge
• No minimum balance requirement on your checking account
• No per-check fees or limits
• No monthly or annual KeyBank Debit Card fee
• No fee for using your KeyBank Debit Card on purchases when using a PIN or signing for a purchase
• Free, unlimited use of Key’s nationwide network of ATMs
• Free Key Bill Pay to pay your bills quickly and easily online
• Transfer funds between your Key checking accounts and accounts at other banks

The promotion page can be found here.

No hard pulls were reported at the account opening process.

ING Direct, the branchless direct bank with operations via the Internet, phone, ATM or by mail, is thought to be one of the most popular high rate savings service providers. ING has a very famous sign up/referral program for its Orange Savings Account from which two customers can get $35 ($10 & $25 for each) from ING. I personally got about $100 from ING for referring new customers to open a new Orange Savings Account with $250 initial deposit.

Today I read about a very scaring story about the famous ING referral program. ING Direct is going after someone who got the bank too much bonus!

According to the report from Boston Herald, ING Direct is suing a 24-year-old for allegedly abusing ING’s corporate trademark and manipulating a program it sponsored to drum up deposits for the bank.

The lawsuit indicated that John B. “Breck” Yunits referred 918 new customers to its online banking operations via its “Refer a Friend” program which requires each new client to deposit a minimum $250 in an account a the account opening process. As a reward, Yunits received a $10 bonus for each successful referral, for a total of $9,180.

I have never heard that there is a limit of the number of the referral can be made for an individual. ING claimed that the maximum number of referral bonuses is supposed to be 25. However, Yunits set up an unofficial web site using ING Direct’s name in its address, took prospects’ e-mails and manipulated the company’s online program to exceed the maximum limit for referrals.

It’s interesting to see what the final result for this lawsuit. But it also provides us some hint that the maximum number of referral bonuses is supposed to be 25 which I believe is not very clear on ING’s web site.

The Orange Savings Account is an online savings product offered by ING Direct. Users  can deposit money to their savings account  via two possible methods: electronic transfer from a checking account at another institution, and direct deposit. Customers can link up to three external checking accounts for electronic deposits and withdrawals and make 6 online transfers each month for free. The super easy online interface and excellent customer service support make the ING Orange Savings Account a top choice for many customers.

If you want to shop for a savings account, you can refer to this post.

It’s obvious that current banking system is still not stable. National City Bank followed WaMu and Wachovia’s step to be sold to PNC Bank. Smart American consumers concerned about the safety of their money and investments are increasing turning to trusted online banks and high yield savings accounts for the FDIC insurance protection they afford. Current FDIC insured amount has increased to $250K.

This post is trying to give you some advice on where to shop the best and trust online banks with high yields. If you are looking for the best online banks in terms of those that offer the highest interest rates for checking and savings accounts, you’ve come to the right place. It’s well known that online banks always offer higher rates on savings, money market funds and CDs than generally known banks like Citi, BOA, and Chase.

1. Capital One Direct Banking – 3.55%

Capital One Direct Banking offers 3.55% APY on balance over $10,000. If the deposit is under $10,000, the APY is 2.55%. I think this Capital One online savings account offers one of the best savings rates among the top national banks. During the financial crisis period, there is no negative reports about the Capital One, so I think it’s save to deposit money there. I personally have a Capital One Online Savings Account and I like it very much. The easy to use and link other accounts make me feel that Capital One Direct Banking is a really reliable bank. They will keep sending a statement to you even your balance is $0.02 every month.

2. WT Direct – 3.31%

WT Direct always offers top rates on their high yield savings account. There is no monthly service fees, minimum balance requirement but you have to keep your balance over $10,000 to get the high rate. As their website indicates the WT Direct online banking is part of a family of companies with over 100 years of financial strength and stability—Wilmington Trust Savings Bank. There is no related reports about the falling of this bank. WT Direct was rated as “This institution offers good financial security and has the resource to deal with a variety of adverse economic conditions.” by TheStreet.com.

3. Amboy Direct – 3.25%

Amboy Direct eSavings is an FDIC-insured savings account. For account balance higher than $3,000, you can have 3.25% APY! Plus you can get $50 sign up bonus if you open an eSavings account right now. The other interesting feature of this account is the ability to make (3) free Bank-to-Bank withdrawals and unlimited deposits in any calendar month. There is no monthly balance minimums or service fee.

4. HSBC Direct – 3.00%

It’s no doubt that HSBC Direct is one of the safest online banking choices out there with a wide international and national banking presence. (The world’s local bank!) Although the account opening process is a little complicated for new customers, their customer service is generally good and helpful. HSBC direct online savings account also often offer sign up bonuses. If you travel around the world frequently, HSBC is your top choice.

5. E*Trade Savings – 3.00%

Better known for its online discount broker program, E*Trade also runs a traditional banking component. Their complete savings account features high yield rewards and super fast money transfer service. If you are using the E*Trade brokerage service and want to link E-Trade brokerage account and their online savings, E-Trade’s Complete Saving Account is a recommended choice.

6. Emigrant Direct – 3.00%

The Emigrant Direct American Dream Savings Account is the feature banking product from Emigrant Direct which features no monthly fees and no minimum balance. Furthermore, there is no need to change your checking account. Your American Dream Savings Account will be linked to your current checking account. This bank is always chased by customers seeking for safe and high yield savings products.

7.  ING Direct – 2.75%

When it comes to ING Direct, one thing is common – it’s universally agreed upon is that ING Direct is a great online savings bank. When you read a personal finance blog, online journals, or newspapers, ING Direct is often praised for its super customer support and easy-to-use online account. Once you start a relationship with ING, you just don’t want to try others. Their simplified and streamlined website interface that makes it easy for both advanced users and novice online banking customers to use. The famous Orange Savings Account is not only quick and painless to open, the high yield savings account also imposes no monthly fees or account balance minimums.

National City Bank is running another huge checking account bonus promotion which will give you $200 bonus for opening a checking account online with qualified direct deposit. One week ago, I reported that National City Bank was offering $150 bonus for opening a checking account online with direct deposit. That promotion was scheduled to end on October 22, 2008. But now National City Bank extends this checking account promotion to October 31, 2008 and increases the bonus to $200.

The promotion page can be found at www.nationalcity.com/cash. This is a web-only promotion and not available in the local branches. If you want to open a new checking account at National City Bank, you have to apply for a National City checking account online.

Details about this promotion:

• Open a new personal checking account online by 10/31/2008 with a minimum initial deposit of $50
• Establish a direct deposit to your checking account of at least $250 or more and a Visa® CheckCard* issued to you within 60 days of account opening
• Limit of one bonus per household and available only to households without an existing National City checking account
• $200 bonus will be credited to your account within 60 days after all conditions have been met
• Your account must be open to receive the bonus

National City checking accounts feature:

• Unlimited transactions
• Free Visa® CheckCard
• Free Online Banking
• Free Online Bill Payment
• Personal savings account (with no monthly maintenance
• fee and no minimum balance)
• Free online statements
• Free banking rewards program – points from National City®

National City Bank is one of the largest regional banks, so this promotion is limited to the residents of states where National City has business. National City branches located in IL, MI, IN, FL, KY, MO, OH, WI and PA.

This is no hard inquiry during the account opening process. But National City will check the ChexSystems.

National City Bank is seeking more capital from US government and other sources. Running checking account bonus with direct deposit is a way to attract more new customers and thus increase the deposits. I doubt whether there will be a $250 checking account bonus in the near future.

Update: National City Bank was acquired by PNC Bank today.

I reported that the Quicken Online now goes free for everyone. Actually, there are many free online personal financial tools. Those finance tools are thought to be very useful for customers to check their daily spending, pay bills, and set budget. The difficult part is finding the right tool to fit your needs. Hereby I introduce 6 popular web based personal finance tools that might be of help to you.

Mint

Website: www.mint.com

Mint is a free web-based financial management service. The primary service provided by Mint is to track bank, credit card, investment, and loan transactions and balances through a simplified user interface. Mint is very popular because of its simple setup and easy to use budgeting tools. After you give Mint your online account information, Mint can automatically retrieves your latest financial data from your online financial institutions. And you can set how often you want it to report to you. Mint can do a lot of hard work to help you track your spending, make budgets and set alerts. If you want to use a online service to track your spending, Mint is the top choice.

Yodlee

Website: www.yodlee.com

Yodlee provides account aggregation and other online financial services. Yodlee allows users to see their credit card, bank, investment, email, travel reward accounts on one screen. Perhaps, Yodlee is the most popular free online financial service. Yodless is also famous for offering mobile banking feature. The Yodlee MoneyCenter is a popular web application that allows consumers to manages their finances online. It is a free web application that provides much of the popular personal finance functions of Intuit’s Quicken with features such as bill payment, expenses tracking, and investment management. As a matter of fact, Bank of America’s My Portfolio service is powered by Yodlee. If you want to get all of your personal finance in a single place, Yodless is a good choice.

Buxfer

Website: www.buxfer.com

Buxfer is also a free online personal finance software for budgeting and expense management. You can even transfer your money online using Buxfer. Most interesting part is buxfer can track the transactions for a group. The group can then split bills based on the summary from Buxfer. Buxfer also has lot of fantastic web applications which can be used on iPhone, facebook, Google and other mobile devices. But, to be honest, I don’t trust buxfer very much. It’s more like a study-group based product.

Geezeo

Website: www.geezeo.com

Geezeo is a free online personal fiance management software. It provides free budgeting tools, financial advice, and even a forum for members to discuss about. Geezeo also provide some finance products like credit cards, checking accounts, savings accounts, CDs, loans and even mortgages. The Geezeo is not merely a personal finance tool. But the service is not so great as Mint and Yodlee.

Wesabe

Website: www.wesabe.com

Wesabe helps users track spending and set financial goals. The coolest part of Wesabe is it can provide your personal date and then compare to others”. In this way, you can find out how to save a penny! You can even share your idea on how to spend smarter at the community of Wesabe. Wesabe also has a team of personal finance adviser to answer question and propose ideas in the community. My only worry is as they indicate”We do this by aggregating and analyzing our community members’ personal financial data, and showing tips — recommendations to get the most from our money.” So your personal financial information seems not safe there.

Quicken Online

This is the last one I want to introduce here because I just covered the Quicken Online two days ago at here.