MyCardBlog

Chase and Amazon.com have worked together to launch the new Amazon.com Rewards Visa Card. Compared to the old Amazon.com visa card, the new rewards card offers more rewards options, higher cash back rate at the first 90 days of account opening, and better look of card design. For some Amazon Kindle fans, the best news is you can get $100 off Amazon Kindle with a new Chase Amazon.com Rewards Visa Card!

The Amazon Kindle has been out in the market for a while and received great reviews both from consumers and experts. The Amazon Kindle sets out to change the way we read books, newspapers, weblogs, and more and is developed by Amazon itself. With the Amazon Kindle, you can have instant wireless access to 115,000 books sold by Amazon just like an electronic book reader, an audiobook player, and a wireless Web browser. Kindle uses a cellular data network to deliver books, newspapers, magazines and weblogs to you immediately. This network is called “Whistler” and is free for you to use. Amazon provides the data connectivity free of charge as part of Kindle’s purchase. Sweet!

The price of Kindle is $359.00 right now at Amazon.com. The Kindle was very popular: Amazon’s initial manufacturing run sold out in just five hours, and it took Amazon six months to get it back in stock. (Somehow, I think this is kind of a marketing strategy.) But if you read carefully, you can find that:

Get the Amazon Rewards Visa Card and Get $100 Off Kindle

Thanks to Chase, you get $100 off Kindle when you get the new Amazon.com Rewards Visa Card. Limited time only.

Here’s how this works: 1) Apply online. Get a response in as little as 30 seconds. If you’re approved, we will instantly add the card to your Amazon.com account and you’ll get $30 back on your credit card statement after your purchase. 2) Add a Kindle to your cart. 3) Place your order using the Amazon.com Rewards Visa Card and enter this promo code: VISACARD to get the additional $70 savings at checkout.

The question is whether the new Amazon.com Rewards Visa Card is better than its previous version?

Following is the details of the cash back rate:

From what I can tell, the new Amazon.com Rewards Card is really an upgraded version of rewards card. The old Amazon card gives 3 points for every dollar spent on Amazon and 1 point for other purchases. The new card add two new reward categories—restaurants and gas stations from which you can get 2 points for everyday $1 spent there. At the same time, the new Amazon credit card comes with an introductory double points offer! You will get 6 points for every dollat spent at Amazon.com within the introductory period. The new card also gives you airline miles, cash, or flight tickets in addition to gift certificates for redemption.

Overall, the new Amazon Visa Rewards Card is a better credit card product and if you are a fan of Amazon Kindle, it’s the right time to grab it!

American Express sent me an email targeted to my Starwood Preferred Guest Card about the amazing “People Lower Price” promotion. This is a really interesting promotion which offers an opportunity to you to purchase amazing electronics at the cost of 50% of retail price. The promotion website is: http://peoplelowerprice.amexnetwork.com.

What is the “People Lower Price”?

If you have an American Express credit card, you can visit the above mentioned website every Tuesday from September 9 until September 30, 2008. There will be a hot electronic product on sale. The starting time is 12PM ET — until 5PM ET or while supplies last. As far as we can see from the website, the first one is Flip Mino Digital Camcorder, the second one is Lenovo IdeaPad Y730, the third one is Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite and the last one is Sharp Aquos 32″ 1080p LCD HDTV. The price of the each featured product will begin to drop (slowly and not much). After you are counted in the program, you are eligible to click “Buy Now” button and place the order at a price that you think is right for you. This is kind of like Dutch Auction.

A Dutch auction is a type of auction where the auctioneer begins with a high asking price which is lowered until some participant is willing to accept the auctioneer’s price, or a predetermined reserve price (the seller’s minimum acceptable price) is reached. The winning participant pays the last announced price.

How does the “People Lower Price” work?

• When a featured product goes on sale at 12PM ET and you click on “Count Me In,” you’ll be asked to enter your Card number for verification because only Cardmembers can participate.
• Once you have been verified, you will be counted in for that product and the number of people needed for the next price drop will lower. You can only be counted in one time for each product.
• After you have been counted in, you can purchase the product when the price is right for you by clicking on “Buy Now.” Inventory is limited, so don’t wait too long.
• The more people counted in, the lower the price drops, so invite others to join in with the “Tell Your Friends” feature.
• When you come back to the website to participate on a different Tuesday, you won’t have to enter your Card number again. Just click on “Count Me In” to help lower the price!

If you want to participate in the promotion, you can set a reminder at the promotion page.

Sony Rewards also runs a similar program called “Reverse Auction” which allows you to purchase a features Sony product at a price you think is right to you. This program runs every month.

The Chase Sony Card is my eleventh credit card. And I like it very much because you can always get some great promotional offers from the Sony Card. The most popular one this year is “Get 10,000 Sony Rewards Points for Spending $500″ back in this March. The 10,000 sony rewards points can be redeemed for a $100 gift card at www.sonyrewards.com.

There are also two promotions from Sony Card right now: 1. Earn 5X Sony Rewards Points with Your Sony Card from July to September. 2. 10 Below from Chase Sony Card. If you have a Sony card, it’s good to catch the promotions before they expire.

According to my post in this January, Sony Card was offering $100 card credit on purchase of $299 or more. However, right now, the Chase Sony Card is offering $150 card credit after your first qualifying purchase of $299 or more! Plus you can get o% APR on purchase of $299 at SonyStyle.com up to 12 months. Note: Your first single sales receipt purchase made at a SonyStyle store, including SonyStyle.com equal or greater than $299 (“Qualifying Purchase”) will automatically qualify you for a $150 Statement Credit.

Some Sony products that you might be interested in: Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A200 $499 (Your price: $349 after credit); Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A300 $599 (Your price: $449 after credit); 80G Sony PS3 $399 (Your price: $249!); Sony Cyber-shot H10 Digital Camera $299.99 (Your price: $249.99 after credit); or you may consider a Sony Blu-ray disc player.

Other features of this card:

• 0% APR on purchase up to 12 months (I got 3 months.)
• Full platinum Visa benefits
• Earn 5 Sony Reward Points for every $1 you spend–at SonyStyle.com and Sony Style stores
• Earn 3 Sony Reward Points for every $1 you spend–on any Sony product when purchased from an authorized Sony retailer
• Earn 1 Sony Reward Point for every $1 you spend–on everyday purchase

According to my experience, you can get about $100 credit (or points) every year from Sony Card. But I should say that my favorite credit card from Chase is the Chase Freedom Card which offers 3% cash back (or 3.75%) on everyday purchase. Another credit card is the BP visa card which is offering 5% cash back on gasoline purchase at BP locations (10% for the first 60 days).

I have a post about PayPal Plug-In ($10 off $50 from PayPal Plug-In) which is offering $10 off for using this new online shopping assistant. Today I received an email from American Express which is offering 2500 membership rewards bonus points for using their Online Assistant.

The Online Assistant is a new product from American Express aimed to make your online shopping even easier. Right now, if you download the American Express Online Assistant and register the Online Assistant (enter your American Express Card information), you can get 2,500 bonus Membership Rewards points. What’s the new online shopping service can do for you? Basically, the Online Assistant remembers passwords, automatically fills forms, and even saves receipts. It can store your credit card information and at the checkout it can automatically fill in the form for you. The Online Assistant can even store your receipts after each transaction! You can edit your credit card information at the Online Assistant at any time.

There are several features of the Online Assistant that will offer you convenience when you shop online.

• Websites: Use this option as a “favorites”. Websites will automatically be stored here for your convenience as you save receipts on the related sites.
• Passwords: Manage Passwords or link to websites where you have saved login information.
• Fill Form: Instantly access your eWallet to fill registration and payment forms online.
• Receipts: View saved purchases and reports.

You can store any or all of your American Express Card products, as well as information such as different addresses for billing or shipping.

Your information at Online Assistant is encrypted using 128 Bit AES encryption. And all of the information in your eWallet is encrypted and stored locally on your PC. If you don’t like it, you can uninstall the Online Assistant software and/or cancel your Online Assistant account at anytime.

You can download the Online Assistant at http://www.americanexpress.com/onlineassistant

According to the fine print:

To receive this offer, the download of the Online Assistant is required by 09/30/2008. This offer is good for solicited Cardmembers only. Bonus points will be credited to your account 6-8 weeks after the promotion period ends. To earn bonus points, prior enrollment in the Membership Rewards program is required at time of the Online Assistant download. One download per Cardmember only. Bonus ID 1696. POID K939:000.

It seems this bonus offer is targeted to my Blue from American Express Card. My friend who has the Preferred Rewards Gold Card also received the email.

To learn how to use the Online Assistant, you can click this link. Remember: Only Mozilla Firefox 2.0, Internet Explorer 6.0 & 7.0 are supported

I have two posts about Advanta recently: Ideablob from Advanta and Small Business Network from Credit Card Issuers. Both of them introduced the pretty cool website from Advanta—Ideablob.com. Today I’m going to introduce the latest and most special credit card product from Advanta which is a dedicated credit card company for small business in US.

Advanta and Kiva.org just launched a new project named KivaB4B. Kiva.org is recognized as the world’s first peer-to-peer lending organization giving people the opportunity to help small businesses and entrepreneurs in developing countries through microfinancing loans. You should note that the purpose of the Kiva.org (nonprofit) is not to make money from the lending process but rather to lift the people at the developing countries from poverty. With the participation of Advanta, one of the largest business credit card issuers at US, I believe more and more people at developing countries will get the chance to get the money they need.

What’s the uniqueness of the KivaB4B project?

According to Jess at Advanta:

In recognition of their participation in the Project, Advanta provides the small businesses with resources to market their philanthropic activities to their community. Advanta also provides a financial incentive. If a small business owner uses an Advanta BusinessCard to make a grant to Kiva for an entrepreneur, Advanta matches the grant, dollar for dollar (up to $200 per account, per month).

This is amazing! If you are a small business owner and offer a loan through the KivaB4B program, Advanta will match your lending dollar for dollar up to $200 per month! It costs you nothing and the small businesses at developing countries will get doubled amount of what would get in the past!

Here is the details on how it works:

1. Select an inspiring business owner
2. Make a grant to Kiva using your Advanta business card
3. Advanta makes a matching grant through Kiva
4. Kiva distributes funds
5. As your funds are prepaid to Kiva, they are deposited into your Kiva account
6. Funds go to the people who need them

At the same time, Advanta released a new credit card product—the Kiva Business Card. We know that business card market is very competitive. Many big credit card issuers like Chase, Bank of America, Citi, American Express and Discover are promoting their business credit card products. However, most of their products are just regular-offer cash back, discount or sign-up bonus. The appearance of the Kiva Business Card gives you a chance to change the life of a people at the planet. It offers you an opportunity to help other people in the world as a business owner at US. This is a really smart strategy and will attract many business card members.

This Kiva Business Card also offers a 5% rebate on the first $1,200 of Bonus Qualifying transactions, and up to 1% on other purchase. The $1,200 is not that much but really a chance to help others and earn cash back.

If you are a small business owner and willing to help on this planet, the KivaB4B is a great chance.

Most of us may be not interested in store cards. Because they often don’t provide great sign-up bonuses. Some store cards even only offer cash back or other rewards programs for shopping at their stores. Not at all places! However, since they have their own costumers, credit card issuers are willing to work with they to promote credit cards to their customers. GE Money, one of six major operating divisions of General Electric, is one of the largest issuers of private label (store) credit cards for a number of U.S. retailers including Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, IKEA, and Lowe’s etc. Last June, GE Money teamed up with eBay and introduced the latest credit card product-eBay MasterCard.

Right now, if you apply for a eBay MasterCard and get approved, you can get 15% off (up to $25) on all purchases with eBay MasterCard until September 2, 2008. This new promotion is only valid if you apply and are approved for the eBay MasterCard between August 1, 2008 and September 2, 2008. 15% discount only qualifies on purchases made between August 1, 2008 and September 2, 2008, using eBay MasterCard. Qualifying purchases may be made on eBay, or everywhere else that accept MasterCard. A 15% credit on the qualifying transaction(s) (up to $25.00) will appear on your eBay MasterCard statement in the month following the transaction(s).

This eBay MasterCard will give you 1 reward point for every dollar charged on your eBay MasterCard at eBay. Of course, reward points are also earned with everyday purchases wherever MasterCard is accepted. Then, you can redeem your points for anything on eBay. Sometimes, you can even get promotional offers from eBay.

Other amazing features of this eBay MasterCard are:

• You can choose your card from 3 possible card designs at application.
• You can choose to add your eBay user ID to this card.
• The card also features Safe Shipping, which protects them if their item never arrives.
• The eBay MasterCard will be automatically linked to your PayPal account since you have to log in your PayPal account to submit your application.

The promotion page can be found through this link.

Here is how the application process goes according to GE Money.

When you apply, you will first be considered for an eBay MasterCard, which can be used anywhere MasterCard is accepted. If you don’t qualify for an eBay MasterCard, you will then be considered for a PayPal Buyer Credit account, which can be used on eBay and anywhere PayPal is accepted. New PayPal Buyer Credit Accounts and existing eBay MasterCard accounts are not eligible for the 15% back offer.

Personally, I think the credit cards from GE Money is not so attractive to general consumers. There are other retail credit cards out there offering better rewards and sign-up bonuses. For example, the new Amazon.com rewards visa card issued by Chase is offering $30 bonus plus 6% cash back for the first 90 days! The Buy.com platinum visa card is also offering $30 bonus.

Finally, get a store card might be helpful to your credit score. This may bring diversity to your credit report.

The Starwood Preferred Guest Card from American Express is one of my favorite credit cards. The extended warranty feature and great customer service are the main reason for me to use this card to buy electronic products. The other reason why I like this card is it always offers some great promotions now and then.

Right now, if you are a Starwood Preferred Guest Card from American Express cardholder, you can earn free 2,000 starpoints from American Express by adding two authorized users in your account and make a purchase. The 2,000 bonus points are very easy to get. You don’t have to provide the social security numbers of the authorized users to get the additional cards. All you need is to fill in your credit card number, card ID, the last four digits of your SSN and the name of the authorized users. American Express won’t run a credit check during this process because you pay the money that charged on the card. Furthermore, the additional cards are free, and have no annual fee. You can apply for two cards for your family members or friends and ask them to make a small purchase to get the bonus points. After that, you can get the credit cards back. I requested two cards through the promotion page. One for my roommate and another for one of my good friends.

According to the fine print:

1,000 bonus Starpoints will be awarded to your Starwood Preferred Guest Account 8-12 weeks after the first purchase on an approved Additional Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card submitted with this application. The Additional Cardmember must make their first purchase with the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card within one year of Card approval. Bonus offer applies to first 2 Additional Card added on this application only.

For those don’t have this Starwood Preferred Guest Card right now, I strongly suggest you get one. It’s very flexible to transfer your starpoints to airline miles, gift cards, or other rewards. If you sign up now, you can get 10,000 bonus starpoints which can be redeemed for a $100 Amazon.com gift card or up to 3 free night stays at Starwood Hotels.

If you spend over $15,000 on this card in 6 months, you can earn another 15,000 bonus points! That’s equal to 40,000 starpoints!If you were lucky like me, you might get 20,000 bonus starpoints!

The new semester will begin soon. American Express is pushing us to pay our tuitions with their credit cards. American Express is promoting the Back-to-School rewards program through September 31, 2008. Pay your tuitions with any American Express card now through September 30, 2008 and enjoy savings from 15 participating merchants in retail, travel, technology and more, available especially for students and parents during the back-to-school season.

It’s a great opportunity to enjoy some savings when you use your American Express credit card to pay your tuitions.

Here is how to get back-to-school rewards:

1. Visit your school’s website or tuition office and pay tuition using any American Express Card now through September 30, 2008.
2. Go to amexnetwork.com/tuition and click on “I Paid“.
3. Enter your school name, and your payment confirmation number. Instantly receive back-to-school offers and enjoy! (You can see your confirmation number after you submit your payment or you can see it from your credit card statement.)

The 15 offers as listed on American Express’ website are:

Save up to 50% at Sandals Resorts @ AMEX Vacations
Receive a full size 2.5 oz Ultra Facial Moisturizer® @ Kiehls
Save up to 20% off a truck rental @ Budget
Get 20% off your entire full price purchase @ Ann Taylor Loft
Save up to 30% on a Lenovo ThinkPad®
Get $20 off a purchase of $100 or more @ LNT
Get 20% off of single item @ Borders.com
Earn Triple points on JetBlue Airways
30% off on McAfee Internet Security Suite
10% off purchase @ Overstock
15% off on 75$ purchase or more @ Virgin Megastore
Get $25 off a purchase of $50 or more @ Loehmanns
Get $20 off a qualifying purchase of $75 or more @ Officedepot
Get 20% off first online order @ Pizza Hut
Get $100 off ABF U-Pack Moving® Services

Please note that: Tuition may be paid at any college, university, or K-12 school within the United States which accepts American Express Cards. The qualifying tuition must be a single transaction of $200 or more. Tuition includes tuition, room and board.

If you don’t have any American Express card yet, you can try the following easy to get American Express cards: Blue Cash from American Express, Blue from American Express, Starwood Preferred Guest Card from American Express, Gold Delta SkyMiles Card from American Express, Preferred Rewards Gold Card and One from American Express.

Following universities are listed on American Express website but I think if your school accepts American Express card, you’re eligible to receive the back-to-school savings.

Arizona State University
Baylor University
Baruch College
Binghamton University
Columbia University
Dallas Community College
Georgia Washington University
Georgia State University
Houston Community College
Hunter College
James Madison University
La Salle University
Maricopa Community Colleges
Michigan State University
Mississippi State University
New York University
Pennslyvania State University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rutgers University
Saint Mary’s College
San Jacinto College
Santa Clara University
Southern Methodist University
Stanford University
Syracuse University
Temple University
Texas A & M University
Texas Tech University
The College of New Jersey
Tulane University
University of California, Merced
University of Cincinnati
University of Dayton
University of Massachusetts
University of Minnesota
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of Richmond
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco
University of Southern California
University of Texas at Arlington
University of Tulsa
University of Utah
University of Vermont
University of Virginia
Vanderbilt University
Vassar College
Xavier University