Throughout the years the evolution of store credit cards has been tremendous. While some have used these cards to help build their credit, others have simply applied for the card for a discount. For that very fact many people have found themselves applying for countless number of cards, untimely doing more damage to their credit rating than good.

In an article entitled “Credit Card Basics: 5 Things You Need to Know about Store Credit Cards”, we learn more about the world of store credit cards beyond the discount on your current or next purchase. Within this article points that are touched on include:

• Type of Credit Inquiry Involved
• Effects on Your Credit Score
• Growing Difficulties to Getting Approved
• Savings May Not be Savings
• Those Who Benefit From Using These Cards
   

After reading this article you will get little bit better understanding on those who actually benefit more than others for applying for these types of plastic.

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According to a recent survey of almost 10,000 consumers commissioned by the National Retail Federation, fewer people are using credit cards for this year’s Holiday shopping. 30.9 percent said they used credit cards compared to 33.8 percent last year, an almost 10 percent decrease from 2008. Women used credit cards less than men, with 29.1 percent of women paying for Holiday purchases with credit cards versus 32.8 percent of men.

“As expected, shoppers have shown tremendous restraint in buying gifts with the money they already have, not the money they hope to have,” said Phil Rist, executive vice president, Strategic Initiatives, BIGresearch, which conducted the survey for the NRF. “Rely

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Among an otherwise long string of reports of rising credit card defaults, American Express continued to break the trend and significantly outperformed its competitors. While credit card charge-offs for other card issuers resumed their upward climb after a short lull in October, Amex credit card charge-offs and late payments fell to their lowest levels so far in 2009.

Amex net charge-offs on loans more than 60 days behind payments fell for the seventh month in a row to 7.6 percent in November, down from 7.8 percent in October. Amex credit card delinquencies, i.e. loans at least 30 days overdue, also dropped, from 4.1 percent in October to 3.9 percent in November.

The other major credit card companies, however, had little but bad news to report.

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In the always rocky relationship between credit card issuers and consumers, 2009 was particularly contentious. This was the year when millions of consumers discovered the hard way that credit card companies, despite lengthy grace period and sweet promises of 0% APR sugar Daddy offers, are not their friend.

And, while card issuers so far have had the upper hand in the great Credit Card Wars of the early 21st century, credit card companies may be about to (re)discover a bitter lesson of their own: if want your business to thrive, don’t kill the goose that lays the golden egg.

Credit cardholders across the country over the past year have been protesting loudly, but largely in vain, as card issuers aggressively increased interest rates, slashed credit limits, increased penalty fees, and in numerous other ways tightened credit card terms. P

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Using a credit card to save money really is possible, with wise use of gasoline rebate cards. When you pay your balance in full each month and avoid interest charges, it’s like free money – as long as you aren’t paying an annual fee.

Here’s what to look for when you compare gas cards:

The annual fee, of course. If you travel extensively and the rebate is high, it might be worth choosing a card with a fee. But do the math before you choose.

Next, the amount of the rebate. Cards vary from 1% up to 5% for some station-specific credit cards. And that makes a huge difference! Say you spend $300 per month on gas – which is not at all unusual with today’s prices. A 1 Read full article…