It used to be a snap, finding the best credit card rewards. For a while, credit cards were fighting amongst themselves to attract business, and virtually every card had some sort of gimmick. In those golden days, finding the best credit card rewards usually meant picking the type of reward you wanted among many good cards.

But with the economy in turmoil and new credit laws emerging, it’s not as easy to find those rewards any longer.

What’s changed?

In a word, money is to blame. Credit card companies are working under three major financial blows right now:

1. A struggling economy, which impacts them as much as anyone else

2.

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I don’t know what I signed up for, but in the past few weeks, I have been assailed with snail mail asking me to contribute to a various humanitarian and relief efforts across the world — clean water, dying animals, homeless people — you name it.

I had a different topic in mind for this week’s roundup, but then I came home yesterday and checked my mail. Yep, another piece of fundraising mail. This one was in a regular-sized envelope but was strangely heavy and textured, so I decided to open it. It’s from the Children’s Hunger Relief Fund. “Every penny is so important!” the letter claims. “Just 3 cents a day from Children’s Hunger Relief Fund can help provide hope for an African child.” Oh, really?

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There are several ways to fight a credit denial.

The economy may be improving, but many consumers may still find it difficult to get any kind of loan.

However, there are a number of ways for those seeking a loan to get one even after they get rejected, according to CNN Money. If, for example, a consumer is denied for a credit card, the company that rejected them usually sends a letter explaining the denial. Read full article…

Summary: The Virgin Money Monthly Prepaid MasterCard is Virgin’s prepaid card that is available to anyone that would like to manage the money on their card without worrying about overspending, or for those that do not qualify for standard credit cards because of their credit rating.

Features and Benefits: No bank account is required and there are no credit checks for the card. If you select the pay monthly option there are no card transaction charges in the UK. T

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Britons have been urged to take steps to ensure their summer holidays are not blighted by fees levied on overseas card usage.

Many people will be planning a summer holiday abroad, with South Africa a likely destination for many given the imminent start of the 2010 World Cup .

However, while drawing up spending plans is unlikely to be top of the list for soon-to-be holidaymakers, Moneyfacts spokeswoman Michelle Slade has warned that failure to take the implications of spending on credit cards overseas could lead to many Britons exceeding their budgets.

“In the UK we are so used to free banking that many people assume things will be the same when they go overseas,” Ms Slade commented.

“This can be a costly mistake as charges are applied both for taking money out of a cash machine and for making purchases in store.”

Ms Slade also advised people to change currencies before they get to the airport to make savings.

Football fans heading to South Africa for the World Cup should also be aware that no more than 5,000 rand in cash will be allowed in or out of the country. Read full article…