Best Credit Cards for Traveling, Dining and Cash Back

Undeniably, it is true that world has become a global village thus allowing people to use improved transportation and telecommunication means.  Though the trend of globalization has some advantages and disadvantages as well, we will focus on the positive side of globalization and technological advancement.

With the help of technological investment, mainly rise of internet and other communication technologies, business has become international as multinational companies work all across the world. The buying of products from far flung areas is now an easy task because almost all companies accept online payments (credit / debit or visa/master cards).  With introduction of this feature, the concept of hard cash is long gone. People now prefer to keep credit cards and debit cards for instant payments thus minimizing the hustle and bustle of keeping huge amounts of cash in their pockets.  Due to growing interest of people in online payments, banks and various companies offer a lot of debit and credit cards options. The choice of credit card depends on various factors such as payback period, rewards, credit limit etc.  This blog will help you in finding some best credit options based on these afore-mentioned parameters.

Best Credit Cards based on Perks, Rewards, Annual Fee and Interest

• Best Card for Good Credit: Chase Sapphire Preferred

This card is considered one of the best cards in the market which offers best credit options. It gives 60000 bonus points if a user spends $4000 within first three months after the account opening. The redeem option of these 60000 will pay $750 by using Chase Ultimate Reward Portal. If use for dining and travel, you will get 2 points for each dollar spending. Moreover, the reward is 25% of more worth if redeem through their portal of Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Pricing Model:          Annual Fee: $95

                                  Regular APR:   18.24% to 25.24%

• Best Card for Higher Cash Back: Blue Cash Preferred by American Express

Thus card offer a bonus of $250 after a spending of $1000 on purchases within first three months of account opening. In addition, the other perks are:

·        6% cash back rewards at U.S. supermarkets if the spending is up to $6,000 in purchases, each year

·        3% cash back at U.S. gas stations purchases

·         3% cash back on ground transportation

·         6%  cash back on selected US TV and music streaming services

·        By maxing out the grocery rewards, the earning can reach to $360.

Pricing Model:     Annual Fee: $95

Regular APR is 0 for one year and after that it ranges 15.24% to 26.24%.

• Best Card for Travelling: Chase Sapphire Reserve

This card is best for travelling purposes. It offers premium rewards with huge signup bonus, amazing perks. However, this card has higher annual fee. After the account opening, if you spend $4000 in first three months, you will earn 50,000 bonus points. This can be redeemed to get $750 of travel credit. Additionally, three points are added to the account for per dollar spending on travel or dining worldwide. Apart from regular perks and benefits, you can get annual credit of $300 as well as $100 credit for application fee of for Global Entry or TSA Pre Check, airport lounges access, and special car booking offers using this card.

Pricing Model:     Annual Fee: $450 (Primary Cardholder)

$450+$75 (additional authorized users)

 Regular APR:     19.24% to 26.24%

How to protect your credit card

Always check your credit card when returned to you after a Purchasing to Make sure it is your card.

Do not give your card number out over the phone without knowing why. Know who is asking for your number on the phone before giving out the number. Make sure that person is employed by a reputable catalog company, organization or business. If it was an unsolicited call, do not give the number out.

Do not use your credit card on an unsecured or fake website. Online purchases are fast and easy. However, unless the website is secure and trusted, your credit card number is at risk for being hacked. Use only websites that explicitly state they are secure and reputable businesses and for which such claims can be verified.

Do not post confidential information on social networking sites such as twitter and facebook or other. Many people love sharing all kinds of things about their lives on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and LinkedIn. However, sharing too much can leave you open to ID Hacker.

Protect your Card pin numbers at ATMs or when using the telephone.

Do not give out personal information when you have not initiated the conversation.

Unless you initiated the call, DON'T give out:
•    Your date of birth.
•    Your Social Security number.
•    Your mother's maiden name.
•    The three-digit security code on the back of your card.


Always check your monthly statement. Make sure the charges are yours. Report them to your card company if the entry is not yours.

Credit Cards detail hacked at City of Cleveland garage

Photo by WKYC

 Custmers have reported unauthorized transactions on their bank cards after paying to park in the Willard Park Garage below Cleveland City Hall. 
City spokesman Dan Williams says 13 people have reported having their bank credit card accounts hacked and that security agencies were trying to determine if the information of others was compromised. 

Everyone who has reported being hacked works in the nearby Anthony J. Celebrezze Federal Building in downtown Cleveland on East 9th Street. Williams says it hasn't been determined how the breach occurred. He says the city will be working to ensure that it doesn't happen again.